210G Upgrade / Build (Lots of Pics)

[michael_in_nc]

Got the light fixture in...

Testing it out. Had some shipping issues and I lost one PC light & one lunar light doesn't work. Trying to work that out now...

 

[michael_in_nc]

Ready to start aquascaping with my dry rock. This is 130lbs. I have another 100lbs or so in my 75G. So, I think this will be a nice start in the new 210G. I cut a piece of cardboard to be the tank dimensions to get a feel for how the rock might fit in...

 

[dzfish17]

To me, this is the best part of any build... getting all the stuff and dreaming about what it will look like when its done. Have fun and I'll be following along.

 

[coolname1]

nice cant wait to see more pictures!

 

[michael_in_nc]

This is definitely the best part of the build. Having a great time planning it all.

The big news for the day is the tank got bigger. Felix at Reef Savvy is excellent. He had the glass ordered, but still let me switch out to a bigger tank for just the normal difference. I extended the width by 1ft. Squeezing every last inch of space out of my location. I was just stuck on the more standard sizes, but since I ended up with a custom tank I realized I wasn't stuck with that. So, it's now just shy of 250G.

I'll keep the pictures coming as I make progress. At this point, it will be slow for a couple of weeks until I start with the next phase of taking down my current 75G. I think the stand build should start this weekend if all goes well.

 

[strout]

Bigger is always better, tagging along for more pics.

 

[michael_in_nc]

I'm working on planning my stock list. I would like to focus more on LPS & fish. I tend to like some fish that are on the borderline of being reef safe. I think I will push the edge a little and try to balance the reef & fish aspects of the tank.

I'd like to hear what everyone with a tank in this size range have for a stock list...

 

[michael_in_nc]

I think the stand build is going to start soon. I know someone that does woodworking for a hobby and I've twisted their arm into taking on this project. This is their first sketch of the end goal.

I think we've decided to go with walnut for the stand / canopy with a walnut stain. Should match our other furniture very closely.

 

[michael_in_nc]

I'm going to have a small area on the left end of the stand to house the electrical. The right end of the stand will be a raised panel that can be removed to allow the sump to be installed or removed.

A rough sketch of the electrical setup...


[IMG/]http://lh4.ggpht.com/_NAmb8F9awzQ/TTkJnOSq5nI/AAAAAAAAAF0/NM4HhxeKmN4/electrical_in_stand.jpg[/IMG]

 

[michael_in_nc]

The wood has been purchased and the stand has started...

My electrical setup on the left end (that didn't post before):

 

[powerlogix]

Subscribed, can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

[James404]

I love the design of the stand, its gonna look really good, especially in walnut.

 

[michael_in_nc]

I've been really lucky to have someone that has this kind of skill to build a stand & canopy like this. I think the custom milled walnut will look really nice and he's adding in several features that you can't really get from a store purchased stand. End panels will be removable to access the sump easier and electrical will be built into the other end.

 

[michael_in_nc]

Made some progress this weekend.

The frame work on the stand has started.

 

[michael_in_nc]

Got some help from a friend and the "fish room" (a.k.a., the laundry room) has started to come together. I don't have a good area for the tank gear near the tank, so I put my RO/DI setup, QT tank, supplies, etc. in the laundry room, and I'm going to plumb the reservoir tank from the fish room under the house (crawl space) to the tank. I'll also run an exit line from the sump to the house septic line for water changes.

The first two shelves:

I'm going to run one long ways, for the 55G QT tank:

The tanks are a tight fit, but should work fine. Top one is a 40G breeder for the RO/DI reservoir and the bottom one is a 55G for QT:

 

[SPotter]

What did you decide on your sump layout? I would suggest pitting the return in the middle chamber. Melvesreef has some great info on sump design.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[michael_in_nc]

I haven't made set the final layout on the sump. I am familiar with Melev's site. I will look there again before I start building the sump. I did pick up a used 75G tank today that I'll use for the sump, so I need to get working on that. The tank ETA isn't until first week of April, so I have some time, but it'll go by quick with everything that still has to come together. I know when it's here, I'll want to get it up and running ASAP.

 

[UWUALineman]

Have you considered using Sea Swirls as returns to supplement your Vortechs? I parted ways with my 2 40W's for 6205's and with just one running the flow is vastly improved and creates a much better flow pattern the distance of the tank.

 

[michael_in_nc]

I thought about 1" SCWD on the returns. I think the results are mixed so I wasn't 100% on what to do. For now I think I'll setup the returns with unions to allow for changes easily.

 

[michael_in_nc]

Good news & bad news. The bad news is I busted my 55G tank while attempting to drill it today. Fortunately it was a cheap used tank, but still... I was trying to get a bulkhead in near the bottom to make the water changes easier. I think the problem was that I was drilling too close to the middle of the tank. Anyway, lesson learned. I hope. The RO/DI drilling was uneventful so that tank is ready to be plumbed.

Good news... Stand is progressing well.