Rhodes19 180 Build [Archive] - Reef Central Online Community

Rhodes19

04/22/2009, 02:30 PM

Well, with my wife's approval, I picked up a used 180 AGA RR aquarium that I want to set up as a reef tank. I have a wonderful wife!!! Because of time and financial constraints, this will be a slow build. I want to do as many DIY projects as I can for two reasons. First, I like to tinker and build things. Second, with limited financial resources, DIY projects would be a good way of saving money. Well, maybe three reasons. The third reason is it will keep me home and out of trouble.

My first DIY project was to make my own rocks. After reading numerous posts and threads on this website about making my own rock I decided to use crushed oyster shells. I was fortunate enough to find a source of type 3 Portland cement. To make the molds, I'm using crushed oyster shells in some of the boxes and big salt crystals in others. I'm using the recipe of four parts crushed oyster shells and one part Portland cement with one part water. So far the rocks have turned out structurally okay, however, I need to work on the artistic portion of it. At the moment I have a couple of batches already soaking in water and I still have a bunch more to make. All in all I would like to make about 250 to 270 pounds of rock. One thing I notice about the Charleston water is that the pH is a bit on the high side reading a 10 on my digital pH meter.

The second DIY project I am working on is building a wooden stand for the aquarium. After seeing the quality workmanship and the price of the stands available for sale, I decided I'd be better off making my own. RocketEngineer started a thread on how to build a wooden stand using 2 x s it has been a wonderful reference. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1169964&perpage=25&pagenumber=1 Based on his designs I made my first stand and because of a miscalculation on my part I now have a new workbench in the garage! The second stand turned out much better. :)

Rhodes19

04/22/2009, 02:59 PM

Here is the tank I picked up. The side glass was painted black because it was an in wall tank. Using a new razor, I scraped off the paint. Came off fairly easily.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/1802.jpg

Here are some of the rocks I made. Not pretty but they will do for the base for now.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/3rdbatch2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rocks.jpg

Used a glove with this one.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Gloverock.jpg

Here is the bag of salt I used. I got it from HD. The first batch of rock I made I used Agronite special blend. At $30 for 15 lbs I could buy base rock. A bag of crushed oyster shell cost $9.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/saltandagronite.jpg

All oyster shell.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/3rdbatch.jpg

Rhodes19

04/22/2009, 03:09 PM

Here is my first attempt at the stand.
Bottom frame 2x8 with 2x4 legs.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/bottomframewithlegs.jpg

I used pocket screws and glue for all the joints. Here are the legs.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/legscorner.jpg

Side view. 2x8 top frame. There was a small gap between one of the legs and top frame but I filled it with a shim.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/end.jpg

I reinforced the frames with end screws to be on the safe side.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/bottomframe3.jpg

The final framing. Here is where I realized that the opening was 17" and the 55 g tank I will use for a sump/fug is 20" Ops! :eek2:
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/profile.jpg

Rhodes19

04/22/2009, 03:43 PM

My second attempt at my stand. :)
Yes, its upside down. I figured it would be easier to have the 2x8 top frame on the bottom while I attach the 2x4 bottom frame. I used the same construction technique as on the first stand.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/DSCN0753.jpg

Side view.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/DSCN0756.jpg

I screwed a 1/2" piece of plywood to the bottom, sealed it and painted it to help catch any of my messes. This won't help with major leaking problems though.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/DSCN0757.jpg

I added louan to both sides and will eventual use good quality pine boards for trim.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/DSCN0758.jpg

I added triangular pieces of plywood to the back 4 corners for stability and painted the frame twice with Kils to help act as a moisture barrier and painted the bottom with 2 part epoxy that a friend gave me.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/DSCN0760.jpg

This is about as far as I have gotten. I still need to finish making my rock, put the trim on, make doors and stain it, make the sump/fug, and set up the plumbing. After that, I'll start making a skimmer, some of the reactors, canapy, and additional lighting. I'll post pictures as I go. :rollface:

chimmike

04/22/2009, 03:57 PM

let me be the first to tell you, you want at least 8-10" between the top of your fuge/sump tank and the bottom of the upper supprt frame.

I have a 55g under a 65 now with about 5" to play with. Not fun. Not enough room.

looks like a nice plan :)

buccard

04/22/2009, 10:13 PM

Really great thread-Making your own rock sounds really interesting. I would love to have 180-really nice tank size. I look forward to your updates-keep posting about the rock-Id like to see how that turns out.

Rhodes19

04/23/2009, 08:12 AM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14877512#post14877512 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chimmike
let me be the first to tell you, you want at least 8-10" between the top of your fuge/sump tank and the bottom of the upper supprt frame.

I have a 55g under a 65 now with about 5" to play with. Not fun. Not enough room.

looks like a nice plan :)
Hi Chimmike,

Thanks. I figured that out the hard way. I wouldn't mind having more room but I didn't want to make the stand to tall. I don't think it would have been less stable, but its current height and where it will be place make it more visually appealing. (I hope). I have 6" between the top of the tank and the bottom of the top frame with 7 more inches to the bottom of the tank. I will have some space to either side of the stand to place a small cabinet that could house some equipment and make it a little easier to work on. But thats down the road a piece.

Rhodes19

04/23/2009, 08:17 AM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14880078#post14880078 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by buccard
Really great thread-Making your own rock sounds really interesting. I would love to have 180-really nice tank size. I look forward to your updates-keep posting about the rock-Id like to see how that turns out.
Thanks Roger. There is a lot of good information on RC about making rocks. Its a slow process but at about 20 -25 cents per pound verses $2 for base rock to $8 for live rock per pound, I can wait. :) When I get more pics I'll post them.

Rhodes19

05/04/2009, 09:24 AM

All right, the moment of truth! With the help of some friends we placed the tank on the stand and filled it with water. First, I wanted to make sure the tank sat flush to the stand; second, I wanted to see if the stand can take the weight, and thirdly, I wanted to make sure the tank didn't leak.

The tank sat on the stand all most flush with top of the stand. There was a very small gap between the top of the stand and the bottom of the tank at one side of the stand to the point you could just barely see light. When I barely pulled down on the tank, the gap disappeared. I took a picture of it but you can't see the gap.

We filled the tank with water and the stand held! Yea! It was rock solid and wasn't gonging anywhere.

The tank didn't leak but one of the corner overflows did. I checked for leaks when the tank was on the ground and found the same leak. I cut out the silicone and but new silicone in. It leaked in the same place. We put some red food coloring in the tank to see if we could see where it was coming in but, of course, none of the food coloring filtered through. I guess I will be cutting out the silicone and caulk again. Oh well. Itâ€™s a small leak but I don't want it in case we loose power.

Here is the tank almost filled with red food coloring
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/waterandloadtest.jpg

Here are some friends helping with cleaning and attaching the overflows.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/JerryandRyan1.jpg

Here is the corner overflow with the leak. It is small and slow but I would rather not have it.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Overflowcorner.jpg

Now that I know the tank sits nicely on the stand, I will start to put the trim on the stand, stain it, and then put poly on it. I will also spray paint the back of the tank with rustolium (black). The black background makes the corals and fish really stand out I think.

Rhodes19

05/06/2009, 09:40 AM

Here are some pictures of the rock I am making and the containers they are soaking in. I have almost 200 lbs of rock made so far. It will be interesting to see that the aquascape will look like.

The first container I used for my first batch of rock is my utility sink in my green house.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/DSCN0779.jpg

This is 15 lbs of agronite
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/DSCN0778.jpg

The next batch I made with crushed oyster shell and put in an 18 gallon rubbermaid container. I put an 1 inch drain valve on it. Drains rather slowly.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/DSCN0776.jpg

It bows out a bit. I might make a wooden brace to hold it in.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/DSCN0777.jpg

New addition. Its a 35 gallon plactic trash can from Lowes. I put a 1 1/2 inch drain valve on it and it emptys fairely quickly.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/DSCN0772.jpg

Top view.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/DSCN0773.jpg

1 1/2 inch valve at the bottom of the trash can. Its all sitting on top of a plactic milk crate.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/DSCN0775.jpg

Hopefully, the next post will be of a completed stand. :D

buccard

05/06/2009, 06:05 PM

Its not everyday you see a tank with red water in it!! Thanks for the photos. At least you are dealing with the leak now instead of later...

I know you are taking it slow, I cant wait to see what you are able to make for a rockscape.

Thanks for posting.

Maximiliun

05/06/2009, 11:42 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14965102#post14965102 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by buccard
I cant wait to see what you are able to make for a rockscape.

Me too :thumbsup:

MAX

Rhodes19

05/07/2009, 06:58 AM

Roger, Max,

Thanks. Its been fun. I am going to try to make as many ledges as I can to put corals on and opened enought so fish ca swim around it instead of just in front of the rocks like in my 29 g.

Reefer2727

05/07/2009, 07:09 AM

Looks great Rhodes. I will be following along and watching your progress.

Good Luck.

Rhodes19

06/30/2009, 08:20 AM

Well, its been a while since I had a chance to work on the stand but I finally got some time over the weekend. I picked up some select pine board and used it for some of the trim. Here is what I have done so far.

Front trim
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/standrtimfront2.jpg

Side trim
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/standtrimside.jpg

Corner trim build out
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/standcorner1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/standcorner2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/standcorner3.jpg

I'll try to do the finish trim this weeked between celebrating the 4th of July.

Also painted the back of the tank with semi gloss black rustolium (that's what I had on hand at the time)

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/tankpainedback.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/tankpainted.jpg

It looks like I will have to spend some time cleaning the glass too!!! :eek2:

FFrankie

07/01/2009, 07:55 AM

Nice build Rhodes! We should get together and compare notes. I don't think we have met yet, I have not been to the local club here in Charleston in a long time but do have a small group of friends that like to talk reef. Let me know Via pm. :)

Rhodes19

07/01/2009, 08:52 AM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15286539#post15286539 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FFrankie
Nice build Rhodes! We should get together and compare notes. I don't think we have met yet, I have not been to the local club here in Charleston in a long time but do have a small group of friends that like to talk reef. Let me know Via pm. :) Would love to get together. I don't think the local club is active. PM is on the way.

Rhodes19

07/20/2009, 01:15 PM

Well, I finally had time yesterday to work on the stand. And when I finished the build out of the corners, I discovered I did it wrong!!! :mad: So, I pulled off all the wood I put on and started over. This time I cut 45 deg angles and made the finished joints look better. There are some gaps I need to fill in but over all, its close enough until my wood working skills improve. Some of the problems I think are from the table saw being out of alignment. I’ll have to spend some time on my next available weekend to tune it. Now for the pics.

