SKNR's 150 Tank Build Thread

[SKNR]

Just a little back ground on me. New to the hobby since Feb of this year. 150 gallon tank bought used with stand and canopy. Set up my tank in Feb and had to take it down two days later as there was a leak.

So the tank went from this

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/postpic.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/postpic2.jpg

to this

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/postpic3.jpg


Got the tank back at the end of Feb but since I was having to start over i was going to do this right, well as right as I know.

The sand that was given to me seemed like it was play sand, the sump was small no room for a fuge,and now my wife now wants the tank in another room.. So in hind site it actually worked out for the best.
I was using the same stand I got from the person who sold me the tank. As I was placing shims under the stand to level the tank the wood started to come apart. So over this past weekend I have constructed the shell of another stand. This one is 41" tall so I do not have to bend down to look at the tank, and will have two access on both ends to get things in and out with out having to remove supports or God forbid remove the tank itself. Will be putting a skin on it and staining it later.

Here is the tank and stand as of today and right under the tank is not decorative trim, that is the way I bought the wood from HD.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/zfishtank.jpg

Ok so I have about 200lbs of live rock, 175 that has been in containers since feb, and 25 that I purchased when Wolf Reef had that dry rock sale,will be using some in the sump. 120 lbs of Agronite sand,a 30 gallon sump, 20 gallon fuge(will be put in later), little giant return pump. Aqua C 180 skimmer powered by a Mag 7.
Lights I have 2 250w MH lights and 2 55w 50/50

With the new stand I will have to use the old canopy for a while with no MH lights, I purchased those in March so will have build it taller then the canopy that came with the tank.
I was at the frag swap and been to every LFS over and over again and have not been able to buy any livestock so I am getting excited, well not too excited cuz since I have spent so much in the past 4 months I might have a tank of rocks for a while.

As of right now I do not know what will live in my tank, still reading on what can coexist and what my equipment can support.

Any feedback is appreciated, anything that I should be doing or not doing. Please let me know.

Next to do will be to paint the inside of the stand. I have seen a lot of people use Kilz any reason this is better then latex paint. Is is due to Kilz being oil based and repelling moister better?

[clone]

nice start richard and ill be tagging along with your build.

[LoneStar]

This one is 41" tall so I do not have to bend down to look at the tank

Always a plus for us tall people!

Looks like your on the right track. A couple of suggestions for the stand. You can put a 1-2" lip around the bottom deck. Seal the edges/seams with caulk and then paint the bottom portion with a marine grade paint (they sell it at Home Depot and you can get it in white). That way if you do get any small leaks or spills, it will be close to water proof. The rest of the stand I would use Kilz oil based. Should seal the wood pretty good. If you are going to skin the stand, I would leave it white since it will help you see better.

Add a light or two underneath your stand for doing maintenance work. It will come in real handy. If you fell safe enough to add a few electrical outlets to your stand, that will help with wire control....since in the long run you will end up with a lot of stuff under there!

Looks like the tank is on a exterior wall. If you get into SPS or would need to run a chiller, looks like you would have good access to place one outside! (and just run the plumbing through the wall).

As for a Auto Top Off storage, you can build a matching bench seat to fit under the window to hold a water container. That way it would be hidden. Have your wife throw some fancy pillows on it.

Just a few ideas to kick around.... :)

[SKNR]

Thanks

Kevin, hopefully my build will not take too long, and thanks for tagging along

Lonestar, I like the idea of keeping spills contained, will be using the lip around the bottom of the stand, could not find Marine Paint at my HD so off i go to Kilz the inside of the stand

[SKNR]

Finished kilzing the inside of the stand,(2 coats) have some things to do tomorrow so will be starting the plumbing on Thursday. Hopefully a water test this weekend. Fingers crossed. Will post pics once the plumbing is completed.

[Rychek]

Sweet! Looking forward to more pics. Good luck with the water test. Hopefully it won't leak this time!

[JeffCo]

Looks like a great start. If you have the liverock in containers, just make sure you have some circulation and change out the water every once in awhile.

[SKNR]

Rychek yes hopefully there are no leaks and when I get something else done I will place more pics.

Jeffco thanks for the reminder it has been a while since I last changed the water, and there are air stones and pumps moving the water around.

Too tired tonight to do anything on the tank except stare at it and dream of what it may one day look like. :)

One question will placing a T to split the water to go to two different returns affect the flow rate much? Enough to make me wait for a true Y connection?

