Matt's 225g Build Thread
- Thread starter meschaefer
- Start date
- Location
- Wallingford, CT
Power outage, well sort of.
You have been so quite about it too. What is funny,in a not so funny kind of way, is that what happened to my tank happened on the night I went to look at your inwall 150.
Peirce lost all of the fish and most of the coral (I think) in his in-wall 150. If I remeber correctly it was due to the failure of the return pump. The Halides where on and cooked the tank.
Peirce lost all of the fish and most of the coral (I think) in his in-wall 150. If I remeber correctly it was due to the failure of the return pump. The Halides where on and cooked the tank.
This is why I run two return pumps on my 155. People always ask me why 2 return pumps. When I explain they almost never get it.
If one fails for what ever reason, the other will continue to pump the water back up into the tank. I never thought of the MH cooking my tank though, I really did it for the sake of avoiding a flood.
Still waiting to see the end product here.:usa1:
- Location
- NY
MightyMike
Member
- Location
- Jersey City
:lol2::lol2::lol2:
OK..OK.... I know the flurry of pictures and info made it look like things where moving along at light speed, but what you have seen is the product of aproximately two months worth of work. I have a few more pics for you and some more information to lay out there, wich I may get to tonight.
At this point, I hope to be moving along at a fairly good pace so there should be lots of updates. Even moving at a good pace, I would be suprised if we see fish in the tank by mid september.
Oh, how my one little perc is going to love all that room to swim around in. Little bugger will probably stay in a small corner of the tank... to afraid to venture out into the big unkown.
At this point, I hope to be moving along at a fairly good pace so there should be lots of updates. Even moving at a good pace, I would be suprised if we see fish in the tank by mid september.
Oh, how my one little perc is going to love all that room to swim around in. Little bugger will probably stay in a small corner of the tank... to afraid to venture out into the big unkown.
I am hoping to start on the stand this weekend, if I can find the time. In the mean time, I thought I would show you some inspiration pics. I am modeling my stand off of Weathersons from RC. You can see his build thread here. He has one of the better build threads out there, and I am stealing alot of ideas from him.
The following are pics of his stand and some construction. (Pic are used with permission from the photographer)
The first pic shows the basic construction of the stand designed for a 240 gallon 8' x 2' x 2' Oceanic reef ready tank.
The second pic is of the stand finished.
The center supports are held in place by heavy duty "T" brackets, so that the supports can be removed to replace the sump if necessary.
The top of the stand is wider than the two foot necessary to hold the tank. This gives him a place to kneel when working on the tank. While I will definately use teh "T" brackets, I don't know If I will make the stand wider than the tank. SInce the stand will be taller than normal, I will still need away for me to get up and be able to reach all the way into it. (I am only 6' 3" tall so I will need some help) I am planning on making a walkway that goes along the back of the tank, and perahps on the sides. That way I can work along the length of the tank, without having to step down and back up if I was using a stool.
Hopefully I will have some pics of my own, by the end of the weekend.
The following are pics of his stand and some construction. (Pic are used with permission from the photographer)
The first pic shows the basic construction of the stand designed for a 240 gallon 8' x 2' x 2' Oceanic reef ready tank.
The second pic is of the stand finished.
The center supports are held in place by heavy duty "T" brackets, so that the supports can be removed to replace the sump if necessary.
The top of the stand is wider than the two foot necessary to hold the tank. This gives him a place to kneel when working on the tank. While I will definately use teh "T" brackets, I don't know If I will make the stand wider than the tank. SInce the stand will be taller than normal, I will still need away for me to get up and be able to reach all the way into it. (I am only 6' 3" tall so I will need some help) I am planning on making a walkway that goes along the back of the tank, and perahps on the sides. That way I can work along the length of the tank, without having to step down and back up if I was using a stool.
