The 1st ReefOne Aquarium! My first DIY Aquarium

[ReefOne]

Check out my 90 gallon DIY page for the construction of the tank. Here is a picture of the 40 gallon. I'm just awaiting some bulkheads and the black acrylic for the back. Let me know what you think!

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8870/40gallon6uj.jpg

[gjuarez]

Holly ****, that is an awesome tank. That is some thick acrylic.

[ReefOne]

thanks! I like to overbuild everything. It's constructed using 3/8" cast GP and 1/4" for the overflows.

[gjuarez]

Thats good, in this situation bigger is better. Somehow I dont believe that this is the first reefone aquarium you have built.

[gjuarez]

Is reefone your company? Do you make those to sell?

[ReefOne]

It is the first aquarium i've built. I've only built a sump and a Calcium Reactor. Yes, ReefOne is my company and I'm going to start selling tanks, Calcium Reactors, Nielson Reactors, Protein Skimmers, Corals and such. I'm trying to get everything situated right now and get my system up and running so I can start making products for customers. Going to college full time and working full time makes it kinda hard but hopefully my schedule will be school full time and my business full time. Ram

[gjuarez]

That is an awesome tank for being your first one. From what I see it seems like you will be very successful. I will keep you in mind when I decide to get a calcium reactor.

[ReefOne]

thank you...make sure to let me know about the Reactor, I'll give you a good deal. Ram

[::pete::]

Ok .. how did you do the cut out on top?

Sweet looking!!!

[gjuarez]

Take that as a very good compliment. Pete is one of the best DIYers in Maast.

[ReefOne]

thanks for the compliment pete! I used melev's method and I also used Acrylics method that he showed on his DIY Tank thread on RC. I learned a thing or two because I failted to make the cutouts before gluing the top on which I now know makes things alot easier and results in a better turnout. Ram

[Tim Marvin]

Very nice, however, I would round those corners in the cut out or you will surely cut yourself putting things in and out of the tank.

[ReefOne]

You are absolutley right tim! That's what I failed to mention that I had left to do. I'm gonna try to make the trip the lowes to get a roundover bit.

[Tim Marvin]

I've been there and got a pretty nasty cut is the only reason it stood out to me. The tank looks top notch!!!

[gjuarez]

Ram, I will let you know on the reactor, but its going to have to wait till like november. I am setting up my tank by then.

[ReefOne]

Thanks a bunch Tim!

Not a problem, my shop should be complete by november so that's perfect.

[gjuarez]

Great, are you a business major? I bet you would do real well over here in the valley. Anyone with some knowledge could easily monopolize the market.

[ReefOne]

No, believe it or not i'm actually a Pharmacy major. I might minor in business. There is only one store here in corpus and I think it's time that they have some competition. Someday though, my dream if all goes well is to open up two or three small stores in Austin, Corpus, and most likely in the valley. With all the building and such coming from Austin since that's where the main store will be. We'll see though. So far it seems like i just might have a chance.

[pilot_bell777]

Hey ReefOne....do you have an online store??????

www.bluehanddesigns.com I'll take care of you!

No highjacking, just trying to help!

[ReefOne]

Do you have any online stores that you manage so I can check it out? Im actually gonna try to get an online store setup sometime in the near future so that would be awesome. Thanks. Ram

[pilot_bell777]

PMed

[ReefOne]

finished routing the access openings and the entire tank with a 1/8" roundover bit and all I can say is Wow, what a difference. I'm debating whether or not I should micro-mesh and polish being that this is going to be my tank. I dont know, we'll see. The black acrylic should be in monday hopefully. Here are some pics.

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/820/40gallonx32tz.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/18/40gallonx1pu.jpg

I'll post as I progress.
Ram

[::pete::]

Put the flame to it!! Beats polishing anyday ;)

[ReefOne]

i thought about flame polishing, but so far everyone i've talked to, ACRYLICMAN, ACRYLICS, and the Owner of SoCalCreations, have all told me that it's better to micromesh because flame polishing can weaken the joints. I'll probably take it to my buddy here in town who is an acrylic fabricator. He told me he would flame polish anything for me for really cheap.

