Ismael's 220 gallon

[ismvel]

Okay...let's start with disclaimers:

1. I am NO carpenter...but what I do works for me..now if I could only learn how to make a frea-king canopy!!!!!!
2. I am really bad about taking pictures.
3. My camera sucks worse than yours does...LOL

With that being said here is the start of my 220 gallon journey...well it started already...in its cycle...

There are no hinges on the door, I just set them in place in order to give a general idea..
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/P2030042.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/P2030043.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/P2030039.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/P2030040.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/P2110266.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/P2110267.jpg
A little valley I tried to make on the right side of the tank.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/P2110271.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/P2110273.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/P2110272.jpg
View from the kitchen
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/P2110275.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/P2110274.jpg

[FSU]

Looks good bro! Not bad for not being a carpenter! I like your rock set up also!

[ismvel]

Thanks FSU...that whole right side is going to be done....it is exactly what it looks like.....100 - 150 lbs of rock just thrown together....not really happy with it...but it is what it is.....

[engwife36]

no kidding...that stand is supper nice! I like how you did the trim for the corners.....that gives me an idea:ph34r:

[RayAllen]

Looks awesome! Great start. I know what you meen about the pile of rock look. Once coraline takes over it makes it look so much better.

[FSU]

no kidding...that stand is supper nice! I like how you did the trim for the corners.....that gives me an idea:ph34r:

Supper nice? Like you want to eat it? :lmao2: sorry, I'm not the grammar police, but I had to!



http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/fsu/grammarpolice.jpg

[engwife36]

If you can, I would paint the inside of your stand with kilz....you will love it later!

by the way, painting with kilz is like painting with thick cake batter

[engwife36]

Thats not nice Rick

[FSU]

Thats not nice Rick


That has to be Mich, cause Brad wouldn't say something like that! :bighug:

[ismvel]

If you can, I would paint the inside of your stand with kilz....you will love it later!

by the way, painting with kilz is like painting with thick cake batter
I should have before I put everything in there....but the sump is full of water and sand now...so no way I am moving that...could possibly paint around it...LOL...talk about ghetto....LOL

But thanks for the compliments all...

Now I am waiting for what I did wrong...I have thick skin....I can take it....as long as someone doesn't say...HEY MOVE that tank...then I am good to go...LOL...and personally if I owned this house it would be going into the wall from inside the garage....but...it is what it is...LOL

[FSU]

I should have before I put everything in there....but the sump is full of water and sand now...so no way I am moving that...could possibly paint around it...LOL...talk about ghetto....LOL

But thanks for the compliments all...

Now I am waiting for what I did wrong...I have thick skin....I can take it....as long as someone doesn't say...HEY MOVE that tank...then I am good to go...LOL...and personally if I owned this house it would be going into the wall from inside the garage....but...it is what it is...LOL

If you need any help, just holler at me! I am right around the corner and would be glad to help!

[FSU]

Btw, just don't let me glue anything! :what_smile:

[engwife36]

Ya, I wish I owned my house so I could do the in wall thing.....but then again I can't complain...free housing, water and electric, I think I can wait a little longer.

Don't forget to let us know about your lights, pumps, etc......

need the details man......

[ismvel]

Ya, I wish I owned my house so I could do the in wall thing.....but then again I can't complain...free housing, water and electric, I think I can wait a little longer.

Don't forget to let us know about your lights, pumps, etc......

need the details man......
Oh I hear you on the base housing thing....can't beat that.
I decided I am going to get going with what I got....and this is what I have right now....

Tank
Stand
Sump (an old 45 gallon, I beleive...it is a flat back hex tank..similar to mharmon's tank, but smaller)
Mag 18 for the return
200 lbs of rock inside the tank...another 50 plus pounds in my 30 gallon...but I will wait until my tank has cured before I start moving the rock over.
I have a 1.5 - 2 inch sand bed in the display...and a 6 inch in the sump
(3) 250w MH with 20K radium bulbs and the cheap spider reflectors...not ready to fork out for those nice lumenarcsand that's it....

