Carl's 190 Tank Build

[eidillitih]

Well, I moved out of the old house in April and into a apartment while the new house was being built. Didn't want to go through two move in six months, I sold all the livestock and rebuild. I was gonna put the new tank is the wall BUT (one word) WIFE! :? So I had to build a stand and canopy for my new tank. The new tank is gonna be 60 X 25 X 30. It's the tank I've always wanted. I built the stand and canopy while I was in the apartment. I also had my little helper make sure things was done right. I didn't detail every step cause people have built stands before, I just wanted to show you the outcome and see what ya think.

First picture is my little man helping me paint the frame,

This is a picture of the complete stand and canopy. I built the doors myself because they wanted too much to buy them. Ithink they turned out alright.

So what ya think?

 

[eidillitih]

Now, the tank is up and running, without lights that is. I'll update you on what has happen so far.

I was originally going to put the tank in the study room, but when I put the stand in there I realize that is was going to eat up that room. So, after a little butt kissing :mrgreen: I was ALLOWED wo put it in the formal living room.

The stand originally did not have a door on the left side, it was on the right. So I had to add one to be able to get my sump in and out.

Once in it's finally resting place I proceeded get all the peace to this puzzle. I finally open the skimmer box to see what the vortex royal alpha looks like and I must say it is a beauty. I also had Marc build me a sump. Man he does excellent work!! thanks Marc.

 

[eidillitih]

Once things were plumbed, it was time for a fresh water run. :roll:

I'm happy to say it past the the test, not one leak.
Now it's been about 5 days and I finally got all the water and rock in and it has cleared up a bit. and I proud to say

"Houston we have water"

The rock are extremly white because they have been sitting in a barrel with a pump since about May. Couple months of light and the calcium reator with fix that. I'm in the process of putting the lights in the canopy. I will update once complete.

 

[paullisa51708]

very nice stand!!!!!!!! love the ledge all the way around it!

 

[ssamick]

Beautiful stand! Can't wait to see it up and running

 

[Jkt2001]

Very nice looking stand and set up. I just did a FW test on my new 170 last night, making RO water now. I'll be switching over from a 90.
Looking forward to your updates!

Good looking skimmer!

 

[eidillitih]

Thanks for comments guys. Trying to get probes calibrated now. Seems like everyone is out of orp calibration fluids

 

[jbird69]

Wow! Great work!!!!!

 

[CUZ]

nice wood work!!!

 

[BANANAHANDS]

Awesome stand! Yes, the skimmer looks great but how does it perform? I've been looking at that skimmer for a new tank I'm setting up. I'll tag along to how it works out.
Good luck!

 

[zilchman]

Nice! Im planning a 190G tank build in spring 2010, so I will be following this thread closely. Please share your tank dimensions and Equipment plans/details.
Good luck!

 

[Fish Ace]

Some real nice work and just the right tank size too.

 

[eidillitih]

Thanks for the compliments guys.

Nice! Im planning a 190G tank build in spring 2010, so I will be following this thread closely. Please share your tank dimensions and Equipment plans/details.
Good luck!

The tank is 60.5 L X 30.5 D X 25 H

I have:
60gal sump/Fug
Alpha Royal 200 Skimmer
Pair tunze on multi controller
Vortech 40mp
Quiet one 6000 return
JBL 1/4 hp chiller
3- 250 watt halide, 12k reeflux bulds
220 watt vho
all controlled by an Aqua Jr controller
Ultra ozone 360 w/American Marine Pinpoint controller
200-250lbs of Live Rock
180lbs of Live sand



This is the tank I've always wanted so I'll be patient and get it right the first time. I waited three months before I put a fish in my last system and it worked out well for me. I'll probably do the same with this one. I have put the canopy on, check it out!

:beer:

 

[eidillitih]

Alright guys it's been three weeks so I decide to do a Parameter check. Here are my numbeers.

Alk-12.8
Ca.-380
Nitrates - 0
PO4 .50


My phosphates is way too high. I have a shipment of salt coming in so I'll do a major water change and add a a clean-up to take care of the algae bloom.

 

[eidillitih]

So, alright reefer it's been about six weeks now and everything checks out so I've begun to add corals. I'm going to hold off about 6 more weeks to add fish. My parameter are;
Alk 12
Cal. 380
PO3 0
Nitrate 0
Mg 1280


I'm working to get the Calcium and Mg. up with the the two part. I'm also adding a Phosphate reactor tommorrow, I have some hair algae left over from the cycle that I like to get rid of. Other than that everything is going good. Check my selection and tell me what ya think.

 

[eidillitih]

I needed to add a reservoir to help keep the water stable. So I built a storage box which would contain the reservoir. It sits beside the tank as you can see in the picture below. I used a DIY float switch and Aqua lifter to pump the water into my sump. Hooked it up yesterday and is working great so far.

What do you guys think?
Reservoir

Container Box:

You can see the reservoir box as it sits beside the Tank

 

[JEFFRO33]

Super nice wood working

 

[Maverick2009]

Your tank looks great, I like your canopy very much. You can always tell the difference when a tank has been planned out very well.

 

[eidillitih]

Your tank looks great, I like your canopy very much. You can always tell the difference when a tank has been planned out very well.

Thanks guys, I tried to plan it out as well as I could. Since this was my third tank set-up I had a better idea of what works for me and I just went from there.

 

[Fish Ace]

There should be a award for best DIY of the month. You'd have my vote on this stand.