220 Inwall - Plan

[bheron]

Thanks Lon, I'm going to do the same thing - Hirocks. Get some of the larger ones.

I have red hair algae and its not that bad. I wasnt going to do anything more than what you described above until I read something in another post. I'll have to track it down and ask more on it.

Thanks!

 

[The Cardinal]

Always a delight to see these kind of projects. Looks very good.

In the beginning of the thread you said you were only going to have easy softies. With the light set up of at least 6x T5 it shouldnÃ"šÃ‚´t be a problem to keep more light demanding corals such as sps. Or is this a conscious decision to only keeping soft corals?

 

[bheron]

Mr M - good catch. yep, thats my goal to keep simpler corals. it's also a coincidence that I think the softies are by far the most beautiful and enjoying to watch! So i'm lucky there. It would be nice to keep my options open, but I'm hoping T5s are the more efficient, easier lighting choice.

 

[The Cardinal]

I have gone for 6x54w for my tank and IÃ"šÃ‚´m very satified with the results. The only drawback might be that the softies are getting a bit too much light... Will be nice to see how your tank will develop, and yes I agree there are too many sps tanks out there

Good luck with your project!

 

[bheron]

Thanks.

Too much light? Wow. I've heard that before and I guess thats a good thing to have.

Stay tuned to this thread - updates will come.;

 

[bheron]

Update - its been awhile since the last update but I've actually been busier than ever. I'll have pics posted over the weekend - on sunday.

- I'm getting the tank this weekend!
At the last hour I found a similar tank, different brand, for a much better price, and closer to home! I'm picking it up Sat night and have the people lined up to help me move it. 210g All Glass aquarium, 2 drilled overflows.

Click here for a link to the thread about this one...

- Will be building the stand myself next week. Thanks to everyone, especially Tangboy, I have the plans in place and have spec'd out all the wood. Might start on Monday night if possible.

- Contractor is supposed to start the folowing Monday. My goal is to have the tank and stand up in place so he can build around it.


So, check back on Sunday, hopefully, for an update on the move as well as plenty of pictures!

 

[bheron]

Update:

The tank is in. Well, my basement on the floor, that is. I'll have some pics later tonight or tomorrow but wanted to give the update.

My brother even picked up the tank FOR me so all I had to do was call and buy the tank over the phone and wait at my house. Then two other guys showed up and the 4 of us moved it into the basement in 5 mins, with one break. I was amazed at how intimidating the job looked compared to how easy it was!!!

Pics later.

 

[ribs]

I skimmed your thread, nice!
Now that the tank is there things step up a notch. I like how you're going about it, and posting it (the process) and the reasoning along the way.

....in other words, just tagging along

 

[ssbreef]

very very NICE! Thanks for sharing! I wish I had started up a post like this before I put in my inwall, It would have saved me a lot of time and MONEY!
I don't know if you mentioned it already but in case I missed it, what kind of skimmer will you be using?

 

[bheron]

Thanks for the feedback all! Yea, the "post as you go" approach is taking a little longer time but it has its benefits.

I'm posting a large update in the enxt few mins.

ssbreef - "what kind of skimmer will you be using?"

- I have a Euroreef, but you know, I can never remember which one it is!! I'll have to check at home. Its one of their smaller ones, rated for 90-100 gallons. Worked great on my 75 with a medium bioload. And, for now, I'm not upgrading. Eventually, especially when the bioload is up, I'll invest in a monster I would even love to learn how to DIY it.

Your question actually brings me to a question:

- how do you know you need a bigger/better skimmer? If youre skimmers producing waste on a regular basis, how do you know if could produce more if it was bigger/more efficient?

 

[bheron]

Update:

Update:

Ok, I'v been promising pics and updates, so here we go:


First, I got the tank last saturday. As mentioned, I found one for a much better price and a much better location (details below).

Second, I got the tanked moved into the basement!

Third, I started building the stand (below).

The goal is to have the stand built and sitting on top of it for when the contractor comes on Monday (IF he comes).

I'll post details below....

 

[bheron]

The Tank

The Tank

Ok, this is a 210 All Glass Aquarium. I've spent months and months researching the tank itself.

Once I decided on the size I went back and forth between Acrylic and Glass -- for all the same reasons as everyone else. I decided on Glass, for both the cost and the scratching issues. I'll still always be worried about the durability.

Custom acrylic tanks in the 200g size were going anywhere from 1200 to 2000, and that didnt include the shipping. That was also an issue - all of the acrylic tanks I reviewed would have to be shipped and that added like an extra $400 at least.

The glass tanks I looked at were less. Custom glass tanks, with the exception of Glass Cages, were also in the $1500 range. I found a great, reputable local builder but it was like $1700. I could easily pick it up.

In the end I decided on a 220 gallon perfecto from a sLFS (somewhat Local Fish Store :rollface. They were asking $745 for undrilled and $945 for "reef ready" which is 4 holes drilled in the bottom.

Then, at the last hour, I found a 210 gallon All Glass Aquarium at a rLFS (REALLY local fish store) for $649 undrilled and $699 drilled!!!

It really worked out great b/c my brother had the truck that was going to ship it. And the LFS, while 45 mins from my house, was only 5 from his. So instead of him going 45 mins to my house, then 2 hours past to get the original tank, he just picked up this one right by his house - - I didnt even have to drive down and get it!!

So, I simply paid for it over the phone, and by the time he drove over they had it waiting on the curb for him. (For you locals, the tank was bought from The Hidden Reef -- they were great). The tank was in his truck in like 5 mins. All I had to do was wait!

