A Pictorial Reef Build Adventure

[1entra]

Looking good BigC, cant wait to see it when it all starts to come together...

 

[Trod]

Oh WOW, this is truely amazing, it must be fantastic to be able to start with all the raw materials and create your own tank.

 

[john.o]

That’s looking really good colin
Is there going to be adjustable legs in the centre front + back as well?

 

[BigC]

Any thoughts on skimmer etc?

I haven't thought about any of the equipment yet bar the pumps. I want to get the stand built and the tank on top. Get a sump fitted and turn my hand to aquascaping.
The actual layout is going to be a real labour of love for me, trying to get something in tune with an idea you have in your head sometimes is hard to get just right. I have a couple of really good ideas (but I wont spoil it for you by telling you what they are just yet, I'll keep that for the next chapter).

Is there going to be adjustable legs in the centre front + back as well?

No John, tbh it's not going to need them, the stand itself would come off the better if hit by a double decker bus, it's that sturdy.
Thanks for the comments guys. I hope to have the metalwork finished and the stand delivered this weekend.
ATB

 

[TigerIssey]

What a stand.

Have you took a sledgehammer to the wall to fit the portholes yet??

 

[BigC]

Have you took a sledgehammer to the wall to fit the portholes yet??

That will be the very last job on the list due to the portholes themselves being £150 each and the holes in the wall to drill (Coremaster) come in at roughly £200 per hole and then there is the linings for the holes which will be of metal, which metal I haven't decided yet. So in monetary terms there is a lot of outlay for that particular side of the build. I will concentrate on the other (cheaper if you like) aspects of the build and when everything is satisfactory and ready to go then we will bust the walls
Regards

 

[TigerIssey]

Sounds like you are very well prepared for the actual event Big C.

I just love taking sledge hammers to walls, we did it to open out fireplaces, what a stress buster. I suppose with the holes needing to be perfect circles, it would take alot more precision than my prefferred method.

Looking forward to that part.

Hope there will be a pictorial build of that one..

 

[SkiFletch]

Good point, I'd forgotten how big those holes were going to be. Surprised you're not setting it up on a rotating router with a diamond bit. Works great for big circular cuts like that.

Oh btw, I'm waiting for that stand to sprout a turret with a 105mm cannon comin out of it

 

[BigC]

Remember this!!!!
http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyz_2DEah4o
Regards

 

[TigerIssey]

That is still Andrews favourite program, I don't need to remember it, it is constantly blaring out from the TV as he watches the repeats on Bravo or whatever its on!!

 

[BigC]

Ah, your the bride of Mad Murdoch then!

 

[seffieuk]

Will your tank end up looking something like this one?


http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh5fgppDQC4

It is amazing

Seffie x

 

[TigerIssey]

It certainly is amazing Seffie.

You can be so very selective about what is on show throught the port holes.

Ah, your the bride of Mad Murdoch then!

Quite possibly yes

 

[BigC]

Will your tank end up looking something like this one?

Thats Pjos tank from over here (Northern Ireland), he has been advising me, he informed me of the company who drill the holes and he is in the plumbing trade. His holes are in his kitchen and are brushed aluminium, but they are a wee bit contemporary and modern for my liking, I want more of a maritime look with heavy brass/bronze portholes kind of ships chandelry.

The Stand has been delivered and is currently residing in my garage. I need to rub it down with thinners and apply two coats of Triflow Railings and Gate paint (Black)
I have got nothing done today except manage to get myself sunburnt once again...Bah Humbug. I keep saying I wont do this again and the same bloomin thing happens year in, year out.....not funny.

So I'll get some pics up through the week when the stand has been painted. Then I'll buy some exterior plywwod and make the plinths for the main tank and the sump
Burnt Asunder

 

[BigC]

After a hectic week at work, I managed to get the stand delivered to home sweet home.
It's all finished and complete. Didn't cost me a penny (freebie) I have placed it in the garage (its final resting place) in readiness for painting.

After a good rub with a rag soaked in thinners, I'm now ready to apply the first coat of paint.
Ronseal Triflow (black) is the paint of choice

The first coat is now complete and its looking good.

Readiness for the second coat.

ATB