Hopefully I will have some pics of my own, by the end of the weekend.
wilrock101
Experienced Reefer
- Location
- YONKERS/PA
very nice work, you are building my dream tank {in wall}.I like the stand the tank is going to look awsome on it .I'm sure your fish are going to love the new space.Please post pictures of your progress.:cool3::pimp:
- Location
- NY
Matt, very nice design. The pic doesn't show whether or not there is access to the tank from the front. Is there? I have the exact same in-wall design. I've had it for about 4 yrs now. The one thing I didn't do that I really really wish I did was to install access panels on the front above the tank.
My tank is only a 75 and that means 48 x 18 x 20. I have some difficulty reaching the point farthest from the back of the tank on the bottom. With a tank that's 96 x 24 x 24 that issue can only be exacerbated. My recommendation is to build doors or a panel above the front of the tank to facilitate easier access to those 'far reaching' areas.
Otherwise, very nice build design. Should support a Mack truck.
Good luck and keep those pix flowing.
Russ
My tank is only a 75 and that means 48 x 18 x 20. I have some difficulty reaching the point farthest from the back of the tank on the bottom. With a tank that's 96 x 24 x 24 that issue can only be exacerbated. My recommendation is to build doors or a panel above the front of the tank to facilitate easier access to those 'far reaching' areas.
Otherwise, very nice build design. Should support a Mack truck.
Good luck and keep those pix flowing.
Russ
I replied to this about an hour ago, and it not here :signoops:
To repeat this is not my stand, but rather one made by Weatherson over on RC for his tank. I am copying it's design and posted pictures for commentary.
I am concerned with front access too. As of now, I do not plan on front access. But I am open to suggestions or thoughts.
The problem is that one of the reasons my wife agreed to allow me to do an inwall, wich reguired exapnding the "fish room" by 3 feet (due to a windew) was the nice clean lines and picture window effect. I can't figure out a way to do front access without messing up the asthetics that my wife wants.
That being said, the one place I am changin the design, is I am going to add a semie permanent "scaffold" that will run across the back of the tank. This will be high enough so that the top of the tank is waist height when I am working on the tank. This combined with my unusually long arms should allow me to work at the front of the tank with some ease.
I picked up materials to get started this mornign, and will begin construction on the stand and "window" tomorrow. So any thoughts, let me know now.
Thanks
To repeat this is not my stand, but rather one made by Weatherson over on RC for his tank. I am copying it's design and posted pictures for commentary.
I am concerned with front access too. As of now, I do not plan on front access. But I am open to suggestions or thoughts.
The problem is that one of the reasons my wife agreed to allow me to do an inwall, wich reguired exapnding the "fish room" by 3 feet (due to a windew) was the nice clean lines and picture window effect. I can't figure out a way to do front access without messing up the asthetics that my wife wants.
That being said, the one place I am changin the design, is I am going to add a semie permanent "scaffold" that will run across the back of the tank. This will be high enough so that the top of the tank is waist height when I am working on the tank. This combined with my unusually long arms should allow me to work at the front of the tank with some ease.
I picked up materials to get started this mornign, and will begin construction on the stand and "window" tomorrow. So any thoughts, let me know now.
Thanks
- Location
- NY
Matt, the diagonal, from the top lip in the back to the front bottom is just shy of 34". Take that into consideration when determining if you can reach the front. I know with the scaffolding you'll have a reach that exceeds the top rear of the tank, so the 34" is not really the reach you'll need to know, but it should help.
When you frame out the 'window' you'll most likely have some cut, raw sheetrock exposed on the 'window' edges. You can purchase some vinyl 'U' channel from Depot or Lowes to not only give the sheetrock a finished look, but to prevent any dust and crumbling of the sheetrock. The 'U' channel just slips over the exposed edges.
There are many various architectural designs to appeal to different tastes when trying to incorporate some front access panels. I HIGHLY recommend it.
FYI, I know those pix are the prototype in someone else's basement. However, if you're going to be using that design as your guide I wanted to make mention of the lack of front access. I wasn't sure you thought it out that far. Sadly, when I designed mine, I didn't take it into account. Thought I could save you the possible headache down the road.
