Shannon Dual 210 Gallon Tank build

[extremeshannon]

Getting Close

Getting Close

Here are some updates. I am hoping to start cycling the tank by 1 June 2012. More pics in a week.

• Ordered 650lbs of rock from reef rocks. Has been difficult to get it to me. It should arrive in Washington at the shipper today. Hopefully next week I pick it up at the dock.
• I have been promised the wood would be done and ready for stain and install when I get home Thursday.
• I finished painting and all drywall downstairs.
• Lights are all wired and working. They look great.
• Still need to put optics on and pot them in.

Here is a picture of one light set up. Only picture I have with me.

 

[Dustin1300]

Shannon, thanks for the update. That's better than nothing. Just was wanting to see those lights you were so meticulous with building. Looks like they turned out well and looking for to a full update

 

[extremeshannon]

Shannon, thanks for the update. That's better than nothing. Just was wanting to see those lights you were so meticulous with building. Looks like they turned out well and looking for to a full update

The lights turned out awesome. Friends coming over were asking me what was going on in the garage. The lights were radiating out and impressed everyone. I was a little worried first plugging them in hoping I did everything right.:dance:

 

[fazilosman]

Dang, those are alot of LED's... Guess we will be seeing more northern lights soon.. The build looks great and I will be tagging along.

 

[allsps40]

Sweet build. Very nicely done DIY LED setup.

 

[bigguyuk]

Wow dude what a build On board following this one

 

[extremeshannon]

Update 26 May 2012

Update 26 May 2012

Alright time for another update.
Received 650lbs or rock from reefrock. Hope to start putting in tank tomorrow.
Got the finish wood hung today. Taking it off to start staining. Got both light working and looking great. Still more work on them. Fixed the ceiling in front of tank and painted room.

 

[extremeshannon]

13 boxes of rock.

 

[BWine]

Nice build so far. Can't wait to see it up and running! :thumbsup:

 

[extremeshannon]

Long overdue Update.

Long overdue Update.

Long overdue update.

Water

Got the rock from reef rock and put in tank along with sand. After running my RO/DI unit for days got the tanks filled. Salinity is good and got circulation between the transfer tank, Display tanks, and the sump. Still working on getting the correct flow and getting rid of micro bubles. All 4 pumps are working there magic and running strong. I got 100 Gallons of water, 2 lbs of sand, and 3 live rocks from the LFS. This will hopefully help seed and tank. Before I left for work on Thursday I tossed in 6 fresh raw shrimp into the tanks.

Stand

Tim got all the wood stained and polyed. The panels are back on and looking good. Still some tweaks to be done but getting there. We also put dynamat on the panels to make it quieter. Still need to figure out shocks or dampeners to hold the doors open on top and cut out a few pieces for between the tanks and the back to completely block off.

Lights

Got the lights almost done. Got all the optics glues on and splash shields cut. Put the hangers inside the cabinet and hung them up. I decided after mounting the Electronics on top of the light frame to remove them and put on wall at end of tank. This will make it easier for me to work on and replace. I pulled the lights back out to pot them. The sylguard is curing as we speak and has a cure time of 14 days. I will be working on Moon light placement when I get home so I can get the lights back into the enclosure.

Automation

Got network to the garage where the Main Apex unit will live and got the aquabus between the walls. My apex unit is online and I am running the tank through my iPad now. Next week when I get home I need to get the rest of the modules mounted and connected, connect the break out boxes so I can start installing my floats and figuring out my water levels. Also I need to mount my renew water change system and top off. I plan to use a 10 gallon tank for top off water right now. I need to get my Life Reef skimmer up and going, plus I have 4 Life Reef filter canisters I need to mount and I am thinking I need a separate pump for those. Might have to drill out sump for another pump.

Cleaning the Tank

Rock

Mermaid

Rock in Tank

Water Filling

 

[extremeshannon]

Staining

DynaMat the Stand

 

[extremeshannon]

Lets put it together

light it up

 

[Dustin1300]

Looks amazing. Can't wait until I can get my 600 gallon DT to this stage! Keep up the good work...

 

[extremeshannon]

Update: getting close

Update: getting close

Quick update on my reef tank. I have 3 chromis living in my system. They have been there a week and everything is looking good. The tank has been cycling for about 6 weeks now. I have got my Renew water change system up and running changing 5 gallons a day. I just started this a few days ago. My Life Reef Vs72 is up and running and getting a little bit out of it. My lights are working pretty good. I still need to tweek the settings a little. I have my Apex system controlling the tank. Still working on getting everything set up the way i want. All and all looking good.

 

[Dustin1300]

Shannon, long overdue update I think

How's the tanks going and how is the LED lighting working out for you?

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

The progress has been phenomenal. I cant wait for the updates too.

 

[petere1989]

whats the reasoning behind two separate tanks over one large one? j/w. great build though and can't wait to see updates!!