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View Full Version : Cobraden's 150 build



cobraden
Mon, 7th Feb 2011, 01:37 PM
Well after taking down my 300gallon, picking up this tank a couple months ago, and grabbing equipment here and there, it looks like it's time to get this party started.

My idea is to make this a mixed tank with a heavy SPS focus.

I'm going to take my time as there is a lot to do, but I figured I might as well start documenting it.

What I have so far:

150 gallon aquarium
Oak Stand and Canopy
Sump
Warner Marine AR-150 skimmer
Korallin C1502 Calcium reactor, solenoid valve and CO2 tank
Aquatic Life 6 bulb T5 system with LED night lights and light controller
UV sterilizer
Return pump (have a few to choose from) Planning on using external.
2 Tunze PH with the 7240 drivers and multi controller. (hope I don't need)

Have lots of live rock and sand from the 300g take down.

Still need to pick up as $$ allow:
GFO reactor
New plug set for my Reefkeeper2


Tank is a 150 gallon 60"x24"x24". Bought it used and it was being used for a reef. Has some scratches on the front panel but nothing too bad. Tank is reef ready with one 1" drain and one 1" return. Holes in the tank are 1-3/4". Secondary silicone seal inside the tank is discolored and the overflow box if functional but not great looking. The tank has a huge centerbrace

The plan is to drill the tank for two 1-1/2" drains and an additional return using the new glass hole saws that I just ordered. I will also remove the current overflow box and all of the internal silicone, add the new boxes and redo the entire secondary seal. The center brace will be replaced by a metal brace that I will have made and powercoated to protect from corrosion.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s112/cobraden/Tanklightson.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s112/cobraden/oldfilterbox1-1.jpg

The sump I have is 36"Lx18"Wx24"H. It's a little longer than I wanted to use by about 6" but I have it and can make it work. Right now it's pretty open but I plan on making it somewhat multi purpose. I will add a refugium and a couple of open stands to hold my reactors. Will also add an additional bubble trap and probe holder. The Refugium will have dimension of aprox 15"x8" and be about 16" tall and will be on the front side of the sump so I can see any critters that happen to end up living down there. This will be a very slow current area of the sump. The rest of the sump will have a pretty high flow. The extra length of the sump may force the use of an internal return pump but I'm planning on using external.

Water return to the tank will be something similar to the one discribed here http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pbh2oret.htm (sorry, don't know how to highlight a word and make it a link) I hope this system keeps me from needing the powerheads but I have them just in case.

Just started placing things in the stand last night to see how they fit.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s112/cobraden/filtrationlayout2.jpg

Added the lights to the canopy and like the way they work.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s112/cobraden/IMG00304-20110206-2330-3.jpg
LEDs only
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s112/cobraden/T5systemon.jpg
full on!


More to follow as I make progress!

alton
Mon, 7th Feb 2011, 05:56 PM
Looks great, keep us updated. And remember it is just money.

cobraden
Wed, 9th Feb 2011, 07:19 PM
Love it when I get new toys in the mail.



http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s112/cobraden/IMG00307-20110209-1805.jpg



1 - 2 3/8" glass hole saw

1 - 1 3/4" glass hole saw

2 - bulkheads for my 1 1/2" drains



Already had the bulkheads for the returns.



Looks like this weekend it may be time to try my hand at some glass drilling!

cobraden
Sat, 12th Feb 2011, 12:11 AM
My plans for the evening got rescheduled so...since I didn't really feel like going out I decided to make a little progress. I removed the old overflow. Ok baby steps. I was going to remove the centerbrace as well but havent quite figured out how I'm going to get it out. I will think about that tomorrow.

Before
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s112/cobraden/IMG00310-20110211-1852.jpg

After
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s112/cobraden/IMG00311-20110211-1923.jpg