180 peninsula build

[Demonic]

Well I was going to start a build thread here a few months ago and I got deployed for 5 months, dont be like aww poor him, it was Guam. Lots of diving and golfing and sorts. Anway I put the Live Rock in the 90 gallon and took off. Well the heater got unplugged so I had to start curing it all over again, about 8weeks ago. Its lighting is a 48" Aquaspacelight 2X250 10ks. Picture of it....

After months of deliberating, I finally made a decision on a skimmer. An MSX 200. Put a jug next to it for a size comparison. Bigger than I thought. Almost didnt fit under the tank....

Pic of it under the tank. Barely fit, and havent tried to dial it in yet.

Well the story only gets better from here. I am downstairs fiddling with the new skimmer. All while the wife is bored. Its about noon on Saturday. She says lets take a road trip. I am usually down for anything but since this was her idea I figured I would try and get something out of it. I say how about we look for a new tank, I figured I would shoot for the stars, LOL. She says ok, I am thinking she has lost her mind at this point but didn't hesitate to jump on this. By 5 o'clock I found this tank for sale......in Salt Lake City. It was really hard to find a big tank for sale in such short notice. The guy I bought it from, Rod, is a great guy. I got the tank and two buckets of sand for $115. Not a bad deal at all. The tank needs a little TLC but I am fine with that. Oh and its a Peninsula tank, viewable from 3 sides. Might use it as a room divider between the gym and theater room. There are two holes in the bottom of the tank in the middle that I will use a rock sprayers with pvc with holes punched in them. Here is a couple pics of the tank as it stands now.

I ordered these when I left and not sure if I will need them now, but I have always loved these pumps. They were going to go in the 90 but might need two more or a really
strong pump for the closed loop.

Well thats my story for now, but there is much more to come. As I need to find out what to do about lighting, stand, canopy, pumps, and reactors for the new tank. Boy do I love setting these things up....Also these pics are old. The build has been going on for about 2 months now. I just didnt want to post until I had plenty of pics for you guys.

 

[Demonic]

Starting to build the stand
Bottom brace is drying

 

[Demonic]

Ok, I got a little done today. Pics following. I also sold my old lights and my MSX 200. Going to pick up the beast tomorrow. Cant wait to post pics. I wont get too much done tomorrow for that reason. I have almost completing the wiring for the 20 amp GFCI circuit also. Will post pics when I tidy everything up on that.
I also got some Phoenix 14ks in today. No need for pics of those. I am sure half of you are running those.

 

[Demonic]

Couple more pics. I picked up this beast from a local reefer. Thanks Dave (oldguy)!!!!! If I spend any more money at his house I will just have to set up a direct deposit. LOL Its a MRC M3-R. Its powered by the panworld 150ps, and the feed pump will probably be the Eheim 1260 I have laying around. Soda can next to it for reference.

And I got a salt order in, I wish the good stuff would start getting here.....

No work got done tonight in thanks to Lobsterfest at Red Lobster, those @$!$@$@....

 

[Demonic]

Well I should have been working on my stand, but I couldnt resist seeing this beast (name of the skimmer now) in action. It took a min to figure out (by minute I mean phone call to Dave....thanks) but I got it hooked up and WOW!!!!!!!! Some pics of the skimmer on a stock tank with some base/live rock. Skimmer is powered by the eheim for now. I am still trying to dial it in, but man I love this thing. I am going to have to build a box beside the tank to house it. I will just make an ATO with the extra room under the stand.

Hooked up about 5 mins and this was coming out......

Hooked up to this

 

[Demonic]

Some of my lighting came in today. I think everything else that I ordered comes in Monday. Really need those bulkheads. I still need to order one more pendant. I cant decide if I want to go with a SE fixture with more spread or just order another one of these. I guess I will set it up first to see what I am working with.
Here is a pic of the pendants and ballast. Also got two more phoenix 14k's.

 

[Demonic]

Making some decent progress tonight, finally. Here is a couple of pics where it will sit. Barebones of the stand is done. Sump is in place, and since the skimmer will be external no need for baffles. Half fuge, half return area. Only about a 1/4 of the flow will go through the return, the rest through filter socks and back through for flow. Feedback is nice!!!!

