180 build from scratch!

[michika]

So we are just redoing some details right now, and making our shopping list for later today. We are going to try and pick up all the materials at once with a truck, rather then making multiple trips with our car.

I've been hording ideas from tanks I've liked for awhile now. I'm trying to encorporate them all into this tank. The one thing I can't do, but wish I could, would be an automatic water change system. I loath carrying buckets of water for top-off or water changes.

We have completed our power & control center plans. The plan is to use a single DJ power strip for items that don't require timers. Then using a bank of 8 timers for items like lights, the kalk stirring pump, etc. In case of any future changes there will be extra space for misc. things such as my probes and my chiller/heater controller.

Photos tonight of our purchases, and some mer-something-something photos.

 

[jnarowe]

why do you feel you can't do an auto water change system? is it available space?

 

[michika]

Its a combination of space, and the layout of our place. As well there is no water over in this side of our place. I'll post up some designs and maybe someone else can figure something out.

My compromise to myself is having the top off bucket slide out of the stand, so its easier to pour water into the top-off bucket, and having a dedicated water change pump added to our electrical/control box.

Here is what we figure needs to be done to our floor to prepare it to take the weight;
- add in another beam and teleposts to support said beam.
- Look at putting in cross bracing

 

[michika]

Its a combination of space, and the layout of our place. As well there is no water over in this side of our place. I'll post up some designs and maybe someone else can figure something out.

My compromise to myself is having the top off bucket slide out of the stand, so its easier to pour water into the top-off bucket, and having a dedicated water change pump added to our electrical/control box.

Here is what we figure needs to be done to our floor to prepare it to take the weight;
- add in another beam and teleposts to support said beam.
- Look at putting in cross bracing

 

[jnarowe]

where there is a will, there is a way. since you have a medium sized system, Brute trash cans can be used in a remote location like a garage, workshop, etc. and you can incorporate a pump or two and hose.

I will take a look at your drawings when you post them and see if I can give you any decent ideas.

 

[michika]

Unfortunately condos, or this one, has no workshop or garage. We are looking to buy another house in November once the market cools off a bit.

I think you may have to settle for photos of my bad drawings...

 

[jnarowe]

yeah that does put a crimp in it for sure. you got to do what you got to do.

 

[michika]

Well my drawings have grown little paper legs and wandered off...when I find them I'll post them.

Anyways some "Mermaid" photos

My husband

Wood for the stand, hood, and storage cabinet

We've opted to do the stand/hood/storage first rather then the floor. Our local hardware store is out of the teleposts we need, so we will have to wait on reinforcing the floor. The glass for the eurobrace has been ordered, someone just has to go pick it up.

 

[jnarowe]

nice looking family and I love the blue-eyed devil dog! :lol: you sure your husband is alseep???

 

[botp2k1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12232657#post12232657 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michika
My husband

What did he do for you to have him sleep in the tank instead of the couch?

 

[FlaGuy]

You're doing a great job...beautiful tank. Are you going to drill it?

 

[NanoGurl]

Really cool build! Tagging along... I LOVE your doggies!!

 

[michika]

Thank you! Husband wouldn't pose without the pillow, so then the photos turned out like he was sleeping.

So some progress photos for you all; the tank stand is built, next up is the storage cabinet and the hood. That will probably come tonight. The photos are lacking at the end, I'll try and get new ones up tonight.

 

[melev]

Looks pretty sturdy to me.

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

haha, looks like there's water in the tank w/ your husband in it.

lookin good, I'll bet you're both looking forward to the leak test...

 

[michika]

We are waiting for the snow to melt to do the leak test, a true downside to Canada! We will probably be waiting a few weeks to do an outdoor leak test, or maybe if I feel brave I will do an indoor one. We aren't sure which way we will go yet.

 

[kar93]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12236924#post12236924 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sk8rreefgeek
haha, looks like there's water in the tank w/ your husband in it.

lookin good, I'll bet you're both looking forward to the leak test...

Lol, I saw that aswell:lol:

Never mind the leak test id be loooking forward to getting some life in there.

 

[michika]

Ah my camera, imagining things that aren't there since 2007!

 

[michika]

Alright, some details in between photo posts.

So some finalized details or at least some semi-finalized details on equipment.

Skimmer; Reef Octopus DDNW 250, its coming to me second hand for a nice price, its hard to turn down.

Lighting; 8 T5s for off-metal halide times, we are going to run them perpendicular to the tank, two between each MH reflector. The ballasts are going to be 2 Workhorse 7 ballasts which we have kicking around.

Main lighting will be 3x250w SE MH to start. If we need to upgrade to 400s it can be done with little difficulty. I'm not sure about the ballast bulb combo I want to go with yet. So far I am liking my XM 15Ks that I've been running lately, I may stick with them. I need to do some research on Sanjay's website.

That is about as far as we've gotten. Feedback?

Photos of the finished stand tonight.

 

[michika]

Tentatively finished stand, minus the framing for the lighting. You are looking at it from the right end.