Col's 7x2.5

[colg]

Introduction:
This tank is in the planning phase only at this stage.
Plan is to use most/all the equipment that is on my 6x2. I didn't keep the old journal updated regularly (apparently not for a few years... ). This time round i am going to try and keep a better log, if for no other reason than documenting changes. I have only been in the Marine game for a relatively short time, but the benefit of searching through tank journals to see what other people do and more importantly what has worked and what has not is all quality information imo.
Part of the reason for the upgrade is; i have to move my existing tank from outside back to the main living area. Tank was moved outside while i carried out some renovations and never made its way back in. That was over 12months ago!
I plan a final update, if only a photo, of the current setup, prior to pulling it down. Anyway onto the future...

System Objectives: To create a living piece of reef that is a pleasure to look at and allows me to keep developing more knowledge of marine aquariums

System Type: Mixed Reef. Due at this stage to amount of soft livestock already on hand. Will eventually bias stocking towards SPS

Display System:

Strike up Date: TBA. Hopefully get things started in next few weeks, possibly wet in Jan

Display Tank: 2100x750x550 Eurobraced. 'Opt-iclear' front and sides, 12mm all round

Display Lighting: PacSun Pandora 4x80W T5 + 4x 75W

Stand: Steel

Hood: Open top

Sump: Probably convert a 4ft tank, i have a few spare


Support systems:

System Water: Natural salt water

Display Water circulation: 2x 6105's and 2x 6095's

Return Pump:peedy R3 8,000l

Skimmer: r: 170 cone Vertex

Evaporation Top Up:tunze auto


Chemical Support:

Calcium Addition: randy's

Alkilinity Addition: randy's

Other Chemical Maintenance: randy's

Current Water Chemistry: N/A
Nitrates:
Phosphates:
Alkalinity:
Calcium:
Salinity / Specific Gravity:
Magnesuim:


Images:

Coming..

[colg]

There are a few details that i have been researching and have yet to make a decision on:

Stand - I am going to make a steel stand and clad it with polycarbonate sheeting. I was thinking of using 50x50x3 but this might be overkill and 40x40x3 or 2.5 would suffice? I have drawn up the stand and will post it up when i go back to work next week.

Overflow/Weir - I will be building the tank myself and am tossing up between several ideas;
- Corner or central weir. This would not be full tank height, only around 5" high,
- Internal C2C on back wall (tank is view-able on both sides)
- External C2C. is This is my preferred option but it has some difficulties. Not sure if the eurobracing will offer enough support to the rear pane if there are notches cut out (Was thinking two notches 500 long). The other way would be to drill some holes through and have a thin weir on the inside as well as the external box. The problem this would present revolves around the 80mm euro brace and how i would be able to clean it and/or rescue livestock that enter it.

Anyone have any advice on my options above?

Regards,
Col

[Synodontis]

Sounds like you have a good plan to start off with Col.

Stand- I'd stick with the 50x50x3, yes the other sizes may suffice, but overkill on a stand is nit a bad thing. Long term (years) your stand will still have no problems supporting the weight with out buckling.

Weir- If the tank will be viewable from both sides, have you thought about a central weir? You could incorporate the scape into this also.

Keep posting updates, sounds like a good build, good luck with it all.

[colg]

Thanks Ken, agree with your thinking on the section size. Will continue with 50x3.

I have pretty much decided that I want an external overflow on this tank. The external overflow box will provide support for the rear pane in place of the eurobrace. I have been recommended to run 100mm brace rather than 80mm. I am sure the 80 would have been adequate, but an increased safety factor is probably a good thing..
Notches will more than likely be water cut and be 750mm long and about 25mm deep. This will leave around 13mm clearance under the bracing.
Below are a few images of what it might look like:



Got bored and developed the concept a bit further..

[swazzle]

How many viewing panes? Will the rear be against a wall?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[colg]

Yes, rear will be against a wall. Obviously set out from the wall to allow clearance for overflow and pipes etc.

[colg]

Looks like this is happening.
Spent a few hours today cutting all the steel for the stand. Gonna be heavy! Went through two 8m lengths of 50 and have 1m left from a length of 40. Go the top frame tacked up, will probably need a day or two to finish assembly and weld out. Hopefully next week

[colg]

Got to spend a couple of hours today getting it together. Pretty hot in the workshop this time of year to say the least!
Anyway, couple of progress pics:

Top frame finished


Half way there


I decided on using adjust afoot feet on each leg. Got some 60mm ones with m16 thread. Tapped some plate, cut to fit inside the RHS and welded in.


Col

[saltymike]

Awesome mate, really keen to see this develope.

Mike

[colg]

Got the stand back from powder coasters today. Finish (as was expected) turned out awesome. Pic is upside down but only one I took for reasons below..


Unfortunately there was a bit of a bend in the top frame from weld pulling on the middle leg. This resulted in a 'hump' in the middle that was 5mm higher than each end
It took 4tonnes of weight placed on top in the center to straighten it back out. There is now less than 1mm of 'unflatness' on the top face of the stand luckily non of the powder coat was destroyed in the process!

Col