220G simplistic tank build !!!!!!!

[andyl9063]

Tank: 72 L X 30 H X 24 W It is going to be paint the same color as the ebony color stand.
Calculator shows 225 gallon

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/drunkenmastera/IMAG0009.jpg

Filtration: 30g sump beananimal system

Stand: Basic stand with 2x6 as legs and 2x4 as the other pieces, ebony paint
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/drunkenmastera/IMAG0010.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/drunkenmastera/IMAG0011.jpg
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Lighting: 2- Catalina 36 in light fixture. I went with this for longer bulb length instead of the 72 in and the bulbs are more easier to find. It will be 4 6700k bulbs and 2 10000k bulbs

Substrate: Miraclegro organic soil topped with diamond bit sandblasting sand

Plants: Mainly HC covering the tank bottom and large black rocks that will look like an iwagumi setup

Fish: Mainly the 12 discus i'm growing out right now that is in 2 30g tank. Some bristlenose pleco, pair of gbr, saes, cory cats, cardinals, neons, bloodfin tetras, these are from my existing 90, we'll see how they all cope.


Almost done with stand, going to hang the doors, and start sanding, then paint.

You can follow my newbie thread on growing out the discus:
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?85668-Anyone-successfully-raise-discus-in-a-regular-planted-community-tanks

[Darrell Ward]

Nice tank. No offense meant, and of course it's your tank, but I think it's a real shame it's going to have all that dirt and crap in it. Neons generally don't survive long term in discus temps. Bright lighting can stress discus as well. Good luck.

[andyl9063]

Nice tank. No offense meant, and of course it's your tank, but I think it's a real shame it's going to have all that dirt and crap in it. Neons generally don't survive long term in discus temps. Bright lighting can stress discus as well. Good luck.

what you mean dirt and crap? The substrate? I have been using the miracle gro with no problems and the sandblasting substrate has been in my 90g tank for a year now with no problems. Like I said, some of those fish cannot cope which I might end up removing them. As far as the light goes, it will be adjusted, I will not run all 6 bulbs at one time, i will fight algae endlessly.

[andyl9063]

Got the stand done, need to wipe it down. Got it in place, might end up moving it back to living room.

I drill one hole and it took like 25-30 minutes. Longest half hour of my life.......
It was this thick. 2 more to go, i'll finish that tomorrow.


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KkQyMlGD8BQ/TiTRuDu1FYI/AAAAAAAAABs/faFROZo-Ipg/s640/IMAG0025.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aCSM6DEDeko/TiTR0W5MQGI/AAAAAAAAABw/eJ-MNqDZa9Y/s640/IMAG0028.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CVTZv04wxrc/TiTR6Cxwf4I/AAAAAAAAAB0/QhdVFm0fIM0/s400/IMAG0029.jpg

[andyl9063]

since i dont have tank update, at least an update on the fish itself. This is after fully one year.
I got them when they were quarter size.
Blue knight

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/drunkenmastera/DSC_0368.jpg
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[stones]

Beautiful looking discus. That is some serious growth for just one year.

[andyl9063]

Beautiful looking discus. That is some serious growth for just one year.

thanks, it was a lot of food and water changes. This should be a lesson to all beginners, nothing beats lots of food and water changes.
I was a beginner, now considered myself intermediate LOL :)

hopefully I'll have the 220g setup once I eventually move.......

[andyl9063]

so its been a while since I started this.
A lot of has happen. Sold my business, relocated and closing on a new house next week.

Need some help on where to put the tank. My wife prefer anywhere except basement because she want the guest to see the tank as well.

So for this tank, it'll have to be close to plumbing because I would need a drain line and water line for automatic water change and refill.

What do you think is the ideal place to put this tank based on the house diagram below?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/drunkenmastera/Snap2013-03-07at140506.png

[DiscusLoverJeff]

If the focal point of your guests lets say is your family room/dining room wall right side. This choice is based on the fact it is right above the laundry room area.

Or, in the lower level same location wall and again, near your laundry area where I am sure you can hide the plumbing?

Keep us posted, can't wait to see the end results.

