175 gal Bowfront-Show Off Your Fish Tanks!-3reef Forums

rudzy17 · 03-03-2008, 08:34 AM

Here is the new addition to the family....175 gal glass bowfront. I will post pics as I go throughout this project. It's definately a work-in-progress, mainly due to the $$$$ in setting up a larger tank and also because I'm somewhat of a newbie when it comes to SW aquariums. I want to do it right so I'm trying to research everything in an attempt to keep the horse in front of the cart.

Tank Dimensions are 72" long, 16" wide on the sides, 24" wide at the bowfront and 29" deep.

I got a great deal from the LFS on the tank/stand. It also came with a 30 gal glass sump, however I'm planning on making a 60 gal acrylic sump with seperate sections for the refugium, skimmer, and return. Hopefully that will be completed in the new few weeks.

The tank also came with two Rio 2500 pumps and a Top Fathom TF200a skimmer. I'm sure niether is top of the line but when it was included with the purchase price I couldn't refuse. Perhaps I can talk the wife into a "needed" upgrade

.

As for lighting, that's still in the planning stages. The space under the canopy is not the largest. I would like to do 400 watt MH retro's underneath but I'm afraid of potential heat issues to the water and the woodwork. any suggestions would definately be welcomed!

Here are some pics. I couldn't figure out how to post the picture without using the thumbnail...(any help??)

1. Tank unloaded and sitting in garage.
2. Stand was stained an ugly maroon color so I wanted to strip varnish and restain. This was the before shot.
3. This picture was taken after varnish was removed
4. Background painted on tank
5. Finished staining/varnishing stand. Tank was moved downstairs and placed on stand in final viewing position.

I've got a few more pics that I'll try and include on another post...

omard · 03-03-2008, 08:41 AM

Looking Great!!!!

Thanks for sharing.

Keep us up to date on progress!!!

(Karma to you - )

rudzy17 · 03-03-2008, 08:45 AM

here are the other pictures I have of the tank:

1. Electrical outlets. There are three total with each running on their own circuit and capable of handling 20 amps each. Each is also a GFI outlet. I'm going to mount power strips inside the stand.
2. My RO/DI unit with simple 8.99 trash can storage container. Float valve installed inside trash can to prevent overflowing.
3. closeup of RO/DI unit

The other two pics are just some random ones taken while setting it up in the basement.

I'll update more soon!

Otty · 03-03-2008, 10:00 AM

Looks like you have a good start. As for the pics..just place a( [IMG] then your address where the pic is then [/IMG] ) and it will display it.

wastemanagement · 03-03-2008, 11:53 AM

nice looking setup

thanks for all the pics

rudzy17 · 03-07-2008, 10:56 PM

I spent today designing and crafting the framework for my LR. I made it out of 1" PVC from Home Depot. The spiral is a piece of flexible PVC. I have planned for a cave underneath the larger "shelf" that is on the right hand side of thee tank. Here's some photos of what I came up with. Let me know what you think!

this is a shot looking thru the cave:

opposite end of tank:

i know it's a lot of pictures just for LR framework, but I had trouble finding pictures on internet so I figured this may help someone else with ideas.

Otty · 03-08-2008, 03:37 AM

Make sure you use caps to close up the ends of the pvc or you will gather food and fish waste in there that may cause problems later on. No to mention the creatures that will be in there.
Worm Problem

cuttingras · 03-08-2008, 05:10 AM

Very pretty tank.....that's HUGE!! I love it wish I has room and $$ for one that big! I can't wait to see it full!!!! Good job!!!

lunatik_69 · 03-08-2008, 05:22 AM

Great set-up, cant wait until its all up and running. keep us posted.

Executivelevel · 03-08-2008, 07:16 AM

looks cool so far, but i need to see it with live rock soon or im gonna explode, hurry!!!!!