My 220 gallon

[maelv]

Well, here I thought I would be waiting for another year or so until I decided what I would be doing about the renting (stand) vs. purchasing (in wall in garage) issue...Decided to just go ahead and build the stand. I can sell later if I decide to go in wall. But the money needed to build a "real" fish room, unlike my little wall I had on my 135 gallon, would have me waiting forever.
Currently have a 29 gallon, and after I had things die on me, I was faced with spending more money on a small tank, or put that towards the large tank....SOOOOOO...the thread begins.
I currently have 200 lbs of walt smith fiji curing in the garage....another 50 or so in my 29 gallon that will I transfer over.
I have someone that is going to sell me his dual beckett skimmer that is rated for 400 gallons for next to nothing.
I have my salt, (3) 250w MH, RODI, Mag 18 (will serve as a return pump until I purchase another pump, at that time, the Mag 18 will become my feed pump for the skimmer).
Will use the same sump (gutted out and will redo) as I had on my 135 gallon.
I have been working at my leisure on this stand, and as I stated before:

I am in no way, shape, or form a carpenter

but I am fairly pleased with my stand. Now if I could just learn how to make a canopy...

Nor am I a photographer, cause I didn't take many pictures while I was building, and the ones I did take, I seem to have lost....goodness

I don't stain, so my mother offered to hook a brother up. She'll be in this week to knock that out for me, then hopefully in the next week or two I will have me a cycling 220 gallon tank.
The doors don't have hinges in them, I just placed them in their slots to look at and take pictures (which is why they are crooked a little more than my stand...LOL....)

 

[nycbob]

very nice! keep us posted.

 

[hammerhed7]

nice job on the stand, keep the pics coming

 

[maelv]

Originally Posted by nycbob
http:///forum/post/2455727
very nice! keep us posted.

Originally Posted by Hammerhed7
http:///forum/post/2455837
nice job on the stand, keep the pics coming

Thanks guys....Here are a couple of pictures....little slow at taking photos...the tank is now on its second week of cycle.
A little valley I tried to make on the left side of the tank.

Right side of tank

View from the kitchen

That valley from the kitchen

FTS

 

[acrylic51]

Very nice work!!!!! Love the rockwork!!!!!!

 

[maxalmon]

I agree, the rockwork is original and intersting, this is going to be a very nice tank once your done with stocking.

 

[dennis210]

Job well done! I really like the rock work too! Also was that baltic birch for the stand?

 

[maelv]

Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/post/2483778
Very nice work!!!!! Love the rockwork!!!!!!

Thanks man......actually your stand inspired me...I was TRYING to somewhat imitate the columns you had on your stand (post #33 on this link https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/155990/project-fishroom-underway-for-new-240-setup )
Originally Posted by Dennis210 http:///forum/post/2483844
Job well done! I really like the rock work too! Also was that baltic birch for the stand?
Actually no, that is your special $25 blondwood 1/2" thick plywood at Lowes...LOL...going the cheap route on the stand and canopy...I didn't trust myself with the real and expensive stuff...LOL
Originally Posted by maxalmon http:///forum/post/2483814
I agree, the rockwork is original and intersting, this is going to be a very nice tank once your done with stocking.
Thanks to all of you for kudos on the rockwork...Personally ...... I am not too fond of it....This weekend I am going to get me some eggcrate and rebuild the aquascape...I was going for 3 islands, and what I got was one pillar with a pile of rocks on the right...LOL
And the aquascaping must be a San Antonio, TX thing...as I was posting my pictures on a local forum...this other guy from the other side of town posted pictures of his 210 gallon with nearly identical rockwork...LOL

 

[acrylic51]

Thanks......for the compliment......When I get the new setup ready I'll have you come up and do my rock work for me.......Did you pin any or just painstakingly placed? Looks very good and clean.......

This time the new setup will be a total inwall in the family room, but I considering using round pillars on the corners like I wanted to on the last setup........Keep your summer open to come to PA for some rock work!!!!!!!!

 

[lion_crazz]

Your aquascaping has inspired me to re-aquascape my tank. I really think I am going to go for it now (plus I can get my stupid squirrelfish out!)
Thanks!

 

[maelv]

Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/2484209
Thanks......for the compliment......When I get the new setup ready I'll have you come up and do my rock work for me.......Did you pin any or just painstakingly placed? Looks very good and clean.......

This time the new setup will be a total inwall in the family room, but I considering using round pillars on the corners like I wanted to on the last setup........Keep your summer open to come to PA for some rock work!!!!!!!!

