Paul _PSU 220 upgrade/build

[Paul_N]

OK so I am tearing down my 75 gallon and moving it to a 110 rubbermade in the basement temporarily. I will be setting up a used 220 that I got from a member of the local club. He had it set up as a peninsula and drilled on the end with (2) 2" bulkheads. I will have it up against the wall in a corner and use the (2) 2" bulkheads, a custom internal black acrylic overflow made by Keith (DEERE G) and run all 2" plumbing into the sump. I will be building the stand from scratch and have it built attached to the wall in the corner. I will also build the light fixture from scratch out of aluminum and hang it over the tank. I want the top of the tank to be open. I figured I would show some pics of the items I have so far.

Here are a couple pics of the used 220. I replaced all the bulkheads and plumbing that were attached and have scraped it down with a razor. I just have a final cleaning to do once I am ready to move it into the house out of the garage. The tank only has two scratches on the back but was not a factor for me since I will be covering it with rock. I will take some better pics of the tank as I progress.

Black Acrylic Overflow box with lid, better pics to follow as I install:

Flex PVC from Savko:

 

[Paul_N]

Screen Mesh top

I made (3) aluminum screen mesh tops. I got the screen frame kits and knobs from Lowes and the clear mesh from Dave (Acroholic):

 

[Paul_N]

Reflectors

I am going to go with (3) of these reflectors from a hydroponics store. I am replacing my little ones and switching from 250W DE to 250W SE MH. These reflectors have the same material as the Lumenmax Elites, measure 20" X 15.5" but they are only $39.99 each..:bigsmile:

 

[Paul_N]

Light Fixture

I started the light fixture. I made it out of different shapes of aluminum. I was going to use all 1" tube but that would have made it way more heavy and expensive than I wanted it. I used some "u" channel, 1/16 angle and 1/8 thick flat bar. This has allowed me to cut the weight almost in half. I have a neighbor that is an HVAC guy and he has an aluminum brake so I will be skinning the fixture in aluminum. I only have one set of brackets in the middle to hold the one reflector so far.

 

[jesterns2]

Good luck! I`m sure it will look great! If you ever need a hand with anything hit me up.

 

[Stray32]

Looking good so far man. Let me know if you need some help setting up this beast.

 

[vr697getta]

cant wait to see it finished, also let me know if you need anything.

 

[Blackhawk Fan]

Sweet Paul!

Is it filled yet? :tongue:

 

[Misled]

Keep going Paul. Haven't made it up there, but I'm going up to check on the bulbs soon, as mine are over 6 months so it's getting close. It would be nice if we can get this guy to carry a good stock, but even if he just keeps a few, it's fine with me.

 

[ReeferRob]

Looking good Paul, nice work on the light frame!

 

[Paul_N]

Thanks everyone! I knew if I didn't start taking pictures and posting now I would have been posting pics of a tank on a stand. I Just wanted to document as much as I could. I usually don't get a chance to work on it until late with the kids it's the middle of basketball season for my son. I just work on it 20 minutes here and 45 minutes there.

 

[Paul_N]

Sweet Paul!

Is it filled yet? :tongue:

I wish! Trouble is I have a complete bathroom remodel to do. I have to gut it down to the studs. I have to install a shower in my basement so I can do that since the only tub/shower is the one I'm ripping out. I also have a ventless gas log fireplace that I have to install also. I will most likely have all of these going at the same time as the tank...:sad:

 

[Paul_N]

Keep going Paul. Haven't made it up there, but I'm going up to check on the bulbs soon, as mine are over 6 months so it's getting close. It would be nice if we can get this guy to carry a good stock, but even if he just keeps a few, it's fine with me.

I actually got one of the 14k reefmax bulbs and just itching to fire it up to see the color. For only $23 can't beat it. He seemed like he was open to maybe giving the club a discount also. If you go up mention your from the club also.

 

[DEERE G]

Looking good Paul. Nice handy work on the frame.

 

[Paul_N]

Looking good Paul. Nice handy work on the frame.

Thanks! I'm am itching to attach the overflow box..:bigsmile: Excellent work on the box Keith!!

 

[Paul_N]

Light fixture update:

I have most of the frame built. The 4 long pieces of angle extending down from the corners are not legs. The are just corner for me to attach the aluminum panel to enclose the unit. I used MSPaint to show where the (3) large MH reflectors will go in black. The red circles are where I will drill holes and place the sockets (2nd pic down) for led supplement lighting.

Socket:

 

[Paul_N]

OK, a couple pics of one of the reflectors attached:

 

[Paul_N]

I didn't want to play around with screws or bolts to attach the reflectors and wanted to make them easy as possible to remove if need be so I made aluminum pins to hold them in place.

 

[cloakerpoked]

Dang...you could recycle your lighting setup for a pretty penny with all that aluminum Looks great though!

Did you say you bought bulbs at the same store you bought the reflectors at? At that price, I'd be really interested to see what you think of it.

 

[Paul_N]

Dang...you could recycle your lighting setup for a pretty penny with all that aluminum Looks great though!

Did you say you bought bulbs at the same store you bought the reflectors at? At that price, I'd be really interested to see what you think of it.

lol Thanks. Lowe's has the pieces of aluminum pretty cheap if you buy the 8 ft sections. I have less than $70 in aluminum in it. I had been buying a piece here and there for the past 2 months.

Yeah I got one 250w 14k bulb ReefMax bulb for $23 from the same place. I don't have an extra ballast yet to fire it up. I will post some pics when I do and compare it to my Phoenix 250w 14k.