Author Topic: 250G BUILD IN PROGRESS (Read 16052 times)

NEWMAN · « **on:** September 06, 2011, 19:28:38 »

Upgrading to a larger tank has to be done because my clam has outgrown the 120g. I have put it off for so long but now its time to get the ball rolling. I'm starting with a Marineland 250g deep dim that is 5ft x 3ft x 27"in. This tank being 36" deep is a perfect choice knowing that I need the depth more than anything having the gigas. I was going to build the stand completely out of wood but hated the fact that I was losing space inside the stand for my sump area because of the bulky wooden frame. Giving this alot of thought I decided to build the skeletal frame out of 2"x2"x .125 wall steel tubing. This will give me a more room inside the stand area for a larger sump. I will then side it in wood to make it look nice like my 120g. Notice in the pictures how the bottom of the stand is wider than the top. I did this again for the larger sump. The tank is 36" deep, I built the stand 40" deep. So I will have 36" between the front and back of the steel frame on the bottom. Enough room for a 75g and 55g hooked together with two 2" unions that are 4" wide. 75g is 18.5"wide / 55g is 12.75" wide / 2" union is 4" = 35.25" total width needed. I want the sumps to sit between the bottom frame rails so I could still have 2" of room between the sump and wall to use the AC outlets behind them.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #1 on:** September 06, 2011, 19:31:47 »

NEWMAN · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2011, 19:36:31 »

NEWMAN · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2011, 19:38:00 »

lazylivin · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2011, 19:48:22 »

I just can't get over the size of that clam. Looking forward to seeing this come together. Keep us posted with pictures and progress

HUNGER · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2011, 22:14:22 »

looks great loved how u brought the steel home in a boat

Sunny · « **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2011, 01:41:56 »

This is going to be a great build. That clam is HUGE !!!!

micki · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2011, 07:38:23 »

Quote from: Lazylivin on September 06, 2011, 19:48:22

I just can't get over the size of that clam. Looking forward to seeing this come together. Keep us posted with pictures and progress

+1!

NEWMAN · « **Reply #8 on:** September 07, 2011, 18:04:48 »

Thanks for the replys... I was concerned with getting the steel home because they were over 22ft long. The 12 utility trailer I have wasn't a option, so the boat and boat trailer came to the recuse.

The steel tubing still hung over the boat 8 ft were legally your only aloud 4ft. Glad I didn't see any highway patrol on the way home.

HUNGER · « **Reply #9 on:** September 07, 2011, 20:28:48 »

if theres a will theres a way

Boonjob · « **Reply #10 on:** September 08, 2011, 08:09:03 »

Quote from: NEWMAN on September 07, 2011, 18:04:48

Thanks for the replys... I was concerned with getting the steel home because they were over 22ft long. The 12 utility trailer I have wasn't a option, so the boat and boat trailer came to the recuse. The steel tubing still hung over the boat 8 ft were legally your only aloud 4ft. Glad I didn't see any highway patrol on the way home.

You probably should have taken the camper trailer instead then...

slandis3 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 08, 2011, 08:18:25 »

Looks good so far. make sure you put some gusset braces to help with racking. The steel stand for our tank didn't have any and it would move then you pushed on the tank.

cyberwollf · « **Reply #12 on:** September 08, 2011, 14:30:20 »

how much was the metal and whered you get it from?

NEWMAN · « **Reply #13 on:** September 08, 2011, 18:04:55 »

+1 with slandis3. You got to install gussets in-order to strengthen the frame from moving side to side or horizontally. I have welded most of them in place already, still have a few welds to finish but with the crappy weather didnt want to take the stand outside and have it rust on me. Cyberwollf, I bought the steel at first street recycling in dayton. Its close to the dragons stadium down town. I paid $35 per stick, used steel price(each one is 22ft 2ins), I bought 3 sticks then went back for a forth. The guys down there are always super nice and easy to deal with. I have $140 in the stand so far minus having already the wire, tips and cut wheels.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #14 on:** September 08, 2011, 18:16:10 »

I called a few local places for quotes on getting it powder coated and the average price is $250. Thats to much for me so what do you guys think about herculiner for truck beds. Its a bed-liner and cost around $90 at the local auto parts stores. I have read online that its pretty tough stuff and is corrosion resistant. Also having a $50 gift card now to advancedautoparts and I get 15% will sweeten the pot.

