My 125 gallon tank build

well, wont have water in it today. Going to head out to dads to finish the stand today and get it stained. Should have water in it by next weekend now. Took abit longer then expected to build the stand and we got a late start on it yesterday. But such is life.

 

OK, today I bent up some new 1/4 inch thick tank braces and got started on painting the stand. My goal is to have the stand painted before I go to bed tonight so its ready for wed. I also want to fill the tank with water tomorrow night, and take a measurement of the width, then take a measurement of the width after 24 hours and make sure the bracing is good to go. If 1/4 inch braces arent enough, im not sure what is. Here is the picture.

 

Why did you need to put braces across the top?
What happened to the original ones on the frame? That was a new tank, right?

 

reason being becuase my metal halides were RIGHT in the center of the braces, and they got extremelly hot, let alone the huge shadow. I know your going to tell me I should have sold the light and spent a grand on another 72 model, but that wasnt an option. Ive spent every last penny i have of spare cash as it is, so i made the tank work. I bent 1/4 inch aluminum braces and siliconed them to the top rail. Its not going anywhere.

 

Did you watch a utube video? I watched a guy make a sump and he used cd cases to hold it up too.. I am going to be trying this task as soon as I find a used aquarium for my sump.

 

Hey I'm kinda confused with what size tank you went with sizes L x W x H please and how big is your sump. Sorry Im just cutting and pasting all these reply's into my fish file....my research. Great looking cabinet so far as well. Plus im learning something new every time I come on this site does the tank really get wider when you fill it?? Did I read that right you are going to re-measure it? Awesome Build Bro and good luck. 50JC

 

Karen, yes, I did watch that youtube video. It was rather easy to build the sump honestly.

50jumpchump, the tank is 72 long, 18 wide and 22 tall. And the sump is a 20 gallon long. at 30 long, 12 wide and 12.5 tall. The tank came with factory braces that keep it from expanding when its filled with the 1400 lbs of water. I cut them out to allow my lights to fit this tank, and not melt the braces. So I added my own to clear. The point of measuring once then again after 24 hours is to make sure the braces are holding the tank, and not bowing or bending at all.
Here is a few pictures of the light on the tank. There is some darker area at the end of the tank, but it isnt bad really.

 

Oh!!! Also got my first fish. Found a super nice looking yellow tang at the LFS. I am having them hold it untill my buddy gets back up there, then he is going to put it in his 90 gallon untill mine has cycled and is ready for him

 

Everything is looking great Rodney.. Only thing i dissagree with you on is cutting the factory brace. Being me i would have raised the light higher to keep the heat down + remove the shadow bro.
I love how you did the stand. Everything appears to be coming together fine.
Cant wait to see some life in your system.
Just curious ??
where is this setup going??
Is it going where the other tank was pictured??
I see you have purchased most, if all your equipment already.
Although i didnt notice if you had purchased your Lr yet or not.
Keep us updated!!!

 

Great job on the stand. It looks good! Keep the pics comin. Good choice on the yellow tang. Very nice fish and great personality.