geektom's 135 gallon adventure

[CaliGold]

Tom, I've got some manzanita branches laying around, if you'd like me to shoot you a message with pictures. I'm happy to donate to the cause, this tank is going to be cool to watch grow!

[geektom]

Tom, I've got some manzanita branches laying around, if you'd like me to shoot you a message with pictures. I'm happy to donate to the cause, this tank is going to be cool to watch grow!

Thanks! I would love any that would make good “roots” for the big stumps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[geektom]

Updated with plans for stand.

[aquamaniac]

This is gonna be an awesome set up! I like how well thought out you are gathering everything beforehand.

I would suggest staying away from dual substrate but you want what you want. I was actually considering doing the dual substate on my 150 build but thought better of it after having so much runoff of soil over the sand in my 15 gallon cube. It has a really low slope with driftwood and rocks as a barrier and a plexiglass divider underneath but still kept getting soil spill over onto sand. It's nearly flat now which is good because now I won't have that runoff spoiling the scene.

My suggestion is frosted glass for the back of the tank. I think it will make your rocks pop out with some natural light filtering from the window. I was also debating whether to go with black or the frosted look and I really love the frost.

Can't wait for further developments! Maybe I'll steal some ideas as I am ongoing with my build. Gonna try growing moss on my rocks and driftwood using the yoghurt method. Will be a first so I'll see how it goes with that.

[Kole85]

Wow, you went complex with the stand build. I hope you get those cuts on the 2x4's right, looks difficult. I think I would've went with a simpler design that would still be rock solid. Really looking forward to seeing the stand build when it gets going.

Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk

[geektom]

Wow, you went complex with the stand build. I hope you get those cuts on the 2x4's right, looks difficult. I think I would've went with a simpler design that would still be rock solid. Really looking forward to seeing the stand build when it gets going.

Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk

I was tempted, believe me. But then I kept thinking “what if?” and I get scared. I will be doing some test pieces and mock ups before I go all out. The one piece I am willing to bail on are the “grooves” for the 2 x 4 cross-bracing, but a woodworking friend gave me some ideas on how to make them a little easier.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[geektom]

This is gonna be an awesome set up! I like how well thought out you are gathering everything beforehand.

I would suggest staying away from dual substrate but you want what you want. I was actually considering doing the dual substate on my 150 build but thought better of it after having so much runoff of soil over the sand in my 15 gallon cube. It has a really low slope with driftwood and rocks as a barrier and a plexiglass divider underneath but still kept getting soil spill over onto sand. It's nearly flat now which is good because now I won't have that runoff spoiling the scene.

My suggestion is frosted glass for the back of the tank. I think it will make your rocks pop out with some natural light filtering from the window. I was also debating whether to go with black or the frosted look and I really love the frost.

Can't wait for further developments! Maybe I'll steal some ideas as I am ongoing with my build. Gonna try growing moss on my rocks and driftwood using the yoghurt method. Will be a first so I'll see how it goes with that.

Thanks so much! I do like to plan ahead and be organized. Appreciate the enthusiasm and support!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kole85]

I was tempted, believe me. But then I kept thinking “what if?” and I get scared. I will be doing some test pieces and mock ups before I go all out. The one piece I am willing to bail on are the “grooves” for the 2 x 4 cross-bracing, but a woodworking friend gave me some ideas on how to make them a little easier.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wouldve done 4x4's all the way around, having the top and bottom frame corners cut at a 45° angle and joined with lag bolts counter sinked into the wood, and then have the vertical supports sandwiched between the top and bottom frame using heavy metal L brackets to keep them square and attached.
Every wood worker has their own 2 cents and tips and tricks, one of the things that makes it so fun is that there is so many ways to do things! Lol.
Its going to be an epic tank and stand and I can't wait. So mini meet at your place to show it off early next year?

Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk

[geektom]

I wouldve done 4x4's all the way around, having the top and bottom frame corners cut at a 45° angle and joined with lag bolts counter sinked into the wood, and then have the vertical supports sandwiched between the top and bottom frame using heavy metal L brackets to keep them square and attached.
Every wood worker has their own 2 cents and tips and tricks, one of the things that makes it so fun is that there is so many ways to do things! Lol.
Its going to be an epic tank and stand and I can't wait. So mini meet at your place to show it off early next year?

Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk

Absolutely!

[geektom]

Updated a few more of the reserved spots at the beginning.

[geektom]

Hey guys! Just a quick proof of life post.

Secured a new job, so progress can begin again. Going to do my best go get the stand built in the next week, and I have the filters and the lighting.

Once the stand is in, I can play with hard scape while I save/finalize the rest of the equipment. Would love to have if ready to go by the October meet at CK!

[varanidguy]

Following!

[lala]

Wow the scale of this makes me want to faint! Even a four gallon tank has been overwhelming for me in the beginning... :

[Shoulan]

Wow! This looks like it's going to be amazing! I like how you've got everything planned and drawn out. Maybe I should try doing that. Lol. Can't wait to see when it's done!

[geektom]

Thanks, everyone! I hope it lives up to your expectations!

I picked up the lights a few days ago. They are both smaller and more powerful than I thought they would be- and awesome combination for my desired purpose of keeping the visual impact of the tank in front of the window to be as unobtrusive as possible.

The only thing I am a little worried about is that the light will be in our eyes when sitting on the couch across from the tank, while watching TV, etc.

No way to know until I check the height or hanging them, I guess!

[geektom]

Ok, work area is cleaned and organized, materials are inventoried, health insurance goes until the end of the month: let’s build an aquarium stand!

[Nick Shades]

, health insurance goes until the end of the month:

[geektom]

Ok, some of the extra cuts I insisted on took me longer than expected to get right- but I think I have it dialed in. All lumber is cut and I will begin assembly tomorrow and hopefully finish the frame on Friday.

I haven’t bought the ply for panels, yet- so it will be a while before it is “finished”- but hoping to get it in the house with a tank on top before I start the new job on Monday.

[geektom]

Well, it took me a lot longer to get them right than I anticipated, but the 4x6 posts with inserts cut out for the 2x4 rails are done. I will have to do some shimming to make the frame perfectly square, but I still have all my fingers, so I am calling it a win. Doing the 4x4 center supports next, but they will be a breeze by comparison.

[geektom]

This is an example of what the corners will look like with the rails. I decided on a simple butt joint, instead of a rabbet for 2 reasons: 1) the more research I did the less necessary it seemed, and 2) I wasn’t nearly as confident I could make all the extra cuts accurately enough, especially considering no two boards seem to be the same.