Author Topic: Blown76Mav's 150 build (Read 9302 times)

Blown76mav · « **on:** February 01, 2009, 17:36:23 »

I guess its time to make a post about my 150 build. After being in the hobby for only a few months I have realized my 65g wasn't going to cut it. After talking with Mikki and seeing her tank build I knew I needed to start looking for something a little bigger. After looking I found a 150 rr tank and stand. Now all I had to do was convince the wife it needed to be in the house.

Well it didn't take to much as she wanted her livingroom back. So I had to remodel a room, make some shelves and a closet and I was set.

With the tank in the house I had to do A LOT of cleaning. The previous owner didn't clean anything. As I started I began to wonder what I had gotten myself into. I kept telling myself it will all be worth it in the end. Over the next week I cleaned, scrubbed and breathed vinager. After it was clean I put black vinyl on the back of the tank so I didn't have to smell paint fumes.

Now with the tank cleaned and the back taken care of it was off to the basement....

Blown76mav · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2009, 00:29:33 »

After cleaning I then had to tackle the basement. This is what was in my way. After removeing the bookshelf and the cabinet I got to work on building my sump stand.

Next up priming, painting,plumbing and sump building.......

jungliztkruger · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2009, 00:33:25 »

yep... im getting jealous

Riderc82 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2009, 16:19:16 »

looking good

MechanicalEngineer · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2009, 16:54:59 »

Ooook..not funny...please continue! I want more pictures! You can't start..and leave us hanging. I mean, I know it's a build thread, but who takes more than a day building & setting up a tank from start to finish???

Blown76mav · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2009, 17:05:21 »

I should have some more pics tommorow IF the UPS guy delivers my stuff. Waiting on my Reeflo Skimmer

I do have the bench painted though.

lazylivin · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2009, 21:03:56 »

Nice cleaning job man. I bet your arms are pretty sore after that one. My tank could use some cleaning....are you for hire?

I bet your sump is already done though....where are those pics at?

Blown76mav · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2009, 21:34:51 »

You would think I'd have the sump done, but I'm waiting on the skimmer to get here. They say it has a 13x17 footprint, I want to make sure before I spend 200 on acrylic. Once its here look out for some more pics.

Blown76mav · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2009, 16:14:57 »

Here's a picture to hold you over. Finally got the stand painted

Still waiting on the ups guy

Blown76mav · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2009, 17:55:21 »

The ups man just dropped of some stuff and I have to go back to work :'(

Blown76mav · « **Reply #10 on:** February 07, 2009, 19:19:09 »

Got some more work done today. Maybe MAYBE next weekend I can have water going in. I've got some electrical stuff to do....

aquavista99 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 07, 2009, 20:20:57 »

Looks great! I love it when UPS leaves presents at my door. Very nice job on the plumbing as well!

Blown76mav · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2009, 15:20:01 »

Ok, gonna post a question here. Would you build an extension for the 30 gallon quarantine tank or turn it sideways like in the pictures. On the other side of the pipe is going to be a custom acrylic sump 48x16x16 so thats not an option.

Thanks

Lonnie

slandis3 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2009, 15:32:13 »

i would build an extension, that way it will give you a little more work area

Blown76mav · « **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2009, 16:01:28 »

Thats what I was thinking just wanted a 2nd opinion. I should have built the table longer but didn't think I was going with such a big skimmer.

Baggerhog · « **Reply #15 on:** February 08, 2009, 17:53:44 »

Bigger is better right?

Blown76mav · « **Reply #16 on:** February 09, 2009, 09:23:04 »

Quote from: Baggerhog on February 08, 2009, 17:53:44

Bigger is better right?

Thats my thinking.

slandis3 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 09, 2009, 09:26:18 »

Quote from: Blown76mav on February 09, 2009, 09:23:04

Thats my thinking.

