Finally stepping up with the big boys.

As we know in this hobby you always want bigger and more. I started with a 75g reef(20 sump), later bought a 29g mantis shrimp tank. Moved to a new house found an excuse to upgrade to a 110g tall (40 sump), upgraded the 29 to a 40b. I wanted to do a larger tank that was FOWLR with larger agressive fish, and found a 150g tall on CL for $200. I stuck it in the garage as a when I get done moving project cause I really wanted something 200+, and the 4ft length on it wasnt what I really wanted and isnt the best for larger fish anyways. Fast forward about two months on one of the local reefer club pages I found something more interesting. a 225g for only $300.

Its used and got some scratches and needs polished but for where I live you cant generally touch anything 200g or more for $750 at least, so I pulled the trigger. it was originally set up for a closed loop but has since had them sealed off. It now has 2 x 2" drains, with 2 x 3/4" returns. (yes the back of my truck is nasty, lol)



First thing I had to do is get the stand started cause things low to the ground in my garage dont fare too well. It's pretty much your standard issue large tank stand, 2x6 upper deck deck with 2x4 legs and bottom, sheathed in 3/4 plywood. Yes I am missing my bottom cross supports, which will be some 1/4's with 1/2" plywood on top sealed up nice. and tight to prevent leaks if they occur No I didnt do any sanding or painting cause I will be tacking my outer skin onto this which I will get too later. Getting the rough frame done I remarked this should be able to hold plenty of weight. My son and best helper then climbed on top and jumped up and down to assure me it was plenty strong.



to be continued.....

 

Dragging the stand outside we set the tank on it for its fitting and of course the manditory kids in the tank picures..





I mentioned its scratched but those arent all scratches, its dirty and still has some coralline on it.

 

Here is where I encountered my first problem. The drain holes arent centered in the overflow boxes, and in fact one is quite crooked and far back. So far back in fact that it is directly over top of the 2x6.



Time to get creative. Without reinventing the stand I elected to basically notch the 2x6 in the back and add a couple legs. I used a 2x6 leg on the long edge of my notch just for the extra support.

From the front.



The bottom looking up.

 

From the back. I have plywood on the outer edge already an will pretty much ring the frame as you see it with 3/4" all the way around. In this picture too you can see the acrylic plates from the former closed loop system.



Once again my helpers spring into action and assure me there is plenty of room underneath for "all my stinky stuff that gets the fish poop out."



I have plenty of room underneath to fit a planned 75g for a sump, and around 28" or so height.

 

Congrats on the upgrade Khowst

those lads look like they are willing volunteers, come set up time?

Steve

 

Before I mentioned an outer skin over the plywood. Here is a coffee table I build thats a darker variation of the barnwood style vinegar/tea stain. My basment is wood walls, rustic style so it should go well. I'll build the skin out of match 1x4 cedar.

 

Of course now comes the two biggest questions. Equipment and livestock.

For livestock, ideas I am kicking around (keep in mind I am not saying add all of these but a selection of)......
dog face puffer (already have)
dragon wrasse (already have)
male banana wrasse
porcupine puffer
huma trigger
majestic angel
miniatus grouper

As I want to do an agressive/predatos tank I know they will drive oversized equipment. I wont say I am set on a set make or model as I am a budget and sale shopper. lol. There is some great deals on the ebay for larger 400gal or so recirculating skimmer, and I will definitely go with another biopellet reactor. As always I will plumb in a algae scrubber even if the biopellets choke it out like my reef its still a softer flow that will go into the fuge section. Lighting with a FOWLR I'm not going overboard, probably a 4bulb T5 just so I can get lighting of similiar tone to the reef tank, but running it for view pleasure and not long enough to induce an algae war. This will of course be complimented by the normal accompanying powerheads, return pumps etc.

 

What are the dims of this tank? I'm guessing 6ft x 2ft x 30in
LED's are always a cheap option, plus no bulbs to replace. Big skimmer, ATS, carbon is what I'd run, maybe some macro if you want.

 

A few updates today. Sorry but this is a slow go project for me. First up was a trip to Lowe's to pick up plumbing for the durso's. Having 2 inch drains I wasn't sure what size to get since its normally recommended to get larger than your bulkhead. Talking to a few people once you hit 2" just roll with the size you got, so 2" it was. Leaving them normal size they were huge behind the overflow so a little cutting down is in order.

Before and after elbows.



Before and after T's.



Loose assembly:



I didn't glue them up yet since I forgot to get some JACO tubing and a valve, plus I am still waiting on the bulkheads to come in. The bottom will thread into the sch 80 bulkheads, with the downtubes being pressed in and not glued. I am going this route so if I need to change, clean or adjust I can do it without inscrewing and not pressing and turning with less direct pressure on the bulkhead.

 

After a trip to autozone for some sandpaper I got home just in time for USPS to drop off a box from out great sponsors at Aquacave. Yes a quick plug but they are always so quick and good to deal with its only fair. Now comes the fun part..... sanding and polishing. With my arsenal I attack! lol. Sandpaper from 600 to 3000, novus 1,2,3 and a low rpm orbital polisher.