245 Great Lakes Aquarium reef build

[7 hills reefer]

Picking my new tanks up Sunday so i figured I would start the tread. I am upgrading from my 75 to a 245 72x30x26 Starphire front and sides. I will be running a Vertex Alpha 250 skimmer in a 150 gallon rubbermaid tub for a sump. Stand is done I have pictures that I will post from start to finish. Still need to order lights leaning towards radions along with mp60's for circulation. Will be uploading pictures soon. Any advice or comments are welcome.
Thanks,
Brian

 

[mathusala]

Congrats on the new tank build. I am actually in the middle of the same build. I am doing the same going with the radion leds, and mp60s for circulation and a Super Reef Octopus 5000 skimmer.

Are you building the stand or getting the one through GLA?

Here is a link to my build thread:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2056943

 

[7 hills reefer]

I ended up building my own... I wish I would of just bought one of there's in the end I don't think I saved any money lol. Live and learn I guess. Will have to check out your build.

 

[Zoonutt]

excellent! that makes 3 of us w same tank! congrats.....!!! mines been up for 2 months, i have 3 mp40w es for circulation, and a bubble king 300 on the way!!! sounds like u r off to a great start!!! what do u plan to keep????

 

[7 hills reefer]

The plan is reef with heavy sps some clams and alot of fish we will see where it goes though. Good to see a few of the aquariums out there.

 

[7 hills reefer]

Here of the pictures of moving the 75 over to make room for the 245 build

 

[7 hills reefer]

picture of the holding tub

 

[7 hills reefer]

Stand build pictures
materials

frame

some paint

stained before doors

 

[7 hills reefer]

vertex Alpha 250 skimmer
box

Serious packing

Skimmer

custom adjustable skimmer stand with auto top off float valves

Closer look at adjustable stand

 

[juny00605]

suscribed

 

[7 hills reefer]

went and picked up the tank last sunday.

was not as bad as I thought it would of been to move

Finally in place

 

[TRENT_G]

This is going to be sweeeet.

 

[7 hills reefer]

Filling the tank with RODI water is taking a while

Day 1

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

This morning

 

[7 hills reefer]

finished the Plumbing while filling the tank
drain and return

Sump

tonight's project is going to be aquascaping. Have not decided if i'm going to use foam,
plastic zip ties, epoxy, pvc or egg-crate frame. I am leaning toward drilling and pining the rocks together maybe glue or zip tie if they start moving. I want to be able to change aquascapes if need be. here is what im working with. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mathusala]

Wow man you are moving fast.. Makes me feel bad for being soo slow. I am still planning my tank and I've had it in my house for almost 4 months and haven't added a single drop of water.

Looks good, I will be following along. Right now I am doing crazy research on bio pellets and if i am going to go that route over the refugium I had planned on originally.

 

[trickedout900]

Great progress, how tall did you build your stand?

 

[hatfielj]

Nice! I've had a couple of tanks from Great Lakes. Brad and his dad are really great guys. Brad used to "tank sit" for me when I lived in Michigan. Can't beat their prices and they build solid tanks and stand behind their work.
Can't wait to see it full!

 

[7 hills reefer]

Great progress, how tall did you build your stand?

it ended up being a little shorter than 38 inches.

 

[7 hills reefer]

moved water over to the sump and started aquascaping. I don't know how I feel about it. I need more egg crate anyways so it will not get finished tonight... here are some pics

 

[7 hills reefer]

was not happy with the rock work so pulled it all out and re-did the whole thing twice...

Egg crate on the bottom

First rock work redo

refilled with first rock redo

Feel bad for the Fedex guy. Wish I was home to tip him. 400 pounds of dry sand.

Only used 320 pounds of the sand

Holding all the tank and sumps water

Running my old t5 fixture over the tank waiting for my 3 radions and mp 60 and 40 to come in.

I ordered my parts for my diy radion hanging. Spent alittle more but hopefully it looks professional. Didn't want to hang it from the roof. More to come soon.