Here are the top corners
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/finishedcorner4.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/finishedcorner.jpg

Bottom corners
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/finishedcorner5.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/finshedcorner2.jpg

Front shot
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/finishedcorner3.jpg

I already have some of the molding I can put on. Thats the next step. Then stain, then poly, then move into the house!!!

Rhodes19

08/10/2009, 07:08 AM

I can't believe it has taken this long to make the stand but I am almost there. I worked on it for about 7 hours yesterday and this is what I've done so far.

Finished trim
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/cornertrim1.jpg

top corner
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/cornertrim5.jpg

bottom corner
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/cornertrim6.jpg

front panel
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/cornertrim.jpg

Unfinished top corner. I was trying to put a top rail about 2 3/4" wide around the top and then ran into a problem. Where I wanted to put the wood and having nice 45 deg angles were not working out (I wish I could remember my geometry).
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/cornertrim4.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/cornertrim3.jpg

I finally called it quits for the day because I ran out of wood, nails, time and I was getting tired and was making too many mistakes. I'll have to pick it back up when I get some more time, material, and better ideas on finishing the top corners.

FFrankie

08/10/2009, 09:16 AM

Looks great Chris! Take your time, a reef is something you need to have patience for.

Rhodes19

08/10/2009, 04:10 PM

Thanks Frank. It will be a couple of weeks before I can work on it again. I should have some ideas on how to do the corners. Saw a few other examples and will probably give them a try. :)

Rhodes19

08/24/2009, 12:00 PM

FINALLY!!!

I am finally finished with the wood work (except for doors and canopy). Now I can sand it, stain it, and then poly it. Its not professional grade quality but thats ok. I leaned a lot about wood working that I can apply to my next wood working project. Once I can get the stand and tank into the house that will free up some room/workbench space so I can do the doors and canopy. That should also give me time to get water and rock into it and get it cycling.

Trim on top right corner
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/cornerfinished2.jpg

Top left corner
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/cornerfinished3.jpg

Corner post trimmed out.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/cornertrimfinished.jpg

Side view
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/cornerfinished.jpg

:D

strout

08/24/2009, 07:52 PM

I think your stand looks great and will look better when you get it stained, can't wait to see it finished. The rocks you are making, can't wait to see how they look when you get them in the tank. Have you got the leak fixed yet?

FFrankie

08/25/2009, 06:30 AM

Looks awesome man!

Rhodes19

08/25/2009, 07:16 AM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15587886#post15587886 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by strout
I think your stand looks great and will look better when you get it stained, can't wait to see it finished. The rocks you are making, can't wait to see how they look when you get them in the tank. Have you got the leak fixed yet?

Thanks Strout, I can't wait to stain it either. I'll do some sanding tonight when I get home if its not to late. I think I fixed the leak, again! I cut out the new silicone I had used earlier and put a new bead on. Of course after scrubbing and cleaning the heck out of it. I haven't filled it back up yet because I don't trust the strenght of the work bench its on. Once I get the stand stained and polyed, I'll take it out side and leak test it again. If it holds, I 'll move it into the house. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed. :eek1:

Rhodes19

08/25/2009, 07:18 AM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15589675#post15589675 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FFrankie
Looks awesome man! Thanks FFrankie. Careful, if your'e around I may have you come over and help me move it!!! :D

Rhodes19

09/08/2009, 08:45 AM

Its in the house!!!!!!! :D

Well, my 180 is finally in the house and its final position. Its against the out side wall in the eating area off the kitchen. I put on 2 coats of red oak min wax oil stain and 6 coats of hand rub on satin poly. Not professional but it does look nice. Once we got it in the house I think my wife went into shock. Even though she saw it in the garage every day for the past 7 months, I don’t think she thought it would be this big and take up this much room! Here are some pictures.

Front view.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/frontpoly.jpg

Dixie wants to help too.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/frontpolydixie.jpg

The tank on the stand.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/frontwithtank.jpg

The muscle.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/moversmuscle.jpg

The muscle and support team.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/moverssupport.jpg

Now that its in, I need to support the floor with support beams in the crawl space, get a sump/fug, install the plumbing, and make the doors for the cabinet. Once the floor support is in and the plumbing done, I'll fill it and get my diy rock in and start cycling it. I was thinking about making a canopy but I'm now thinking of an open top and suspend the lighting (once I get them) from some kind of bracket over the tank. I'll have plenty of time to think and plan for that as it cycles. Oh, I also want to run 2 15 or 20 amp lines to the tank to make sure I have enough power to run what ever I may need.

Rhodes19

09/30/2009, 06:55 AM

Well, over the weekend with Frankie's advice and recommendations and the labor of my friend who got me into reefing (vicariously) we reinforced the floor under the tank. It didn't need it put but it will give me peace of mind. We went into the crawl space (about 24" of height, fun :( ) and added some support to the floor joists then crawled out . I haven't had to low crawl since I was in the Army! Also, over the weekend, I finished putting on the poly on the wooden medallions my wife picked out for the stand and put them on. Next project, the sump/fug. I have a 55 g tank that I will use and once that project is done, I can start on the plumbing!!! Then water!! :bounce1:

Medallions
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/medallion1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/medallion2.jpg

strout

09/30/2009, 04:54 PM

I think the stand looks really nice and can't wait for more updates.

Rhodes19

10/01/2009, 05:43 AM

Thanks strout, I appreciate it. The only thing I have left to do with the stand is to make the doors and the canopy. I'm getting close to putting water in it and after I get it cycling, I'll finish the rest of the wood work. :) Can't wait.

MarineGirl411

10/15/2009, 10:47 AM

Rhodes19

10/20/2009, 08:17 AM

Really pretty tank! We have to reinforce our floor for my new 180. We don't have a crawl space under that part of the house. We are renting a backhoe tomorrow to get started in digging it out! :hammer:
I really like your choice of stain and the medallions are beautiful.

Thanks MarineGirl411,

I asked my wife to pick the stain and she told me she liked the medallions she picked out. Happy wife, happy life :D. I figure if I can get her involved, I will have less resistance to my addiction!!! :love2:

How did your digging project go? Any pictures?

Rhodes19

10/20/2009, 08:18 AM

I worked on the sump over the weekend. I received my glass hole cutter and 1 1/2" bulkhead from glass-holes.com and cut a hole in the end of my 55g I'm using for a sump.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/55gsump1.jpg

I made a dam with plumber's puddy and duct taped the inside to hold the glass and water.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/55gsump3.jpg

Here is the hole partially cut.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/55gsump4.jpg

Hole is cut!!!
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/55gsumpdrilled.jpg
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/55gsumpdrilledwbulk.jpg

Bulkhead installed
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/55gsumpbulk.jpg

Next, order 1/4" glass baffles and install them to make 3 chambers. :D

MarineGirl411

10/20/2009, 10:19 AM

Rhodes19

10/21/2009, 06:04 AM

Hi. We ended up not getting the backhoe this past weekend. =( Delay in progress. Hopefully soon.

I wanted to suggest you possibly look up drilling a glass tank hole that low in a sump. I don't want to sound like a know it all. I just want you to not end up with a similar problem. I have seen a similar set up and the members sump cracked due to pump vibration. :( I would hate to see that happen to your new tank. That would suck big time. Please don't think I am trying to sound like a know it all. Sometimes people come off that way online. Again, I love your tank. Happy Wife Happy Life sounds like a Christian comedian I saw. =)

No, thank you for the comment. I appreciate it. I'm still new at this and any and all reccomendations and suggestions are greatly appreciated. I Actually thought about vibrations and I am planning on use some flex pvc to connect the pump to the sump and the pump to the return lines. That should take care of any vibration issues. I got that idea from another tread or tank build.

What exactly are you doing with the backhoe? You are not going to try to did under your house are you? Are you on a slab? I'm trying to remember how homes were made out there. I used to be stationed at Ft. Lewis many years ago and we used to Spokane and Yakama on a regular basis. Amazing area. :)

Rhodes19

10/21/2009, 06:08 AM

Oh, the first salt water tank I had was at Ft. Lewis. Used to go diving in Puget Sound and The Strait of Juan de Fuca. And the addiction begins! :D

shecky79

10/21/2009, 06:25 AM

That is a really beautiful stand. great craftmanship.

MarineGirl411

10/21/2009, 10:54 AM

Rhodes19

10/22/2009, 05:37 AM

That is a really beautiful stand. great craftmanship.

Thanks shecky, I appreciate your complements. I don't know if I had more fun researching the design or building it. Both were fun. I know were all my goofes are but I think it is still a lot better than what I can find commercially without contracting a pro.

Rhodes19

10/22/2009, 05:54 AM

That's good! That should work. :rollface: Can't wait to see more progress.

We needed to dig around our crawl space and add vents etc. That's my boyfriends area, so I don't know too much about it.

We are not sure which way our joists run under the house. =( We don't want to take a chance and have the tank crush the floor. :sad1:

That's really neat you used to be stationed at Fort Lewis. You really liked Spokane? I like Yakima a lot.

Digging should be fun :D Heavy equipment, Oh yeah!!! That's a good idea to check the joists. I mis remembered how ours went and had to change my plans but not by much. With the 180 being about 2000 lbs with rock, water etc., best to be on the safe side. Short term the foors can handle it but I think long term stress would take its toll.

I liked Spokane. It was a lot better than Yakima Firing Center!!!! It had beds, showers, air conditioning!!! Walla Walla was ok, Richland? The Army believes in training to be miserable, we would go to the mountains during the Winter and the desert during the Summer. :D I must be a sick puppy, but I liked the areas we went to train at. Used to find lots of petrified wood. Looked good in my FW tanks.

MarineGirl411

10/22/2009, 11:04 AM

leslie hempel

10/22/2009, 12:44 PM

cool keep the pics rolling

Rhodes19

10/22/2009, 05:39 PM

Wow. I've never been to the firing center. LOL. I was only in Yakima one day. Maybe I wouldn't like it there either. I don't know.