I didn't pin any rocks this time. On my 30 gallon I superglued them, and tossed the idea around of using rods and tie straps...but ended up just stacking them on top of one another. It took a little time as they would topple over, but I think they are fairly solidly placed now. I have been tossing around the idea to go Lowe's get me some egg crate and redo that entire right side of the tank...but I am starting to look at it in a different light now since putting up pictures here...LOL...this summer? Sounds like a plan...

That set up sounds sweet. can't wait for you to get that thing up and ready...
Originally Posted by lion_crazz
http:///forum/post/2484217
Your aquascaping has inspired me to re-aquascape my tank. I really think I am going to go for it now (plus I can get my stupid squirrelfish out!)
Thanks!
Thanks Lion.....I really wanted open space to see the fish swimming about...and I was honestly fairly pleased with what I did until my father came in....only takes one to mess it all up...

...LOL

 

[maelv]

I have (3) MH with the normal reflectors. How tall should my canopy be? I was in between three different heights...
Because the tank is viewable by both sides, I need to completely enclose the canopy (will be accessible from both sides). I will have fans at the top of the canopy to help ventilate, but that is about it....

• 12" (but then my lights would pretty much be on top of my water and cooking the tank....no chiller)
• 15" (a little relief)
  18" (allows me to get in and work on whatever I need to without fear of burning my arms or head on the lights......too often )

Any recommendations?

 

[maelv]

however here are a couple of shots and a loooooong drawn out video of my new (used) toy...Tunze Wavebox....and it is almost making a 1.5" wave
So far here is what I have in my tank:

• Cleaner Shrimp
• Clean up crew (assorted snails, crabs, and shrimp)
• Clown Tang (eats out of my hand and has a couple of times come up to my finger and nudged it like a dog does when it wants to be pet...love this guy)
• Picasso Clown (eats out of my hand also)
• Blue Hippo (you guessed it, starting to eat out of my hand...LOL)
• Lawnmower Blenny
• (2) Blue/Green chromis (need to get more)
• Assorted Zoas
  ATL Meteor Shower
  Blue Tort
  Green Cloves
  Pink Chalice
  Pink Jade
  Tri Color Valida Colony
  Welsophyllia Open Brain (thing is easily about 8 inches across and about 4-5 inches tall, bought it from someone downgrading and he has owned it for 10 years)
  Yuma

Now for some pictures

And a FTS...SERIOUS work in progress with EVERYTHING.

Video of wave...sorry for quality and length

 

[briand7878]

Im a rookie here so forgive my question. How do you make waves like that? Can you show the exact product? Thanks

 

[maelv]

Originally Posted by BRIAND7878
http:///forum/post/2617590
Im a rookie here so forgive my question. How do you make waves like that? Can you show the exact product? Thanks
No, no need for apologies....you will NEVER know enough in this hobby...
That Brian, is a Tunze Wavebox it is located (on the FTS) on the left side of the tank right above the magfloat. It needs a clear shot all the way across the tank to get the optimum wave....I love this thing....I have been wanting one forever...and if you don't already know Tunze products can be $$$...I lucked out.

 

[disco bay jn]

Originally Posted by maelv
http:///forum/post/2617612
No, no need for apologies....you will NEVER know enough in this hobby...
That Brian, is a Tunze Wavebox it is located (on the FTS) on the left side of the tank right above the magfloat. It needs a clear shot all the way across the tank to get the optimum wave....I love this thing....I have been wanting one forever...and if you don't already know Tunze products can be $$$...I lucked out.

I'm bidding on one for my 180 on that big

[hr]
site right now. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[maelv]

i got mine from a local reefer who decided to downgrade....i got it with a magnet as well....good luck...

 

[sbaumann14]

Originally Posted by maelv
http:///forum/post/2617769
i got mine from a local reefer who decided to downgrade....i got it with a magnet as well....good luck...
was thinkin of gettin the wavebox... question, do you have to worry bout your overflows? runnin dry, suckin air, or the water overflowing the tank sidewalls? also, what other powerheads do ya use? thanks

 

[maelv]

Well I have been wanting one of these for a while now so without further delay...I would like to introduce you all to my female watanabe angel (currently acclimating):

 

[scsinet]

Originally Posted by maelv
http:///forum/post/2627250
Well I have been wanting one of these for a while now so without further delay...I would like to introduce you all to my female watanabe angel (currently acclimating):
oh man...
Two questions... one... where do I get one... and how much am I going to have to spend?