My 150g project.... Small resealing and custom stand.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Well, I am slowly working on this project more and more, just seem to get busy a lot with you know, life!

I have the whole stand planned out and now have a detailed list of that I need to build it.

NiceGuyNick
If that tank didn't have that sweet aluminum frame I'd say lay it on its side and cut the current side panel down so you would gain some sq ftage
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Yeah, the frame is for lack of a better word, insane! It is 2"x3" solid aluminum bar, about 20 feet of it around the border. So yeah, hard to pass up that 'monster' of a base.

Anyways, onto the next part.
I just picked up a ton of styrofoam blocks to start carving out a 3D background for all my tanks, but am starting with my 150 first. I have looked around on here at other DIY backgrounds. Just using quikrete with dyes to make the right color, then cover the styrofoam. But, as I understand I have to fill and drain the tank a few times before the final fill, or it will alter my PH...

So, that is the direction I am heading in as of now. Will keep posting what I can!
 
Alright, after awhile of down time on this project, finally purchased all the wood for the stand (and redesigned it a bit as I messed up on the number of legs)

I am going to start to build this in the next few days but in starting this, a problem came up.

HOW THE HELL AM I GOING TO MOVE THIS TANK!!! lol

I have this tank sitting on some speakers right now, after I get the stand built, I am a bit at a loss as to how I am going to get it on the stand (15" higher than it is now). I was lucky the day I unloaded it from my van, there was a party next door, 15 guys helped me get it in. But, not sure a party will be going on in the next couple days!

After doing some research on this tank, I found out that it is heaver than I thought, around 550-600lbs (at least) & 8' long (so it's awkward too). Now I can muscle it around a bit on my own, but this is beyond just a couple of helpers and myself.

SO....am I nuts in trying to rig a pulley/lift system? lol
And if not, any ideas? :D:D:D
 
I know this is not the right part of the forum but I got a quick question (and didn't want to start a new post).

I am finally getting around to getting this 150 going and I have decided to go with a sump for filtration. Question is, how big of a sump do I need? I was planning on making a DIY sump out of a 29 gallon, or should I plan bigger? I thought about using a 55 gallon but thought it might be a bit overkill.

My stock list is:
2 algae eaters
4 cory cats
5 clown loaches
15 to 20+ various cichlids
 
Also, this is how I was going to do my sump, nothing fancy.

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As I mentioned above, here is the 50 gallon tank that will be moved into the 150 once setup.

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Well went at the tank with a razor tonight and cleaned up all the edges. Am heading down stairs now to run the new bead of silicone. Then tomorrow should be good and ready to throw the 120lbs of sand in and start rinsing.
 
valderi123:
looking good.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I finally have the sand cleaned and tank filled, overflow and pump loop are setup and levels are set. All is going good!
I am almost done building the sump, just trying to figure out what bio media to use. I am thinking about the bottom 3-4 inches will use rings, then either scrubbies or bio-balls for the above water part which will be the trickle part of it.

My digital camera died and I can't figure what new one to get. Reason I said that is that is why pictures have been lacking. I will take some video soon and post it.
 
Here is an update video (as promised)
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Things reporting progress in this video:
1 - Stand holds, is level and perfect! (still have to finish the covers/doors)

2 - Resealing job was a success!

3 - Finished my DIY sump. Shown at the end with the drip tray in action. Will be adding about 5 gallons of bio balls plus rings and crushed coral for PH buffer.

4 - Finally found a overflow (almost did a DIY PVC one), got it cheap and got it setup and works great.

5 - Found a pump for $10 at home depot, but it might be a tad small. I believe it is at this height doing about 250-300 GPH, might end up getting a higher GPH pump down the road IF needed.


Next video should show my lighting. Am doing a custom LED setup, but have to order them from hong kong, so will be awhile before I get them and have time to build the canopy and wire them up.
 
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