Myreef55 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 08, 2011, 18:28:31 »

This is looking really good! Waiting to see more...

slandis3 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 08, 2011, 20:21:29 »

If you can sand blast it before you put the coating on it. It helps the coating to "dig in" and also removes and oxidizes on the surface that would keep it from sticking real well.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #17 on:** September 09, 2011, 13:32:00 »

HELPED NEEDED....I need to drill a total of 5 60mm holes into my sumps. 2 holes in a 75g and 3 in a 55g. I have never done this so any help would be awesome.

Blazinreef · « **Reply #18 on:** September 09, 2011, 13:46:41 »

glass or acrylic??

NEWMAN · « **Reply #19 on:** September 09, 2011, 13:50:10 »

O yeah, glass

aquavista99 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 09, 2011, 20:36:09 »

Very nice build

You may need to upgrade again just to keep pace with your giant clam.

HUNGER · « **Reply #21 on:** September 10, 2011, 02:38:48 »

Quote from: aquavista99 on September 09, 2011, 20:36:09

Very nice build You may need to upgrade again just to keep pace with your giant clam.

+1

Boonjob · « **Reply #22 on:** September 10, 2011, 11:15:55 »

Quote from: NEWMAN on September 09, 2011, 13:32:00

HELPED NEEDED....I need to drill a total of 5 60mm holes into my sumps. 2 holes in a 75g and 3 in a 55g. I have never done this so any help would be awesome.

When do you need this done by?

NEWMAN · « **Reply #23 on:** September 10, 2011, 13:59:08 »

I plan on doing it in the next two weeks or so.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #24 on:** September 10, 2011, 14:09:07 »

I ordered two 60mm diamond hole-saw bits from ebay so they should be here anytime. I don't no how many holes each bit will drill so hopefully two bits will work for 5 holes? I have read to make a clay damn to lube the bit

lazylivin · « **Reply #25 on:** September 10, 2011, 17:01:53 »

FYI - http://www.ohioreef.com/index.php?topic=11648.0

NEWMAN · « **Reply #26 on:** September 10, 2011, 18:51:06 »

Coral Cove in Englewood is going to have a demo on how to drill glass tanks two weeks from today Sept 23. This will be great for the people in the community that have no experience and need there aquariums drill. Come by the CORAL COVE and check it out.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #27 on:** September 10, 2011, 20:49:30 »

SEPT 23, not the 17th, I can't count today....c u then

Boonjob · « **Reply #28 on:** September 10, 2011, 20:59:26 »

the club has glass hole saw kits, free to use for premium members... And if you need help drilling them let me know I am in your area on Mondays and Wednesdays. We had a hole drilling get together at the meeting before last

NEWMAN · « **Reply #29 on:** September 16, 2011, 17:07:29 »

The lasted couple days I notched the back of the frame out 1/2" for the bulkhead nuts to fit. Filled those in with some steel plate, got the frame all welded together and primered just need to bed-liner it now. I also got most of the dividers cut out for the sumps, just need to make a probe holder and cut out the lids and the table saw will be retired.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #30 on:** September 16, 2011, 17:51:01 »

coat of primer

HUNGER · « **Reply #31 on:** September 16, 2011, 23:29:16 »

looks good

Myreef55 · « **Reply #32 on:** September 17, 2011, 13:00:48 »

Looks sweet! Cant wait to see more!

