500 Gallon Build

[foxvalleypcgeek]

Had a 210 setup a couple of years back and that was torn down. Getting back into things again but going bigger this time around. Having a local builder here build a 500 gallon glass tank. Should be around 10 weeks unfortunately before it is finished.

Putting my lists together of equipment and did a sketchup of the tank and stand today at the shop. Probobly get going on the stand soon! Will have to build it inside the room as it will not fit through a doorway.

Going somewhat short this time around as before with the 210 I believe the stand was 40 inches and the tank was about 30. I hated working on it. This will end up with around 61.5" inches at the top so I can work on it somewhat easier even though it will still be fun with 4 feet of depth.

That may be changed a bit with a leg in the center of the 8 foot span but I have seen it fine without. Not really a big deal as everything will be down in the basement again anyways and the stand will be empty.

 

[worm5406]

I know you want to keep from having to wear drywall stilts when working on the tank, but will 23 1/2 work for a sump / skimmer? What is going down there?

Just wondering why you crossed braced the 96" left to right runs, in the second cad image? The bottom edges are supported. Did not know if you were trying to prevent any rotational motion.

 

[cabinetman123]

Just finished building one that size. What a beast of a tank.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

Everything will be going underneath in the basement so room really doesnt matter much inside of the stand. The cross braces are just to help prevent any twisting. I got the idea from another build i read through on here. The girlfriend wants me to actually put a leg in the middle of the 8 foot spans so I may on the front and back even though its not needed.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

This was the equipment room when i was up and running a couple of years ago. I got a lead on a two more floor jacks to reinforce the floor with them. That would make a total of 4 and i would put a 6x6 or something in between the jacks and the floor joists.

 

[worm5406]

OK... you only have 4 post so far...

Lets see some more pictures. I have nothing to look back at to what you had previously.

Spill the beans and put the cards on the table.



Welcome to reef central btw.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

I have a lot of pictures of the old setup. But nothing for this build as nothing has been started.

 

[worm5406]

OK.. so since you seem to know a few things, kid gloves come off.

Nice.. Why did you get out before?

So. what are you plans this time?

Sump size and type?
Skimmer?
Lights?

Inhabitants?

 

[shocker444]

Nice setup

Nice setup

I have seen your system on youtube it was set up vary well using stock tanks i based my system on that.and now Im taking my 265 down and ordered a 700 gallon tank from d.a.s out of Texas are you going to use stock tanks still ill be using 2 150 gallon tied into each other sweet build good luck my measurements are 96 long 48 wide and 36 high are you building your own overflow box.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

I got out because of financial issues and a huge energy bill. I started my own business around the time i shut everything down.

The sump i will just be using the 100g stock tank as it worked fine and is still there.

I will be going cheap LED lights again as they served me well. Not sure which ones yet. Originally had halides in the beginning, too much heat!

For the skimmer i have Skimz Monzter SM253 DC added to my spreadsheet. Going internal this time to elimate the need for a feed pump. Used a recirculating Reef Octopus last time.

As for inhabitants I dont have a list yet. But several tangs of course. Vlamangii is probably my most wanted. Angels would be nice but probobly not as I dont want to have issues down the road.

 

[shocker444]

awesome i was looking at the skimz as well vary nice skimmer i had a hard time finding reviews on it but looks sweet i have a my reef creations mr6 rated for 1200 gallons but i don't really like it pain in the a** to tune lost 100 gallons of water twice because of it but we will see good luck with build

 

[dave.m]

I'd love to hear how you got on with that basket star.

Dave.M

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

awesome i was looking at the skimz as well vary nice skimmer i had a hard time finding reviews on it but looks sweet i have a my reef creations mr6 rated for 1200 gallons but i don't really like it pain in the a** to tune lost 100 gallons of water twice because of it but we will see good luck with build

Ya there isnt a whole lot on that one. I see a lot more on the smaller models however. Looks to be a solid skimmer.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

I'd love to hear how you got on with that basket star.

Dave.M

Your the first to not ask me what that was lol. I got it in Milwaukee at my favorite fish store. Almost a 2 hour drive one way but worth it. All nearby places are not up to par. I saw the basket star and just had to have it. In that pic i had to turn the lights on in the middle of the night to gwt a pic. Otherwise hiding in a small ball during the day.

 

[dave.m]

But what do/did you feed it? I it still alive in your tank, or did it shuffle off this mortal coil (literally)?

Dave.M

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

But what do/did you feed it? I it still alive in your tank, or did it shuffle off this mortal coil (literally)?

Dave.M

It was in there until I tore it down and sold almost everything 2 years ago. I did not specifically feed it anything. Was just a night time scavenger for whatever it could find. Seemed to do just fine in the system.

 

[dave.m]

Thx. Good to know. :thumbsup:

Dave.M

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

Looking at getting OceanRevive lights for the top of this. The Arctic-s026 models without the timers and double power cords as I want them to be dumbed down and do everything with an Apex. Try 4 at first but of course that wont be enough and Im sure 8 will be needed to cover the 4 foot span.

On my 210 I had some chines 55x3 LED fixtures, but they were not full spectrum at that time, just whites and blues. Seemed to work just fine.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Everything will be going underneath in the basement so room really doesnt matter much inside of the stand. The cross braces are just to help prevent any twisting. I got the idea from another build i read through on here. The girlfriend wants me to actually put a leg in the middle of the 8 foot spans so I may on the front and back even though its not needed.

Thats the same thing I did with my stand. Your tank dimensions are exactly the same as mine. Will be watching this build.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

Thats the same thing I did with my stand. Your tank dimensions are exactly the same as mine. Will be watching this build.

Yep I coppied your stand lol. I wasn't sure if I needed center support or not at this size, but you confirmed it for me!