That's cool you used to collect wood for your tank. I used to go to CDA and collect driftwood for my 150 freshwater planted tank. I no longer have that tank though. I have a little 30 gallon fw tank now. I no longer enjoy it as much as the reef. :sad2:

YFC was nice. Got to blow up some stuff :D. My favorite time of day was the morning. Sun rise, cool for a short bit, ...then the heat :(!! I've been to the Saudi, Iraqi, and Kuwaiti desert and I must say, I enjoy the American deserts much better.

We have a 45 tall with blood parrot cichlids for my wife, but even she is becoming more interested in SW fish. :D When they go, the tank will to probably. The 180 will be enough :).

Rhodes19

10/22/2009, 05:42 PM

cool keep the pics rolling

Thanks leslie. I was going to work some more on the sump this weekend but I will be gone for a seminar and the weekend after that is my wife's birthday. You know what I won't be doing! :D

Rhodes19

11/22/2009, 02:31 PM

Well, an other step forward. I added the baffles to my sump/fug over yesterday and today. Because of the 1/16" gap to either side of the baffles, silicone was able to squeese through the back side so I may not need to mess with putting in silicone into the 1" gaps. We'll see.

The first 2 baffles in.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/fug2baffles.jpg

Now the bubble trap. 1" gap and 1" off the bottom for the middle baffle.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/fugbubbletrap3.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/fugbubbletrap.jpg

Next stop, plumbing. :)

Algae Growwer

11/22/2009, 04:27 PM

Nice build love the stand.:thumbsup:

Rhodes19

11/23/2009, 08:32 AM

Thanks Algae Growwer, I appreciate it. Cool name! :D

AkaSlyGuy

11/28/2009, 10:43 AM

Really great looking set up!! I will also be setting up a 180 soon so this is helping a lot. LOVE your stand.

Joe

inktomi

11/28/2009, 11:00 AM

DolphinLVR

11/28/2009, 11:51 AM

Great looking setup! I will be tagging along to see how things go :)

I myself am planning a 180 for my office.

Bobby S.

11/28/2009, 01:40 PM

Great job on the stand, really like the finish color

Rhodes19

11/30/2009, 07:29 AM

Really great looking set up!! I will also be setting up a 180 soon so this is helping a lot. LOVE your stand.

Joe

Thanks Joe. Let me know when you get started and when you start a thread on your build. I like to see what others are doing and incorperate some of what they do into my build. :)

Rhodes19

11/30/2009, 07:44 AM

I really like how your stand came out - very nice! Regarding your baffles - trust me - you want them a little smaller than you need them. Mine were tight - so I just put them in and figured everything would be fine. Ended up with a broken 40g sump hah.

I don't think I remember seeing what you wanted to put into the tank once it was up and going?

Hi inktomi, thanks. After siliconing in the baffles, I'm glad I got the size I did. It was 1/8" smaller than the inside tank dimentions and that allowed the silicone to squeese into the gaps. :) Works for me! :D Sorry to hear about your 40g. I hope there wasn't any water in it.

Well, my stocking list keeps changing. It was going to me some clowns, wrasses, gobies, tanks, a nem, antellias (sp) or other type of schooling fish. Thought about a niger trigger at one point but when it gets bigger, that might cause some problems with the CUC. Well, change 2002, my wife say some manderin gobies for the first time the other day and so now, they are on the list. (happy wife, happy life :)) I'll have to rethink my list again and make sure there won't be any problems with the mandirins and thier tank mates.

As for corals, I was thinking mixed, but lately, I have been eyeing lps and sps more frequently. Definitly want a clam or 3 when the tank is ready for them.

Rhodes19

11/30/2009, 07:51 AM

Great looking setup! I will be tagging along to see how things go :)

I myself am planning a 180 for my office.

Thanks DolphinLVR. I appreciate it. It has been fun working on it and researching everything I need to do. Make sure you post some pictures as you build it out. My only words of advice about having a tank in the office is that you will get lost just watching it. I have a BioCube 14 on my desk at work and am always looking at it. :D

Rhodes19

11/30/2009, 07:59 AM

Great job on the stand, really like the finish color

Thanks Bobby. I followed Rocketengineer's plans for the frame, shamelessly copied how others skinned their stands, and then let my wife pick the color and decorations. Now, if I can get the sump in and plumbed, I can start getting water in it and get it cycling.

Rhodes19

12/07/2009, 01:16 PM

DolphinLVR

12/07/2009, 03:19 PM

Opps, I put the 55 g sump/fuge in the stand and then the external pump and it is looking a little tight for shutoff valve between them. I'll have to play with it and see if I can make it fit. I'll post pics later.

Looking forward to seeing your progress!

Right now I am in research mode, but pretty much have everything figured out. I will be having my tank and sump being built after the first of the year and I am very much looking forward to getting the build started!

Jeff

Rhodes19

12/08/2009, 06:52 AM

Looking forward to seeing your progress!

Right now I am in research mode, but pretty much have everything figured out. I will be having my tank and sump being built after the first of the year and I am very much looking forward to getting the build started!

Jeff

Thanks Jeff. Don't forget to measure twice. :) I forgot to add the width of the 2x4 bottom frame so I lost 3" of space. Initially, I was going to get an internal pump but the external one was available for a good price. It'll work out though. Good luck with your build. Its going to be fun.

Chris

DolphinLVR

12/08/2009, 12:30 PM

Chris - What are your plans for Flow and lighting?

Rhodes19

12/09/2009, 06:46 AM

DolphinLVR

12/09/2009, 08:18 AM

For flow I am looking at using power heads through out the tank. I have Korellas in my other tanks but have been thinking about Tunze. I still need to do more research but I want to get something that can be run off of a battery incase we loose power. My sump pumb is rated at 1100 gph so I figure I need another 700 - 1000 gph with power heads. For lights, I have a friend that has offered to sell me 2 400w MHs and the reflector from a third MH that will need a ballast. I was thinking about getting a retro fit T5 kit but I want to have a mixed tank with clams and recently the sps are starting to look real good. :spin1: The tank came with a 6' pc light and that will be ok for fish but when I start moving my corals in, I will need better lighting.

Take a look at the Vortech MP40's, they are incredible and you can get a battery backup for them. I am looking at a couple of those pluse a Tunze on my back wall. As far as Lighting, since i am not going to have a canopy, I am looking at the 72" Hamilton Belize which is a Standalone 250w MH unit with T%'s as well as LED's for moon lighting. By the time I start my tank, I may end up with IceCap's Reef Illuminations Fixture.

Rhodes19

12/10/2009, 08:14 AM

DolphinLVR

12/10/2009, 08:46 AM

Thanks Jeff. I'll checkout the Vortech MP40's. They seem to have a good following. Those sound like a nice lighting system. I must say, to date, lights are going to be the most expesive part of this build. Way more than what I paid for the tank. From all the reading I have done about lighting, that is one area you do not want to go cheep on.

The most expensive things in my opimion are:

1) Like you - lighting

2) Flow for inside tank - Vortechs

3) Live rock - I will be using mostly base rock, but will have some live to get things seeded

Rhodes19

12/11/2009, 06:19 AM

That sounds about right. I made my own live rock which takes time to cure and then takes time to become live but I think the wait is worth the cost in savings. Besides, I have lots of time. LOL

lionfish300

12/11/2009, 07:57 PM

Very nice wood work, good things only happen slow

Rhodes19

12/14/2009, 08:13 AM

Thanks lionfish. Its getting there. I got to work on the plumbing over the weekend and am almost done. Time permitting, I can finish it tonight and then start putting water into it. :D One of my favorite sayings when I was in the Army was "battle plans never survive first contact". I think that pretty much sums up my plumbing plans. LOL :)

strout

12/14/2009, 08:31 AM

Don't forget to take pics for us.

FFrankie

12/14/2009, 08:38 AM

Be sure to let the pvc glue cure for a full day before filling the tank buddy.

DolphinLVR

12/14/2009, 10:07 AM

Rhodes19

12/15/2009, 07:05 AM

Thanks everyone. I have only a few more joints to fit and glue and then I'll take some more pictures. If nothing else un announced pops up, I might be able ti finish it tomorrow night. (fingers crossed). :)

Rhodes19

12/18/2009, 09:59 AM

Yea!!! I finally got the plumbing done and is now time to start putting water in.

Here is the sump/fuge

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/sump.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/sump2.jpg

Here it is in the stand!!!

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/sumpinstand.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/sumpinstand2.jpg

The return pump and lines. I had to turn the pump 90 deg because I ran out of space in the stand. :(

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/plumbing3.jpg

One of the corners with overflow and return. Overflow is 1" and the return is 1" except for the last 4-5" which coverts to 3/4".

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/plumbing2.jpg

Overflow into chamber 1.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/plumbingoverflow.jpg

Here is a take off for an ATS I'll be making.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/plumbing.jpg

The plumbing did not turn out like I was planning but its going to work. My original plan included using an internal pump but when this external pump became available I couldn't resist. There are a few 90 deg elbow turns in the return and a T but I could not avoid it with the limited space under the tank.

Now, time to fill, add salt, rock and substrate. :D

FFrankie

12/18/2009, 11:22 AM

Looks awesome Chris!
If you are not to sure about the plumbing I could come over and go over it with you. That is something you should be sure of.

Rhodes19

12/18/2009, 02:17 PM

Hi Frankie,

Sure, come on buy. I think the joints are fine, its just they way I ran the pipes was a little weird. :)

strout

12/18/2009, 04:20 PM

Well, its already been said but, you did a really nice job on that stand.

lakee911

12/18/2009, 04:42 PM

Make sure you support the pluming. Not good to let it hang from the glass. Good job. :)

Rhodes19

12/20/2009, 09:09 PM

Well, its already been said but, you did a really nice job on that stand.

Thanks strout, I appreciate that. It was fun and the saw dust therapy was good for me. :D

Rhodes19

12/20/2009, 09:11 PM

Make sure you support the pluming. Not good to let it hang from the glass. Good job. :)

Good call lakee911. I'll pick up some straps to hang the plumbing form tomorrow on my way home. Don't need any extra stress or water all over the place. :D

Rhodes19

12/20/2009, 09:12 PM

Well I had a little set back/let down this morning. I filled the tank with about 55 g of water and noticed a leak from the tank into the back right overflow corner near the bottom. I have stripped the silicone from that area twice to fix the problem but I quess it hasn't worked. I drained it, dried it, and then applied some silicone to the inside of the overflow. We'll see if that works. If not, I am told that I will have to strip all of the silicone inside the tank and then re apply it. Apparently, silicone does not stick to dry silicone. I hope I don't have to do that. :(

MarineGirl411

12/20/2009, 09:23 PM

what return pump are you going to use?