Thanks again for the responses

[LoneStar]

One question will placing a T to split the water to go to two different returns affect the flow rate much? Enough to make me wait for a true Y connection?

It will slow it down some but not by much. In reality, I wouldn't depend on flow for my tank coming from the return pump. Just set the flow fast enough to keep up with your skimmer and the rest of your equipment in your sump. I would use powerheads or a closed loop to really create the flow in the display.

[SKNR]

Thanks Lonestar for the info, I have 1 Korailia #3 and 1 #4 thinking of getting one more #4

Ok so here is an update of my progress. Plumbing is done and there has been tap water running since Sat Night. no leaks

Here are some pics
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/FFVwPlumbing.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/FFVwPlumbing2.jpg

and here is the what it looks like underneath, I had some left over electrical outlets from one of my project so i used the here. They are hooked up to a light switch under the stand so when ever I need to see what I am doing (shouldn't you need to see what your doing all the time??) light is just a flip away.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/FFVwPlumbing3.jpg


I would have started to fill my tank up (since it is going to take me a while, my RO unit is from Lowes so the max output is 20gpd) but one small over site... I do not have a DI unit, so I have ordered one from Buckeyes. should be here sometime next week. I have waited this long what is one more week right. If I did not have it before this hobby has taught me patience!!!

I hope my next update is not that far away.

[LoneStar]

Nice job on the lights, they will come in handy:thumbs_up:

[Rychek]

It's pics like that that make me realize I should've done more to my stand before I put my tank on it. It sure is looking nice!

[SKNR]

So here is the next update. I got the DI unit last week, hooked it up Sat morning and finally started to fill the tank. This is the reason why it took me three days to fill up.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/fish3.jpg

before I filled it up the entire way I cleaned the sand and then Sunday put my rock in. Got so carried away that I went to wolf reef and got 40 lbs more. I think that is over 200 lbs of rock. wife just saw the credit card statement on how much I paid for rock again! I will be eating leftovers for lunch the rest of the month. WELL WORTH IT!!!!

So here is what I came up with.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/fish4.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/fish2.jpg

There are some coves, overhangs and such. From these pics it only looks like a pile of rocks will take some better pics later as my battery died and was only able to take these.


- The LR has been in bucket since Feb, the pieces I bought on Sunday were from the cured tubs at Wolf Reef. How should I start the cycling process. I read on an other forum to put uncooked shrimp into the tank and let them start to decompose to start the process. Or I have also read I can start with some Green Chromis as they are pretty hardy to start the process. What would you do?

Also one other thing that I forgot are heaters. My wife thinks I make up the things that I need up just so I can go to the LFS. Anyone have a favorite or most reliable. I was thinking of getting 2 250watt heaters.

Again comments are welcomed.

[glennr1978]

looks like you are off to a good start!

[demodiki]

Don't use chromis. I used a shrimp way back when but it sure smelled bad. If your LR has any die-off that will start your cycle.

[p00num3lli]

i wouldnt use a heater during the summer...and about the shrimp, ive read that too, but have never done it so idk

lol...well i hope your left overs taste good:bigsmile:

[DrMark]

You dont need to put qnything in there. The cycling will happen. I put the live rock in and leave it for a couple of weeks, testing periodically. You will have an ammonia peak and then it will come down. I think there is some die off of live rock with transport, handling, etc. Precured helps, but best to treat as uncured. Just a little more patience. I also am not a big fan of putting chromis, shrimp, etc in there early with the thought that "if they die no biggie, they were cheap anyway". I want to give every animal the best chance possible. Patience and testing will accomplish that.
As for a heater. My house stays at 75, my chiller is plumbed through foundation and is outside (pipes cold in winter). I have one 300 watt Rena (non-glass) heater that does the job on my 214. Maybe dont need two, uless planning on one being a backup.
Link to heater:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+18444&pcatid=18444

mark

[Rychek]

I too would recommend letting the LR take care of the cycling. As for heaters, I run two 250ish watt VisiTherm Stealth heaters (one is a backup) in the sump of my 90 gal.

[SKNR]

Thanks guys for all the comments, I will let the tank run as is, for the time being will get one heater just to make sure the temp does not fall.The tank temp right now is at 75-80. So I guess before the heater I need to get is a digital thermometer so I can know the real temp of the water. The one I have came with the tank and is one of those sticker types.

