4FordFamily's ~500G 10 Foot In-Wall Tank - Featuring @HotRocks

[4FordFamily]

We have finally begun this project. @HotRocks is my "project manager" (and he is handy, I am not). The tank itself is a 120 X 30H X 26, or about 405 gallons plus a large sump. This tank will be a FOWLR. It'll be full of tangs, large angels, large wrasse, puffers, a couple triggers, and a lionfish.

It's been a crazy year, it may be a while before I have a lot of fish but at least the tank will be there!

Shout out to @JaimeAdams for finding this deal for me!

Equipment (will be updated):
ASM G6 Skimmer
5 AI Hydra 26 HD lights
2 Abyzz A200 return pumps
2 Maxspect XF250 Gyres
2 Jebao cheapo PP-20 if needed
3 Eheim Jager 300W Heaters
Bayite Temp Controller for the heaters
~85G Acrylic Sump, maybe Jaime can help me out with what it is exactly

Most of the wall where the tank will be sitting will be covered in recycled granite pieces, and then white shiplap to the right at the bottom of the stairs.

This is a pretty tall stand, 4 feet, in fact.

OK, here are some pics of where I am so far:

Here it is in the garage...

Some equipment

The tank size cut-out, centered with the basement wall (the area to the right is at the bottom of the stairs, more pics to show this later)

A hole a bit bigger than where the tank will be, and my buddy's dog...

@HotRocks and some buddies are coming by to move the beast to the basement tongiht.... this will NOT be fun...

 

[WVNed]

Looks like an adventure.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Woot! Excited for this build, hopping on the Ford Focus train

 

[Billldg]

That tank is going to be a monster build.

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

It's always crazy how pictures can make things look smaller. I never would have guessed that stand was ~4' tall!

Good luck with the build!

 

[SPR1968]

Looks like a fantastic build project and I’m definitely following along. And great pictures to start as well

 

[Maggie321]

Yay! I can't wait to see the progression!

 

[HotRocks]

Woot! Excited for this build, hopping on the Ford Focus train

He hasn't seen the custom "bowtie" I am having made to mount on the wall next to the tank yet!

 

[Antics]

This is a chromis only tank right?

 

[siggy]

Woot! Excited for this build, hopping on the Ford Focus train

I was thinking Expedition or Excursion, none the less, following.

 

[jsker]

And it starts!!

Are you putting in a header above the cutout?

This is exciting!!;Shamefullyembarrased;Woot;Woot

 

[Burrito]

curious, i've never done a FOWLR (someday for some cool fish) but aren't all the lighting we pay top dollar for used for coral, my understanding was fish don't really care. if its FOWLR why the hydras? Again, i havnt lit a FOWLR so maybe theres not many lower end options for a 10' tank

anyway, awesome tank and looking forward to following

 

[4FordFamily]

And it starts!!

Are you putting in a header above the cutout?

This is exciting!!;Shamefullyembarrased;Woot;Woot

Yes, indeed!

 

[4FordFamily]

curious, i've never done a FOWLR (someday for some cool fish) but aren't all the lighting we pay top dollar for used for coral, my understanding was fish don't really care. if its FOWLR why the hydras? Again, i havnt lit a FOWLR so maybe theres not many lower end options for a 10' tank

anyway, awesome tank and looking forward to following

The real answer is that I had three Hydra 26 HD's already from when I upgraded to Hydra 52 HD's on my 180 -- I had them for sale but they were nearly brand new I knew a wall tank was in my future so I kept them.

So, I needed only to add two more of them to have enough spread. I also LOVE AI products, my 34G Red Sea Reefer 170 has an AI Prime HD, so I have a lot of AI products.

It's true, fish aren't as concerned about high light. It does however make them look prettier if you have bright lighting with the right color temperature. I like the control-ability, and the weather features and night features are an added bonus.

 

[jsker]

Yes, indeed!

If I lived closer we could have some fun doing the build out

 

[Cment]

Boy you got yourself a heck of a set-up! Happy to see it went to a reefer on here, cant wait to see how it turns out!!!

 

[jsker]

Forgot, you have @HotRocks

 

[Flippers4pups]

Following this one for sure! Epic!

 

[siggy]

It's true, fish aren't as concerned about high light. It does however make them look prettier if you have bright lighting with the right color temperature. I like the control-ability, and the weather features and night features are an added bonus.

What no corals! I dont believe it...Is'int that what GSP, Zena and Paly's are for? fish only tanks

 

[HotRocks]

And it starts!!

Are you putting in a header above the cutout?

This is exciting!!;Shamefullyembarrased;Woot;Woot

Yes I want to get the tank and stand set first. The stand is steel. So it has to he shimmed to level it. Once we have it set the header will be next step. The wall is non-load bearing thankfully.