Grouper's 225 build- the beginning

[GrouperGenius]

This will be my last and only tank when it's done. I plan on a mixed SPS/Zoa reef with a few shrooms and cloves dabbled in.

It will be 95 x 30 x 18 tall out of 1/2 acrylic. 3 external overflows with 2" drains and 2 x 1" returns. I will be using alot of stuff I allready have from my existing tanks to help keep costs down. I will make my own steel stand and skin it with wood. The canopy is going to be the tricky part. I want to have it suspended 12" above the tank most of the time. But I want to make it so I can lower it to 6" or raise to as much as 20" by myself.

Any ideas and input would be beneficial at this stage of the process since it still planning stage. Thanks for looking.

Mark

 

[faze07hd]

pulley mechanism?

 

[GlassReef]

Gonna be sweet, Mark! I really like the dims. Question - is there a reason you're going with three overflow boxes instead of just one?

As far as raising and lowering the canopy - is the tank in a room where looks matters? IOW, does the solution have to look good?

 

[GrouperGenius]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14578180#post14578180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by faze07hd
pulley mechanism?

That's what I was thinking. Motorized would be ideal. Just not quite mechanically inclined to figure it out just yet.

 

[AG84]

Mark that is going to be a sweet tank. Let me know if I can be of any help.

 

[GrouperGenius]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14578189#post14578189 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef
Gonna be sweet, Mark! I really like the dims. Question - is there a reason you're going with three overflow boxes instead of just one?

As far as raising and lowering the canopy - is the tank in a room where looks matters? IOW, does the solution have to look good?

Thanks Tom. Reason I was thing 3 boxes was becaue of the bowing with acrylic. Support for back wall because of the slots, and the backside of the overflow box bowing out. I figured shorter dimensions would not bow as much.

Of course it has to look good. Momma is grading me on this. LOL

It is in a high show environment.

 

[GrouperGenius]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14578238#post14578238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AG84
Mark that is going to be a sweet tank. Let me know if I can be of any help.

Thanks, I am going for a lagoon kinda style where alot of viewing can be top down. As well as have a mangrove growing.

 

[chris22582]

Cant wait to see it come together. Im also here is you need a hand. Just let me know.

 

[GlassReef]

If it needs to look good then motorized would be the way to go. There was a build thread that utilized motor pullies and SS cable. Could be made to look nice. I'll see if I can find it.

 

[GrouperGenius]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14578282#post14578282 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chris22582
Cant wait to see it come together. Im also here is you need a hand. Just let me know.

Thanks Chris. BTW that tricolor is nice.

 

[faze07hd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14578268#post14578268 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GrouperGenius
Thanks, I am going for a lagoon kinda style where alot of viewing can be top down. As well as have a mangrove growing.

AHHHHH. like the middle coral tank at FAOIS??? Thats not a bad idea... i havent heard of people doing that in their home... It would be nice to see it completed! Good luck!

 

[chris22582]

Anytime. Have to love when you have an opps in the tank and make a couple frags. lol

 

[bsagecko]

This should be pretty awesome let me know if you need any help......

 

[CMcNeil]

Mark to raise and lower the hood you could use 80-20 aluminum with UHMW linear slides and a linear actuator like Paul did on his setup.push botton lifting with no effort to you.
also if i were you i would up the sheet thickness to at least 3/4" thick.the 1/2" will hold water but i think it is going to have a visible bow on the front and rear panels which will stress the glue joints and lead to premature failure over time.

 

[Reefman79]

Sick build !

 

[Flacricket]

Mark,
Talk to reefrubble he has a super nice power lift setup. All motors and slides are hidden.
Cricket

 

[GrouperGenius]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14578707#post14578707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CMcNeil
Mark to raise and lower the hood you could use 80-20 aluminum with UHMW linear slides and a linear actuator like Paul did on his setup.push botton lifting with no effort to you.
also if i were you i would up the sheet thickness to at least 3/4" thick.the 1/2" will hold water but i think it is going to have a visible bow on the front and rear panels which will stress the glue joints and lead to premature failure over time.

Cool. I'll PM Paul and see if he would let me come by and check his out. Thanks for the heads up on the thickness. I was going by John's clam and rock tanks with the 1/2". But rather safe than sorry.

 

[CMcNeil]

John will tell you the rock and anem tanks are underbuilt.Paul has good pics in his build thread and I know what 80-20 parts he used and how it is hooked up,so I can help you out as well.

 

[barfish]

actuators with slides.

 

[buccard]

This sounds like a great build-look forward to seeing your progress- sounds like you are building the tank yourself-or are you going to have someone build it to your dimensions?

Either way it sounds really cool.