56 gallon column official build begins

Ludwigia73 · 12/01/2007, 05:13 PM

This could be a long build, but tonight just ate about a month off the final fire up date. The admiral just ok'ed $200 for Christmas money towards the tank, so of course I dropped $208.

Wait till she gets the bill, she'll make me work off the $8! Anyone seen my wife, they'll understand, 6'2" Romanian bodybuilder... But I love her to death (I have to, she'll beat me up if not!) LOL, but anyway, here goes:

Started the stand yesterday, with the intention of building the framework, and finishing the rest another day. Instead, I just finished the whole thing. All that's left is final sanding, staining, and clearcoat. Tell me what you think...

Tonight I ordered sand (80 lbs), 160g pail of ReefCrystals salt, 2 L of Black Diamond Carbon, A Korallia 1 powerhead, an AquaClear 70 (same one I used on my 65, I'm very partial to these filters), and some food. I'd say I'm on my way.

More pics once the stand is finished...

I believe I'm buying Del's lights from him (6x24w HO T5). This should be good for some lower light SPS, with a couple of nice acros up high. Hopefully I'll get some nice color out of the deal.

So schedule is as follows:

Next week sometime, finish the stand, and acquire the lights.
Mid to late Dec, fill the tank with sand and water, and hopefully a nice piece of live rock.
Early Jan, acquire the rest of the live rock
Early Feb, hopefully the rock will have cured, and any pests taken care of (aiptasia, unwanted crabs, bristleworms, and mantis shrimp.)

My rockwork will be set up so that there are a few larger pieces, able to be dismantled easier if need be (to get to dead fish, undesireables, or broken off corals.) No more potato rocks. I hope to be a host of a tank hop stopover late next year if the tank is up to par (no pun intended).

Ludwigia73 · 12/01/2007, 05:14 PM

P.S. the height of the stand is 37 inches, so it's better viewed from a standing position. I hate stock stands, they're so low you have to stoop or sit to look at the tank for any period of time.

ReefWreak · 12/01/2007, 05:19 PM

Chris, is the tank going to be pre-drilled with an overflow? What are you going to do for flow?

Maybe something else to consider is to have a PVC framework under the rock so you can use less rock in the display to make it look fuller, even though it'll be pretty easy to make a 56 look full.

You're going to go with sand this time around? SSB, DSB?

I'll be watching. I'm excited

invertigator · 12/01/2007, 05:21 PM

Looks really good so far, lookout there's you wife sneaking up behind you!

45commando · 12/01/2007, 05:22 PM

Nice work Chris.

Ludwigia73 · 12/01/2007, 05:38 PM

The sandbed will be approx. 3", with pvc framework holding up the rock right at the sandbed level. There will be a couple more pieces of pvc at various angles filled with tiny rubble that jawfish can set up residence in. I want a black head dusky jawfish, a twinspot goby (sand sifter) a canary blenny, and maybe a midas blennie (if they'll get along). I also want 2 or 3 fire shrimp, a bright red acan, maybe with green centers, a green slimer, a dark blue or purple acro, an idaho grape undata, a sunset monti, maybe a superman, and a challice with some bright colors (saw hot pink once). Any of that is subject to change, but that's my basic plan for now. I'm taking suggestions as to fish, but I want to keep it lightly stocked, and I'm kindof set on jawfish/blennies for the most part. I'll probably add a flame angel at some point.

Ludwigia73 · 12/01/2007, 05:39 PM

Oh, and there won't be any outside plumbing. Overflows fail with me, and for now I'm staying away. The back will be painted black, so you won't be able to see the filters outside the tank. I'll be using an aquaclear 70, that'll provide a little flow, a korallia 1, and I'll use that once I get the rock in to determine how much more I need. I'm planning on adding a korallia 2, but might not need that much.

ReefWreak · 12/01/2007, 10:33 PM

No skimmer? I wouldn't run a tank that has fish in it without either a skimmer, fuge, or both.

Bernie21 · 12/02/2007, 03:17 AM

Looks good so far, what type of wood did you use to make the stand?? I went w/out a skimmer for abit but I wouldnt recommend it!! I have a Remora HOB and it's great, look into those, I beleive I recently saw some one selling it at about
$100- 125, which is almost 50% off full price!!

