jt48's 240 Build Thread

[jt48]

it might not hurt to support them with say a 1x4 from the bottom to the underside of the brace at least in the back. If nothing else make sure you have 2.5" or so screws going from the outside of the stand into the ends of the braces.

I will definately consider this!

Next thought is what are you doing for a sump and how are you getting it into the stand? If its a decent size you're more than likely going to have to remove some of the front or back supports. If you do that I'd recommend going in through the back and then adding wider supports.

Still researching sumps. Fully aware that I will probably need to knock out the rear manufacturers vertical brace to place a decent sized sump and at that time beef up the supports.

 

[jt48]

For those of us equipment junkies what else are you planing to run for skimmer, return, other flow, lights, etc..

Dont get too excited. This tank probably wont see water until September. Still time to do research and save money. So far I put about $125 into the $300 stand. Still saved well over $600 on the stand and probably at least $1000 for the tank. Thats some good money to go towards either a BubbleKing or Royal Exclusive Alpha Cone skimmer.

 

[mprygh]

1) Did you screw the cross braces to the top board?

Umm, the cross braces (2x4's) are screwed to the tank stand. The top of the cross braces lay flush with the top of the stand. The aspen board lays on top of the stand and the top of the braces evenly. I did not glue or screw the aspen board to the braces or the stand. Reasoning?-Where is it going to go, I'll have 2000 pounds on top of it. This is what I was thinking as supported by the lfs-the stand in by itself without any modification is built to hold that weight. By it being acrylic I only needed to have a flat bottom to prevent sagging.

The screws connecting the cross braces to the top is to give you an "I" beam type effect. If connected, when the center sags, the cross braces end up going into tension to compensate for the sagging. That additionally puts the top in compression, helping keep those potential glue joints together.


2) Is the outside edge of that top board really strong.
You have a huge amount of weight on the edge of the cabinet.
A board like that is simply strips of wood glued together. Not real plywood.
So all that weight goes into shear force on the glue joints on the outer strips.

Umm, IMO this solid aspen board was much stronger than plywood

From the picture, it did not look like a solid board.
It looks like it was made with roughly 3/4 x 3-1/2 pieces, all glued together. If it solid, sure, very strong. If glued, all depends on those glue joints.
However, depending on grain orientation, a solid piece can quite easily be weaker than plywood.

 

[jt48]

Well, Plans have changed. It doesnt look like I will be setting this 220 up as a reef. I got something else that set me back a bit!

 

[jt48]

A little bigger in all her glory!

<a href="http://s1012.photobucket.com/albums/af250/osprey48/jt48s%20240%20Build%20Thread/?action=view&current=090310177.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1012.photobucket.com/albums/af250/osprey48/jt48s%20240%20Build%20Thread/090310177.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[catman78]

Done, F the tank. That Camaro is sweet......

 

[jt48]

Well, it's been over a year now that I had set up the 240 as fresh water. I have 50 fish but, for me it just does not keep my interest as a reef would. I am in the planning stages of converting it over to a reef and have 240 questions. Ready?
I'll take it slow and start with #1:

I am currently using Marineland acrylic sump model 4 utilizing 6 media trays and two bio wheels. I am happy with this sump and would like to incorporate it for reef use by connecting it to a refugium and another sump for protein skimmer and reactors. Marineland markets this sump for use with the deep dimension tanks but"¦do you foresee any problems using this sump for reef use?

 

[reefermad619]

FW?! That's tank abuse for a tank that lovely. I'm calling the cops now to give em your ip address!
Keep us updated on how it goes and GL.

 

[jt48]

I know I know but the camaro was an unexpected purchase that set me back with my reefing. Im ready now though. I think I'll ditch using the marineland sump 4, not sure. Any feedback ?

 

[jt48]

This is the marineland sump 4 that I may use in conjunction with a more traditional refugium sump.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...6223&thumbpage=1&list=6224,6222,6223&breeds=1

 

[reefermad619]

I'd ditch that. I'd look for a used 80gal tank. Plenty of room for equipment and fuge. Or if you go custom acrylic (why not match!), something like a 60"x20"x20". But that's expensive. I'd say 75-80 gal used glass tank.

 

[jt48]

I would love to have something like AE Techs large sump/refugium:
http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=18289&cat=1236&page=1
But at $745, ouch.
I have an empty 75 gallon on hand but at 21" it is too tall for my stand which has an interior height of 24".
Placing sump in basement is a possibility, however the basement is not underneath the tank. The plumbing would need to travel about 30 feet.

 

[jt48]

I would love to have something like AE Techs large sump/refugium:
http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=18289&cat=1236&page=1
But at $745, ouch.
I have an empty 75 gallon on hand but at 21" it is too tall for my stand which has an interior height of 24".
Placing sump in basement is a possibility, however the basement is not underneath the tank. The plumbing would need to travel about 20 feet, including a cinder block wall.

 

[reefermad619]

That interior height doesn't leave much room for equipment. Most skimmers that can hadle a 240 will be around 24" tall.

 

[jt48]

Selling this baby, getting ready for new build
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2131391

 

[JohnnyAirtime]

Selling this baby, getting ready for new build
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2131391

... have any pictures of it up and running? Super curious.

Of course, your stand held up as you mention in your sale thread that it was "up and running for a year" or so.... right? It looks like it never held water, good job on the cleanup and polish.

What are you going with next??

 

[jt48]

At work with iPhone now, don't think I know how or if possible to post pics here of photos I have in phone. But yes it was set up for over a year but fresh water and although nice, just did not keep my interest as salt does. Next tank is a 344 gallon rimless from Miracles.

 

[reefermad619]

Phitobucket has an app. Once downloaded, you can upload pics straight from phone to photubucket.

 

[jt48]

Phitobucket has an app. Once downloaded, you can upload pics straight from phone to photubucket.

Very cool. Thanks. It's downloading now

 

[JohnnyAirtime]

.......... Next tank is a 344 gallon rimless from Miracles.

WoW! Can't wait to see it too.

... watching for those pics of the old tank.