Arch's Tank Build

[dbl]

Primed yesterday, final coat of paint going on in an hour.

Looking sharp!

 

[Antics]

Very nice! I like the attention to detail.

 

[Archibald J McLauchlin]

Time to pull the tape and do some touch up paint work but the stand is 90% complete.

 

[Archibald J McLauchlin]

Tank stand is finally in place!!! Need to shim the stand and cut a piece of foam for under the tank. After that the plumbing adventure begins.

 

[Archibald J McLauchlin]

I was finally able to get a hand lifting the tank into place.

 

[Archibald J McLauchlin]

Overflow plumbing complete.

 

[Archibald J McLauchlin]

Need a little more E Marco 400 to complete the job but most rock work is cemented into place.

 

[Archibald J McLauchlin]

Sides and top views

 

[Archibald J McLauchlin]

Equipment update on lights, return pump and wave pumps. I went the Ecotech route, 2 Mp40 wave pumps, 2 XR30 g4 with diffusers and a vectra M2 return pump.

 

[Archibald J McLauchlin]

Another front pic of the caves.

 

[dbl]

Coming together very nicely...congrats.

 

[Archibald J McLauchlin]

Aquascape was cemented using E Marco 400 pink, really easy to work with and super strong bond. All the rock is Carib-Sea liferock. I used the Mega Cave, a 40lb box of shapes and a box of the 4 arches.

 

[Archibald J McLauchlin]

It finally has power, water and is in the cycling process.

 

[bfreeskier]

Any updates on your build? I'm completing my build with the SCA 80 and planning on using the Vectra M2, how has it worked out for you? Nice work on your plumbing, I like the 45 tee idea for your manifold. There isn't much space to work with down there.

 

[Archibald J McLauchlin]

So far I am impressed with the M2 it may have been too much pump for the tank but I like that. I calibrated it to 80% max power and run it at 45% of that. It is nice to know I have the extra power if need be. Right now I can create enough wave with just the return pump and it allows me to run the MP40s at lower speeds.

 

[bfreeskier]

Awesome nice progress, I originally planned and purchased the S2 and with my plumbing, it puts out around 360 gph. I'm hoping the M2 does better, sounds like I'll go with your advice, With the cube, I don't have enough room for two return pumps in my sump. Glad to see you're in moving along.