New Build ~ 600 Gallon

[JK47]

This tank is for a trio of female black rays and my 27" leichardti arowana. It is over filtered but for a good reason. I will be upgrading when I find the right tank and these filters are ray capable and relatively mobile. This is for redundancy (plan B) in case of equipment failure. Running two filters in a closed loop enables me to alternate weeks when backwashing filters, which ensures on the bacterial colonies do not suffer for more frequent cleaning. Essentially insurance for less than the price of a ray loss and super easy maintenance/automation.

Details:

Tank:
- 96" x 48" x 30"
- Acrylic 3/4"
- Painted back and bottom

Stand:
- 96.5" x 48.5" x 32" the extra half inch is because 2" tube has a radius to it of 1/4". This will slope down at the edge of the tank = no sharp edges
- Steel 2" tubular stock at .225 (1/4") wall thickness, this things is a BEAST
- Spill resistant floor covering

Lighting:
- LED white modular units

Filtration:
- Two Ultima II 2000
- Two Reeflo Dart Gold pumps
- 110 gallon sump 48" x 32" x 20" (filter socks for polishing and & bio for the tethered nursery tank)
- Adjustable 4-12 GPH heated drip system (already installed on other tanks)

Nursery:
- 50 Gallon glass frag tank(s) tethered to main system via the sump
- 48" x 24" x 12" bare bottom


The tank is used and was the only 600 available in my area for a very long time. This is an interim tank so the budget went more towards filtration than the base tank. I will clean this up nicely and make the used tank part a non-issue. Nuff' talk - pics pics pics




There are two cracks in need of repair. More to come on that later.

 

[JK47]

The stand was built by a metal shop owner. I wanted it wide upon underneath to change out sumps etc... easily.



Exterior welds all ground smooth.



This is a cutout of the material. The tank is in a garage, on an uneven floor so strength is critical. That's why I chose to go with the thicker steel.



I had it for all of two hours before painting it with four coats.



Four coats later, it's tucked away for the night.



jsodwi I would love to get your opinion on this stand if you are willing to share your thoughts? I really do wish you lived closer. I have three more stands to go..

 

[JK47]

I had an electrician install two new 20 amp breakers and plug ins to the panel. When I cleaned out the wall I found a burnt plug in so decided to have a professional correct the issue. I had a clock radio plugged in here so I'm not sure if it's always been like that or not but it freaked me out so it all replaced now.



Insulation installed, primed with Kilz and painted in gloss to avoid mold.

 

[JK47]

Leveling in a garage isn't nearly as easy as in the house. This is on a downward slope/concrete slab. I bought a small bucket of flat stock cut in 2" (varying thicknesses) from the stand builder as shims.

 

[JK47]

To make a spill resistant floor covering a 3/4" plywood sheet was used, covered by a rigid plastic material.



I painted the edges black to match the stand and be less noticeable.




I secured to the plywood using stainless screws on the outer edges

 

[nzafi]

I would look into how much water it takes to backfush an ultima II properly. It might be around 300-400g which may or may not be a problem for you.

 

[JK47]

Cleanup time for the acrylic. The previous owner used duct tape (a real butthole move on his part) to secure styrofoam to the tank. That gunk was a pain to remove. Be incredibly careful when using acetone on acrylic. I caused crazing in some places because of being impatient. Lesson learned...




I soaked a shop towel in nail polish remover (diluted acetone) and got the best results from that approach. It is the maximum elbow grease approach though.

 

[JK47]

I would look into how much water it takes to backfush an ultima II properly. It might be around 300-400g which may or may not be a problem for you.

I budgeted 300 gallons per backwash. Wait until you guy see the design on that. There is no need to refill after a backwash... Easy maintenance

 

[dmopar74]

That tank looks familiar, who'd you get it from?

 

[JK47]

This is the crazing I was referring to above. You can see where I spilled on top of the tank. Be incredibly careful when using pure acetone....