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Unread 05/20/2016, 11:47 PM   #1
aquavista99
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AV99's custom 600g Reef Savvy on site build-Lots of pictures

It has been a few years in the making, but when my wife and I decided to move to our forever house in the Summer of 2013, we encountered a small problem...the only way I could fit my dream reef aquarium into our new house was to build the entire project on site in my basement. Somehow I was able to convince Reef Savvy to close up shop for two weeks and fly up to Ohio from Miami, Fla. to build my dream tank.

I would like to start off this journey by thanking all the people/businesses who played such an important role in the process, including, but not limited to the following:

Felix Bordon and the entire Reef Savvy team (Miami, FL);
Raymond from ReefTop Aquariums (Miami, FL);
Chris Benner of Sticks N Stones/Benner's Woodworking (Lebanon, OH);
Jeff Macare of Reef Dynamics (Phoenix, AZ);
Brian Harnisch of Titan Aquatic Exhibits (Phoenix, AZ);
George Weber of Geo's Reef (Newark, OH);
Joe Reno of Marine Solutions (Waynesville, OH); &
Jenn & Jeremy Embry of Aquarium Artisans (Cincinnati, OH).


Measuring 96″L X 48″W X 30″H, the tank was delivered sheet by sheet and pieced together on top of the stand which was assembled on site by Chris Benner. Once all was said and done, the 600-gallon Reef Savvy tank featured three sides of low iron glass, a double Phantom bottom, a poly-coated aluminum bracing around the top, and a custom external overflow (added after the tank was built).



The tank is still not fully set up and loaded with SPS corals just yet, but my frag tank growout system is literally bursting at the seams. When complete, my new system will have a total water volume of around 1,000 gallons, SPS dominant all the way.



Last edited by aquavista99; 11/06/2017 at 06:31 PM.
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Unread 05/21/2016, 12:09 AM   #2
aquavista99
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Part 1- Building the foundation. Everything must first fit through a small drywall cut whole in my basement wall!!!






Part 2- The stand. First built at the factory by Chris Benner, then assembled in my basement, piece by piece with attention to detail every step of the way.











Last edited by aquavista99; 11/06/2017 at 06:24 PM.
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Unread 05/21/2016, 12:28 AM   #3
CoralFiend
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That's going to be awesome! The start of a true dream tank there. Looking forward to following this one.


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Reef Savvy 125 on order - Status: Waiting...

Current Tank Info: 140 gallon reef
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Unread 05/21/2016, 12:33 AM   #4
scallywags
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NICE!! Excited to see how this goes!


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Unread 05/21/2016, 12:35 AM   #5
aquavista99
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Part 3- The beginning stages of my custom built tank. Starts off with the black powder-coated aluminum frame.




Next stop, shipping all the glass from Miami, FL. to Ohio!!!











Last edited by aquavista99; 07/31/2017 at 08:48 PM.
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Unread 05/21/2016, 01:06 AM   #6
Hudds
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That's a great start for a great tank AV99!
Subscribed!


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Unread 05/21/2016, 01:33 AM   #7
vikinglord13
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Beautiful stand! I'm glad Reef Savvy was able to commit to helping you out with the set up.


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Unread 05/21/2016, 01:55 AM   #8
Dietger
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Waw, this tank has some amazing potential... Your son must be pretty stoked as well! Looking forward to see it evolving :-)
Good luck with the start!


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Unread 05/21/2016, 09:41 AM   #9
aquavista99
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This build has been in the works for a while and finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Glad to share with you too!

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Originally Posted by CoralFiend View Post
That's going to be awesome! The start of a true dream tank there. Looking forward to following this one.



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Unread 05/21/2016, 09:42 AM   #10
aquavista99
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Me too my friend.

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NICE!! Excited to see how this goes!



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Unread 05/21/2016, 09:44 AM   #11
aquavista99
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Glad to have you along for the journey.

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That's a great start for a great tank AV99!
Subscribed!