[andyl9063]

yea i need to edit it and say first floor is the location that it has to be at.

[DiscusLoverJeff]

yea i need to edit it and say first floor is the location that it has to be at.

Then first floor living room/dining room wall (36'). You have a great open concept and all can see from many angles.

[Chad Hughes]

77988

[DiscusLoverJeff]

77988

Good idea too! Missed that section of the floor plan. Good eyes Chad.

[Chad Hughes]

This is the only location that I could find that would give him access for plumbing. Punching through to the garage would be super easy.



Good idea too! Missed that section of the floor plan. Good eyes Chad.

[andyl9063]

i think that area will not work because the door to the garage is there. It could also be the bathroom.....
But what about 12 '' near foyer? I can run the line down to laundry. I could have drain and refill line.

[andyl9063]

77988

i'll have to recheck that area. I haven't even move in yet, the area is a little fuzzy.
Will keep you guys updated.

[Chad Hughes]

I thnk we might need a more accurate drawing. Some things are missing apparently.

[a volar]

Family room...

[andyl9063]

yea once we close, it'll be my first priority :). The wife want the tank setup asap.
you guys just gave me good idea to plumb to bottom floor. I'm not really much of a DIY guy, my background is IT so this is all new to me.

[andyl9063]

now i just have to find a stand and a canopy for this tank .... the one i built, the wife said "no, you're not a Carpenter. "
If anyone see a finished one in GA, let me know.

[DiscusLoverJeff]

The 7' wall or the 12' wall would make it easier to plumb. I would prefer to see it on the 7' section if possible this wall you have many different angles of that level to view it from. JMO

[DiscusLoverJeff]

now i just have to find a stand for this tank and a canopy.... the one i built, the wife said "no, you're not a Carpenter. "
If anyone see a finished one in GA, let me know.

Actually, can you "shadow box" it in to the that 7' section? Then the wall would come out and meet up flush possibly with your 12' wall space. Then you can use your stand and drywall in around it. Would look nice.

[a volar]

now i just have to find a stand and a canopy for this tank .... the one i built, the wife said "no, you're not a Carpenter. "
If anyone see a finished one in GA, let me know.

Why not use the one you build? It’s anything wrong with it?

[andyl9063]

Actually, can you "shadow box" it in to the that 7' section? Then the wall would come out and meet up flush possibly with your 12' wall space. Then you can use your stand and drywall in around it. Would look nice.

when you said shadow box... basically you mean the drywalls cover the stand and the top of the tank? the only issue is I couldn't get to the plumbing or back of the tank because there's no room back there.

[andyl9063]

Why not use the one you build? It’s anything wrong with it?

she said it was ugly...it wasn't built for show, just durability.
but i'm kinda liking the idea of Jeff.

[a volar]

she said it was ugly...but i'm kinda liking the idea of Jeff.



She is right then :)

[DiscusLoverJeff]

Then you can put everything underneath and with 2 or 4 nice custom doors framed into the drywall in front and possibly on the side exposed to your open area with access just behind the tank. It won't be a big opening, but it might be enough to work with.

[andyl9063]

Then you can put everything underneath and with 2 or 4 nice custom doors framed into the drywall in front and possibly on the side exposed to your open area with access just behind the tank. It won't be a big opening, but it might be enough to work with.

wow, that sounds awesome!!!! No need for a nice stand or canopy...I will try that route.
thanks for this idea.

Jeff, you have a picture of a tank like that? I want to really picture it.

[DiscusLoverJeff]

Only thank me if your wife likes it. If not, you don't know me, Lol.

[andyl9063]

Only thank me if your wife likes it. If not, you don't know me, Lol.

like this?
http://redesigningsarah.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/wall-fish-tank.jpg?w=604

[DiscusLoverJeff]

like this?
http://redesigningsarah.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/wall-fish-tank.jpg?w=604

Yep. Very similar to that concept. Looks good huh?

[andyl9063]

Yep. Very similar to that concept. Looks good huh?

yes very!!!

