Maine tropics 227 G custom

[fishynate]

Hi all. My 11 yo son and I are making a big upgrade from a hacked Fluval 32 G to a 227 G (plus sump) custom tank from Crystal dynamics. Something to warm up these long, dark Maine winters.

The tank should be arriving in about 2 weeks. In the meantime I’ve thoroughly destroyed the unfinished part of the basement with broken Marco and dry live rock. Here’s the inaugural post of the rock work - an in-progress attempt at a habitat negative space aqua-scape - with a nod to BRS.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

A thing of beauty!!! Enjoy this time with your son.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Have fun working on it with your son!!! it's gonna be a great time for both of you

 

[fishynate]

More progress! Tank and stand from CDA came in and look great. Particularly nice craftsmanship on the stand. Aquascape is in (tentative) place and getting ready to tackle the plumbing. Critiques welcomed.

 

[nuxx Verified Sponsor]

Looks really nice!

Can't wait until our girls can do stuff with us... not too much going on at 5 months LOL

 

[fishynate]

Progress! Plumbing is coming along. It’s been an educational experience, for sure. Trying to future proof the plumbing, incorporating a bypass for the UV and trying to keep avoid too much pressure head drop was a puzzle that took some time (and about 8 separate plumbing orders) to come together.
I’m hoping the varios8 has enough oomph to power the uv and the 2 1” returns to the tank. I kept the pipes at 1.25” as far as I could until they split at a tee right under the tank.
Comments, heckling and advice welcome.

 

[Stephen8169301]

Looks sick!!

 

[dstockwell]

Lookin good !

 

[Perfectly_Imperfekt1]

Checking in. How’s the build going?