[gjuarez]

All I can say is WOW. That tank is beautiful. You sure could make a living out of building aquariums. If you ever need a loan for your business let me know. SInce last week I am a personal banker and an Investment advisor for J P Morgan Chase. WIth the new job I finally will be able to get the tank I have always wanted. I will be contacting you soon.

[ReefOne]

thanks! I'll make sure i give you a holler when the time comes. I just need to get a wider fence for my table saw and make a bigger worktable/outfeed table so I can build bigger tanks.

[ReefOne]

[ReefOne]

Here is the stand/Canopy Frame finally done. I opted for a taller stand because I hate having to bend down to look at tanks and such. I'm 6'0 and the tank is at perfect viewing for me. I most likely wont start the skinning and trimming work until this weekend because of school but we'll see.

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/3295/p10100254iy.jpg http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/2155/p10100261jd.jpg

[::pete::]

Ram
It looks great!

[ReefOne]

Thanks pete! Hey which OM do you have? It's the super squirt right? I'm gonna get one i think for the forty and was just curious as to which one you had. Thanks.

Ram

[::pete::]

Yes, its the super squirt.

[ReefOne]

Yes!! The 1st Reef One Freedom Single Beckett skimmer is 90 percent done. Just have to drill and top the top flange and install the 1.5" Outlet. Came out good overall, cant wait to test it out.

http://img286.imageshack.us/img286/3865/freedombeckett6bn.jpg
http://img286.imageshack.us/img286/2813/freedombeckett22gg.jpg
http://img286.imageshack.us/img286/8504/freedombeckett213yg.jpg


Here is the stand. Just need to make the door cutouts then make them, then add the molding and apply the oak stain and we're good. It will appear seemless when I'm done.

http://img286.imageshack.us/img286/6944/stand6xb.jpg
http://img286.imageshack.us/img286/184/stand16bu.jpg

[Crab Rangoon]

nice Japanese art on the walls :D

[ReefOne]

lol..thanks! My dad brought it back along with many others from Japan when he opened up the Office Depot over there.

[gjuarez]

Looking good Ram. Cant wait to see it full of water. WHat are your plans with it? What critters will you be keeping?

[ReefOne]

I ordered a Super Squirt with a group buy so I'm waiting for that to come it. That's will be the returns for the tank then run off a little giant 4mdsqx, then i'll probably have a CL coming from the bottom up running off a 900gph pump. 98% SPS, and 2% softies(rare zoo's, shrooms, etc.) Pair of clowns, and maybe a yasha hashe goby/pistol shrimp pair.

[bigdscobra]

Nice canopy with easy acess!

[ReefOne]

that's what I opted for since my last mishap with my 90 gallon. I didnt like having to remove the entire canopy.

[ReefOne]

I finally had a chance to work on some of the trimming on the stand. I knocked out quite a bit in two hours so I'm hoping tomorrow I can finish everything except the stain. Here are some pics.

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9002/p10100239xk.jpg http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/2421/p10100243bo.jpg

Hopefully I'll post some pics of the finished product.

[fishypets]

Very nice Ram, Please keep us posted

[ReefOne]

Yesssssssss!!!! Finally after a couple more hours of work it's all done. All I need to do is stain it. Although I must say I'm a little scared of messing it up by the stain coming out all nasty. Wish me luck. Anyways...here you go..updated pictures as promised. *the 3rd has my g/f trying to pull a sneaky pete*

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/3032/finished8pl.jpg http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/6889/finished43bf.jpg http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/8829/finished39xh.jpg http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/5351/finished14cn.jpg http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/8455/finished22rx.jpg

Let me know what you guys think! Thanks.

Ram

[carlinsa]

Very nice like the trim work you did and you should have enought room to get in with that huge opening

[::pete::]

What color will you finish it in?

[pilot_bell777]

Isn't it satisfing when you do it yourself????

[ReefOne]

oh yea...thanks guys.

