Custom 160 Build Thread - Finally!!

[stagcrazy]

yeah if u are going to have a canopy u will def have some heat and evaporation issue with those suckers but on the bright side u wouldnt have to run the halides for more than 6-7 hours a day imo. also u can run 2 400 watters and 2 110 vhos or 4 54 t-5s and u would be at 1020 watts per hour probabluy a little more depending on the ballast, with the t-5s you will be at 800watts but u will probably run them longer than the halides, at this point flip a coin imo go with the halides and t-5s if u dont like it sell of the equipment and just ad 4 more t-5s i honestly think u will like the halides.

 

[Jgoal55]

yeah....i think ill love them too. that shimmer really is unbeatable and I think they make the tank look bit more natural. Like you said, the switch back is always easy.

 

[Jgoal55]

On another note, here are some pics of the stand almost finished. Gonna start working on the canopy next week. My buddy who is helping me build this (or better said, who is building this entirely on his own since he hasn't let me help at all; probably a smart choice) has gone above and beyond what I was expecting. This thing looks amazing and the pics don't do it justice. The stand is made mostly of maple. Now I just need to figure out what color Ill be staining it.

 

[score 110]

wow beautifull. When he's done with yours he can build me one lol

 

[Jgoal55]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15561977#post15561977 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gasman059
Now we are talking but the wattage is not gonna be enuff- that is a fact of life.

Many tanks and many lights have proven this IME.

I'm glad u are gonna play with the big boys well semi pro LOL J/K

Ha. Thanks manny. Now you can't call me a girl. Lol

your saying you'd go up to 400s even though I'm only lighting about 19" of water?

 

[Jgoal55]

Score110....he'd be glad to; if you want letme know and I'll send you his contact info.

 

[fishkiller28]

very nice tank!! felix is a great guy...

 

[David - Miami]

Jorge PM me the standbuilder's info please.

 

[stagcrazy]

any updates looking foward to seeing this thing up and running.

 

[Jgoal55]

lol....not yet.....this thing is moving slow. I do have the stand in the apt now and I have some shots of that but it doesnt look much different so i havent posted any of the pics. If I remeber Ill post one later tonight. The next update will be in a few days when I get the tank from Felix.

One thing I do need to do....where is the best place to go get a big sheet of foam?

 

[fishkiller28]

homedepot

 

[stagcrazy]

yeah hd has the pack of 5 sheets for like 7-10 bucks or something like that look in the insulation area.

 

[Jgoal55]

yeah thats the stuff i used for the 90 but i was hoping to pick up a single solid huge sheet that I could just make two cuts on and have it be the right size. that HD stuff is only 4ft long and to get it to fit just right id have to make a bunch of cuts to make a few separate pieces.

No biggie but definitely better if I could find one huge sheet....thanks guys.

 

[Jgoal55]

more stand pics....

more stand pics....

a few more shots of the stand still unfinished but now in the apt. nothing exciting but I guess pics are always fun....

inside stand left:

inside stand right:

inside stand top:

stand in place:

 

[Jgoal55]

oh yeah, the 20lb dumbbells are just for intimidation. Basically, I use those babies about never times a day so dont mess with me!!

 

[David - Miami]

That stand looks great and the placement of the tank works well. What color are you going to stain it? Dark or light?

 

[Jgoal55]

Dark....I decided Im going to match the kitchen cabinets to bring the rooms together. The kitchen kind of opens up to the tank area through a little bar window. The cabinets are a dark cherry.

 

[David - Miami]

Great choice. I prefer the dark, especially if there is other wood in the area that can be seen.

Good luck with the sump.

 

[fishkiller28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15588954#post15588954 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jgoal55
yeah thats the stuff i used for the 90 but i was hoping to pick up a single solid huge sheet that I could just make two cuts on and have it be the right size. that HD stuff is only 4ft long and to get it to fit just right id have to make a bunch of cuts to make a few separate pieces.

No biggie but definitely better if I could find one huge sheet....thanks guys.

homedepot has it 8f x 4f.......

 

[Jgoal55]

yeah someone told me that yesterday.....gonna look for that on my next trip.