I hope I can swim.... (First venture into Saltwater 29g build)

[southern wolf]

I hope I can swim... because I just jumped off the deep end and into the big water. Here is my first SW tank build.

Aint she a beauty. Yeah... I know. She needs a little TLC. At one time I had African Cichlids in her and she's been sitting empty for over a year. I bought her and her twin from a fish store that was going out of business. They used to keep price stickers in the black track at the bottom.
Here is her twin that I have set up for a freshwater community tank.

I have got to clean her up and I plan on building a custom stand. I don't like the stand that came with the tank and it is DEFINITELY NOT user friendly. There is no way to even attempt to get a refugium under there.
The tank itself is a 52g tank. They took a 55g and cut off the front corners. I am currently planning on having a 29g macroalgae fuge under the tank for my filtration system.
First order of business is to get to work on a new stand.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Woohoo! So is this going to be your tank build thread?

 

[acrylic51]

Following along!!!!!

 

[eric b 125]

Sweet

 

[icedtc]

Good luck! I'll be following along too as I'm just "getting my feet wet" in the saltwater hobby myself.

 

[flower]

I always watch these threads but seldom comment, I am no help. However...I really like the freshwater tank you had and just wanted to comment on it.

I think you will swim with us here on SWF just fine....With all the help, you can consider us your safety float.

 

[meowzer]

Very nice tank.....can't wait to see what you do with it

 

[gemmy]

I'm tagging along!!!

 

[xandrew245x]

Looks good, following along

 

[southern wolf]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim#post_3458951
Woohoo! So is this going to be your tank build thread?
And my stand build thread... and any questions I have along the way on the process of such builds. Figured it would allow anyone in a similar position that I'm in to hopefully learn from my questions and my mistakes.

 

[southern wolf]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim#post_3458963
I always watch these threads but seldom comment, I am no help. However...I really like the freshwater tank you had and just wanted to comment on it.

I think you will swim with us here on SWF just fine....With all the help, you can consider us your safety float.
Ummmmm that would be have. I took that photo just for this thread. It's in the living room. My salt tank is going to be in my office / library / study / whoamikidding Im just a redneck room.

 

[southern wolf]

Ok... here is my first draft drawing on my custom stand for this tank.

A couple questions I have. Is 12 inches going to be enough room between the top of the fuge and the bottom of the framework for the display tank? Is 18 inches tall going to be enough room (or too much) for a canopy opening?

 

[icedtc]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim#post_3459005
A couple questions I have. Is 12 inches going to be enough room between the top of the fuge and the bottom of the framework for the display tank?
I think 12 inces will be just fine. I only have about 10" or so above my sump but its still plenty of room to remove my skimmer cup, etc.

 

[xandrew245x]

My sump is 16" tall which only leaves me about 12 inches underneath my stand, and there is plenty of room in there, I think you will be fine!

 

[snakeblitz33]

 

[florida joe]

can you post drawing of just the canopy

 

[sweatervest13]

Following along!!!
Good looking fresh water tank. I think that will be very cool to have two similar tanks, one fresh and one salt. You can really see the differences between the two.
Are you going to use a skimmer? If so, have you decided on which one? Look up the dimensions online and see if you will have enough clearance under the stand. 12" sounds like it should be just fine.
This should be a fun one to watch. Good Luck!!
You decided not to do a bow front (I think that is what you were thinking about a few months ago)??

 

[southern wolf]

Quote:
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim#post_3459029
can you post drawing of just the canopy
Currently that is the only drawing I have done. What did you have in mind as far as seeing?

 

[southern wolf]

Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim#post_3459051
Following along!!!
Good looking fresh water tank. I think that will be very cool to have two similar tanks, one fresh and one salt. You can really see the differences between the two.
Are you going to use a skimmer? If so, have you decided on which one? Look up the dimensions online and see if you will have enough clearance under the stand. 12" sounds like it should be just fine.
This should be a fun one to watch. Good Luck!!
You decided not to do a bow front (I think that is what you were thinking about a few months ago)??
I think I am going to try it without a skimmer to start. I plan on having a 29g tank underneath and all but about 6 inches of it will be a macroalgae fuge with a deep sand bed. The other 6 inches will be the area for my return pump and heaters.
As for the bowfront... lets just say that is no longer an option.

 

[southern wolf]

I hope to start working on the stand around the first of next week. What can I paint the inside of the stand with to help with waterproofing? It really needs to come from Lowes or HomeDepot because my choices are limited where I live.