Starting a 180 Project

[TANKSALOT]

:tongue: I just purchased a used reef ready 180 gallon tank.
It came with the stand and a wet/dry and skimmer.

I am going to build my own stand. The factory stand is just too low for my liking.

Here are a few PIC's of the tank as we goy it home.

Thanks for the help litenyaup :wink:

 

[gilmour01]

look forward to following the progress.

 

[islandrdjoe]

congrats on the upgrade! yeah low stands suck, make it eye level.

 

[TANKSALOT]

I am going to have the stand 42" high.
The tank is 24" high.
Giving me a total height of 66" (5' 6"). Not as eye level as I would like but much better than the factory stand.

I am trying to decide between an on-tank or suspended canopy for the lights.

At this time the lighting plan is 3 - 250 SE Mh, 12 - 24" T5's & 3 LED strips.

I plan on using a 75 gallon tank as the sump and fuge.

I have a Coaralife 220 Skimmer, but may go to a Reef Octopus.

Any thoughts or ideas are welcome. I love to hear what others have done successfully.

OK, back to building the stand. More PIC's Later.

TANKSALOT
aka - Steve

 

[Alpha Aquaculture]

that tank's a big 'un! You just going with a garden style reef or are you going to dominate it with certain types?

 

[TANKSALOT]

Not sure.
I have never had any luck with LPS or SPS.
But now that I will have the Mh's, maybe I can have some success.
I do love all of my Zoas & Paly's thought :bigsmile:

 

[islandrdjoe]

canopys can be a pita if you work in your tank alot, a hanging canopy would be best but wouldnt keep fish from jumping. 42" tall stand is actually pretty high, should look good.

 

[litenyaup]

hahaha i like the advertisement for Space Coast Coral!!!

let me know when u need a hand move the BEAST again! geeeze that thing was heavy!! i think a floating hood would be very cool......something like what i did in the pic. let me know if you need a hand in the building process

 

[Paul_N]

One thing to consider with the canopy is that with the lights being that high you may have some light spilling into the room if you don't have a canopy. I am in the same situation. I am setting up a 220 and have my light frame built. I was going to go with a suspended DIY fixture but the tank is in my den and my desk is right across from the tank. My stand is going to be 34" and the tank is 30" tall so the light will be at least 74". Just a thought.

 

[TANKSALOT]

Yes, the on-tank canopy would keep the light and the fish in the tank.
But both of my other tanks are open and the only fish that I have had jump have been Fire Blemmies. So I don't replace them :xd:

If i have to I will make the sides on the floating canopy long enough to keep the light more focused and will probably but it on a system that allows for it to be raised and lowered.

I built the skeleton of the stand tonight. I will but 3/4" plywood on the bottom and then paint the whole stand high gloss white.
The sides skins will be very basic and the front skin will look very basic, but will be removable as a whole piece.

Here are a couple of PIC's....

 

[Paul_N]

Nice progress! I really want the open top tank also. I already made mesh frames for the openings. I will be going with the removable panels also instead of doors for the stand.

 

[akabryanhall]

Nice steve!! By far my favorite dimension tank!

 

[TANKSALOT]

Nice steve!! By far my favorite dimension tank!

Thanks!

I had sold my 150 a while back and never got to set it up.
The extra 6' of real estate in the 180 is worth the wait.

I can't to start the rock scaping :bigsmile:

TANKSALOT
aka - Steve

 

[litenyaup]

lookin good bro!

 

[TANKSALOT]

Thanks.... it is a work in progress :bigsmile:

 

[dabruecker]

coming along nicely!

 

[TANKSALOT]

I cut my back corner nailers to allow room for the overflow and return plumbing.
I added a 3/4" plywwod floor to the inside to support the 75 that will be the sump and refugium.
I also added a 2x6 in the top center so that I can mount a flourescent light inside of the stand.

I hope to paint the whole thing gloss white tomorrow and then start working on the side skin and front cover.

TANKSALOT
aka - Steve

 

[litenyaup]

nice looking.....there is about 1/4 left in the can for the gloss white. ill get it over to you tomorrow am!

 

[TANKSALOT]

That works for me :bigsmile:

Let me know as soon as you get done painting the stand :xd:

TANKSALOT
aka - Steve

 

[TANKSALOT]

Need to order my power control strips and get them in place.
Might need two of them.

TANKSALOT
aka - Steve