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Unread 05/21/2016, 09:47 AM   #12
aquavista99
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Thanks for the kind words and yes my son is very excited too. We considered moving his swim lessons from the YMCA to my basement, lol.

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Waw, this tank has some amazing potential... Your son must be pretty stoked as well! Looking forward to see it evolving :-)
Good luck with the start!



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Unread 05/21/2016, 10:12 AM   #13
aquavista99
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Oh yes, Chris Benner does amazing woodwork. And getting Felix Bordon and his entire Reef Savvy family to take time away from their busy schedules and build my dream tank was epic. Felix has an amazing family and his wife and father came along for the build as well. And when the tank was completed, Felix's dad, who is also an amazing artist, gave my family the best gift of all....he made our family a canvas painting showing two worlds coming together (ie, Sunny South Florida and late Fall/Early winter in Ohio).

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Originally Posted by vikinglord13 View Post
Beautiful stand! I'm glad Reef Savvy was able to commit to helping you out with the set up.




Last edited by aquavista99; 07/31/2017 at 08:21 PM.
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Unread 05/21/2016, 11:45 AM   #14
CoralFiend
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aquavista99 View Post
This build has been in the works for a while and finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Glad to share with you too!
I have a Reef Savvy on order. It's been a year now and hope to have mine soon. Only a 125 though. I have smaller dreams - and house. :-) You certainly have the A Team on your project! Can't miss with this one.


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Reef Savvy 125 on order - Status: Waiting...

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Unread 05/21/2016, 02:33 PM   #15
Reel North
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Your son looks like he's the size of a peanut in that tank. This is going to be some kind of amazing!


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Current Tank Info: frag tank. Lame
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Unread 05/21/2016, 03:40 PM   #16
aquavista99
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Wait until you see my son next to the mega skimmer that I purchased for this system....glad to have you tagging along!

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Your son looks like he's the size of a peanut in that tank. This is going to be some kind of amazing!



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Unread 05/21/2016, 03:42 PM   #17
Robby2782
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Amazing setup, Tim. I love the tank.


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Unread 05/21/2016, 03:58 PM   #18
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Going to be a nice one! Good luck!


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Unread 05/21/2016, 03:59 PM   #19
aquavista99
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Building the masterpiece, one step at a time.

Very innovative design on this tank....the bottom is comprised of two separate sheets of glass pressed together....can't make a tank any stronger than this one, along with the black Phantom bottom.





Last edited by aquavista99; 07/31/2017 at 09:22 PM.
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Unread 05/21/2016, 04:00 PM   #20
aquavista99
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Thanks for tagging along, Robby!

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Amazing setup, Tim. I love the tank.



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Unread 05/21/2016, 04:01 PM   #21
aquavista99
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Thanks! It has been a long journey...finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

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Going to be a nice one! Good luck!



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Unread 05/21/2016, 04:08 PM   #22
aquavista99
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Part 4- Reef Savvy 600g tank built on site in my basement.























Last edited by aquavista99; 07/31/2017 at 08:28 PM.
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Unread 05/21/2016, 04:33 PM   #23
aquavista99
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Congrats on your dream tank too, Gary. It will be worth the wait.

Quote:
Originally Posted by CoralFiend View Post
I have a Reef Savvy on order. It's been a year now and hope to have mine soon. Only a 125 though. I have smaller dreams - and house. :-) You certainly have the A Team on your project! Can't miss with this one.



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Unread 05/21/2016, 05:47 PM   #24
CoralFiend
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Originally Posted by aquavista99 View Post
Congrats on your dream tank too, Gary. It will be worth the wait.
Thanks! I am getting anxious now. I do want to keep an eye on this one though. You have a great bunch of people working on it, I know that. So, can't wait to see what comes next!


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Reef Savvy 125 on order - Status: Waiting...

Current Tank Info: 140 gallon reef
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Unread 05/21/2016, 09:42 PM   #25
ArmanS
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Wow, can't wait to see this build continue. Beautiful Tank, Reef Savvy tanks are top quality.

What other equipment will you be using? Lighting & Filtration. Thanks.


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