A 12 foot belt huh? That's too bad... You know nothing grows in the shade right?



Thanks! I have some work to do on the stand (going to pour a self leveling platform to ensure even support the entire length) and then I'll post some more pics.

When you start filling the tank let me know if you need some help... a small road trip would be worth it to see this 12 foot tank in person.

r u still doing all t5 over this tank?

Where you located Kraylen, other than 602/480/408?

Reefone, yes... Will be doing 8x80w T-5's and a single VHO actinic down the center.

T-5 T-5 VHO T-5 T-5

Im located in Mesa, Arizona. 85210

I think it would look sweet with a bunch of these pendents to light it.

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/20932...bZA7yio4DbYNCal

Cool, I have a ton of co-workers in Phoenix and friends in Tucson. If you're ever in Colorado shoot me a PM.



Except for the fact that it would take 7 of them $$$ and the top would be open for jumpers... That would look sweet, almost fast food style.


Update time:

Slab is poured. Now just waiting for it to cure...

Here's the prep.




And the pour:




Definately tell it's thicker in the middle.
Left:

Middle:

Right:

Whats the slab for? Just to level it?

Yes, the stand dips in the center about 3/16" which is more than styro can compensate for. This will basically give me a 12' cement shim under the styro.

I would never have thought of that! I would have ended up with a 12 foot busted tank! I am NEVER doing a DIY tank - there's just too much I would forget

Nice. I was wondering when you were going to mention the gap issue on this thread. Are you going to use anything to blend the concrete ends into the rest of the stand?

I think your tank is the most anticipated tank on my list of "regular lookups"
I really can't wait to see what you do with this beast! That and your DIY work is impeccable.

Self Leveling, man you are a genus. I have worked in the trades for most of my adult life and I never wouldn thought of that. next stand I build that is going on the list..................

After the cement dries you may want to spray it with a spray bottle filled with water, your cement looks watered down which makes cement very fragile after it dries. By spraying it after it dries it lets it cure and then becomes stronger.

What type of cement did you use? They make a hight strength cement that can take a lot of pressure per square inch (in to the thousands of pounds) but its $25 for a 15 pound bag. It looks like you used S type cement is that correct?

Well I guess it's a do over... I let the cement cure over night, and let's just say it's not meant to be cured over plastic. There was nothing for the cement to grab on to and it turned into the rocky mountains... Pretty interesting to see, but certainly not we I was expecting. Not sure what option I'll try next, perhaps just shave the stryo at the ends... Stay tuned for Plan B.

Could you not use memory foam instead of polystyrene? Or is that a dumb idea?

I think the memory foam would not be supportive enough. I have an idea that I think will work... I'll post some pics of the progress as it comes together.

Basement is almost finished (which means I can fill the tank when it's done) all that is left is the stairs so I hope to call for final inspection towards the end of the month!

i cant wait ........

i bet you can't either seeing its your tank

couldn't have said it better myself!!

Calvin.. got to love your builds..

I noticed on the photos you've feathered the screed out to zero thickness at the edges.. I've looked up a few water- and latex-based self-levelling flooring screeds online and they all state that they must be poured to a minimum of 10mm to guaruntee strength and a level surface. I looked it up because I've seen these screeds laid over plastic sheet before without problems. Maybe Plan B just means that you need to pour it thicker?

Al

updates?

Thanks! Yeah, I'm really jones'n for some corals in my own house.



Thank you very much!!!



Thanks Al, actually plan B is to cut out the drywall (OSB is under the dry wall) and then install some shims in the middle and lay 3/4" ply wood in the cut out and then styro covered with trim. I've been working feverishly on my basement trying to get it done (stairs and bannister are all that's left to build and install, other than calking the trim and painting the rec/tank room) as I can't think about putting water in the tank until the basement has passed inspection.




Not much... My cabinet doors that were supposed to be in last week was the wrong order, so my doors are supposed to now be here some time this week. Just one more thing I have to install in the basement.


Thanks for all ideas and feedback guys! I'll be sure to post some pics of the tank on the stand just as soon as I can get it leveled and supported!

Have you considered using MAS Low Viscosity Epoxy? One of the reefers in my fish club used it to level his inwall tank. He made a dam out of aluminum duct tape as well.

PMing link to thread

Thanks for the link, I think my next idea will work just as well though, if not better...

yw, just trying to give you options... and maybe hurry your build along for my own personal viewing enjoyment

Sorry for the lack of updates, been busy...


So here's my update for today, please mind the tape as my wife is still painting the room...

Got the plywood last night, so here's the tank on the ply with styro between. The shims are to lift the ply and help to evenly support the styro. Let me know if you see any issues... Yes the tank is raised by over an inch with all the material, so I'll have to get creative with my trim work...







And a shot I just had to take.



The thread on RC was actually nominated for ThOTM so thanks everyone for your support and votes, I really appreciate it! I probably won't/can't win but really honored to be nominated. The guy winning has an incredible idea!!!! Be sure to check it out.

This is going to be such a great tank! Congrats on the nomination.

Tagging along! Looking great can't wait to see it finished!

I haven't been on NR much with a busy summer. I thought you'd be done by now! Looks good. It is a big undertaking but what a show piece!

amazing build! I can't wait to see this one done

Wow, all I have to say is that this is just awesome.

that's sick man, just sick!! I wish you lived in my neighborhood

where is the thread on RC? I'll be sure to vote for it although I'm betting that this is going to be TOTM some day.

ftfy

Do you have a totm nomination link?

Thanks everyone! Here's the ThOTM thread.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...hreadid=1458528

Still... amazing..

calvin this thread sucks with all the talk of stair cases

really starting to come togather. cant wait to see it up and running. i voted for u.

oooooooo that solar tank is some TUFFCOMP!

Hurry everyone on NR vote for calvin!!!!!

Start a seperate thread!

Yeah, that solar tank is sweet! It's funny before the voting thread opened, I was showing my wife how cool that solar setup is. Please do not vote for me because I'm a Nano-Reefer, please vote your honest preference. I don't think I stand a chance and I'm just honored to be nominated.

I don't suppose you charge admission...?

Im gonna check out this tank next time I do a show in Co.

BarBQ Cal?

srly. i gots beer n stuff

Looks great. Only thing is, you will have to get a chair with wheels so you can roll back and forth. No just sitting in one place and staring. I can't wait to see your magfloat.

Hurry up, I wanna see it done! so so so very cool

wow very awesome.

I guess if someone's willing to pay, sure!



Hit us up at www.thescmas.com We have a killer frag swap in Oct if you're up here.



LOL



LOL! Yeah, start on one side and start walking (25 feet )



Me too!



Thanks!

woah... I hadn't seen this yet! That's awesome man

I voted for you! While the solar tank is nice, I guess it's not a huge surprise after reading about Richard Harker's 2000 gallon tank 6 years ago...or Dr. Lee Cin Eng's paper in the '60s.

wow, how did i miss this thread?!
crazy setup, cant wait to see it up and runing