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Richie's 240Gallon Man Cave build :)


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Hey Everyone, 

 

After months of reading posts, viewing pictures and building a stash of equipment, I think its time i started my own thread. 

 

I kept a salt water tank for about 7 years during the 90s.. 110 gallons.. Made every mistake known to the hobby. IE using plain ole tap water, no chemicals, live rock that stunk up a town house for days, red / green battles, pumps that electrified the entire tank to include me when I stuck a finger in it when i noticed something was wrong with the animals, just to name a few mistakes..... 

 

Fast forward - empty nester now with the kids gone to college and me wanting a "man cave"... So i started collecting pieces and parts over the winter time. 

 

Purchased list:

96"x24"x24" 240Gallon - Custom Aquariums - Being delivered 3/20/15 

64"x20"x20  100Gallon custom sump by Primo Reef - Being delivered 3/21/15

(1) Vertex Alpha 250 Skimmer

(2) MP 60s

(1) APEX GOLD

(2) Jumbo BRS Reactors

(1) 6 Stage RO/DI

(2) 65 Gallon Tanks for water station ( wife is not happy about me taking over the basement bathroom )

200 lbs of reef saver BRS Rock

140 lbs of Special grade live sand

(2) 800w heaters

(1) Wireless module for APEX

(1) AFS for APEX

(1) Sicce 12 return pump

Probe holder

glass cleaner

and an assortment of other supplies

 

We made a custom stand / bar for the enjoyment of the tank while sipping on a cold one..Found a piece of granite on sale that was cut to fit around the tank. I will upload more pictures later today to show more detail. 

 

Made a separate compartment for the electronics. 

 

Lights have not been purchased yet .. Going with 4 Radion 30pros

 

The ultimate goal for me is to have a mixed reef tank.. a little bit of everything... :)

 

Thanks for allowing me to share my journey, as i have read so many of yours.....

 

Edited by Scubaguy
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Maybe it's the angle that picture of the sump was taken at, but it looks HUGE.

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Here are a few more pictures. The bar still needs some more finishing. When the sump is installed I will be able to button it up and finish trimming it out..

 

Also the other area of the basement "GO CAPS" :)

 

 

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Maybe it's the angle that picture of the sump was taken at, but it looks HUGE.

 

It is! 64x20x20.. :) cant wait to get it started....

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Glad you finally got a build thread going. This tank is gonna be sweet

 

 

Thanks Eric! I still need a tour of your set up soon. 

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Very cool! Looks like this is going to be an awesome build!

 

As Isaac said, that sump looks huge! It will fit in the side opening?

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(edited)

Yes, I havent put the edging around one of the sides yet. It will fit into this end.

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Edited by Scubaguy
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Perhaps I missed it but which skimmer are you going with?

 

I bought the Vertex Alpha 250. 

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Now the fun really begins... How do I get this to the basement...Shippers forget the tank suction holders. Waiting till next week to move it out of my garage..

 

 

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Maybe it's just me or the angle but the stand supports look strange. Is the tank weight being supported by the 2x6 secured with those lag bolts?

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Nice, looking forward to the rest of the build with lots of pictures I hope. You need tank building party.

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The club rents suction cups. It's like $35 for rental fee for up to 8 heavy duty cups

Who do I contact ? And where do I pick them up from?

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Maybe it's just me or the angle but the stand supports look strange. Is the tank weight being supported by the 2x6 secured with those lag bolts?

No.. The tank will be on 2 x 6's on top of the ones with the lag bolts.... Long story but lessons learned while building... It will hold now.

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Nice, looking forward to the rest of the build with lots of pictures I hope. You need tank building party.

Come on over! Welcome the extra hands...

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Who do I contact ? And where do I pick them up from?

PM tom/origami for pick up and deposit information. can you share your ideas behind the h2overflows and siphon stoppers in your design and implementation plan in your build? what consideration or thoughts on efficiency even with multiple and on interference? thanks for any input you can provide as time allows. thanks for the share!
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PM tom/origami for pick up and deposit information. can you share your ideas behind the h2overflows and siphon stoppers in your design and implementation plan in your build? what consideration or thoughts on efficiency even with multiple and on interference? thanks for any input you can provide as time allows. thanks for the share!

Thanks ! I got 8 cups to help move this tank...

 

I will definitely keep everyone posted on the H2Overflows and the Siphon Stoppers when this thing is full of water... soon i hope..

 

Rich

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