240G Dream Tank of Frustration
 

Well , time for an upsize . Currently running a 4' 120g tank & soon to out grow it . So thought I'd go all out & get the tank I've always wanted . With the help of Concept , I think my dream tank will come true , but not without a bunch of frustration (I'm sure). Thinking to start from almost scratch , just picking out a few pieces from my current tank . Not looking forward to the cycle & algae blooms.
I'm a slow typer & believe a pic is worth a 1000 words , so let's get on with what I have so far . Oh Ya , tank should arrive this week !!!

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psivlcux48.jpg
Tank
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psewksk1lz.jpg
Sump
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psnq7svawn.jpg
Helper

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psrnuzi81g.jpg
Rock . Have another 50lbs in other containers
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psnnu3akyq.jpg
BK SM250

Stand
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...ps7tbwbbyn.jpg
Base
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...pspczugmgu.jpg
Top
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...pst3pq1pm9.jpg
Main structure
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...pss2ruwweb.jpg
Sheeted with 5/8 birch
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...pswkhwc2mb.jpg
Stained
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psgpehyr7k.jpg
In place & awaiting tank . Still have to finish doors & trim

Equipment
 

I also purchased equipment with tank :
3x Kessil A360w, with controller
Return pump Jebo DCT15000
300w heater
2x Maxspect gyre 150
All plumbing from overflow bulkheads up & gate valve

Looks awesome! Can't wait to see it running!

Thanks, me too !

That stand looks Rly sweet!!

So picked up a couple more used toys in Great shape !
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...ps5dx02tew.jpg

Also ordered a couple rock formations from Eli @ Figireefrock . I can't say enough about how nice & helpful he was . Talked to him late the night before, told him what I was after, by noon the next day he was texting pics & digging thru rock for me !
I would highly recommend him & very, very reasonable prices on hard to find rock.
This is what he came up with :
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psl6ofapfh.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psinfouvnt.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psiw5j2xtm.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psgtsueats.jpg

Thanks
Just trying to finish the doors today.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...pszvoci35p.jpg

looking good!

i'm actually planning out my tank and it'll be almost identical to yours.

i'm even planning on 2 x gyres and most likely kessils as well!

cant wait to see your progression!

Sump & Tank built & shipped today .
Sorry no good pics of tank . I'm like a kid on Xmas eve !!!!
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psbsf8g6lg.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psj151ofbh.jpg

Looks good tagging along

Installed a couple Icecap fans & doors on stand .
Thank god that's over , I hate doing finishing work & have the blisters to prove it.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...ps8tpg3phk.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psut8hsygd.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psinyqqatf.jpg

:thumb: Fans are a good idea to keep the lower area well ventilated, if you need help I'm available, probably 4 guys minimum is a good idea for lifting and placing. You don't want to crack that new bad boy! :smile:

Thanks Laurie, I might just take you up on the offer. I'm not sure when it will be delivered & may need some extra help.

No problem, give me some lead time if possible, there's probably other fellow reefers that will chime in to help I'm sure. :wink:

Received the rock from Eli this morning at 9am. So grabbed a coffee & started assembling with figicrete . That stuff is cool & sets really fast . Doesn't look quite the way it did from Eli's pics but I think it works .
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psetxx66zu.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psgp0a3k07.jpg

So being very impatient, phoned shipping company & I think I may be getting a tank tomorrow (Saturday).
So if anyone is around late afternoon , in Cloverdale area , I'm trying to round up people .
Mark 604-319-0989 call or text me
Might have enough people but you never know .
By the way : pretty easy , roll on cart , lift 3" lip from garage to house , roll to stand , lift & push .
No Stairs !!!!

Finally , tank was delivered & on the stand with the help of a few friends .
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...ps8igmhh5m.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...ps1l7ofgcb.jpg

Ooooh pretty:mrgreen:

Nice! Love the peninsula style tanks tagging along

Great job so far. Following

Playing around with new toys & mock up of included plumbing .
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psfwujvtvb.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psiy0fsm67.jpg

Ooooo ME LIKEY Fancy Rock Sculpture. So Purty:mrgreen::wink:

:pop2:

Looking good, you going to get all new livestock or switch over from other tank?

Gonna try & do a transfer from my other tank , then shut it down & sell .
Except for a couple problem fish !

Had a busy day yesterday & this morning . All plumbing done & filled last night . Checked for leaks over a couple hours , looked good so added salt . This morning added rock & did a quick aqua scape - not finalized , just wanted it to finish cycling in the tank.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psmxvyjumr.jpg
Not as cool as WarDog but think it'll work
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...pshm5p4q7i.jpg
Still just have the 1 light over it sorry !
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psk90x7ozh.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psbfybohtx.jpg

Looking great Mark.

Wow, your plumbing looks neat and tidy, me likey! That cross fitting might give you some problems with flow characteristics but it might not either. All in all, this is shaping up to be a very nice build!

Frustration !
 

The sump runs too high & afraid it might overflow . Supposed to run at 8" for skimmer & runs at 9.5" . Had to increase height on gated drain, so wouldn't overflow sump.
Few finish quality problems - chip (should be covered by canopy) , top sump trim - a little butchery , vinyl on bottom glass - air bubbles at one end (end you first see) .
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...psyutnvyuj.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...ps0jc5g5fy.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...pssjnnv9wf.jpg

Thanks Warren

Hey Mark looking great so far, when are you planning the switch over?
:thumb:

Not sure yet , think'in a week or 2 . Then I'll do a couple test fish - they'll be happy to get out of my sump .

lloking good , really like the rock tower

Why is your sump almost overflowing? Where is all the back flow coming from? Did I miss it somewhere, or is the bottom of your tank blue? Leaving it bare-bottom? Plumbing looks great, and I love the spot you picked for the tank. :)

Looks great & I'm sure I'm not the only Canreefer who will continue following this tank build and drooling all over our keyboards (or is it just me?):redface:

The sump was made & runs too high - barely enough volume when return pump shuts down . Tank runs 3/4" up overflow teeth , with return pump set on speed 4 (was set to 7 & ran approx. 1" up teeth) . Whole 6" end of tank is overflow & drain was made to empty 1/2 down when turned off .
I also had return lines set too deep in water , so that did back flow .
I did make a few adjustments , but when first turned it off ,sump filled to top , then back flowed into ato/refuge (luckily was empty) & filled 1/2 full .

Yes the bottom of the tank is blue (vinyl on outside of glass) & yes I'm leaving it bare-bottom.

Thanks

Thanks Anthony
I think you were right - should have made the tank 26"H . Bottom pane of glass is 20mm & top brace is 14mm , tank runs over an inch from top = actual water height approx. 21.5"