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New Member
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Last Login: 10/24/2010 7:11:07 PM
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Hello all, my husband and I are brand new to the world of salt although not new to aquariums as we've had multiple freshwater tanks over the years ranging from 10g - 200g. Obviously we're aware that salt is NOT the same and we hope to learn much from others far more experienced here. 
Since we're used to larger tanks we knew we wouldn't be happy starting off small with saltwater so we decided to convert one of our 75g tanks into our first saltwater. We're excited but also a bit nervous as we want to make sure we do things right. Our first step was a new stand for the tank so, rather than buying one that we knew we wouldn't be happy with we decided to build our own by modifying what used to be our entertainment center. Along with that, we were so tired of all the more "traditional" backgrounds or no background at all that you typically see for both fresh and salt tanks that we decided that too would have to be unique so heres what we have so far....
The first thing we had to do was lengthen the entertainment center 2 inches and get rid of the cabinet on the side. Also shortened the drawer in the center to accommodate the 20g wet dry we're putting under the tank.
We totally dissected the stand. built a new floor base and the pedestal was supported with braces. A new shelf was made that will go all the way across to hold the tank. We then cut the cabinet door to match the height of the shelf. Since we shortened the center drawer, we cut it back so that the back panel is directly below the back of the fish tank for strength. We also had to make it accessible for feeding and for maintenance of the tank so we reinforced the top of the stand and can now hinge it for maintenance and put a hinged front on it that folds up for feeding.
Here is the finished stand, I'll be posting the shadowbox next.
I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than closed by belief.
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New Member
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Last Login: 10/24/2010 7:11:07 PM
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Now on to the shadowbox. Please keep in mind that this is still a work in progress and I'm sure will change many times before we're totally happy with it but here is what we have so far....
Started out with a piece of 1/8" plexiglass from a local store. thinner than we wanted but it was the only thing available locally. The hubby works in a bodyshop so we had access to everything needed to spray our plexiglass blue. We first used a clear adhesion promoter for plastic, then sprayed two tinted transparent bases over that with the darker of the two on the sides. Then, cleared it to protect the base coat. We then sanded the other side with 400 and then 800 grit to give it the hazy look.
Since the plexi is thin we built its base to go up the sides as well. It's nice and snug that way and If we need to can still slide it out to access behind it. The back ground itself is made out of hard board. We painted it using a couple of different blues and some black (for outlining) in spray cans. This board was then attached to the main back board of the stand. We then made our 3D rocks with a sheet of 2' wide styrofoam, glued one piece on top of the other using spray can expanding foam but if attempting this, keep in mind that it has to be weighted down very tight together or the spray foam will push the two pieces apart.
We then cut it using an electric carving knife to the shape we wanted. At this point we've have left the center of the foam roughed out because we're thinking of getting a wood model of the flying dutchman that we intend to carve up to make it look like it has been shipwrecked there. In order for us to paint the foam, we spread tubes of silicone over it to protect it from the spray paint otherwise the paint would just eat it up. When we get the bottom cut the way we want it we then intend to silicone it and then spread sand (black or white any suggestions) over it to blend in with our live sand.
Our final plexi will go in front of the styro, working on our lighting now and very soon we should have, at least we think a pretty awesome shadowbox behind our tank that will give us more of the "real" look of what you would see while underwater and looking into the distance. We shall see.... More later
I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than closed by belief.
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Fish Moderator
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Last Login: 4/12/2013 3:59:54 PM
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Looking real good. Keep up the good work.
Mr. Miracle Grow” for aquarium plants Help those in our hobby to exceed beyond their expectations. Logistical Aquatic Engineer
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New Member
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Last Login: 10/24/2010 7:11:07 PM
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Findingjohn (10/18/2010)
Looking real good. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much. We're really excited about the project and can't wait to get it all together! A slow process but we hope in the end a well worth waiting for finish. 
I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than closed by belief.
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Fish Moderator
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Make sure you have lots of support under that aquarium. The entertainment center was not made to hold a aquarium inside of it. One cool idea for sure.
Mr. Miracle Grow” for aquarium plants Help those in our hobby to exceed beyond their expectations. Logistical Aquatic Engineer
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New Member
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Last Login: 10/24/2010 7:11:07 PM
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Findingjohn (10/19/2010)
Make sure you have lots of support under that aquarium. The entertainment center was not made to hold a aquarium inside of it. One cool idea for sure.
Thanks, yes there are multiple 3/4" boards running both directions under the tank area so we should be fine. My husband and I could literally stand on this thing and jump up and down on it without worrying. Thank goodness we're on a slab! LOL
I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than closed by belief.
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New Member
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Last Login: 10/24/2010 7:11:07 PM
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So now we go on to finish out the shadowbox. We now have the styrofoam finished in the middle with some of our substrate to make it appear as if it is part of the sea floor and we've added our wrecked ship. Here is our model for the middle...
Now we put everything back together, turn on our lights and presto, a nice new background for our soon to be tank that we can actually enjoy looking at.
Can't wait to get the rest of our room remodeled and the carpet in so we can fill our tank and get our live rock going! Will post more as we go on. By the way, when I say "we" through the post it's only because I refer to my hubby and myself as a couple, the work of putting this all together is 100% him and I couldn't be more proud of the awesome job hes done on making our dream a reality!
I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than closed by belief.
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Fish Moderator
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That is truly impressive work. Can't wait to see the finished product.
How much room do you have in the bottom for the equipment you need or are you thinking of doing a lot of remote stuff like the protein skimmer, etc.
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New Member
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Last Login: 10/24/2010 7:11:07 PM
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[quote]leobayr (10/22/2010)
That is truly impressive work. Can't wait to see the finished product.
How much room do you have in the bottom for the equipment you need or are you thinking of doing a lot of remote stuff like the protein skimmer, etc.[/quote]
Thank you! We will be using a protein skimmer etc... however the pictures are a bit deceiving, the front drawers on the right side bottom do not go all the way back but are just 6 inches deep and theres a false front behind where the little shelves are. The entire backside of the bottom is open for equipment. The braces etc... are above that area and below. The 21g long has plenty of room as does the rest of the wet/dry with plenty of room to spare.
I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than closed by belief.
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