Finally started working on my Illuminata Build
by
, 06-14-2010 at 05:31 AM (1794 Views)
This tank will be an Acropora Millepora theme tank. Here's the spot and the cheesiest dramatic music I could find:
Here's after adding a new base to the stand:
Birch panels finished:
57g Oceanic Illuminata
DIY Custom Stand/Tall- Bombay Mahogany
Lighting
Lumenarc DE Pendant/Large w/ 20k XM
Ice Cap 250w/new style Eballast
Circulation
Koralia 4 1200gph
This will be supplemented with and additional Koralia Evo, Vortech MP10, or Tunze Stream
Skimmer
MSX Mini S Cone Skimmer
DSB
CaribSea Black Tahitian Moon Sand
Refugium
Custom 16gCube/ Show fuge next to the Illuminata(already established over 1 year) The Illuminata will overflow and return directly from the fuge. Detritus will siphon directly to the fuge.
Sump
100g Rubbermaid Stock Tank- Central House sump
Directly supplies my 8 foot reef which has just passed the 18 month mark- One Eheim supplies the main reef, while another pumps through the walls and up through the living room floor to supply the fuge
I had some time tonight to work on the stand. I did encounter one issue after installing the top. Unfortunately, the 1/2" plywood I added underneath still didn't give enough height to match the side panels. I took the entire top apart and leveled underneath the 1/2" plywood with 1/8" particle board. This completely fixed the issue. I added the 3/4" birch top and some trim. Save for the wood filler, here's the stand ready for stain:
First Coat:
Completed Stand:
Finally...
I also finished painting the plumbing tonight. I used Valspar spray paint for plastic:
I had vacillated for quite some time over whether or not to go with a BB, SSB, or true DSB. After thinking about how the tank would be showcased, and the type of inverts I was considering keeping, I decided on a true DSB.
Here's the tint and sand. The tint is Black Magic 35% and was a royal PITA to work with.
The first piece I completely ruined, and the obnoxious crinkling sound woke my wife up in the process. With what was left I was able to get the back completely covered. It trimmed perfectly, but I do have some air bubbles. It doesn't look too bad, but I'm certainly kicking myself for not taking my time while the tank was off the stand.
The sand is two bags of Yard Right Playsand from Home Depot. This is the same stuff I used in my 8ft reef. It passes the vinegar test for calcium carbonate. Mixed in between the layers is florida crushed coral. I then added one bag of Carib Sea Hawaiian Black Arag-Alive. The top is Carib SeaBlack Tahitian Moon Sand.
I was able to fill up the tank halfway before I needed to make more RO/DI water.