225 starphire with DIY stand/sump and Canopy

[johncody]

Hello everyone, i thought i would get a thread about my tank going. To be honest im posting this to get a bit of feed back on some changes i might(should) do.I look forward to hearing from you all.So..... here we go.
Making the Stand
I made the top and bottom of the stand out of 2x4's and 3/4 plywood, for the bottom i kept it recessed to obtain maximum height for my skimmer that will be in my sump.
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/BottomofStand.jpg

A couple shots of how i made the corner braces.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP1917.jpg
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP1916.jpg
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP1918.jpg

Full side shot

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP1919.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP1920-1.jpg

So stand frame work completed.. Time to build a sump it is 75 Gals

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/75GallonSumpTank-1.jpg

here is the skimmer i choose Vertex in250

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/Vertexin250skimmer.jpg

OK so now i need a tank for this to all go with. I choose a 225 Gal Starphire RR duel center overflow and and return pumps / overflow kits / live sand / hoses and salt, here is a pic.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/225galsetup.jpg

and Tank on Stand and Sump in place.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP1940-1.jpg

You will notice that i have soft flexhose for the intake lines coming from the overflows i since have changed them to PVC pipe and have installed gate valves to control water flow and " Gurgling "
More pics to come...

cheers JC

[levi1803]

Looking good, sweet tank btw

[johncody]

ok got more pic's in order. left off with the Tank/Stand/Sump. So i need to add some water and check for any leaks.. Found none so added salt and sand.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP1943.jpg

Here is a shot of the new PVC pipe installed with gate valaves.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP1963.jpg

Next picture is with doors on stand and some pink insulation to deaden the sound from pumps and skimmer,it does help alot. Contains heat a bit so added 2 4" fans inside to get some air flow.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP1962-1.jpg

Closed door picture and i think ready for some stain.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP1961-1.jpg

and after stain added

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP1964-1.jpg

Well time to go get some lights, will update more soon.

Cheers JC

[banditpowdercoat]

nice, now I really wana upgrade LOL

[mseepman]

Very nicely done. What kind of tank is that? You don't often hear of the pre-made tanks having starfire other than the new Marinelands.

[johncody]

it is an Oceanic tank

[Chowder]

Looks great so far.

Chris

[brizzo]

Looks great so far; I like the wood working :)

Two things though:

1.) What kind of drain system are you running in the overflows? You might have a tough time controlling your overflow water height with those ball valves..

2.) Are you going to run ATO ? One thing to remember for building a sump: the chamber for your return pump is going to be where the water line goes up and down.

[johncody]

thanks for the input Nazerine,the gate valves seem to be working very well i might just have gotten lucky but no noise and good drainage.I think im gonna have to upgrade the return pumps i originally got Rio2500+ doesn't seem to be just enough.but perhaps after i finish getting some more goodies:)

ok where was i.....ah right Lighting. So i figured i might as well get some MH so i could go SPS down the road after tank is more established. So here they are 3 icecap 250 watt Ballast's 3 250 watt 10k bulbs and pendants here is a picture.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP2069.jpg

OK so i built a decent canopy to try and match the stand and house the lighting system. here is a picture of that..

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP2080.jpg

so to help with the heat from the lights i added 2 4" fans on the left and right side of the canopy.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP2077.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP2079.jpg

Then i think i got carried away and put 3 more fans on the front lid of the canopy and 3 LED switch's to independently control them.(Don't think I'm gonna keep this setup)?? might make another plain lid/door. Anyway here it is... Don't laugh my wife thinks I'm gonna turn into a Star-trekker or something.(all the red lights).Nothing against them though :)

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/johnevans5/IMGP2076.jpg

Now it just needs some more stain back to the HD..

Cheers JC

[bassman]

Looks great!, keep the pics comin.

Where did you purchase the tank?

[BlueAbyss]

Hmm looks good, what's the time period between starting to the last pic posted?

[johncody]

it was a total of about 3 weeks just complied everything then added it all to forms, i still have to add update photo's of new canopy..

Cheers JC

[johncody]

I got the tank from King Ed's in burnaby. Got a real sweet deal on it too..