Mattgsa 315 gallon build

[mattgsa]

Let me know what you think. Right now I'm planning on having two rows of XR15's about 7 inches from the back glass and the second row 7 inches from the front class. Here is a picture. I also tried to center the lights in each section. Remember this is just a start of lights, I plan on getting at least another six XR15. I just don't need them right now.

 

[mattgsa]

 

[mattgsa]

Alright, here is a preliminary picture with the lights on. Granted they are only one inch off the water which will never due. However, I think the tank still looks nice.

 

[mattgsa]

Alright well as you probably already guessed my ceiling rafter are in the exact wrong spot to mount the lights too. I'm assuming that 12 xr15 are too much weight to hang from the sheet Rock. I need to come up with plan B.

 

[GBRsouth]

If you have room behind the tank for it I would go with a 2020 aluminium t slot extrusion light frame.

 

[mattgsa]

If you have room behind the tank for it I would go with a 2020 aluminium t slot extrusion light frame.

That's not a bad idea, do you know of a good site to get that from?

 

[GBRsouth]

I'm in Australia, so I mainly know our ones here. You wouldn't want to pay for the shipping. The only one I know in the U.S. is Framingtech. (There are others.) Search on the site with "t slot extrusion" that should bring up plenty of info for you.

 

[mattgsa]

I'm in Australia, so I mainly know our ones here. You wouldn't want to pay for the shipping. The only one I know in the U.S. is Framingtech. (There are others.) Search on the site with "t slot extrusion" that should bring up plenty of info for you.

I know almost nothing about it. I'm assuming I need to get something really thick so that it does not bow under the weight of the lights.
Do you think something like this would work? T Slot

 

[Dj City]

I know almost nothing about it. I'm assuming I need to get something really thick so that it does not bow under the weight of the lights.
Do you think something like this would work? T Slot

That will work.

Manhattan Many people have used exactly that.

 

[mrbh22]

If you are wanting to center up the lights and make sure they are solidly secured to the ceiling this is what I do.
I hope I can explain this without overdoing it.
Locate and mark all the “studs” in the ceiling above your tank. Then cut a piece of 3/4” thick plywood to a couple inches shorter than the length of your tank. then you sand and paint to match the ceiling. Then secure that wood to the “studs” in the ceiling centered over your tank. Then you are free to screw the mounting hardware into that 3/4” plywood you secured into the ceiling wherever your mounting needs to be.
I hope that makes sense.

 

[mattgsa]

If you are wanting to center up the lights and make sure they are solidly secured to the ceiling this is what I do.
I hope I can explain this without overdoing it.
Locate and mark all the “studs” in the ceiling above your tank. Then cut a piece of 3/4” thick plywood to a couple inches shorter than the length of your tank. then you sand and paint to match the ceiling. Then secure that wood to the “studs” in the ceiling centered over your tank. Then you are free to screw the mounting hardware into that 3/4” plywood you secured into the ceiling wherever your mounting needs to be.
I hope that makes sense.

Thanks, I will perpose both ideas to the Boss (AKA the wife), and see which one I like the most. LOL I must say they both have their own different appeal.

 

[GBRsouth]

I know almost nothing about it. I'm assuming I need to get something really thick so that it does not bow under the weight of the lights.
Do you think something like this would work? T Slot

Yes that will work. The other idea will work too. Just a matter of which gets the boss's approval!

 

[mattgsa]

The Boss has spoken, I'm going to do the plywood. I just need to make it to the HD.

 

[GBRsouth]

Make the Boss happy! Wise choice!

 

[mattgsa]

 

[mattgsa]

Sorry not much of an update. All the fish appear to be happy and health, and there doesn't appear to be any aggression. In addition they are all eating. The Achillies is defenitly the big kid on the block. The other fish follow him around the tank like a couple of puppies.

 

[Dj City]

Good stuff!
I'm happy is all coming together for you.

 

[mattgsa]

Good stuff!
I'm happy is all coming together for you.

Thanks

 

[GBRsouth]

Sorry not much of an update. All the fish appear to be happy and health, and there doesn't appear to be any aggression. In addition they are all eating. The Achillies is defenitly the big kid on the block. The other fish follow him around the tank like a couple of puppies.

In fact a great update and one you can relax and enjoy!

 

[mattgsa]

Alright I've been thinking about clean up crew today. I ordered a few crabs but no snails. I have ordered plenty of snails in the past, and I'm sorry, i just didn't see their value. So as of right now, I'm not planning on adding any snails to the tank. I do plan on adding plenty of different crabs and even some Urchins and star fish.

I was also perusing TSM Aquatics and I ordered some more fish. I'll will post pictures when they arrive.

I'm already really loving having this large tank. To a certain degree, I can order just about any fish that I want. In addition I'm reasonably sure I have a filteration system that will keep up with my over feeding habits.