150g. Pics up/build thread

[adamprice271]

OK, so I finally snapped some shots of my new tank. It is still dirty, and I am going to start plumbing tonight or tommorow(have to clean my 55g planted tank first). First question- Does anyone know what paint is safe for using on the back? I want to paint the back black.Also can the UV sterilizer be used in the horizontal position?

This is the tank. Nothing fancy. Overflow is on the left side, and the return is in the center.

Full shot.

Under the stand. Plumbing goes like this. From overflow to the sump, to the pump, through the UV, into the chiller and back home.

Lighting. 4 HO flourescents, 600watt icecap ballast.

I'm getting sand this week, and I will hopefully have it plumbed and filling with water by Thursday.

Adam

 

[sirreal63]

Nice start Adam.

 

[Dert42]

why did you go HO?

 

[adamprice271]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8269068#post8269068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dert42
why did you go HO?

Because that is what the tank came with. I want to upgrade to MH but that will be in the future, while I save up for them.

Thanks Jack, I'm hoping all goes well with this, as it's my first RR tank. How is the 135?

Adam

 

[sirreal63]

The 125 is alive and kicking but is FOWLR for the moment. Stonies and softies are in Wentzville crammed into a 29 gallon tank. I am not looking forward to the move, that tank is friggin heavy.

 

[capncapo]

I have read of people using Krylon spray paint on pieces used on the inside of their tanks so I'm sure that it will be fine to use on the outside.

 

[Letmegrow]

Those look like VHOs. Not HO. Especially if they are on the Icecap660.

 

[adamprice271]

Yes, Let Me Grow, they are VHOs on the icecap 660. They work great and are very very bright. I finished all of the plumbing today but I have not done a leak check yet. I'll have some pics of the plumbing and lights tommorow.

Adam

 

[TWINPEAKS]

That looks like a pentair UV light if so they make a horz. mounting kit so yes horz. is ok.

 

[jwalters103]

hey adam, the tank looks nice, but id really recommend putting in another overflow in the other corner before you fill it with anything. i had a 110 with 1 overflow, and it really needed 2. i think if you check oceanics site, their reef ready tanks all have 2 overflows once they get over 90 gallons. definately something you might want to consider now rather than after its all set up

 

[Im Lon 2]

VHO supplement are one of the nicest combo's for MH's

 

[Im Lon 2]

Is that a 5' or 6' tank?

 

[sirreal63]

It is a 6' tank.

 

[adamprice271]

Yes, it is 6ft. 72x20x24.

Jwalters, I would love to add another overflow, but I cannot afford it, and I just finished hooking up all of the plumbing last night, so it is kind of stuck on the stand and everything. Coming off of the center return, I put a 1 inch PVC tube with a T fitting on top for better flow. It sticks up about 8 inches or so, and I will be building rock up around it. I've got a picture or 2 (some were blurry) that I'll throw up soon.

Adam

 

[adamprice271]

I got the plumbing done and the lights going. Here are 2 pics. I am going to pick up the sand tonight.

Adam

 

[Dert42]

ah VHO.
thats what i have.
i haven't come across a coral that doesn't grow under them.

 

[Reggae Fish]

Don't paint the back...Use either the background that you just wet and it sticks to the back. CPE carries it but I forget the name.

Or you can go to a sign shop and get the 3mm vinyl (pretty much the same as above)

Either way, it is MUCH easier than painting and you can get it in any color you want just like paint

All you do is wet it and stick it and then you squeegee it with a credit card.

It will cost you about $5-6 and it takes about 5 minutes. Can't be beat

 

[adamprice271]

I'm not going to mess with the backround for now. I'll probably just get the vinyl backing like I had on my last tank but we'll see. I picked up 90lbs of sugar sized Aragonite from TWP yesterday, and that will go in this weekend. I'm going to do a leak test tonight and hope for the best. If that goes well...then I'll start filling it up! As always, pics will come as I progress.

Adam

 

[GeoffSFAs10]

looks sweet dude. if i didnt sell my soul to work i would try to come by and see it sometime. haha

 

[CoralFiend]

What pump are you going to use for a return? Does the one overflow have one 1" drain? If so, you will only be able to pump around 600 gph into the tank, or you will overload the drain (1" pipe handles around 600 gph).

That return pipe that you have in the center of the tank. Is that a check valve just after the chiller? If it is, I wouldn't count on that stopping any back flow if the power goes out. I have had those before and they are not foolproof. In fact, of the two that I have had, neither of them sealed well and allowed backflow. That looks a little risky to me. JMO