Ya know, the 240g I might be selling is bigger than a 150g

Blown76mav · « **Reply #18 on:** February 09, 2009, 09:49:32 »

Oh, the temptation...... My wife found the thread for the 240 cubes and promptly told me NO don't even think about it.

ohioreef · « **Reply #19 on:** February 09, 2009, 10:49:19 »

Quote from: Blown76mav on February 09, 2009, 09:49:32

Oh, the temptation...... My wife found the thread for the 240 cubes and promptly told me NO don't even think about it.

I wish I could get my wife to peruse the forum!

Blown76mav · « **Reply #20 on:** February 12, 2009, 14:42:33 »

Well after battling with the flu for a few days I finally got some work done on the sump. I still need to install the fug, the top brace and drill for the return pump but its close. Maybe this weekend.... Oh well I guess I could post a preview or two on what its going to look like. No the wood will not be staying just getting an idea on how high to make the skimmer stand.

Riderc82 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 12, 2009, 14:56:39 »

Looks great, How long did it take you to make the sump? Seeing that beauty makes me want to take my center brace up and get a custom sump

Blown76mav · « **Reply #22 on:** February 12, 2009, 15:09:42 »

I've got three hours in it so far, and maybe another 1 or so to finish it.

Joel · « **Reply #23 on:** February 12, 2009, 15:52:37 »

What's a "fug"

Looks awesome Lonnie.

Blown76mav · « **Reply #24 on:** February 25, 2009, 09:41:21 »

Well, I guess I need to finsh this. I finally got the last of my work done. While I was waiting on the sump to dry, I installed the eggcrate, sand and some water.

Blown76mav · « **Reply #25 on:** February 25, 2009, 09:46:25 »

Well Friday I was doing a waterchange on the 65g and thought I'd move a few pieces of rock to the 150. On thing led to another and before I new it I had moved all the rock and fish.

The only problem I ran into was when I turned on the pump I had forgot to hook up one return line.

I flipped a breaker in the basement and proceeded to get a shower. My wife yelled down "I think you have a leak" Oh well if thats all that goes wrong I'm doing good.

Blown76mav · « **Reply #26 on:** February 25, 2009, 09:48:28 »

The only thing left is some T5's and more corals and fish. Oh and maybe a bigger tank.....

rmstevensiii · « **Reply #27 on:** February 25, 2009, 09:55:03 »

Awesome setup man!

UD Flyer · « **Reply #28 on:** February 25, 2009, 10:50:06 »

The tanks looking real nice. Hopefully one of these days i'll be able to move up to a big tank.

jungliztkruger · « **Reply #29 on:** February 25, 2009, 12:00:07 »

ive seen this tank in person. its gorgeous. im looking forward to seeing it as it progresses through maturity.

Arcade_Guy · « **Reply #30 on:** February 25, 2009, 13:32:32 »

Quote from: Blown76mav on February 25, 2009, 09:46:25

Looks great man!

Blown76mav · « **Reply #31 on:** February 25, 2009, 17:04:30 »

Thanks guys. I'll keep updating as things progress. I hope it looks half as good in a year or so as some I've seen from this club.

MechanicalEngineer · « **Reply #32 on:** February 25, 2009, 17:20:40 »

Awesome! How do you like your Octo skimmer? What size did you get?

Just FYI...looks like you have some aiptasia anemones in your "fug"...whatever that is.

Unless you're purposely having them there to filter your water, I'd remove them asap so they don't multiply.

Blown76mav · « **Reply #33 on:** February 25, 2009, 17:53:59 »

Nikki,

I went with the Octo 350 Extreeme. That thing is huge. LOVE IT!!!!

As far as the aptasia yep seen it, just figured it would filter the water in the refugium a little more.

Don't have any in the DT, so I usually don't worry about it.

Amstar · « **Reply #34 on:** February 25, 2009, 18:55:53 »

why the egg-crate underneath the sand?

Blown76mav · « **Reply #35 on:** February 25, 2009, 19:43:34 »

Quote from: Amstar on February 25, 2009, 18:55:53

why the egg-crate underneath the sand?