NEWMAN · « **Reply #33 on:** September 20, 2011, 23:34:53 »

I spend the last 4 days herculining the stand so now its all done and ready to be sided with wood. We went to menards and spent $500 in red oak so I hope it turns out nice

I still have more wood to buy but not to much just glad to get the bulk of it out of the way.

HUNGER · « **Reply #34 on:** September 21, 2011, 08:15:15 »

nice red oak love it

NEWMAN · « **Reply #35 on:** November 28, 2011, 06:00:12 »

So its been 2 months or so since I posted an update on the tank build. I have been working on the stand a lot and have many hours wrapped up in it, I got so burnt out I recently took 3 weeks away from it. I started back up 2 weeks ago and heres some pics.

These are Red Oak crown molding caps that I made from a 1"x 4" and a piece of crown molding. You can buy these made out of pine at Lowes but I wanted RedOak. Special order for 12 of these were over $600. So thats how I got started diy my own RedOak crown caps for 90% less. Cost $60

NEWMAN · « **Reply #36 on:** November 28, 2011, 06:06:48 »

The first two pics are the larger bottom caps, these are going to be mounted on the bottom corner of the stand and the top of the canopy.
The last pic is the smaller cap for around the top of the stand.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #37 on:** November 28, 2011, 06:14:23 »

I mounted the redoak boards to the steel frame with 5/16" carriage bolts that I drilled and tap'd. These will be covered up by trim.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #38 on:** November 28, 2011, 06:17:51 »

NEWMAN · « **Reply #39 on:** November 28, 2011, 06:24:28 »

I biscuit jointed all the boards together so down the road they wont warp with the moisture from the sumps.

slandis3 · « **Reply #40 on:** November 28, 2011, 06:50:49 »

Looks good so far, keep up the hard work. I am sure it will look as good if not better than your last stand.

HUNGER · « **Reply #41 on:** November 28, 2011, 08:11:22 »

looks good

Wall_Tank · « **Reply #42 on:** November 28, 2011, 08:40:59 »

That sure is creative. It should look cool when finished.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #43 on:** November 28, 2011, 18:47:39 »

Thanks for the reply's, more pics to come soon

NEWMAN · « **Reply #44 on:** November 28, 2011, 18:53:05 »

Last two pics are a side that will hold my skimmer and calcium reactor. I have two 3/8" glass tops that should finish it off.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #45 on:** November 28, 2011, 19:01:57 »

I cut these boards out con-caved to give the rope trim a more appealing look. They will be placed under the top ledge on the upper part of the stand. Two of them for the sides and one for the front. I also did this to the side stand to make it match.

HUNGER · « **Reply #46 on:** November 28, 2011, 20:25:25 »

great idea

NEWMAN · « **Reply #47 on:** November 29, 2011, 17:34:37 »

Fedex dropped a present off today

With all the comparison Tunzes vs Vortech I still picked tunzes in the end. I have had my tunze 6000 on the single controller for 8 years and its still going today. I can also hook it up to the new 7095 controller and have it run with the 6105's.

HUNGER · « **Reply #48 on:** November 29, 2011, 20:00:03 »

sweet

lazylivin · « **Reply #49 on:** January 01, 2012, 01:39:41 »

Bump for an update and new pics.

Boonjob · « **Reply #50 on:** January 30, 2012, 16:59:59 »

Lets see some more pics of how this turned out!

Twizted1 · « **Reply #51 on:** January 30, 2012, 19:35:52 »

+2 on the pics

SapperChris · « **Reply #52 on:** January 31, 2012, 01:53:11 »

That looks like it's gonna be really nice when it's all said and done. How long have you had that clam by the way?

