Reefkeeper's 75 Gallon Build

37185 Views 151 Replies 17 Participants Last post by fsureefer, Sep 19, 2011

reefkeeperSR

Discussion Starter · Jun 9, 2011

TRT,

Recently broke ground on my 75 gallon reef tank build and figured I would get a thread rolling. My current set up is a 72 bowfront seen below. I aquired the tank and stand about a year ago and recently made the decision to upgrade to a new 75 gallon tank, and build a custom stand.

This is an older picture of the tank after about 4 months or so...

Started working on the new stand about two weeks ago with a good friend. Began with cutting and assembling the top and bottom frames using all 2x4's and a 2x6 for the top front beam.

Bottom assembled.

Top assembled

Following with getting the legs cut and put together using an L shaped design with 2x4.

Test fitting.

Then cut the two pieces to completed the front two legs using 2x6's.

Drilled the pocket holes and fastened the frame together.

Frame all put together.

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fsureefer

· #13 · Jun 10, 2011

i like the shelves in the stand, wish i would have done that...cant wait to see the tank come together. i had a 72BF and loved it but have a 75 now. what made you decide to change?

fsureefer

· #17 · Jun 10, 2011

nice, musty smells are gross.

you could always buff the glass on the BF and either resell it or try keeping a different biotope in it like a lagoon tank or something like that. I think a shallow grassflat biotope tank would be amazing.

fsureefer

· #23 · Jun 11, 2011

coming along nicely!

fsureefer

· #38 · Jun 15, 2011

thats awesome, i love the way its coming out. how are you going to finish it?

fsureefer

· #41 · Jun 15, 2011

when do you think it will be stained?

fsureefer

· #43 · Jun 15, 2011

got ya, well i cant wait to see what happens. taking your time is definitely a good idea, i was a little impatient with my build and wish i had taken a little more time to do a few things a little differently but i guess thats for my next build!

fsureefer

· #50 · Jun 19, 2011

that looks awesome, what kind of lights are going inside?

fsureefer

· #53 · Jun 19, 2011

reefkeeperSR said:
Thanks! The canopy will be housing my 48" Current Sunpod fixture that has two 250watt halides and 18 LEDs, nine white and nine blue.

that fixture sounds great! :banana:

fsureefer

· #59 · Jun 21, 2011

i like the progress, its coming together nicely! do you have a shock or arm to hold the canopy open?

fsureefer

· #64 · Jun 22, 2011

id try advanced auto parts and just get 2 shocks for a rear hatch (i had to replace them on my old jeep and i think they were $20 for 2. you dont have to worry about the hinge not working and i trust a hydraulic shock a lot more. too bad my jeep blew up, otherwise i could give them to ya

fsureefer

· #72 · Jun 30, 2011

That pic of the whole setup is awesome. The canopy and stand really great, and thats good to find out about the tank sooner rather than later. What color combo are you going for? Did you get the shocks figured out?

fsureefer

· #75 · Jul 1, 2011

Sounds like a plan, I keep forgetting this is a "holiday weekend"

fsureefer

· #78 · Jul 3, 2011

That sticker in the back window makes it even better! Tank looks great!

fsureefer

· #82 · Jul 16, 2011

Nice, looking good!

fsureefer

· #87 · Jul 17, 2011

fantastic progress! this should be an incredible setup, i wished i would have painted the back of tank before i set it up..

fsureefer

· #92 · Jul 18, 2011

reefkeeperSR said:
Ive owned three other aquariums in my time and always wished I would have done something different especially paint the background before I set it up. It makes things nice and easy, you don't have to worry about deal with water getting between the glass and plastic backgrounds or anything.

This will be by far the nicest and best setup I have ever owned and it is due to really thinking things through and not rushing along to get it up and running. Thank you all for the kind words, I'm really excited to see it all set up.

Yeah I wish I had taken a little more time in mine but I will have to tear it down in a year or so to move to Canada anyway so Ill do some things differently before I set it back up.

I cant wait to see it set up too :thumbup:

fsureefer

· #102 · Jul 24, 2011

That came together fantastically. What size was the old tank, and what all was in it?

fsureefer

· #110 · Jul 25, 2011

That stand/canopy came out great! The whole setup looks fantastic, you should be very happy

fsureefer

· #113 · Jul 25, 2011

I like the "2 island" look, its kind like mine but different.

fsureefer

· #127 · Aug 8, 2011

Looking great! I love the acans!

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