REDDAWG43 · 12/02/2007, 08:34 AM

Hey Chris...
Would you build a small stand like for someone else? How much would you charge....ballpark figure. I would be interested in a stand for a 24g JBJ Nano Cube I have.

Mel

ninjamini · 12/02/2007, 09:08 AM

Very nice chris. I am also putting up a 56 column this week.

Ludwigia73 · 12/02/2007, 07:24 PM

First of all, that's a loaded question... would I build a stand for someone else. If I said yes, then it becomes everyone else. Plus, the mods would ban me. Personally, woodworking is a hobby, just like reefing, and if you came to me with the wood this week we could talk about what you're interested in. I don't take money for this..... Also, sanding and staining and whatever final finish you decide would probably be up to you, since I hate the finishing part. I just love creating things out of wood.

As for the no skimmer part, my 18 gallon did not have a skimmer, and the list of inhabitants are as follows:
2 flameback clowns
yellowhead goby
lots of nassarius snails, and astreas.
quite a few hermits
a huge colony of bali giant xenia
pagoda
pavona
tons of zoos
a large green open brain
green star polyps
cinnamon polyps

Ludwigia73 · 12/02/2007, 07:26 PM

REDDAWG43 · 12/02/2007, 07:33 PM

Sorry for asking a loaded question...

daywn · 12/02/2007, 07:58 PM

nice job.what color stain you gonna use?

Ludwigia73 · 12/03/2007, 09:30 AM

Gonna do a colonial maple (slight reddish tint) I know you probably know that, it was more for the others that didn't. I was also thinking of doing 1 coat of varnish, then doing some subtle gold leaf scrollwork.

This is some more of my handiwork.

ninjamini · 12/03/2007, 09:50 AM

Hey I have always wanted to learn to work with wood. If you do get together can I join the party and learn.

Quote:

Originally posted by Ludwigia73
First of all, that's a loaded question... would I build a stand for someone else. If I said yes, then it becomes everyone else. Plus, the mods would ban me. Personally, woodworking is a hobby, just like reefing, and if you came to me with the wood this week we could talk about what you're interested in. I don't take money for this..... Also, sanding and staining and whatever final finish you decide would probably be up to you, since I hate the finishing part. I just love creating things out of wood.

As for the no skimmer part, my 18 gallon did not have a skimmer, and the list of inhabitants are as follows:
2 flameback clowns
yellowhead goby
lots of nassarius snails, and astreas.
quite a few hermits
a huge colony of bali giant xenia
pagoda
pavona
tons of zoos
a large green open brain
green star polyps
cinnamon polyps

Ludwigia73 · 12/03/2007, 01:08 PM

sure... no problem! We'll make a day of it.

Ludwigia73 · 12/09/2007, 05:31 PM

Here's an update... the stand is finished, the back of the tank is painted black, now just waiting for Del to be ready to sell his lights

I have everything I need to start, salt, sand, korallia pump, aquaclear filter... I'll be setting it up in the middle of January, and I'll need some established sand and live rock. Can't wait!!!

