update: my 55 gallon in wall build

everyone wanted pictures of the back side of my tank and right now its a little plain but a sump is on its way. also i made the cabinet big enough to accomodate a 75 gallon if i upgrade later. just so happens ive been readind on plywood tanks and have built a 75er with overflows that has successfully heald without a leak for two weeks. when you have access to a professional cabinet shop it's easy to build stuff right the first time. Ive ordered the sand for it and will probably replace the 55 one day soon. anyway i want to enjoy the 55 for now.

 

looks great!

 

Nice job on the build, it looks good

 

looks awesome but i have the feeling your prob. gunna get that "upgrade bug" and end up going big.....when i first started with a 55 gallon, i told my self never in a million years will i get n e things bigger i just cantand i can never get a reef too much work.....i ahve a 215 gallon reef now.....

 

i think i can stick to no bigger than 75 for the reef, but this plywood thing is making me think different. also theres a glass a quarter mile down the road so maybe a 200 isnt so far down thr road definitely not in wall though. been studying rays and really want a big ray tank( california round ) cuz they dont get too big. plus my local lfs gets one every two weeks and say their clients have had really good success with them. anyone with ideas on cool, but fairly hardy corals shoot them my way. always looking for input.

 

again, very cool on the inwall

 

here are a few updated pictures not much new. just picked up some frogspawn that is looking really good. instead of working today i hid in the back of the shop and worked on the sump. a regular 10 gallon that a friend gave me pretty simple setup i'm sure everyone has seen on the internet. using a mag 7 for return and i ordered my bulkheads and protein skimmer last night. hopefully this weekend i will get the tank drilled and plumbed. again nothing fancy here just want a nice clean look. i plan to plumb a 1 inch overflow pipe with two 1/2 inch return lines with one of those in line wavemakers. we'll see how this weekend goes.

 

cool

 

latest update is the 55er is now a 75er. not really a big jump but wanted to try my hand at the plywood thing. i also decided to do glass on the sides for the glass tank look from thr front because my clown seems to be friendly with his reflection. also have my sump going, but as you can see i need to pick up some more rock for the tank and the sump. haven't really added anymore critters, same cuc, fish, and frogspawn. happy to report the frogspawn has two new heads growing on the back. he is still getting accustomed to the tank. currently running 220 watts vho but am looking for an alternative. i know there's some smart people on here so give me your suggestions on the lighting. itching to buy something just can't decide t5 or mh, someone persuade me. cant take good pictures either.

 

needed a little bump so i might get some input on the lighting. also i still have to make some cabinet doors and redo the trim on the wall. after i get some new lights it's off to the races. by the way on the lights i want to be able to eventually keep some clams.