I opted for full access so I decided to make one door that looked like it was actually two.

Pete:
I'm going to go with a two stain. The trim is going to be golden pecan, and the rest is american cherry.

Pilot:
Oh yea..absolutely.

[seamonkey2]

Very nice, were you going for a casttle look, it looks like it belongs at the Venician in Vegas

Jose

[ReefOne]

Really, I've never been to vegas..or out of texas for that matter. but..yea i was hoping for the classical look.I'm going to try to stain it today. Although I think I'm going to have to wait till this weekend. We'll see what I can get to today.

[C.Mydas]

Wow!!! That is gorgeous!! Cant wait to see it all set up!

[ReefOne]

Thank you! I cant wait to get it up and running. Hopefully I can get water in it by the end of next week.

[Alex]

Great Job!!! Ram I cant wait to see up and running as well. Awesome!!!

[ReefOne]

got the first part of staining done. Give me some suggestions...leave it like this two tone, or all the one main color? I'll post as soon as I finish.

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/9752/staind2mj.jpg

[::pete::]

Looking better ... nice job!

[ReefOne]

thanks guys..what ya'll think...leave it two tone?

[::pete::]

2 tone is good ...

[ReefOne]

alrighty pete that's all I needed. hey pete..who has the cheapest acrylic in SA?

[::pete::]

Allied

[LoneStar]

I say leave it two tone. Are you going to put finish down on the inside where I am gussing the sump will be? Or will you put paint or some other weather resistant material down. On my stand I put (on the floor) a marine grade gloss paint. Works great whenever I spill water.

[ReefOne]

You got it right on the money. I usually use a white latex paint for the inside of my cabinets but I think i might just go to boater's warehouse and pick up some marine grade gloss. Hopefully I'll finish all the staining today.

[LoneStar]

I ended up getting my white marine gloss paint at Home Depot but since your in Corpus, I'm sure you have more options to you like Boater's Warehouse. :)

[ReefOne]

Well I finally finished the staining. Have to say I'm really happy with the way it turned out. The stand/canopy is staind American Cherry and all the trim is stained Golden Pecan. Hopefully I'll have the clear coat done tomorrow night and the inside of the cabinet coated with marine grade paint.

http://img427.imageshack.us/img427/5746/finished1sh.jpg

Here is a pic of the OM Super Squirt plumbed. I cant believe that no one in corpus stocks sch.80 45's. So i'm going to have to improvise and paint it to match. You can also see my infamous in-sand plumbing that will be running on a closed loop.

http://img427.imageshack.us/img427/8237/tank1bm.jpg

I'll post as I progress.

[ReefOne]

Finally!!!!! I've completely finished my stand/canopy. I coated all the inside and 90 percent of the canopy with white latex. Hopefully I can lay down some poly clear coat tomorrow and it's done. The tank plumbing is 80 percent done...all that's left is installing the bulkheads and plumbing the tank to the sump. Here are a couple of pics. Also got my Reefkeeper in, now for some stability.

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/617/done6kf.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/5638/skimmernielsonsump7bn.jpg

[ReefOne]

Man...if I keep going at the pace that I am this thing should have water in it by sunday! I've got mostly everything done. I worked on the plumbing from the sump up to the OM SS. Just need to drill the holes and install the bulkheads in the tank and plumb the tank to the sump. Install the gate valve in the skimmer and finish the lid. Lastly install the lighting in the hood and the 250DE Ushio for the fuge/frag area of the sump. Should be able to get mostly everything done tomorrow. Here are some pics.

http://img426.imageshack.us/img426/9831/complete23wx.jpg
http://img426.imageshack.us/img426/4927/complete11uo.jpg
http://img426.imageshack.us/img426/2852/complete33eq.jpg
http://img426.imageshack.us/img426/6357/complete3yg.jpg
http://img426.imageshack.us/img426/7161/complete48ep.jpg

Wish me luck!!

Ram

[LoneStar]

Looks great :pics Needs water pretty soon!

