Adam's new 215gal Oceanic in wall!!

[adamPL]

Hi everyone. I'm building a new tank, and I thought it would be a good idea to track my progress through this thread. First, let me tell you a little about myself.

I was born in Poland, where I started this hobby back in 1999. My first tank was 60 gal. with fish only. Then, when I moved here in 2002, I got my second tank which was a 26 gal. bow-front reef tank. I still have this tank. After buying a new house, though, I made plans to have a 215gal tank placed in the wall near the living room and kitchen. I'm planning on having a mostly SPS tank, and I hope I can get advice and feedback from you guys as I build this tank.

Here's a picture of me and the new tank:

A list of equipment that I have right now:
- tank Oceanic Starphire 72x24x29
- 3x 250w hqi IceCap pendants + electronic ballasts
- skimmer MRC-3R
- Reeflo Dart pump for return
- Calcium Reactor Koralin 1502
- ReefTek Nilsen Reactor
- Milwaukee PH Controller

Here is the tank temporarily placed on the stand where it will eventually be once I finish the stand. My nano is in front of it

If anybody has suggestions for the stand, sump, heaters and flow (Vortech or Tunze)...I would really appreciate it.

Next project is finishing the tiling inside the fish room and building the stand. I'll post pictures of the fish room next.

 

[blizzardscout2]

I think in walls are awesome! I want to do one in the house I buy someday. I cant wait to see how it looks when setup!

 

[adammreef]

Where did you pick the tank up from? I see that you live in Cliffwood Beach, I live in Hazlet. My name is also Adam.

 

[porthios]

never seen a polish tank i didn't like. tagging along..

 

[adamPL]

adammreef - the store where i bought it is Aquatic Obsessions. That was good dill, so I order the tank last December 2007.

thanks guys, I`ll post more pictures later on

 

[adamPL]

Ok...right now I'm finishing the tiles, so I need your advice on the stand. Here's a picture of the stand which is connected to the wall. I put two additional 4x4's in the two corners. I think should be OK.

What do you guys think? Do you think I need to support the stand on the back with two legs (4x4) or three? I'd rather have two, to have more access underneath the stand, but I'm not sure it will hold the weight.

 

[strayvoltage]

I think you should use three because of the way you made the frame work for the top platform. If you had the 2x's on edge and they were doubled up, I think you could get by with the 6' span with only two legs. Just my $.02

 

[zoo]

go vortec i have two mp40s w/ the battery back up and i love it very simlpe to operate, and replacement parts are reasonably priced

 

[adamPL]

I have 2 ideas for the stand. First, which I like most, would be to have only two legs because I would have more space for a wider sump. It would have a long support (white on the picture) made of 4x4. Legs and support would be right under the tank.

Second idea is with 3 legs - also made with 4x4, but those legs would be a little behind the tank.

So, what do you think about those ideas? Is it enough?

 

[adamPL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14047898#post14047898 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zoo
go vortec i have two mp40s w/ the battery back up and i love it very simlpe to operate, and replacement parts are reasonably priced

Vortech(s) next on the list to buy, but 2 or more??

 

[porthios]

Second idea is with 3 legs - also made with 4x4, but those legs would be a little behind the tank.

i think you'll find the extra ledge that gives you to be very handy..

 

[strayvoltage]

I still think you would be better off to use 2x4" and use them on edge. Why do you want to lay the frame down? A 4x4 will twist and warp as well as shrink more so than a couple of 2x4" glued and screwed together. This is just what I think

 

[adamPL]

Ok guys I found a great thread about DIY stand if anybody is interested here is a link
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1169964

I decided to go with that idea and I took apart almost everything, left plywood and double 2x4 on the back as a shelf for some misc. items.

I covered the wall part with wonderboard, and finished with tiling (I want to have a waterproof room)

Two platforms

Stand ready after 40min work

Deckmate screws

Stand ready, I squeezed the new stand under the plywood

done after 2 hours

I used 2x8 for top platform, regular 2x4 for legs, and PT 2x4 for bottom part

 

[adamPL]

Guys I just checked level and find small different between front wall and stand, as you see on the picture

Will 1" foam on the top of the plywood help with this situation??

 

[tomasz]

Great looking build Adam. Powodzenia!

How much of a gap is there in the last picture? You want the stand to be as leveled as possible, but if it is a mill or two you should be ok with the 1" faom.
Once again goodluck.

Tomasz

 

[adamPL]

dzieki Tomasz, gap is about 1/8"

 

[tomasz]

I think 1" faom will absoarb this and you will be fine .

 

[adamPL]

update:

I put plywood all over bottom frame and cut holes for overflows.

 

[adamPL]

New sump:

I just bought used acrylic tank 48x24x16 to make a sump. The refugium section was already there.

 

[adamPL]

Sump almost done! Now waiting for 2" bulkheads , but still confused... where should I drill the hole for it?? Next to refugium section or on the other side of the sump?