Melev's new 280g Starfire tank thread - Page 6

maxxII · #**126** 07/22/2004, 05:08 PM

Quote:

maxxII,
Yes, I was joking and no offense was intended towards police officers. The gist of it was that they are no more qualified than I when it comes to giving advice towards construction and meeting building codes.

Joseph, no offense taken! I think you have a much better handle on giving advice in this sorta situation tho'.

Man, I'm learnin lots from all the advice given by everybody else! All I can say is wow!
Nick

bulkhead · #**127** 07/22/2004, 08:43 PM

In case you needed further recomendations about the base rock from hirocks.com.....I bought a box of the cheaper plain base rock to have on hand when doing my aquascaping, ended up not really needing it, but I was very impressed with the quality and size of the rock, even though it was the cheaper plain rock.....

Just thought I would throw that in...

hail_sniper · #**128** 07/22/2004, 08:54 PM

a good place for live rock is www.oceanproaquatics.com its around 110 for 50 lbs of premium.... not including shipping, but when you first join you get a coupon that says something like welcome 10 for a 20% - 30% discount

SOMEthinsFISHY · #**129** 07/22/2004, 09:12 PM

HELLO HAIL !!

Knyght · #**130** 07/22/2004, 09:28 PM

Marc
Looks like some nice progress so far. Doesn`t look like you will have any trouble making your 14 day deadline.
I am going out on a limb here and assuming you must be on vacation?

If you are transferring all your current stuff from your 55 and 29 shouldn`t you have enough rock with what is already in the tank?

Pretty funny about the panic alarm thing

MtnDewMan · #**131** 07/22/2004, 09:29 PM

Quite the project ... I am looking forward to watching the progress ... Good Luck !!!!!

yellowtruck75 · #**132** 07/22/2004, 09:31 PM

plans looks great can't wait to see it finished.

hail_sniper · #**133** 07/22/2004, 09:37 PM

you'd think he'd have enough but thats alot of space to fill.....

Knyght · #**134** 07/22/2004, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hail_sniper
you'd think he'd have enough but thats alot of space to fill.....

True, I know alot depends on how you are going to aquascape.

hail_sniper · #**135** 07/22/2004, 09:52 PM

lol when i first started i thought 40 lbs was going to fill my reef tank, now im up to 75 and im not even at what i want yet....

i had a chance to get a super tank of about 300 gal for 400$ fully set up but when i called (after he promised it to me) he said it was sold

melev · #**136** 07/23/2004, 01:01 AM

Alright, the hole is cut, and the stand is 95% done.

First I tarped off the area so that the dust wouldn't affect the 55g. This is cheap 1 mm 9' x 12' drop cloth, and worked great:

Then after drawing the opening on the wall, the first piece was cut out.

Todd, a new club member and a custom home builder by trade came over to help this evening, and after we got part of the platform done, it was time to eat. This is where we were at that point:

Then I measured again, and found that after the tank is installed, I'd only have 10" of space above the tank, and I wanted 12". So Todd recut the sheetrock, and after he was done, it was capped with a 2x4.

Here's what the stand looks like. The frame is made of 2x6 whitewood, and the uprights (or cripples) are 2x4 yellow pine.

And here is the upper section.

Tomorrow, I need to finish up the platform, because I ran out of 2x6s and need two more. I'll reroute the wiring that you see in the way, install the plywood top and get to sheetrocking.

Now I know a number of you will tell me the stand isn't strong enough, but it isn't finished. I ran 3 2x6's across the back section, because I really do NOT want an upright in the center because the sump goes there. However, I may make an upright that can be inserted for safety measure, and if necessary to remove it, I could use a small jack to lift the stand slightly to get it back out.

The front of the platform will get two more 2x6's and a piece of 1/2" plywood, to reach the full 30". Because the tank sticks out of the wall 3", I've decided to put two uprights under the 2x6's, at each end, and then I will wrap them with columns when the trimwork is done.

melev · #**137** 07/23/2004, 01:05 AM

I am going out on a limb here and assuming you must be on vacation?