NEWMAN · « **Reply #53 on:** February 06, 2012, 01:05:00 »

Hello to all again. I havent been on the site as much as I would like and will need to take some pics of the tank. Its up and running now as of today after some complications in the past. I had the tank up a going the beginning of dec and after 3 weeks one of the sumps cracked. For the sumps I had a 75g and 55g linked together with two 2" sch 80 unions. I placed foam under both tanks thinking that would help with any low spots in my floor as there sitting directly on it. The floor was pretty flat with a 48"level on it. After time went by and they both settled the 75 cracked. The unions dont give at all and glass dont give at all. Wanting a reason why the sump cracked I pulled the sumps out and got a smaller level and found a small low spot in the back right corner on the floor that cause this to happen. I was very P'd off at the moment I found the crack but was thinkful that it didnt leak in my house. The sumps were awesome when they were working together but I decided to go with one 75g because I like only have one 60mm hole rather than 7 60mm holes before. Well after that depressing paragraph, Here some pics to look at

NEWMAN · « **Reply #54 on:** February 06, 2012, 01:13:30 »

NEWMAN · « **Reply #55 on:** February 06, 2012, 01:14:16 »

Before I cleared the stand, I got some gold finger nail polish and painted the rope trim.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #56 on:** February 06, 2012, 01:25:18 »

I have the return line running behind the aquarium so I came use the extra two holes for drains. So I'm running four drains. 3 go directly into the sump and the 4th goes to the skimmer and GFO and carbon reactor. I like not having to run extra feed pumps, and just using the drain you have... With the four drains the pump is running 100% with the dart impeller.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #57 on:** February 06, 2012, 01:27:03 »

NEWMAN · « **Reply #58 on:** February 06, 2012, 01:31:24 »

NEWMAN · « **Reply #59 on:** February 06, 2012, 01:32:39 »

NEWMAN · « **Reply #60 on:** February 06, 2012, 01:34:12 »

slandis3 · « **Reply #61 on:** February 06, 2012, 06:43:47 »

Looks really good, the stand came out very nice.

HUNGER · « **Reply #62 on:** February 06, 2012, 08:13:56 »

Looks great

lazylivin · « **Reply #63 on:** February 06, 2012, 12:50:52 »

I agree it looks great.

Neogenesis · « **Reply #64 on:** February 06, 2012, 13:38:20 »

Awesome build!!!!!!

NEWMAN · « **Reply #65 on:** March 17, 2012, 18:36:28 »

My gigas has a new friend. Thanks to WallTank here on the club for a 7" derasa.

Wall_Tank · « **Reply #66 on:** March 17, 2012, 18:48:22 »

Holy Cow. One lobe of that gigas' mantle is the size of derasa

NEWMAN · « **Reply #67 on:** March 18, 2012, 11:17:02 »

LOL, thats why I laughed when you said the derasa's heavy. Next time your in the area you'll have to stop by. Also your setup has come along way in just a few months with the new wall, sink and counter top. Looks Nice

volcano · « **Reply #68 on:** March 31, 2012, 18:25:13 »

Wow, nice work m8!

Rob · « **Reply #69 on:** April 06, 2012, 21:50:26 »

Great build thread!

By the way, you have too many toys!

NEWMAN · « **Reply #70 on:** July 13, 2012, 22:14:10 »

I built this corner shelf today for the New Avast K2 kalk stirrer. Its red oak to match the aquarium stand. I will try to get it sanded and stained hopefully tomorrow. Its nice a relaxing to get back into the wood working again.

Wall_Tank · « **Reply #71 on:** July 13, 2012, 22:19:13 »

Some pretty fancy angles there..... Miter cuts can be difficult.

But that is the fun part of the job. Sanding, Staining and Polyurethane is the part I hate.

lazylivin · « **Reply #72 on:** July 14, 2012, 05:31:27 »

You sir have some talent. Nice job with those angles.

HUNGER · « **Reply #73 on:** July 14, 2012, 11:07:46 »

nice work

NEWMAN · « **Reply #74 on:** July 14, 2012, 12:35:56 »

Thanks,
Just got it stained, poly it tonight and install tomorrow

NEWMAN · « **Reply #75 on:** July 15, 2012, 19:45:48 »

Ready to get it put up now. I built this shelf becasue the kalk stirrer is non pressurized and it has to be at a higher level than the place its gravity dripping into.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #76 on:** July 15, 2012, 19:47:21 »

I cut the corner angle off the back of the shelf so I could run my A/C wires between the shelf and wall.