12/01/2007, 05:13 PM	#1
Ludwigia73 Reef Reef Reef Reef Reef Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 4,841	56 gallon column official build begins This could be a long build, but tonight just ate about a month off the final fire up date. The admiral just ok'ed $200 for Christmas money towards the tank, so of course I dropped $208. Wait till she gets the bill, she'll make me work off the $8! Anyone seen my wife, they'll understand, 6'2" Romanian bodybuilder... But I love her to death (I have to, she'll beat me up if not!) LOL, but anyway, here goes: Started the stand yesterday, with the intention of building the framework, and finishing the rest another day. Instead, I just finished the whole thing. All that's left is final sanding, staining, and clearcoat. Tell me what you think... Tonight I ordered sand (80 lbs), 160g pail of ReefCrystals salt, 2 L of Black Diamond Carbon, A Korallia 1 powerhead, an AquaClear 70 (same one I used on my 65, I'm very partial to these filters), and some food. I'd say I'm on my way. More pics once the stand is finished... I believe I'm buying Del's lights from him (6x24w HO T5). This should be good for some lower light SPS, with a couple of nice acros up high. Hopefully I'll get some nice color out of the deal. So schedule is as follows: Next week sometime, finish the stand, and acquire the lights. Mid to late Dec, fill the tank with sand and water, and hopefully a nice piece of live rock. Early Jan, acquire the rest of the live rock Early Feb, hopefully the rock will have cured, and any pests taken care of (aiptasia, unwanted crabs, bristleworms, and mantis shrimp.) My rockwork will be set up so that there are a few larger pieces, able to be dismantled easier if need be (to get to dead fish, undesireables, or broken off corals.) No more potato rocks. I hope to be a host of a tank hop stopover late next year if the tank is up to par (no pun intended). __________________ 14" cube (12 gal), LED's Current Tank Info: 125 gallon with 40 gallon sump, LED's

12/01/2007, 05:14 PM	#2
Ludwigia73 Reef Reef Reef Reef Reef Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 4,841	P.S. the height of the stand is 37 inches, so it's better viewed from a standing position. I hate stock stands, they're so low you have to stoop or sit to look at the tank for any period of time. __________________ 14" cube (12 gal), LED's Current Tank Info: 125 gallon with 40 gallon sump, LED's

12/01/2007, 05:21 PM	#4
invertigator Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Indian River Dr. Fort Pierce, FL Posts: 605	Looks really good so far, lookout there's you wife sneaking up behind you! __________________ My day begins when your day ends. Getting up in the morning sucks, but it beats the alternative. Current Tank Info: 210 AGA, Solaris I4, ETSS800 Skimmer, Tunze 6101s

12/01/2007, 05:22 PM	#5
45commando Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 1,321	Nice work Chris. __________________ "It's not the size of the dog in the fight;It's the size of the fight in the dog!" -Sir Winston Churchill. Current Tank Info: 92G Corner tank, 250 wt 14K MH, 20G sump, 5G fuge, mixed reef

12/01/2007, 05:38 PM	#6
Ludwigia73 Reef Reef Reef Reef Reef Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 4,841	The sandbed will be approx. 3", with pvc framework holding up the rock right at the sandbed level. There will be a couple more pieces of pvc at various angles filled with tiny rubble that jawfish can set up residence in. I want a black head dusky jawfish, a twinspot goby (sand sifter) a canary blenny, and maybe a midas blennie (if they'll get along). I also want 2 or 3 fire shrimp, a bright red acan, maybe with green centers, a green slimer, a dark blue or purple acro, an idaho grape undata, a sunset monti, maybe a superman, and a challice with some bright colors (saw hot pink once). Any of that is subject to change, but that's my basic plan for now. I'm taking suggestions as to fish, but I want to keep it lightly stocked, and I'm kindof set on jawfish/blennies for the most part. I'll probably add a flame angel at some point. __________________ 14" cube (12 gal), LED's Current Tank Info: 125 gallon with 40 gallon sump, LED's

12/01/2007, 05:19 PM	#3
ReefWreak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Astoria, NYC Posts: 10,159	Chris, is the tank going to be pre-drilled with an overflow? What are you going to do for flow? Maybe something else to consider is to have a PVC framework under the rock so you can use less rock in the display to make it look fuller, even though it'll be pretty easy to make a 56 look full. You're going to go with sand this time around? SSB, DSB? I'll be watching. I'm excited

12/01/2007, 05:39 PM	#7
Ludwigia73 Reef Reef Reef Reef Reef Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 4,841	Oh, and there won't be any outside plumbing. Overflows fail with me, and for now I'm staying away. The back will be painted black, so you won't be able to see the filters outside the tank. I'll be using an aquaclear 70, that'll provide a little flow, a korallia 1, and I'll use that once I get the rock in to determine how much more I need. I'm planning on adding a korallia 2, but might not need that much. __________________ 14" cube (12 gal), LED's Current Tank Info: 125 gallon with 40 gallon sump, LED's

12/01/2007, 10:33 PM	#8
ReefWreak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Astoria, NYC Posts: 10,159	No skimmer? I wouldn't run a tank that has fish in it without either a skimmer, fuge, or both.

