It's been a while since I tore down my 5ft planted. I always had intentions of doing another build but life got in the way and I have been slowly turning my plans into reality.
I enjoy documenting the progress of each build so I can easily see the tanks progression and have decided to play a little catch up.
Spring 2015
It started with a custom 48"x24"x18" rimless low iron tank ordered from Krakens Reef. It was a long time coming and got rejected by customs the first time because of wood shipping material.
Ripping an angle used to open the top of the doors. Having a right tilt table saw made it a challenge to do this safely without binding. Creating a sacrificial fence to bury the blade in and create an opening for the off cut worked very well.
Making a face frame without any joints. I just used a jigsaw with a straight edge for the final cut to get 90 degree corners.
I chose soss hinges due to the 180 degree opening and being able to inset mount the doors. I looked for an euro hinge that would mount but came up empty without adding addition support to mount them.
Instead of buying an expensive jig I set my own up using clamps and a straight edge.
This had to be done to the face frame before I attached it to the stand.
Not that bad for a cheap router and plywood edges.
Next I flush trimmed the top of the stand
Test fit of face frame and doors with hinges installed before I glued it together.
Quick test fit of the 20lbs CO2 tank with reg. Pretty snug...
Nowhere near enough long clamps so anything in sight went on top during the glue up of the remaining 3 sides....I bet those blankets really helped out alot...
Success! Fairly difficult glue up since all the seams were 45 degrees to get the seamless finish.
The stand sat in the garage for over a year while I procrastinated over finishing it. Between work and winter weather I always seemed to miss my window to paint. I did get the bondo work done to all the seams and exposed plywood edges to seal them up.
April 2018
Tried a black limo tint for the background, went on very nice and was initially happy.
This is my first time spraying a finish and probably why it took me so long to pull the trigger.
I took apart my Sfiligoi stealth t5 to upgrade the paint as well.
Cheap $10 Harbour Freight paint gun to learn on and 3 coats of Cover Stain.
Once the primer was on I found some cracks from the wood warping a tiny bit (was left in a garage after all). Fixed with some baking soda grinded into the crack and then flowed in some thin crazy glue followed by another sanding.
A better look at the interior lights. There is a sensor on the right door that makes the lights come on when you open the door and go off when you close it.
Standard RGB light strip, so pick a colour.
Yoga mat for under the tank
Tank and stand together
All caught up now so the updates will roll in slowly from here on.
Plumbing almost finished, just need to glue a couple joints. Going with a Herbie drain but is designed to make it Bean Animal very easily if I need to.
Waiting on some SCS 1200 silicone in clear to get in stock so I can finish the sump off and seal the bottom of the stand to ensure its water tight. After that I will water test.
Got the light finished and mounted. I needed a new hanging kit since the old wires were rusted. The wires that attach to the light in the ATI kit I'm using ended up being to short so I had to make my own.
How the cable stop starts out
How it ends up with a little trimming and sanding.
A shot showing how Sfiligoi attaches the cables. Just a slot for a washer to slide down.
Holds so far, I was hoping to find a stud but no luck. I didn't want an ugly washer at the ceiling which is required when using the toggle bolts so I used snap toggles. Very similar but allowed a slightly smaller hole so no washer required.
I'm happy with how the light turned out, I am still undecided if I want to rewire what 4 bulbs are on each power cord. They currently alternate dual bulb sets but I might make the centre 4 on one cord and the outer 4 on another. I will mostly only use 4 bulbs with a short burst of 8.
Modular Marine Overflow
Great experience purchasing from them. This is a custom size with custom hole placements since my tank was already drilled. Very quick to reply to all my questions and packaged very well for shipping.
Sump modifications, for anyone interested SCS1200 silicone will bond acrylic to glass quite well.
Made a hole to hold the heater in a perfect spot, room for 2 heaters if I want as well.
Drip plates, don't mind the yellow water.
Squeezed that 20lb co2 tank and reg in there..glad my planning is paying off when I designed the stand.
Some filter media in there, still need more but mise we'll start the cycle even though the main display is empty getting hardscaped. Love that I can recirculate the filter while I do trimmings and tank cleaning.
Added some small black lava rock rubble for the base layer. I needed the extra height and I figured it might be like a knock off ADA power sand (No clue if it's beneficial).
Base layer of Tropica plant soil
Initial rock layout, no plan going in except I wanted two hills. I actually like it for a first attempt and no experience. Let me know if you would do any changes.
White balance issues in auto mode I think (same lighting)
Very nice layout.
From my own recent experience.. Choose rocks larger than u think u need. Because by the time the carpet and plants grow, most of the small rocks will be covered up. if you're using hc cuba for a carpet, they will creep up and over rocks.
If I could/would redo mine, I would have chosen much larger rocks for my scape.
Finally got around to planting it yesterday.
15 Tropica tissue culture pots, no real plan going in and just went with the flow. I'm sure I will be moving plants around and adding a couple anyways.
Installed the Avast Marine ATO, the Purigen reactor and CO2 today. Lots of tweaking with the RKL as it's my first controller.
Still need to clean some wires up and mount the pump controllers but want to get the life support items done first.
Nice surprise that Tropica soil doesn't leach any ammonia.
I also sealed up the filter sock holder a bit since the holes were slightly large, with the silicone tube inserts the socks fit perfectly and looks even better too.
Socks installed, I might do the same around all the trays to stop any bypass. I want to try to eliminate any splashing to save co2 and to be silent.
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