Fred's 150 gal build.

[fchidsey]

I am Very Excited!! I just bought a 150 gallon glass tank for the build from craiglist and got a pretty good deal. The tank is 72L X 18D X 28 T. I have two 250W MH and going to be looking for two t-5ho for blue artinic. I am also looking for a 40-55 gal sump and looking for input on the correct size I have never had a tank this big.

I have made some drawings from the google site that MeuserReef recomended. I will try to post though this thread along with some pics.

I look forward to everybody input and help though the build this is a great place to sound ideas so please put in you .02

I hope you tag along and I will try to take lots of pics and posts along the way.

Fred

[Fat Tony]

I recommend a 33 long for a sump, it to me is the perfect dimensions being 48 long, 13 wide and 12 tall

[fchidsey]

there will be no prob with a power out over flow back to the sump with a 33? that is my bigest concern. I also plan on a 10 gal refuge.

[Fat Tony]

It's all in how you build it and design the return plumbing

Visit my build thread, It will show you everything that is need to build your own sump out of one.. you can find the link in my signature, start on page 3 to get right down to the nitty gritty

[Fat Tony]

I'd only use one support in the middle of the tank instead of 2, use four doors instead. It will make your life ALOT easier. Also, make sure that you build a door in the end of the stand I cannot emphasize how much easier it will be on you to install and remove the sump for a thorough cleaning/modification in the future

[fchidsey]

i will take that under advisment but i'm worried about the support aspect and the weight of the tank maybe I will make one side removeable.

[Fat Tony]

No need to worry about the extra support... trust me it looks like you are way overbuilding it as is

[fchidsey]

Could somebody please tell me how to upload the picture into the post like tony did instead of as an attachment thumbnail. I think the Thread is easyer to follow this way.

[Fat Tony]

You have to have 20 posts to use the feature... so start posting to build up that thread count

But the instructions are basically, Upload the photo to you photoalbumn here on TRT (you can create one in your user profile) or use a site like photobucket (i don't like) or picturetrail (what i use). When you upload the picture you can then right click on the image where ever it is loaded and select "copy link location" if you are using Firefox, or select properties and highlight the address of the image and copy it if you are using IE.

Then at the top of the reply box you will see this image : click on that image and paste the address of the picture you are trying to insert into the box (make sure you delete the "http://" that is in the box when you open it).

HTH

[fchidsey]

Ok I have some Pics and Some progress. There was some modification to the structure of the stand, a special thanks goes out to Fat Tony for pointing these things out. I will post some of the Drawings they are not all computer most were hand done and when I have time I will try to put them into the computer. Lets see if I can add some pics not as attachments.




This is the Tank it has not been cleaned yet. That is next.




Ok here is the stand I have Caulked and Varnished the Plywood top and the Tray in the Bottom. Hopefully with another coat od varnish it will be water tight and hold about 12 gallons as an emegerncy spill catch before it hits the floor.




Here is one of the cartoons (plans) for the exterior face of the stand. I will put them on the computer if I have time later.

[Fat Tony]

Looks like a great start. A few coats of varnish will work for watertighness, especially if you caulk the seams after. I would have went with a gloss white with caulked seams (it helps hide some salt creep and makes the sump area brighter). In your canopy, definitely go with white gloss, it dries faster and is pretty much waterproof and very cleanable. It will last you a long time, but don't skimp on a good primer

[fchidsey]

Thanks for the Input. I read through your Build Thread, Great Build, Very Nice tank. I had my engineer Friend look at the stand he said I'm good on the buidl so far. I want to keep all the doors even when I put the Finish on the Tank so I will use a Magnet on a center removable piece for cleaning and removal and modification of the sump.

I am a little concerned about building and drilling the tank for the over flow. I will drill one end of the tank toward the top and build a durso overflow. I want to make sure the water level stays above the top of the securing rim around the top of the tank. I guess i'll figure it out.

Also I am going to goto hd tomm. and get some white paint for the entire stand but i knew the varnish would seal the wood and hold the water. I think it will be good for about 15 gal.

[Fat Tony]

Just keep the build thread moving

If possible I would make the whole front skin of the stand removable... you will thank me later on this. Magnets will hold it on just fine, just make sure to get some of the epoxy covered true earth magnets, they are strong SOB's

[fchidsey]

I'm On the Fence about makeing the whole thing removable. but a possiblitly.

[fchidsey]

I am haveing a hard time determining what size sump to intall . I am limited to 12" wide and about 20 inches tall . I am largely concerned that in the event of a power failure the tank will over flow . which I guess I will control with the height of the Durso when I build them. I think I'm going to go with a 40 gallon sump. I will have some pics later but did a test on the seals of the stand and it held water no problem.

Please weigh in on the tank to sump ratio.