2/14/07
I decided to redesign this page since it took quite a long time to load with a slower connection.  All of the same pictures are here, but now they are in clickable thumbnail format.

History:
I began construction in late 2002 because I wanted a unique headboard that was a reef aquarium.  I didn't have very many tools at that point, nor did I have any experience working with acrylic.  I started out by making a base out of 2x4's and covered it with 3/4" plywood.  I knew I wanted it to be ~6 feet wide, because that is the width of a king sized bed.  VHO bulbs come in 6 foot length, so I decided to make it 75 inches wide (to accommodate the end-caps).  I had made the mistake of making a hood for a 20 gallon tank and did not plan for the end-caps and it was a hack job to make it fit.  I figured that I could make it 15 inches tall and 9 inches front to back and still get everything out of one sheet of acrylic.  At that point I didn't know where you could buy cut sheets of acrylic and I didn't want to spend another $180 for a second sheet, only for a few small pieces.

Anyway, it is up and running now for about 4+ years and I am very pleased.

Things I would do differently:

• For some reason I thought I would not be able to get the finished product up the basement stairs and past the sharp corner, into the bedroom, so I began construction in the little space I had at the foot of the bed.  It went together just fine, but dust and glue got everywhere, and my messy bedroom ended up in a lot of the photos.  Later I figured out that I could get it out to at least the living room to apply the stain and poly.

• The initial design of the sump was to place it under the main tank and have it hidden behind the bed.  Great for space savings, terrible for sump maintenance.  After about two years of that, I moved the sump to the side of the tank.  It takes up a little space, but maintenance is easy.

• Since I had never worked with acrylic, I decided to make internal overflow boxes.  That way, if they leaked, they would leak to the inside and not on the floor.  Good idea, they did leak and I had to fix it with some silicon tank sealant.  The problem with internal overflows on such a narrow tank is that they take up a lot of valuable space.  Now I put overflows on the outside and am good enough with acrylic that they don't leak.

Pictures:

John (8/11/2007 11:06:14 AM)
This thing is awesome.U just gave me so many ideas.Maybe u can help me on some of my mini projects that I have going on.

Nathan (6/19/2007 9:30:42 AM)
You stud you! I bet that thing is a true pantie dropper. Seriously, I'd drop mine in its presence.

Reply: Hmmm, yeah, I think I will just take your word for it.

Dudley (3/20/2007 11:07:16 PM)
Yeah boy! Now that's what I'm talking about! Your Reef Head-board is increddible. Your wife must love you.

Andrea L. (2/21/2007 11:43:23 AM)
I can't believe how cool your headboard is. It must be so much fun to wake up in the morning and be able to see all of the creatures in the aquarium. Can you make me one??

Reply: Sure, send me an email and we can talk about it.

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