My first big tank, 180 gallon build thread

[TARHEEL78]

The skin and the first coat of paint is on the stand. Don't mind the gaps in anything, the trim will cover all that up.

 

[count krunk]

hey how did you get that deal at Lowes? Can you just call them up and ask if they have any damaged cabinets?

That is a great idea to get some doors for cheap.

 

[TARHEEL78]

hey how did you get that deal at Lowes? Can you just call them up and ask if they have any damaged cabinets?

That is a great idea to get some doors for cheap.

I had seen them in the store before and was in the area so I stopped by to check. They weren't the size I would have gone for if I was paying full price but I couldn't pass them up for that price.

 

[TARHEEL78]

The stand is complete, I need to touch up a few areas and it's not perfect but close enough. I have to say, for the money and time invested in this I won't ever build another stand again. I'll just buy next time.

Next up, drilling for the overflow and plumbing. Hopefully I'll have time to do it today.

 

[TARHEEL78]

So I didn't have a chance to start drilling until today. It took what seemed like an eternity and I was sweating it the whole time since this is the first time I've drilled a tank. I think it came out pretty decent even though the inside is a little rough. I'll sand it down and drill the return lines tomorrow. I'm tired and going to bed.

Don't mind the princess towel, I have 2 daughters.

 

[GK3]

The stand is complete, I need to touch up a few areas and it's not perfect but close enough. I have to say, for the money and time invested in this I won't ever build another stand again. I'll just buy next time.

Next up, drilling for the overflow and plumbing. Hopefully I'll have time to do it today.

Really the like door from Lowe’s idea. Never thought of that.

 

[TARHEEL78]

Update! Return holes have been drilled and the first coat of paint(well plati-dip really) is on the back.

The plasti-dip looks terrible right now but as long as it looks good from the front I don't care. Tomorrow it will go on the stand and plumbing will commence!

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Everything coming along nice. Like the floors, laminate or vinyl? Stand and tank also really coming along. Like the princess theme

 

[TARHEEL78]

I thought they were going to be vinyl plank but when she picked out what she wanted I wasn't paying attention ton and she got laminate. It's at least a good 12mm laminate with a lifetime warranty so that's good.

 

[Jon Fishman]

You did nice trim work on your stand, but I agree..... when you add it all up, it gets expensive fast...... I probably would have a steel tube stand welded together if I ever have to do it again

 

[TARHEEL78]

Thanks, it was a lot of work but I think it looks better than most premade stands. I still have to do a makeover on the canopy but I have a couple weeks before I'll need lights on it.

 

[TARHEEL78]

Update! Tank is on the stand and plumbed. I'm trying to fill it but I've already run out of RO water. I learned that I not only suck at stand building, I also suck at plumbing! Anyway, here are a few pics...

 

[TARHEEL78]

Small update, sorry no pics I'm tired and going to bed. The tank is full, everything is hooked up except the lights and the ATK which I am returning for a V2 next week. My salinity is a little low right now but I'll work it out tomorrow and then start cycling.

 

[GK3]

Small update, sorry no pics I'm tired and going to bed. The tank is full, everything is hooked up except the lights and the ATK which I am returning for a V2 next week. My salinity is a little low right now but I'll work it out tomorrow and then start cycling.

I really like how you are approaching your first reef tank. Most people start with a nice 10/20 gallon. Then say eh, I need some LEDs. Then go hmmm ATO is a must. Later they are like wow, a controller, I need one. Finally they say, yea I need a bigger tank.

You just said ehhh screw it. First tank:
180 gallons
Custom stand
Sump
Custom plumbing and overflow
Drilled it
Controller
ATO

Alright, now I’ll get it wet.

Cracks me up, but I like it. Nice work.

 

[TARHEEL78]

I really like how you are approaching your first reef tank. Most people start with a nice 10/20 gallon. Then say eh, I need some LEDs. Then go hmmm ATO is a must. Later they are like wow, a controller, I need one. Finally they say, yea I need a bigger tank.

You just said ehhh screw it. First tank:
180 gallons
Custom stand
Sump
Custom plumbing and overflow
Drilled it
Controller
ATO

Alright, now I’ll get it wet.

Cracks me up, but I like it. Nice work.

I see my girlfriends tank every day and it just looks so small. I wanted to go big so I just went crazy. Just wish I could have had it together sooner so I could have gotten those fish from you. I'll find another nice pair though. After tomorrow I have 9 days off work do I should have the canopy up soon.

 

[GK3]

I see my girlfriends tank every day and it just looks so small. I wanted to go big so I just went crazy. Just wish I could have had it together sooner so I could have gotten those fish from you. I'll find another nice pair though. After tomorrow I have 9 days off work do I should have the canopy up soon.

Fish are actually still for sale so get the tank ready and we can make it happen.

I wish I could get 9 straight days off.

 

[TARHEEL78]

Fish are actually still for sale so get the tank ready and we can make it happen.

I wish I could get 9 straight days off.

The best thing is I only had to use 3 vacation days.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Everything looking good. Plumbing looks fine to me. Progress is always good.

Hope thing are going well

 

[TARHEEL78]

Finished adding salt, my refractometer and hanna digital are both reading 35ppt but my apex is stuck around 29. Don't know what's up with that. I'm about to add ammonia now and then bio-spira. Just trying to figure out exactly how much ammonia to add.

 

[TARHEEL78]

So my apex is still stuck and I can't figure out why. I calibrated the probe and everything went fine but it's still reading around 29. Any ideas? Should I just go to the neptune forums and bug them? Lol