The Journey - 300+ Gallon System Build - Picture Heavy

This build just got bigger! I found a 220g that fits my stand prefect. I held off on building the canopy for this exact reason. I am glad I way waited. The stand has gotten it's last coat off polyurethane, and looks great. Picture to follow!
 
Okay so today was a big day. This project was originally set to have a display tank of 150g. Well bigger is always better, and I found just that. I found a 220g tank that fit my stand perfectly, and at a reasonable price. We went to pick it up today and it looks brand new. I had some help around so I moved the current tank, and place the newer larger tank in place. Just moving the old 54g corner was a pain. I drained the tank about half way into a 55 gallon tank. We were able to slide it out of the way and hook it back up.

Now to the hard part. I thought I might have to take off the quarter round in order to fit the tank, but it wasn't that easy. It never is. I had to take the off the quarter round, door trim, light switch plate and switch, baseboard, and even chisel away some of the rock from the fireplace. Unfortunately this wasn't discovered until we had already lifted that tank onto the stand. It just wouldn't fit. So down it came, and all the trim work came down. Once the tank was in place, it was obviously worth the effort. Take a look and let me know what you think.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8421859720/" title="IMG_0501 by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8421859720_3c4a83ba9d_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="IMG_0501"></a>

Stand in Place

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8421854718/" title="IMG_0503 by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8094/8421854718_914692eb67_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_0503"></a>

Much Harder then it seems

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8420757205/" title="IMG_0506 by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8491/8420757205_15bf7b2630_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="IMG_0506"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8421856912/" title="IMG_0508 by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8194/8421856912_6a660337a9_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="IMG_0508"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8420815891/" title="TankPS by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8466/8420815891_8fd17cdd60_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="TankPS"></a>

Looking ahead

​
 
alan.reef said:
your wood working impressive..keep it up..
Click to expand...

Thanks! This is the first time I have attempted to make a piece of furniture. Every thing else has been rough stuff for the yard, ie potting bench. However I am very happy with the way things turned out. There are a few spots that I messed up on, but they are all cosmetic. Besides these places are between the wall, hints I didn't fix them. I could have purchased a used stand much cheaper, but I wouldn't have gotten the look I wanted. I also had a ton of fun planning this and seeing it through.


woodnaquanut said:
So are your Photoshop skills! :)

How do you get to things that get into the overflow? Will there be access from the back?
Click to expand...


I thought the photoshop'ed picture was nice. It gives a new empty tank hope! Regarding the overflow, I think you are talking about how I get to my plumbing. In some of the pictures you can see that there are back panels, and in other there are not. This is a false backing. These panels exactly slide out of the way along groves, and this will allow me to get back there.

Now if you are talking about getting into the overflow boxes them selves......well that will be a reach. I have a step ladder that helps but this thing is 24" wide and 29" tall. So without being suspended from the rafters I don't have a way to get back there.
 
bpcardona said:
Now if you are talking about getting into the overflow boxes them selves......well that will be a reach. I have a step ladder that helps but this thing is 24" wide and 29" tall. So without being suspended from the rafters I don't have a way to get back there.
Click to expand...

That is what I was talking about. Seems like there is always some creature that wants to see 'what's on the other side' ! :)

I don't have a solution but was envisioning some sort of track and cable system to suspend you over the tank. Like Tom Cruise in one of the 'Mission Impossible' flicks! :eek2:

What's behind the wall that's behind the tank? Any possibility of going thru there?

I love the way that tank fills the space. I'm sure it will be spectacular!
 
Behind the Tank is our kitchen. So, don't think the wife will go for me knocking down the wall for a deserter. However, if we could get Tom Cruise in he to save the little guy she might allow a few cables from the ceiling. I can only try to block this as best as possible, and pray nothing wants to explore the black abyss.
 
bpcardona said:
Behind the Tank is our kitchen. So, don't think the wife will go for me knocking down the wall for a deserter. However, if we could get Tom Cruise in he to save the little guy she might allow a few cables from the ceiling. I can only try to block this as best as possible, and pray nothing wants to explore the black abyss.
Click to expand...

My starry blenny (the star of my tank) decided to take the trip 2 days after bringing him home. I had decent access to the overflow and it was still a project getting him out (120 tank 24" tall)! Might consider kidproofing those overflows before the addition of livestock.

This will be an impressive finished project! You the man simply for talkign you wife into letting you plumb through the house. I failed in my attempt :thumbdown

Please continue the posts with the project! It is sure to be impressive!

Subscribed!
 
likefish said:
My starry blenny (the star of my tank) decided to take the trip 2 days after bringing him home. I had decent access to the overflow and it was still a project getting him out (120 tank 24" tall)! Might consider kidproofing those overflows before the addition of livestock.

This will be an impressive finished project! You the man simply for talkign you wife into letting you plumb through the house. I failed in my attempt :thumbdown

Please continue the posts with the project! It is sure to be impressive!

Subscribed!
Click to expand...

I plan on doing something to block them off. The best I can think off is netting, but I would love ideas. I really have no interest in rescuing any fish from back there.
 
I would definitely cover the over flows! My hawkfish loved to be in the overflows, I had to fish him out 4 times before I covered them. Your overflows seems like it would be a real pain, mine were and they are way more accessible. I used good ol egg crate and zip ties.
 
You've done a nice job! It fits really nicely into the space and the stand looks great. I can't wait to see this bad boy running
 
Thanks for everyones kind comments! I hope to get a lot done in the next few days. I plan on getting the stands for the sump, frag, and quarantine tank built. Also the canopy will hopefully be constructed, may not be stained but a good start at least. There is a lot more to be done, but I think this will consume most of the time.


However I need to get the sump built as well. The problem area I see with this build will be the piece of glass that is planned to hold 4" filter socks. I have called a local glass shop and they told me that it would cost $30 for each hole drilled. I was thinking I might be able to do this out of acrylic, but then again I think I well like the look.

Does any one have any suggestion on making this happen without spending $120?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8386498405/" title="Screen Shot 2013-01-16 at 12.06.03 PM by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8077/8386498405_df974c1440_z.jpg" width="640" height="471" alt="Screen Shot 2013-01-16 at 12.06.03 PM"></a>​
 
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