Overboard's 8 foot 360 Gallon Build

Overboard

Overboard

Premium Member
My last large set up, an 8 1/2 foot set of tanks totaling 305 gallons, was sold way back in 2004. Finally, after "making do" with a 150 for several years, I am working on a large tank once again.

I had been working on different ideas for a custom build (really like Minh's tank) when I ran across a great deal on a used 360 gallon tank. 8 feet long, 31 inches tall and 30 inches deep. It has steel framing and came with a tubular steel stand. It was built as a peninsula-style tank so the overflow box is on the left side if placed against a wall, but I could live with that. It also came with a large acrylic sump, Hammerhead pump (will use it with the water station), and a PVC liner for the stand.

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I couldn't resist so a deal was struck and I proceeded to have our old style built-in entertainment center ripped out. (My 150 is to the left.) A side benefit is it gave me a good reason to upgrade our TV to a 65" Sony which we mounted on the wall vacated by my 150.

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Because my space was only 2 inches longer than 8 feet, I had the regular sheetrock pulled and Hardi-Backer installed to help deal with moisture. I also added plumbing to a water station in my garage and, of course, extra power outlets.

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The finished product looks good.


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So the tank was delivered. As expected, it barely fit.

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My twin 10 year old grandsons fit easily.

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Installed, it is clear the tank could not have been any larger and still fit in the space I had available.
 
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The next step was the cabinetry. I found a local cabinet maker that is a serious perfectionist and even though he had never built a canopy or stand before, he researched and thought through the construction extremely well.

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I am very happy with the finished canopy and stand skirt.

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Very nice build.

Did you just paint over the Hardi backer board?

Any plans on dealing with the humidity from such a big tank?

How is the steel frame going to hold up? Is it powder coated or something?

Again looks like you are going to have fun with this tank
 
Very nice, I really like that color you went with on the woodwork....that's a much better height for the TV too :)
 
sfsuphysics said:
Very nice build.

Did you just paint over the Hardi backer board?

Any plans on dealing with the humidity from such a big tank?

How is the steel frame going to hold up? Is it powder coated or something?

Again looks like you are going to have fun with this tank
Click to expand...


Definitely having fun!

Heat and humidity have definitely been a concern. I intend to go back to my old school ways and use some MH lighting in the set up, and I know those guys get hot.

The Hardi was floated and textured like regular sheetrock, but the paint used was egg-shell/semi-gloss that would be a little harder than flat paint. There is a little room between the tank and the walls. About 6 inches behind the tank and an inch on either side. I will have circulating fans blowing up all three surfaces to help move humidity out. The stand is "vented" across the front at the bottom to help pull in fresh air (the idea anyway). Might have to tinker with the final placement of fans, but the idea is to keep the air moving away from the walls. I have the ability to add an A/C vent into the canopy, if needed.

The stand was powder coated already. It had been in use for 6-7 years and still looked very good. I just had to remove remnants of the previous wood skirt that were glued tot he steel tubing.
 
jrpdriver said:
Very nice, I really like that color you went with on the woodwork....that's a much better height for the TV too :)
Click to expand...

I agree!! The built in cabinetry came from the era of large DLP-style TV's that took up large areas. I basically mounted our flat panel across the front, but I never liked the look and it was very low. The new TV is at a much better viewing height, takes up almost no room, and is easily visible even in our kitchen.
 
Hi Bono,

A couple of reasons. I wanted full access via the cabinet doors (pics to follow) as the top does not open. Also, going back with metal halide lighting and the reflectors are pretty large (also pics to follow).

Thanks!
Mark
 
The canopy has a few features I really like.

First, it is designed to appear as four regular cabinet doors to match the four doors on the stand.




But it is actually two doors that swing up. Access inside the canopy is very good.




The doors are held open automatically by these hinges.




The lid is removable, but is also designed to vent heat, while limiting light spillage.





There is more work yet to be completed, including venting for a fan to bring in fresh air.

With MACNA coming soon, I will probably hold off work until after the conference, just to be sure there is not a good design idea or additional equipment I want to incorporate.
 
Love the canopy design can you tell us more about the hinges pls.

Ps hope to see you at MACNA
 
Not sure what happened to the linked photos. Here are a few.....











Update and new photos this weekend.
 
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