The egg-crate helps distribute the weight of the rock, and keeps any sharp edges from cracking the bottom glass. Read this somewhere on RC and I figured for 7 dollars it wasn't worth taking the chance on waking up finding 150g of water on my floors.

lazylivin · « **Reply #36 on:** February 25, 2009, 19:45:12 »

Looks really nice Lonnie and the Torch is doing very well.

Blown76mav · « **Reply #37 on:** February 25, 2009, 21:45:11 »

Quote from: Lazylivin on February 25, 2009, 19:45:12

Looks really nice Lonnie and the Torch is doing very well.

The Torch is doing great, before the move it would open up to like 7-8 inches, there is also 5 mouths now, when I got it, it had 3. Might have to frag it before long.

jake · « **Reply #38 on:** February 25, 2009, 21:50:48 »

Nice set up. Like the space and the rocks are nice

hamiltro · « **Reply #39 on:** February 25, 2009, 22:11:18 »

looks great love all the pics. you need to update your info and add 150 gallon.

Blown76mav · « **Reply #40 on:** March 02, 2009, 09:39:58 »

Well this weekend I got to do a little more to my tank. I went to pick up some fish from a guy who was tearing down his tank and ended up with A LOT more. I got 2 250W MH's, ballast's and reflectors. Now I have light.

He also sold me a brain coral, a some kind of plate coral, some blastro (?) and a acon (?) I also got some hammer coral from Slandis3, and a Carnation here localy.

Oh well here are the pics of some of the stuff.

Blown76mav · « **Reply #41 on:** March 02, 2009, 09:45:11 »

Once the fish get comfortable I'll get some more pictures of them. I picked up a Yellow Tang, Purple Tang, Kole Tang, Six line Wrasse, Royal Gramma, Chromis, mating pair of Clowns, a Longnose Hawkfish and a pair of Green Serpent Stars. The Gramma and Wrasse went and hid and never seen them the rest of the night. The Gramma is almost 4" long and fat. So far my Sailfin isn't liking the new company but I'm sure he'll get use to them.

I also scored two Korella 4's for 15 dollars

jungliztkruger · « **Reply #42 on:** March 02, 2009, 22:36:15 »

very nice lonnie. how is everything reacting to the new lights?

Blown76mav · « **Reply #43 on:** March 02, 2009, 22:50:14 »

So far so good. Everything loves the lights. Might have to add either another one in the center or maybe some 24" T5's to brighten up the center.

aquavista99 · « **Reply #44 on:** September 22, 2009, 21:49:20 »

Your setup is very nice Lonnie! That skimmer of yours is a beast! Add any new SPS lately?

Blown76mav · « **Reply #45 on:** September 22, 2009, 21:54:35 »

Thanks Tim,

but it pales in comparison to your tank. No new sps lately, want to make sure I have this under control 100% before I try any more. I am getting color back in the ones I have, but I'm noticing some cyano starting again (hopefully its a small cycle). Everything is in check, Nitrates less than .2 Nitrites 0 Ammonia 0 Ph 8.2 Alk 8-9 cal. 450 mag 1300-1400. Not sure on the PO4. Doing 40 gallon water changes every other week.

I'm thinking a GFO reactor is next on my list.

aquavista99 · « **Reply #46 on:** October 02, 2009, 18:50:15 »

Quote from: Blown76mav on September 22, 2009, 21:54:35

I'm thinking a GFO reactor is next on my list.

Lonnie,

I recently added activated carbon to my system and my water is much cleaner and the recent coral growth and colors are amazing. I know some debate the use of activated carbon 24/7 for reef tanks, but I have seen nothing but positive results and I now change my water once a month instead of every week or bi-weekly. I was running activated carbon when I hosted the Ohio Reef meeting last month as well.

TechGuy · « **Reply #47 on:** October 02, 2009, 20:08:11 »

Quote from: aquavista99 on October 02, 2009, 18:50:15

Lonnie,

I recently added activated carbon to my system and my water is much cleaner and the recent coral growth and colors are amazing. I know some debate the use of activated carbon 24/7 for reef tanks, but I have seen nothing but positive results and I now change my water once a month instead of every week or bi-weekly. I was running activated carbon when I hosted the Ohio Reef meeting last month as well.

