Christygirl's new Leemar 180 build!

[christygirl]

Right now, just a couple of leathers, zoas, mushrooms, and a small amount of pulsing Xenia.

 

[solitude127]

IMO, they'll be ok with just a little bit of light

 

[christygirl]

That's what I think as well. The fish seem to like it. It is like a big pond for them.

 

[solitude127]

That's what I think as well. The fish seem to like it. It is like a big pond for them.

Imagine your fish swimming in your koi pond.

 

[christygirl]

Well that is about 3000 gallons. That would be so cool.

 

[cali_reef]

Are you putting anything between the adjustable feet and the tile?

 

[christygirl]

Are you putting anything between the adjustable feet and the tile?

Cali Reef,
No. I do not intend to. The feet are 2 1/2" diameter, so, the weight will spread out quite well without damage to the floor.

Now, if I happen to place the feet over a hollow spot, in the natural stone, or a void in the thinset, this will cause a breakage.

 

[cali_reef]

Thats like around 50 pounds per square inch on tile, I would be afraid tiles cracking.

I am facing the same situation but more weight per inch, I used a 3/8" thick 2"x3" nylon piece between the leg and the travertine tiles my tank is on. I hope the tiles don't crack as my wife will not be happy.

 

[SPICYcracker]

You know what they say, big tank big problems!!

 

[mpoletti]

Very nice start to your build. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. Good luck.

 

[christygirl]

You know what they say, big tank big problems!!

Well, I wouldn't consider my tank all that big, but it will be heavy. The stand is not light either.

Very nice start to your build. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. Good luck.

Thanks Mark. I read your PM and responded.

Thats like around 50 pounds per square inch on tile, I would be afraid tiles cracking.

I am facing the same situation but more weight per inch, I used a 3/8" thick 2"x3" nylon piece between the leg and the travertine tiles my tank is on. I hope the tiles don't crack as my wife will not be happy.

You know I would probably be worried too, but, if it cracks, I won't be too heart broken. Ultimately this is not the final floor. We are going to change to wood in a couple of years....... (I know I should do this now, but, there are so many other items on the list.......)

 

[christygirl]

Well,

A little more progress yesterday.

First off, my good friend Eric came from phoenix to hang out.... Originally, we were going to work on the LeeMar, but, as we all know, that was delayed!

So, I decided to laminate the bottom side of the top. I also decided to cut in the opening for all of the pipes. Since my overflow and returns will all be on the outside of the tank, this is what I did:

I think that it looks real clean as a long channel. This will allow me to have more flexibility for the placement of the pipes within reason of course.

Here is a shot of the bottom side of the top piece.

Real clean, and most importantly..... Water and humidity resistant!

This is the screw that I used to mount the top to the frame. These were $1.00 a piece and are corrosion and weather resistant..... I wonder how well they will do with Salt Air?!?!?!?

They sit really nice and flush for a nice clean installation.

Here is a shot:

I also went to Rockler to get the heavy duty drawer slides. Tese will be so I can have my ATO resovoir in the stand, but, still be able to slide it out to fill.

 

[christygirl]

So here is today's progress:

I wanted to get the light racks installed on the stand today.
This involved a series of holes to be drilled.
I started small and then drilled larger and larger holes.

I wanted to drill the holes at the bottom of the legs all the way through so that the weight of the rack was fully supported. This would also allow me to set the racks plumb.
Another benefit: the bolts will be hidden on the inside of the stand by the bottom shelf.

So here is the rack at the bottom:

The holes through the rack are slightly larger to allow for play in setting them plumb as well as setting them to the right height so that the top of the racks were level with each other.

The top bolt is tapped into the frame of the stand at the top. This way, no hardware is visible from the inside of the stand. I used Stainless steel for the top bolts.

Here is the stand with the light racks installed. They are perfect! Right now, there is 38.5" from the top of the stand to the bottom of the light rack. once I put the 1/2" styrofoam on top, I will have 38" clear. 24" tall tank. This leaves 14" clear space.

 

[christygirl]

Oops!

Here is the stand!

 

[solitude127]

Very clean looking. How are the corals doing in the bin?

 

[christygirl]

Hey mike. I don't have a lot of coral in there right now. I got a light for it coming tomorrow. I just have 2 toadstools and some zoas and a few mushrooms right now. When I down the other tank is when I will have some stuff. I am going to give some stuff away. The fish love It though.

 

[christygirl]

Tonight is like Christmas Eve. Ali called! Tank is coming tomorrow!!!!!

I will send pics tomorrow night!

 

[goreef65]

Apple"ized" tank build. Very clean. Gunna look sweet all filled up with stuff.

 

[christygirl]

Goreef,

Thanks. The stand will be wrapped in a grey wood. I still have to build the inside of this stand.

I am at Ali's picking the tank up now.

It is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!

I will post pics tonight.

 

[solitude127]

Where the pictures?