8Ball_99s 310 upgrade

[8BALL_99]

Well I didn't post my 190 Build here a couple years ago cause I didn't think it was quite a big enough display to go up with most of the tanks here. But I think my 310 might be worthy. My old setup included two systems. One system was a 190 with low iron glass on the front and sides, a 40 breeder for a frag tank and a AGA 75 for the sump/refuge. The 2nd system is a AGA 92 with a 40 breeder frag tank and a 40 breeder sump/Fuge. Both these systems share a equipment room I built behind them. I'm sure some of you have seen pictures of my room and my canopy lifts. Anyway, I've been very happy with this setup the past couple of years. When I bought my 190 3 years ago I really wanted a 280 but just didn't have the space for it.. After having it for a year I moved it to another room and built a Equipment room behind it.. I almost upgraded then, But since the tank was only 1 year old I just couldn't see replacing it so soon. Well after a couple of years even though I've still been very happy with it. I've really been wanting a wider tank. So I decided to replace my 190 with a 310. My 190 was built by miracles and I was/am very happy with it so I decided to have the build the 310. The tanks dimensions are 72"x36"25" It has Low iron glass on the front and sides, Also has two external overflows. I decided to install a skylight over the new tank after seeing the solar tube thread in the advanced Reef topics a couple months ago. I'd been thinking about for a while but that thread gave me the extra push to go for it.. I've still got quite a bit left to do. Since the tank came in today though I thought I'd share.

Here is an old shot of both main displays

Old shot of the 190 with the top up

And what it looked like before I drained it.

Sigh and now removed. You can see the equipment room behind it

Since I built my old stand into the wall and nailed it to the slab lol I had to pull it apart pretty good just to get it removed.. One catch to getting a new tank was my wife wanted the stand a canopy rebuilt like it was with the same look. This time I decided to build the frame out of 1.5" steel. This does two things.. One its stronger of course so it can handle the extra weight with less structure. But also it allows me to leave the back open as well as just give me more room under the tank then stick built would allow

Here is what the stand looks like so far.. I'm not done yet. Still like a little more trim.. Got side tracked with a water leak last night so I didn't get it finished.

Here is a couple pictures of the new canopy I built.

 

[8BALL_99]

Here is a shot of the Sump I built to replace the old 75 Gallon. This one only holds 100 Gallons, But its a much better foot print.. Its 48"x31x"16" This wider shorter sump should be a lot better to work in then the tall 75 gallon was

And here is my temp setup to hold some of my livestock from the 190 during the change over. Notice the sump getting put to use

Member when I said I got the tank today It came on an 18 Wheeler with no lift gate so it was either try to round up several guys a 1pm on a monday to hang out and wait on a truck. Then off load a 800Lb tank to my truck then drive it up the driveway to unload it again or rent a skid loader and just drive it to the house.. BTW we have a long drive way

Thought this picture was funny Glass!

And the money shot..

Well thats the quick and dirty so far.. Really its been a lot more to it. But I figured the short version would be a start. I've still got quite a bit of stuff to do before I can get it in place.. I hope it won't take me more then a couple weeks to finish things up.

Will

 

[Michael]

very nice pics, and a nice sized tank as well,i like the 190 too

 

[mcliffy2]

Very nice looking. Subscribed. Looks like a Miracles tank?

 

[8BALL_99]

Thanks!, Yeah the 190 really is a great tank. I just really like the look of wide tanks. I guess what really pushed me over the edge was a LFS got a 30" wide tank for a display tank.. Its only 6" wider then my 190 but man it gives you so much more room for Rock work and coral. Its hard to tell just by looking at pictures how much a few extra inches of depth really makes. I can't wait to see my 36" wide tank setup

Will

 

[8BALL_99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13363512#post13363512 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcliffy2
Very nice looking. Subscribed. Looks like a Miracles tank?

Yep both my old tank and my new one was Made by them.

Will

 

[mcliffy2]

They make very solid and attractive tanks from what I can tell. Are you going to build the canopy on actuators? Or maybe consider an open top look?

 

[8BALL_99]

The canopy will be on Actuators like my old one. I just have to have it that way lol I've gotten very use to pushing a button on my remote and getting full access to the tops of the tanks. Spoils you I guess. I don't like the light spill from hanging fixtures.. I love to lay on the couch infront of my tanks plus I have kids one that is only 16 months.. With a hanging fixture anyone looking up at the tank gets blinded..
This setup will be more of challenge then the other setup though since I'll have a skylight over the tank with a large shaft going down to the tank.. So when the canopy lifts it will slide up around the shaft. Thats why the canopy is just a large U with no back or top section.

