Vietcu's 205 inwall peninsula

[vietcu]

I started this project a few months back on another forum. Thought I would post the project on here, so I can get more feedback and hopefully catch any mistakes and fix it.

The project will be a 205g tank with starfire in the front panel facing my kitchen through the wall from my office room. I will have 3 sides viewable with a peninsula overflow with an external beananimal setup. The tanks dimension is 72x30x22 from Greatlakes Aquarium in Michigan.

Lighting will be 2 panels of 36 LED on either side of the tank, and one 250w MH in the center.
Flow will consist of 2 Tunze 6105.

Sump will be in the basement, consisting of one 110g tub for a frag tank, one 100g rubbermaid tub for LR, and a custom made sump inside of the 100g tub for my skimmer (SRO 5000). Return will be via Panworld 200.

My previous 75 in the basement. had this tank originally in my living room inwall as well, wife moved me to the basement. Now I am back upstairs again with a bigger tank :).
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/tankfull001.jpg

It all started with my wife wanting a new kitchen after we came back from vacation. It took me the whole summer almost plus all of the fall to finish it with the help of a good buddy Paul PMG. I managed to negotiate with her that if I was going to do the kitchen, I am going to get a new tank. Although she wasn't really thrilled with me purchasing a new tank, she gave in once we started tearing up the kitchen.

The idea on google sketch
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/Newtankbar2.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/Newtank3.jpg
skimmer sump
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/sump3.jpg
The kitchen after the teardown
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/IMG_1866.jpg
The wall where the tank will eventually sit.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/IMG_1963.jpg
Finished kitchen after many months of craziness
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/kitchen14.jpg

Was going to have my buddy Paul PMG make a stand for my tank, I wasn't even going to have it inwall. But once I put out the measurements of the stand and tank on the floor in the kitchen I knew the only way to have it upstairs was to go inwall, as it was too big for our kitchen.

[vietcu]

Once we figured out where the tank is going and how I wanted to support it, we went and got some wood.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/lumber.jpg
Started to cut and measure for the basement support. This is the typical time in Ohio that we needed to have jackets on. We were very fortunate to have a mild winter as it was unusually nice that day.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/basesupport3.jpg
one beam up for support of the Joist. Triple 2x6 cut to length.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/basesupport2.jpg
2x4 triple up also to support the 2x6
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/basewall3.jpg
right side of tank support
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/basewall.jpg
complete support up, everything was tripled up.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/basewall4.jpg

[Alysiak00]

YAY Vu is back. Glad to hear a build is on its way

[vietcu]

This is the office side of my house, I had taped the tank's dimensions on the wall to make sure everything was centered compared to the kitchen side.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/Office.jpg
what the wall looked like once we cut open the drywall. Holy what a mess it created. Should have seen the look on my wife's face once we started to cut.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/officewall2.jpg
Wiring catastrophe once we opened up that wall. This stalled our process up a bit as we were figuring out what to do with it.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/wires.jpg
Decided to knotch it out the way and worry about it later.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/officewall7.jpg
We decided to leave the drywall on the kitchen side intact as we were not going to be finished with building the stand that day.
Here is Paul putting up some support beams for the tank stand.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/officewall5.jpg

[vietcu]

Tank and move day we had a few guys come over from the LEAR club to help with the build. We moved so fast on that day that I completely forgot about documenting anything and forgot to take pictures. Once I remembered we were almost done for the day, here is what I was able to document with pictures.

Here is Paul putting together the legs for the tank stand.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/IMG_1998.jpg
Had Keith sit on it to make sure the stand was sturdy ;).
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/IMG_2000.jpg
Not really sure what he was doing here, but you can tell by the impression of Mike's face(the guy with the green hat on)
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/IMG_1999.jpg
Tank on the stand and leveled as much as possible temporarily
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/IMG_2015.jpg
wall with no tank, and wall with tank.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/kitchen9.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/IMG_2018.jpg
Lunch break with the Lear fellas from Ohio. 2 hours later we finished all the food on that table.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/IMG_2003.jpg

[vietcu]

My tank has 3 holes drilled on the far right of the tank, each hole is 2.5" big as close to the top of he tank as possible. Since the tank builder would not cut a knotch out so that I can just have water flow out, I went this route so that I can have an external overflow box. Inside the tank I made a coast to coast overflow with it being only 1" wide. It was very hard to get inside of it with the silicone gun. I beefed up the outside box with three run of silicone, should be no leaks at all as it will only have about 1 gallon of water in it when the pump is on.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/IMG_2024.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/IMG_2023.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/IMG_2027.jpg
Once it was dry and set, I started on the plumbing. Everything is dry fitted as we might still need to move the tank a little to accommodate the trims on the kitchen side.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/plumbing3.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/plumbing4.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/plumbing5.jpg
this is what it looks like on the kitchen side. I am not happy with the look so will have my buddy Keith cut a black silicone piece to cover up that side, so you don't see any plumbing.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/plumbing6.jpg
Also dried fit the bean but will more than likely make some changes.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/plumbing7.jpg

