MY 150T SCRATCH BUILD

[cc03cobra]

So let me start by saying i have been in this hobby off and on for about 8 years this will be my 3rd reef tank started with a 55g then moved onto a 240g. Now onto this 150g. i have been out of the hobby for the past 3 years moving around a lot (military life). Im ready to jump back in and going head first. My first priority is to set up a tank that my wife can take care of while im gone for fields and training events for days or weeks at a time for work. so of course a apex is calling my name. Second i am setting up this tank for sps so flow, flow and more flow. i bought a vectra l1 for my return pump. Next i bought 2 mp40qd for the back wall. i didn't like the lack of flow from the peninsula. so i had a old mp40 wes placed on the front viewing panel but i still didnt like the flow, so im upgrading to a mp60 on the front viewing glass.
Next i converted a 75g tank into my sump with a refugium and rodi top off apx 20g. A kessil 380 will light my refugium still need to get a goose-neck to hold the light. i want to upgrade to the ATK V2 for my top off from my old jbj.
My lighting will be my old 48" MH and T5 light. I converted it from a 150w to a 250w very easy process. Went with 20,000 MH bulbs and ATI coral plus bulbs. Future plans includes 2 48" led strips (blue) for evenings viewings.

Now onto the tank when i bought the tank the guy told me that it does not hold water i figured a easy reseal would do the trick. HA HA after i stripped the silicone and clean the glass with acetone i taped off the tank and applied the new black silicone to all the joins waited 4 full days and leaked tested the tank. water held strong i leak tester for a full week. while i ran plumbing and finished off my stand. One night about 2am my dog had to go out so i walked down stairs and decided to check on the take as well. Well thank god the tank was still in the garage my first sight was water pooring out of the bottom of the tank. not a drip but a strong steady stream. The bottom joint to the front viewing glass had separated. So now my easy reseal turned into a total tear apart and reglue. have i done this yes is it easy yes, Have i done this on this big of a aquarium NO! But lets give it a go.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Be sure surfaces are 1000% clean and clean with alcohol and lint free cloth and i recommend actual aquarium sealant- Not silicone

 

[cc03cobra]

Be sure surfaces are 1000% clean and clean with alcohol and lint free cloth and i recommend actual aquarium sealant- Not silicone

Cleaned very well even took sandpaper to clean the ends and any remaining old silicone off. This is the stuff I am going to use to glue up the tank. Did a lot of research everything cane up to this or a 3m product I chose this because it’s black and not clear.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Cleaned very well even took sandpaper to clean the ends and any remaining old silicone off. This is the stuff I am going to use to glue up the tank. Did a lot of research everything cane up to this or a 3m product I chose this because it’s black and not clear.

This should work- I believe it is marine safe for use

 

[cc03cobra]

This should work- I believe it is marine safe for use

Yes it is. I did get a steal on the 2 mp40qd 400 for both. And 200 for the vectra l1.

 

[coseal]

check expiration dates if the tube you get does not look like the one pictured, 100 series is good stuff. also look at scs1200 by ge

 

[cc03cobra]

This is me drilling the tank for my Synergy overflow. Very clean very nice i suggest them to anyone looking for a low profile overflow

 

[cc03cobra]

I didnt take a picture of the final drain bot the straight pipw is in the middle now and the the other 45 recived a gate vale also.

My Vectra alpha 200 i picked up for 250$ works like a champ cant even hear it.

 

[cc03cobra]

Before

The old 150W double ended.

After

 

[cc03cobra]

Bought about 400# for rock soaked them in a bleach bath for 4 days then took a pressure washer to them you can see the difference in the 3rd pic.

 

[cc03cobra]

So the top trim was to say the least on there! I tried and tried to remove the trim without breaking is well... you can see it didnt work out that way. It took me almost 2 hours just to remove this trim 1 chipped off piece at a time

 

[cc03cobra]

check expiration dates if the tube you get does not look like the one pictured, 100 series is good stuff. also look at scs1200 by ge

i did look at the scs1200 but i want black so i chose against it. Have you used this before and how did you like it. how was the working time before it skinned up. exc thanks.

 

[coseal]

yes i have used scs1200 before years ago. it was a good experience. momentive was always easier to get and a little cheaper....you really dont have a huge window of time with either product tho. and wow you have been busy!

 

[cc03cobra]

yes i have used scs1200 before years ago. it was a good experience. momentive was always easier to get and a little cheaper....you really dont have a huge window of time with either product tho. and wow you have been busy!

Ha you have no clue. so this is the look i am going for.

and this is the so so botom stand still need to build the canopy.

look at my Husky Puppies they all went to a great home all my buddies got one. we had 4 in total.

 

[vetteguy53081]

great job on drilling and I had one of these tanks. this will be nice when all done- You Did get a good deal

 

[cc03cobra]

great job on drilling and I had one of these tanks. this will be nice when all done- You Did get a good deal

Thank you I have s great glass drill kit that I bought years ago. I’ll see if I can find what it’s called I think it’s call hydra something??

 

[cc03cobra]

Do we like this rock work it is going BB.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Nice looking rock

 

[cc03cobra]

Nice looking rock

Thanks. I have about 250 more pounds left over. waiting for my silicone to arrive so i can glue this tank

 

[cc03cobra]

Well my silicone that was set to arrive today did not. so i called and they said the package was damage in transmit and they refunded me and i reordered it. and 10 mins later i got a email stating my original package was sent so maybe i get both orders shipped to my house? So now friday ill get my silicone and mp60 in the mail. i need to come up with a good way to mount all the drivers and controllers somewhere by the tank. NOT INSIDE!

Also i had to order a new driver for my vectra L1 water got into the controller and fried something. so i ordered a new one from ecotech directly. The new driver come in the mail 3 days later and the leds that show the power level of the pump were not lighting up.... so i contacted them back after a few emails (mike my guy i was dealing with who was great) went ahead and shipped me a new driver free of charge and told me to scrap the new/old one. might keep it just incase anythig happens to the driver again. It works fine just no leds.