If $$ permits I will start finishing the stand and building the canopy, but I have some Honey do's I have to do. Well at least I have some time on my hands.

One other question I will be putting a fuge, but thinking about asking Ace to build it as with the external pump takes up room so I can not put my 20 gallon tank in there. My question is when I put the fuge in will I have to cycle the tank again. I will have a DSB,LR and cheato.
Thanks again

[Rychek]

It depends on the sand you use and how much you use. I did not have any noticable cycle when I added a HOB refugium to my 55 gal tank. I used rock rubble I already had and Caribsea Aragonite LS from B&B as well as cheato from B&B.

[SKNR]

Thanks Rychek

I am thinking that I will get the refugium up and running as soon as possible. I was looking at the tank today and think i might be able to use the 20 gallon and just have Ace drill it for me. I will probly know by sunday.
Oh bought a digital temp and the tank is at 78.6
So I will wait till next paycheck to get a heater.

[SKNR]

Update:
found somethings living in my tank :bigsmile:
this past Sat turned out the tank light and a couple hours later came back and found Aiptasia :cry_smile:
Sunday pulled the rock that it was on and redid some of the rockwork. The rock was only about the size of a softball so not a big deal. It is sitting in the garage, what is the best way to make sure and get rid of the Aiptasia. I have checked the past few nights and have not see any more. It was about an inch in length.

I have also seen pods only a couple but nice to see something alive and moving in my tank.

The is also some film algae that is growing in the corners of the tank as well. should I be concerned?

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 10
and PH is at 8
I am ashamed to say this is my real first check of the water quality
the tank has been running and full with water for
1 week and 2 days and counting, i am shooting for the weekend of 4th of July to start looking at some inhabitants for my tank. by that time I will prob need to start adding a cleaning crew.
I will try and post a pic of the new rock work not too much of a change but some.

[SKNR]

Oh one other thing, should i be running my skimmer now?
Thanks again for all the help and comments

[Rychek]

You can run a skimmer now, but I'm of the opinion that running a skimmer early on in the cycle removes a potential "food source" for your developing bacteria colonies.

[RayAllen]

You do not have to run the skimmer now. Id wait another 2 weeks or so. As long as you have no livestock in the tank not running the skimmer is not a problem.

[LoneStar]

If you do find anymore aptaisia, one good way to get rid of them is to pull the rock out of the water and burn 'em off with a lighter or butane torch. Works great. You may singe the rock a lil' but it ain't bad. Since your early on in the build, it may be a good option to kill those lil' bastards!

[SKNR]

Thanks for the info Guys, I will keep the skimmer off for a few more weeks and keep my eye out for any more of those "lil Basters!" LOL

[Rychek]

Any updates on your tank Rich? It's been forever since the last one. :wink_smile:

[SKNR]

Hey Ryan, man sorry about the delay in getting back, lots going on.
Will be having my first child this coming May, I have gone back to school and I have been getting my home repairs done before the baby comes. So my time is no longer my time it seems like it is everyone else's time
Just about done with the canopy to put my MH lights in. I have the lights rigged over the tank now to keep the small amount of coral I have happy. Will also need to get the skin around the stand completed as well.
I will get some full tank shots uploaded here in the next day or so. I put my fuge in but I want to make some changes.
Wow looking back at the tank pictures makes me appreciate where the tank is almost a year later.
Like I said I will try and post some pics later this week.

[Rychek]

Thanks for the update Rich! Pics would be nice. It amazing how many changes can take place in a year.

Congrats on the baby! We had our second back in December, so time and sleep have been at a premium. :) It's worth it though.

[Gilbertg78228]

everything looks good!

[SKNR]

Ok found some time so here we go a few pics of the progress

FTS

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/photo4.jpg

The belly of the Beast (stand is still not finished)

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/photo3.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/photo6.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/photo7.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/photo2.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii97/SKNR74/photo.jpg

I have other zoas which I will try to post later.

Its been fun getting to here, now all I have to do is finish the canopy, skin the stand. Then of course there will be something that I need :)

Comments welcomed.

[Kristy]

Looks great Rich... That is probably the nicest looking yellow-belly blue hippo that I've ever seen!

[LittleReef]

Pretty! I love your rockwork :D

[Rychek]

Tank is looking great Rich!

[SKNR]

Thanks for the compliments :) now that I have the MH (installed) hopefully my zoas and other coral will grow.

Thanks the yellow belly is one of my favorite fish.