Matt's 234 Gallon rimless tank build

[Clownin Aroun]

Hello,

My name i s Matt and i have been in this hobby for almost 7 years now. I have had MANY tanks in this time span and my current tanks are a 54 tall and a 120 deep tank. My 120 has been through a lot with hurrican Irene and then Sandy coming through New Jersey however since then i have put a generator on my house and will NEVER run into problems like this again.
I have had so many problems with my tank not being reef ready and using a CPR overflow and my brace started to crack.......it was time for a new tank.


I have decided to go with Dutch Aquarium Systems custom tank
It is going to be 50 x 36 x 30 rimless 3/4 glass

I have always loved rimless tanks and always wanted one that was VERY deep and high also and thats just what i am getting.

Some of the equipment that i have, will be ordering or have received are as follows:

Fully custom sump made by a drawing that i have done
Super reef octopus 3000sss skimmer
GHL 4 pump dosing system (alk, calc, mag)
Reef Keeper lite
- 2 PC4s
- 1 Slk1
2 GHL Mitras Led lights (special order white)
150lbs of sand (in between crushed coral and fine sand)
250 lbs of live rock / dry rock (live rock from my 120 rest will be dry
BRS dual reactor (carbon, GFO)
2 Vortech Mp 40s
Mag 9 and 18
Oceanic chiller and heater
Auto Top Off

Tank should be here within a month and i am so excited I cant hardly wait!!!

[Clownin Aroun]

Repost!!!

[Clownin Aroun]

So since i know that the floor would not hold all of this weight without some extra support i have gone to home depot and bought two lolly columns and a 4x4x8 and i have reinforced the floor. Each of these columns is rated to hold 20,000lbs so i think i am good now!


this is where the tank will be going......


This is directly underneath the tank......

[Clownin Aroun]

Here is a bad picture of the old tank that i had in the same spot, 120gallon NOT rr (nightmare)

This is after taking a lot of coral out and putting them into another tank or selling them to make some money for the new set up!!

[Clownin Aroun]

Here are some pictures of things coming in.....I have everything but the 2 Mitras now!

I have 150lbs of live rock from my old tank and 50 lbs of dry rock from BRS.

[cmdrstoneey]

looking good soon shall be better once the tank comes

[Clownin Aroun]

Originally Posted by cmdrstoneey

looking good soon shall be better once the tank comes

I am so excited for the tank.

It's is done drying today and will be shipped out monday!!!

[Clownin Aroun]

Tank will be here either Thursday or Friday!

Sump is almost done being built by Elite Aquatics, looks great, cant wait to get it!

[ClownNut]

just a heads up, your MP40Ws wont work on 3/4" glass.

[Clownin Aroun]

Originally Posted by ClownNut

just a heads up, your MP40Ws wont work on 3/4" glass.

MP40s do work just fine on 3/4 inch glass......MP10s will not work

3/4 inch is the thickest you can go on the MP40s you just do not use the spacer that they give you at all.

[steve1986]

Very nice setup keep up the good work!

[Poppy828]

I run my MP40's on 3/4" glass with zero issues. He will be fine.

Originally Posted by ClownNut

just a heads up, your MP40Ws wont work on 3/4" glass.

[Clownin Aroun]

i am not sure if i am going to put the MP40s on the back glass or one on each side.....what do you guys think?

[biecacka]

Can't wait to see the tank. I'm looking for rimless tank too
Corey

[amore169]

With a 30" tall rimless aquarium 3/4" glass thickness do u think it would be ok? Cause I been shopping around for a rimless tank and the tallest they'll would go with a 3/4" glass thickness is only 24" any higher than that they want to use 1".

[Clownin Aroun]

Originally Posted by amore169

With a 30" tall rimless aquarium 3/4" glass thickness do u think it would be ok? Cause I been shopping around for a rimless tank and the tallest they'll would go with a 3/4" glass thickness is only 24" any higher than that they want to use 1".

I did a lot of research on this and I found that most companies will go to 24 inches high on 1/2 inch glass and 30 on 3/4 inch. Coast to coast, DAS, glass cages, they all would do 3/4 inch 30 inches high. I originally wanted to do 40 high but then would have had to go to euro braced 1 inch and I don't want either of those!!!

It will be just fine and if not, it's a good thing I have insurance and a warranty!

[tundra1000]

I am not an engineer so I don't want you to take my word for it, also the weight of the tank may not be enough to be an issue at all, but based on past experience working with TJI's I would recommend adding some additional support. By adding the columns below and then loading the tank on top you are crushing the TJIs. They are not engineered to support a load in that manner. The way this type of load is usually dealt with is either web stiffeners or squash blocks. Squash blocks would be a simple install in this instance. In short, vertical 2x4 up against each side of TJI to help transfer the load through the TJI. There should be manufacturer info stamped on the side of the TJI and tech sheets are usually available on manufacturers website. Tech sheets should be prescriptive about the right techniques. Can't wait to see the tank!

