Sean's 180 upgrade.

[seanmcknew]

So I never introduced myself when i joined as I was up and running already. I live in Campo. I don't think there's many reefers this far out in east county. This is a truly addicting hobby and extremely difficult on a tight budget like I am but I'm making it work.
Alright so I've been planning this build for a little while now. I've had the tank for a month or so now. I got it for pretty much nothing for a large tank. However there's a slight chip in one of the end panels. For piece of mind in going to get it fixed. Hopefully drilled at the same time. Nothing fancy here standard 6'x2'x2' tank center braced. I have a large sump around 60-70 gallon acrylic sump by SDA with a reef octopus skimmer (old model) I will have a fuge probably a 10 or a 30 gallon (not decided) that's drilled as well. I have a couple karolias I'm going to use for a while until I can afford mp40s
Still need the lights, calcium reactor, return pump,rock,custom built stand... I'll probably get a dc6000 and switch out my dc9000 I have on my 90. For lights in going with the full spectrum 120w china leds with t'5s as well. My plans for this tank is going to be a sps dominant tank.

That's it for now. Quick pic of its placement

[oo0oscar0oo]

that's cool man. I want to get a big tank like that... I'll keep an eye on the thread to see progress!

[jkennedy1007]

yeah buddy
going be a nice upgrade

[seanmcknew]

that's where my couch was (tv on opposite wall. We know were a reefers priorities are😁.

[jsknsd]

hope you plan on a better stand,lol. no way that table will work. Welcome to the forum.

[unbereefable]

^^That's a steel stand! Should be fine.
Good luck with the build. I've built several 180s with those dims. LMK if you need help or suggestions with anything. Also, you could get crazy flow from one gyre pump, vs. 2 mp40s. The pumps cost the same. But if you can roll 1pump only, you just saved $3 hundo. Which thru sanchos group guys can get you 3 china box 120 watt led panels. Which would be perfect for this tank. The t5 relly help with color, but ate not really necessary and add extra power use. But they do help with the color. But you may like the color you get from the full spectrum panels. GL!

[seanmcknew]

Lol. It was way easier to move on a table. I could take breaks as it was me and the wife moving it. I was thinking of just skinning the table..jking. Thanks for the info. Unbereefable.

[seanmcknew]

Made some progress on my stand and canopy. I need to add some more supports I'm going to double up each leg and add some horizontal supports on each end. I'm skinning the top but not the three sides for easy access. They are going to be all pull off doors. Tank underneath might be my fuge but I'm thinking I might just make a custom one as that one seems to be too deep. Painting the inside and staining all wood work that's visible. I just wanted to make sure I liked the height of everything. Let me know if you would do something differently as I like the help/advice.

[seanmcknew]

Quick update today. I added more supports today and painted it. I am adding 2 removal cross supports that you can see in the picture. Still need another coat or 2 on the top... Now for the doors...

[spidernano]

Before you use that overflow in the tank if thats what you were going to use i would suggest this first its a sick overflow

he can also custom make a ghost overflow for you if you decide you want something smaller or bigger

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1800-gph-LOW...-/191281654428

[seanmcknew]

Lol that wasn't the overflow I was going to use...it is an extra one I had that was being stored. I am making my own. It's going to be similar to the one you posted. Already have all the acrylic. That project is probably going to be started tomorrow.... It's going to be under the center brace plus 1 1/2 on both sides for the u tubes and probably only stick out 2" at most. It's probably gonna be 20" long by 6-8" tall and 2-2 1/2" deep. I was thinking 2- 2"drains??

[seanmcknew]

Ok I got some more work done on the stand and canopy. Pull of doors are done except for some horizontal trims and staining/sealing. Canopy is done except for a couple corner mouldings and stain and seal. Hopefully next weekend ill finish this all up and can start on plumbing it. I have to get stronger magnets for the doors....

[unbereefable]

Coming together nicely. Frame looks good. I'd add some lateral support or some L brackets on the legs. This will help prevent racking. Not a necessity, but it makes me sleep better at night. The removable panels look good. Are you planning do add any trim to stand to hide the black trim to the tank? What are your plans for staining? Youre making great progress!

Edit: saw some lateral bracing. But didn't know if it was in place for building (keeping square), or if it was permanent.

[seanmcknew]

I'm adding trim to the bottom of the pull off doors which will raise it to hide the trim. It will match the baseboard I've miled for my house. As far as stain I'm going to stain it to match the baseboard. My goal is to make it look built in. I'm not going to paint the back but instead put some old mercury glass (antique mirror) behind the tank in front of the plumbing to hopefully make it look bigger....

[unbereefable]

Whenever I've seen mirrored backgrounds, fish hate it. They see the reflection as another fish and attack the glass. I tried this on a 40 long I had. Tangs had the most problems.