Twizted1 · « **Reply #77 on:** July 15, 2012, 21:12:09 »

The bed liner stuff is awsome. I have used it for several things. As with any paint job, prep is the mOst important part of good results. An honestly I would prefer bed liner over powder coating.

HUNGER · « **Reply #78 on:** July 15, 2012, 22:24:25 »

looks great

NEWMAN · « **Reply #79 on:** July 16, 2012, 06:05:32 »

Weekend of work finally pays off.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #80 on:** July 16, 2012, 06:09:21 »

Recent sump pics

NEWMAN · « **Reply #81 on:** July 16, 2012, 06:12:39 »

HUNGER · « **Reply #82 on:** July 16, 2012, 08:11:56 »

looks great

micki · « **Reply #83 on:** July 16, 2012, 09:49:10 »

Very Nice!

Twizted1 · « **Reply #84 on:** July 16, 2012, 20:38:03 »

I dub yee macroalgae king.

Kenn · « **Reply #85 on:** July 17, 2012, 13:53:01 »

Lovin the sump !

NEWMAN · « **Reply #86 on:** July 23, 2012, 18:20:50 »

New baby clam I got from Reefsystems friday!!!

lazylivin · « **Reply #87 on:** July 23, 2012, 23:22:35 »

Nice clam. Is that a ORA purple stylo I see

NEWMAN · « **Reply #88 on:** July 24, 2012, 08:50:57 »

That is Lazy, good eye for such a bad picture.

jake · « **Reply #89 on:** July 25, 2012, 16:57:16 »

Sick as hell.. love stand as much as the tank

NEWMAN · « **Reply #90 on:** July 25, 2012, 17:15:42 »

Thanks, The stand took alot of time planning and building but was worth it. Soon I will get the canopy started so It will look complete.

chromiumlux · « **Reply #91 on:** July 25, 2012, 19:49:35 »

Awesome sump design! Love the shelf design.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #92 on:** September 07, 2012, 16:51:31 »

Tank has been up and running for 7 months now. Looking to upgrade my 250w MHs to 400's this fall.

chromiumlux · « **Reply #93 on:** September 07, 2012, 17:44:30 »

Wow!! Looks great.

Wall_Tank · « **Reply #94 on:** September 07, 2012, 20:48:11 »

Looks full already.......The Clams are looking great.

Twizted1 · « **Reply #95 on:** September 07, 2012, 20:50:16 »

Look at that little clam. lol

lazylivin · « **Reply #96 on:** September 07, 2012, 22:27:26 »

Looks amazing.

Steve · « **Reply #97 on:** September 07, 2012, 23:54:25 »

Ya know, if you can't grow them any bigger than that why bother!

Steve · « **Reply #98 on:** September 08, 2012, 00:01:29 »

Okay I repent and confess I have clam envy. That is impressive to say the least. Very nice tank.

rayviv · « **Reply #99 on:** September 08, 2012, 09:12:00 »

is that clam larger than the one Slandis has?

Wall_Tank · « **Reply #100 on:** September 08, 2012, 09:46:05 »

For reference, the baby clam is about 7-8"

Twizted1 · « **Reply #101 on:** September 08, 2012, 12:07:43 »

What's he admition charge to come see that thing?

