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MadMax
05-23-2019, 01:22 AM
Its been many years since I've brought a new reef tank online.
This particular build was started as a downsizing effort after selling my 180 gallon reef system. My main challenge is to use ALL CURRENTLY OWNED EQUIPMENT so as to maintain a sense of financial efficiency. As of this writing, the only thing I've had to purchase is a gallon of specialty paint for the stand (I refuse to use CA compliant water base for such an appication) but everything else I had on hand.
So, here we go:

TANK:
- 60 Gallon Custom Acrylic 36"L x 18"W x 24"T
- Black acrylic back wall w/center rear overflow.
- Custom top insets close off top to thwart jumpers.

I purchased this custom tank from a fellow reefer some 15 or so years ago and had it stored away in a shed all this time! I recently dusted it off, routered a 1/4" roundover on front leading edges, and then completly buffed it out, inside and outside, to where it looks like brandnew acrylic again. Not much of a challenge since I already own a full line of auto detailing equipment including specialty buffers, acrylic polish, etc, I then plumbed out the overflow box, added lockline returns, and other plumbing components such as a proprietar silent overflow of my own design.

https://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/reefmeister2/Random/20190511_152554.jpg


SUMP:
Custom Acrylic 30"L x 15"W x 16"T Sump with baffles and sock ring.
Built of a beefy 5/16" acrylic on all sides, I had ordered this for heavy-duty use with the MAX Children's Tank for many years...
It is now put to good use on this new reef build,

https://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/reefmeister2/Random/20190511_151443.jpg



STAND:
All Wood Custom 36"L x 18"W x 32"T of my own design.
Let me first say this: I do NOTHING normal!
I had a particular design and function in mind and (with the help of some trusty tools) I made it happen.
- I wanted NO DOORS, NO SIDES, and NO CENTER SUPPORTS!
A) I want the sump to be a "display sump" and B) I did NOT want my tank to sit on a piece of furniture. I wanted a slim and simple contemporary design. It took alot of engineering, a good amount of wood, glue, and stainless steel fasteners, and perhaps a bit of luck.
Lastly, it was sanded, filled, sanded some more, primed, blocked, primed again, and then FINALLY top coated with Z-Spar Oil-base Marine Top Coat Enamel at a cost of $108 for ONE gallon of paint! (Sheesh!) It is finished off with 4 panels of Black ABS plastic panels for top, bottom, and both middles:

https://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/reefmeister2/Random/20190511_152419.jpg



THE THREE MAIN COMPONENTS:
Tank, Stand, and Sump ready to GO!

https://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/reefmeister2/Random/20190511_152000.jpg




FIRST STACK!
(I even did this on my own, phew!)

https://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/reefmeister2/Random/20190511_154232.jpg



TO BE CONTINUED:

MadMax
05-23-2019, 02:28 AM
WEEK LATER:

well, tank is up and fully cycling after adding lighting, protein skimmer, substrate, liverock, etc.
All of the above I had in inventory but had to kick the bucket and spend another $100 on three essential Salifert test kits (Ammonia, Niitrite, and Nitrate) and three important additivdes (Dr Tim's One and Only, Eco-Ballance, and Waste Away) to help cycle the tank....not all at once of course. The live rock is well established from my old tank so the process should be pretty quick.


https://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/reefmeister2/Random/20190523_011638.jpg

https://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/reefmeister2/Random/20190522_234706.jpg

https://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/reefmeister2/Random/20190522_234652.jpg



My prized paired Clownfish are patiently chilling out in their own little Nano Isolation tank pending the main tank cycle. I Hope to transfer them shortly after a few days. Hopefully I can find a simple RBT anemone for them to host soon....just can't afford to buy one just yet.

https://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/reefmeister2/Random/20190523_023146.jpg

https://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/reefmeister2/Random/20190523_023155.jpg

LotsaFishies
05-23-2019, 07:23 AM
Looking good! Nice build and documentation!


What are you planning on keeping / focusing on in the tank?

MadMax
05-23-2019, 08:05 AM
Looking good! Nice build and documentation!


What are you planning on keeping / focusing on in the tank?


Softies, Softies, and more Softies! (well ok, a few LPS too, I suppose)
I never did care for the SPS Hype.

Here is my "old" tank:

https://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/reefmeister2/3.jpg

MadMax
09-17-2020, 01:12 PM
I'm selling this (below) as a SIMPLE SALE for $750 ALL-INCLUSIVE

By simple I mean I am not going to go through the hassle to list everything

"What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get" Plus More! (hint: the liverock ALONE is worth that price)

If Interested give me a ring or text: 714-260-6660

Details:
36"x18"x56" custom acrylic with middlle rear overflow and custom acrylic sump on custom wood stand
Lighting is a large PFO combo 250-watt mogul metal halide with actinic PC supplements.
More livestock included than what is shown in picture. Lots of mushroom-encrusted rock, paired clowns with host anemone, yellow tang, etc.


https://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii46/reefmeister2/Random/20190523_011638.jpg