Dual 240 Gallon upgrade

[lapoza]

Hello all,

I want to document my upgrade I am currently in the process of doing. I purchased a building for my business two years ago that had a 285 gallon tank in it. I had been out of the hobby for almost 20 years but decided to set it up and have another go at it. Thing have been going very well for the last 14 months, however I didn't inspect the tank very well prior to setting it up. The tank is slightly leaking , not quite sure where from or how much. But the water evaporates around the tank base leaving salt residue. The glass is scratched to the point where cleaning it is an absolute nightmare.

Also as I added fish I setup quarantine tanks, which ended up turning into permanent tanks and my office is now cluttered with tanks on makeshift stands. between the chaos of the DIY stands and the poor condition of the main tank I have decided to upgrade.

My goal is to have one of the 240's be LPS and tangs, and the other 240 as a SPS Angel tank. I originally made a 600 gallon L shaped plywood tank but after figuring the cost of epoxy and glass, Plus the chances of failure I decided to buy 2- 8' long 240's from glass cages. My plan is to arrange them still in the L shape to the point they hopefully look like one tank. Joint filtration beneath with Reef Octopus skimmer, and Inland aquatic Dump bucket style Algae scrubber ( inland aqautics was in my hometown before they closed last December).

Currently updating the wing of my office for the new tanks, first stand is in and the plans are to install the first tank tomorrow. Pictures following.

 

[rayyou94]

Congrags good luck look forward to seeing your progress

 

[lapoza]

Current view of the office, Where I am standing is where there was a wall last week. removed wall and my desk. Its a mess but the tanks themselves are an eye sore in their current state.

 

[lapoza]

Building the first of 2 8' long stands. I found a design I really like on Etsy and decided to make my own due to time constraints.

Dry fitting the tanks to the stands before paint.

 

[lapoza]

Lastly, this is a 180 degree view of where I was standing in the tank pictures. Goal is to get both tanks setup, then transfer the live rock over and then the fish. Then remove the three existing tanks and remodel the main office area. First tank goes in tomorrow. I had to build a cart to carry them. Hadn't anticipate the weight of an empty 240G tank!

walls stripped of nasty old brown paneling.

two of three walls resurfaced and first stand in.

 

[SPR1968]

Great pictures and welcome to R2R as well!

 

[Almoe]

I like that wall panel design!

 

[Radman73]

Current view of the office, Where I am standing is where there was a wall last week. removed wall and my desk. Its a mess but the tanks themselves are an eye sore in their current state.

Ahh, that looks like good old scope creep lol! Starts as 1 tank, and next thing you know there are many tanks . Love the plan and +1 on the wall panel!

 

[lapoza]

With the tank being a little heavier than I anticipated I decided to build a transport cart. Two tanks to move in and the old 285 to move out. Got the first tank on the stand, now to finish the other wall and setup the 2nd tank.

 

[lapoza]

Left wall is finished, ready for the second tank

 

[lapoza]

Both tanks installed finally. This has taken a bit longer than I anticipated to get them in the office. Next step on to plumbing, Trying to decide if I should do all filtration under the tanks or make a separate room behind the wall for all filtration.

Overall 16' of fish tank, going to overlap the back corner by about 6", Should be lots of room to swim for my tangs!

 

[lapoza]

Well since Dec 5th Ive got both tanks going. Transferred all the live rock, Algae Turf Scrubber and got them going, had a small 6 days Diatom bloom but then everything settled down. Ive never had any issue with Ammonia or Nitrates since Ive been doing this, I suspect the ATS takes care of that. My main issue I have dealt with has always been Phosphates.

I also completed the floor and CNC cut the west wall of the office as well.

next up will be doing a 3d logo for my business on the wall and then making CNC fronts and a canopy for the tanks.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

I like what you are doing. What industry do you work in?

 

[lapoza]

 

[lapoza]

I like what you are doing. What industry do you work in?

I own a screen printing shop. Had first customer meeting on the office today. They really enjoyed looking at the tanks

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Very nice! What do you use a CNC machine for? I have two machines one for stone and one for acrylic, solid surface and other plastics. I make counters, shower and tub surrounds, acrylic aquariums and custom furniture for aquariums out of Corian once and a while for fun. The Corian and Corian Quartz pay the bills.

 

[lapoza]

We are the United States Dealers for Roctech CNC machines, so I've always got one on hand to tinker with . I should find someway to monetize them and produce product but the screen printing keeps me plenty busy

 

[Lowell Lemon]

We are the United States Dealers for Roctech CNC machines, so I've always got one on hand to tinker with . I should find someway to monetize them and produce product but the screen printing keeps me plenty busy

That is too funny I am sure you provided a couple of quotes for me a couple of years back. The world is indeed a small place! I really like what you have done with the office.

 

[Devaji]

man that is great what a nice remodel I love how you went with 2- 8' tank in a L shape. I have always thought about doing that as well. so much cheaper that a custom L shaped tank.

what wood did you use for the back wall? laminate tongue in groove ship lap or custom pieces?
looks really nice.

 

[lapoza]

man that is great what a nice remodel I love how you went with 2- 8' tank in a L shape. I have always thought about doing that as well. so much cheaper that a custom L shaped tank.

what wood did you use for the back wall? laminate tongue in groove ship lap or custom pieces?
looks really nice.

Pre finished tongue and groove ship lap from Menards. Pricey but I didn’t have to stain it which saved a lot of time.

I had cnc built a 10’x 8’ l shaped plywood tank. Somewhere in the 650 gallon capacity. But once I calculated cost of glass and epoxy. And then fear of it failing I decided to purchase two 8’ instead. My only regret is I overlapped them too much. The fish hang out in the corners and try and get to each other through the glass. I’ve put a sheet of paper between the tanks to stop them from seeing each other. Plus it’s just a waste of 8” of tank I can’t see with such a large overlap