Also the other main point with a canopy sytem like I have is that all the moisture and noise from the system stays in the equipment room and out of the house.. The Equipment room has its on AC and ventilation.. I wouldn't want this much SW open to the rest of the house!

 

[mcliffy2]

If you are going T5 (like I have on mine), the reflectors are directional and light spill really isnt an issue - I sit on my couch far too much and stare at my tank If you are going MH, then the lightspill is definitely a reason to cover it up (unless you opt for MH spotlights).

You will love the 36" depth...what are your aquascaping plans?

 

[8BALL_99]

I dont know for sure about the aquascaping.. I've been looking at all the pictures I can find. I bought some Acrylic rod of different sizes. I plan on trying to drill some of my rocks to try and make a few pillers or arches.. I plan on trying to keep the rock off the back wall as much as I can.. I'm trying to avoid the rock wall look this time.. Nothing wrong with it. But I figured since I have the extra width now I could maybe have a some pillers with arches and sort of off stagger them.

 

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13364023#post13364023 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 8BALL_99
I dont know for sure about the aquascaping.. I've been looking at all the pictures I can find. I bought some Acrylic rod of different sizes. I plan on trying to drill some of my rocks to try and make a few pillers or arches.. I plan on trying to keep the rock off the back wall as much as I can.. I'm trying to avoid the rock wall look this time.. Nothing wrong with it. But I figured since I have the extra width now I could maybe have a some pillers with arches and sort of off stagger them.

I like this plan :thumbsup: Keeping the walls clear of rock makes it super easy to scrape the corraline and keep a nice black background, which IMO looks way better, since the corals pop and don't blend in with the corraline. It takes me 3-5 min/week to scrape my tank.

You've probably found it already, but if not, here's one of my fav threads for aquascaping inspiration:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1289056&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

 

[purebullet417]

very nice im upgrading to the same size but 30" tall. looks like a very well built tank

 

[ReefingBuddha]

I'm going to have to pick your brain some more about that canopy system. I'm very interested in implementing that in my next tank. You are using heavy duty drawer slides and actuators right?

 

[Bax]

I loved the effort you put into your canopies on the corner and 190 tanks! I am very excited to see your work here as well!

... Nice looking pond too BTW

 

[8BALL_99]

purebullet417, Thanks I thought about making it 28" tall But the few times I've had to reach the bottom of a 27" tall tank it took my whole arm.. I figured since this thing was so wide if I made it much tall then 25 I'd have wash my deodorant off before working in the tank LoL Not to mention I would have had to go up on the thickness for the glass.

thirschmann, Sure I dont mind. I'm sure I'll also post some pics of the new setup when I build it.. The old setup can be seen if you click my redhouse.. I dont have a lot of pics of the actuators installed since they are in the attic.. But there is a few there. Plus I gave a list of all the parts I used and the Model of Actuators I used ect.

Thanx Bax Here is a picture of the pond last year when we first inlarged it. It was about 800 Gallons. Now its about 4000 lol It looks a lot better now since all the plants have grown in ect..

 

[savethereef]

i have a question. i see you started with a metal stand. How do you skin the wood to the metal stand. in other words how do you attach the wood to the metal?

 

[8BALL_99]

First I painted the metal with a really good primer then I painted it and the inside of the wood skin with a two part Epoxy paint. I then just used 1 1/4"self tapping screws.. I bought a box from a local hardware store that was made to attache wood to steel frames.. I was told its the same screws travel trailer companies use to attach the floors ect to the frames. Really doesn't matter what you use. Just any good self tapping screw that you can counter sink into the wood. You can't see the screws cause I screwed the main panels on after I glued them together. Then I installed the Trim pieces that make up the columns.

Will

 

[savethereef]

oh ok i have to find a thread. i am trying to visialise on how to do it. but guess my brain aint working

i also plan on doing a metal stand also but instead of putting doors i want something that i can just pop off from the front. i wonder if anyone has done something like that

 

[8BALL_99]

Sure I've seen it several times. People use Rare earth magnets sunk into the wood for this. I thought about it. But for my stand it just wasn't very practical. The skin is really just as heavy as a normal stand.. its all solid 3/4 Oak. And the columns on the end are layers of solid wood also.. Its very heavy and very big. Trying to remove it just would be a pain.. Besides I also put epoxy on the bottom of the stand and siliconed it to the floor to keep water from going under the wood.

will

 

[Rickyrooz1]

Very nice, can't wait to see water in it!