Modern 250 build. FINALLY!!!

[gon08]

Well I finally outgrew my little 40 gallon tank. I've been at this since the late 80's and even did it for a living for a while. I've setup tanks of almost
every shape and size, and have even had my own greenhouse. For the last 5 years I have gone simple with a 40 gal that started out as FOWLR tank and morphed several times from predators to sea horses to mix LPS/ SOFT to SPS. Now the bug has finally hit me after almost 7 years since my last big tank and as of this week it's going to be a reality.

The tank will be a Marineland 250 DD 60x36x27 with a custom overflow (I don't like the plastic ones they come with). It's going to take about 7 weeks to have the tank built so that will give me time to work on the stand and electrical work.

This is the area where the tank will go.

 

[gon08]

After several weeks of mental debate and many back n forths with my better half, this is the design we have come up with.

 

[Gonzalex]

Tagging alone. Im already excited to see things come to life.

 

[gon08]

Thanks Guys. Progress may be slow at times.

 

[Gonzalex]

Sorry to be asking questions so early, but are those skylights above the tank in the sketch up or MH? If natural lighting where will the actinic or accent lighting go?

 

[gon08]

Sorry to be asking questions so early, but are those skylights above the tank in the sketch up or MH? If natural lighting where will the actinic or accent lighting go?

Im going with 3 250w HQI Lumen Bright fixtures. The drawing just shows them on the ceiling but they will actually hang a bit lower. I will build an aluminum frame to tie them all together with room for some night lighting also.

Tomorrow I will start adding 2 new circuits to the existing one on that wall. The pumps will run on one circuit, the lighting on another, and the chiller will run on the third circuit. Once the wires are run I can start with the demo of the existing walls. I need to keep the mess to a minimum and the build up as fast as possible to keep the harmony in the house (the wife will complain less).

 

[gon08]

Made some progress with the woodwork this week. I have a business to run so I have to do it whenever I get some free time.

 

[dzfish17]

Looks like a fun project. GL.

 

[Gonzalex]

Will it be sitting on a stand alone frame or built into the frame work of the enclosure?

 

[gon08]

It will sit on it's own frame then incorporated into the surrounding framework. I hope to get that built this week.

 

[redneckgearhead]

Subscribed. Now you might be able to get some tangs........




I seen an older post where you where critiqued for your tangs in your 40, so I had to give you a hard time about it. Plans look good, good luck! Cant wait to see it finished.

 

[gon08]

Subscribed. Now you might be able to get some tangs........




I seen an older post where you where critiqued for your tangs in your 40, so I had to give you a hard time about it. Plans look good, good luck! Cant wait to see it finished.

Funny thing is I was getting ready to give the tangs to my cousin cause they really have outgrown the tank but now if they can just hang in there another month or so they get to relocate to another part of the house instead.

 

[Esardog]

Progress at times does seem sooo slow doesn't it. But you are moving along and I am enjoying the ride. Good job!!

 

[redneckgearhead]

Funny thing is I was getting ready to give the tangs to my cousin cause they really have outgrown the tank but now if they can just hang in there another month or so they get to relocate to another part of the house instead.

Good to hear! Im sure they will be fine for another month or two!

 

[gon08]

Good to hear! Im sure they will be fine for another month or two!

Or four :beer:

 

[naldopr]

this is the tank I want this will be a nice set up!!!

 

[trickedout900]

Love the look you are going for. Modern is an awesome look. Do you know what type of wood you will be facing it with?

 

[gon08]

There is actually very little wood going into the exterior. The walls will be plaster to match the existing walls but the doors will be will be espresso stained Wenge which wil match the furniture in the living room. The walls will be a bone color.

 

[gon08]

The ledges on the front and side will be black granite. Also the lighting will look a little different. I might build an aluminum frame that will tie all the fixtures together and can be raised and lowered mechanically to access the tank....... hold that thought..... As I am typing I can see my green chromis doing the nasty dance.... they just spawned a huge clutch of eggs on the magnet that I forgot to take out of the tank. Oh well.

 

[Ruskin]

Looks like a promising start. I like the extra depth of the tank. Will be following along.