[vietcu]

I started on the Led setup about a week or so later. The plan is to have to panels of LEDs, 24 RB and 12 cool white. They are Xp-g I believe, I will be running them on parallel strings of 12 each. Using 3 Meanwell 48D to control both panels.
The beer is there for size reference
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/leds1.jpg
Let there be light. I have it on just to test it so the blue and white are on separately as of right now.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/leds7.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/leds9.jpg
I still have to run the numbers and make sure all strings are running at optimal levels before it is all said and done. Very blinding looking at the lights trying to measure the numbers.
The light rack that the lights will sit in. I will have 2 pieces of tempered glass under the panels to help with water splash.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/lights1.jpg
Here they are the panels of Led on the rack.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/lights4.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/lights5.jpg

[vietcu]

mock up of where the frag tank will sit and the 100 sump will sit.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/sump1-1.jpg
Plumbing from the 100g rubbermaid to the Panworld.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/sump2-1.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/sump3-1.jpg
Started to fill the 100g rubbermaid with water on Christmas day. I made extra sure that the holes I made for the bulkhead would not leak. That evening I came downstairs to find water on the floor. Felt around the bulkhead to find that it was completely dry. It wasn't until I took the 100g out to find that it had cracked elsewhere. Needless to say I had to get another tub to take the place of the old tub. While taking the cracked tub to my buddy's house I noticed that he was working on my skimmer sump. So I managed to take some pictures to document the work.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/skimmertank2.jpg
with the baffles in place
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/skimmertank6.jpg
weld going on the box
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/skimmertank5.jpg

[vietcu]

The material is made of Polypropelene so it cannot be welded on like acrylic. Has to be welded on using the polyprop rods, it was something to watch him put it together.
Here he is putting the side flaps on the tank
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/skimmertank8.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/skimmertank12.jpg
Additional support braces on the side flaps.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/skimmertank11.jpg
this piece is put on so that I can mount some of my probes.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/skimmertank13.jpg
Here is the finished product sitting on top of the 100g rubbermaid.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/skimmertank15.jpg

There was suppose to be a 1/2" gap from the top of that tank to the bottom of the 2x4. Needless to say the new rubbermaid tank was slightly higher than the old one, so I had to make some minor changes. Noticed how it is almost touching in the picture.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/skimmertank16.jpg

And a drawing of what the facade of the tank on the kitchen will look like.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/VuStandprintModel1.jpg

[BHD]

Hi,

Thanks for posting those pictures. I was looking for a way to add some support to the basement, now I know how. What is the dimension of the external overflow? How thick is the glass for the external overflow?

thanks,
Bao

[chefzif]

Vu! Looking great! When are you going to fire up? Chef

[vietcu]

Hi,

Thanks for posting those pictures. I was looking for a way to add some support to the basement, now I know how. What is the dimension of the external overflow? How thick is the glass for the external overflow?

thanks,
Bao


The external overflow is 4.5 wide x5 high x24 long. I played it safe having it 5 high, but after setting it up. I believe 4 would have been OK with my setup. The glass is 1/4" thick, I made it wide enough so that I could put in a 2.5" bulkhead for the emergency drain, the other two drain are 1" each.

Chef I will have you over when I fire it up.

[ThaNgBOm321]

lol, I jut want to let you know i think your user name is funny! Almost a good as mine. j/p me also like your clock on the wall.

YzGyz

[ThaNgBOm321]

lol, I jut want to let you know i think your user name is funny! Almost a good as mine. j/p me also like your clock on the wall.

YzGyz

[vietcu]

Here is some updated shot of the tank progress. This past weekend, Paul had enough time available to crank out the front facade to my tank. Here are some photos of the facade in place temporarily.

Pictures he sent me via his phone
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/tankcover5.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/tankcover4.jpg

Monday night Paul swung over to drop off the facade, 100 times better than what I could have done. We test fitted it on the tank, so decided to take a few shots. Sorry for the crappy picture but did it in a hurry.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/tankcover1.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/tankcover2.jpg

Fits just perfect, covers everything exactly how we had envision it to do. Now all I have to do is stain it and mount. Hope I don't screw it up.

