PhantomLoneWolf
New member
Well, I have been on this project for a while and now ready to post some pictures. I purchased a used 180gal AGA from a local Doctor who had it set up as a reef tank. I purchased the tank, couple of power heads and some MH lights. The only thing I am really going to use for my new set up is the tank. The lights I have traded and the power heads I am using for other purposes.
I am building new cabinets. Matching cabinets for my new 180 reef and for a 135 FW community tank. Both cabinets are the same with the foot print for the 135gal a little smaller.
I am building the cabinet out of 2x4 and 3/4 plywood.
I am then using a 1/4 inch finished plywood for the shell. The doors are made with 1x2 and the 1/4 plywood.
The doors are mounted with European hinges so that they are flush with the outside of the cabinet. They have a magnetic latch on them, like you use on a Media cabinet. You push the latch and it opens slightly and then you can open the door. When you close the door, it hits the magnet and you push and click it closed. Makes for a really clean look. I painted the cabinet the same color as my basement walls.
I am using the 180gal reef as a room divider in my basement family room. The basement has a concrete floor, so no worries about weight on the floor. I am going to build a canopy for it that will house 3-400watt MH and actinics. All the plumbing will be in the canopy as well. I do not want anything hanging on the three visible sides. The far side has three holes drilled (which I did). Two for overflow to the sump and one for a closed loop. All the return water will be plumbed in the canopy and come into the tank from the top. The only exception to that is the far end will have plumbing as part of the closed loop for some return water.
I realize that this forum is for SW reef tanks. For interest sake, I will show you the whole project. I also have a 135gal AGA FW community tank which I have included in the whole setup. The 180 reef and the 135 FW come together to make a "L" shaped set up. Both will have canopies and both are plumbed to my fish room where filters and sumps are housed. I already have fish in my FW tank. I need to get part of it set up so that I felt like I was making headway on the project. I have been working a long time without having anything set up and working. I need that to happen to keep my motivation up. Here are a couple of shots of the whole project.
Both stands still need to have the trim added. That will happen at a later time.
My next step is to start on the 180 tank and get it ready for water. I pulled all the silicon out of the tank and will reseal it. I have 360 pound of sand sitting in my garage ready to add as substrate. I am planning to do some funky things with the rock work and the framework inside the tank to keep my LR from being covered up with sand. I will keep updating and adding pictures as I progress.
I am building new cabinets. Matching cabinets for my new 180 reef and for a 135 FW community tank. Both cabinets are the same with the foot print for the 135gal a little smaller.
I am building the cabinet out of 2x4 and 3/4 plywood.
I am then using a 1/4 inch finished plywood for the shell. The doors are made with 1x2 and the 1/4 plywood.
The doors are mounted with European hinges so that they are flush with the outside of the cabinet. They have a magnetic latch on them, like you use on a Media cabinet. You push the latch and it opens slightly and then you can open the door. When you close the door, it hits the magnet and you push and click it closed. Makes for a really clean look. I painted the cabinet the same color as my basement walls.
I am using the 180gal reef as a room divider in my basement family room. The basement has a concrete floor, so no worries about weight on the floor. I am going to build a canopy for it that will house 3-400watt MH and actinics. All the plumbing will be in the canopy as well. I do not want anything hanging on the three visible sides. The far side has three holes drilled (which I did). Two for overflow to the sump and one for a closed loop. All the return water will be plumbed in the canopy and come into the tank from the top. The only exception to that is the far end will have plumbing as part of the closed loop for some return water.
I realize that this forum is for SW reef tanks. For interest sake, I will show you the whole project. I also have a 135gal AGA FW community tank which I have included in the whole setup. The 180 reef and the 135 FW come together to make a "L" shaped set up. Both will have canopies and both are plumbed to my fish room where filters and sumps are housed. I already have fish in my FW tank. I need to get part of it set up so that I felt like I was making headway on the project. I have been working a long time without having anything set up and working. I need that to happen to keep my motivation up. Here are a couple of shots of the whole project.
Both stands still need to have the trim added. That will happen at a later time.
My next step is to start on the 180 tank and get it ready for water. I pulled all the silicon out of the tank and will reseal it. I have 360 pound of sand sitting in my garage ready to add as substrate. I am planning to do some funky things with the rock work and the framework inside the tank to keep my LR from being covered up with sand. I will keep updating and adding pictures as I progress.
