260 Gallon Project

[chrisqueenz]

Hi all,

As you all know I suffered a vacation disaster last March which kind of brought me down some because I was new to the hobby, but decided to rebuild and keep going. I am happy to report that the 90G disaster tank is now doing very well and will post some pics up before I tear it down and tranfer to the new 260G.

It took a lot of concinving but my beautiful wife acknowledged all the hard work that was going into the basement to get it finished and finally came around accepting the 90G was to small(lol).. I think she is more excited than I am with the new tank!

The 260G tank I picked from a fellow reefcentral member here in Rochester Haffs09, (Thanks to Haffs09!! Great guy and very helpful with everything!)

I going to try and post everything from this buildup, but keep in mind, I still consider myself a rookie and would really like feedback from everyone, I am still learning and have been doing much research...

 

[chrisqueenz]

Here are some pics of the 90G almost a year later...

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[chrisqueenz]

Before the disaster,

she was just barely getting started

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[chrisqueenz]

And now to the future! Excuse the mess but I have been working on basement for a few months now and still need to paint and add the floors. I have a perfect spot for her, but until now she is covered until I finish some details in the basement and finsh the stand also..

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My Boston terrier, always wants to know whats going on!

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[psychofishy]

how did you ever get that tank out of haffs's house? i saw it sitting in there.. and was wondering how he got it in there to begin with!

 

[vetdog]

that is huge. That's going to be awesome stocked

 

[chrisqueenz]

Great question, I asked myself that very thing about 500times! Haffs gave a great idea, that was using suction cups to carry the thing. I ran into some trouble finding them until I ventured into Harbor freight and there they were. I have searched for them before but never found any. Thay have a few different kinds to choose from, but chose these dual suction cups that are rated for 200lbs. each. Life savers!! I can't begin to stay how important and how much easier these things made my life that day! And of course some man power! It took 3 guys to move this thing, and even take it downstairs. It also help to take the door off the hinges to allow for more space.

$5.99 each at Harbor Freight! And worth every penny! I use 4 for the move.

Special thanks to Landolakes for the much needed help moving!

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[psychofishy]

ah.. sweet.

beats the heck out of breaking the doors out of the house!

If anyone in the rochester area (i live in the city) ever needs help moving or whatever really.. I wouldn't mind helping I like meeting new people and helping out.

 

[Haffs09]

I'm glad to see the tank made it to your basement safely and no one got hurt! It is definitely heavy and those lifters made a world of difference. For any size tank I recommend using them.

A little food for thought....you may want to support the bottom of the tank differently. I'd probably secure some cross braces across the 4x4's, and then set the plywood and styrofoam that came with the tank on top of that. Place the tank on top and then you'll spread the weight (400lbs +) over the entire bottom of the tank rather than just over the 4x4s as pictured.

I hope that helps. I'll watch this thread closely!

 

[chrisqueenz]

Thanks, advice taken.. I was thinking of just that, beeter safe than sorry...

 

[Capt_Cully]

Oh, BABY!!!

and is that a Boston Terrier?

 

[chrisqueenz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11940385#post11940385 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Capt_Cully
Oh, BABY!!!

and is that a Boston Terrier?

Oh yea! One of my best buds!

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Finally got started on the stand, will post some pics of that tommorow... Long night in the basement again..

 

[KurtsReef]

What are the 260 dimesions? (Can't see the pics photobucket blind)

Good size tank, lots of possibilities.

 

[chrisqueenz]

The dimensions of the tank are 72x30x30, still thinking about which way I want to for lighting for this thing. I am thinking about 2x250'w on the sides and a 400w in the middle with maybe a T'5 combo, but still undecided...

 

[chrisqueenz]

This is what I have built for the stand so far. I am kind of worried about the 2x4 top end the tank will sit on, but overall the stand is very sturdy.. I used 2x6's for the legs just to be on the safe side. Still need to add moldings and stain it to make it look pretty, but here is the general idea..

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Any suggestions?

 

[jdoenumber2]

I would do 2 center braces and 2 or 3 back supports. I feel like there is nothing wrong with a little over kill. Where are you going to put sump and or fuge?

 

[chrisqueenz]

I am going to put the sump under the tank 55G or 75G... A friend (landolakes)gave me the idea of making 2 benches that run flush with stand on both left and right sides. I could utilize that space under the benches to either run the sump from bench to stand, plumb another tank for fuge or any other idea. I think twinpanther here on RC is doing something similiar

 

[chrisqueenz]

I am actually looking for a 55G sump if anyone has one laying around.

The dimensions of the tank are actually 72x28x30

I am also looking for a good skimmer, been doing some research but haven't decided on one yet, anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Bobtail1075]

I love the Boston.. I have one but he is about twice as heavy as yours. They are the best dogs... Great looking start to the build. This should be an awesome tank when done...

 

[chrisqueenz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11959907#post11959907 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bobtail1075
I love the Boston.. I have one but he is about twice as heavy as yours. They are the best dogs... Great looking start to the build. This should be an awesome tank when done...

He tips the scale at 27lbs. Gotta love these little guys! How much does yours weigh?