JT's Oceanic Ultimate

[jthomps123]

Hello, this thread will chronicle my - Jason's - Oceanic 156 Ultimate build.

I feel a little apprehensive about starting a 156 in the 'large reef' forum but i've been lurking here for so long I feel obligated. Last summer I purchased a Starfire 225 that sat in my garage until 1 month ago (I sold it) - and I got the 'urge' to upgrade again right after I sold it. Right now I have a mixed 75. The 225 had 2 6" overflows which essentially reduced the 24" front-to-back depth to 18" - which I wasnt in love with. Which is why I had not reservations with letting it go.

My new Oceanic Ultimate 156 is virgin - no overflows or drills yet. I will be adding a possible 12" overflow with a Herbie drain, which will leave all my floor real estate free.

Equipment ready to deploy:
Alpha 250 Skimmer
3x Tunze powerheads
1x Vortech MP40
75 gal sump
Quite One 4000 x2 return pump(s)
1x Icecap 250 / Lumenbright, will add another most likely
IceCap 660

Equipment on my mind for future purchase:
Geo Calc RX
Ehiem 1262 for return
... and more I cant think of right now.

My setup is in its infancy and im open to suggestions on every aspect. Please chime in with any constructive criticisms!

Thanks!

 

[jthomps123]

The Stand

I used a simplified version of RocketEngineer's DIY Stand for the framework. I wanted to use 1x4's instead of 2x4's but when I started the stand I didnt not know the actual dimensions of the tank/trim. Only the rough dimensions so I used 2x4's as a cushion. I would surely have rather used 3/4" plywood to build the stand but my woodworking expertise or lack thereof was an impediment to that venture - while I have 'decent' wood working tools IMO I have neither the experience nor skill to build a plywood stand that I would have felt comfortable with.

The following is the build process

First off the Kreg Pocket Jig - I love this thing! Used it all over!

The top frame getting glued - I used 2x6's as I do not plan to use center supports.
BTW my tank dimensions are: L 60.5 x W 24.5 x H 25

The top frame done - dont worry, bubble distortion from the camera lens is making the lengths look bowed!

I need more room! How does anyone get buy with a single 'car' garage?! Just kidding, im lucky to have what I have!

Attaching the legs - the stand will be about 40.4" tall when all is said and done.

Have I said how much I liked the pocket jig?

 

[jthomps123]

The horizontal anti-sway supports being installed.

The top joints after being planed and belt-sanded. I picked through the best dimensional lumber Lowes had (most was pretty good) but still had to work it.

Completed frame:

2 coats of primer and sealant on:

Top trim installed:

Top trim painted:

Thats as far as I have gotten - as a novice woodworker it has taken me 3 nights to get only this far. I hope to pick up the pace soon...

 

[sbanks78]

cool man looking good so far! no center brace? any pics of current tank?

 

[jtgrimes]

Nice! I see you started your thread.

 

[jthomps123]

So I didnt like the first finish on the trim...

So off it came, sanded, and I repainted and used Min-Wax Poly Spray for the finish...

I added an extra layer of the laminate as a little extra insurance...

The only way I was moving the stand by myself:

And the stand in its new location:

So even though there are no baffles in it yet, I decided to test fit the sump - a 75 gallon Aqueon (which I think used to be All-Glass), plus I wanted to make some room in the garage

Test fitting the skimmer and trying out two new-to-me Tunze 6100's:

Started to cycle some rock I had lying around though I probably wont use much if any of it:

Well thats about it for now...

Next steps:
1- Drill the display after getting hole saws.
2- Pick up glass for overflow and install.
3- Move display into place and install plumbing. I will leak test from inside!

Question for the experts:
In lieu of installing an overflow, would a single herbie syphon stand-pipe drain be very detrimental as far as surface skimming goes. Plan to push maybe 800-1200 gph through the return, and have 3 tunze and 1 vortech for flow. I want to keep the display as clean as possible...

 

[billgraf]

Bump. I am trying to get to 50 posts so I can break my tank down and sell it here, sorry i just don't have much to say

 

[jtgrimes]

Really Billgraf? Really? Nice Tank dude. Gonna look really good once everything is up and running. Let me know if you need anymore help.

 

[jthomps123]

OK, a little bit of progress (thanks to jtgrimes for the help!)

Plumbing came in...
1.5" bulkheads with street 90 standpipes installed.

So it came time to drill the tank... I had done it before, up to 2" holes but not a brand new tank this size. Nerves were running high but it proved no trouble at all...

Plumbers putty down and hole marked... time to roll.

I drilled a hole through a 2x4 (with a wood hole saw of course!) as a guide until the diamond bit made a good groove. Note that after I was about 2/3 drilled through the glass I clamped wood to the opposite side to reduce chipping.

It took a good 5 minutes or so to get through the 1/2" glass, although I think I probably could have use more pressure. I let the weight of the drill provide all the pressure. My 2500 RPM power drill proved a much better glass driller than my 1500 RPM drill.

Woohoo... tank has landed into its final resting place... and a little bit of water for the heck of it.

About 1/3 third full...

A couple pics of the holes... I used Ebay/Hong Kong diamond bits, with wood clamps on the reverse side to minimize chipping.

OK so I had to jump way ahead and throw some lights on! Old burnt out Giesseman Actinic T5... I will only be using the one branch rock on the left - great piece aint it!

Up next:
Get sump done - baffles installed. Finish plumbing.

 

[strout]

It is a great piece, lol. I saw it in your first pic of your sump when you said you most likely wouldn't use any of that rock and I was fixing to PM you and say " I will buy that one piece off of you " Would be a nice piece to put some mushrooms and some Ricordeas on. Anyway, nice build and I will be tagging along for the ride, lots of pics please.

 

[jthomps123]

Yeah, from another angle it looks like two giraffes having fun lol. I was thinking a tabling acro on top, and maybe and encrusting monti below it... but we'll see!

 

[Blinding Reef]

lmao..before i read your post..i was thinking that it looked like two giraffes plucking away..great build so far, liking the BB look. Congrats and keep us updated.

 

[pookstreet]

Looking good so far. One observation though. If you are staying BB, get a sheet of starboard or PVC and put it at the bottom of your tank. If any of your rocks get knocked over or tumbles, they'll crack the bottom pane.

 

[jthomps123]

Thanks for the comments. BB is just temporary.

 

[jtgrimes]

I told you about the giraffes! Lol.

 

[sean obergfell]

What is the set up on the bulkheads? how for from the top and how big are the holes? how many are you using? I have been searching for answeres for this...I love what I see....I"m putting in a 120 and want to go bulkeads...Hope you dont mind me asking
thanks

 

[Shane Hoffman]

Looks awesome!!!

One question though, do you intend on petting something over the overflow to stop fishies from taking a wild ride to the sump???

 

[Shane Hoffman]

*putting*

 

[jthomps123]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15622016#post15622016 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sean obergfell
What is the set up on the bulkheads? how for from the top and how big are the holes? how many are you using? I have been searching for answeres for this...I love what I see....I"m putting in a 120 and want to go bulkeads...Hope you dont mind me asking
thanks

Sorry for the delay, been on vacation.

The bulkheads are 1.5" x 2 for the drains. And a single 1" return. I think i drilled the drains 3" below the top, and the return about 2" below the rim, i'll double check when I can.

Looks awesome!!!

One question though, do you intend on petting something over the overflow to stop fishies from taking a wild ride to the sump???

Thanks! I do plan on some sort of screen, havent figured that out yet since it will be a herbie/syphon drain, whatever it is will have to be submerged.

 

[slant77]

Do you plan to have walls on your stand?