Rhodes19

12/21/2009, 09:29 AM

what return pump are you going to use?

Hi MarineGirl,

Its a Pan World PX NH 50PX-X. 1100 gph with 13' head pressure. Its supposed to be a nice little pumb. Can't wait to get the leak fixed so I can turn it on. :)

Rhodes19

12/21/2009, 11:32 AM

Here are some of the pictures of the overflow.

I think the leak is from the bottom right.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/overflow5.jpg

From the inside, the leak is coming in at the bottom left corner.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/overflow.jpg

Top view

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/overflow2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/overflow3.jpg

Side view

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/overflow4.jpg

Getting there.....

Rhodes19

12/21/2009, 11:35 AM

My 180 was brutilly attacked last night and graffiti was plastered all over it. All in the name of a surprise 50th birthday party. Oh the insanity!!! The things they did to me and made me do was embarassing, but I did get a 6 line wrasse out of it. :D Beautiful red and blue stripes with a green tail. Hey, how are we going to get dad out of the house? Oh, yea, take him to the lfs. That will keep him busy for hours!!! Well, the damage was done. Poor tank. I'm surprized that they didn't try to put me in it. My wife tells who ever comes over that when I die, she is going to bury me in my tank!!! LOL :worried:

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Bday.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Bday3.jpg

Rhodes19

12/23/2009, 10:14 AM

Wow, what a day. Frankie came over to the house yesterday and took a look at were I was having the leak in the overflow and within a minute he found were it was. Amazing! He then crawled into the tank, removed and cleaned out the old silicone in the area (I did a bad job) and then he re siliconed the corner overflow. The word professional jumps to mind. He did an awesome job. Here are some of the pictures of his work.

Frank in the tank

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankieremove.jpg

Here are the pictures of Frankie removing the old silicone.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankieremove2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankieremove6.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankieremove3.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankieremove7.jpg

After Frankie removed the old silicone, he scraped what was left over and cleaned of the film left over.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankiecleaning2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankiecleaning.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankiecleaning4.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankiecleaning3.jpg

I think the fumes where starting to get to to him.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankiecleaning5.jpg

Rhodes19

12/23/2009, 10:17 AM

Frankie next taped the area he was going to silicone. I wish had thought of that.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankietaping.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankietaping2.jpg

Frankie brough over some of his silicone for the job and did an excellent job of putting it down. I wish I could cauk my bathroom that well. Oh, and now I have a new source for aquarium silicone. :D No, not from Frankie. He told me where I could get it locally without paying a high price.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankiesiliconing2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankiesiliconing.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankiesiliconing3.jpg

Frankie was a great help and a wealth of knowledge. Once the silicone cures, I should be able to put water into it and start the cylcing.

Oh, and here's Frankie trying to escape. :D

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Frankieescaping.jpg

Thanks Frankie, I really appreciate all of your help. :thumbsup:

MarineGirl411

12/23/2009, 12:51 PM

Rhodes19

12/23/2009, 02:46 PM

Was that a brand new tank? I would have taken it back. =( Why did you need to fix the leak? I feel really dumb asking, but wouldn't that all be filled with water anyway? He did an excellent job though.

Hi MarineGirl,

No, it was a used tank I picked up in FL from a RC member. I thought it was only a few years old but I accidently found a small tag yesterday that said DAN, AGA 97, so I guess the tank was older than I expected, but for the price you still couldn't bet it. When I started to fill up the tank, water would leak under the plastic overflow. I stripped it and resealed it twice and it still leaked. After watching Frankie do it, I realized I wasn't even coming close to how to seal/reseal with silicone. I leaned a lot watching him.

Your question is a good one. :) My biggest concern was if I ever lost power and the overflow leaked into my sump (which it did while I was leak testing [loose Durso pipe]) that the tank would continue to leak into the overflow and then into my sump and then eventually onto the floor. If my stand pipes don't leak then it would not be a problem, but, sometimes I can be anal about back ups and safety. :crazy1:

MarineGirl411

12/23/2009, 02:56 PM

That is a good reason. I completely understand now! =) Thank you. I never thought of that before. It's always good to be anal in this hobby. It's not really anal, though. It is being very responsible! :D

Crazy One

12/23/2009, 03:24 PM

FFrankie

12/23/2009, 09:56 PM

Was great to see you again Chris. This tank is gonna rock. I look forward to the leak test Saturday.:beer:

Rhodes19

12/27/2009, 05:52 PM

The workmanship in the stand is absolutley incredible!
Glad the overflow is taken care of, this is a great thread for the DIY guy that might not know how to finish a project... kinda like me with my 125 stand.:confused:
Keep up the good work.

Thanks Crazy One,

I like making things with my hands so diy projects are fun for me. Not having enough $$$ to buy things also makes diy neccessary!! :D LOL

Rhodes19

12/27/2009, 05:55 PM

Thanks Frankie, Good seeing you too. And thanks again for the help. :)

We didn't get a chance to put water into the tank over the weekend but I did get some more work done thanks to Frankie. My tank came with Durso stand pipes and because of the cramped overflow space they lean backwards and allow water to leak in between the pipe and bulkhead and into the sump (flooding potential). Frankie gave me some modified caps to fit on the end of 1" pipe that he had made to take the place of the Dursos.

Here is the underside.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/overflowcap1.jpg

Side view.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/overflowcap.jpg

On top of a 1" pvc stand pipe.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/overflowcap3.jpg

Top view

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/overflowcap2.jpg

Frankie also fixed my wimpy, limpy loc lines and replaced the segments from his stock pile. He even gave me some nossles to go on the end for better surface aggitation. Sweet! :D

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/overflowcap5.jpg

The last touch to the tank was siliconing in a piece of egg crate on the last baffle after the fuge before the return to catch macro algae.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/sumpeggcrate.jpg

I was going to get a tap water filter from a lfs but they didn't have it in stock. That acctually worked out better for me. For the $40-60 I would have spent on it, I could use that same money to buy a decent RO/DI unit. After looking at our last water bill and doing some calculations, I figure it would take about $30 (for about 1000 gallons) to fill the tank with RO/DI water. Frankie said he could let me use his filter to fill the tank until I can get my own. :) I am hoping my next posting with pictures will be of some water and DIY rock in the tank. :D

Rhodes19

12/30/2009, 11:06 AM

I picked up about 100 lbs of sand last night for $50. The sand was from the tanks of a lfs that had closed but is now reopened. I was expecting a variable grain aragonite but for $50 I figure sand would work as well.

Here is what it looks like.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/sand2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/sand1.jpg

This stuff came from a guy in the area that was closing down his tank. I got it and about 12 lbs of live rock/rubble.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/sand3-1.jpg

Here is the stuff I was looking for. This came from one of Frankie's old tanks and is about 40 lbs.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/sand-1.jpg

I'll wash all of it really well before adding it to the tank. Some of the folks I got the sand from said I could toss it right in and quicken the cycling but I think I will wash out all the detritus and start as clean as possible.

Last Version

12/30/2009, 12:12 PM

great job..!!

tagging along.

Rhodes19

01/01/2010, 11:32 AM

Thanks Last Version. I appreciate it. Now for an update.....

Rhodes19

01/01/2010, 11:33 AM

Happy New Year every one!!!

I started to fill the tank yesterday afternoon and its about half full!!! I'll start adding my diy rock shortly and then the substrate. Once its topped of and running I'll add some live rock I picked up, throw in a deli shrimp and let it cycle. :bounce1:

Here is a picture of Frankie's RO/DI filter that he is letting me use until I get my own. We put a new prefilter in and its working like a champ. It mounted on the wall in the garage and tapped into the cold water line going to the hot water heater. The drain line is going to my green house and the clean water line is going under the kitchen door and to the tank.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/RODIFrankie.jpg

1/4" tube clamped to the side of the tank for filling.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/water.jpg

Tank about 1/4 filled.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/waterstart.jpg

Tank about 1/2 full!!!

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/waterhalf2.jpg

I'll get more pictures after I get the rockscape set up.

Rhodes19

01/01/2010, 06:22 PM

Here is a full tank shot with about 1" of sand on the bottom. After I place the rocks firmly into the sand, I'll add another 1".

Full tank shot.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/sandtankshot.jpg

Close up of sand.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/sandsloseup2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/sandcloseup.jpg

FFrankie

01/01/2010, 09:02 PM

It's alive! http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv271/XTC29/O-Jovem-FranKenstein-3.jpg

Bax

01/01/2010, 09:12 PM

Nice!

You've got a great helper there in Frankie! Couldn't ask for better support!!!

Rhodes19

01/02/2010, 08:17 AM

Nice!

You've got a great helper there in Frankie! Couldn't ask for better support!!!

I know. He has helped me on numberous occasions. Its nice to have someone local I can turn to for help. I have definitly learned a lot too. :D

Rhodes19

01/02/2010, 08:18 AM

Well, the tank is full and the water started overflowing into the sump. I'll stop the filling process for now until I get the rockscape the way I want it and then put it in the tank. Then I'll add the rest of the water if needed.

Rhodes19

01/02/2010, 08:27 AM

Here is a picture of the rockscape from the left.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rockleft.jpg

Here it is from the right.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rockright.jpg

Straight on.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rockstraight.jpg

Not quite what I wanted. I had planed on having hight points at both ends working down to the center and have a little "trail" between the 2. I also wanted to make the piles with stair steps so I would have plenty of ledges to place corals on. After looking at it, it appears to be very compact looking and does not have any big open holes/caves for bigger fish to swim through. I'll have to take it down and start over this afternoon when I get back from recovering my daughter's car. It won't start and the parking brake is stuck on! :mtool:

Last Version

01/02/2010, 10:40 AM

great job!!

DolphinLVR

01/02/2010, 01:13 PM

Looking Great Rhodes! Happy new Year by the way!

Rhodes19

01/02/2010, 03:36 PM

Thanks Dolphin and Last Version. It is still a work in progress. :)

Rhodes19

01/02/2010, 03:37 PM

Ok, second try for rockscape. This time there are some bigger openings for the bigger fish.

Left side.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rockscape2left.jpg

Right side.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rockscape2right.jpg

I'll play more with it later.

