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05/20/2016, 11:47 PM | #1 |
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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. |
05/21/2016, 12:09 AM | #2 |
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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. |
05/21/2016, 12:28 AM | #3 |
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Location: Lake Charles, LA
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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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- Gary Reef Savvy 125 on order - Status: Waiting... Current Tank Info: 140 gallon reef |
05/21/2016, 12:33 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: May 2016
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NICE!! Excited to see how this goes!
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05/21/2016, 12:35 AM | #5 |
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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. |
05/21/2016, 01:06 AM | #6 |
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That's a great start for a great tank AV99!
Subscribed!
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Giorgos Thalassographia Reef |
05/21/2016, 01:33 AM | #7 |
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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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05/21/2016, 01:55 AM | #8 |
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Location: Ghent, Belgium
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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! |
05/21/2016, 09:41 AM | #9 |
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05/21/2016, 09:47 AM | #12 | |
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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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05/21/2016, 10:12 AM | #13 | |
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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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Last edited by aquavista99; 07/31/2017 at 08:21 PM. |
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05/21/2016, 11:45 AM | #14 | |
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Location: Lake Charles, LA
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- Gary Reef Savvy 125 on order - Status: Waiting... Current Tank Info: 140 gallon reef |
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05/21/2016, 02:33 PM | #15 |
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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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It takes a very rich man to buy cheap things Current Tank Info: frag tank. Lame |
05/21/2016, 03:40 PM | #16 |
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05/21/2016, 03:42 PM | #17 |
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Amazing setup, Tim. I love the tank.
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05/21/2016, 03:58 PM | #18 |
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Location: Houston, Texas
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Going to be a nice one! Good luck!
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360 Gallon SPS Display. Lighting is with two 400 watt MH , two Radion G4 X30s, supplemented with old school VHOs for some "pop". Fish - Pair of IO Regal Angels, pair of captive bred Hawaiian Flame |
05/21/2016, 03:59 PM | #19 |
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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. |
05/21/2016, 04:33 PM | #23 | |
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Congrats on your dream tank too, Gary. It will be worth the wait.
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05/21/2016, 05:47 PM | #24 | |
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Location: Lake Charles, LA
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- Gary Reef Savvy 125 on order - Status: Waiting... Current Tank Info: 140 gallon reef |
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05/21/2016, 09:42 PM | #25 |
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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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120" x 34" x 30" 540g Build Starting Soon! Royal Exclusiv Dream Box Sump, 2 x 60" ATI LED/T5, DaStaCo CARx, Apex, Genesis, BK SM 250, 3 x RD 3 230w, UV, ATS, & Arid Reactor! Will have build thread so |
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