[vietcu]

Sorry it took a while to do an update. I got the front facade stained and painted. Started to add water to the tank.
Staining process, word of advise unless you are using water base poly. Don't do it anywhere near your sps or corals. The fumes is a lot worse than paint fumes, I lost all of my sps staining in the house.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/paintstain447.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/facade.jpg
Water completely filled, doors on and ready for some livestock. This is with just the white LEDs on.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/1218.jpg
Here is a shot of my LED's on, this is all blue. Right side of tank has optics on, left does not. Should be able to see the difference in the pictures with optics on.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/1217.jpg
Both white and blues on.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/1216.jpg
The power source for my lights.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/1214.jpg

[vietcu]

Here is a picture of my lights on on the office side. Was going to put my computer table right up to the tank, plans have changed :).
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/1219.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/1211.jpg
Started the rock scape for my setup as well. Looks like 2 piles of rocks but is going to work well for my intended idea for this tank I hope.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/rockscape2.jpg
office side
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/rockscape1.jpg
After sand has been added, using coarse reef sand
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/IMG_2094.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/IMG_2093.jpg

[dahenley]

who has the new-yankee workshop? thats a sweet looking wood shop!

also, where did you get the round water containers? they are semi clear with white bracing around them. those look sweet, and i have seen them before, but never knew where they came from...

[vietcu]

The wood shop is from a fellow reefer Paul PMG, and the acrylic holding tank is made by Keith "deereG". Another fellow reefer.

[leekevin]

i like your setup very nicely done one question im setting up a 90g in wall and my wife and i really like the trim you put around your tank. how big are the access holes i would like to copy your design if you dont mind:)

[dendronepthya]

Looks good Vu.

[vietcu]

i like your setup very nicely done one question im setting up a 90g in wall and my wife and i really like the trim you put around your tank. how big are the access holes i would like to copy your design if you dont mind:)


The original concept was to make a roughly 10" opening so that I can get in and out of it pretty easy to clean the front glass. Once everything was said and done, we or I did not really put into consideration that there would have to be additional wood frame to hold the doors in place. So once everything was done, the hole opening came out to be 8.25" which is plenty big enough for me to do whatever I want. But if I were to do it again, I might make the opening 12" so that when finish, would reduce down to 10" with the frame in place. But I am 100% happy with the frame, and am still able to get in and out with no issues. The door itself is about 10.5" so you get an idea.

[chefzif]

A job well done Vu!

[roxbury003]

You can come to my house and set one up for me while you're at it!!!

[vietcu]

You can come to my house and set one up for me while you're at it!!!


If you are footing the bill I'll do it ;).

Here is a little short video I just shot of my tank with almost all of my fish that will be going into this tank. The video is short only 49s long.

UUAu1wLCrcQ

[aquavista99]

Looks fantastic, Vietcu! :thumbsup: Do you think I could borrow Paul for my next upgrade project?

[DevilishDukie]

Looks good. How's the copperband...my favorite fish

[Jhuff]

Very nice setup! Well done!

[EddieJ]

Looking good Vietcu!!!

[vietcu]

Looks good. How's the copperband...my favorite fish

Thanks for the compliment guys, a lot of work but well worth it in the end. The copperband is doing very well, I have high hopes for this one although it has not eaten anything I added to the tank. I have tried a lot of different types of food with the exception of live. Going to have to try live mysis or brine next to see what happens, so far he is devouring the rocks picking at it like crazy so that is good news.

[vietcu]

Been a while updating this thread, but I figured I would post up some new additions.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/3rdorder5.jpg

I have a Diamond Goby in my tank already, and wanted to pair it up with another. I figured if they didn't pair that there would be plenty of space for 2 in my tank. Man was I lucky when I added a second Diamond Goby into my tank. I put it in an acclimation box to see how the other Diamond would react to the new addition, I thought I was going to lose one with the aggression I was getting. The goby inside the container looks like it was going to kill the goby in the tank as soon as I let it out. Everytime the Diamond goby swam by it would go crazy, but once I let it out they went into the same hole together. They would both bite each other on the tail, and that was it. Now they are both swimming around the tank as a pair and happy.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/3rdorder1.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/1319367b.jpg
I picked up some Black Ice from Booyah's reef at our first annual frag swap. I have yet to add them to my tank as I have a pair of larger black oscellaris in my tank already.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/IMG_0326.jpg
Added this Leopard wrasse a few days ago, and so far it is eating everything.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/3_49.jpg
FTS
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm262/vietcu/2_29456.jpg