90 Penninsula build

[Dp Raider]

Hey folks, I'm new here on Reef Central.

The backstory: I've had a 90 gallon AGA collecting dust for almost 8 years. The timeing was never right and I did a bit of moving around. The tank would get pushed into a corner and I spent lot's of time staring at it's emptiness.

Now it's looking like I'll be in my new home for a while and It's time to set this fellow up!

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff021.jpg
Working on remodeling the house at the same time. I decided to put the tank as a penninsula between the kitchen and the living room. Most of this wall is going bye byes and the tank will be to the left.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff022.jpg
While my Girlfriend paints the livingroom, I started smashing through the wall.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff020.jpg
I'm going to put a small counter to the left to make it more open. The unsmashed part on the right is an old chimney. That's going to be a chore to remove.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff012.jpg
Chimney is gone. Didn't get any pics of it since I was too busy sweating my **** off. You can see the tank to the right. Poor thing has been waiting so long for some water.

[Dp Raider]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff013.jpg
Starting to build the stand. I'm putting as large an opening as I can for easy access. I reused as much of the old 2x4's as possable from the wall I removed.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff014.jpg
Yay! It's level.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff015.jpg
Giving the stand some "skin"

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff016.jpg
The tank is up nice and high. I think I'm going to get some tall stools and make this side of it a breakfast counter.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff017.jpg
Starting the canopy. You can see where the chimney went into the attic. I'm going to keep that hole and install a fan to vent the heat from the lights.

[Dp Raider]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff018.jpg
A quick look from the other side.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff019.jpg
Now it needs some trim, doors and the counter.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff001.jpg
I had to take a break from the tank for a bit to put up drywall. I hate drywall.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff002.jpg
I'm liking the openness of it.

Now it's on to the fun (expensive) parts.

I'll keep posting my progress.

[PoukieBear]

wow, the progress looks great ! I can't wait to see more pics, keep up the good work.

[Dp Raider]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff023.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff024.jpg
Just added some trim and the breakfast bar. I think I will be eating many meals here.

[Tangweed]

Very cool set up. I like the breakfast bar. The only thing that concerns me is access to the inside of the tank, might be a little tuff working inside with your canopy opening.

[spleify]

This is gonna be sweet.

[welcome]

[Dp Raider]

PoukieBear and spleify,
Thanks for the compliments, I have been fighting the salt itch for a long time. Finally I just had to scratch.

Tangweed,
yeah, I think I will be eating most of my meals sitting there. Best part is I can still see the TV right through the middle of the tank.

The opening is 15x36 and I will be able to raise up the light system when needed. I hope I will have enough access but yeah, that is one of my concerns as well.

[needyreefer]

Looks like a great start! what are you planning on as far as livestock?

[Dp Raider]

As far as corals go, I have the luxury of living just a few minutes from Pacific East. They mostly do mail order but they also sell out of their showroom. They have tons of stuff. I plan on getting a host of frags from them and having a good mix. I will rely on their expertese in what will and will not work for me.

For the other inverts there will of course be the basic clean up crew. I also want some shrimp but have not decided what kinds. I hope to get at least one clam.

For the fishies, There are only a few I have decided on for sure but the overall theme will be more in numbers and less in size. I will have things like perculas, a dottyback, gobys (not sure what kind), chromis, anthias. All pretty calm stuff. Once the tank matures a bit I want to add a mandarin. Ideally I want something going on all over the tank rather than a few large boys cruising around.

[RobbyVonAwesome]

Was that yellow plaid wallpaper? Nice.

Good luck on the build! Keep us updated.

[Dp Raider]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15082171#post15082171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobbyVonAwesome
Was that yellow plaid wallpaper? Nice.

Haha. Yeah, pretty sweet huh? As they say "It's a fixer upper".

[RobbyVonAwesome]

Wow, you own a paintball field? Can anyone say "dream job?"

[jjw2121]

Looks good. I always wanted a room divider tank.

[kysalty]

This is going to be sweet. Tagging along for what should be a great build.

[Dp Raider]

A few things I have planned:

Rockwork- I'm thinking about making foam and rock structures that will have several tiers. Lot's of pass throughs and valleys between structures. I may be going less natural and more "cool" Almost underwater Dr Suess ish. there will be a shallow sandbed.

Sump- There will be a DIY sump and fuge built into a 55gal tank. This will sit atop another (probably 30gallon) tank used for Auto top off.

I Also be DIYing the light system. 2x250w 15k MH and 2x(not sure yet) actinic. I will also be making a lunar led system.

I havn't picked out much of the hardware yet.
I'm pretty sure I will have 1 vortech for flow.
Skimmer - not sure
Return pump - not sure - probably submersible for space, simplicity, and noise.

[LockeOak]

How are you planning on draining the tank, drilling it on the short end facing the wall?

[Dp Raider]

There is a corner overflow on the kitchen side. not ideal but it will work. I am working it into the cabinet so it will not be very noticeable.

[silent saab]

wow very cool... ill be watching this thread..

nice work,
Josh

[Kenzy]

Looks like you are doing a great job!

Keep the pics coming.

[Dp Raider]

Got a little more done this week.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff027.jpg
Some Tile on the counter and around the edge for trim.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn174/DelmarvaPaintball/Tankandstuff028.jpg
And doors... Finally It has doors.

[spleify]

Nice!! Looks really sharp.

Nice work, that tile makes it look so cool!!

[jejton]

I like the tiled ledge. It allows you to maintain the functionality that normally would have been lost with using that space for a tank.

[Tangweed]

Starting to look rich $$$$

[sunsetSPS]

Great idea on remodel. It looks great.

[Dustint21]

Man this is going to be nice! Love the tile. My friend has the self on the front of his tank also, and its a nice place to set your beer! Just watch your head when you are working under it! LOL!

[romanr]

It looks beautiful and the breakfast bar idea is insane. I would be eating every meal in front of the tank. My concern is how you seem to have incased the tank into the wall. I guess there aren't many ways around this but I know that every once in a while ( I know from experience) the silicone in the tank will somehow get compromised and you end up with a leak and having to replace the tank. In this current setup that seems like it might be a nightmare.

[mg426]

I am in, I will be watching this one.

[goochesfish]

You do very nice work and it seems to be moving pretty quickly.

[map95003]

looks great...but what will you do if you have to remove the tank...for any reason?

[bbl_nk]

Sweet looking build so far. Ditto on the question on whether the tank can be slid out.

Love the tile and the breakfast bar area. Also nice to see the vent from the old chimney...a great idea with a vent fan!

[Dp Raider]

Thanks everyone for the compliments. i've been waiting for a long time to do something like this.

I did a watercheck on the tank before I put it in and everything was good. I don't think the chances of the silicone going bad are very high, but you are right if I have to remove the tank, it won't be pretty.

It's still empty and I already spend alot of time at that counter just staring and thinking. When it's full I won't be able to get anything done.

[mcrist]

I love the tiles...

[atwinparadox2]

as everyone else added, the tiles look great, and you did a nice job on the build so far, I'm definitely tagging along for the ride!

[PoukieBear]

I love the breakfast bar ! Great job.

[mcrist]

I didn't notice that it was breakfast bar, great idea.

[kev apsley]

awesome carpentry work! looks really nice! I love the tile, that really set's it off! Congrats!!

[dmack]

Any updates?