Miracles in Glass 150 / 200 system build

[JRF]

Hi
Well here is the start of my Miralces tank build...Thanks to Frank ( ReefConcepts ), Alan ( EnglishRebel ) the official photographer, and a couple non-reefer freinds in getting this thing into the house and on the stand...I wont reveal the identities of who is who in the pictures, you willl just have to guess !! I live on a dead end street and the tank was delivered by a full size semi KenWorth ! So we had to drive my Van up to the shopping center and load it onto my Van, and drive it down to the house..weighed about 300 lbs. Tank is 48"x24"x30" ( LWH ) , external overflow, drilled for a 4way OM and 2 return lines drilled on the upper back in each corner, with around 60 gallons of sump..Stand is homemade covered in slate tile...more to come !!

 

[vetdog]

do you have any other pics of the stand? this is going to be a great build! subscribed

 

[JRF]

Here are some stand pics....just a basic 2x4 frame with plywood top, primed for protection. I covered the frame with Hardibacker board ( no pic of that ) which is sort of like a concrete board used for tile..I made 2 doors in the stand, one on front and one on the side..The hardest part of the stand build was grouting the tile, man that was messy and not fun!! When using slate tile, always use a sanded grout. The photo actaully makes the tile look "more colorful" than it really is in person, in reality the tile colors are there but much more muted. Oh, and when using slate tile, it is always best to seal it with a good stone sealer.

 

[EnglishRebel]

Great tank Jeff. I hurt my back taking those shots I'll have you know. Frank tried to hide behind the overflow in the first shot but I managed to catch him working in the others. :rollface:

 

[reefconcepts]

Jeff, Great start on your latest tank, keep the thread going. Remember what I always tell ya, it's only time and $$$$$$. Alan I think you hurt your back when you adjusted the Styrofoam not taking the pictures. LOL..

 

[teesquare]

Jeff:
Great start!
You got Alan and Frank there. SO you must have been trolling with fried chicken and kidney pie HA!
I really like the tile on the stand. Keep us posted on the plumbing, etc.
T

 

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14874736#post14874736 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefconcepts
Alan I think you hurt your back when you adjusted the Styrofoam not taking the pictures. LOL..

Frank
That stuff is heavier than it looks. :lol:

 

[JRF]

Thanks fella's ! So far its just us here in this thread ( which doesnt surprise me ) and thanks VetDog for joinin in! We will see where this goes, I will post some plumbing pics a bit later..I actually have the tank up and running now and let me tell you, the Blackfin 3600 really pushes the water around through the 4 way !!!!

 

[JRF]

Hey T2 , when they heard the word "beer" thats all it took and they came over in droves to help, LOL....just kidding, since I dont drink they had to settle on pizza and water !! LOL

 

[teesquare]

Could have furnished root - beer for Frank........I suppose..? LOL
T

 

[hk45]

I really like the tile.

 

[spsfreak]

Jeff - looking good Bro. I hate I missed hanging with you and the guys.... bad back + car wreck = more bad back = no help to you. Plus I was on call the first of the week.... I'll get up there to see yours and Alan's setup soon. Now I just need to find time to work on mine!!!! Anyway good job, can't wait to see it filled up.

EDIT: Oh, almost forgot.... SUBSCRIBED!!!

 

[rastarainy]

looks great! that tiled stand is amazing man.

oh by the way, whats the lighting you have hanging over that mammoth of a tank?

 

[JRF]

Thanks Matt, come on up anytime , as a matter of fact, Frank, Alan and I are going out to a ladies house in Advance or Yadkin area this Saturday evening to see what corals she has to sell..she is tearing down 2 tanks to make one new tank and is selling off some stuff...we will meet at my house at 6 pm this Saturday, come on if you can!!

rastarainy - thanks !! I am very pleased with the way the stand turned out..the lighting is 2 - 400W LumenMax II pendants. I will run 20K bulbs...with Electronic Gallaxy Ballasts..I still have to make a top for the tank...

 

[JRF]

Here are a few plumbing pics....Hey Alan...beware..the last pic will show that you have a contender for "tidiest tank plumbing" !! LOL !! And wait till you see my sump area, you will be jealous !!

showing - the 4 returns drilled in the bottom of tank for the 4way, and the intake for the 4way pump..

You will see the 4way mounted in the middle of the stand...where is the pump...? In the basement? NO ! It is in the crawlspace..!

Also note the 2 returns in the upper back corners for my return pump located in the sump , in the closet behind the tank ( pics of that later )...

And I forgot to mention, 3 sides starphire glass, and the overflow has a removable acrylic teeth insert for easy cleaning - like your dentures! And 2 , 1.5" drains in the overflow with 2 Durso's.

 

[teesquare]

What kind of screening is that on your OM-4 (Closed Loop) intake, Jeff?
T

 

[jrreese]

Hey JRF, I'm tagging along for this one. Ordered a M in G tank first of the month, and just recieved my two 4 ways for the CL's yestereday. I'm going to copy your plumbing of the 4 way if that cool And diddo on the ? about the screen on the cl intake. Love your stand by the way ... jr

 

[JRF]

T2 and jrreese
This is the plastic screen tube I used:
http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/821/Mesh-Tubes-Plastic/rt244/0

That plastic screen was Frank ( Reefconcepts ) idea

I just plugged the open top end with a pvc reducer and plastic screen so nothing can get down into it..

jrreese - go for it!

 

[teesquare]

I lke the tubular screen- That Frank can figure out ways to do things that most follks would not ever think of. Some that might even be illegal in a few states..................LOL.............
T

 

[JRF]

Yeah, ole Frank is full of....................good ideas !! LOL