Design for 150G Acrylic

[rededge2k1]

GiulianoM;665423 wrote: Oooh, that's great!

Is the stand there upside down?


I thought the larger opening was on the right...

Oh, ha, I just noticed that. The stand isn't upside down, the small opening is on the right.

The four stand doors are symmetrical, so you won't be able to tell once the doors are on. Speaking of doors, those will be the next step of the build.

Dustin

 

[giulianom]

Well I guess the sump is going in the left side...

I like the corner framing on the canopy.

 

[sharkbait]

I am liking the way this build is turning out. I have seen a few MRC tanks and they are NICE to say the least.

 

[morganatlanta]

If you are going to have access to the sides of the stand, I'd think about a door in the side as well.

Also, think about where you are going to put your LED drivers and such and make a separate compartment for them, your controller and other electrical stuff. There will be a lot of messy wiring associated with them that you might not want in the same compartment with all the wet stuff.

 

[giulianom]

I've asked Dustin about a side door..

The drivers and such I will probably enclose in a ventilated project box on the back of the stand.

 

[giulianom]

Too late to add a side door... Although I had considered side doors earlier. Trying to fit a 20" wide sump through the side would have been too problematic.

 

[giulianom]

I updated the Sketchup model based on an approximation on how it looks like Dustin's building the stand / canopy.

>

alt="" /></a>

>

alt="" /></a>

>

alt="" /></a>



And now... I'm off to the ARC Meeting.

 

[giulianom]

Had a call with Tim @ MRC, who suggested a structural change for the vertical braces in the overflow.

In my original design, I had the vertical braces stop short of the bottom by about an inch - now they go all the way, but with slots cut in the bottom to let the water flow through.


The tank should be ready by mid next week, and I'll probably arrange for delivery for a day the week after that.

>

alt="" /></a>

 

[giulianom]

Playing around with a model (not mine) of a MRC MR-1 skimmer to see if it would "fit".

I'm not entirely sure a MR-1 skimmer would be the best - capacity rated for 175G, I'll be at 175-225G with the DT and Sump/Fuge combined.

The instructions say for an external skimmer, they should be installed above the sump waterline?

I modeled it as 6" off of the bottom, since I only have about 2' 10" of vertical space to work with.



I also fixed the orientation of the sump & Dart pump - I had them flipped/mirrored around instead of rotated.

>

alt="" /></a>

 

[gmpolan]

Same tank set up, I run a MR2 internally with mine, personally i think a mr1 would be a bit small for this set up...

 

[giulianom]

Do you have the high flow / reef sump?

This one is 48 x 20 x 20"...

What section do you put the skimmer in?

Raised up, or on the floor of the sump?

 

[gmpolan]

I meant in size but i run a custom sump i built myself out a 55 gallon (36 inch) from glass cages.....

 

[smallblock]

I have been wanting that exsct size. Let me know where you decide to get it from, if the price is good enough I'll have to pick one up too! I think I may want to go acrylic for my next tank.[/QUOTE]


Op, why did you go acrylic instead of glass? I can't stand acrylic.

Charlie, what reason are you wanting to switch from glass to acrylic?

OP, this is a very cool thread and your design is awesome. I really enjoyed all the sketch up pics too. The stand is also amazing!!!! I wish you the best of luck and can't wait to see it with some water in it.

 

[giulianom]

Thanks!

I wanted acrylic since there are design choices that are easier to do in acrylic vs glass, such as the slot weir, routed lips on the openings for plexi covers, etc.

That, and I would much rather have acrylic get scratched up by a falling rock, instead of a cracked glass or burst silicone seam.

Not saying it will happen, but a scratched acrylic tank can always be polished up... And a cracked glass would need flood insurance.

 

[giulianom]

Looks like I'm going to have to wait a bit longer...

My tank that was in the process of being built has suffered some kind of "accident", and needs to be rebuilt... :sad:


No details yet, but I did get some good suggestions from MRC for skimmers.

 

[giulianom]

Considering a MR-2R Recirculating skimmer, if I can fit it in.

Inside view of the stand, from the top, facing the inside of the right side.

>

alt="" /></a>


On the left is the Reeflo Dart main pump, to draw from the sump and feed a manifold, then on to feed the 300-900GPH the MR-2R needs for the water intake.


In the middle is the rough model of a MR-2R Recirc skimmer.

The footprint of the box and the height of the skimmer are accurate - 10"x10", and 26.5" high. The only thing I am not sure of is how much height clearance is needed to remove the skimmate cup.

I have it drawn as being 6" raised off of the bottom.


On the right is the rough footprint of what a Blueline 55-HD pump would be, for the recirculation pump.


I also considered a Orca Pro I, but it would take up ALL of the remaining footprint in the stand.

 

[skriz]

The MR-2R has a quick release for the collection cup, so you really don't need but a couple of inches of clearance space to maneuver the cup. The beauty of the 2R is you don't have to elevate as much as you would the MR-2.

 

[giulianom]

Thanks Raj.

Do I need to elevate the 2R at all?

Or would a 3-4" elevation be sufficient?

 

[rededge2k1]

GiulianoM;667987 wrote: Considering a MR-2R Recirculating skimmer, if I can fit it in.

Inside view of the stand, from the top, facing the inside of the right side.

>

alt="" /></a>

Don't forget the reinforcing panels behind the front face of the stand. Those add another 1.5" to what your sketch shows, making the available interior width smaller.

Dustin

 

[giulianom]

RedEDGE2k1;668046 wrote: Don't forget the reinforcing panels behind the front face of the stand. Those add another 1.5" to what your sketch shows, making the available interior width smaller.

Dustin

Right, I forgot about that...


Are there truely 2 x .75" vertical supports on the inside?

This pic seems to show only one .75" vertical support board, but perhaps that was just a work-in-progress pic?

alt="" />