-Matt

[biecacka]

Originally Posted by Clownin Aroun

I did a lot of research on this and I found that most companies will go to 24 inches high on 1/2 inch glass and 30 on 3/4 inch. Coast to coast, DAS, glass cages, they all would do 3/4 inch 30 inches high. I originally wanted to do 40 high but then would have had to go to euro braced 1 inch and I don't want either of those!!!

It will be just fine and if not, it's a good thing I have insurance and a warranty!

Just out of curiosity, who quoted you 1/2 inch rimless for 24 inches?? I'm looking for a 48/48/24 cube and everyone is telling me 3/4 inch glass EXCPET MRC.
there is a huge price jump from 1/2 to 3/4 inch glass
Corey

[Clownin Aroun]

Originally Posted by tundra1000

I am not an engineer so I don't want you to take my word for it, also the weight of the tank may not be enough to be an issue at all, but based on past experience working with TJI's I would recommend adding some additional support. By adding the columns below and then loading the tank on top you are crushing the TJIs. They are not engineered to support a load in that manner. The way this type of load is usually dealt with is either web stiffeners or squash blocks. Squash blocks would be a simple install in this instance. In short, vertical 2x4 up against each side of TJI to help transfer the load through the TJI. There should be manufacturer info stamped on the side of the TJI and tech sheets are usually available on manufacturers website. Tech sheets should be prescriptive about the right techniques. Can't wait to see the tank!

-Matt

Thanks for the reply,
I actually spoke to a structural engineer and he said that he did not think that the weight would not be a problem at all. He said since it is right next to the outside wall and perpendicular to the beams that it would be fine but if I wanted something to help me sleep at night that I should do what posted above. I am not exactly sure of how it works but something along the lines of because of the wood floor and then the plywood sheet and the the perpendicular beams that it is not a problem at all and the two lolly columns are just spreading the weight to two more beams just in case..........I will look into what you said though for sure!!!

Thanks again!

[Clownin Aroun]

Originally Posted by biecacka

Just out of curiosity, who quoted you 1/2 inch rimless for 24 inches?? I'm looking for a 48/48/24 cube and everyone is telling me 3/4 inch glass EXCPET MRC.
there is a huge price jump from 1/2 to 3/4 inch glass
Corey

Coast to coast as well as Dutch aquarium systems said they would do 1/2 up to 24 inches.


After seeing that you said you want 48x48 I think that might be where the problem comes into play. Since it is an extra foot deeper then mine that might be why companies will not go 1/2.

[biecacka]

Yeah I ink that's the factor. Like i said tho I got one quote for 1/2 inch but it worries me!
Corey

[tundra1000]

Originally Posted by Clownin Aroun

Thanks for the reply,
I actually spoke to a structural engineer and he said that he did not think that the weight would not be a problem at all. He said since it is right next to the outside wall and perpendicular to the beams that it would be fine but if I wanted something to help me sleep at night that I should do what posted above. I am not exactly sure of how it works but something along the lines of because of the wood floor and then the plywood sheet and the the perpendicular beams that it is not a problem at all and the two lolly columns are just spreading the weight to two more beams just in case..........I will look into what you said though for sure!!!

Thanks again!

Your engineer friend is right. But I am guessing that was prior to you adding the additional beam? Its not the strength of the floor along it's span that I think is a concern. The tank may be well within the capacity of the floor. My concern was that adding the additional support created the possibility that the TJI's may be crushed. The TJI's strength is along the span, not directly through the web. Squash blocks are the way to deal with this. Best of luck on the build.

-Matt

[Clownin Aroun]

Originally Posted by tundra1000

Your engineer friend is right. But I am guessing that was prior to you adding the additional beam? Its not the strength of the floor along it's span that I think is a concern. The tank may be well within the capacity of the floor. My concern was that adding the additional support created the possibility that the TJI's may be crushed. The TJI's strength is along the span, not directly through the web. Squash blocks are the way to deal with this. Best of luck on the build.

-Matt

I am going to look into squash blocks over the next few days and see what i can dig up......again thanks for the input! I really do appreciate it!

[bryanracing95]

Should be a nice system, I am moving soon and have this to look forward to although I am starting from scratch with a aqueon 150 long. Good luck can't wait to see the system finished

[Clownin Aroun]

Originally Posted by bryanracing95

Should be a nice system, I am moving soon and have this to look forward to although I am starting from scratch with a aqueon 150 long. Good luck can't wait to see the system finished

Thanks,

I am starting from scratch again pretty much, only thing i am using from old tank is the live rock that was in there. everything else is new, i have decided to sell all of the fish that have not gone into my other tank and am in the process of making a list of fish that i want for this new 234 gallon.

Breaking down the 120 by my self took a long time and it was kind of sad, but putting together this 234 will be amazing!