I have always run Carbon aswell. Crystal clear water!

Joel · « **Reply #48 on:** October 03, 2009, 07:20:37 »

Carbon;

http://www.ohioreef.com/index.php?topic=3550.0

Blown76mav · « **Reply #49 on:** October 03, 2009, 09:01:11 »

I have been running carbon passively for a while now, I think along with the GFO I'm going to start running it actively. Still have a cyano problem, but the GFO reactor should be here Monday.

harleyrider · « **Reply #50 on:** October 03, 2009, 09:57:40 »

Ive had carbon in my tank since day 1

aquavista99 · « **Reply #51 on:** October 06, 2009, 12:26:33 »

Quote from: Blown76mav on October 03, 2009, 09:01:11

I have been running carbon passively for a while now, I think along with the GFO I'm going to start running it actively. Still have a cyano problem, but the GFO reactor should be here Monday.

What kind of GFO reactor will you be running, Lonnie?

Blown76mav · « **Reply #52 on:** October 06, 2009, 12:52:45 »

I ordered this one from Dr. Foster Smith

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+20173&pcatid=20173

The one I ordered is for the 200 gallon system.

TechGuy · « **Reply #53 on:** October 06, 2009, 13:29:22 »

Quote from: Blown76mav on October 06, 2009, 12:52:45

I ordered this one from Dr. Foster Smith

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+20173&pcatid=20173

The one I ordered is for the 200 gallon system.

I have this one, and the BRS Dual Reactor.

Works well, and its easy to tune the flow.

aquavista99 · « **Reply #54 on:** October 06, 2009, 18:20:55 »

Are you going to run just GFO or carbon as well, Lonnie?

Blown76mav · « **Reply #55 on:** October 06, 2009, 23:27:47 »

Quote from: aquavista99 on October 06, 2009, 18:20:55

Are you going to run just GFO or carbon as well, Lonnie?

I'm going to continue with the carbon, but I want to run it actively. Thinking of getting a housing like my RO/DI unit has, filling it with carbon and using a MJ1200 to pump the water into it.

aquavista99 · « **Reply #56 on:** October 06, 2009, 23:43:20 »

Quote from: Blown76mav on October 06, 2009, 23:27:47

I'm going to continue with the carbon, but I want to run it actively. Thinking of getting a housing like my RO/DI unit has, filling it with carbon and using a MJ1200 to pump the water into it.

I use the same RO/carbon setup with a MJ1200 feed pump on my 30g QT tank as well.

bigfalcon36 · « **Reply #57 on:** October 08, 2009, 21:58:47 »

where are you guys buying your activated carbon at and what is your frequency of changing it out? I am running carbon and phosban out of the same Two Little Fishies Phosban Reactor. i just started doing this, it works well and saves on a little bit of equipment.

aquavista99 · « **Reply #58 on:** October 08, 2009, 23:35:21 »

I use HydroCarbon (granular activated carbon) from Two Little Fishies. Not all activated carbon is the same (see attached links). Activated carbon that is created by steam activation and acid washing (ie, HydroCarbon or ROWAcarbon) will not leach phosphates back into your tank and is considered higher grade/quality. I switch my carbon out about every three to four weeks but every system is different depending on load, and other factors. See also the attached links herein for additional information.

http://joejaworski.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/does-a-reef-tank-need-carbon/

or

http://www.ohioreef.com/index.php?topic=3550.0

Quote from: bigfalcon36 on October 08, 2009, 21:58:47

where are you guys buying your activated carbon at and what is your frequency of changing it out? I am running carbon and phosban out of the same Two Little Fishies Phosban Reactor. i just started doing this, it works well and saves on a little bit of equipment.

2024 Ohio Reef Frag Swap

Author Topic: Blown76Mav's 150 build (Read 9302 times)

Blown76mav

Blown76mav

MechanicalEngineer

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slandis3

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slandis3

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MechanicalEngineer

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bigfalcon36