Finley's 160g Re-Build Sump into Basment

[Finley]

Hey all, since I've been wandering around the LFS's and different Canreefer's homes looking for additions to my new system, I thought I would start a build thread so everyone knows what I'm talking about. After reading through different threads I decided to wait until I was mostly done the build. I am by nature somewhat impatient and reading other build threads waiting for 6 months to finish just isn't my style.

I've been in the hobby for just over 2 years and quickly discovered it isn't a cheap hobby! My first system was a 90g acrylic with a rear overflow. I ran it with hang on a skimmer and a cannister filter. I rubbled it with 200lbs of live rock and stocked it with soft corals and some fishes.
Here are a couple pics of my old tank which I've replaced.



I soon realized I dislike acrylic and my system wasn't set up how I wanted. So rather than try and find used stuff that didn't quite fit or work I broke down and had a tank built by Jason at Elite.

Tank
60x24x28 polished edges with a centre overflow 1 1/2" dual herbie with a 1" return. 4" Eurobracing notched at the back for the powerhead cords.

Light
Coralife Aqualight Pro w/ 2x250 MH

Sump
36x18x18 with 20g fuge and double bubble traps.

Stand
60x24x32 built from the DIY plans on canreef link and finished with black stained fir. (Doors on order from multi wood)

Vertex Alpha 200 skimmer
Red Dragon 8 return pump
Running Bio bead and Carbon reators.
4 Korlia 4 powerheads
200lbs live rock
Black sand

[H2o2]

N.I.C.E. looks great

[fishytime]

Great to meet you last w/e man.....tanks looks saweet......but no coral pics?

[Finley]

So here are a couple shots of lumber and plywood.




And here is the stand in the Fish Room errr, I mean office.

[Finley]

So, lets skip to the new tank on the stand and sump, in place.


Return/Overflow


First fill.

[Finley]

So here we go with sand settled, rock in, and a few fishes.




After I managed to get everything in the stand.

[Finley]

Its been a few weeks and everyone is settling in.


How many Tangs in this pic?

[kien]

Originally Posted by Finley

Return/Overflow

Looks great! Have you removed those metal clamps that are on your return line yet?

[Finley]

Thought I would add a few pics of the fishes.



My yellow spotted boxfish - Junior


Tassled Filefish - very cool fish


Bellus Angel - Great fish, one of my favs


Best Friends?


So I posted my build in one day. Talk about instant gratification, thats how I like it. I suppose if I've learned anything about this hobby it's patience, at least I think I've learned.

[Finley]

Kien,

Yeh, I did after I realized I should use plastic.

Fishytime,

It was good to meet you as well, I did go against your advice and added the purple. Ironically it has one of the easiest and nobody really bothers him. Thanks again!