DolphinLVR

01/02/2010, 03:50 PM

I like your second time around alot better IMO

FFrankie

01/02/2010, 05:09 PM

Now your talking :thumbsup:

Rhodes19

01/03/2010, 11:27 AM

I like your second time around alot better IMO

Thank Dolphin, me too. I think I will go with it. I can always changed it if I want over the next 2 months while it cycles. At least I have the basic idea/shape. :)

Rhodes19

01/03/2010, 11:28 AM

Now your talking :thumbsup:

Thanks Frankie. Time to move it into the tank. :D

DolphinLVR

01/03/2010, 11:41 AM

Thank Dolphin, me too. I think I will go with it. I can always changed it if I want over the next 2 months while it cycles. At least I have the basic idea/shape. :)

How aer you going to secure the rocks together to prevent any knockdowns?

Rhodes19

01/03/2010, 01:52 PM

How aer you going to secure the rocks together to prevent any knockdowns?

With careful stacking and interlocking. Its kind of like building a stone wall back in New England. Time, patients, and lots of moving rock around!!! :D

Rhodes19

01/03/2010, 01:53 PM

Dun, ta, ta, taaaa!!!!

Rock and water is in and the pump is turned on!!! :dance:

Now for some pictures.

Here is rockscape version #3.0. My wife helpped :)

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rockscape3a.jpg

With Actinics.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rockscape3blue.jpg

The right overflow pipe stand is flexuating about and inch or so. I'll have to play with it.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/overflowflex.jpg

Here is the left side. Its spot on and not fluxuating.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/overflowsteady.jpg

Here is the skimmer section. There is a lot of bubbles coming out of the pvc and is noisy.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/sumpbubbles.jpg

The fuge porton of the sump.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/sumpfuge.jpg

Here is the return area with the max fill line marked.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/sumpreturnmax.jpg

Here is the heater in the fuge area for now. I need to find a better place to hang the control.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/heatertemp.jpg

I need to get some more salt to put in the tank but I will have to do that later this week. Once the salt is in and the temp is up I'll add some live rock I have collected over the past week or so and put them in along with a deli shrimp.

DolphinLVR

01/03/2010, 01:53 PM

Very cool!

Can't wait to see the rock work in the tank and you beginning your cycle.

DolphinLVR

01/03/2010, 01:56 PM

well I guess my reply was a lil premature......LOL

Looking great Rhodes! Are you going to gave a DSB in the fuge along with some live rock and cheato?

Matt0676

01/03/2010, 03:54 PM

Rhodes19

01/04/2010, 09:43 AM

well I guess my reply was a lil premature......LOL

Looking great Rhodes! Are you going to gave a DSB in the fuge along with some live rock and cheato?

Thanks Dolphin. I think I will go bare bottom with the fuge and just add cheato. I may put in some rubble for extra pod production and filtering.

Rhodes19

01/04/2010, 09:53 AM

Rhodes, the tank looks great!! I especially like the way you arranged the rock. Looks like version 3.0 is a winner!! I am currently getting ready to start a 180 so I will be following your progress. Thanks for keeping us all updated!

Hi Matt,

Thanks. We spent some time sitting in the kitchen and just staired at the set up. My wife likes how the light shines through some of the holes in the rocks. Wait until I get some real lights up there. :) It was almost overwhelming. The biggest tank I have ever had up until now was a 55g. Have fun with your 180 build. I know I have enjoyed mine and have learned alot in the process. Have you started a thread yet?

Rhodes19

01/04/2010, 01:12 PM

Ok, its been 24 hours since the heater was turned on and the temp is 76 deg. It started yesterday about this time at 64 deg.

DolphinLVR

01/04/2010, 01:19 PM

Ok, its been 24 hours since the heater was turned on and the temp is 76 deg. It started yesterday about this time at 64 deg.

Very cool! So you will be adding your Live rock and shrimp soon to begin your cycle!

I am dying to get my tank ordered, just gotta wait for my banker (Wife) to give the go ahead! :lmao:

Rhodes19

01/04/2010, 10:11 PM

Very cool! So you will be adding your Live rock and shrimp soon to begin your cycle!

I am dying to get my tank ordered, just gotta wait for my banker (Wife) to give the go ahead! :lmao:

LOL Yeah, I have to get approved my self on big issues like that too.

Once I get the salinity and temp right I'll start to add the LR and shrimp. Hoo hoo!!

Rhodes19

01/04/2010, 10:16 PM

Well, the heater has been on for over 32 hours and has brought the temp up from 64 deg to 77 deg. Its been hovering at 77 deg for a while so I am thinking I may have to get a second heater to get the temp up to 80 deg. During the Winter we usually keep the house around 68-70 deg. During the summer one heater will be enought. May have to get a chiller at that time.

Oh, evaporation. It has already gone through 3g of water already. Wow, won't have to worry about running a humidifier during the Winter!

Matt0676

01/04/2010, 10:58 PM

Hi Matt,

Thanks. We spent some time sitting in the kitchen and just staired at the set up. My wife likes how the light shines through some of the holes in the rocks. Wait until I get some real lights up there. :) It was almost overwhelming. The biggest tank I have ever had up until now was a 55g. Have fun with your 180 build. I know I have enjoyed mine and have learned alot in the process. Have you started a thread yet?

I agree, I think the rock is going to look awesome when you get your lights up! In regards to my build, I am going to pick up the 180 later this week so I will start my thread then. I have a TON of planning to do before I start to press forward. Sort of my version of measure twice, cut once. I want to make sure I get it as close to right as I can the first time.

Is there anything you would change or didn't think of?

Rhodes19

01/05/2010, 08:39 AM

I agree, I think the rock is going to look awesome when you get your lights up! In regards to my build, I am going to pick up the 180 later this week so I will start my thread then. I have a TON of planning to do before I start to press forward. Sort of my version of measure twice, cut once. I want to make sure I get it as close to right as I can the first time.

Is there anything you would change or didn't think of?

Actually, there is!!! LOL I thought of posting a list later but some of the things I would do differently are, making the stand with side doors instead of one solid piece so I can have access to the sides, making a coast to coast overflow for the back of the tank and drill it for a BeanAnimal's silent full syphon overflow. I have a RR tank and thought I would be good to go but the splashing/bubbling noise in the sump is loud because I am pushing a high water/air rate through 2 1" stand pipes (biggest bulkhead in overflow). If I cut the pump back most of the noise goes away but so does the flow. I think I would use an submersable pump instead of an external pump. The plumbing would be easier to do and I would have more space available under the stand. Also, with a submersable pump, I could have set my sump fuge up with a center return chamber (more flexable design I think). I think I would go with flexable tube next time instead of pvc. Installation would be quicker and easier and without any 45/90 deg turns. Get more than 500w heater/s. My 500w heater can't get above 77 deg (house is at 68 so I think I need another heater. Oh, another thing I would do differently is to use threaded/threaded bulkheads instead of slip/slip. I glued pvc into the under side of the bulkhead so if I ever have to pull it out, I will have to cut the pvc and either replace the bulkhead of splice the pvc where I had to cut it. In the overflow side, I just fitted pvc into the top side of the bulkhead and I do get some leakage between the pvc and bulkhead where if it was threaded, there would be less chance of leakage and I would have a more solid joint that could be easily be removed.

Wow, thats enought for now. I didn't think my list would be that big. LOL :D I hope that will give you some things to consider as you go through your build. I do have to say, even though I would make some changes, everything I have done is working. Just need to start fine tuning a few things. HTH

Rhodes19

01/05/2010, 08:40 AM

looks good

Thanks lwolfe, I appreciate it. :)

DolphinLVR

01/07/2010, 10:39 AM

How's the Tank coming along Rhodes?

Rhodes19

01/08/2010, 08:28 AM

How's the Tank coming along Rhodes?

Hi Dolphin,

So far, so good. No leaks, the two heates I have are in sync (or very close to it), I put socks on the overflow lines and that has helped with some of the big bubble noise, and I am planning on moving in as much live rock I have without coral on it into the 180 to kick start the cycling. Frankie suggested I tie the 2 1" drain lines together into one bigger drain line and that may help with the noise as well. I'm thinking of going to either 1 1/2" line or 2" line. If pies are square, then by going from a 1" pipe to a 1 1/2" pipe will double the area for water flow and reduce the turbulance. The question is, where do I want to start the bigger pipe? Closer to the overflow or before it gets to the sump? Decisions, decisions.... :)

Rhodes19

01/10/2010, 05:24 PM

Well, today, under my wife's artistic " " guidance, I moved about 40 lbs of live rock from my other tanks into the 180. So now we have rockscape 4.0 :D

Here are some pictures.

Front standing.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rockscape402.jpg

Tank sitting.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rockscape405.jpg

Actinics only.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rockscape403.jpg

Left side.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rockscape408.jpg

Right side.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rockscape40.jpg

Center.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rockscape407.jpg

One of the caves.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rockscape406.jpg

Deli shrimp basking in the light.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/rockscape404.jpg

I think this is the best rockscape so far. I still have about another 30 lbs of live rock to put in but they all have corals on them so they will go in after the cycling and algae blume is over.

Rhodes19

01/11/2010, 07:55 AM

Well we lost our down stairs heater yesterday afternoon and this morning the room temp was 59 deg. Surprisingly, the tank temp is holding steady at 77 deg and the heaters are not even staying on constanly. Sweet. :)

PaPa_Johnny

01/12/2010, 04:51 PM

:) very nice! I like the way you are coming along with this, thanks for sharing ;). I bet the evaporation went up just a wee bit with the cooler room temp? Can't wait to see how this turns out!

huskysglare1

01/12/2010, 05:37 PM

That's an amazing stand and tank you have. However, those rocks are hideous you'd gotta do something about those rocks. Don't be offended, it's just my opinion.

mod0522

01/12/2010, 05:47 PM

Rhodes19

01/12/2010, 06:23 PM

:) very nice! I like the way you are coming along with this, thanks for sharing ;). I bet the evaporation went up just a wee bit with the cooler room temp? Can't wait to see how this turns out!

Hi PaPa Johnny,

Thanks. Its getting there. I was amazed at how much evaporation there was. The tank came with 2 glass covers that I put on leaving one section open (2 cross braces, 3 openings on top). That seemed to help reduce the amount of evaporation for now. Once I start putting fish and coral in, I'll remove the glass for better gas exchange.

urastame

01/12/2010, 07:06 PM

Looks really nice rock scape 4.0!