12/02/2007, 03:17 AM	#9
Bernie21 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Miami, Fl... Posts: 2,161	Looks good so far, what type of wood did you use to make the stand?? I went w/out a skimmer for abit but I wouldnt recommend it!! I have a Remora HOB and it's great, look into those, I beleive I recently saw some one selling it at about $100- 125, which is almost 50% off full price!! __________________ Reefing is an addiction rehab doesn't work for... Current Tank Info: Downgraded to a 0 Gal non Mixed Reef - Direct sun watts & 1x moon Actinics. RIO 00 return, no skimmer Skimmer.

12/02/2007, 08:34 AM	#10
REDDAWG43 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Miramar, Fl Posts: 2,893	Hey Chris... Would you build a small stand like for someone else? How much would you charge....ballpark figure. I would be interested in a stand for a 24g JBJ Nano Cube I have. Mel __________________ Love my piece of the Ocean!!! Current Tank Info: Red Sea 525 XL

12/02/2007, 09:08 AM	#11
ninjamini Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 2,306	Very nice chris. I am also putting up a 56 column this week.

12/02/2007, 07:24 PM	#12
Ludwigia73 Reef Reef Reef Reef Reef Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 4,841	First of all, that's a loaded question... would I build a stand for someone else. If I said yes, then it becomes everyone else. Plus, the mods would ban me. Personally, woodworking is a hobby, just like reefing, and if you came to me with the wood this week we could talk about what you're interested in. I don't take money for this..... Also, sanding and staining and whatever final finish you decide would probably be up to you, since I hate the finishing part. I just love creating things out of wood. As for the no skimmer part, my 18 gallon did not have a skimmer, and the list of inhabitants are as follows: 2 flameback clowns yellowhead goby lots of nassarius snails, and astreas. quite a few hermits a huge colony of bali giant xenia pagoda pavona tons of zoos a large green open brain green star polyps cinnamon polyps __________________ 14" cube (12 gal), LED's Current Tank Info: 125 gallon with 40 gallon sump, LED's

12/02/2007, 07:26 PM	#13
Ludwigia73 Reef Reef Reef Reef Reef Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 4,841	__________________ 14" cube (12 gal), LED's Current Tank Info: 125 gallon with 40 gallon sump, LED's

12/02/2007, 07:33 PM	#14
REDDAWG43 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Miramar, Fl Posts: 2,893	Sorry for asking a loaded question... __________________ Love my piece of the Ocean!!! Current Tank Info: Red Sea 525 XL

12/02/2007, 07:58 PM	#15
daywn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Okeechobee,Florida Posts: 797	nice job.what color stain you gonna use? __________________ Paul and Dawn Current Tank Info: 180 mixed reef

12/03/2007, 09:30 AM	#16
Ludwigia73 Reef Reef Reef Reef Reef Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 4,841	Gonna do a colonial maple (slight reddish tint) I know you probably know that, it was more for the others that didn't. I was also thinking of doing 1 coat of varnish, then doing some subtle gold leaf scrollwork. This is some more of my handiwork. __________________ 14" cube (12 gal), LED's Current Tank Info: 125 gallon with 40 gallon sump, LED's

12/03/2007, 01:08 PM	#18
Ludwigia73 Reef Reef Reef Reef Reef Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 4,841	sure... no problem! We'll make a day of it. __________________ 14" cube (12 gal), LED's Current Tank Info: 125 gallon with 40 gallon sump, LED's

12/09/2007, 05:31 PM	#19
Ludwigia73 Reef Reef Reef Reef Reef Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 4,841	Here's an update... the stand is finished, the back of the tank is painted black, now just waiting for Del to be ready to sell his lights I have everything I need to start, salt, sand, korallia pump, aquaclear filter... I'll be setting it up in the middle of January, and I'll need some established sand and live rock. Can't wait!!! __________________ 14" cube (12 gal), LED's Current Tank Info: 125 gallon with 40 gallon sump, LED's