100 Gal Build

[sholvey]

I bought a 100 gallon tank after Christmas and was planning on setting it up in early spring. Well on Tuesday, it was a beautiful day outside and I wanted to do something in the sunny 36 degree day here in Ohio haha. I thought there would be nothing better than to go outside and start on the stand. So, that is exactly what I did. I began working on the stand and had to bring it inside to continue working on it, since the temps are now in the 20's. This build will still take a few month to complete, but I wanted to get started sooner than later and keep an update on here. I will post pics soon of the build, just bare with me. I have 3 children 5 and under, in my last semester of nursing school, work and being a husband if I have time left lol. The fish I have right now that will be going in are from Hans and Kenny

Hans
1 Blue Pigion blood
1 Blue Diamond
1 Flachen Snakeskin

Kenny
1 Type II Raff
1 Checkerboard Turq
1 Albino SS/Turk

I will be buying more in the near future and am excited about this build. I am also planning on joining the Homesteader and will start a thread on there too.

[sholvey]

Wow, it took me longer to figure out how to upload these photos from photobucket than it did to build the stand. Anyways, here is some pics of the stand I started. My daughters decided that they wanted to help and is probably why the build is on track. I am getting ready to do the trim work today before I go into work. I will post more pics then. I am hoping to get the tank up and cycling within the next two weeks. I am waiting for Ken's fish to get more Hydor 300w inline heaters.

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/11-83ABE90D-2757908-1280-100_zps281e16f2.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/11-83ABE90D-2757908-1280-100_zps281e16f2.jpg.html)

A warm 36 degree day last Tuesday

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/cd504418-a2f1-447d-a45a-8e67eb064a30_zps1bfb1822.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/cd504418-a2f1-447d-a45a-8e67eb064a30_zps1bfb1822.jpg.html)

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/11-83D62F90-1844687-1280-100_zps4225218c.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/11-83D62F90-1844687-1280-100_zps4225218c.jpg.html)

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/11-A91A57B5-2015020-1280-100_zpsdf379191.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/11-A91A57B5-2015020-1280-100_zpsdf379191.jpg.html)

My daughter's helping out!

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/11-A9449E38-1719091-1280-100_zps64534d6a.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/11-A9449E38-1719091-1280-100_zps64534d6a.jpg.html)

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/IMAG0408_zps356eef5b.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/IMAG0408_zps356eef5b.jpg.html)

Here I am as of last night. The Forty Niners up set me, so I decided to build the face of the cabinet. Headed to Lowe's now to get more lumber.

[Wes]

Great job Sean and its always good to have helpers. Looks like you faced it with poplar so paint or are you going to stain it?

[Nick Klimkowski]

Looks good keep up the good work.

[sholvey]

Thanks guys. Wes, I will be staining it. Not sure on the color yet. My tables down there are black, so I may go that rout or a cherry.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk

[Wes]

How are the doors coming along? I built a stand for my 120 two years ago and never got around to making doors yet. Good thing its in the fish room.

[sholvey]

Haha funny you mentioned that. I made a door for one of my 55 stands and never attached it. Lol that's laziness. I will make those soon. I bought the rest of the material today. I put the 1x4 poplar base on today. Tomorrow I will pit on the rosett and flute along the ends. Hopefully I will get to the doors after that.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk

[sholvey]

I'm getting my shipment from Kenny Friday. So, I may have to change gears after tomorrow and get thing situated for those bad boys.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk

[Wes]

Looking forward to seeing the pics of it finished and full of fish. Btw the stands do good job of holding the tank with or without doors.:grin:

[Allwin]

Very nice Sean, looking forward on ur finished setup..

[sholvey]

Looking forward to seeing the pics of it finished and full of fish. Btw the stands do good job of holding the tank with or without doors.:grin:

Yes it does, its done the job for 3 years!

[sholvey]

Thanks Allwin. Here is some updates today. Got it all trimmed out now. All I have to do is stain and varnish it and make some doors. Hope to get that going by the end of the week.

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/IMAG0409_zps079c7afd.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/IMAG0409_zps079c7afd.jpg.html)

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/IMAG0411_zpsaa6e3d7c.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/IMAG0411_zpsaa6e3d7c.jpg.html)

This is where I STAND as of now. I am leaning towards a cherry stain. Was thinking black like my others, but I feel it will take away from the detail. Thanks again everybody for you kind comments. Now, it's time to do maintenance on the grow out tanks and prep my 40 gal for Kenny's shipment for Friday a.m. I will post pics of them too when they get here.

[DiscusLoverJeff]

Very nice stand. Cherry sounds better than black.

[sholvey]

Thanks Jeff. And you're right, cherry is a better option.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk

[sholvey]

I got it all stained and varnished this weekend and the stand is in the room. Got to wait for somebody to help me get the tank out of the garage and into the basement. I will work on the doors once the weather warms up. I got to use the table saw to make some raised panel doors. But, at least for now, I can at least get it cycling. I will be relocating that grow out tank too.

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/IMAG0470_zpsmvhvta2o.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/IMAG0470_zpsmvhvta2o.jpg.html)

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/IMAG0468_zpszcz4j35c.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/IMAG0468_zpszcz4j35c.jpg.html)

[Wes]

Looks good Sean.

[sholvey]

Thanks Wes!

I wrestled the tank downstairs by my self. And the wife helped me lift it on the stand. Don't need to go to the gym tonight! haha

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/IMAG0473_zpscrssnfmy.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/IMAG0473_zpscrssnfmy.jpg.html)

[MKD]

Looking good, don't need doors. You can put another 55 gallon tank underneath or hospital or qt .