[ReefOne]

Well I'm about 90% done. I'm getting the 3/4" Bulkheads from my friend tomorrow and installing the lighting tomorrow. Lighting will consist of one 250W SE XM 10k and my 400W SE Hami 20K along with two 24" VHO Super R's. The fuge/frag area of the sump will be lit with a 250W DE Ushio 10k. The water storage tank holds 7 gallons, more than enough for my water top-off needs. Waiting for the weld-on to dry on the skimmer stand. The skimmer wont be installed until probably monday. Im still waiting for the gate valve and the bulkhead for it. But no worries. Either way here are some current pics.

http://img446.imageshack.us/img446/1838/p10100202ho.jpg
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3459/p10100215kl.jpg
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/6725/p10100234tw.jpg

Almost there!!!!

[ReefOne]

Finally!!!!!!!!!!

It's all running except the skimmer because my little giant pump is making some nasty whining noise. Everything is transfered and I have to say that I dont have much room for stuff. I've also got a TON or bubbles in the main tank....it's to the point where I can see the top of the tank. I know that it has to be the hose from the return up to the main tank because the return section only has a small amount of bubbles. Any suggestions? Here are the pics.

http://img471.imageshack.us/img471/1998/p10100182qj.jpg
http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/4954/p10100201qn.jpg
http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/6112/p10100226lz.jpg

[ReefOne]

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/5017/p10100239kc.jpg
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/193/p10100264rz.jpg
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/79/p10100253xc.jpg
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/3326/p10100278gf.jpg
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/3345/p10100282tr.jpg

[LoneStar]

Looks like some serious flow!!

[ReefOne]

Updated FTS shot. I also revamped my Calcium Reactor. Also included a shot of the lighting.


The Full tank shots are with the VHO's and 10k & 20k on:
http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/7166/p10100330fu.jpg
http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/5400/p10100341ww.jpg
http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/9097/p10100282ue.jpg
http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/2743/p10100352ko.jpg

Watch for updates.

[ReefOne]

Went ahead and built a small cabinet to hide my chiller and hold some supplements/tools/and hold my CR and N Reactors.

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/5981/p10100168xp.jpg

[ReefOne]

thanks brian. I hate to say it but i'll probably wait about six months before I build either a 150 or 180 gallon and upgrade.

[hobogato]

i think you need some more corals :lol

[ReefOne]

thats funny you say that b/c i should be getting like 14 more frags this coming week

[chrismikea]

that is one nice setup. what makes it even nicer is that you built it all with your own two hands

[ReefOne]

I've solved my bubble problem. It was in the return section of the plumbing. Bubble free now and it's crystal clear. I've lost three frags since the move and have noticed alot of bleaching on the underside of my corals. I came to the conclusion that it was because my CL on the previous tank was from the bottom up so flow was provided from everywhere in the tank. So I installed a similar CL in this tank and WOW, what a difference. The flow has increased at least 15x. There are not any dead spots in the tank. It's not as appealing cause it was supposed to be in sand but that didnt work out. But I figure once it gets coated with coralline algae like my last one you wont be able to tell the difference. Here are the pics.

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/5095/p10100122rr.jpg
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8389/p10100146zm.jpg

[ansonluna]

what type and size pump are you using for you CL?

[ReefOne]

little giant 4mdsq-x

[ansonluna]

googled that and didn't find anything. how many gallons an hour does it push, that should have been the question I asked. So, how many gallons an hour does that pump run? :D

[ReefOne]

Sorry...it's a 4-MDQX-SC. It's about 1225 that i'm getting.

[Flobex]

holy karate schnitzzle!!!!!! that is a gorgeous tank!!!!and i just loooove your stand! i really wanna make one now :P lemme know when your ready to sell this bad boy ;) lol.
AND i LOOOOVE the tall stand!!! im 6'2" and i know what you mean!!! those little 30 inch stands are just way to small!!!

[ReefOne]

Thanks!

I'm actually going to sell it most likely in feb. or march. I plan on going big, between 180-225. We'll see though. So far it's going good, small diatom outbreak but Im trying to get it under control.