Rhodes19

01/12/2010, 07:14 PM

That's an amazing stand and tank you have. However, those rocks are hideous you'd gotta do something about those rocks. Don't be offended, it's just my opinion.

Hi huskysglare1,

Thanks, the stand was fun to make. My rocks are hideous? LOL :( No offence taken. What is it about the rocks you don't like? The shapes, texture, they way they are stacked, all of the above? Once the cycle is over, I'll be moving my fish and corals into it so the rockscape will change again but not by much. Once the coralline takes over it won't look gray. I have some in my other tanks and you almost can't tell. Actually, their hideousness will give me an excuse to get more corals!!! :D

Rhodes19

01/12/2010, 07:20 PM

My initial thought was the same, sorry Rhodes. However my perception has totally changed. Huskys, envision it all colored up and fully stocked! I really think its going to turn out beautifully! Keep us up to date Rhodes.

Hi mod0522,

Et tu? :) Just kidding. I appreciate all the feed back I can get. When it came to design/artistic stuff, I skipped school. :) I wanted to make sure I had some good flow through the rocks and bigger spaces for larger fish to hid in. The rock isn't pretty like real live rock but it will be hard to tell over time.

Rhodes19

01/12/2010, 07:23 PM

Looks really nice rock scape 4.0!

Thanks urastame. Once the rest of the live rock goes in we'll have rockscape 4.1 :D

urastame

01/12/2010, 07:25 PM

look good so far What are the future plans?

huskysglare1

01/12/2010, 07:48 PM

Maybe because they're gray and the structure looks a little weird. hehe. or It could also be that i am Islands type guy, but i'll keep in touch with your progress. I really admire your stand. what an amazing piece of art.

Piranha_Owns

01/12/2010, 09:11 PM

nice work, stand is amazing

AkaSlyGuy

02/08/2010, 11:50 AM

Rhodes19

02/08/2010, 06:14 PM

Well, yesterday was fun. I spent most of the day modifying the drain and return in an attempt to quiet the sump down. After about 8 hours and 5 trips to Lowes and a lfs, I finally have an almost finished product. I took Frankie's advice and modified the Herbie style drain but it took longer than I expected. I tied the 2 overflow lines (1") into 1 1/2" lines that met at a T, added a 1 1/2" ball valve (can't find a gate valve anywhere) to the T, and another 1 1/2" pipe into the sump about 4" below the water. I then ran some flex line from the pump side to a horse shoe made from 2 90 deg elbows, into a 1" T and to 2, 3/4 locline. Not the prettiest set up but it works. At one point I thought I had cracked one of the 1" bulkheads and had to run to a lfs to buy one. This time it was threaded. The noise in the sump is quieter than it was before and that was with the ball valve all the way open. I turned it down to reduce flow, got the overflow to a higher level and the sump became a little more quieter. I can't dial it in t where I want it until I get a gate valve but it is working better. Now I just have to fix a leak between the bulkhead and the threaded adapter. I had plumber's tape on it and it leaked. I removed the threaded adapter and added more tape and it leaks less but still leaks. I can't get to it until tomorrow night then I'll add more tape and see it that stops it. I'll take some pictures of it tomorrow when I get my camera batteries recharged. :)

Rhodes19

02/08/2010, 06:15 PM

Oh, and I also did a 85 gallon water change. I'll check the parameters tomorrow.

Rhodes19

02/08/2010, 06:30 PM

I emailed you, but thought I should ask the same thing here in case someone else down the road needs the same question answered. I am about to build a stand for this same size tank. I am following the same design you used for the base of the stand. My tank has the same kind of overflows yours has with 2 holes in each back corner. My question is this:

Did you make the 2x frame the exact dimensions as the tank (plus tank trim) or did you oversize the frame a little as long as the frame of the tank sat square on the top frame? I was wondering if by making the stand the exact size of the tank you had any issue with the bulkheads being too close to the stand frame? I hope I made that clear enough.

Joe

Hi Joe,

Good question. I actually over sized my stand a little bigger than the diameter of the tank. I made the frame a 1/4" longer from right to left and that gave me 1/8" of space on either side. The elevated top trim hides it well. I think I did it more as a precaution to make sure I didn't cut it to short. The front is almost flush to the front edge of the frame but I made the stand wider so I would not run into the problem of getting the bulkheads too close to the frame giving little to no work space. I made the width about an 1" longer so the plastic edging of the tank is sitting close to center. It worked out well. I actually got the idea from some of the other build threads here. I leaned from others mistakes. :) Heaven knows I make enough of them. LOL HTH. Do you have a build thread for your tank yet? Would love to see what you have done so far. :)

Rhodes19

02/09/2010, 09:36 AM

Ok, here are some pics of the new Herbie system.

The stand pipe is 1" at the bottom and opens up to 1 1/2". I put rain gutter guard around it to stop things from going into it. Unfortunately, the zip ties I got from Lowes don't work worth a darn, so I'm going to return the package a try another brand.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/plumbingHerbie6.jpg

Here is the top of the stand pipe.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/plumbingHerbie8.jpg

Bottom of the stand pipe.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/plumbingHerbie7.jpg

The 2 lines coming out of the bulkheads are both drain lines. The 3/4" bulkhead opens to 1" and the 1" bulkhead opens to 1 1/2" near the sump. The return goes from pvc to a flexible 1" tube.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/plumbingHerbie4.jpg

Here is the back of the tank with the return hose terminating into a horse shoe shape HOB return. I made it using 2 1" 90 deg elbows and tied it into a 1" T.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/plumbingHerbie9.jpg

Front view of the T return. The locline is 3/4".

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/plumbingHerbie3.jpg

Here is where the 1 1/2" drain lines come to a T and drain into the sump. The 2 old return lines are now emergency back ups in case the main drain lines become blocked. The main drain goes under water about 4-6" and has made the sump quieter without cutting back on the pump. The emergency drain lines are above the water so they will make noise if they get used.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/plumbingHerbie5.jpg

Once I can get a gate valve, I will replace the ball valve. That will give me the ability to fine tune the overflow level.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/plumbingHerbie1.jpg

Well, over all, not the prettiest looking plumbing job but its functional. :)

AkaSlyGuy

02/12/2010, 09:03 PM

Rhodes19

02/14/2010, 11:04 AM

Ok. So I picked up 1 1/4" gate valve from a local Ace hardware and played with it a couple of times over the weekend. It worked at getting the water levels to where I wanted them in the overflow box but you could hear the water rushing through it as well as an increase in some bubbles in the sump (not worth doing anything about). Its quieter than no valve on the drain but the current 1 1/2" ball valve is perfectly quiet and makes no bubbles. You can't even hear the water going through it. So for now, I am leaving the 1 1/2" ball valve in (friction fit) until I can find/get a 1 1/2" gate valve.

Also, I do not like the Finnex titanium digital control heater HMD 500 I got. I think its performance is weak compared to my expectations but what really did it is when we loss power. It resets to the factory default of 80 deg and I want my tank at 77. Time to start looking for a controller (which I thought this one had. Ops).

DolphinLVR

02/14/2010, 11:08 AM

Rhodes19

02/14/2010, 11:11 AM

I noticed you place plywood UNDER your stand, instead of on top of the bottom frame. I like this idea. Gives extra room under the tank, would not create a raised hollow box that could resinate sound, and it seems as though it would keep the bottom frame from bowing any. My stand for my 180 will be sitting on carpet. Any issues you could see with this?

Anything you would change about it? Would you do it again?

Joe

Hi Joe,

The only issue I can see is if you butt it up right against the wall. The back bottom of the stand could rest on the carpet tack strip that holds the carpet in place against the wall and is about 1/4" tall. That would knock your tank out of level. Normally, the tack strip should be right under the molding but that is not always the case. I would check and see where the tack strip is and make sure you don't put your stand on it. Other than that, you should be good to go. HTH.

Rhodes19

02/14/2010, 11:12 AM

Look at the Ranco controllers! I have a Dual that I will be using as a primary controller and the use the heaters controller as secondary.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff. Will do. :)

AkaSlyGuy

02/14/2010, 11:57 AM

hulley

02/14/2010, 08:51 PM

Lookin real good! Taggin along.

Rhodes19

02/15/2010, 08:11 AM

Thanks for your opinion on the plywood bottom. Several people have told me that cross braces were needed from front to back on the bottom frame. I just hated to waste the space if I did not have to.

Joe

Hi Joe,

A cross brace from front to back is a good idea. Justs makes sure there is no spreading going on. If you use plywood on the bottom like I did, it will act as a cross brace so you won't have to use a 2x. For the top frame I used the same size 2x as the top frame itself. As far as the design goes, I think the only change I would make is instead of skinning the left and right side with Luan, I would leave it open and put doors on it for better access. Other than that, I'm happy with the out come. :)

Rhodes19

02/15/2010, 08:13 AM

Lookin real good! Taggin along.

Thanks hulley. I'm hoping to start putting live stock in there next month if the water parameters are good.

hulley

02/16/2010, 05:50 AM

I took down my 180 about 1.5yrs ago. My wife and I had the house for sale and "knew" it would would sell, well, we were wrong! I'm missing my little slice of the ocean pretty bad. We are gonna try and sell the house again this spring, if it doesnt sell, I'll probably get the tank up and running again. Big tanks take alot of patience, your doing very well, much better than I.

Rhodes19

02/17/2010, 08:18 AM

Hi hulley,

I'm sorry to hear about that. Yeah, the market isn't doing all that well. It is really slow down here. A Realtor I know said it is starting to pick up a little but that might have something to do with Boeing opening a plant down here too. Hopefully things will pick up and you will get your house sold. Then you can get your 180 back up and going. :) I am in the process of setting up a quarantine tank and am going to start moving some of my fish into it from my other 2 tanks. I want to make sure nothing devastating will get into the 180.

DolphinLVR

02/17/2010, 08:39 AM

coming along great Rhodes! Slow n easy is the way to go thats for sure!

Rhodes19

02/19/2010, 08:15 AM

coming along great Rhodes! Slow n easy is the way to go thats for sure!

Thanks Dolphin. Now that I am getting close, I'm starting to chomp at the bit. I'm going to see if I can get the quarantine tank going this week if time permits. :)

Antonais1391

02/19/2010, 03:30 PM

Rhodes19

02/19/2010, 05:04 PM

looking awsome rhodes. makes me exited to do my 180. sadly though itll be a few years cause of school. what kinda lighting you using?? have you got a stocking list?? also what corals you planning on throughing in there??

