Buildup of a 210 gallon Reef

[thrlride]

jay24k: Wow, your daughter looks older than three! I had no clue how old but I was thinking more than that.

andyjd: My only other option I am even considering would be a low iron Glasscages tank but all the negative press I see scares me. If I can find a used one somewhat locally I will consider any brand to save a buck or two as long as the tank is in perfect condition.

I'm also leaving the possibility open for a 210 or 180. The extra height will be a pain to clean but more swimming room for the fish would be nice too especially if the corals grow up nice and tall.

 

[thrlride]

Hey Ryan...nice to see you've got your 180 project going. I'm just green with envy. When are you going to come up here and build a stand and canopy for me?

I'm looking forward to seeing the final stand/canopy combo. Are you going to put the wood strips on the corners of the glass like you did on your 90? That looks really sharp!

I'm going to model the new stand and canopy very close to this one. I really like how the project came out. The only thing I am unsure of is on the doors. I am going to do the same routing but I don't know if I am going to do two doors or four. I really don't want to do four though!

I don't think two larger doors would look bad, do you guys? The center divider will be about 4" since there is a 2x4 there. The doors will not be so close to the edge either as there is a 2x6 there instead of a 2x4.

So, the doors should only be about 9" wider each I'm thinking. Keep in mind the stand is 4" taller as well so the doors will be taller than these.

For the canopy the only change I am planning is not using a frame. I'm going to glue and screw the plywood together being sure to predrill the holes so I don't split it.

I will paint both white again on the inside, this time I am going to use more of a semigloss for ease of cleaning.

 

[kbxiong67]

Hey thrlride,

Question about your 90g....did you ever have a problem with your yellow and purple tang together? I'd love to have that combo.

 

[thrlride]

I was worried about mixing the two due to them being the same species and they got along fine.

I hate to say it though, one day the purple tang was stuck to my SEIO powerhead and he never recovered. A few weeks later the yellow was on the sandbed. No other fish were lost so I don't know what happened... There was no apparent illness or disease either.

 

[5y5tem 0verload]

Hey Ryan,

Glad you finally got this started. Your 90 turned out great and I'll expect the same from this one. I'm working with the wholeseller this week on the final configuration of my 225. Holes, overflows, etc. Looks like we're doing our next tanks at the same time also. I just hope this one doesn't take as long as the last. Wife made me buy a stand and canopy this time. She doesn't want the garage tied up for a year. Keep the updates coming.

 

[thrlride]

LOL, you probably came out cheaper buying a stand and canopy.

225 huh, what are the dimensions of that one?

 

[Airman]

It looks like a good start. I'm planning a 180 in the future so I will be watching you.

 

[5y5tem 0verload]

72"L x 30"W x 24"H are the dimensions. My wife doesn't think it's cheaper! It's probably actually pretty close to the price of the one I built last time after you figure in wood, paint, hardware, time, new powertools, etc. It's going to have a Spanish Oak finish. Here's the thread I started for it. I'm still up in the air on 1 center overflow or 2 corners. I'm leaning towards the center if the manuf. can keep the depth of the box less then 5". Not sure if that's possible since one of the drains is going to have a 1Ã"šÃ‚½" bulkhead in it. So we'll see.

 

[bigben]

alright, i need an update fix. have you done anything more on this setup, or are you too busy eating your daughter's halloween candy?

 

[countertopguy]

Thrl-

You mentioned using screws to put together the hood. May I suggest one of these...

It is a Kreg pocket screw jig. They are about $20 bucks at Lowes. It will make assembling your hood fast and easy. Plus no screw holes.

Steve

 

[gobygoby]

Hey I bought that exact same jig, I used it on some shelves I built. it works GREAT...it just takes some time to line everything up correctly...etc...only draw back.

Goby

 

[DizziDezi2]

looks good ryan. just like you.

 

[thrlride]

countertopguy, that's what I was looking for before and the guys at the hardware store looked at me like I was crazy!

Updates...

None really, except I now have an 8' x 10' shed in the back yard that has taken all my time to build.

Does HD or Lowes carry that jig?

Thanks Dizzi, that made me smile.

 

[countertopguy]

Lowes has it. It is hard to find sometimes. It is in the tool section near the "biscuits"

Steve

 

[thrlride]

Cool, thanks.

Speaking of biscuits, what type of tool is needed for that? Or should I use this jig to join all the panels to skin it?

 

[countertopguy]

I have a biscuit jointer and have not used it since getting the kreg. Certain applications require one or the other, but for face frames and boxes the pocket screws and glue are all you need.

What kind of wood/finish are you thinking for the "skin" of the stand.

Steve

 

[thrlride]

3/4 red oak pieces to frame out the skin on the front and sides. Cheaper wood for the back (cost savings attempt)

 

[thrlride]

Same for the canopy though I don't plan on using any type of frame for the canopy, just screw and glue it all together.

 

[thrlride]

Or would it be better to get all fancy and cut lap joints?

 

[countertopguy]

I don't think lap joints are necessary. On my stand I used pretty simple techniques. I used 3/4 hardwood on the sides and the front and plywood for the back. Cheap and strong.

Are the sides of your stand going to have doors?