the dogs 220 gallon build thread

[d.dog]

WARING this is not going to be a fast build as money allows it will get done

Ok so a few days back i posted a thread where my wonderful wife picked up the 220 gallon tank and some equipment for 850.00 for my birthday . the tank is just over a year old .

So over the last few days i been slowly working on cleaning it and getting it prepped to go when the day comes . so far i got the inside of the tank all cleaned out with water a sponge and a lot of elbow grease did not want to use any thing but water as this is not a tank you can take out side to rinse out lol . also got the overflow put back in but i thank i am going to make one the runs the span of the tank unsure yet . also the the return sprayers cleaned up and reinstalled into the tank . next inline is to build a new stan for it as i don't like the oak one it came with . i want to build a skeleton stan with a slip over front so i can take off to make working under the tank easy . also have to make a canopy for it as well . i also got to do some research on leds as i want to build my own light set up

you can see some some equipment the guy gave me with the tank such as coralife skimmer witch one idk but i plan to buy another . a IWAKI EXTERNAL RETURN PUMP it does work but not sure if i want to replace it or not still strong as can be . then there is a sump but plan to make my own with a 55 gallon tank . garbage bag full of new bio balls never going to use and last all the pluming in witch i will replace . just wanted the old for a diagram of how it had it since this is my first tank with a closed loop set up . so anyways if you got lots of patience and want to fallow along please be my gust and if you have a opinion hit me with it all help is welcome

now enjoy a few pitchers

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

It is nice to see the family get involved with the tank size pictures. Looking forward to your build and good luck. I presently too am running the same size tank until I upgrade.

 

[biecacka]

Same size tank here too, until I upgrade!! You will love it!
Are you going to use the closed loop holes on the back of the tank? Maybe a foam rock wall back there to help hide the nozzles!
Corey

 

[worm5406]

You may want to throw some of those fish back... they look below the legal catch limit. One of them is way to large for a tank that small... You may want to look at getting a 650 or so.

HAHA...

I look forward to seeing this run.

 

[d.dog]

thanks newbie
i to am so happy my family is all in on this adventure . it seems to make it more worth the time and energy when the family has something they all love

biecacka .
yes i plan on running the closed loop system since its already drilled for it i am going to try my best to hide the nozzles with the rock because i want that more up the middle then in the back of the tank so i can watch fish swim around and in /out of the rock

worm5406
lol i guess that means u need another upgrade already . maybe a 1000 gal will 1hold them . lol in all seriousness my family loves the tank and are all pitching in to help get it running .

little update to going to go look at a few sump tanks i may be doing some trading for . hope all goes well

 

[d.dog]

little update . but sorry no pitchers as of right now waiting for my stuff in the mail but i ordered all new bulkheads and a Reef Octopus Diablo DCS 200 DC Internal Protein Skimmer . i know its more in likely not the best choice of skimmer but the wife gave me a 500 $ limit on skimmer lol . i cant wait now just got to find that 75 gallon tank to make a sump and then get this weather to brake so i can get making my skeleton stan for it so i can start the pluming

 

[Holyreefer]

I have the same size tank. You will love it along with that Reef Octopus Skimmer. I have the Reef octopus extreme 300, which now has the bubble blaster pump with it and im very happy with the results.

 

[d.dog]

cool man . yea i cant wait to get it running but i know better then to rush it or i will get burnt out on it or it will just be a pile of headaches lol . so just one piece at a time and it will soon get there

 

[d.dog]

small update with pitchers lol . the skimmer i ordered came in today why i was at work thing is killer . truly a work of art . nice thick acrylic cant wait to put her in use

there is bad news tho i ordered the wrong size bulkheads so i got one of two choices i can send them back and get the rite size or i can get a hole saw and drill the holes bigger . thy are one inch right now all the holes return and drain and i got 1 1/2 bulkheads . witch way do you guys thank is better for this 220 gallon with closed loop .

on another bad news note the skimmer wont fit into the 55 or the forty i have for sumps so it looks like i am going to have to move up to a 90 gallon or order some acrylic and make my own sump

pitchers

 

[RJT]

Nice skimmer, it comes with a remote!! Nothing wrong with a bigger sump. You can always find stuff to put in it.

 

[rpjaws74]

skimmer is nice...

 

[d.dog]

well getting ready to head out to Arkansas for a couple of days to pick my brother up . just waiting for my son to get off school to drop him off at his gmas and well last night i picked up some rock from a fellow reefer and got board and was playing a little making set up lol . never thought it would be so hard to make a pile of rocks look decent .