115 DAS finally going!

[crash519]

After many long months, the 115 DAS Flat-backed Hex is finally alive. The contents of the 58 gal were transferred over last week and all it well so far. Unfortunately, like an idiot, I didn't get the camara out for the step by step, but I do have a before, after and few before the finish was applied to the stand. This was all done in my garage, which my wife is happy to have back. I still have to make my shelves and clean up the wired in the right bottom side where the Aquacontroller Jr., Tunze stream controller, and calcium reactor are housed.

115 Before (Picture from original owner. I never had it running prior to this.)
http://www.dfwmas.org/Gallery/albums/userpics/10453/115_DAS.jpg

During construction
http://www.dfwmas.org/Gallery/albums/userpics/10453/IMG_0236r.JPG

http://www.dfwmas.org/Gallery/albums/userpics/10453/IMG_0237r.JPG

Finally!!!!!
http://www.dfwmas.org/Gallery/albums/userpics/10453/IMG_0363r.JPG

http://www.dfwmas.org/Gallery/albums/userpics/10453/IMG_0362r.JPG

http://www.dfwmas.org/Gallery/albums/userpics/10453/IMG_0364r.JPG

http://www.dfwmas.org/Gallery/albums/userpics/10453/IMG_0368r.JPG

Sump
http://www.dfwmas.org/Gallery/albums/userpics/10453/IMG_0365r.JPG

Refugium
http://www.dfwmas.org/Gallery/albums/userpics/10453/IMG_0366r.JPG

No Camara Flash
http://www.dfwmas.org/Gallery/albums/userpics/10453/IMG_0360r.JPG

All that was salvaged from the original was the stand and tank. New doors were made by a member on ReefCentral.com and I did all the rest. Even the DAS canopy was cut off! The stand was stripped and sanded as far as I could get it to be close to the natural oak color I used and three coats of satin polyurethane.

Currently it houses 120 lbs of "semi-live" sand, around 50 lbs kaelini, 50 lbs Fiji and about 20 lbs for marshal from the 58 gal.

Lighting is from 6-54w T5HO using icecap reflectors and Ballastwise.com program start ballast. It is bright. It's all mounted on an aluminum light rack that slides back to give me plenty of room to get into the tank.

More pictures to come as it's trying to go go through a small cycle which I expected.

Thanks for looking!

[143gadgets]

NICE setup!

[roper512]

Very very nice! Love the additional cabinetry

[Lionfan]

Brett, it is absolutlely beautiful!!! What combination of T5's are you using and what company???

[Ritten]

I love the cabinetry and the aquascaping. Sweet tank!

[crash519]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7595151#post7595151 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lionfan
Brett, it is absolutlely beautiful!!! What combination of T5's are you using and what company???

Those pics were using 3 blue+, 2 aquablue and 1 GE daylight. I used icecap endcaps and reflectors and these ballast (http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=23&FID=15&level=1)

D&D bulbs. I've since replaced 1 b+ and 1 AB with the new super actinics. I'm not sure which I like more.

Thanks for the compliments everyone!!!:rollface:

[flameangel88]

You have done a great job in matching everything and I really love the look of it. I could sit in front of it all night long. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us.

[roader247]

crash519 very nice cabinet, could you post a pic of how your lights are mounted ?

[20 20]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7630061#post7630061 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by roader247
crash519 very nice cabinet, could you post a pic of how your lights are mounted ?

And another request, how the canopy opens up for access into the tank?

[fservillon]

beautiful woodwork and your aquascape is awesome. once the tank fills up with corals, it's gonna look sick! wish i had the tools and skills you got with wood. keep us posted as you stock it.

[crash519]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7630087#post7630087 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 20 20
And another request, how the canopy opens up for access into the tank?

I took some pics of the lights and the canopy opened last night. I just need to pull them off the card. I'll get that done ASAP.

Thanks again for the compliments everyone :D

[Scottdl99]

BAD A** TANK I LOVE THE CABINET!!!!

[xtrstangx]

The cabinet is pretty sweet and I love the shape of the tank.

[Pattylucylaura]

How many bulbs run off that ballast? What are the specs.

[ERICinFL]

:thumbsup: Two thumbs up from me! :thumbsup: Nice cabinetry work.

[crash519]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7631049#post7631049 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pattylucylaura
How many bulbs run off that ballast? What are the specs.

2 54watt bulbs. go to the site I linked to and check out the specs there. I don't remembre other than it was so close to a Advanced Triad that I couldn't justify paying the higher price for the Triad.

[crash519]

A few new shots!

Hood open for tank access
http://www.dfwmas.org/Gallery/albums/userpics/10453/IMG_0390r.JPG

Light rack in normal position
http://www.dfwmas.org/Gallery/albums/userpics/10453/IMG_0392r.JPG

Light rack retracted
http://www.dfwmas.org/Gallery/albums/userpics/10453/IMG_0393r.JPG

Light rack was buit with 1" square aluminum tubing and 1" aluminum angle.

[20 20]

Ahhhh, sneaky! False doors on the canopy! I thought they looked a little small for good access! Very nice design, convenient, open, easy access, all you could ask for in a canopy!

[chrismunn]

very nice

[crash519]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7634944#post7634944 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 20 20
Ahhhh, sneaky! False doors on the canopy! I thought they looked a little small for good access! Very nice design, convenient, open, easy access, all you could ask for in a canopy!

Ha! The false doors were planned, but I wish I had made then usable since my wife can't open the canopy to feed if I'm out of town. The 3/4" oak plywood is pretty heavy :eek1: Of course the glass on the top of the tank would cover about half of the opening of the door.