Coming soon to a thread near you...my 200 DD tank build

[Hiltonc57]

A couple of weeks ago my 120 gallon sprang a leak so I quickly had to place all the live rock into a 100 gallon rubbermaid and put all my live stock into a 40 breeder.

I did some research and found out that the 200 DD has the same dimensions as the 120 I had just a foot deeper (which I love deep tanks)

So I have decided to build the stand and I am going to order the tank as soon as I have all the finishing details done with the stand seeing that I can just use all my old equipment from my 120.

Look for updates of the stand build this week, as well as the tank install and the final product within the next couple of weeks...:bounce2:

I can't wait for it to be completed.

 

[shawna1972]

Nice! excited for you

 

[Capt_Cully]

NOT ANOTHER ONE!!! JK man, welcome to the club!

 

[Hiltonc57]

Hahaha thanks. Just with the old dimensions of the 120 it made sense to use the same framework and I love the depth that the tank provides

 

[solRNY]

reading like another awesome build starting out

 

[Hiltonc57]

Picture of the 40 breeder where I am having being stored until I get the stand done.

Seeing that my father is a carpenter he knows how to build things, and if you have ever seen some of the furniture that he has made, it is made to last a stage 5 tornado. With that being said, he decided to use 2 x 4 mirco lamb for the frame and then use 4 x 4's for the legs.

Here is how he notched the corner of the 4 x 4's to tie it into the mirco lamb frame

We then used these bad boys to makes sure they never go anywhere.

I am hoping to get more pictures of the stand later tonight.

If you guys have any questions or concerns please ask! Any input is appreciated.

Jordan

 

[shawna1972]

very nice work

 

[Capt_Cully]

Sweet! Stands gonna be bulletproof!

 

[Hiltonc57]

Sweet! Stands gonna be bulletproof!

Hahahaha thats pretty much how my dad likes to make things, He couldn't believe how unstable the stand we saw at the store was for this tank, and the fact that they wanted $700 for it!

Heres the stand with all the legs attached! Just gotta frame out the bottom then its gonna be ready for finishings

 

[Capt_Cully]

Man, now I'm paranoid mine's gonna implode. That looks great! Just make sure its where you want it. Those 4' x 3' footprints don't go up stairs, down hallways, through doors, or any other tight spots. I found that out the hard way.

 

[toddmh]

welcome to the 200DD club nice looking stand so far.. The only thing I am finding is stacking rocks..I pretty much have to throw a snorkel on to reach the middle of the tank lol .. short arms

I'm more worried about my houses floor than my stand..I had to put a few braces down stairs..these things are monsters..

 

[Hiltonc57]

Cully...I am having in my parents basement as of right now until I find myself a house, some day when ever that may be. lol But I took good measurements to make sure that this tank would fit through the doors, the tank is just a hair under 28 inches and the door way is 29. and I am only making the stand 28 inches tall. I don't think I will have that much trouble getting into and out...I say that now until I actually have to get it in and out lol.


Todd...I'm having the LFS where I am buying the tank come and set everything up for me and stack the rock, I'm sure after about a couple of months of how they stacked it I will have to get my scuba steve outfit on and re-range it.

 

[Hiltonc57]

5 Boxes of sand was waiting at the door to greet me today. I cant wait until the tank is here and the real fun starts!

 

[pascal32]

looks fantastic!

 

[Hiltonc57]

Alright it has been awhile since I have updated anything on here...well since last time I posted I went and ordered the tank. It should be here TOMORROW!!!

While it is on its way here I am fabricating some adjustable legs to complete the stand.

I also just mixed the sand and it is already ready to go into the tank tomorrow!

I will have multiple pictures to post tomorrow night when I am able to stack the rock and get all the corals and fish into the tank.

 

[chuckawd]

Can't wait for the update!!!!

 

[Hiltonc57]

<a href="http://s1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa394/Hilton57/?action=view&current=photo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa394/Hilton57/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

The fish room as it sits tonight.... Tomorrow it will be completely different!!!

We purchased another 40 breeder which is going into my brothers room to replace the 10 gallon clown fish tank that is currently there, it will also be a frag tank. The equipment that is currently on the 46 will go on the clown/frag tank. The frag tank that is on the right will become a hospital tank (new location and stand). There is alot to do for the new arrival of the 200 but it will be worth it in the end.

Like i stated earlier there will be pictures as soon it is all set up!!!

<a href="http://s1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa394/Hilton57/?action=view&current=lknnm.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa394/Hilton57/lknnm.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Bad picture but the new family member that will be residing in the 200, Fowleri Tang.

 

[Hiltonc57]

Tank is finally all set up!

Tank is finally all set up!

Updating this thread has been long past overdue.

We had a little set back when the tank was brought to the house and the adjustable feet were not yet completed for the stand.

Here are the pictures of the adjustable feet that we custom built to hold the tank and stand. They are 3 inch solid pieces of aluminum with a 1/2 tap that will connect to a 1/2 bolt that can be adjusted within the leg.

These are the brackets that we made in order to adjust the legs up and down so everything could be level.

After we drilled into the 4x4 legs so the bolt that is welded onto the bracket will be hidden.

Here is one of the legs all assembled and installed.

Showing the adjustments

Finally the stand was all done and it was time to level everything off.

Seems like the legs are working just fine!!

My brother and I than began to do the rock work and fill the tank. I suggest anyone who is filling their tank on their own to put the substrate down and then do the rock work 1st before adding all the water.

here is the tank about 1/2 full after the rock work was completed.

and finally all filled

For our lighting we decided to use 12 t-5 bulbs with one reef bright LED...it fits just perfect with the 12 t-5 bulbs next to one another.

 

[Hiltonc57]

Lights over the tank.

Placed the powerheads in the locations that we wanted and the waiting processes has begun for it to clear up...

Finally after about a day the water was crystal clear and my fish and corals seem to be happy as can be!

Here is the current most up to date shot, with just the atinics and LED strip on...

 

[Capt_Cully]

Killer set up! That's a ton of light!!! Me likely. Nice work.

What's your bulb configuration?