New 240 Gallon (4X4X2) Custom Build

[Kevin Padgett]

So I started this build about 18 months ago when I started the building process of my new home. I have a bonus room downstairs with an attached mechanical room. I knew this would be perfect for a large aquarium and the mechanical room would be perfect to also serve as a fish room. Here are some pictures of the area. In the pictures you can see a metal stand I got fabricated by a local metal worker. The feet I found on Ebay. They are industrial grade rubber with a threaded bolt of 1/2". The stand is made out of 2X2 steal and L angle iron for the top and bottom.

My wife said I could put a tank in between the bathroom and mechanical door ways so I am limited to the 4 foot gap.

 

[Kevin Padgett]

Found this 4 X 4 X 2 custom aquarium near me. It defiantly needed some TLC. When I went to look at it I found out that it was custom built, euro braced, made of 3/4th inch glass, all seems were strong and intact, and was only a couple of years old. It had been sitting outside for a while so I decided to reinforce the seems to be safe.

Decided to take a chance because I got it for pennies on the dollar. This thing had to cost 2-3 grand brand new.

This thing weighted almost 500 lbs empty!

 

[Kevin Padgett]

It took me and 3 of my buddies to get this monster in my basement and on the stand. The stand ended up being almost 32" tall after the feet, boards and insolation board were installed. The tank is just over 2 feet tall. Combined a little taller than normal, but I don't mind considering I'm 6'3".

One negative is that I have to use a small step ladder to get to the bottom of the tank but that is a trade off I was ok with.

Those aren't scratches on the glass you see in the picture just old deposits I had to clean. Glass ended up being scratch free! Thank goodness!!!

 

[Kevin Padgett]

Decided to go with the Herbie overflow method. I have 2 1.5 inch main drains. 1 drains into a filter sock area and then into the skimmer and reactor area. The other drains into a long refugium area. The clear flex tubes are 1 inch emergency drains. I combined these 2 hoses since there would be minimal water flow through these pipes.

Below you can see the 2 gate valves that control the flow to make the system almost silent. The bottom pipe is the emergency drain. The plumbing above the sink is the return line. I also added a valve to help do easier water changes.

 

[Kevin Padgett]

Followed the lead of the BRS team with my aquascaping. I am going to have a lot of ledges and islands. The cool thing about this tank is the 4 foot depth. It really adds to the possibilities of rock placement.

 

[Devaji]

heck yeah! this going to be a great build. keep us posted

 

[Kevin Padgett]

Put almost 200 lbs of sand in and got system up and running with the aquascape. To my surprise and delight, no leaks!!! Love the 3D effect the 4 ft depth gives.

These images are about 2 weeks old. Still very cloudy from sand. I will get better pictures later.

 

[Devaji]

glad there was no leaking! I agree the depth is so cool.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Put almost 200 lbs of sand in and got system up and running with the aquascape. To my surprise and delight, no leaks!!! Love the 3D effect the 4 ft depth gives.

These images are about 2 weeks old. Still very cloudy from sand. I will get better pictures later.

Wow that’s a lot of sand but that’s also a lot of tank! Sweet build dude!

 

[dyno]

Awesome tank! 4 feet deep HS! Your fish are going to love swimming in there!

 

[m4gts]

Where did u get the stand?