««««««««««« please excuse smart phone poster error »»»»»»»»»»

[sholvey]

Looking good, don't need doors. You can put another 55 gallon tank underneath or hospital or qt .

««««««««««« please excuse smart phone poster error »»»»»»»»»»

If I did that, I would need to have doors to hide it from my wife lol. 2 55's a 40 and 20 are more than enough for her.

[sholvey]

Got my Manzanita wood yesterday. Plants are being delivered tomorrow and I hope to get it cycling by next week. I am waiting patiently for the inline heaters to come back in stock at Ken's Fish. May have to use one of my Jagers to start the cycle and pull it when the in lines come in.

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/IMAG0493_zpswhnendpx.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/IMAG0493_zpswhnendpx.jpg.html)

[Nick Klimkowski]

Looks good Sean, keep up the good work.:D

[LisaT]

Wow, great job. I just thought of a project for my husband. LOL

[Pnorton]

Like your manzanita branch and your stand is coming along well.

[sholvey]

Thanks for the kind words. And Lisa, that's a great idea! lol

[dghby]

looks nice sean

[sholvey]

looks nice sean

Thanks!

[sholvey]

Got the planting done and started the cycling process! I will post more pics tomorrow when it has ran for awhile. When I took these pics, it was running 5 min tops. Also, I have a piece of tile holding down the manzanita down. Will pull that soon as possible. One final note, I may fool around with the plants here and there got a little tired fooling with it tonight.

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/IMAG0496_zpslem9sona.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/IMAG0496_zpslem9sona.jpg.html)

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/IMAG0497_zpsb2t96cho.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/IMAG0497_zpsb2t96cho.jpg.html)

[Allwin]

Awesome Sean!!!

[flutterbug]

That stand looks nice and sturdy! When I got my Marineland tank and stand I was shocked to see the design of the stand. Only a small piece of wood inside of the frame holds the aquarium! I wish I took pics, I get nervous every time I think about it. However I figure they wouldn't offer a lifetime warranty if it wasn't enough. (Hopefully)

[sgchick]

Looking good, nice build. Subscribed.

[sholvey]

Thanks! Here is an update as of today. I keep moving plants every time I go down there. I believe I have it to how I want it. Now I am off to get some root tabs and se how they do over the next few weeks.

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/IMAG0507_zpsmqrvqwrh.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/IMAG0507_zpsmqrvqwrh.jpg.html)

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/IMAG0508_zpszycnfjuu.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/IMAG0508_zpszycnfjuu.jpg.html)

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/IMAG0509_zpsg57t6slj.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/IMAG0509_zpsg57t6slj.jpg.html)

[flutterbug]

Nice start! Every time I look at my tank I consider how things will look if moved to another spot! I have since the very first day I put a plant in a tank. lol

[sholvey]

That stand looks nice and sturdy! When I got my Marineland tank and stand I was shocked to see the design of the stand. Only a small piece of wood inside of the frame holds the aquarium! I wish I took pics, I get nervous every time I think about it. However I figure they wouldn't offer a lifetime warranty if it wasn't enough. (Hopefully)

I had the same issue when I bought the tank. My LFS wanted to sell me a stand where the frame was made out of 1x4. I am sure they work well, as yours does, or they wouldn't be selling. It was also cheaper to build than the cheap looking one at my LFS and more unique. Building my own gave me something to do, as I like to construct thing. My dad and great grandfather were well known carpenters in this area. So, I guess it's in my blood. Although, I didn't choose it as a profession. lol

[flutterbug]

I wish I was talented enough to build my own stand. :)

[flutterbug]

I just refreshed my memory as to how bad my stand is. The tank is supported by two pieces of wood only 3/4" x 3/4" on each end. It sits on four 1/2" thick x 3" wide pieces of wood and then only touches center beam, but on the length of the stand the tank doesn't make contact with the wood at all! Just sits in the lip at the top. It is so scary!

[sholvey]

Wow what size tank?

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[flutterbug]

It is 60" x 18" x 26" 120 gallon (I figured out it actually holds 108 gallons of water.)

[sholvey]

That's a lot of weight and water riding on that! Lol that's close to 900 lbs of water not to mention the tank and substrate. Well say at least a 1000 lbs on it. That's another thing is those stands are open on top. I have a piece of plywood on the top of my stand that the tank sits on. Like I said earlier, they must work. I just don't trust them. My luck, I would come home to find a mess downstairs. Lol

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[flutterbug]

I know! I always have that in the back of my mind!

[redman1221]

How many discus are you planning on having in there?

[sholvey]

How many discus are you planning on having in there?

9-10 of my 5.5-6inch discus I grew out. Having a hard time selecting which 9-10 though. Haha

[sholvey]

My inline heaters came and I pulled the Jager heater. Looks a lot cleaner without that in there. Plants are growing well especially the tiger lotus. I hope to put fish in there within 2 weeks. My ammonia levels dropped to 0ppm overnight. Going to add a little ammonia until the nitrites spike and fall. Then it should be go time.

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w637/sholvey7/IMAG0517_zpsgx21qppu.jpg (http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/sholvey7/media/IMAG0517_zpsgx21qppu.jpg.html)

[pastry]

Yeah, your tiger lotus show go ape-sh@t in there. Definitely easy to grow. Mine ended up becoming more like lilly pads (long stems; leaves at service) and the bulbs multiplied pretty well also.