Frags 120 gallon reef room divider (LOTS of pics added April 8, 10)

[Fragzilla]

Originally Posted by Mrfish55

Very nice job on the stand, as for color, Rustoleum makes a texture paint that comes in a couple different colors, would make it look like granite, close to the charcoal you are thinking.

Thank you,


The texture paint is not my thing. The last time I used it if I remember correct it is a rough surface that tends to flake off. I am looking for a smooth painted surface just debating on the final color.

[Fragzilla]

Here is a pic of a stand from one of the members here, this was one of my inspirations

I like the color.

[BWI]

great looking stand! i love the molding work!

[Fragzilla]

Originally Posted by BWI

great looking stand! i love the molding work!

the top and bottom molding is store bought, all other trim work was done with 3/4" soft maple and a router.

[Fragzilla]

Pretty much finished off the painting, it will need a few touch ups later. After much debate went with a white paint.

Front



Side



Couple detail shot of one of the pillars





I am pretty happy how th paint turned out considering I was using a paint brush

Next on the to do list,

1 - figure out what I am going to do about the doors. May build them or may purchase them from the supplier of our kitchen cabinets so they will match our kitchen.

2 - I have an electrical outlet in line with the tank on the wall it is butting up against. May looking at mounting a few electrical boxes in my stand and jumping the outlet from the wall.

3 - Time to start building the sump - I am really looking forward to this and will start it soon!

Jeff

[Myka]

Looking good! I have always wanted an ornate stand like that, and being a carpenter by trade I have the capabilities, but not the will power!!

I think painting the stand white was a better idea than black. I painted my stand black, and I don't like it. It's too bulky looking that way. I'm going to re-paint mine to match the walls (they are a neutral tan color), and I think that will make the stand look less obtrusive.

Originally Posted by Fragzilla

All internal joints were sealed with silicone.

If you indeed used silicone, and not a caulk you will find your paint will flake off. Paint won't stick to silicone. If that's the case, you may need to use an Exacto knife to remove the silicone and replace with a paintable caulk. I would suggest DAP brand Alex Plus.

Originally Posted by Fragzilla

1) my current tank is 75 gallonish. the one i am thinking about building is 48 x 24 x24. Being that i am building it I could very the size. Should I look at building a different size? and if so why?

What are your plans for the tank? If you are planning to keep the Sailfin Tang you probably should have considered a bigger tank with a 6' length. It also depends on what type of rockscape you like, some people like to use tanks that are square (like your 24x24), some like taller than wide, some like wider and shallower.

Originally Posted by Fragzilla

2) Going to have an external overflow mounted on one end as three side will be visable. How many holes should I put in the bottom of it and what size?

I would also suggest a Herbie drain. Be sure to use a gate valve, and not a ball valve. Your tank being 120 gallons, I would think you would be looking for about 700-750 gph through the sump. If that's the case, then with that amount of flow you would be able to get away with 1" drains if you're doing a Herbie (which it sounds like you are). If you're wanting more than 900 gph through the sump you will need to use 1 1/2" drains. The return size will be determined by the pump you choose. Most pump manufacturers suggest the return piping to be double the size of the in/outlets on the pump. So if the in/outlets are 3/4" you should use 1 1/2". Having said that, my pump has 5/8" outlets, and I use a 1" return.

Originally Posted by Fragzilla

3) what size of sump/ref should I build? how many sections? and what goes where ( I am a total NOOB when it comes to sumps)

It sounds like you have some ideas on sumps. Do a Google search for "Melev reef", and check out all his different sump designs. Sometimes it's handy to have some media racks in the sump too, so you can take a peek at that. I have a media rack in mine that only takes 1/3 of the sump's flow. I put a filter floss media on there instead of using a filter sock on the drain, so I can reap the benefits of both worlds (having a sock versus not).

Originally Posted by Fragzilla

4) plumbing? out of the overflow what goes where?

The drains in the overflow go into the first compartment of the sump. The return line goes from the pump in the pump chamber of the sump through the bottom of the overflow (in your case) and out into the tank. Since your flow will all be at one end of the tank with the return line, I would suggest you take a look at adding a closed loop pump through the bottom of the tank with (or without) an Oceans Motions wave device. If done thoughtfully you can often eliminate powerheads in the tank for a nice clean look.

[Fragzilla]

I was in the process of making my doors and thought I would stop in at the local Revy store on Southland Drive in calgary.

I picked up the perfect sized doors for my stand for $2.00 each - yes that is correct $2.00. As well I got panels fror the back side and end.

Anyone who lives in Calgary that requires cabinet doors needs to go there ASAP. They have hundreds of doors for sale at 2 to 5 bucks. I dont think they will be there for long - I was told they are going to donate whatever doesnt sell.

Jeff

[ALBERTA REEF]

Originally Posted by Fragzilla

Pretty much finished off the painting, it will need a few touch ups later. After much debate went with a white paint.

Front



Side



Couple detail shot of one of the pillars





I am pretty happy how th paint turned out considering I was using a paint brush

Next on the to do list,

1 - figure out what I am going to do about the doors. May build them or may purchase them from the supplier of our kitchen cabinets so they will match our kitchen.

2 - I have an electrical outlet in line with the tank on the wall it is butting up against. May looking at mounting a few electrical boxes in my stand and jumping the outlet from the wall.

3 - Time to start building the sump - I am really looking forward to this and will start it soon!

Jeff

Nice Stand. Gives me Ideas for what I want my stand should look like. Stands should look like fine piece of furniture.

[Fragzilla]

Originally Posted by ALBERTA REEF

Nice Stand. Gives me Ideas for what I want my stand should look like. Stands should look like fine piece of furniture.

Thanks Reef!

I lucked out on this as I am not a finish carpenter in any way. I used some other builds on here as a guide with my own touch.

I would not call it a "fine piece of furiture" though

What I didnt want, as someone else said;

"something the size of a fridge in the middle of my family room looking nasty!"



Jeff