250 gallon build thread

[michealprater]

Originally posted by SVTour
The only time I ran into an issue with ick, I ended up dropping the salinity instead of medicating. When that happened, the tank was not attached to the system at the time. Sadly, I lost the fish that had the issues anyways...all others that were not infected were fine through this process though. Needless, if I ever go this route again, I will be able to get the fish acclimated to the system better by turning the ball valve.

Lately this tank has just been for water changes. I open the valve to let tank water in and just put the new water in the sump.

In looking more at the blue board / green board controversy...green is more for high humidity, blue is more if you think the walls will get wet. I'm rather tight in my application where I think the salt is more affecting me than the wetness. Read up on it some, you may find that using mostly green board is best for your room, but may want to go blue around the tank? I can tell you that the green board broke down on the sides of my tank where the overflows are in about a two year timeframe. I ended up putting stained wood in its place…but think it would have been better off with blue board. You can see where I replaced the Greenboard with wood on the page that shows the sliders for the lights.

Thanks for the compliments on my build...like most, it's still a work in progress. I’ll need to get some update pictures when I get a chance. I’ve got a bunch of SPS frags in there now.

Around the tank I was planning on doing finished plywood for asthetics on the outside. I guess I could use a sealant for the back side of it. I planned on doing drywall for the back 2/3 of the room. I do have a BIG dehumidifier in the room plumbed directly to the drain. Humidity should not be a major issue, but I will use greenboard as a precausion.

Nick, I thought I had some pics earlier in the thread of the fuge, if not I will post some. I am not sure how you would fit an external skimmer, a sump and a fuge in a stand.

[michealprater]

double post

[michealprater]

Nick, the middle of page 10 shows the fuge. It has a bulkhead and flexible pipe to the sump. It doesnt show the return, but it is just a MJ1200 with flexible tubing going up to the fuge. I held the tubing up with a clamp. Nothing fancy, but functional.

[SVTour]

Originally posted by michealprater
Around the tank I was planning on doing finished plywood for asthetics on the outside. I guess I could use a sealant for the back side of it. I planned on doing drywall for the back 2/3 of the room. I do have a BIG dehumidifier in the room plumbed directly to the drain. Humidity should not be a major issue, but I will use greenboard as a precausion.

My issues are right where my overflows are in the corners, mainly the one that is on the outside wall. I created some covers to keep the splash down...but the damage to the drywall was already done. Although you have overflows on the back, it looks like you have the one side of the fishtank up against the wall...this is where I would be concerned the most.

Originally posted by oneoffcustom
Great build svt. oh and praterss urs is ok too. lmao, just kidding...

Thanks...

[michealprater]

None of the overflows are against the wall. They are external overflows near the middle of the tank about 18" off the wall. I do have a little bit of splash. I was thinking of cutting the stand pipes down a couple of inches to correct the issue.

[SVTour]

I just covered over the overflow with a piece of plexiglass. The plexiglass helped cut down some of the noise anyway, I'll need some time to see if it helps with the salt creep on the walls though.

[Hongt713]

lovely setup

[Hongt713]

lovely setup

[michealprater]

Well finally a update worth posting. Lots of pics!

Got the drywall done, Lowes was out of green and blue board so I had to get yellow board. It is the highest grade of moisture resistant drywall. It is actually coated in fiberglass. Kind of itch to work with, but nice stuff. More than I wanted to spend, but it will work well.




Here is a shot of the finished plywood that I plan on staining and sealing and placing around the tank.


Shot from a distance.

[michealprater]

Now some inhabitants.

Palys


Mushrooms, Zoas.



Kraash's blue palys


Rics


Nuculear Green Paly out of Chadfarmers tank.


Frogspawn, after three locations, it loves this one, just blew up!


GSP


Purple shroom

[michealprater]

Macro tank shots for oneoffcustom




Sorry for the poor quality of the pics. I have a nice camera, but I am finding out, taking pics of aquarium inhabitants is very difficult.

All comments and advice welcome.

[nixon125]

Not sure if this phrase is copyrighted by the A Team, but "I love it when a plan comes together..." definately a great thread!

[michealprater]

Got one side of the wood stained and the other polyurethaned, just need to let the stain cure some more and polyurethane that side.

[oneoffcustom]

sweet some progress. Hey nixon did your boyfriend ever get his adam eve order? That was offbeat, but i dont see him on enough to ask him personally. Anyways, looks good prater, where did the rics come from they are sweeeet..

[michealprater]

Kevin hooked me up with the rics. All the corals are doing really well!

[SVTour]

Nice weekend process...

I guess you're not planning to DW the inside and are planning to just leave it open like that?

[michealprater]

Leaving it open, asthetics are not a concern on the inside.

Asthetics=outside, fuctionality=inside.

[SVTour]

I'm okay with that...and since you have the back of the tank black, it's not like people can see in there at all.

[~sp0ok~]

looking good ...keep the pic coming

[erics3000]

Just read you hole thread. Great job. You moved along at a pretty good pace. Congrats on your little one too.

1 thing I would think about before you close off the wall in front of the tank is you might want to consider some access from the front. It helps with cleaning and maintenance.

[michealprater]

Thanks.

Got the wood up. Next is mudding and trim. I am going to cut in a vent for lighting on the end, and cut in cabinets later.

Here are some more pics.

[kraash]

Lookin' good! When is that trim guy gonna show up?

[michealprater]

I am torn whether to go with a contemporary shaker style trim, or a elaborate antique looking trim. The wood looks very antique with the stain and grain.

[erics3000]

Man.. looking good.. I really love viewing tanks from the end..

[SVTour]

Originally posted by michealprater
I am torn whether to go with a contemporary shaker style trim, or a elaborate antique looking trim. The wood looks very antique with the stain and grain.

I like it so far...

Not the same application, but I'm in the process of building a bar...if you're looking for some ideas.

Same concept though, finished plywood and put in some trim to make judges panels.



The fluted columns cover the seams, the squares are just trim I picked out and cut on a 45 degree angle.