180 Custom Build, Lots of pics

[dancoolr]

Alright, about a week ago I started to build a custom 180 gallon reef tank. It all started when I message a reefer about some glass sheets they had in their basement. They told me that they bought the glass from someone else and had no time to put the tank together. Here was my first thought.

 

[dancoolr]

I wanted to build two tank out of the glass because I cant afford a 300 gallon and dont want to take care of that big of a tank. After I got the glass I dropped it off at a local glass cutting shop. The problem was no one could cut the 5/8" think glass, finally they found someone. Amazingly they got the work done for only 60.00 dollars. I had 6 holes drilled in the glass, four on the back and two on the bottom.

 

[dancoolr]

Here is a pic of the sump and what I was thinking

 

[dancoolr]

Next came the design of the stand, the stand is now already built but gives you an idea of what I was going for.

 

[dancoolr]

Here is the stand with some more detail

 

[dancoolr]

It took the glass cutting place a week to get the glass cut so I started to build the stand.

 

[dancoolr]

I got pretty far with the stand in one day.

I was pretty tired.

 

[dancoolr]

Next came putting together the tank. Here is the sump....

 

[dancoolr]

Then came the tank....

 

[dancoolr]

Well one thing I didnt think about before I had them cut the glass was how big the holes needed to be. I had them cut exactly 1" holes. Well no bulk head will fit that. I had to come up with a DIY fix. Here is what I came up with...

 

[vayapues]

Very cool!
Do you have the hood built yet? I am going to be building a couple very shortly. Do you mind posting some pics of that if possible?

 

[dancoolr]

Another pic of the holes....

 

[dancoolr]

No hood is build yet, today I got the overflow build and build the doors. After I do a water test and finish the stand, the hood will be on its way.

 

[dancoolr]

Some pics of the stand....

 

[veni vidi vici]

Looks good, nice work.Ill be watching this thread.

 

[dancoolr]

Well here are some pics of the overflow and the plumbing....

 

[dancoolr]

Also some pics of the stand and how i made the doors....

 

[dancoolr]

So at the moment I have a 90 gallon reef. Im upgrading to the 180 because most of my fish will get pretty big and dont want them not to reach thier full size because of the tank. In the new tank I will be running.
- ASM G3 Skimmer
- Mag 12 for close loop
- Mag 9.5 for return
- 2 maybe 3 250watt MH
- 200 pounds of figi pink live sand
- 200 + pounds of live rock
Here is a pic of my tank now.

 

[azul1994]

The tank you have right now is awesome! Can't wait to see the new one up.

 

[rebelprettyboy]

the 90 gal tank is sick so I know the 180 will be awesome. Cant wait til its up and running!