Hi Antonais,

Thanks. My current lighting is a 72" PC light that came with the tank. Its ok for fish but I need something better. I would like to replace them but $$$ is an problem at the moment. I would like to do either a T5 retro kit or go MH. I can the lights I want for good prices but just can't get them yet. For now, I will use the PC and use the T5s I have on my 29 and 10 gallon tanks. I'll post some pics once I do it. Probably post them in the getto rig thread as well. :D

Here is my fish list:

Currently have:
4 ocellaris
1 royal gramma
1 common fire goby
6 green chromis
1 Six line wrasse

My wife’s requirements (happy wife, happy life)
Yellow tang
Blue tang
Anemone with a clownfish

Would like to have:
Diamond sifter goby(s)
Scooter blenny(s)
Mandarin goby(s)
Red fairy wrasse(s)
Sail fin tang
Various shrimp
Some various other wrasses. McCloster was nice.
Clams
CUC

Initially, I was going to have a mixed tank of softies, LPS and SPS but as time has gone by, lots of reading, and preference changes I think I am going with LPS and SPS. The more I see them the more I want them. I can t say the same things for the softies though. However, I do like morphed zoas so I will collect them. I have some nice GSP that I'll put in as well but that will be it for softies.

What do you do for school? Any idea how you want your 180 set up once you can get to it? I've been enjoying setting mine up. :)

Antonais1391

02/19/2010, 11:49 PM

Rhodes19

02/20/2010, 06:05 PM

im not in school currently but im starting the application process. im going to be studying game art and design. i took a year of after graduation to work and save money, wich has been going good after i got my 55g set up lol. id prabaly what i want to do for my 180g is a SPS dominated system with some Lps and other zoas paly muchrooms. here a wrass suggestion http://www.reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/32-fish-profile- there really interesting fish ive had mine sence christmas and hes a happy guy a tid more agressive then the profile says but could just be my fish :] heres some lights i was looking at as well http://www.marinedepot.com/Captive_Sun_Retrofit_Lighting_System_175_Watt_Single_Ended_Metal_Halide_Retrofit_Kits-Captive_Sun-CP4212-FILTRTRMSEHS-vi.html

Gaming art. Cool. Graphics have come a long way since I had my Commodore 128!! LOL Its amazing how the graphic look on the x box now. It sounds like your 180 is going to be awesome. Hopefully the wait won't drive you nuts. The lights would be ok for the 55 but you are going to need at least 250 w with reflector for the 180. A friend of mine had a 120 sps dominated tank with 400 w MH on it. It was a beautiful tank.

Rhodes19

02/22/2010, 09:23 AM

Ok, water parameters from last night. Looks like some more big water changes are in my future.

Temp 77 deg
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 12
pH 8.0
KH 6
Ca 460
PO4 0.5
SG 1.024

Antonais1391

03/03/2010, 03:56 PM

hows the tank comming ?? any pics ??

Rhodes19

03/04/2010, 07:51 AM

hows the tank comming ?? any pics ??

Hi Antonais,

Well, I just did a 100% water change last night. I'm hoping that will raise the alk and drop the Ca. If all goes well and the water parameters are good, I'll move a few of the softies over and see how they do. Once I get the corals out of my 29, I will turn it into a quarantine tank and qt and treat all the fish before I move them into the 180. I don't want to take any chances putting in a diseased fish and then trying to treat the whole tank. I also got some cheato in the mail yesterday and I'm putting it into the fuge. The batteries in the camera died again so once they are charged up I'll get some pictures.

FFrankie

03/04/2010, 09:13 AM

:beer:
Your doing it right Chris. Nice and slow. Keep up the good work buddy :)

Rhodes19

03/05/2010, 07:38 AM

Thanks Frankie. Almost there. Can't wait to move the corals in and then get my QT set up for the fish. :)

Rhodes19

03/08/2010, 10:53 AM

Well, I did a 100% water change last weekend and this weekend my parameters were:

SG 1.024
pH. 8.2
ammonia 0
nitrites 0
nitrates some where between 0 and 12.5. Closer to 0 in color.
Phos 0 to 0.25. Its really hard to tell.
KH 8
Ca 420
Temp 77.5

Here are the first fish I put in.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/miniaquarium.jpg

Ok, not really but I did get some cheato from from a fellow reefer last week and it was a beautiful green ball. Its in the fuge and sits on the bottom which concerns me. I understand that it and the pods like to tumble, so I'm going to have to figure out a way to get it to move.

Here is the box she sent it in. Complete with heat pack.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Cheatobox.jpg

The cheato in a the bag.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/cheato.jpg

Fuge. What do you think of my string to hold the filter sock up? I know, low tech but it works and its easy to slid on and off.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/cheatofugelight.jpg

The cheato sitting on the bottom.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/cheatofuge3.jpg

I also moved in some softies from my 29. Some GSPs, a few mushrooms, a toad stool, and a poly.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/firstcorals.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/firstcoral2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/firstcoaral3.jpg

Those pics were taken right after I moved them. They are not to happy at the moment. I'll take some more pics once they open. If all goes well and the water parameters hold, I will move the rest of the corals out of my 29 and 10 into the 180. Most are softies with 2 LPS and 3 SPS. Once the 29 and 10 are empty, I'll clean them up and use them as a quarantine tanks and quarantine and treat the fish. Once they are ready I'll add them to the 180 as well. :)

DolphinLVR

03/08/2010, 10:59 AM

Looking great Rhodes!

Rhodes19

03/08/2010, 04:10 PM

Thanks Dolphin, can't wait to get home and see if they opened up.

Rhodes19

03/12/2010, 08:09 AM

Well, I was perusing a lfs with no intension of purchasing any thing and came home with a Sicce Voyager 4 power head. 1600 gph at 14 w that was on sale. The Korella 4 was 1200 gph at 12 w and didn't cost as much but I thought I'd give the Sicce a try.

In the box

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/SicceVoyager4.jpg

Head on view

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/SicceVoyager41.jpg

Side view

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/SicceVoyager42.jpg

In tank shot

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/SicceVoyager43.jpg

Out side view

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/SicceVoyager45.jpg

FTS

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/SicceVoyager44.jpg

The bracket snapped on easily and the magnet appears to be nice and strong. You have a choice of 6 different types of flow patterns. I have it set for the strongest forward flow at the moment. I also looks like you can get a swirl type of flow. I'll play with that later.

DolphinLVR

03/12/2010, 08:47 AM

Nice Rhodes!!!!!

I am chompin at the bit here! My tank should be finished sometime next week, but the skimmer will be a tad longer!

Rhodes19

03/12/2010, 09:57 AM

Nice Rhodes!!!!!

I am chompin at the bit here!

LOL I know the feeling. :)

Antonais1391

03/12/2010, 04:08 PM

looking good :] when ya gunna get some sps in there!!!?? lol

Anthonius

03/14/2010, 08:29 PM

well im gonna tag along on this one... btw nice touch with the beer bottle :)

Rhodes19

03/15/2010, 07:30 AM

looking good :] when ya gunna get some sps in there!!!?? lol

Thanks. I have 2-3 pieces of sps that I'll move in next weekend but until I can get some good lighting on the 180 I'll have to hold off from adding any more sps :(.

Rhodes19

03/15/2010, 07:32 AM

well im gonna tag along on this one... btw nice touch with the beer bottle :)

Thanks Anthonius. It tasted good too. :D

Rhodes19

03/15/2010, 09:53 AM

This weekend I made a new HOB return and painted it black so it would blend into the background (pics to follow), I made 2 pod farms out of 1/2 pvc with end caps (forgot to take pictures), and closed out the 10 g reef. I took the lr and corals from the 10 and moved them to the 180 and took the opportunity to frag some anthelia. That stuff grows like weeds so I'll take them to a lfs for store credit. The 2 T5s with reflectors that was on the 10 got moved over to the 180 as well and it was interesting to see the difference between it and the PC thats on the 180. The nano Korella went into the fuge and its tumbling the cheato. :)

FTS

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/10gmoved.jpg

Big difference. The T5s are on the right.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/10gmoved1.jpg

Tumbling cheato

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/cheatotumble1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/cheatotumble.jpg

If the water parameters are still good, I'll move the corals from the 29 and convert it to a QT. I'll also take the T5s off the 29 and place them on top of the 180 as well.

Rhodes19

03/26/2010, 12:30 PM

HooWoo! Just got my package from Reef Cleaners. Can't wait to get it home. :D

Rhodes19

03/29/2010, 11:30 AM

Want to see over 500 snails? I got my order from ReefCleaners on Friday. I ordered 500 dwarf cerith five pack of mangroves 1 red gracilaria and 29 small to medium nerite. Wow, thats a lot of snails. John did a great job packaging and everything showed up warm and intact. Now for the pics.

The box they came in.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorder.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorder1.jpg

Floating the bags per the instructions.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorder2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorder3.jpg

Red Mangroves.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorder4.jpg

In fuge.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/mangrove.jpg

Rhodes19

03/29/2010, 11:31 AM

SNAILS

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorderday22.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorder6.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorder5.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorder9.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorderday22.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorderday25.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorderday2.jpg

And the race is on!!! Snails on day 2.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorder7.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorder8.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorderday210.jpg

Rhodes19

03/29/2010, 11:32 AM

Tag along
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorderday211.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorderday212.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorderday213.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorderday23.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailorderday24.jpg

There are still some snails on the bottom that I don't think have moved much but it was only a couple of days. For some reason most of them like the front and really haven't made it to the rocks yet.

Rhodes19

03/29/2010, 12:07 PM

Here is the red gracilaria. It was tumbling around in the fuge when I took the picture and thought it looked funny. When ever I can figure out how to take action pictures they won't be as blurred. :D

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/tumbling.jpg

Here are some random shots of some of the softies in the 180.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/softies1801.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/softies1802-1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/softies1803.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/softies1804.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/softies18021.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/softies1802.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/softies180.jpg

I was messing with my camera and started to use a tripod and started to get some decent pictures. Not great yet put I'm starting to figure it out. :)

Rhodes19

04/05/2010, 10:01 AM

Hope everyone had a good Easter. This was the first time we didn't have kids at home to hide Easter eggs and baskets for. :( So, I worked on my tanks. :) I set up the 10 g as a QT and moved the 3 fish from the 29 into the 10. I may bring the only occellaris to my office and put it into my BC 14 with my other lonely occellaris. I moved the corals from the 29 into the 180 and took down and cleaned the 29. I'll be setting it up as a QT and move the fish from the 45 into the 29. Once QT is done, I'll move the fish into the 180 and shut down the 10, 29 and the 45. Now for some pictures.

