The building of the beast.

[mojoreef]

I thought I would put this thread together to kinda document the work invloved and the many stages of building this tank. hope u enjoy.

well this new tank starts with the old tank so this is it perfectly good 300 gallon SPS reef

Now we all no what to do with a perfectly good SPS reef. We tear it down to build a bigger one

Then we get serious and have some fun tearing things apart

 

[mojoreef]

Here is the begining of the stand. Damm thing almost killed me . it must weight 500+ lbs

Starting to close up the walls. I used the chip board for backing and will cover with some hospital paneling.

 

[mojoreef]

OK I got some more pics...just finished up putting the hospital paneling up, so here ya go.

 

[mojoreef]

and now to build the tank
well JOhn at Innovative Aquarium Products sent over some pics of the tank being built so I thought I would share. I really have to give John cudos for doing a great job and sharing the process at me, So I will recommend that if ya need a tank, sump, refugium or likewise you check him out.

Anyway here is a pic of the coast to coast averflow getting glues inot place.

Here is the front acrylic peices, I know John had nothing but nice things to say about humping those peices around.

and here is the all the back glued together

 

[mojoreef]

First one is a pic of my DIY (with help) Calcium reactor...man you know this is all starting to look like monster garage for reefs

And this one all reefers know the answer to. What do u do when u get a bunch of extra space behind the tank?? YOu stuff it full of equipment so you cant move around in it

 

[mojoreef]

In didnt quite start off the best, we had a little trouble getting in the truck, had to keep an eye out for low overpasses

But we got it in. It was kinda like a giant tetrus piece

Then of coarse it wouldnt fit in the house so big T was nice enough TO RIP MY SLIDING GLASS DOOR OUT

 

[mojoreef]

First job. Transfering over the marks from the front. I scribed the out lines of the overflow system and made the mark for where the closed loop out put would be, just under the trough.

Ok next comes the layout. I set all the plumbing on top as it would fit and then tranfered down the marks using a speed square.

and now...everyone's fav. ITS HOLE CUTTING TIME:dance:

And more holes

and even more holes, lol

 

[mojoreef]

OK haven't done to much, it seems I dislocated a few fingers on the move so I am a one handed plumber but her we go.

After the holes are cut we filled them with some bulkheads

then come some PVC (or lego for adults as I like to call it)

Then after a bunch of glue, parts and so on you get this.The closed loop system

and the begining of the sump

 

[mojoreef]

here's Johnny for IAP doing a little flame polishing on the new braces

and I need some commentary on the stand finish. I found some basted marble for real cheap and it kind looked like old coral. tell me what u think

and I last one of a center piece I got from a tile shop. The piece is called "The reef" sorry I couldn't pass it up. its hand painted with corals and some fish

 

[mojoreef]

Here is the framing of the top

and here is some of the marble tile

and here is the first of 5 rooms full of rock

Rockscaping Party!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mojoreef]

making foam ^ feet of air stone skimmer love

sump

120 watts of UV

 

[mojoreef]

here is the front face of the lighting set up. On the front I have 3 400 watt raduims, 2 250 watt DE Ushios and 8 32 watt pcs. I had to put the lights on a rail as the original pulley system was a bust. I used a barn door rail that is 14 feet long. and yes it was a fun job putting that one up by myself

here is my fav view, it gives you a look down either 8 foot face. I only have the pcs and raduims going right now but I can tell this will be a good spot for reefers to hang.

here is some rock work photos, it doesnt really show the effect but its almost all ledges and caves. This is the left side of the face

right side of the face

and a couple of the whole tank

 

[mojoreef]

 

[Twize]

Mojoreef,
This tank is freakin beautiful!!
My wife and I are also starting on our dreamtank and would like to get the contact email of the company that constructed your tank.
The website http://www.scruffybrush.com seems to be pointing to a "One stroke painting technigue site" with no other links.
Thanks in advance.
You can email me at [email protected]
Much appreciated!

 

[MtnDewMan]

I have had the honor of seeing this beast in person, actually was there when we ripped the sliding glass door off it's frame

It is really looking good Mike .. one day you will have to teach me how to pull everything out of a tank (including fish) to do major overhauls.

 

[Zack]

wow!!!! like the marble a lot and the hand painted pic!

 

[tamarindthai]

we saw this beauty in person ,,,woooowwwww!!!!. Mike ,i stiil want to say thank you

 

[RockyHeap]

Jaw dropping eye numbing brain tingling amazing.......

 

[mojoreef]

Thanks for the kind words folks, it was a fun projest...wel and a few other things to, lol I thought it would be a good post to have here to give folks some ideas for thier tank.

Twize I would love to help you with your tank. The way it works for this builder is for you (and me if you need a little help) have to come up with a design first, from front to back. Then we can put it to him for a quote. He is real busy and doesnt have time to go over the design stage.
If I may give a suggestion for your dream tank. YOu really have to have everything down pat before you go to build. From plumbing plan to flow, to an over all concept of how you want this reek to work. Here would be one idea I used. I believe heavily in flow and the removal of detritus, instead of using stuff like DSB and so on. KNowing this I designed a water flow pattern that would allow for the simple removal of detrius. This goes from stuff like back spray bar to keep the detritus out of settling to Motorized ball valves.
Anyway start a thread if you wish and we can get buzy on some ideas.


Mike

 

[Tangee]

Hey Mike,
That tank is worth everything you went through. Definately one of a kind. You just have to stay in that house forever now! It's fun (and a little overwhelming) to see the stages documented like that. Now I also know how much we need you Did you get my email last week? We're ready to ROCK! I also want to see that new Vlamingi, it was on my wish list but now I'm reading that most people think 300G isn't big enough My bubble is burst. I'll be calling for help soon!
Susie