165 Gallon reef Build

[JaiWiz]

I just put my glass order in for a 165 gallon tank i have a week to decide how i want to drill it so i'm lookin for some ideas. I want to save as much room as possible on the overflows. The tank dimensions are
72" L x 24" W x 24" H. Any ideas are greatly appreciate it. thanks

[kien]

72x24x24 is usually 180g :-)

[JaiWiz]

Yes you are very right ha

[kien]

Make your overflow box external then you won't lose any tank space to it :-)

[JaiWiz]

you mean with the outlet bulkhead up high in the sidewall of the tank with a strainer on it?

[kien]

Nope. I mean with the outlet bulkhead inside a box that sits outside of your tank. There will be a notch at the top of your tank where the water will drain out into the overflow box.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3694.jpg?t=1248427749

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3697.jpg?t=1248427693

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3700.jpg?t=1248427967

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1386.jpg?t=1248762300

And if you are going to go this route make sure you have at least two drains in the overflow box so that you can set up a herbie (or similiar) :biggrin:

[JaiWiz]

looks interesting and would be a good fit considering the tank is going into a wall

[The Grizz]

Sweet sounds like you got a good price. I will call you Sunday on my way home from Airdre, didn't get home until 11 pm tonight.

[JaiWiz]

Thats some late hours but if ya chargin travel its money in the bank lol Ya I got lucky, not sure if i wanna notch out the tank like that in the above pics. i need to figure this out though.

[JaiWiz]

looks like we have come up with a overflow design that I feel is best suited for myself and this tank, some conversation with The Grizz out on Grizzly Acres Grizz brought up a possibility of doing a overflow right dead center of the tank in the middle of the tank. It was a genius thought seems how the tank will be viewable from either side.

[JaiWiz]

Should have my glass within the next 2 weeks. Using black silicone and putting on euro bracing. I'am in a bind as to what colour and what kind of sand to use, Not sure what i want just wondering what others in the reef community are leaning towards

[The Grizz]

If you decide to go with black sand like I am we should see if we can find a deal on it from somewhere.

[Hustler]

2 50lb bags did over an inch in my 300.... the tahitian moon sand from big als.... Nice and heavy and still fine enough to be sand :)
I gave it to a friend of mine or I would have just given it to you...

[JaiWiz]

I got my glass for my tank the other day. I'am super pumped to build it !!!! Unfortunately after I drill the glass and put it together it will be all i do for quite awhile. As i have run into budget issues which sucks big time but it is what it is.
I do have a last resort but i'am unwilling to turn to it, as i do not like having people throw it in my face that i owe them, even when you pay back as quick as you can lol

[The Grizz]

We will just have to keep an eye out for what you need used, I have got some good equipment when I first started with my 8'er.

[JaiWiz]

Ya that would be sweet Grizz, i mean my budget is'nt shot but that sweet bubble magus skimmer i was lookin at is definately out of the question right now lol and i think you and i both know who i'am refering to about the " Last Resort" thing without saying any names lol. Its just gonna take me a little longer to set it up thats all

[The Grizz]

I have a couple skimmers that are good for 200 gals that I ran my 8'er with for almost a yr that we could use in the mean time & if I can get my LEDs I will have a couple 4' MH/t5 combo fixtures as well so not all is lost.

And I would have to kick your ass if you went down there and got in to debt with him.:twised:

[JaiWiz]

BBwaahahaha i would ask that you pre tie my noose if i went and got into debt down there lol, and i appreciate it grizz, i know it'll get set up with your help but your probably a little closer to setting your 300 up then i'am to setting my 180 up so we can put mine on the back burner for now cuz i still gotta frame that room up in the basement and i'll be lucky to get that done in the next month or two.

[The Grizz]

You need one of these for framing

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/GRIZZtheWELDER/ce2702ce.jpg

[JaiWiz]

Everyone needs one of those for framing the world would be a better place lol

[JaiWiz]

So i'm a little stumped with sizing my overflow bulkheads for my 185 gallon tank. Also i'm starting to second guess my idea of having it viewable from both sides reason being limited on overflow options and alot more glass to constantly clean. I'm back to looking for other options for my overflow set up. Please help lol i'am still a noob at building a tank but have been in the saltwater hobby for 3 years now and still feel like i know nothing lol.

[JaiWiz]

Plus i'll have to develop my basement accordingly if i choose a tank that is viewed from both sides which makes my house harder to sell down the road

[JaiWiz]

Actually it would be easy to frame in where the tank will sit in the wall, but cleaning all that glass ............... hhmmmmm but i think it is the nicest possible way to do this tank decisions decisions hmmmmmm

[The Grizz]

4 options:

Center Back OF, Single Corner OF, Dual Corner OF, OF box on the back of the tank.

Crap 5 options, you could do a coast to coast OF with a drain out the back at each end of the back panel.