extreme budget DIY..29gal bowfront (pics)

[arichschmidt]

Here is my DIY 29gal/stand/hood combo I've been building on bare bones budget at home with my girlfriend's cousin, fellow RC member Matts Clowns. We have mostly built it together with stuff we've had from prior builds, extra stuff around the house, and dumpster finds, really we found the plywood for the stand by his apartment dumpster. I have only spent around $100 total on this build, thats including buying 2 sets of 2 bulb 24" Sun systems T5 HO retro fit kits with bulbs! I still need to paint the hood, build the stand door and add the trim, I will get the finished pics up as soon as I get it done. Hope you all like it.

drilled bottom with 3 1" bulk heads (had the tank and bulk heads)
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Matt Clowns getting a better look with drink in hand (vodka/orange juice $15)
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3/4" return (plumbing already have)
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custom made overflow inside tank, we cut all the overflow slits ourself($11 from TapPlastics)
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the only light we had at Matt's to paint the back of tank black (paint $2)
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stand made of the free wood..48"T x 30"W x 17"D (FREE)
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piece of extra granite from an old desk top at my house
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test fitting tank and granite on stand
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[arichschmidt]

Here are the rest of the pics so far...

stand painted black inside/out, still need to make the door ($6 quart)
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20gal sump (already had)
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radius front door for hood
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test fitting skeleton of hood (wood $3)
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hood with sheeting on it, still need to hinge the door and paint it ($10)
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tank so far with sand, LR and my clarky
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[nova67]

great job looks good

[arichschmidt]

Thanks been workin on it off and on..should be done soon! Stay tuned for updated pics

[arichschmidt]

i could use some advice so if anybody gets to this point i am still new to the coral side and can use any input...thanks

[arichschmidt]

Built/painted my door today and mounted the the hood. I will be putting the door on tomorrow. Hope to have pics up soon. Still need to get the trim tho

[theyammieguy]

do you have any plans on how you built that plywood stand? I want to do mine the same way.

[arichschmidt]

The stand itself is 48" tall 30" wide and 17" deep..i just cut my basic "box" dimensions out the free 1/2"ply and used brad nails and wood glu for that..then added some extra supports in all the corners, bottom and top using 1" x 2 1"/2 pine its like $1.15 for an 8' board at lowes..i can make up a better diagram when get around my computer again..i had a strict budget and after all said and done i only spent about $30 on the stand and plumbing

[theyammieguy]

A better diagram would be nice. I'm also on a tight budget. I'm building a 40 breeder with 40 breeder sump. The plywood stand would allow for more space inside the stand.

[arichschmidt]

I just read your signature and it says you in the process of a 40g breeder upgrade. Another RC member, matts clowns, and i are actually building a stand abd canopy for his 40g breeder..u may want to check his posts for diy pics his dimensions are 42" wide/tall and 21" deep out of 3/4ply..same basic setup as my stand

[theyammieguy]

Right on, I'll do a search for him.

[dubdlee]

Great job on the limited budget fellas. Like the stand and canopy. Good luck!

[sedor]

Before I got down to the last few pictures I was thinking "what a piece of crap this is going to be." Quite the contrary, I am impressed with this build...and on $100!!! What are you going to do about a skimmer?

[arichschmidt]

I have a backpack skimmer i got from a house clean out (another free item lol) for now..hope to upgrade in the future

[Financial Panth]

Well done. If does NOT look like a budget job.

[arichschmidt]

Thanks for the positive responses everybody..hope to have the finished pics up in the next couple days

[arichschmidt]

Finally got my euro hinges for the door hope to have it mounted tomorrow and pics up soon! Then all there is to do is get a couple new bulbs, stock it up, and enjoy!

[arichschmidt]

still not done yet

[arichschmidt]

..matt clowns is a doucher!

[arichschmidt]

because his tank is cooler than mine

[arichschmidt]

and almost done haha this is (not matt clowns)

[lordofthereef]

Pretty cool. I enjoy super budget builds. There is a certain amount of pride involved in knowing you did something that nice with 1/10 the cost :)

[chino402]

it looks sweet!

[arichschmidt]

Haven' been on in awhile but I am back..

Here some updated pics of my budget build, I finally got the door on and everything done except my stainless steel trim for the front corners of the stand and canopy


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Inside the canopy
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As of today, hope to add more soon!
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Chalice not sure what the name is, got it from Matt Clowns..it is very blue in person
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[Gatorluva9]

nice set up

[MATT CLOWNS]

Looken good way cool