550ish build thread

[TChristman]

After making the progession from a 37 to a 150 to a 210 I am finally doing my dream build. The tank will be 96 x 36 x 29. A little over 400 gallons with a 72 x 24 x 17 sump and my current 24 x 24 frag tank plumbed into the same system.

I wanted to go with a very large sump to be able to have ample room for a large fuge and a larger skimmer area. The 24" width was important to me as well as I am not a fan of working in tight spaces.

The wife and I decided to finish the basement so I wanted to have a fish room that could easily be converted to a bedroom if we sell the house. The fish room will be 13 x 13 so I will have ample room to build a larger frag system in the near future.

I will have plenty of equipment that I plan to use for the frag system or sell upon completion.

Other rooms in the finished area will be two storage areas, bathroom, family room, play room, fitness room and a sauna. The wife had to get something out of this.

I will update as progress is made but I like picture intense builds so I wanted to include pictures from start to finish.


The build will also include some of the areas of improvements of the basement. We are trying to make it an extension of the house and not have too much of a basement feel.

The first picture is obviously the framing for the tank. The second is of the area behind the tank (fish room) and the third is the removal of a wall to have a staircase built instead of a tunnel to the basement. The fourth picture is the framing for the fireplace and recessed area for the television. Sorry about the towels.

Hope you enjoy. I look forward to hearing your feedback and suggestions as I make progress.

[dzfish17]

It looks like you're off to a good start. We like pics around here so you get kudos for that. Have fun with your build.

[TChristman]

Thought I would update after 10 days. A lot was done with finishing the electrical, plumbing and HVAC for rough inspection. Insulation was also put in. Drywall will be complete by Monday. Then the stairs, trim, paint and flooring. Glass has been ordered for the tank. Everything so far has been ahead of schedule so I am very pleased with the progress.

Here are some pictures to update...

[TChristman]

More pictures. Finally figuring out how to load the pictures. Life is better now.

[TChristman]

I am trying the photobucket out to make the pictures a little more friendly.

Here is the front of the tank view progress
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[TChristman]

Trying to figure out photobucket...I will get it soon.

[TChristman]

Trying to make the picture format a little more friendly.

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Today was priming and bathroom tile was set.

Tomorrow is trim work and door installation.

Very happy with the progress through 15 days.

Some equipment was ordered today. Two sea-swirls for the returns. I have used sea swirls on every tank and really like the random oscillating returns. I have used them on my last two tanks but this one will use two.

Tank building will start a week from Wednesday. Getting more excited by the day.

[TChristman]

Just an update on the progress from today. Almost all of the trim work was completed as well as the doors hung. Some more drywall touch up was done today. Tomorrow is priming the doors and finishing the touched up drywall as well as the stairs. Painting starts Friday.




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Picture inside the fish room


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Primed front of the fish room with the crown

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From inside the fish room

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Workout room, door to left to sauna, door to right to bathroom

Getting close.

[Scuba Steve]

Man that is sweet. Every mans dream fish tank room, workout room and a sauna room too! Nice work. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to see it all done!! More pics please!!

[TChristman]

Thanks Steve. The stairs did not get done all the way today but here are some before and after pictures of the progress that was made.


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[Scuba Steve]

Wow looks great. You must be a trim carpenter!!! Stairs looks really nice! You are doing some really nice work. Not easy at all Taking a unfinished basement and turing it into that.

[TChristman]

The stairs were done by a professional from my local reef club. I know my limitations for sure. He builds large staircases and does custom woodworking for a living. I wish I could take the credit but I can not.

[Scuba Steve]

I would tell them that you did it. Looks nice! Pretty sweet fish/man cave! Keep us updated on the progress.

[gpkozmp]

looks great I will be tagging along...keep us updated and picture's are the best way to do that.

[TChristman]

Thank you. Here are some updates from the weekend. Today the acid staining is happening and tomorrow will be the sealer. On the home stretch for sure.

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Fireplace and tv area

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Stairwell

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View up the stairs....Stairs still not finished

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View across the room. A little dark

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View down the stairs.

Tank construction will begin on Wednesday. Everything coming along well.

[Scuba Steve]

Wow looks stunning. Great job. Will the saltwater not mess up the stained concrete floor?? Great choose for the floor if saltwater wont mess the clear coat up. Looks great keep up the hard work and keep us updated with photos.

[TChristman]

According to the manufacturer it should not have any impact at all on the acid in the concrete. It will be sealed tomorrow but they said they use their products all the time with beach restaurants and beach retail locations all the time without sealing it.

[TChristman]

What was a very fast moving project slowed down a little this week. The sealer for the acid stain was not up to snuff and it has delayed the completion of the project. The electrical, hvac and plumbing has all been completed. I am very happy with the color of the stain just not the sealer. The stand was also completed yesterday. Glass was delayed until Friday. Here are some updated photos.


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The sink for the fish room

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The stand

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View across family area to the front of the tank

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Different view

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Bathroom...almost complete.

Should have some tank construction pictures up tomorrow. I hope.

[dahenley]

are you building the tank on site, or having it built on site, or is the tank pre-made/made to your order and shipped/delivered?
just curious.
This is very cooL!!!

[nyvp]

is your stand completed?

[TChristman]

Thank you dahenley.


The tank will be built on site by a local tank builder. He does a majority of the custom glass builds in the Atlanta area. He said he would rather build it on site than to move it and deliver it. The tank is 8 ft by 3 ft so I can understand why he would not want to move it.

The stand is not 100 percent complete. Why do you have a suggestion?

[thor32766]

wow look the fish room. this will look unbelievable when done!

[TChristman]

Made major progress today with the tank and the floors. Tank construction has begun. The floors are shaping up much better. Some goodies came in the mail today sea-swirl and premium aquatics. Thank you both for great customer service as always.

Some pictures of the progress today:

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The glass truck arrived

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Tank builders bringing in the glass

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The bottom being set in place. This is just shy of 1 1/4" thick. Nice and light.

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Thickness of the bottom piece.

[TChristman]

More photos...


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The front going up. This is Krystal Klear branded glass which is 20% clearer than starphire.

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Front glass

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Prepping the side

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Side

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From above after all the pieces in place

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A little dark but the view from the front.

Tomorrow the flooring should all be fixed and looking sharp as well as the eurobracing for the tank.

[Trademark]

very nice clean build