My 50 gallons build

Hello,

I'm new to the forum and I just got started on my first build.

I never had a fish tank before. I couple weeks ago I bought a black moor for my girlfriend and the whole reef tank project degenerated from there.

My build is set around this 50 gallons tank that I scored for 40$. It needed resealing so I scrapped the old silicone off and put some new one on.

Original state:

Cleaned up corners:

Silicone:

Outside seal:

Taped:


I did not took pictures of the finished product but I will add more later. I filled the tank and let it sit for two days without leaks.

Then I went on got started on the stand. I used 2x4 for the inside and did mitered pine panels to wrap it up. All around is 1x3 pine cut to 45 degrees with a space for the 1/4 pine plywood. It was the first time I tried to make panels, I think it turned out ok.

Panel build:

Rough panel:

Missing doors and top:

Again:


Sorry if build pictures are missing, I didn't think about posting until this morning.

Today I'm going to make build the doors and top. The top will be a 1x4 mitered around a piece of plywood. The tank will overlap the 1x4 about an inch all around so you won't see the ugly plywood under.

I'm going to try to find a stain the same color as the trim in my condo to finish the stand.

This week I will get the plumbing and the diamond bit to drill the bulkhead holes. I am still waiting for answers on many offers I sent for used tanks for my sump.

Stay tuned.

 

Be cautious when using used tanks for a reef setup. If copper was ever used in the tank, it can kill invertebrates. There shouldn't be an issue with your display because you replaced the silicon, but it is something to watch out for when you purchase a sump.

 

looks like a nice build! what are the dimensions of that tank? is it rimless or did you just remove the brace? looking forward to this one!

 

Your mention of Cu staying in the silicone is incorrect. Cu does not leach into silicone. I had heard a number of people warn this as well as call is baloney. I got tired of a 50/50 survey so i decided to test it myself. I purchased a brand new 10 gallon tank. Filled it with water and a full bottle of Coppersafe and let it run for a week. Cu read 3.0 ppm. I then emptied the tank, rinsed it out, and let it air dry. I filled the tank back up and let it run for another week. Cu read 0.0 ppm. I tried this 3 times. Each time I got the same results.

However, if you were to use rock from an old system that once had a Cu based medication in it, Cu may leach into your system. I never use old rock from an aquarium that once had Cu in it.

 

Build looks good. I like the stand. Mine will look similar to yours, but it will be white with bead board panels. Its in my build thread(75g reef build). Just not built yet. :/ lol.

 

The tank is 36 x 16. I removed the brace to clean it and to fix it, one of the corner was broken. I removed the bottom brace as well to clean it in the tub. Looks pretty new now.

I just came back from home depot, I'm about to put the doors together and finish the top.

 

Great looking work

 

I've done the doors today but I messed up and they didnt end up square. I've done a new one, this afternoon and should finish tomorrow.

Top is done. I've use a joined pine board and added a 1.5 in. trim around with a .5 overhang.

All sanded:

 

I stained the stand yesterday and gave a coat of varnish tonight.

I'm hoping to fill the tank next weekend.

Pics are coming soon.

 

I finally had time to finish my tank stand.

I put a coat of ebony stain and four coats of crystalex floor varnish (i had some left from redoing my floors), sanding between coats.



I'm happy with how it turned out.

Now, I think im going to get a couple of bulkhead kits online and drill the holes next weekend.

I am still trying to find some live rock for cheap...