Grouper's 225 8' DIY build....

groupergenius

groupergenius

Active Member
I set out to make something that would be a little different. I really like looking down from the top to see my corals. They allways seem to look better.
I started by using google sketchup to plan it all out. Kinda hard to figure it out at first, but it sure helps in the planning stages.
The tank is 1/2" cell cast acrylic 95" x 30" x 18" tall. The stand is 30" tall. I built the tank, stand, canopy, sump, 24 gallon ATO container, reflectors.

 
groupergenius

groupergenius

Active Member
some more....



The last pic was 1 1/2 weeks ago. I'll get some new pics to post up with clear water and the lighting above.
I'm running a Reeflo Dart pump and 2- Tunze 6105's for circulation. I will be getting the Neptune Apex controller as soon as available. Lighting is 3- Radium 20k 250w SE on Icecap ballasts. As well as 4-48" VHO for actinics.
 
B

bigtankbigfish

Guest
speechless.....
when u say look from the top, you mean like cover the water surface with glass like a glass bottom boat? How does that work? or just have the tank at a lower height so its easier to view
Keep going man this is going to be awesome.
 
groupergenius

groupergenius

Active Member
Originally Posted by BigTankBigFish
http:///forum/post/3064234
speechless.....
when u say look from the top, you mean like cover the water surface with glass like a glass bottom boat? How does that work? or just have the tank at a lower height so its easier to view
Keep going man this is going to be awesome.
Tank is lower. The top of the tank is 49" from the floor. The canopy is 24" above the tank.
 
groupergenius

groupergenius

Active Member
Mostly Zoa and Paly with a mix of shrooms. Some choice SPS and LPS pieces, but not much. I love letting my zoa/paly colonies grow to huge colonies.
 
groupergenius

groupergenius

Active Member
I got the lights up this past weekend and started moving some of my existing rocks over. The lighting right now is:
2-250w Radium 20k on Icecap ballasts and my DIY reflectors.
2-VHO 110w Super Actinic
2-VHO 110w 454
Can't even tell there is not a center bulb.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by GrouperGenius
http:///forum/post/3065138
I haven't really kept track and I don't think I want to know.

I have a folder (2 actually) that I put all my receipts in...once in there...I rarely look at them again....
 
groupergenius

groupergenius

Active Member
Now that ya'll made me think of cost....

All acrylic and glue---approx. $1000
Steel for stand and canopy---$300
Powder coat stand and canopy---$506
Dart pump---$225 used
Tunze 6105's---$600 for 2
Radium 20K bulbs---$220 for 3
Icecap 250 ballast---$130
VHO actinic bulbs---$100 for 4
Samoa Pink Sand---$185 for 400lbs
LR from local reefers---$150
PVC plumbing and parts---$150 estimate
Looks like $3566 total give or take. Man I really hope my wife never reads this.
 
small triggers

small triggers

Active Member
Looks great. Just let her know if she ever figures it out, that MAN you saved SOOO much money doing it yourself. The tank alone would been like xxx (insert rediculous number here) and the stand, man that woulda been xxx and thank god for local reefers, that live rock really would been xxx.
This is how i explain it to my husband every time i want to build something new. I just say,, well imagine how much i could pay for someone else to do something that i know how to,,,
 
T

tizzo

Guest
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3065144
I have a folder (2 actually) that I put all my receipts in...once in there...I rarely look at them again....
I have a "folder" too... but it sits on the floor and gets emptied weekly!
So Grouper... THAT'S what youve been up to!!
That, I must must say, is freaking sweet!!
 
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