[andyl9063]

please judge my plumbing plan! Let me know the concerns or improvements.
I was adapting to the beananimal setup, but it could be change.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/drunkenmastera/Untitled.gif

[DiscusLoverJeff]

Andy, if you have 2 lines overflowing into your sump, you could get a strong enough pump to split the returns so there is one on each end of your tank for optimal water flow. What I may suggest is a simple sump design like this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxnugJGiT3o that you can easily do with a 30 gallon unless your sump is already built.

You can have both overflows coming into the first chamber where you can just keep ceramic discs (maybe widen the chamber to about to about 12" and have it overflow into the middle chamber where your 2 heaters are (need 2 heaters for that size tank) and maybe a piece of egg crate above the heaters like a stand with a piece of 3" thick Poret Foam. Then that runs off to the area where your return pump is and back into the tank. I would try and hard-plumb this with 1" pvc. You could get a Mag drive pump (size is up to you) and a "T" fitting to split the return lines to each side of the tank.

I am not an expert by no means it is just something I build for my reef tank and its been working great for a couple months now. But the same concept can be used for a freshwater tank without the skimmer.

[andyl9063]

Andy, if you have 2 lines overflowing into your sump, you could get a strong enough pump to split the returns so there is one on each end of your tank for optimal water flow. What I may suggest is a simple sump design like this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxnugJGiT3o that you can easily do with a 30 gallon unless your sump is already built.

You can have both overflows coming into the first chamber where you can just keep ceramic discs (maybe widen the chamber to about to about 12" and have it overflow into the middle chamber where your 2 heaters are (need 2 heaters for that size tank) and maybe a piece of egg crate above the heaters like a stand with a piece of 3" thick Poret Foam. Then that runs off to the area where your return pump is and back into the tank. I would try and hard-plumb this with 1" pvc. You could get a Mag drive pump (size is up to you) and a "T" fitting to split the return lines to each side of the tank.

I am not an expert by no means it is just something I build for my reef tank and its been working great for a couple months now. But the same concept can be used for a freshwater tank without the skimmer.

the sump has not been built yet. of course its going to be like 3 heaters in there. i got floating media that will in there as well. are you substituting the egg crate for the plexiglass?save some time if i can use that instead. yea its all going to be 1 in PVC bulkhead.
I already have a new quietone 4000, think its enough?

Also, the overflow will have filter socks on them.

[nguyenp209]

Your blue knights are beautiful!!!

[andyl9063]

so its been almost a year since I move back to Atlanta. Time to resurrect the thread. Lost 3 of the fish due to harsh winter because i was only able to put the fish in the garage. Don't ask...sad.
I'm doing the plumbing next week. Trying to make sure the structure will support the tank on the second floor. I will post pics of the structure for you guys' judgement on this.
I have someone building a new stand since mine was ugly.........
Hopefully I can get this done in about a month.

[andyl9063]

ok, so here are the pictures of the structure beneath the tank. Any concerns? I'm estimating about 2500 lbs.
This tank is going on second floor. Bottom floor is what most of the structure are, then there's the big concrete floor which covers the whole house.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/drunkenmastera/IMG_20130730_183824.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/drunkenmastera/media/IMG_20130730_183824.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/drunkenmastera/PANO_20130730_183949.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/drunkenmastera/media/PANO_20130730_183949.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/drunkenmastera/IMG_20130730_183854.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/drunkenmastera/media/IMG_20130730_183854.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/drunkenmastera/IMG_20130730_183842.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/drunkenmastera/media/IMG_20130730_183842.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/drunkenmastera/IMG_20130730_183848.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/drunkenmastera/media/IMG_20130730_183848.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/drunkenmastera/IMG_20130730_183913.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/drunkenmastera/media/IMG_20130730_183913.jpg.html)

[andyl9063]

Got the drain line ran and two water line ran. Ran into an issue where I'm not sure what method to use to run water into the tank... any ideas?
I was thinking hot and cold line into a Y connector which splits to the spray bar. How do people plumb water line into tank with sump?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/drunkenmastera/IMG_20130809_154751.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/drunkenmastera/media/IMG_20130809_154751.jpg.html)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/drunkenmastera/IMG_20130809_154740.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/drunkenmastera/media/IMG_20130809_154740.jpg.html)