**Rob's 155g SPS Reef**

[phenom5]

Hey ta_lewis, I've got 1x2s that I am going to run the mounting screws through. I had to pick up some longer screws (#10/ 32 BTW), and the 1x2s had a little more flex to them than I like, so I am going to add some additional support.

I'll get some pictures for you once I get to that point.

 

[PRSPLYR]

Rob, that looks sweet, I never thought of making the stand larger than the tank but I really like that look. Now you have my wheels turning.....

Lou

 

[phenom5]

Thanks Lou. The 92" stand fits the space. I woulda loved a 92"x24" custom tank...but that would've blown the budget!

I built the stand with the bulk of the support on the corners of the tank. The 10" "wings" on the side aren't bearing the weight so much as they are filling space.

 

[phenom5]

I have been working on getting things moving. Originally I built an electrical box, but it was way too cramped, and it would have been way too hard to change/ add/ remove electrical equipment. So I opened things up a bit.





I am going to stick with the RKL for the time being, because honestly...I have it, and I am hemorrhaging money at this point. I may upgrade down the road, but I am not sure. Practically everything comes with a dedicated controller these days anyway.

I have most of my plumbing supplies, but I don't have a sump or ATO reservoir. I'm waiting to see if Petco is going to have their $1/ gal sale.

In the mean time, I am going to wire everything up, and I still need to seal the inside of the stand with silicon. I'll bide my time doing that for now.

I did get the first light hung!

-TA Lewis- I'll get some pictures of how I am hanging the lights for you tonight.

 

[phenom5]

Got the lights hung.





ta_lewis - Here's how I hung the lights. I created a little space with the nuts that came with the #10/32x 2" screws I bought to make sure there is plenty of airflow, and no heat issues.

 

[aquaph8]

Can we move it in the house now or what?

 

[MurphysLaw]

Haha 4 reelzies

 

[aquaph8]

Haha 4 reelzies

Don't go anywhere, I'm gonna come for you next slacker, haha

 

[phenom5]

Still have to build the sump, plumb it, and leak test it...but good to know I have volunteers to move it when I'm ready. :thumbsup:

 

[MurphysLaw]

Let me know. Be glad to help if I can.

 

[aquaph8]

Me too Rob, happy to help. That goes for you too Wade, if you ever need anything.

 

[evo_2679]

Awesome stand Rob !! Everything looking great / can't wait to see this bad boy up and running !!!

 

[phenom5]

Progress on the tank has slowed a bit. Life and work have been keeping me plenty busy lately.

I've been getting everything laid out, and sealed the inside of the stand.
The biggest delay is being caused by me not having my sump. I was waiting to see if I could pick something up cheap from Petco's $1/ gal sale, but I may have to just breakdown and buy it.

2 minor issues.

I was dry-fitting my plumbing. I must have push on the plumbing enough to really jam up the male threaded adapter that was screwed into the under side of my bulkhead. After a fair amount of effort and colorful language, I gave up. I cut the bulkhead nut off. I have and extra bulkhead, I can get another pvc threaded adapter.

My other problem required minor surgery on one of my Hydra FiftyTwo units. Seems my makeshift standoffs didn't quite work as well as I planned and I over tightened my mounting screws just a bit. I had an LED on the "front" and the "back" puck not lighting up.

AI Support was great. The person I dealt with was responsive, and thankfully, despite the fact that I did the damage myself, he quickly sent out some replacement pucks.

Swapping them out was easy, and the light is back to 100%.















Hopefully I will get everything setup, plumbed and test soon so I can get the tank in the house.

 

[phenom5]

The tank has water!

Okay, so it is only about 50 gals or so of freshwater, but progress none the less. I've been busy, so I've been taking on little chunks of the build as they come along.

I need to get my sump built. I've got the drains plumbed, but I need to get a couple (more) fittings to get the return setup. And I need to get the BRS reactors set up. Other than that, I think we are just about (finally) ready.

Plan as of now is to have the tank in the house in a couple of weeks. Then have the cycle kick off early Nov.

I'd love to have it up and running tomorrow, but I know that ain't gonna happen.

 

[phenom5]

There is a light at the end of a the tunnel.

Everything is setup. Tank is plumbed, sump is setup. Tomorrow I will be leak testing the plumbing, and a week from tomorrow the tank will be moved into place!

 

[phenom5]

Moving Day!!!!

Finally...after what has seemed like an eternity, I am looking at the tank, in place, slowly filling with RO/DI.

I've been working away at getting everything squared away with the plumbing, and the layout.

So today, the tank got moved in.

Huge thanks to Justin and Dominic from Fishy Biz for helping...err...doing all the work (thankfully, since I tweaked my back this weekend).

So now this build can really get moving!

Hoping to be ready for sand and rock this weekend...maybe.

So, here it is. I finally decided I needed to switch from my phone to a real camera. Will need to dial the camera in to the new lighting.







The view from my seat on the couch...

 

[danfeig]

Looks great Rob!

 

[kresDFW]

Great build, I've been looking at the DSA 155 and 175 myself and trying to decide if I want to venture into building the stand myself. I really like how you added the extra room on the sides to fill the space.

 

[phenom5]

Looks great Rob!

Thanks Dan. Seems like it's taken forever to get to this point, but now that the tank is up, I'm pumped!

Great build, I've been looking at the DSA 155 and 175 myself and trying to decide if I want to venture into building the stand myself. I really like how you added the extra room on the sides to fill the space.

I really, really considered the 175. The extra 3" front to back make for some sweet dimensions. I say if you have the room, go for the 175.

Speaking of filling the space...there was a rather big, Oh S%&@! moment getting the tank/ stand in. At the back corner, there was a little bow to the ply, and for a second, I thought the tank wasn't going to fit. Talk about a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. With me pushing on the side, and the guys pulling the tank...we got it to go in (obviously). But there was a moment of panic on my part.

 

[phenom5]

Good news, good news, bad news

Good news numero uno - The tank is running...with saltwater!!! Finally. The water is up to temp, I am just bringing it up to 35ppt. Going to pick up rock tomorrow, maybe sand. I might wait on sand until I get the aquascape set.

Good news numero dos - Got my pre-sale window for a Maxspect Gyre!

Bad news - The overflow teeth are too deep...maybe? The waterline is about 1/8-1/4" below the trim on the top of tank. Really...ugh. Standing, you can't really see it. Sitting you can.

Any thoughts on raising the waterline?
I could either increase the height of the drain pipes (beananimal drains), or I could cut out 1/4" or so of acrylic and glue/ silicon it to the inside of the overflow at the bottom of the teeth.

Thoughts?

Will increasing the height of the standpipes by 1/2" or so increase the water level? If so, I'll probably do that, since it would be super cheap, and super easy.