New California Two Spot (Bimac) Build.

[mmorrison55]

Do you have experience building tanks from scratch? That seems quite the daunting undertaking of removing all the silicone, polishing the glass and putting it back together.

 

[kchristensen8064]

Do you have experience building tanks from scratch? That seems quite the daunting undertaking of removing all the silicone, polishing the glass and putting it back together.

I do. I have resealed a couple of tanks and I've built one of my own from scratch. I got this tank for free, so yes it is a lot of work, but it is worth it when I didn't have to pay for it.

 

[becca10]

This will be a bimac octopus!

Well I feel silly now.....I have learned something new.

 

[kchristensen8064]

Well I feel silly now.....I have learned something new.

Lol, their scientific names both start with bimac so you weren't far off. Maybe I should change my title to California two spot to lessen the confusion.

 

[Reef Wizard]

Following here as well as tonmo

 

[kchristensen8064]

Following here as well as tonmo

Do you have the same handle on there?

 

[mpatterson42]

Very cool build. Did you have to attach the granite to the stand or does the weight of the tank take care of that?

 

[kchristensen8064]

Very cool build. Did you have to attach the granite to the stand or does the weight of the tank take care of that?

I put a little silicone on to help hold it, but the weight alone of just the granite makes it pretty hard to move. I also put thin rubber strips on top of the aluminum to just help with the shock absorption, and to pad the 2 hard surfaces of the aluminum and granite.

 

[dansyr]

I'm impressed, build looks fantastic. What kind of garage/shop setup do you have? I'm seeing granite, metal, glass, wood work, do you just do literally all the materials?

 

[Reef Wizard]

Do you have the same handle on there?

I do but not as active on there mostly just read. I might start a bimac 75 gal sometime later this year. Im going back and forth between that and predators

 

[kchristensen8064]

I'm impressed, build looks fantastic. What kind of garage/shop setup do you have? I'm seeing granite, metal, glass, wood work, do you just do literally all the materials?

I don't have an official setup, but I do have the tools to handle most things. This was my first time working with granite, but it wasn't to difficult. The weight of it was the biggest challenge. I have worked with glass quite a bit and am getting better and honing those skills. This was also my first time working with aluminum extrusion, this stuff is fantastic and super easy to work with. I work in wood working, so I do a lot of work with wood, its definitely my stronger suit, but getting better with all of that as well.

 

[kchristensen8064]

I do but not as active on there mostly just read. I might start a bimac 75 gal sometime later this year. Im going back and forth between that and predators

That would be awesome, I'm excited to have an octopus. My fall back in the case that something goes horribly wrong would be a predator tank.

 

[ryan4444]

WOW! Very impressive and great build! Following!

 

[kchristensen8064]

I got all the main seems siliconed today. I have a little clean up to do since working with black silicone sucks. I'll get pictures after I have it all cleaned up. I've also been working on the doors for the front of the stand.

 

[SaltyWalty]

I got all the main seems siliconed today. I have a little clean up to do since working with black silicone sucks. I'll get pictures after I have it all cleaned up. I've also been working on the doors for the front of the stand.

Did you go with a clear silicone rather than black? I always thought the red seas would look better with a clear silicone.
Regardless nice job the tank looks gorgeous

 

[kchristensen8064]

Did you go with a clear silicone rather than black? I always thought the red seas would look better with a clear silicone.
Regardless nice job the tank looks gorgeous

I went with black. I haven't taken any pictures post silicone yet, these pictures are all from when I was preparing it for silicone. Thank you, it's slowly coming together.