A whole new dimension!!!

[returnofsid]

Well, it's time for the next step in our journey of Reef Keeping Evolution!!

Last time, we took a step into a much smaller tank, with Angie's 24 gallon Aquapod Nano. This time, we'll be taking quite a large step in the opposite direction. In the coming weeks, I'll be taking and posting pictures of our progress as we start this new leg of our journey.

Okay, enough suspense, here's the details

200 Gallon Deep Dimension with a Starphire glass front panel!! Dimensions are 48" wide X 36" deep X 27" tall. Yes, you read that right, 36" front to back!!! Barbie, at Aquariums Solutions, made us a screaming deal (really, Angie screamed) on it that we just couldn't say "no" to, although Angie mighta tried a time or two.

That's all the details for now, but stay tuned!!! Hope to start building the stand this week.

[charlie]

We're here Sid, just waitin for updates. What were you thinking about for lighting?

[returnofsid]

Lighting will consist of the 6 bulb Tek5 fixture that we have over the 75 and I'll get two 150MH pendants to hang behind that fixture. Atleast that's our current plan...lol.

I'll also be running a Korallin C1502 Calcium Reactor. Still haven't decided if I'm going to use a ready made acrylic sump/fuge (you may have seen the used one in Barbie's shop) or buy a 40 breeder and make a sump/fuge out of it.

I'd also like to incorporate an ATO system of some kind, into the stand, as there should be plenty of room. I'm still in the "research" phase of ATOs as I'm not very familiar with them and would like something simple.

I hope to get the tank to the house in the next few days and begin building the stand in the next couple days also. At that point, I'll be filling this thread with pics!!

[charlie]

You know I ain't goin nowhere sid, it is gonna take me til you guys get here toclean the house!!!! I just be watchin and waitin.
You know what my ATO is so you know how much I trust them.

[Poseidon]

PICTURES!!! We need PICTURES!

I really like those dimensions, I wish I had room for a 48x36 tank!

[charlie]

PICTURES!!! We need PICTURES!

I really like those dimensions, I wish I had room for a 48x36 tank!

What he said.

[returnofsid]

Yeah Yeah, pics will be posted as soon as I actually start the project...lol. Tank is still at the LFS and lumber to build stand with is still at Lowes. It's been a hectic coupla days so haven't made any progress, except in my head, which is a very scary place to be!!!

[returnofsid]

Finally, a couple of pictures...lol. The stand is assembled, and in the living room. Well, partially assembled. The framework is complete and ready to hold up the tank. I'll probably have the tank on the stand tomorrow, depending on how much help I'm able to get. I'll sheet the stand later, most likely with 1/2" oak ply. The "floor" will be 1/2" CDX plywood. I had to build the stand in stages, that I could then bring into the house and assemble. Otherwise, it wouldn't fit through any doors.





Here's the tank, still crated up.

[Poseidon]

Looks like a great stand! Uh, if you had to build the stand in sections, how are you going to get the tank in?

[returnofsid]

The narrowest doorway has a 29" opening. I wanted to build the stand taller than 29", so it wouldn't have fit through the door. The stand is 32" tall. The tank is 27" tall. My only other option would be to take a chainsaw to the tank, and then glue it back together after it's inside!!!

[Poseidon]

LOL! Chainsaw!!!!

Glad to hear it will work out easily for you.

[returnofsid]

Me too cuz I can't find my chainsaw!!!

[returnofsid]

So here's an update I've been really wanting to make!! Today, I get to.

Here's the stand, not finished. Still need to decide what style of trim I'm going to use and still need to build the doors. Screws will all be hidden by trim. There will also be plywood installed for the "floor" of the stand.





Here's the pictures I've REALLY been waiting to take. We got the tank placed on the stand a few hours ago.



To give an idea of how large this thing actually is:

[Parrothead]

Sid,

That is a beast(and, no I don't mean your daughter, my 10 year old daughter wants to meet her, said she's a ham like her, ref. pic) That is one awesome tank, can't wait till I get moved(about a year) then I can get a monster tank, look forward to the updates.

Tanks,
Robert

[returnofsid]

WooHoo!!! We got a tank full of water!!! It's only freshwater, to test plumbing, flow and such. No leaks, stand is level, we're making progress!!





Yes, there's a mesh wheel in the skimmer collection cup...lol. Just put it there so I wouldn't lose it in all the clutter.



The Sea Swirl on the left hand side will have the locline added to it tomorrow. I wanted to see the flow with and without the locline Y.

[charlie]

Good job man!!!!!

[Parrothead]

Awesome Job Sid, just awesome

[returnofsid]

Thanks all!! Now to figure out how to make 200 gallons of saltwater!! I can't mix it in the tank, because I'll be adding live rock directly to the tank. I don't think I'll be able to place the live rock, dry sand, and still aquascape with the tank full of water. I need to place the live rock base, then the dry sand and then enough saltwater to cover the base. Then I plan to build up the live rock structure, adding saltwater as I go, to keep the live rock covered in saltwater.

[Parrothead]

Rather you than me Brother, I will pay attn to your thread here for when I get moved and have my dream tank, I'll have all your wisdom and mistakes, just kidding covered, and mine will be easy, thank you in advance for all the foot work and the help that you are giving all of us here by giving us blow by blow setup updates

Tanks,
Robert

[TimH07]

Great project sid! im also going to watch this, building the setup is half the fun!