190 gal goes to Texas!

[JPG@CFI]

RF,

Once in a while, we get the pleasure to build someone's dream tank that lives a little ways away. We fell honored to be trusted to build everyone's tank, but someone who could have picked any builder across the country, but chose us, means were doing something right. So check out Keith's 190!
The tank is 60x30x24, all 1/2" Domestic Cell Cast material, and features a Continuous Overflow Box (COFB) across the back. The tank has one HUGE porthole. We can do this due to the radius corners, and bull nosed edge that is hand sanded and polished. Has 4 access portholes to the plumbing, which consists of 3 drains, 2 returns, and 2 electrical chases. What a treat to pull out some fabricating skills for Keith. Enjoy my southern friend!

Starting with the COFB


Added a little beef to the assembly


Next the ends get welded on, kind of a precarious procedure


COFB and ends


Good thing I don't make my living taking pictures!


Another "Money" glue up!


The other sides "Money" glue up!


Front, Back, Ends, and the COFB as one assembly! In the background, is about half of my plumbing stash.


Tight tolerances is the difference between a good tank, and a great tank. This is between the body and COFB.


The three spacers between the COFB and back, keeping it arrow strait.


View of the left return hole machined into the COFB panel.


The top all pre machined, and polished. This takes a ton of time, but we feel very strongly that it is worth every minute.


I personally have never seen any manufacturer go to this extent on the porthole. Wide radius, bullnosed and hand sanded/polished? Are you kidding me?


Pic of the chamfer treatment put on all sides, and beginning of the sanding process.

 

[reefman069]

you make sweet tanks. i bought my tank used. im glad the guy had you make it. it shows that you put alot of extra time into it. thank you and keep up the greet work.

 

[JPG@CFI]

you make sweet tanks. i bought my tank used. im glad the guy had you make it. it shows that you put alot of extra time into it. thank you and keep up the greet work.

Are you the guy with the 4x8x18" tank that came from that store in Lacey? One of my service clients ended up with half of the fish system. Very cool, and thank you for the kind words.

 

[BEAU_RN]

I'm speechless at the craftsmanship skills you have...

 

[JPG@CFI]

I'm speechless at the craftsmanship skills you have...

Thank you for the kind words. For awhile I couldn't even get a "you suck" from the posts of builds with pic's. I was starting to think this place was a ghost town!

 

[rainydave]

Pictures look great, but once you've seen one in person you know they are quality!

 

[rdmustang1]

Can't wait to see the tank on person. So far I've been extremely impressed by Jason. His pricing is so reasonable, he lays the process out straight, keeps you informed on where he's at, and he's been so helpful (especially with someone as indecisive as me).

 

[mfinn]

Thank you for the kind words. For awhile I couldn't even get a "you suck" from the posts of builds with pic's. I was starting to think this place was a ghost town!

I've always tried to give you a "atta boy" when I see your work.

In fact I do it everytime I look at my sump.

 

[reefman069]

Are you the guy with the 4x8x18" tank that came from that store in Lacey? One of my service clients ended up with half of the fish system. Very cool, and thank you for the kind words.

yes i am. i love this tank. i have made it so you can walk all the way around it. me and a buddy were going to build this same tank years ago until i found how much the acrylic was. couldn't do it. then this tank fell into my lap. everything happens for a reason. have a good one and keep up the great work. love your tanks

 

[Ichthys]

Not sure what everyone is raving about, I cant believe anyone would construct a tank with those ugly brown sides!! How is anyone supposed to see whats in it? Jeesh!! ;/

On the more serious side, it is nice to see a local craftsman doing well, not only providing such awesome quality products, but providing local jobs and contributing to the community.. and to think it all started scrubbing algae lol..

 

[Peppie]

It is obvious that your craftsmanship and tolerances are above many builders.
Your time involved with the small seemingly insignificant details is not comprehended by most. But we who understand can only shake our head and say OMG.

Again , outstanding.
Congrats on your out of state commission, I know it will not be your last.

 

[sedrostyle]

Wow this is nice

 

[user 26995]

Can't wait to see the tank on person. So far I've been extremely impressed by Jason. His pricing is so reasonable, he lays the process out straight, keeps you informed on where he's at, and he's been so helpful (especially with someone as indecisive as me).

Is this your tank? You are going to be sooooooo pleased! That is going to be a gorgeous tank. so gorgeous you wont want to get it wet!

 

[user 26995]

You know we will be expecting a build thread in the Members Showcase forum here. We so love following along with new builds!

Oh and welcome to Reef Frontiers!

 

[rdmustang1]

You know we will be expecting a build thread in the Members Showcase forum here. We so love following along with new builds!

Oh and welcome to Reef Frontiers!

Thanks! I'm happy to make a build-thread but I'm afraid it may be somewhat disappointing because this will be a freshwater, heavily planted aquarium. I opted for a RR aquarium to make the aquarium as clean as possible.

 

[user 26995]

OH well, what can we do to turn you over to the salty side? LOL. You will have to at least post pics and updates in this thread then. some of us still love the FW planted tanks. I considered turning my 240 into FW planted a couple times. I have two FW planted tanks now too.

 

[Chichas01]

Thanks! I'm happy to make a build-thread but I'm afraid it may be somewhat disappointing because this will be a freshwater, heavily planted aquarium. I opted for a RR aquarium to make the aquarium as clean as possible.

:ban:

j/k. Awesome tank if it's not used for it's full potential :biggrin:

 

[JPG@CFI]

RF,

Just an update on this awesome acrylic masterpiece. Check out these pic's!

Here she is all detailed and sitting pretty.




Check out that porthole! I just laugh when I see a production tank with two portholes for a 29 gallon in a tank this size.


Shrink wrap, then 1/8" foam, then more shrink wrap, 1" insulation an all sides, then 1/2" OSB Plywood for the crate. Heading to Texas as we speak!


A huge thank you to my darling wife, LaDonna for helping me get this bad boy crated up for Texas. I wonder what he will do with the crate? Dog house, or what? Perhaps a bunker for his MRE's? What can you guys think of, let's hear it!


This project was a pleasure to build from start to finish. Best of luck to the owner in all his aquatic endeavors, Jason

 

[rdmustang1]

Wow, I'm speechless. It's so beautiful I don't want to put water in it and get it dirty.

Link to my build thread in case anyone is interested.

 

[rdmustang1]

Apparently the shipping company never called me to tell me that the tank was in so it sat at the docks for 2 weeks. Oh well, better late than never. I finally got it home and got to work.

Most of the PVC parts layed out:

Tank and sump set in place:

Bean animal overflow set up:

Plumbed and leak tested:

There were 2 connections that I didn't tighten properly but all the glue held up just fine.

Lots of water movement:

Media in place:

Return plumbing with easy access drain line:

A view from the top:

Background and driftwood in place:

CO2 reactor running nicely:

Dosing pumps (two times a day):

Apex (tried to make all the cords neat but there was just too much coming in):

Apex display mounted on the tank:

My first attempt at planting:

The tank still needs a lot of work but it's finally up. I'm fishless cycling and have a very strong batch of nitrosomonas bacteria but my nitrobacter bacteria are still growing.

Will post more updates as I have them.