Mark's upgrade to 120 Oceanic Tech

[clowndude]

Welcome back Mark. I knew it wouldn't be long before u would be reefing again.

[mark54321]

Finally I have moved and now it is time to take care of my very neglected tank.There will be some new pieces to go with my rebuild.I will keep my Oceanic Tech tank,as I am very happy with it.I thought for a while to upgrade to a bigger tank,but 120 keeps me busy enough.It is just perfect size for me.I will be building new stand to replace my original Tech stand.I want to make it bigger to be able to fit all my stuff comfortably in it ,as well it to be more secure than particle board stand.I will use custom made sump by local acrylics builder.He does great job.My Vertex IN-180 skimmer does great job,but it will be upgraded to Bubble Blaster 3000 pump.For lighting I am sticking with T5"s as main light,but I got rig of my good old Tech and got new dimmable Sunpower.For supplement light behind T5 fixture I am planning to go with leds ,not sure yet which brand.Thinking two Kessil 150 pedants 15K or 20K for additional color and shimmer.Tank will be very open design with one island in the middle to cover my overflow completely.Rocks will be drilled and secured with acrylics rods and cement to prevent sliding.I want very stable structure.Still deciding if I want to go with sand in main display or go BB.Two Vortechs MP40ES will provide all the necessary flow for now.I hope to have everything done in about two weeks.Pictures will follow soon.This is the place my tank will be.Excuse the mess,but I just moved yesterday.

[clowndude]

Good luck with the move man. Can't wait to see it all done.

[mark54321]

This is so far what I was able to do yesterday in few hours I had free.Still need to paint the inside with waterproof paint,outside with paint matching the door and finish trimming.Cabinet is made to six feet not four out 2x6 and 2x4.I made it bigger so I can hide all of my equipment and controls inside without cluttering to much. I used 2x6 on top so I don't have to use center brace for support.Excuse poor pictures,I used my cheap cell phone to make it.

Back side showing the frame:


Front with door ( got the door at IKEA)

[clowndude]

Looking good, looking real good Mark.

[fatboy40]

looking good mark glad to see you back . keep it coming

[mark54321]

Tank in its place at home.Perfectly leveled.

[mark54321]

Well,I have very little time during week with my work being crazy busy but I was able to hang my new lights today.Very happy with the look so far.I just need to figure out how to attach two Kessil pedants in front of this fixture,that it will not take away from this nice look. Next I will get to cleaning my tank and pluming.I was thinking of doing hard pluming,but not sure if I really need to go this way. After that need to finish my stand.I am thinking to finish the top with black tile or granite to match my black granite counter tops in my kitchen. Some new pictures,enjoy.

[fatboy40]

hey there mark, is that fixtue a 36 " ?

[mark54321]

Yes,it is.

[Koddie Doo]

silly question, is that hard wood or laminate? I am moving as well soon and am scared of having a tank on laminate...

[mark54321]

Originally Posted by Koddie Doo

silly question, is that hard wood or laminate? I am moving as well soon and am scared of having a tank on laminate...

It is all hardwood,made of 2x6 and 2x4. Only doors are from IKEA and I am not sure what they are,but they don't carry any weight of my tank.This stand is way overbuild,I am not worry at all.

[henrystyle]

Looking good bro. Are you making a cabinet on that upper left side? Hide all your crap. lol
Thats how I built mine.

[Falcao]

good luck with the rebuild, will be watching

[mark54321]

Originally Posted by henrystyle

Looking good bro. Are you making a cabinet on that upper left side? Hide all your crap. lol
Thats how I built mine.

I was thinking of doing this but no.It will be a flat surface.In the future I will connect a frag tank to DT on this space.

[mark54321]

Originally Posted by Falcao

good luck with the rebuild, will be watching

Thank you.

[cody6766]

I think he was asking about your floor, not the tank

The build looks like it's going well. I wish I could accomodate that size in my house. It's just not laid out for anything more than a nano though.

[Falcao]

Mark, what are you doing different with the new setup from you previous one?

Rui

[mark54321]

Originally Posted by Falcao

Mark, what are you doing different with the new setup from you previous one?

Rui

First I am trying to make this system very simple and easy to maintain.Most of my filtration equipment will be the same,as it worked very well for me.I did get new,bigger custom made sump.Also the cabinet is build to give me more space inside.I sold my 8x54W Tek fixture and replaced it with 6x39W ATI Sunpower dimmable that will go with two Kessil pedants.I am trying to save a little on electricity ,went down from 432W to 296W. The layout of my tank will be very open with a lot swimming space for fish.One rock formation will be in the middle covering most of the overflow.I am going to use about 1/2-1in.of black sand on the bottom.Only few fish will be in my DT,but this time I am going for the fish I really want.

[Fieroguy19]

Tank and stand are looking really good. Can't wait to see you start growing SPS again. I also want to see how you aquascape this one.

[mark54321]

I was able to do some work today. Plumed my drains and returns.Hooked up two sea swirls to returns with flow accelerators.Cleaned my tank somewhat and set my two Vortechs in place.I should have more than enough flow with this set up.Also started building my rock structure.Used fiberglass rods from HD and mortar E-Marco-400 from marcorocks.com.This stuff is fantastic to work with.I have half of my structure build,will try to get second build in couple of days.I am very pleased with it,plenty of space for corals to grow.




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[clowndude]

Looking good Mark, can't wait to see it done with water. Where are all your fish and corals at right now?

[mark54321]

Originally Posted by clowndude

Looking good Mark, can't wait to see it done with water. Where are all your fish and corals at right now?

Thanks,I got this really great LFS in my area that is holding what I have left of my corals and fish.

My sump

[clowndude]

Is the left side a ATo?

[mark54321]

yes,it is.