Oh and the dogs giving me a hand. One of those looked like me when I didnt have a fishtank. LOL

 

[Demonic]

Well Santa came today (UPS man). He brought lots of goodies, but I didnt tell him exactly what I needed. I ordered the wrong size bulkhead for the bottom holes. They were 1in and I ordered 1.5in. So they will hopefully be in by Friday. But here is what I got when I woke up today.

First the controller.

I had wanted to try something besides the Mag Float, so giving this a shot.

Power Center

The Dart for the return, the other one is for the closed loop.

I also have all the bulkheads, except for the two at the bottom. Bought a diamond coated bit to drill a 3" hole in the 75.

 

[Demonic]

Just seems like so much light. But Dave's does look good. Here is the pic of the almost done base. Still have a long way to go on the stand but at least I can get the tank on after I drill a couple of holes in the top piece. And Dave gave a great idea for me. Have a board on bottom, then grout, then board, then tank. I am going to put the grout on when I have some help to lift the tank. Pregnant wife has told he He!! no, she is not lifting that thing. So may have to wait for a couple days. Not that I dont have so much to anyway. Here are a couple pics. I feel like I take more pictures than work.....

 

[Demonic]

So I continue with my build. I went today and purchased most of the plumbing. I got confused about halfway through because of all the lines that are going to be installed. Hopefully I grabbed everything I need. I had to visit 3 different stores to get most of the stuff. Everyone in town is redoing plumbing or making plumbing for the sump pumps. While I was there I picked up everything for the rock/foam wall. Not sure if I mentioned it or not but going to build one over the overflow box and back wall. Here are a couple pics of the initial process. Should be finished tomorrow.

 

[Demonic]

Couple of pics as I progress. Never did this, so if you want to be a critic then by all means go ahead. I have added two or three more rocks since this pic. Probably going to add a few more.

 

[Demonic]

I am still adding rock. I am throwing some PVC in for some artificial caves. Thinking about having a few gobies. Updated pic.

 

[Demonic]

Updated pic

 

[Demonic]

I am testing the sump now. And using it for water storage. I still dont have the bulkheads for the return. I should get the others that Rod sent today. Couple of pics for ya. The rock wall looks alot better in person. Hopefully can put the resin and sand on by tonight. Got the rest of the electrical done, just have to install the breaker now. Waiting to cut power till everyone is asleep.

 

[Demonic]

I have been working, or at least at work quite a bit lately so not alot accomplished. I have put the first layer of sand on the foam/rock wall. Also the tank is on the stand and bulkheads are going in. I have changed the way I want things so might be a little longer on everything getting up and going. I should have water in by this weekend, hopefully. Waiting on the bottom bulkheads now, and a ball valve for the bottom bulkheads.

 

[Demonic]

Final Coat put on. Going to let it dry for a couple of hours then silicone it into the tank. Hopefully I measured everything right.

 

[Demonic]

Ok, so my measurements were off. I had to alter the wall to get it in the spot it needed to go. I didnt take into account the glass tops. But after a few minutes of scratching my head and then a little altering I got it into its spot. I got the first layer of silcone in also. Although in my testing the dart, I blew a seal in my baffle in the sump. I will drain it into the tank in a couple days and re-silicone it back up.

 

[Demonic]

Well I figured it was time for an updated photo. I got most of my plumbing done, although I think I am going to take out the sprayer bars. When I shut off the system I have a slow leak into the sump. Its nothing external, but internal. I think it is bypassing one of the check valves. So I am thinking just take them out and that will give me more options for the islands and the overhang. I got started on the canopy and installed two of the halides. I still need to order one more pendant and VHO bulbs. I was waiting for a good deal but I will have to order a new one. Oh well. I dont want to pay the shipping for the bulbs, but if I order 6 then I get free shipping...... Anyway here are some pics....

 

[Demonic]

I have a few more updates, and will take some photos a little later today. But pics are almost up to speed of where I am at.

 

[Demonic]

Tough crowd. Not one reply....