Cheryl's 165 Gallon upgrade

[CherylMcKay]

Well, getting closer. We got the rug and laminate floor cut out where the tank stand will sit over the beam.We had to cut out the flooring to get rid of the transition and I am looking at replacing the carpet in the next year or so ,which means I don't need to move the tank to do it.

The tank stand in it's final location:


The tank stand is all finished and set in place. We glued in rubber foam inside the stand to dampen any noise. Under the foam rubber is a waterproof coating to contain any water that may spill out of the sump.

I got the fans and vents installed today and it works okay.... They are 4inch USB low voltage fans and they should help keep the temperature of the water a little more stable. I have seemed to have a bigger temperature fluctuation issues more this year than any other.

The fans on the outside:


a shot from the inside of the stand:


I am now at the point where I need to get the tank on the stand, the sump and the skimmer container in the stand, and figure out the rest of the plumbing pieces I need to order. We have a Home Hardware so I can get most of the PVC I need but I will need to order gate valves, bulkheads, possibly flexible PVC and figure out what I am going to use for returns.

Still need to purchase:
1. Wave maker or controlled water pumps.
2. a new return pump
3. new heaters

I think I will then be at the point, equipment wise, to be able to run the tank and add equipment while I am cycling the tank. I have more equipment then I used to run my 75 Gallon, so I am feeling fairly confident that I could get it going as a FOWLR to start. I currently have my fish, couple of softies and live rock spread across 1 20 G and 2 10 G tanks spread around the house, so I really want to start getting this cycling.