WTR's 180 Build

[WestTxReefer]

Ok, so I finally decided to buy something big enough to get me into this forum! I got an old oceanic 180 from my LFS. I didn't take any pics of it yet, but they're coming, just wait! I currently have a marineland 150 DD, which is a great tank. The wife on the other hand, doesn't seem to agree with me on this. She specifically does not like the square shape of the tank, or the fact that I put it in our bedroom right next to the bed.

The new tank is a little rough. This is to say the least about the condition it is currently in. It was a fresh tear down from one of the customers at the LFS. I'm friends with the owners and had dibs on the tank, given that they knew I was looking for a big tank. The stand is the stock 1994 24" tall crappy stand. This just will not do.... So......OFF WITH ITS HEAD! We will custom build a Stand for the tank, before the tank enters the house. The current stand it basically a box. It sits 24x24x72, just like the tank. This doesn't allow for a lot of working room under the tank, so we will change that! The new stand will be 30x30x72. I want the added lip in the front of the tank as a ledge to stand on and work inside the tank. I actually own a shop for my business, right next door to a custom cabinet maker... How convenient! The back of the tank was drilled for over flows, but all they were using was bulkheads drilled through the side of the tank. I like this idea, as in it allows for more room within the tank while still being able to have an over flow system. The draw back is the same thing as the Pro of the system. There are however, "glue on" over flow boxes. . PROBLEM SOLVED!!... I think! Anyway, I will have more to come but this will be the birth of what hopefully turns into a great tank!

[WestTxReefer]

Ok so i need a new protein skimmer for this build. The one i have now is a Bubble Magus Bm180 and I just don't think it will take the load of this tank. It will also be for sale pretty soon along with the tank and stand that I currently have... The skimmer I am looking at is an Aqua Euro pro cone 320. It seems pretty beefy for the money but Ive never had any experience with this company. I know Reef Octopus has great skimmers and so does Vertex, but I was thinking of maybe trying a new brand, as I have owned both of these brands in the past.

[WestTxReefer]

Attachment 290637ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410402735.705465.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1410402744.872566.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1410402754.390081.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1410402763.539326.jpg

[WestTxReefer]

Ok there are some initial pics. I am currently building the frame for my stand and that is the old junky stand that came with it

[WestTxReefer]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410409906.577369.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1410409920.895822.jpg


And the stand all framed out

[WestTxReefer]

this is better to look at.

[WestTxReefer]

those are scratches that were hidden under algea build up! Is there any way to buff these out? I'm sure it wont be perfect but it might be better.



This is what concerns me! This is the front corner of my tank. It looks like it is calcified silicone.. What do you guys think?

[WestTxReefer]

double post

[dave.m]

A lot of this stuff disappears when you add water.



Dave.M

[WestTxReefer]

Dave,

Do you know how to make my stinking images smaller? They're the size of a freight train!

[dave.m]

Make them smaller at the originating end before uploading them to your image server. Most forums provide only limited options when displaying images, so you have to do the thinking for them.

Dave.M

[WestTxReefer]

thanks! Oh i meant to ask you if you about that silicone... Is it possible to scrape just the surface silicone and re-do it? The actual internal seam seems fine.

[dave.m]

I do not know of a way to safely remove the grunge from the silicone. You will find that outer layer to have hardened by now, i.e. the plastic itself. Anything you do to try to hack off the outer encrusted layer will likely only weaken the bond.

Sorry, but I think your best bet is to leave it, else you'll end up having to remove all the silicone and rebuild the tank.

Dave.M

[WestTxReefer]

Thanks! I'm planning to do an over the weekend water test on this thing starting tomorrow, so we will see what happens

[WestTexasReefer]

I have a 180 brick style tank with no center brace made by DSA. You may want to check out Life Reef skimmers. I run the VS24 on mine due to cabinet height restrictions. The nice thing about these is you can use any pump you want as long as it pushes the required flow so you are not stuck with hard to get and expensive pumps or replacement parts plus they are truly set and forget. I replaced a Bubble King with the Life Reef several months ago and the Life Reef is much easier to set and pulls out some nasty gunk.

[WestTxReefer]

WTR thanks for your input I will definitely check them out! How is mr aquarium up there doing? Are they still open?

[WestTxReefer]

So....... I WAS going to use this 75g for a sump....ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410577958.150430.jpg

[dave.m]

Ouch!

Dave.M

[WestTxReefer]

Wind caught my door when I was unloading it and me and the door hit the ground.... Luckily nothing was damaged besides the tank

[WestTxReefer]

We just ordered the sump. This thing should be here in about 3 weeks. I went ahead and got with the guys over at custom acrylics and had them build one. The stand should be skinned today and maybe start on staining it as well. pics to come..

[WestTxReefer]

Getting closer

[WestTxReefer]

And finished ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410813078.894255.jpg

[WestTxReefer]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1410813200.321859.jpg. rubberized top coat to prevent the plywood from soaking water

[WestTxReefer]

[WestTxReefer]

The canopy is done for the most part. I need to go over the inside with killz one more time then its finished!