Ross' Massive Build

[deangelr]

Pieces are arriving!

 

[keving]

you setting up a breeding op?

 

[deangelr]

Lab space...

 

[keving]

If you need any free mysis for your lab, send me a message

 

[deangelr]

Thanks! PM otw..

 

[Jaypilot]

What size tanks are those, 20 talls?

 

[deangelr]

Yup.. 20g talls

 

[Mpek]

Looking like this is going to be a cool build. Interested to see what you do here. And heyyy Keving....I want free mysis! lol

 

[deangelr]

We decide to add a 3rd rack instead of putting 15 tanks on each rack we will have 10.. There wasn't enough clearance on the bottom row to make the sump water level where I wanted it..

 

[deangelr]

Looking like this is going to be a cool build. Interested to see what you do here

Thanks!

 

[keving]

How are you going to control photoperiod and temperature in a lab space like that?

 

[deangelr]

Temp is regulated with a thermostat and several heaters.. we keep ambient air temp at 77.. the room lighting is on a timer which will matched to tank lighting timers..

Our fish labs are very hot and humid.. so we do our wetlab stuff in a different space

 

[deangelr]

I need to support the tanks on all sides and so was thinking of using plywood (after painting).. thoughts?

 

[keving]

I know in a lot of cases the building go into energy saving mode at night, which can wreak havok on tropical systems. I'm sure your on top of that!

Support on all sides of the tank bottoms?

 

[deangelr]

This is our second room.. But we need to expand!

Our first lab looks like this:

It was an already built setup, where as now we are going completely custom.. maybe save a few bucks and maximize space a little better..



So I think well be ok.. I also keep a 'HOBO' thermometer in the system so I can check temperature changes over time.. Our system barely moves half a degree from day to night..



And yes, I think it is strongly recommended to support the tank bottom on all sides.. So I was thinking 5 ply plywood....

 

[keving]

I always just supported the ends on pressure treated 2 x4 s with foam on top for settling level. I have no experience with the rack your using so flex could be an issue. Marine ply is best for LONG term, but 5 ply(?marine) is good to if you seal it well with a marine grade paint or sealant

 

[deangelr]

Thats good to know.. Ill make sure and look for Marine ply.. I was planing on just giving the regular 5ply with a heavy duty coat of paint.. But this system needs to last for a while.. I would like to do it right (but within a budget)

 

[reefstew]

I am currently doing a massive build with 76 20 gal tanks & over the 2 x 4's I'm using 1/2" 5 ply plywood, primed & painted & then 1/2" Styrofoam over that.

It looks like you have little room to work with the top of the tank so close to the shelf above it.

 

[keving]

yes, the weak area of the wood is the sides or ply. Thats were water will try to penetrate and cause problems down the road. Marine ply is quite a bit more, but you will never have to replace it

 

[deangelr]

I am currently doing a massive build with 76 20 gal tanks & over the 2 x 4's I'm using 1/2" 5 ply plywood, primed & painted & then 1/2" Styrofoam over that.

It looks like you have little room to work with the top of the tank so close to the shelf above it.

Check out the shelf to the right.. The ones on the left were just set up as storage so we had somewhere to put the tanks... 76! That is larger than our both our labs put together Haha.. Nice!

Where do you get the Styrofoam? Any brand names or types?

And when I went to Lowes and asked for primer and paint they gave me a 2 in 1 primer and paint.. Any recommendations there?


Thanks!