What I am going to get...

I have a lead on a huge double beckett skimmer that someone had running for over 500 gallons worth of water...but I had been thinking of having ace build me one of his...difference is Ace can build me one that would fit under my stand and run with a mag 12...the other one I would need to plumb it and bring it in from the garage (as it is about 4 feet tall) and get a dart or something to push it.
(2) Seio's 2600
and maybe down the road....not sure...a tunze wavebox....not sure on that.Pretty simple set up....I will add more as time moves on...first thing is making my canopy and deciding on which skimmer I will go with!!!!! I was not thinking when I made the stand and made it 30" tall.
Well my thoughts were that I was going to make it viewable height from sitting on the couch....limits what I can really put under the tank....oh well...just have to make some adjustments in my future planning for additions.

[ismvel]

I have 3 MH with the normal reflectors. How tall should my canopy be? I was in between three different heights...

Because the tank is viewable by both sides, I need to completely enclose the canopy (will be accessible from both sides). I will have fans at the top of the canopy to help ventilate, but that is about it....


12" (but then my lights would pretty much be on top of my water and cooking the tank....no chiller)
15" (a little relief)
18" (allows me to get in and work on whatever I need to without fear of burning my arms or head on the lights......too often :hypnotyized:)
Any recommendations?

[JeffCo]

You really need to think about your access to the tank. How about adding some type of pulley system so you can raise and lower the lights. Keep it lower for the corals, then raise it when you really need to get in the tank. I used a sliding rail system and I can completely pull the lights out from over the tank. But, I think the 15" would be fine for the corals.

[Bill S]

I had a pulley system - it was a pain.

Try the yo-yos they sell on fleabay for folks growing "medicinal" drugs. I have them and they work OK - not great, but OK.

[ismvel]

You really need to think about your access to the tank. How about adding some type of pulley system so you can raise and lower the lights. Keep it lower for the corals, then raise it when you really need to get in the tank. I used a sliding rail system and I can completely pull the lights out from over the tank. But, I think the 15" would be fine for the corals.

I had a pulley system - it was a pain.

Try the yo-yos they sell on fleabay for folks growing "medicinal" drugs. I have them and they work OK - not great, but OK.
I will have to take a look at these and how I could incorporate them into the canopy...Bill, I remember your set up...you wouldn't happen to have that seller's Id on ebay would you?

I measured the reflectors and they are 6" tall...so it would sit 9" (on a 15" hood) and 12" (on a 18" hood) off of the water..the tank itself is 24" from front to back, so I still have plenty of room to get in there and move things around as needed.

The 12" canopy is now no longer being considered.

[Bill S]

No, I really don't remember - there are MANY. Just search for "reflector hangers".

[FSU]

Any updated pics?

[ismvel]

and maybe down the road....not sure...a tunze wavebox....not sure on that.
Well the day has come (much quicker than I thought, might I add) and I have the wavebox...here is a video (sorry so long and quality)...sound is off, not because it is loud but because this asylum I call a home was too noisy, didn't need you to have to listen to our madness... :whew:
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/th_P5210914.jpg (http://s161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/?action=view&current=P5210914.flv)

And here are some other pictures...I am finally starting to get some things in my tank...but still looks EMPTY!!!!
Anthony....look familiar? THAT THING is huge....

Tricolor Valida and His 10 year old Welsophyllia Brain
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/01-TriColorValida-apedroza-20-colon.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/02-TriColorValida-apedroza-20-colon.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/03-WelsophylliaBrain-apedroza-80-sh.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/04-WelsophylliaBrain-apedroza-80-sh.jpg

Received from Ace (Hobogato) at the San Marcos swap, I swear this thing has grown...unless my mind is playing tricks on me....ATL Meteor Shower.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/02-ATLMeteorShower-ACE-051808-10.jpg
JeffCo's Pink Chalice (san marcos frag swap, also has grown quite a bit, i believe)
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/P5060676.jpg
Full Tank Shot
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/maelv75/220%20Build/Fulltankshot052108.jpg

[p00num3lli]

how did you get your rocks to stay?

nice tank by the way, so jealuse:)

[hobogato]

how did i miss this thread ismael????

that looks awesome!