R
When you frame out the 'window' you'll most likely have some cut, raw sheetrock exposed on the 'window' edges. You can purchase some vinyl 'U' channel from Depot or Lowes to not only give the sheetrock a finished look, but to prevent any dust and crumbling of the sheetrock. The 'U' channel just slips over the exposed edges.
There are many various architectural designs to appeal to different tastes when trying to incorporate some front access panels. I HIGHLY recommend it.
FYI, I know those pix are the prototype in someone else's basement. However, if you're going to be using that design as your guide I wanted to make mention of the lack of front access. I wasn't sure you thought it out that far. Sadly, when I designed mine, I didn't take it into account. Thought I could save you the possible headache down the road.
R
I really do appreciate it , thats why I posted the pictures.
I will pick up the vinal "u" channel. Thanks.
I have been knocking around the front access issue for quite some time. For the record, I just measaured from my shoulder to my palm and it is 32".
I will pick up the vinal "u" channel. Thanks.
I have been knocking around the front access issue for quite some time. For the record, I just measaured from my shoulder to my palm and it is 32".
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- Location
- NY
My pleasure Matt. FYI, try measuring from your armpit to your palm. Might be different
R
Man I didn't even think about the front access. Thats a good catch Russ. It looks like you have everything very well planed Matt. I know that the tank has one big overflow in the rear but how many drains are you going to have? Looking good! Can't wait to see more! And you still have to stop by! :sleepy:
- Location
- NY
Allan, that's what it's all about, teamwork, learning from others experiences and sharing. :grouphug:
R
R
OK it's been about a week since my last update, but that is only because I hadn't gotten anything done. I found some time today, and I started the cut out in the wall for the tank. After alot of thought and looking at alot of pictures of inwall tanks I decided against front access. I must have looked at 30 or so pictures of different inwall set ups and didn't see a single one with front access that I liked and that would be acceptable to my wife.
Using a 4 foot level as a straight edge, I drew out the rough dimensions of the opening for the tank.
Next I took a 7 inch circular saw and cut freehand along the lines. I had to stop after making each cut as the amount of dust was amazing. Even with a window open, a fan blowing out of the room and a dust mask, I had to wait about 10 to 15 minutes between cuts. I am glad I did this before the basment is finished.
When I had made the four cuts I pulled the sheetrock from the studs. It should be noted that I new exactly where the power lines ran to the outlets. When they where installed, I had the guy redo them as they where originally in the way. I would not have used a powersaw like this if I didn't already know where the power lines where.
Because the saw could not cut all the way through the wall, I performed the same procedure on the other side of the wall.
Next I removed the lower piece of sheetrock, so that I had access to the studs. I framed out the window, making sure everything was nice and level, which is not as easy as it sounds because my floor is anything but even.
That took me about three hours to do. I had to stop there as I need to pick up some brackets so I can build the rest of the stand.
Using a 4 foot level as a straight edge, I drew out the rough dimensions of the opening for the tank.
Next I took a 7 inch circular saw and cut freehand along the lines. I had to stop after making each cut as the amount of dust was amazing. Even with a window open, a fan blowing out of the room and a dust mask, I had to wait about 10 to 15 minutes between cuts. I am glad I did this before the basment is finished.
When I had made the four cuts I pulled the sheetrock from the studs. It should be noted that I new exactly where the power lines ran to the outlets. When they where installed, I had the guy redo them as they where originally in the way. I would not have used a powersaw like this if I didn't already know where the power lines where.
Because the saw could not cut all the way through the wall, I performed the same procedure on the other side of the wall.
Next I removed the lower piece of sheetrock, so that I had access to the studs. I framed out the window, making sure everything was nice and level, which is not as easy as it sounds because my floor is anything but even.
That took me about three hours to do. I had to stop there as I need to pick up some brackets so I can build the rest of the stand.
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