Pickupman's 180 build.

[Pickupman66]

OK. so thing change, plans get altered. This past weekend I picked up a 180 Glass Cages Starphire tank, stand and all the goodies. Yes, I am doing this tank instead of the 225. The 225 is for sale and will make a great tank for someone else hopefully very soon!

Anyways, I got rock, 2 fish, skimmer, Ca Reactor, Chiller, pumps, outlets, lights, sump...an entire system. we loaded into the back of my truck for a 600 mile ride. Everything made it safely to the house. all but the tank was unloaded when I arrived and the tank was put into the house yesterday. Today was spent cleaning, prepping and getting it ready to use.

Loaded and REady to travel. I recommend using a MUCH longer trailer as this one bucked the whole way home. longer trailer = smoother ride.

Rock in the 150 gallon sump. this is my rock and the new rock. it will cook here until i get the new tank running. im guessing i have close to 300lbs of rock. from fist sized pieces to chunks 2' across. all this sitting in what we will affectionately call SUMPZILLA.

the pumps...one barracuda and one Dart. these have been cleaned and are ready for service.

Now the cleaned tank installed in its spot.

:dance::dance::dance:

 

[Pickupman66]

the entire setup is set on a 1" thick foam board just in case anyone cares. I did this to make sure it leveled itself and to make sure it evenly distributed the weight. we were going to remove the carpet and pad, but decided against that. I kind of like the look..

Overall concept will be an island on each end with one small center tower to hide the closed loop intake. I wish It didnt have the massive overflows, but hey, you cannot look a gift horse in the mouth.

 

[Pickupman66]

the entire setup is set on a 1" thick foam board just in case anyone cares. I did this to make sure it leveled itself and to make sure it evenly distributed the weight. we were going to remove the carpet and pad, but decided against that. I kind of like the look..

Overall concept will be an island on each end with one small center tower to hide the closed loop intake. I wish It didnt have the massive overflows, but hey, you cannot look a gift horse in the mouth.

 

[bigsink]

Looks good!

 

[strout]

Looks like it cleaned up nice, tagging along for the ride.

 

[Pickupman66]

Got to get the plumbing started yesterday evening. what you are looking at are the closed loop supply and returns (angled pipes) both done in 1 1/2" pipe and the overflows ( the 45's and 90's are not glued) in 1 1/2" pipe. I forgot to purchase the 1" connectors I need to connect the tank returns, but the setup looks the same except at the 90's I will reduce down to 1" from 1 1/2". I went this route as that is what is there. at the 4 ways, I used a sewer junction because it made it very easy to convert down from the main 2" lines I am running from the sump. I also didnt get any of my 2" 45's or 90's. I will have to have these to get the runs into an air conditioning vent sized hole that will be cut thru the floor of the stand and the house. once there, I will install a 2" check valve for the main return line so I dont have to deal with siphon breaks. Im thinking about putting a valve in the stand on both the tank return and the loop return so I can adjust the flow here, vs doing it at the valves located by the pump disconnects. this means purchasing an extra 2" and extra 1 1/2" gate valves. Hmmm......

This is the glue I use. recommmended by a plumber friend of mine. the Rain or Shine cement. it can even be used with wet pipe as it sets EXTREMELY fast. just spread on both pieces of the joint, and push together and hold together for 10 seconds or so. after that, they are pretty well bonded. I think this suff can handle pressure in like 15 minutes. it is the best stuff to hold up to the marine environment. No primer needed!!! I LOVE the blue cause you know you have a good coat on there. the more the merrier...

how to use...
http://www.oatey.com/apps/catalog/instance_assets/assets/Video/solventweld_7mb.wmv