Downhill's 200g Starfire Marineland Deep Dimension

[downhillbiker]

I may be jumping the gun a little here, but I am going to start my build thread. I picked up the tank and overflows today and just was too excited to wait to start the build. I also picked up my lighting, and skimmer recently, so it is just a matter of moving it all to a new state, building a stand/canopy, and getting it all running.

Thanks to Jason "SULLY" at Coral Reef Pet Center in Salem, OR for getting me the tank, overflows, reflectors, and MH sockets.

Here is the beauty, Marineland Deep Dimension 200g Starfire tank. 4' long x 3' wide x 27" tall.

Starfire Glass: I dont know how much of a difference I can see now, but hopefully it makes a big difference once I get it up and running.

Corner overflow assembly and return.

 

[downhillbiker]

Sunlight Supply Lumenmax Reflectors. These are the big ones, 22.5" x 22.5"

Installing the sockets is pretty easy. Using 4 wing nuts they bolt right up to the reflector.

 

[downhillbiker]

The skimmer being used for this build will be my Aqua Euro 265. The skimmer has 2 circulation needle wheels, and a Sedra 9000 mesh mod feeding it. I dont think I will do the mesh mod again, I just don't think it helps enough to merit the wear it puts on the pump. The needle wheel works pretty well stock.

 

[fancyfish]

love that tank. good luck. I just upgraded to an oceanic 215 with starfire front and I think it makes a world of difference. things seem to pop out more than before when I had regular glss

 

[uhuru]

Nice tank! I lived in Corvallis for a few years... Jason is a great guy. I wonder if he still has my purple monster and flame hawk pair.

 

[downhillbiker]

thanks guys. i love the dimensions too. i wanted a 4' cube, but lighting something that deep is pretty much impossible, so this was a good alternative. marineland makes some great tanks, and hopefully this one is a quality, long lasting tank for me.

uhuru, oregon is awesome. my time here is done, but i still love the state. i am looking forward to getting away from the rain, and getting some decent snow.

jason definitely doesn't have your purple monster, trust me i would own it if he did. the flame hawks are gone too, he has a new store all together now. it is down off of state st. and 14th. little smaller place, cheaper rent, but a nice place for sure. he also started his gun shop in the same store...how many of you have been to a fish store that sells AR-15 and Uzzi's?

 

[luvreefs23]

how much u think your 200 weighs empty?

 

[atty]

should be nice tank. What bikes that in you display?

 

[downhillbiker]

i think the tank probably weighs in the 350-400 lb range. it is really heavy. i know we had 4 people bringing it inside, and we still almost dropped it when going through the door. it was a scary situation...VERY SCARY.

no bikes in display, but i do have a Haro X7 that is my main ride. has a marzocchi 888RC fork on it. 7" of rear travel, and 8" of front travel.

 

[downhillbiker]

doh! you meant in my avatar... i thought you were being silly asking what bikes i will put in the tank.

 

[luvreefs23]

I figured, i had the 300 gallon deep dimension and it had to go into my basement. I figured it to weight 600 lbs, i got the tank down there and found a chip in the front left corner and the tank had to go back. Never get another one cause i didnt wanna wrestle another one down the stairs. Good luck with yours...

Dennis

 

[downhillbiker]

yeah, the weight is the ONLY draw back vs acrylic. but once it is in place it will be so much nicer than acrylic. i will have to move it again in 3 years though, that wont be too much fun...

 

[downhillbiker]

I have been looking into stand designs and really like this one. It has the right amount of trim, while still being clean and modern. I probably wont do the doors with as much trim work, but the stand is nice.

THE PROBLEM IS...I am only going to be in Utah for 3 years, then I will be moving to Idaho and dont know if it is possible to make a stand that I can take apart, or if this is just something I will have to sell or throw away. There's no way it's going to fit through a door in one piece.

 

[downhillbiker]

Sorry forgot the link:

http://www.reeftime.com/diy-reef-projects/diy-aquarium-stands/build-diy-aquarium-stand/7.htm

 

[downhillbiker]

I think I figured out the problem. I will make the frame a 2-piece frame and then have the front of the skirting come off. the sides will stay on with the framework. The framework will be bolted together using 3/8" bots, washers, and nuts, and through holes in both halves of the frame.

Here is a sketch I drew up on microsoft paint. I wish I had autoCAD to use, it would have made everything look nicer, and would have been to scale, but you get the idea. The two blue sides are similar, and the two red sides are similar, with the inside two blue sides having the bolt holes in them.

 

[downhillbiker]

got most of the 2x4 frame built. i am thinking i probably wont sheet it with plywood, since i will only be in utah for 3 years. i just dont want to put all the effort an money into it and then have to tear it down so quickly. i will most likely use black material to cover the stand and canopy. i know, sounds cheesy, but i just dont think sheeting is the right thing to do; wont ever go back together the same after moving.

i was also wondering what people's opinions are on heaters. what size should i get for this size tank. heaters for big tanks are new to me. i was thinking 500w or 800w titanium, but dont know. i will probably go with cheap brand like odyssea or finnex since it will be controlled by my controller anyways.

 

[downhillbiker]

So here is the stand's frame. I will go ahead and set the tank up on top tomorrow or Sunday. I need to get the back of the tank painted first. I will just use krylon fusion on the back and sides where the overflows are.


Front View:

Overall Pic with Location:
(I really wanted to be able to see 3 sides, but it just wasn't going to work with the place we are in now. This will due for the next few years.

You can fit a yeti in a box:

 

[stunreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15100920#post15100920 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by downhillbiker
You can fit a yeti in a box:

:lol:

Great build! I have a tank with the same footprint and LOVE it! I'm 24.5" high rather than 27"

 

[oach]

Nice build so far. I too am going with a bigger tank and have the question of heaters. I never really trust them as a had a titanium heater go on me several years back - at least it was only in the mixing water for a water change. I am thinking of going with a couple 300W heaters instead of one "big" heater in case one heater conks out on me. I also plan on hooking it up to a reefkeeper to monitor the temp instead of relying on the thermostat that comes w/ the heater.