[Razzaq]

wow awesome

very good looking.. :)

keep us update

[SoLiD]

Welcome to Maast, Razzaq!!! And all the way from the UK, too. How did you find us??? Google?

ReefOne (Ram) has been a little busy as of late as he just got Married :applause:. Maybe he will give us some updates soon.

Ciao

-David

[ReefOne]

Thanks for the comments guys. The tank was broken down and basically thrown away. I didnt have time to sell it and needed to get rid of it. So I broke it down and threw it away. I kept all the hardware, just threw the stand and tank. I'll be building and setting up another tank here soon. Would love to make a 300g L-Shaped tank so be on the lookout!

Thanks
Ram

[phrog]

I don't suppose you could point us to the dumpster you threw it in? :D

[glennr1978]

I don't suppose you could point us to the dumpster you threw it in? :D
no kidding!

[ReefOne]

lol....you guys are too nice! I threw it out about 6 months ago. The tank had quite a bit of small fine scratches and I didnt want to sell it that way. So..i took a small sledge hammer to overflows and junked it.The stand I literally stripped apart and just left the 2x4 frame.

[LoneStar]

lol....you guys are too nice! I threw it out about 6 months ago. The tank had quite a bit of small fine scratches and I didnt want to sell it that way. So..i took a small sledge hammer to overflows and junked it.The stand I literally stripped apart and just left the 2x4 frame.

Nice lol ala office space

[texasfootball21]

WOW...
Your work is truly amazing. Do you have a full size shop? I have a small garage shop with a drill press and table saw, but I could only dream of building that tank and stand. Congrats on the marriage and good luck.

Oh and next time you go to throw away an incredible tank, feel free to PM me, I'd love to save you the effort of breaking it up.

[SoLiD]

WOW...
Your work is truly amazing. Do you have a full size shop? I have a small garage shop with a drill press and table saw, but I could only dream of building that tank and stand.

You would think he had a huge shop with the way his stuff turns out. I think he just has the gift, just like Ace. It just comes easy to them. Those kinds of guys are few and far between. I can't wait to see what Ram has up his sleeve for his next project..... :lightbulb::lightbulb::lightbulb: :)

[BioCube14]

that is very nice

[ReefOne]

thank you very much guys for the comments! Everything was built in my parents garage, which did have some limited space. I truly believe anyone can do it, it just takes a little more practice for others. I'm always ready to answer questions and offer my advice and opinion on anything related. Hey David, I promise...the next one is going to be sweet.

Hey Tex,
That is all I had. A grizzly table saw/drill press and a craftsman router. If I did it, you can do it too. Thanks for the congrats on my marriage!

[neogenix]

When can we look to see your line of tanks available to the rest of us ;)

[ReefOne]

I've built 3 display tanks. Two for myself, 40 gallon and the 50 cube im setting up, then troypham's 100g Cube. Which belongs to i_am_poor now on Marshreef. I've built over 47+ sump/top-off's etc. I'm gonna setup a photobucket account and start putting everything that i build up on there. Going to start a sump i'm bldg now hopefully today if the weather clears up. What did you have in mind?

Thanks
Ram

[neogenix]

I've built 3 display tanks. Two for myself, 40 gallon and the 50 cube im setting up, then troypham's 100g Cube. Which belongs to i_am_poor now on Marshreef. I've built over 47+ sump/top-off's etc. I'm gonna setup a photobucket account and start putting everything that i build up on there. Going to start a sump i'm bldg now hopefully today if the weather clears up. What did you have in mind?

Thanks
Ram

Something similar to the cube that you mentioned, do you have any pics of it?

[ReefOne]

the 100g? or the 50g?

I'll have to pull them from my backup disk. I'll post them this afternoon. Check out my other page in the general, for the 50g build and i'll post them in there.

Ram

[neogenix]

the 100g? or the 50g?

I'll have to pull them from my backup disk. I'll post them this afternoon. Check out my other page in the general, for the 50g build and i'll post them in there.

Ram

The 100G, but i'll give the other thread a look over in a few minutes!!