[ismvel]

how did you get your rocks to stay?

nice tank by the way, so jealuse:)
No need to be jealous, did you see who else was posting pictures the day I chose to be brave??? LOL....now those are tanks to be admired....but in time maybe I can have a little something going on here....Thank you very much though...and I just stacked them and wedged them in there as best I possibly could and no tumbling thank God.

how did i miss this thread ismael????

that looks awesome!
Very easily Ace, it isn't fun looking at a bunch of NOTHING....LOL...Thank you very much. Now I need to start filling it up....

[p00num3lli]

hehe, yea that one guys tank is amazing. cant wait to see what your tank looks like 4 months though maelv:). lol i cant wait to see what MINE looks like in 4 months...

[lhoy]

Man, getting some great motion with that Wavebox!! Glad to see it is working out so well!

Lee

[ErikH]

how did i miss this thread ismael????

that looks awesome!


I FEEL THE SAME!!!!

looks fantasticccccccccccc! Glad to see that wavebox action!!! :bigsmile:

[apedroza]

It still takes up alot of space, even in your tank it stands out!!! It looks so cool to see it waving in your tank and it's already all puffed out. Keep us updated.

[ismvel]

Man, getting some great motion with that Wavebox!! Glad to see it is working out so well!

Lee
Yes I know....at first I was actually feeling disappointed because I couldn't get it dialed in....took a minute...but I was messing around with the driver and not so much the controller pulse knob.....but once I figured it out I was and am still very happy with it....thanks again.

I FEEL THE SAME!!!!

looks fantasticccccccccccc! Glad to see that wavebox action!!! :bigsmile:
Thanks....it is definitely a work in progress, glad you decided to give it up after all...ha ha ha....I remember you threatening to keep it...

It still takes up alot of space, even in your tank it stands out!!! It looks so cool to see it waving in your tank and it's already all puffed out. Keep us updated.
Will do Anthony, and man this thing has to be EASILY 8 inches across and 4 - 5 inches tall...it would stand out in anyone's tank. It did puff out rather quickly, and as you stated when I picked it up I would be amazed....Thing is awesome looking....for a little while I was thinking OH CRAP, he's had it 10 years....it better not die on me, LOL....but I think it will be fine in its new home..

[JeffCo]

Looks like you have plenty of flow in the tank. The chalice is looking great, it grows pretty quickly.

[erebus]

Ismael, my ATL Meteor Shower I got from Ace the same day is growing really well too. At first I didn't notice it until I compared a picture.

[ismvel]

Looks like you have plenty of flow in the tank. The chalice is looking great, it grows pretty quickly.
Yes it is growing fairly quickly considering I didn't have much flow in there until this week, hopefully it will continue to grow. This summer I am going to invest in some different bulbs for more growth, perhaps some 14K or get some 10K and get me some atinics...right now I am just running 20k Radiums...

Ismael, my ATL Meteor Shower I got from Ace the same day is growing really well too. At first I didn't notice it until I compared a picture.
Yeah and if I am not mistaken, you are the one who pointed them out to me...otherwise I wouldn't have seen them. Glad you did...just wish I would have taken a picture from when we bought them. If you have a picture of when it was bought post it up here. I think they were similar in size and i'd like to see how much (if) it had grown.....Thanks.

[hobogato]

im glad both of yours are doing well, christy lost the mother colony, so maybe some day we can buy a frag back from ya....

[ismvel]

im glad both of yours are doing well, christy lost the mother colony, so maybe some day we can buy a frag back from ya....
Most definitely.....:bigsmile:

[Mr Cob]

Great job on the stand Ismael. I also love that brain!