JonnyU's 180

jonnyu · Jun 5, 2015

Well I started a thread on the local club (FMAS) page but I figure I share my build with everyone on R2R..
Well I have been into saltwater tanks for a few years. I always loved the look of a 180. As its easy to work on and you have a lot of room. I always wanted a taller stand for viewing and having space for equipment.

I picked up a 180 off a local FMAS member for $300 so I could not pass it up.

jonnyu · Jun 5, 2015

Polishing acrylic tank

Well I have never polished acrylic before. It was a learning curve. Novis is a great product. I picked up a buffer from harbor freight. As for sander you really need a palm sander that moves back and forth and not one that goes random circles. This will cause very small "e"'s in the acrylic.
I started with [HASHTAG]#600[/HASHTAG] sand paper
Then 800, 1000, 1500, 2000. After then did Novis 3 step polish. It's very time consuming but not very hard to do. I think I had about 10 hours in it. I could have spent another 5 hours to get it perfect.

jonnyu · Jun 5, 2015

Built the stand using 2x6 I had laying around.

143MPCo · Jun 5, 2015

Nice work, will you be replacing the over-flow or do you have other plans for that area?

jonnyu · Jun 5, 2015

143MPCo said:
Nice work, will you be replacing the over-flow or do you have other plans for that area?

Well I rebuilt the overflows. I really wanted to do a coast to coast but I could not get the old overflow marks out of the acrylic. I would have to sand really deep to get them out.

jonnyu · Jun 5, 2015

Well started to put sand in the tank. Here is a pic with overflows installed.

My helper putting in the sand

jonnyu · Jun 5, 2015

I started with led setup from rapid led. I had this fixture installed on my 125.

Well I got some mahogany wood from my uncle and started the wrapping of the stand.
I had it lacquer finished to match my kitchen cabinets as close as possible

I used a micro pin nailer to install the frames I built around the stand

jonnyu · Jun 5, 2015

If you have not installed euro hinges. Here's a few pics. The tool is sold at Lowes. Pretty straight forward

Measure

Drill

Then counter sink

jonnyu · Jun 5, 2015

I had a lot of softies as you can see. Below

jonnyu · Jun 5, 2015

I really wanted to do sps so went ahead and changed out lighting. So went with mh t5 combo.

jonnyu · Jun 7, 2015

Well did not like the crushed coral or softies so time to change up

Then went with pink Figi

jonnyu · Jun 7, 2015

I finished the reverse check valve install with two seaswirls

Went and got a new sump and skimmer. Went for DC skimmer and pumps

I also cleaned up wiring
Before

After

jonnyu · Jun 7, 2015

Auto top off and auto water changes

New2dareef · Jun 7, 2015

Is that a Stenner pump for your water changes? If so, where did you purchase, which model, and did they offer the best price?
Nice looking stand also

jonnyu · Jun 7, 2015

New2dareef said:
Is that a Stenner pump for your water changes? If so, where did you purchase, which model, and did they offer the best price?
Nice looking stand also

I picked it up on ebay. I sent you a pm on one