RockRash's 75 gallon build

RockRash · 2024-10-25T21:42:04-0400

I've posted pictures here and there of my progress on my tank. It's a top fin 75 gallon I bought on sale at petsmart. I'll be using a 40 breeder for my sump.

I drilled the tank a few months ago ( this has been a slow build) and installed my overflow and bulkheads.

More to come.

RockRash · 2024-10-25T21:50:11-0400

I painted the back of the tank black and got to work on my rock work.

RockRash · 2024-10-25T21:55:58-0400

I finally got around to starting my stand this week. I was hoping to finish up today but ran out gas for the welder. All the stores were closed when I ran lucky I found a welding store not to far away so I can exchange the cylinder tomorrow and get back to work.

This is where I'm at with the stand. I'm planning on using wood and magnets for the covering so I can have easy access to the sump.

RockRash · 2024-10-25T22:19:55-0400

The equipment I'll be using. There's a reef octopus skimmer behind the reef mat. Vectra s2 for the return pump and 2 mp40s for the flow.

Right now I have 2 AI primes on the tank. I know I'll need more light I'm just not sure if 2 more AI primes will be enough or if I should add 2 hydra 32s. I have the tank sitting on the bar in our dining room right now. I turned the lights to red and added a skeleton fish for Halloween lol.

I'm hoping to have the tank on the stand some time this week so I can start plumbing. I'll update when I make more progress.

Fenral · 2024-10-25T22:44:19-0400

Love the rockwork! I am just curious: what is the stand made of? (Wondering about how you plan to use magnets...)

RockRash · 2024-10-25T22:52:38-0400

Fenral said:
Love the rockwork! I am just curious: what is the stand made of? (Wondering about how you plan to use magnets...)

Thanks! It took us almost 3 weeks of gluing, mortaring eventually braking it down to come up with it. The stand is made of 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 x .083 steel. I'm planning on drilling plugs in the wood panels so the magnets sit flush and will hold the wood to the stand. I built the stand to support a 120 gallon if I ever decided to upgrade in the future.

Fenral · 2024-10-25T22:54:40-0400

Ahh, that explains the magnets.

I hope you're planning on putting about 300 coats of Rustoleum or the equivalent on that frame then. After a while, even my stainless steel lab tables started to corrode from the salt.

RockRash · 2024-10-25T23:27:52-0400

Fenral said:
Ahh, that explains the magnets. I hope you're planning on putting about 300 coats of Rustoleum or the equivalent on that frame then. After a while, even my stainless steel lab tables started to corrode from the salt.

Yes, I haven't decided on paining it or having it powder coated. There is a powder coating shop a few miles away. I figured I'd load it up in the truck and get a quote once I finally finish it. If its really expensive I'll be applying copious amounts of rustoleum lol.