No, I'm not on vacation, but I do run my own business and am simply not working as hard as I should be. Once the tank is in place, I can focus more on work and a bit less on this remodel/installation.

I only have about 200 lbs of LR currently, and the guideline is 1 to 1.5lbs per gallon. The system is a 280g, plus the current sump that holds 80g. So I do need more, but I see it come up for sale on our club's message board all the time.

weatherson · #**138** 07/23/2004, 01:40 AM

Marc,
That's precisely why I made my stand the way I did with the bolted in two front legs. I can relatively easily place jacks under the front of the stand and pull the legs out to replace the sump if needed.

Joseph

hail_sniper · #**139** 07/23/2004, 01:46 AM

the 2x4's will take the weight but may sag..... your making great progress, all in what 2 - 3 days?

Knyght · #**140** 07/23/2004, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by melev

I only have about 200 lbs of LR currently, and the guideline is 1 to 1.5lbs per gallon. The system is a 280g, plus the current sump that holds 80g. So I do need more, but I see it come up for sale on our club's message board all the time.

So you are looking at putting around 350 to 400 lbs in the tank then?
Makes sense. I thought that the new tank had 200 lbs in it

But I can see where you would need more for the sump.
My bad.

Great progress and looking good. I like the idea of the removable center braces for your stand.
Can`t wait to see your light slide.

SaltNutz · #**141** 07/23/2004, 02:11 AM

No second floor on your home? Why no header above the tank opening?

SOMEthinsFISHY · #**142** 07/23/2004, 04:25 AM

LOOKS real fine so far !

melev · #**143** 07/23/2004, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MikeSheridan
No second floor on your home? Why no header above the tank opening?

No second floor. The house is built with trusses.

thewuf · #**144** 07/23/2004, 07:37 AM

Marc-

I know you said you weren't done, and I surely don't want to tell you how to do anything, but after seeing Joseph's stand, it reminded me I was going to mention to use left over plywood to help secure the stand. By that I mean, cut large triangles and place them on the back and ends - you'd be amazed at the strenght and stability that adds without "getting in the way" like the supports you mentioned. Look back at Joseph's picture to see what I'm talking about.

BTW, on that shot that showed your kitchen table...I didn't see what I was hoping to see

melev · #**145** 07/23/2004, 08:08 AM

Your sump is standing next to the 55g, but I've been way way way busy getting ready for Sunday. It'll go out Monday!

I agree. While working last night, I thought about where I could use plywood to make the structure much more stable, just in case.

thewuf · #**146** 07/23/2004, 08:20 AM

Yea, I know - just ribbing you and hoping to catch a glance. It's coming along nicely!

grochmal · #**147** 07/23/2004, 08:31 AM

Man, I sure hope that top left corner doesn't sag.
It's totally unsupported now, whereas before it had two 2x4's supporting it.

Quote:

Originally posted by melev

And here is the upper section.

hail_sniper · #**148** 07/23/2004, 10:41 AM

remember its not a loadbearing wall since his house is built with trusses

SPC · #**149** 07/23/2004, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by melev
On the phone with them now...

WOW! I talked with Mitch at I.A. about this tank, and he tells me to use the pink foam sheet available at Home Depot. Plywood top, then foam. When I told him the tank has been directly on the steel frame since day one, he was shocked.

I sure hope this tank won't let me down, after being set up incorrectly for 8 months.

Yes I have read where Mitch recommends this.
Steve

thewuf · #**150** 07/23/2004, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SPC
Yes I have read where Mitch recommends this.
Steve

OK. I am NOT trying to start a flame here - I'm only asking to learn...

Why then, did you strongly suggest in all previous posts that Marc NOT use plywood and foam? And also state that no manufacturer recommends this?