My 185gal build in progress (lots of pics)

[Native American]

Followed your link....your bud has a CNC mill in his garage for FUN?

Wow, that's an expensive hobby. I'd love to have one for basic gunsmithing work.

You could make incredibly cool aquarium props with that thing.

v/r, N-A

 

[cvermeulen]

Followed your link....your bud has a CNC mill in his garage for FUN?

Wow, that's an expensive hobby. I'd love to have one for basic gunsmithing work.

You could make incredibly cool aquarium props with that thing.

v/r, N-A

His dad is a bit eccentric! the (TWO) mills cost them under ten grand for both, so it wasn't that pricey. Watching that thing suck down 15A at 240V though... I'd hate to see their hydro bills.

 

[cvermeulen]

Thanks for the update. Anxious for that glass, eh?

Holy crap am I ever.. I have been waiting almost 3 weeks longer than they said it would be. I got a bit of pins and needles last night because I cleaned out all the decorations and vacuumed the tank and thought about how to stick the glass in and test fill it. I've gotta admit I'm a bit nervous about filling this thing up with water.

That, and I dunno HTF I'm going to move the glass around... I think I might need to enlist in the help of a friend for a day... cuz it weighs over 100lbs. Moving the empty tank after the glass is in will not be a minor undertaking either!

 

[lancerland]

Are you going to fill it up in your garage first? or in your house?

 

[Que]

I dunno HTF I'm going to move the glass around... I think I might need to enlist in the help of a friend for a day... cuz it weighs over 100lbs. Moving the empty tank after the glass is in will not be a minor undertaking either!

See if you can borrow/rent those suction cup handle things from the glass supplier.

Q

 

[cvermeulen]

Are you going to fill it up in your garage first? or in your house?

LOL. um. outside. I have a lot of faith in my workmanship, but 200gallons on the floor might be an inconvenience if it doesn't work out

 

[cvermeulen]

See if you can borrow/rent those suction cup handle things from the glass supplier.

Q

Good idea! Probly still need a hand installing it, but that might make it easier.

 

["13"]

Nice work man i am thinking of building a plywood tank myself since i can get 2x4 and plywood for free at my work along with acrylic and other goodies. the one problem i have is that i would have to use my girlfriends dads shop and tools and he lives 1 hr 10 min out of the city

Richmond BC hey you ever heard of Texada Island ? or maybe Hornby ? i was born there ( Texada )

The finished product will mean allot more to you than if you just bought a setup straight out of the box.

Keeper going man ! :headbang2:

 

[cvermeulen]

OK, so I mocked up the sump components:

Mocked up the 3 seperate hinged lids for the sump:

Did another coat of stain on the stand, and the first coat of stain on the lighting unit:

Put another coat of urethane on the front of the tank:

Drilled a buttload of holes in my RUGF piping and flow tested it in the driveway:

The flow looks pathetic, but when you look at the river coming down the driveway, it's apparent how much water the pumps are moving through the piping (Plus I got to sneak in a partial pic of one of my other projects...):

The water seemed to be shooting out under a bit of pressure... and I may up the flow with a mag pump down the road, so I added a few more holes and re-tested:

Oh and last but not least, my father's day gift... makes short work of the TONS of dust, foam particles, chips, sand, and everything else that finds it's way onto my shop floor... it also sucks up screwdrivers, t-shirts, and would take down my hammer if it would fit:

 

[Rbishop]

Good progress! Thanks.