Stylo328's 187 (60x30x24) Build Thread

[Stylo328]

what about the ebay bubble magus knock offs? supposedly work very well and super cheap

Had never heard of them, but will check em out.

Looks like I'll be picking up the tank this weekend. Pictures will do this thread a lot of good.

Very excited to get started.

 

[gatoralum69]

IMHO...don't think you should go cheap on essential things of your tank. Skimmer I think is one of those

 

[Stylo328]

Following the advice of my friend's post above, I decided to purchase an ATB small skimmer for the tank. After having read several threads and reviews from both here in the US and Europe it appeared to be a great match for the new tank. Also purchased a 60", eight bulb T5 fixture. Both should be here by late next week.

I may start working on the stand this weekend.

 

[Stylo328]

Trying to decide whether to use a dosing pump for two-part or use my calcium reactor for this build.

Any suggestions?

 

[Stylo328]

This is my first post on the large reef tank forum but is a continuation of a thread I had previously started.

We were able to pick op the tank this past weekend. I know it's still dirty, but I couldn't resist mocking up the aquascape. I was able to keep all the rock at least four inches from all of the glass! Looking forward to your thoughts.

The plan is for a mixed reef, with select SPS, LPS, and zoanthids.

Thanks for checking it out.

 

[robs.mark]

i have a barebottom 187g bonsai style sps reef too!

 

[Stylo328]

i have a barebottom 187g bonsai style sps reef too!

Awesome! I'd really appreciate it if you could post some pictures on this thread.

Thanks.

 

[Stylo328]

Double post.

 

[robs.mark]

no worries im away with work until monday but ill be sure to do it as soon as i get home, its a great size tank, awesome aquascape options with the abili to keep some tangs too!

 

[Stylo328]

I currently own the following pumps Iwaki 40, Iwaki 70, Blue Line 55, Blue Line 100, and a Titanium T4. ( I cannot believe how much equipment we accumulate over the years).

The plan is to use a 75g aquarium for the sump. The debate is:

1: Do I use an internal eheim, or external from list above
2: Do I plumb a closed loop through two of the overflow holes, or rely on power heads.

Looking forward to you thoughts.

 

[victor_c3]

I currently own the following pumps Iwaki 40, Iwaki 70, Blue Line 55, Blue Line 100, and a Titanium T4. ( I cannot believe how much equipment we accumulate over the years).

The plan is to use a 75g aquarium for the sump. The debate is:

1: Do I use an internal eheim, or external from list above
2: Do I plumb a closed loop through two of the overflow holes, or rely on power heads.

Looking forward to you thoughts.

My next tank will definitely have an external pump. for a little bit more effort, you can avoid some pretty decent extra heat in your system. That's just a lesson I learned...

 

[Stylo328]

Thanks for the comment. I have historically always used an external pump, but lately I've seen several tanks on RC with internal.

If I do go with an external, I was thinking that the iwaki 40 with a few gate valves could feed a BRS dual reactor, possibly feed the CA reactor, and handle the return. I'm not looking for large volumes of water through the sump/ fuge.

Then the question becomes, do I plumb a closed loop with one of the other higher-powered pumps, or just rely on an MP40? I read an interesting thread recently on how inefficient closed loop systems are.

 

[Stylo328]

This has been a slow week for progress on the tank. The T5 fixture came in the mail, as did the ATB skimmer. My goal is to start working on the stand this weekend, but with the baby's first birthday party on Sunday, the tank may have to wait.

It sure would be great to get some feedback on this thread, good or bad. It's starting to feel more like a diary or journal than a discussion.

 

[daywn]

gonna be a sweet set up if it's anything like your old 180.

any up dates

 

[biodegraded]

This tank has the exact dimensions I would like right now. :lmao:

I wish it were a standard manufacturer offering. Instead I will choose between 120 (4x2x2) and 180 (6x2x2). Good fortune with your build

 

[stankyd]

more pics?

more pics?

Stylo,

any more pics?
where have you been keeping that watchman goby all this time?

StankyD

 

[Stylo328]

gonna be a sweet set up if it's anything like your old 180.

any up dates

Paul my friend, so great to hear from you. Thanks for the kind words. I sure do miss that 180. I talked to the new owner and he has since converted it to a shark/ ray tank.

I'm really hoping this one will turn out equally well. Glad your tagging along.

 

[Stylo328]

This tank has the exact dimensions I would like right now. :lmao:

I wish it were a standard manufacturer offering. Instead I will choose between 120 (4x2x2) and 180 (6x2x2). Good fortune with your build

I agree, it seems to be a popular choice for custom tanks. I was fortunate to find this one, especially in 3/4" glass.

Stylo,

any more pics?
where have you been keeping that watchman goby all this time?

StankyD

Sunny, the watchman has lived solo with some LR and a few LPS in a 20 gallon tank for the past few years.

As for updates things have been slow as we took a 10-day road trip through the Carolina's and Tennessee.

The skimmer is here, ATB small. The lights I ordered are here, but are not as described. Seller said it was a Tek fixture with Oddysey bulbs. Turns out it's an Oddysey fixture and the reflectors are not individual as seller stated. Oh we'll, live and learn. I am going to order an ATI sun power 8-bulb 48" fixture from Reefgeek. Any advice for bulb selection and order?

 

[Stylo328]

Now that grad school is over, I can finally focus on setting up the tank.

The first step was to disassemble the stand and survey it's overall condition.

The good: stand is structurally sound, all wood is in good repair with no cracks or obvious damage, and it has side doors for ease of access.

The bad: all hardware needs to be replaced, the stand is short at 32", and the overall support seems light for such a heavy tank.

The plan: source new hardware, raise the overall height by adding a base as well as adding a sub-floor between the tank and stand. The goal is to raise the overall height by nine inches. I would also like to add some additional bracing and support.

Here is a picture of the disassembled stand.

Any thoughts on the plan outlined above and where I can source the stainless or brass hardware? The hinges are recessed.

Thanks,

 

[Stylo328]

Here is a better picture of the hardware for reference.

Thnks