I had 2 other guys coming over tohelp move it so I had the easiest job by far (see later). It was like I was getting free shipping on a tank!

Ok, here's some pics of the tank.

My brothers OJ Bronco parked in my driveway

Tank in the back

It was at this point that I really understood how huge this beast is...

My only shipping cost: letting my older brother ride around on my lawn tractor: priceless

"Some things money cant buy. For everything else, there's a kid in everyone."

 

[bheron]

The Move

The Move

Ok, now for the move. Unfortunately I have to say that I didnt have an extra person there to take pics. I wisely chose the day for this as the same night that my wife was out for the night.

Genius

Anyway, let me setup the stage....

Just from picking up the tank a bit in the Bronco, I could feel the weight. The people at THR swore it could be done by two people. It took only 1 guy with a hand truck to load it. BUt this thing looked HEAVY!!!

Essentially we have to move the tank from the driveway, aruond the backyard, and right into the walkout. Luckily there were no steps involved, however, my backyard has a pretty steep drop on the one side.

We decided to wait for the other two suckers to arrive to help move it. I dont have pics of the move, put I took pics of the "Path of Destruction" that would be our path into the basement....


From the driveway to the backyard through the gate...

The start of the hill...

Along the side of the hill....

And under the deck to the walkout on the left...

Sorry for the sideways pic, but heres the door to the basement...

So, that was the path. By the time we finished a few beers and laughing at the task at hand, we looked around for any sign of my wife and went for it.

SURPRISE.....

...this is surprise #1 of the my entire experience on this thread: it was SOOOOO easy!! I was amazed with 4 people how easy it was to move this monster. The guy at THR was right. In fact, the entire time I kept commenting that I wasnt really doing anything at all. I think, b/c of the hill, most of the weight was on one guy. We had to stop only once b/c it hurt our hands. But the entire trip took almost as long to walk it - about 3 mins. We had to let only 2 guys take it through the door but that was no problem!!

I racked my brain on how to do this for weeks and when it finally came, I was amazed at how it went.

 

[bheron]

Sleeping Giant

Sleeping Giant

Here's the baby, I mean, baby monster, as she sits in my basement right now. Did I mention how large this thing is?

When my wife finally came home her comment was "now I know what to bury you in."

I forgot to put the specs of the tank above (will edit), but the tank is:

72.5 long, 24.5 wide, and 29.5 high. I really wanted a high tank b/c of the look.

This the the 210 MF model by AGA. "MF" is for the built in Mega Flows as you can see below. I've always used HOBs but, based alot on feedback from the forum here, I decided to go for the drilled....

Here's the tank mounted on my wall...

 

[bheron]

The Stand

The Stand

Now, a close 2nd to the tank move was the time I spent planning and comtemplating the stand.

I decided way back to build my own. And, thanks solely to people here on this forum, and expecially TangBoy, I came up with solid plans to DIY.

I have to say, the only reason I had a remote chance of getting this to work was the incessant planning, questioning, and research I did. I have very little experience building this stuff, but when I heard how important it was that the stand is level, I started to worry.

Nevertheless, SURPRISE #2 arrived here. Once I started, I almost finished the whole stand in about 90 mins. I stopped partially through, mostly b/c my wife was pi**ed about the sawing and drilling sounds coming out of the basement at midnight.

I'm about 1/2 way through. Here's pics of the progress as it stands today...

I bought the wood from Home Depot and spent about an hour picking out each piece, inspecting it for straightness. It really was a task, but by the end I was a pro at it.

Ok, not having a truck to move the wood, I somehow got 14 2x4x108's into my Toyota Camry!

This thing is like a pickup to me. Always has. I was even able to close the trunk!

(note to self: dont show wife this shot)

I'll post more detailed plans of the stand later, but basically I used almost exact versions of alot of people's stands on here, with some input and help from Tangboy.

Here's the bottom framing done first:

Afraid my measurements were off, I was relieved when I put the frame on top of the 210 and it fit perfectly...

I really did measure twice and cut once. At one time it saved me. I'm sure it will again.

Building the first upright...

Placing it on the frame...

I borrowed my friends chop saw that I used once before in my life. I was amazed at how good this thing made me look! Straight cuts and corners --- pretty much...

Now I'm rolling! :rollface:

I threw up the other upright with much more confidence and then the 2x6 horizontal brace...

This was the big test for eveness. I just threw on the level and was pretty surprised at what I found:

Almost completely level. What do you think?

I have to say, I couldve had this done in 3 hours if I had the time. And the bottom line is: preparation and planning. B/c I did so much of it, it was like I did it before.

Well, thats as far as I got. I'll be away all weekend so I wont have another crack at it until Sunday. If I can finish it and get someone to help me move it onto the stand, I'll have it ready on schedule for Monday. (now what's the chances that my contractor will delay the start, yet again?)

 

[TheCoralReef731]

Cool

 

[jarhed]

Lookin good!! MAN thats a huge tank! BTW, I used your method of transporting lumber. All of the lumber to build my stand and entire fish closet was moved with a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am.

I'm not exactly sure how you mounted the tank on the wall, but looks good!!! :lolspin:

 

[bheron]

"All of the lumber to build my stand and entire fish closet was moved with a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. "

YES!!! I like your style. Who needs big pickup trucks and RVs. Out method works just fine.

 

[jarhed]

YES!!! I like your style. Who needs big pickup trucks and RVs. Out method works just fine. [/B]

BTW, I sure wouldnt try the "Jarhed" method for placing that monster on the stand. It worked for me, but your tank is considerably more bulky!

 

[bheron]

yea, I SAW that. very nuts. no way for me. but i think you amazed everyone with that feat.