NEWMAN · « **Reply #102 on:** September 08, 2012, 18:03:35 »

Thanks to all,
Rayviv, the gigas is quite a lot bigger than slandis's clam that passed . Wall Tank is correct, the Derasa that I got from him is 8" for size reference. Theres also a 3" Crocea above the Derasa I bought from reefsystems 2 months ago.
Twizted1, Charging free admission for the first 1000 people. After that I might need new carpet. lol

Boonjob · « **Reply #103 on:** September 08, 2012, 18:14:35 »

that thing is a beast, you should host a meeting so we can all get a look at it... ***wink wink, nudge nudge***

NEWMAN · « **Reply #104 on:** December 09, 2012, 14:45:53 »

My tank has been doing decent since I got it setup this year. One big thing that was on my list to do was upgrading the lights to 400w MH to replace my 250s. I finally got the 400w MH ballast and bulbs, and also picked up 2 660 ballast. Thanks to Todd at Reefsystems for the 3 icecap 400 ballast and 2 icecap 660 ballast. I will only be running 2 400s so I have a spare replacement. I also bought a lightrail 5, moveable light track system to move the pendants out of the way when I flip up the canopy and also have full access to the top of the tank to move livestock. The aluminum rail from the track will mount to the 1"x6"x10'.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #105 on:** December 09, 2012, 15:03:52 »

Just got done welding all the brackets up, time for the primer. I have the steel 500 degrees to bake on the primer. Then I'll paint it black.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #106 on:** December 16, 2012, 15:39:10 »

I used old heat sinks to make a ballast rack.

Neogenesis · « **Reply #107 on:** December 16, 2012, 22:01:30 »

How are the new additions to the tank doing?

THE MAD REEFER · « **Reply #108 on:** December 18, 2012, 15:22:47 »

all i can say is wow....

the tank looks great

NEWMAN · « **Reply #109 on:** December 18, 2012, 18:32:07 »

Quote from: Neogenesis on December 16, 2012, 22:01:30

How are the new additions to the tank doing?

I have to say both tangs are beautiful and doing good. The purple tang is alittle aggressive towards the yellow tang I have around the same size. He probably is ready to get revenge back after fighting your big yellow tang. I think my tank is big enough for them both though. Thanks for the fish and letting me see your setup.

NEWMAN · « **Reply #110 on:** December 18, 2012, 18:33:01 »

Quote from: david.lemke on December 18, 2012, 15:22:47

all i can say is wow....

the tank looks great

Thanks

itsalifestyle · « **Reply #111 on:** December 20, 2012, 00:00:06 »

Looking good

NEWMAN · « **Reply #112 on:** March 08, 2014, 11:37:53 »

Its been a while since I posted on my tank thread and wanted to share..
My Banggi cardinals are always breeding and I never seem to see the babies because of my filtration and fish population in the tank. About every 3 weeks the male cruses around the tank with a full clutch of babies hanging out of his mouth. The next few days the babies are no where to be found. They probably got sucked up in the skimmer, down in the sump filter sock, or ate by a fish? Two days ago my wife came in the bedroom early as could be and yelled we have babies!!! I was in a deep sleep and she scared the poop out of me. I got my senses together and went an looked at the tank. There they were deep as could be in a rose anemone swimming around like they were little baby clownfish. I took the rock the anemone was on and put it in a net underwater. I then shook and took the anemone out and it left the babies in the net. The babies stayed with the rose anemone the whole time so it was fairly easy to get them.

Steve · « **Reply #113 on:** March 08, 2014, 12:27:23 »

So cool. Are you going to get another Gigas? Just curious because that clam was awesome, really hated to hear that you lost it. If you get to where you have extra cardinals I might be interested in 2 or 3. It looks like the tang is saying "wow, I can have meat with my veggies!"

NEWMAN · « **Reply #114 on:** March 09, 2014, 01:58:35 »

Steve, I'll keep you in mind once they get a little bigger in size. I won't be getting another gigas in the future. Bitter sweet situation as my system is so so so much easier now keeping CA ALK stable. Vlamingis getting big and more aggressive, he was one that rich had in a raceway at coral ranch.

2024 Ohio Reef Frag Swap

Author Topic: 250G BUILD IN PROGRESS (Read 16052 times)