240 Reef Whoot Whoot!

[cyrus]

Hi all! First I'd like to thank everyone for the warm welcome. I may be being a little premature on launching a thread but I'm big on researching. The tank I aquired is a 240gal acrylic. It came with a wet/dry filter 40gal. wich I am still in the air on using at all (hate for bioballs). I plan on purchasing a 100+ gal tank for the fuge. The stand will be built along with an oversized hood maybe 3'-4' to hide a surge tank and give the lights room for adjustment. I want to use the black foam idea with pre-plumbing intergrated also. I will start posting updates after we move in to our new home! Any help tips or trix are very welcome as this is my first large tank!:hypnotyized:

[Kristy]

Hey, welcome!

Check out this thread... BigBird is selling a huge sump for a great price.
http://www.maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=55685

[cyrus]

Thanks for the heads up!

[ErikH]

LOL I'll just tag along here, sounds like you got the right idea already. Why not just buy a vortech? Less hassle, less chance of problems? Make sure you use KILZ on your stand and canopy.

[cyrus]

which vortech? what is KILZ?

[cyrus]

And a quick update: I think the foam is out now. I bought 120 lbs of premo live rock for the tank and i'm storing most of it in a mini me 40 acrylic. It has the same blue acrylic back as the 240 and the wifey likes it lol. So might pass on the foam and just hide the heads with the rock.

[ErikH]

a vortech mp40

and kilz is found at lowes. It is a primer that will keep you from getting mold growth.

[cyrus]

oh dang thats sweet! thanks for that, I was going to look for a similar water proofer but this will work! Are 4x4 posts necessary for support or are there other ways to brace the base?

[hobogato]

if you feel like spending a little time, i am willing to help you draw up a stand and talk with you about bracing, etc.

d'oh! just realized you are in killeen, shoot me a phone number and i will give you a call to discuss stand design if you want.

[allan]

I think you could swing 2x4s, but your best bet would be to ask Hobogato or preview some of the tank build threads. I've seen some of the stands build with bracing made of 2x4 in a butt styled joint, one perpendicular to the other at all four corners. But then again, my 190 rests on a standard stand comprised of 1x4s.

240 gallons of water is easily over 1920 pounds, and that's just the water so I would make sure your stand is built to sustain the weight which will probably be closer to 3k when it's all said and done.

[allan]

Ace, that was quick. :-)

Cyrus, I travel to Fort Hood a few times a year. If you work with Ace and need it delivered I could probably bring it up for you...

[hobogato]

no allan, i am not building them anymore. i was just offering help in planning :wink_smile:

[cyrus]

That would be great I will get with you on that. I am in need of some 400w lamps. I know this isn't an item just found lying around lol but If anyone has some leads let me know for sure :D

[cyrus]

I have located an awsome sunrise simulator that can handle 400w's! :O Thoughts?
http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com/sun_up_dawn_simulator_619_prd1.htm

[allan]

no allan, i am not building them anymore. i was just offering help in planning :wink_smile:

Airborne Ace, I wasn't trying to pimp you out. :)

[cyrus]

I'm going more towards an anemone/clown tank. What are people referring to when the say running their skimmer wet?

[corruption]

Wet vs Dry in relation to skimmers is how thick the effluent out of the reactor chamber is... if its dark, thick and slimy, its running the skimmer dry -- if its more pale-to-dark green and less thick, its running more wet..

-Corruption

[cyrus]

http://maast.org/forums/album.php?albumid=178&pictureid=1429
So here is my rather tall tank stand in progress. As you can see the 4x4's are on all 4 corners secured with lag bolts. The center support is 2x4's molded togather. I will say the 4x4's were not the best idea. Even the straitest ones I could find left me 1/2" off when I went to square it up. The finish will go a few more inches up with to conceal the sand bed. What do you guys think so far? Is this going to be enough support or should I add some diagonal supports on the back and sides?

http://maast.org/forums/album.php?albumid=178&pictureid=1429

[Mr Cob]

I like tall stands....looks nice. It will be nice to not have to bend over to view things in the tank.

[cyrus]

Her she is!

http://maast.org/forums/album.php?albumid=178&pictureid=1432

My questions are the following.. how essential is the refugium? With my direction going towards a anemone tank that is? I'm looking for someone that works with acrylic and some one to help me plumb the tank out also. Will greatly appreciate all input!!!:bighug:

[Gseclipse02]

a few ?'s is the front skin one solid piece ? and how are you going to do the doors?

[roscozman]

Looks good. We're in the process of rebuilding our 240gal as well.

As far as plumbing, what are looking to do - PVC, Flextube, etc.?

[cyrus]

The front is 3/4 hardwood yes it's one piece. I'm going to put 3/8 on the sides and back and trim it out. The doors will be 2 solid peices that open out. I want to do flex hose as my bulk fittings are only 1". Should I drill larger holes in the overflows?

[cyrus]

does anyone know of a good epoxy paint? the best I've seen at lowes is driveway epoxy and pool paint?

[cyrus]

Sorry I haven't had an update in a while. The tank is full and running minuse a few drip leaks in the plumping that I am currently working out. I will have pitctures soon. the tank is at about 70% still. I have to finish out the stand it kind of got put on the back burner when I got a bunch of sand... free! It needs some additional plumbing, I am running a 2" pipe out doors to avoid the great flood lol. I piped in a bulk head fitting that will drain from a 1/2" from the top of the sump in case of major backflow. I still need to purchase adaquate lighting.

I have set up a 29gal juvenile/hospital tank for the batch of onyx clowns that are coming hopefully this month!

So far I have just one rbta to begin my forest!

[cyrus]

I went with pvc due to Lowes weak advice. You can do flex just as easily but at much greater cost.

[cyrus]

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?page=2&aid=6282&id=100000281074615#!/photo.php?pid=153038&id=100000281074615&fbid=105778052774897