Starting ~800 Gallon Custom Reef Tank Build

[ravi197699]

Tank is here ....

ok guys, tank was finally put together by builder and I was with them all day till 9pm and it was great experience and watched the entire process of putting tank together this size. It was planed very well and structure, support base sides and panels installation was executed very well. Not easy to handle large panes of the glass that is 3/4" thick. largest pane was the base which weigh around 500 lbs and I was nervous how we are going to tackle this big piece and set it in the frame that was put together at builders shop, This is my second tank from same builder and I highly respect his life long experience in building tanks. Tank is supported by anodized aluminum frame that is screwed in on the base on marine grade plywood, he used technique that he calls floating bottom of the tank, so there is marine grade plywood 3/4" thick and aluminum frame sits on the plywood and frame is secured on plywood with screws, then he added 1/8" insulation on the plywood and squares were cut out and filled with silicone which is raised higher than pink insulation and glass is sitting on that pink insulation and silicone, after this he added pads that glued on the side of the bottom pane and on aluminum frame which will keep gap between the frame and side pane and gap between bottom and side pane. then it was time to lay silicone and I have never seen this much silicone, I counted 46 tubes of commercial aquarium silicone that was used for this build and I was impressed by how it was laid on the seams, there are aluminum supports on the each corner which has layer of silicone and it is held in place by top and bottom frame, top frame is also custom frame that has 3 supports in the middle and double angled aluminum to add additional strength and it is all held together with marine grade bolts and nylon nuts and that has layer of silicone as well. Here are the pictures of the tank from begin and end.. Please feel free to comment..

 

[ravi197699]

Little more progress this weekend...

Here is little progress and I did buy 1/2" thick insulation green pad and cut it out to make surface even and with help of my younger brother I was able to slide the sump that was sitting in back yard for over a month. Tank fits nicely and it is sticking out 2 inches and hangs over the slab, I will have to cut out piece of wood and slide it under the sump to support the overhanging part, I did not consider loosing 4 inches of space when we put together the sump and installed 4x4 supports, I did calculation from the wall to the end of the slab, But this should not be show stopper. we have work around for this. More than half of this sump will be filled with rock and front of the sump where I have easy access will have large section of refugium and I will be able to hang light over the fuge with magnets on the steel eye beam. Here are some of the pictures...

 

[Panonhas]

wow, that is impressive! it also looks bullet proof. seems like its made to last forever. good luck with it. this will definitely be an amazing build.

 

[ravi197699]

Thank you Panonhas, This is my second tank from same builder and he does not skimp on safety and pre-planned design, so far I pretty happy with the tank, size and supports on this tank. Moving ahead with sump and plumbing and pumps etc.. many more pictures to come ..

 

[Macropora]

Is there painted plywood on top of the bottom pane of glass that is glued in place? Got a little lost with the bottom frame explanation. Thank you.

 

[ravi197699]

there is plywood on the bottom of the bottom pane and it is marine plywood which is water proofed on the top

 

[Macropora]

Okay, a glass sandwich with regular plywood, styrofoam on the bottom and the another piece of marine grade plywood on the top of the glass. It's an interesting idea. Definitely Good for accidental landscape avalanches so you won't crack the glass. Nicely done!

 

[Reef lover24]

that tank is a beast!!! Looking good cant wait to see more progress

 

[vio]

Wow, big job.

 

[Koyfam16]

Nice progress. I don?t even want to know what this tank cost. Lol.

Guess you?re never moving from that house lol.


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[Alfredo De La Fe]

Nice! I look forward to seeing photos of it once complete!

 

[ravi197699]

Made some progress and my contractor finish the front of the tank and sunroom side of the tank, this weekend was beautiful and sunny and I was able to wash my rocks and separate out shelves, large pieces and small pieces of rock and separate out tonga branches which I want to use to elevate the rock structure so I don't loose the flow and don't accumulate detritus on the bottom of the tank, here are some of the pictures of the finished front and back of the tank and my rock, I think this should be enough for display and rest will go in the sump..

 

[3450500]

awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[4Fish]

Hi, tank is beautiful. Something to consider. I did the same thing to my 220. Essentially built into the wall like a picture frame. I do have a fish room behind the tank. However, while not impossible, it is difficult to clean and move things around in front of the tank. Before it is too late, you may want to think of an access panel in the front.

 

[Panonhas]

Looks awesome. Don?t forget to paint the ceiling before you fill it if that is what you decided. Lol.


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[ravi197699]

Hi, tank is beautiful. Something to consider. I did the same thing to my 220. Essentially built into the wall like a picture frame. I do have a fish room behind the tank. However, while not impossible, it is difficult to clean and move things around in front of the tank. Before it is too late, you may want to think of an access panel in the front.

I had the little slot on the top but it was not enough so I decided to close it, I know it is going to be challenging but I have to deal with it, I love the front finished look, I can always access the tank from the side panel side which is wide open ....

 

[ravi197699]

Looks awesome. Don?t forget to paint the ceiling before you fill it if that is what you decided. Lol.


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I have decided to keep it as it is, I am hoping that it will reflect some of the light back In the tank, but I will seal it with clear coat of the paint...

 

[vio]

How about overflow, what u decide ?

 

[Macropora]

Is the aluminum frame also painted over with white? Looks good so far.

 

[ravi197699]

How about overflow, what u decide ?

Hello Vio, there is overflow built in the tank which is 12" x 24"x 1.5" and three 1.5" holes for drain pipes that will come down in the filter sock box that is being custom built, I will post pictures when I get the box.