the jouney of the beast

[mojoreef]

I thought I would put this thread together to kinda document the work invloved and the manuy stage of building this tank. hope u enjoy.

well this new tank starts with the old tank so this is it perfectly good 300 gallon SPS reef

Now we all no what to do with a perfectly good SPS reef. We tear it down to build a bigger one


[IMG]http://mojoreefs.homestead.com/files/DSCN0794.JPG[IMG]
then I started the planing stage
[IMG]http://www.reefaquariumguide.com/photos/data/540/724mot-med.jpg[IMG]
Then we get serious

[mojoreef]

Here is the begining of the stand. Damm thing almost killed me . it must weight 500+ lbs


Starting to close up the walls. I used the chip baord for backing and will cover with some hospital paneling.

[mojoreef]

OK I got some more pics...Just got the room a finished up...time to start filling it with equipment

[mojoreef]

and now to build the tank
well JOhn at Innovative Aquarium Products sent over some pics of the tank being built so I thought I would share. I really have to give John cudos for doing a great job and sharing the process at me, So I will recommend that if ya need a tank, sump, refugium or likewise you check him out.

Anyway here is a pic of the coast to coast averflow getting glues inot place.


Here is the front acrylic peices, I know John had nothing but nice things to say about humping those peices around.

and here is the all the back glued together

[mojoreef]

First one is a pic of my DIY (with help) Calcium reactor...man you know this is all starting to look like monster garage for reefs


And this one all reefers know the answer to. WHat do u do when u get a bunch of extra space behind the tank?? YOu stuff it full of equipment so you cant move around in it

[mojoreef]

In didnt quite start off the best, we had a little trouble getting in the truck, had to keep an eye out for low overpasses

But we got it in. It was kinda like a giant tetrus peice

Then of coarse it wouldnt fit in the house so big T was nice enough TO RIP MY SLIDING GLASS DOOR OUT

[mojoreef]

First job. Transfering over the marks from the front. I scribed the out lines of the overflow system and made the mark for where the closed loop out put would be, just under the trough.


Ok next comes the layout. I set all the plumbing on top as it would fit and then tranfered down the marks using a speed square.


and now...everyones fav. ITS HOLE CUTTING TIME

[mojoreef]

OK havent done to much, it seems I dislocated a few fingers on the move so I am a one handed plumber but her we go.

After the holes are cut we filled them with some bulkheads


then come some PVC (or lego for adults as I like to call it)

Then after a bunch of glue, parts and so on you get this.The closed loop system


and the begining of the sump

[mojoreef]

Scraped the seaswirls ao I couldnt figure out what I wanted to have for a return so I ended up going with a lower spray bar for under the rock.

here is a better shot of the closed loop with motorised ball valve.

here's Johnny for IAP doing a little flame polishing on the new braces


and I need some commentary on the stand finish. I found some basted marble for real cheap and it kind looked like old coral. tell me what u think

and I last one of a center peice I got from a tile shop. The peice is called "The reef" sorry I couldnt pass it up. its hand painted with corals and some fish

[mojoreef]

Here is the framing of the top

and here is some of the marble tile

and here is the first of 5 rooms full of rock

testing the water flow of the closed loops

[mojoreef]

remote sandbeds

making foam

sump

some plumbing

120 watts of UV

[mojoreef]

here is the front face of the lighting set up. On the front I have 3 400 watt raduims, 2 250 watt DE Ushios and 8 32 watt pcs. I had to put the lights on a rail as the original pulley system was a bust. I used a barn door rail that is 14 feet long. and yes it was a fun job putting that one up by myself

here is a look from behind the tank facing the room

not quite finished yet but here is a shot of the front face

here is my fav view, it gives you a look down either 8 foot face. I opnly have the pcs and raduims going right now but I can tell this will be a good spot for reefers to hang.

here is some rock work photos, it doesnt really show the effect but its almost all ledges and caves. This is the left side of the face

right side of the face

and this one is down the length but with \out all the lights it doesnt look as good

[Piero]

great project Mike! Can't wait to see it in person, and take 200+ pics of it....lol. lets see some new ones, and a larger one from the corner view. thx a bunch for sharin as always!

[SouthernReefer]

that is a trick setup mojo! well planned. it will no doubt be even more pleasing to the eye once every nook and cranny i is filled with coraline! i guess a nano reef was out of the question....

[mojoreef]