Used Tank DIY Makeover Build

[Ernie C]

Hi all, so I've been needing a second tank, as my display is starting to look cluttered and ugly with all the frags and frag tiles all over the place. So, I picked up a 53 gallon rimless tank that included some livestock, sump, stand and rocks for a decent price. Thanks to my buddies in my [HASH=2912]#305reefclub[/HASH] [HASH=3720]#305reefclubsquad[/HASH] , couldn't have done any of this without them, we were able to get it torn down and reassembled quick. As we took it apart and cleaned it up, we realized it would need one heck of a makeover. Since this is going to be a side tank, I'm trying to keep the costs down and DIY as much as possible. We thought about sharing the experience for those interested in a low cost DIY makeover build.

Will be doing the following:
New lights
New Protein Skimmer
New DIY Aluminum Mount
New DIY Stand
Some Frag racks
and anything else that pops up?

First step is the lights and a new skimmer. Ordered some Black box vipras and will build aluminum mount, so will post that part of the build soon. Next i'll tackle the stand. Original stand is particle board and has swelling and is ugly. The plan is a wood framed stand with removable panels on three sides. First time doing DIY light mounts and stand so this should be interesting and fun i hope.

Here are some pics of the tare-down day clean up and temporary set up.

Tare-Down supplies

Cleaning Tank and Sump once we got it home
Got Rid of sand in tank and sump

Sorting Parts

Putting it back together

And what it looks like now

 

[Silent]

Thanks for sharing. Going bare bottom huh?

 

[Ernie C]

Yes, I've had very good success with that setup in my display so trying to replicate the setup since the frags are coming from that system for the most part.

 

[xiholdtruex]

Looking good ! Looking forward to seeing it grow some sexy coral!

 

[Rogued_Reefer]

The best part is we took it apart, moved it, set it back up in about 4 hrs top including 45m drive! It’s looking sharp bro I can’t wait to see all the DIYs and help as much as possible.

 

[xiholdtruex]

@Ernie Crucet favorite part was the skimmer

 

[Ernie C]

I found a nice looking [HASH=1756]#diy[/HASH] light mount option for the lights online from another DIYer. I was able to find all the materials at HomeDepot. It was fairly easy to cut and assemble. Cost was about $60. Here are some pics. If anyone wants the link, i can try to find it and post. Here are some pics of the mount build.

[HASH=3720]#305reefclubsquad[/HASH] [HASH=2912]#305reefclub[/HASH]

 

[Ernie C]

Still waiting on the lights and skimmer to be delivered. In the mean time I started working on the [HASH=1756]#diy[/HASH] [HASH=7469]#stand[/HASH]. I saw some pictures on line and like the pocket screws so got myself a jig and tested it out. Pretty neat and easy to use. Here are some pics of my wood pieces, testing the pocket screw jig, and the base assembly.

Cutting pieces

Testing the Pocket Screw jig

Bottom assembly

 

[Ernie C]

Got some more work done on the [HASH=1756]#diy[/HASH] stand tonight. Will see about getting some plywood for the top and bottom this weekend and explore some options for magnetic panels to cover it up.

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

Following along, I too bought a tank that looks almost identical today. Custom stand, sump and rimless tank for a screaming good deal.

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

Got some more work done on the [HASH=1756]#diy[/HASH] stand tonight. Will see about getting some plywood for the top and bottom this weekend and explore some options for magnetic panels to cover it up.
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That Kreg jig is a miracle worker, I got one this year and love building things now. Looks really nice.

 

[Ernie C]

Got the skimmer today. It’s an inexpensive skimmer so gonna let it break in and see if it works out.

 

[Ernie C]

Also been working on the stand. Almost finished. Now just need paint and to figure out the paneling. Hoping the magnetic idea work out.

 

[Ernie C]

Got to painting today and I think I’m done. Used magnets from Walmart and they work surprisingly well. Take a look at today’s work. I miss calculated the front panel to cover the side panel due to the magnets but in plan to add aluminum corner guards to match the aluminum light track.

 

[ajjw0828]

Nice build! How does the DIY light rack you made stay on the tank? Looks like it sits on top of the side glass edges, but what keeps from shifting and falling?

 

[Ernie C]

Thanks. I ended up selling it and upgrading my main display. But to answer your question, it had brackets on the sides that hugged the glass and kept it from sliding. Here is the link I used do build it.

Easy to Build Tank or Table Mount for LED Fixtures

With the huge popularity of the Chinese 165W LED fixtures, I was looking for a clean tank mount solution. I really don’t like the look of ceiling mounts and in my case as the tank sits under a stairway, that’s not even an option for me. I looked around for any tank mounts that could be modified, ...

www.nano-reef.com