Mark's 180 Starfire upgrade

[mpoletti]

I have been amazed by some of the tank builds here in the large reef tank forum and on Reef Central in general. So it is my turn to contribute.
I currently have a 90 gallon that is way too full. Instead of trying to decide what I want to keep and what I want to get rid of, I am going to upgrade my tank to a 180 with the dimensions of 72 x 24 x 24. This will also allow me to trade away the fish and coral that don't do it anymore.
I just ordered my tank so I have 4 weeks until it will be ready for pick up. I plan on doing the switch a roo sometime in March. Yes, I will documenting a full tank take down and rebuild in a 72 hour period.

Here are a two CADs of my new tank's design.

Here is a picture from November of my 90 that I will be taking down.

I know that the actual tank build is still 6-8 weeks out, but I still have a few things to decide on and with your help, I think I will be able to get everything ironed out. Thank you and I hope that you will enjoy this as much as I will.

 

[mpoletti]

I will be making my own stand and canopy. The canopy will house a 72" maristar lighting by SLS. I have the 48" version on my 90 and I really enjoy the colors.

I already have my two tunze 6055 nanostreams that are on a multicontroller. I have one vortech currently and will be adding a second before it is all said and done.

I am leaning to towards upgrading my Precision Marine Ca reactor and I think I will be using the AquaC RX-1 here shortly.

 

[mpoletti]

I have decided on a reeflo snapper as my return pump. I will have it split off with one side feeding to my Tradewinds chiller and then returning to the tank. The other line will be feeding my reactor pump and media reactor using John Guest valves before returning to the tank. I will be using some sort of motion device as my return lines. That is what the two holes in the eurobracing are for.

 

[Jar*Head]

Sound like a great setup Mark. BTW, i found a good place to order the Eheim 1262 for cheap. PM me for more info....

 

[ycnibrc]

hi Mark I love your design but on the over flow you don't need it to go all the way down to the bottom that way you can put a wave box in the back if you want to add it in the future.

 

[Jar*Head]

ehhh, he doesn't want people to think he is cheap cuz of the hang on the back overflow... You may saved couple bucks but the real overflow worth a lot more... hahahah J/K

 

[mpoletti]

Thanks guys. Just a small update.

I have decided to go with the aquaC RX-1 calcium reactor. I really like the footprint design as well as the output it produces.

I was able to track down a 12 foot 4x6 that I will be using to reinforce my flooring. The tank will be positioned on a wall that is already attached to the foundation so and extra three foundation posts 24 inches from the wall will only help me sleep a little easier.

I am still in the process of choosing my exact stain and wood type, but hopefully by the end of week I will have some pictures to add to this thread.

 

[Maximus]

Hey Mark, since this tank will be custom, have you ever thought about going with a tank that has a 36" width? My last tank was 36" wide and it was amazing. It was a Leemar tank as well. Just some food for thought.

 

[mpoletti]

If I went 36 wide, it would come with divorce papers It is located in my front room and there is no way. To be honest, when she said yes to these dimensions, I was really surprised.

 

[Maximus]

Get your priorities straight! Order the 36 incher then beg for forgiveness when it arrives.

 

[mpoletti]

I could just tell her that I am not very good with a tape measure.

 

[Jar*Head]

Just blame it all to the tank maker . I ask my wife to let me have the 6x4x2 and ended up with the 8x4x2 that is not include the ext overflow which is another 6". I don't think she could tell the different unless she break out the tape measure then i'll be screwed....

I agree with Maximus, 36" is sweet. You saw my 48" deep

 

[mpoletti]

How about this; I promise to do my next tank 36" deep

 

[tbone28]

How bout at least 30" deep? I went with a 180g like you, and after seeing tanks like Edward's (Invincible569), makes me really regret not going deeper!

 

[Jar*Head]

Is that 10yrs from now? Mark, another 6" would make a big diff, your wife couldn't tell hehehehe

 

[brianbigoats]

Mark
if you need some help with your tank move let me know
looks sweet

 

[Jar*Head]

She may crack the whip on you if the tank cost double but another 6" doesn't cost much

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11665612#post11665612 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28
How bout at least 30" deep? I went with a 180g like you, and after seeing tanks like Edward's (Invincible569), makes me really regret not going deeper!

Why'd you think I chose 30"?

 

[mpoletti]

Thanks Brian. I am still loking forward for your move. To have an elos 160 empty should be against the law.

 

[Maximus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11665447#post11665447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marko9
I could just tell her that I am not very good with a tape measure.

Are we still talking about fish tanks here?