UNIQUE DIY Heavy 75 Gallon SPS Reef

[Ryan@ShelteredReef]

Cost wise, its actually not bad. A 4x8 sheet of 1/2 inch is around $80 at a big box hardware store. I've never used this material for anything aquarium related so its still a bit of a question mark as to how it will work out.

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef]

Masked off and ready for silicone

Secured in place

I used glass mosaic tiles siliconed to the glass to reinforce certain stress points on the wall itself as silicone doesn't bond to PVC.

Also painted the sides that will be visible

 

[Chris Kelly]

looking cool

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef]

And because I couldn't help myself...

The foam is there just in case

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef]

looking cool

Thank you. Hopefully I'll have time tomorrow to put in some work on the stand

 

[colonelcoral]

Wow this is an interesting build! Nice work!

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef]

Wow this is an interesting build! Nice work!

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to watching it fill in with acros and plating montis

 

[Clayton Jessup]

This is a super unique build I love it! I am not sure if I missed this but what type of material is your overflow box made of ?

 

[Scurvy]

Glad I found this! Definitely following. Cool ideas.

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef]

This is a super unique build I love it! I am not sure if I missed this but what type of material is your overflow box made of ?

Thanks man. The overflow is made of 1/2 inch PVC foam board. It's used for outdoor or wet location trim applications and you can get it at Home Depot or Lowe's for around $80 for a 4'x8' sheet. I used a 2'x4' sheet for this project which cost around $20

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef]

Glad I found this! Definitely following. Cool ideas.

I appreciate it. Trying to find time around all the other things involving the business is difficult to say the least. I'm hoping to have it plumbed and filled in the coming weeks.

 

[Dizzirn]

Very interesting... I am currently building a 125g.,. Drilling holes and plumbing was fun...

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef]

Very interesting... I am currently building a 125g.,. Drilling holes and plumbing was fun...

Yeah this is one of the few glass tanks that I've actually drilled myself. It's not too bad and the bit only cost $8.

 

[Clayton Jessup]

Very good to know , it looks really good

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef]

Very good to know , it looks really good

Thanks man. I'm not sure that it's necessarily 100% waterproof being that its an open cell type material (~50:50/air:material). For this application it doesn't really need to be.

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef]

Managed to make some progress on the stand construction.

I used pocket screws for the majority of the framing so as to preserve the face of the outside boards for a stain finish

Checking the fit

Installed 3/4 plywood to the back and bottom. The joists for the plywood base were ripped down to allow the plywood to sit flush with the bottom boards.

And...

Next up are cosmetic finishes. Paint and stain all around

 

[haanstang]

I did the same thing. Routing groves for all four sides and baffles on my wooden sump. Much stronger for more surfaces area to glue.
Awesome build.

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef]

I did the same thing. Routing groves for all four sides and baffles on my wooden sump. Much stronger for more surfaces area to glue.
Awesome build.

Yeah and having material on either side keeps the panels from shifting. Your plywood sump is something else! Crazy detailed and the stand you built for your 210 came out really nice. I'll probably wind up using a standard 20L for the sump on this tank until I figure out something a little more custom

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef]

Been a busy week but the stand is stained and has a few coats of poly. The inside will be painted white in the coming days...hopefully. Then it's on to plumbing.

Here's an overhead of the wiring for some recessed LED under cabinet lights.

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef]

Managed to squeeze in painting the inside today.

And...Done!

Now I can start plumbing and then finally get this #reeftank set up at #shelteredreef