180 -> 200 gallon build

[richierich2000]

White ranger sounds like you should pick up the phone and ask. He gave you a nice answer.

back to rokleM your tank is very nice! can't wait to see it going

 

[jman77]

Looking Nice !

 

[mike660r]

Any udpates Eric?

I have started looking at the 300 gal deep dimension tank as an upgrade. I would like to have an AO 400 with a coast to coast external overflow. The cost difference is a very wide gap though. The critter quoted me 1896.00 for the 300 and AO would probably be near 5K. Salty has one of the 300 gal. tanks in their shop and it is massive. I asked for a quote to have Marineland build me a 96x36x27 and they came back with 9999.00. That response had, we'll build it but you are going to pay for it written all over it. I hate the thought of getting the 300 and filling it and then thinking to myself I should have went bigger. I guess that is always going to be an issue in this hobby. Then I start to think about all the additional costs for equipment on a 400. Man, it adds up fast when you start to put it all on paper. Then the thought of what if something goes wrong on a 400 the treatment and handling of that much water volume gets even more cost prohibitive..

 

[CleveYank]

Mike, have you thought of a pair of 300's? Due to cost and problems to move tanks that are beyond that size (glass at least) when we move to a more fish tank friendly architecture, wife and I are considering that option. That 300 in salty sure makes the reefer madness kick whenever I see it. I'd have to watch TV in the garage if I bought it though.

 

[RokleM]

It's 3/4 full of tap water (doing leak testing). I've been working on the nursery honestly.

Next steps are getting a pump, checking on my rock that has been cycling for a long time, and getting some plumbing done.

 

[haggarse]

Eric -

Out of curiousity, why did you use 2x6's on the top and middle supports only and not the entire stand?

 

[RokleM]

I posted a link earlier in the thread to the DIY stand build. Technically I could have gotten away with 2x6's without a vertical support. It's a LONG read, but basically it boils down to the size/weight, raw math on 2x4/2x6 strength over x span, tearing tolerances, deflection amount, etc.

 

[haggarse]

I did read the earlier link and noted the recommendation for 2x6's, but wouldn't that same logic also prove true for the base (given that's where the load is spread) where you utilized 2x4's?

Nothing other than pure curiousity to understand your blended approach.

 

[RokleM]

I don't think so becuase you don't care how much deflection exists, nor can there really be much on the bottom as it sits flat on the floor. If the tank was on an uneven surface, I think this would be more crucial.

 

[haggarse]

Good point. I didn't consider the fact the load is really being spread to the floor and not the 2x4's.

A little slow today.

Thanks again; mine will be complete this weekend.

BTW - no sniffer necessary on Mon.

 

[mike660r]

Did you glue any of your joints together on your stand?

 

[RokleM]

I did a few of mine, but honestly not all of them.

I have about 1" of sand on the bottom and it filling with RO/DI. I haven't even started on the plumbing yet, but I wanted to get some of the rock cycling in the tank before I go much further.

 

[Jeffrey9100]

I think your stand looks great! I have already seen one of these tanks go in a dumpster due to a poor DIY stand on an uneven hardwood floor. the glass on both the bottom and front panels split clean in two from nearly corner to corner.

 

[CleveYank]

Eric, maybe i missed it in the thread somewhere.
Did you seal the wood in your stand?
I rebuilt my 180 stand that came with my tank and I'm on the fence whether to hit it with some epoxy or just plain jane wood sealer since it's going to be behind a wall.
Just curious.

 

[jh2pizza]

I used just plain old kitchen and bath mold resistant paint the last time and it was in perfect shape when I pulled it out 4 yrs later.

 

[RokleM]

No, I didn't bother with sealing the stand. However, my equipment is all in the basement, so I don't have in stand humidity/wetness issues. When I build the outside, yes that part will definitely have some sort of sealer or protection on it just due to water spills/splashes.

As an update, I have the southdown I got from hollback rinsed and in the tank, and have another 120lbs I picked up from Phishy on it's way it right now. I'm working on getting a small pump (amazingly enough I seem to have sold most of my spare equipment). I'm going to put a mini sump/skimmer underneath as the tank cycles and gets going. Nothing fancy, just something to get by until I get it integrated into the rest of the setup.

 

[SteveJakubiec]

Other than the slight imperfection, are you completely satisfied with this tank? I am in the market for the 300g, and I got quoted that it would be $1699 Tank Only, Starfire on 3 sides. Stand is $849, and Canopy is somewhere between 400-500$, do you think that is a reasonable price. Everywhere else I've looked has quotes only for the smaller sizes, and since you actually bought one, I'd like to see your opinion if it's worth it or not.

Oh, and FANTASTIC build, will definately be following this one.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[mike660r]

I was quoted 1896.00 for the starphire 300. 1699 seems like a good deal to me.

 

[RokleM]

I'm pretty happy with the tank. The main thing I would have changed is larger holes for bigger bulkheads. On the price, if you feel like it's good for you, go for it

I haven't worked on it for a week or so. I've just been stirring the sand and allowing the fine stuff to get caught in the filter sock and in the temporary sump/skimmer.

This weekend I'll probably see if I can figure out some rock layouts and cut up some drywall.

 

[sammie]

How come the cat isn't in the tank pictures this time?????