270 Gallon SPS tank for JBNY

[DrBDC]

Joe, question on your 180. I was just looking at your web page and how you designed the canopy because I need to build one for my 180 I'm setting up. What made you decide to mount the bulbs in a front/rear orientation vs. tank length orientation. And will you be doing the same on this tank?

 

[JB NY]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9674616#post9674616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrBDC
Joe, question on your 180. I was just looking at your web page and how you designed the canopy because I need to build one for my 180 I'm setting up. What made you decide to mount the bulbs in a front/rear orientation vs. tank length orientation. And will you be doing the same on this tank?

They were spider reflectors. The manufacturer recommended that they be mounted that way.

The new reflectors will be luminarc reflectors, they mount the same way, front to rear, as well.

 

[JB NY]

Ok so now that I am back here are the pictures of the tank move.

Before the tank went on the stand I had bought some neoprene foam for the tank to sit on. I want this tank to sit right on the top of the stand with no molding around it, so I wanted to use some kind of foam that was not pink or white or blue. The neoprene is a dark grey, you don't even notice it when the tank is on the stand. I cut and glued it to the top with some spray on adhesive and used a J-roller to flatten it out. You can also see the blue tape that lifted up the finish when I took it off.

Also, bfore everyone arrived I built a sled to hold the tank when we were moving it. You can see it in the pictures, but all it was was a frame that would support the tank from the bottom. I have a bunch of that pink foam insulation, so I put that on the bottom to keep the glass from touching anything that might scratch it. As well as to make sure that the tank did not slide while on the sled. I also put a 2x4 block at one end so that when we went up the stairs with the tank, the block would support the tank at the back and prevent it from sliding back. The sled actually made the move much easier as there was a solid base to hold onto while moving the tank.

I had a total of 8 suction cups so that gave everyone a firm handle to hold onto while transporting the tank.

First picture tank on the sled and getting ready to move the tank into the street and around the side of the house to the back.

Bringing it along the side of the house.

Now at the back of the house, we flipped the tank on it's back. Now the width is only 24" that we need to fit up the stairs and into the house.

Tank is up on the deck. That was the only part were things were a little worrisome as the steps were narrow so we could only fit people to carry the tank on the front and back.

 

[JB NY]

Once on the deck it was a straight move to bring the tank in through the slider. I had a 28" width when the slider was open so we were able to fit the tank in without having to remove the doors.

Once inside. We moved the suction cups to flip the tank up and onto the stand.

On the stand making sure the tank is positioned correctly.

The moving crew.

After all the shelving and furniture are back in place, my cat, Sophie, decides to check things out!

Looks like a good place to rest!

I've got one of the drawers finished too, I'll post some pictures of the that later.

 

[Konadog]

Looks like the hardest part is over! I always get nervous when moving a tank, it could be a great beginning, or lousy ending.

I like how you boxed in the stand, can't wait to see the rest of the pictures.

 

[DrBDC]

Nice catfish!

 

[melev]

I like the skid/sled you made. That was a really good idea.

 

[IRISSERVICE]

very nice...

 

[Julio]

sweet tank! can't wait to see this thing in full effect!

 

[thisisme]

very nice

 

[JB NY]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9682593#post9682593 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Konadog
Looks like the hardest part is over! I always get nervous when moving a tank, it could be a great beginning, or lousy ending.

I like how you boxed in the stand, can't wait to see the rest of the pictures.

Hi Ken,

Yeah I was really nervous about moving the tank. The day before, all I could think about was that tank dropping or tipping while carrying it. To say I was relived when it was done is an understatement.

Thanks for all the kind words guys!

 

[JB NY]

Here are some pictures of me making the drawers for the stand. I am using Blum sliders for the drawers. The sliders are full extension, support up to 75lbs and allow the drawer to have a soft close. So no matter how much weight is in the drawer and how hard you push the drawer to close it, the slider will catch about 2-3 inches before the drawer fully closes and slowly shut the draw. I thought with the tank on the stand that this would be nice to have.

But first I had to actually make the drawers themselves. I had never done that before so it was a bit of a learning experience. I decided to make the drawers using finger joints, simply to see if I could do it.

So I had to first build a jig to make the fingers. Ihe jig is just a fence with a peg that is the same size as the fingers (I chose 3/8" for the fingers).

Then you start cutting the fingers. Start with the board against the peg and using a dado blade set up for 3/8", run the board through.

Then you just move the board, taking the hole you just cut and place it over the peg and run another cut. Keep doing this until you run out of wood.

To make the mating side, you start the board on a scrap that is the same size as the peg. This way when the two sides are put together, they mate up correctly.

All the pieces cut up.

Then I routed out a groove to accept the drawer bottom, and dry fitted the whole thing before I glued it up.

then glue it and clamp it up, After it has dried sand down the corners to make it all nice and flush and attach the drawer guides and...I have my first drawer!

It even opens and closes correctly!

Now I just have to do three more. :lol:

 

[JazzMan]

We need to start calling you Norm Abrams.

 

[Julio]

jack of all trades!

 

[Konadog]

Joe, nice work!

Putawaywet (Bret) did something like that with his old EcoWheel tank, very nice when you need to service anything under there!

 

[cali_reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9682593#post9682593 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Konadog
Looks like the hardest part is over! I always get nervous when moving a tank, it could be a great beginning, or lousy ending .

I have one of those sitting in my garage right now

 

[bleedingthought]

Very nice! I read it before, I think, but are you going to do drawers on the left and then all your equipment on the right with a door?

 

[Konadog]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9684297#post9684297 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cali_reef
I have one of those sitting in my garage right now

Sorry to here that Pierce! Your tank or Cindy's?

 

[melev]

Joe, you did a beautiful job on your first drawer. :thumbsup:

 

[JB NY]

Thanks guys.

I'm putting drawers in both sides. All the equipment with the exception of the lighting ballasts will be in the basement. With my last tank I opened the front maybe once every 5-6 months. I figure with the drawers I would get more use out of the space. I will have about 18" of open space behind the drawers anyway, so that should give me plenty of room for anything else I can think of that I might need to put back there.