FTS with corals from the 10 and 29.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/fts1029.jpg

Some riccordias. I'm going to try to remove the anthellia off the rock before it takes over every thing.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/riccodia1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/riccodiashroom1.jpg

Looks like an owl's face.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/riccodia.jpg

I think these are some kind of mushroom. If you know what they are let me know.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/riccodiashroom.jpg

Played with the camera on this one.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/mushroomdontknow1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/mushroomdontknow.jpg

Copapod??

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/copopod.jpg

Rhodes19

04/05/2010, 10:02 AM

Bunch of snails.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snails.jpg

The 10 g QT

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/QT10.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/QT101.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/QT102.jpg

I have a RO/DI unit coming from The Filter Guys and it should be here on Wednesday. Once I have it set up I will make some water for the 29 QT and get it going and then move the fish from the 45 into it over the weekend time permitting. I'll post some pictures once I get that set up and going. The ATO I ordered came in but I haven't had a chance to set it up yet. Some time this week I hope.

Rhodes19

04/09/2010, 08:53 AM

My RO/DI filter came in Wednesday and I was able to set it up last night. Its the Ocean Reef +1 five stage 75 gpd filter with the chloramine filter upgrade. Got it from The Filter Guys and its great. It came with all the hardware and it was easy to install and also comes with a dual TDS meter. Now for the pics.

Well packaged for shipment.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/RODI4.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/RODI5.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/RODI6.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/RODI.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/RODI1.jpg

I set it up in the garage and have a saddle valve on the cold water line to the hot water heater.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/RODI3.jpg

I ran it last night for about 5 gallons of clean water and then dumped it. When I get home tonight I will start to fill up the 29 for one of my QT and then fill up the 2 32 gallon brute trash cans for top off and make up water. Definitely a good purchase. :)

Rhodes19

04/19/2010, 07:56 AM

Ok, so this Sunday I started the treatment and quarantine of all my fish in preparation for moving them into the 180. The fist thing I did was give them all a 45 minute bath in a formalin mixture and then moved them into a tank treated with coppermine. 8 more weeks and they will be moved into the 180 if all is well. :)

Formalin I used. 1cc in a gallon of water.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Formalintx2.jpg

I used an empty salt bucket and put in a gallon of salt water, a 50 w heater and an air stone for aeration.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Formalintx.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Formalintx1.jpg

The first patient was the royal gramma. Not to happy.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Formalintx4.jpg

I kept an eye on the temp and ph and it stayed within the parameters. I set up the bucket and let it run for about 3 hours before putting in the first fish. I think it was more stressful on me than it was for him. LOL After that I did one fish at a time for 45 minutes and then moved them into one of the 2 QTs I have set up. I treated the QTs with 2 drops per gallon of coppermine as per the bottle instructions. I'll give the fish 2 more formalin baths over the week and start deworming them as well.

FFrankie

04/20/2010, 09:00 AM

Good work Chris! Sorry to be distant the past few weeks. I have been very busy working and need to grab the bull by the horns while I can.
Maybe I can come by this Sunday after church?

Rhodes19

04/21/2010, 06:18 AM

Good work Chris! Sorry to be distant the past few weeks. I have been very busy working and need to grab the bull by the horns while I can.
Maybe I can come by this Sunday after church?

Hi Frankie,

Thanks, its been a work in progress. I did a second formalin bath last night. The were all present and accounted for this morning. I did loose a green chromes on Monday :( after the bath but the rest look good, I also added the additional cupramine to bring the concentration up to 0.5 ppm. I'll be doing over a 50% water change tonight when I get home.

Yeah, come on buy on Sunday, I'll show you what I've been up to and what I've collected in parts. :)

Rhodes19

05/10/2010, 08:37 AM

Ok, a couple of updates on the 180.

I finally got a 1 1/2" gate valve for the drain line into the sump. It worked out great. The ball valve I was using was not accurate enough to fine tune the flow and keep the over flow boxes full. Right now its friction fit and at some point I will glue it in. I got the one with threads so if I need to remove it I can still reuse the valve.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/gatevalve.jpg

It looks like my candy cane is finally starting to split. It looked like it has been trying to for quite a while but its finally getting there. I'm not sure if it is doing it in its own time, if its because it likes the 180 better than the 29 it was in, or if it was lowering the temp in the 180 from 77 to 75-76.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/candycanesplit.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/candycanesplit2.jpg

Here is my frogspawn. I think it has grown a bit since its been in the 180. Might be my hopeful imagination thought. LOL

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/frogspawngorwth.jpg

The quarantine is going well and I should be moving the fish into the 180 in about 2 weeks. Can't wait. :D

I have notice lately an increase in bubble algae and I clean it off when I can but it still comes back. I need to read up on it and see if there is anything I can do to get rid of it or keep it under control. I am also noticing and increase in vermid snails. I'll have to do some research on them as well. I don't want either taking over.

MarineGirl411

05/10/2010, 10:52 AM

It is looking great! =) How loud is your panworld pump? How do you like it? Can't wait to see your fish. What all are your plans for fish in the 180? :wavehand:

Rhodes19

05/11/2010, 07:42 AM

It is looking great! =) How loud is your panworld pump? How do you like it? Can't wait to see your fish. What all are your plans for fish in the 180? :wavehand:

Hi MarineGirl,

Thanks. Its getting there slowly but surely. :) The panworld is my first real pump and I like it. When you are within about 4' or so you can hear a low hum from the pump but if you didn't know it was there you wouldn't really notice. When ever I can get around to it and make and put on the doors I don't think you would ever hear it. I would recommend panworld. :)

The fish I have at the moment in QT are 2 occellaris, 3 green chromis', a royal gramma, and a 6 line wrasse. They'll get moved into the 180 in about 2 more weeks of quarantine then I'll start getting more fish and QT them and then move them into the 180 as well. The other fish we are looking at are:

Diamond sifter gobies
yellow tang (wife's request)
blue tang
a 3rd tang that is compatible with the others (key hole maybe)
Mandarin gobies (wife's request)
wrasses (a variety of them) I need to do more research on them. I like the McCluskey wrasses and have taken a liking to other wrasses as well

I would like to get some of the angle fish but I don't think they are reef safe
A GBTA or RBTA or both
A few blennies and other gobies
shrimp to go with gobies

So many fish, so little tank. I need to do more research on these fish and make sure they are compatible and reef safe. I also need to make sure I don't over stock the tank. I have to be careful, going to the lfs is like going to the candy store or in my case, a hardware store. :D

FFrankie

05/15/2010, 07:05 AM

Looking good buddy :thumbsup:

Rhodes19

05/17/2010, 07:18 AM

Looking good buddy :thumbsup:

Hi Frank,

Thanks. I messed with it a little this weekend and need to do a water change soon. My nitrates are up and not sure why but then it occurred to me I have over 500 snails in there. :worried: I figured the mangrove trees and cheato would help with that but the trees haven't done anything yet and the cheato is only a little bigger than when I got it. I do have some algae growing on the walls of the fuge thought. I'll have to figure how to clean it out without letting it get into the DT. Because it sits on the floor I really can't siphon it off. Oh well, I'll figure it out. :D

Rhodes19

05/17/2010, 08:08 AM

Yesterday I ran to Lowes and bought some screening supplies to make a jump guard. I got the screen, framing and corners for about $13. The screen is in the middle opening and I needed to modify it to fit around the return. I also replaced the return pvc going over the back of the tank with the same set up but painted it black so it would blend into the black back. Looks a lot better than just plain white pvc. :)

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/jumpscreen1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/jumpscreen2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/jumpscreen.jpg

Probably should have taken a picture of the return from the front of the tank. Ops. Next time.

Rhodes19

05/18/2010, 12:33 PM

Well, I woke up this morning to find my tank temperature went up from 75 deg last night at 11 p.m. to 80 deg over night. :hmm1: The culprit was the Marineland stealth heater. Its not even 5 months old and it broke in the on position. The pretty green/red light on the temperature set knob was not on and the heater was warm/hot to the touch. I'll have to find another heater. I'm beginning to doubt Marineland products. I've had a couple of their other heaters quit on me but they turned off. I think Jager (sp) was the one most recommended. I'll have to find that tread again and re read it.

Rhodes19

06/04/2010, 10:30 AM

OMG!!! I think Christmas came early this year! :dance: Frankie gave me 75 lbs of Fiji live rock for my 180 last night as well as an awesome MH reflector, ballast, and 5 250 w bulbs for a great price, and a test kit. And his fishy friend Petey came to stay as well. I must of pulled about 90 lbs of my diy rock out on one side of my 180 and replaced it with the Fiji rock and arranged it slightly differently which I think gives me more ledges to place corals on. I think it also gave me a little more sand space for zoas, acans, and clams when I get them. Actually, I think the new rockscape (on one side of the tank anyway)looks better. I'm planning on trading in a bunch of my softie frags and rework the rockscape on the left side of the tank next.

Live rock

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Frankiesliverock1.jpg

250 MH

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/MH250.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/MH2501.jpg

Petey. (Not my best picture)

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Petie2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Petie.jpg

I totally forgot to take a picture of the rockscape but I'll get one when I get home and post it later for comment and suggestions/recommendations.

Frank, I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate everything you have done for me. I really appreciate it and I appreciate all the advice and help you have given me as well. You're awesome man! :thumbsup: I hope some day I may be able to return the favor. :)

ave

06/04/2010, 10:43 AM

good work, :thumbsup:

Rhodes19

06/04/2010, 12:10 PM

Thanks. :)

Rhodes19

06/05/2010, 06:59 AM

Ok, here are the pictures I promised.

Here are a few shots of Petie and his new friends. The pictures are ok but I need to figure out how to play with the aperture and or shutter speed so I don't get blurred action shots.

Petie

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Peteyin1803.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Peteyin1804.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Peteyin1801.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Peteyin1805.jpg

Here is the improved rockscape with the Fiji rock. Its on the right side of the tank.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/rockscapefiji.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/rockscapefiji1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Peteyin1802.jpg

After I get rid of my extra softies I'll play with the rockscape on the left side of the tank and work on mounting the 250 MH. Boy is that going to make the tank look good. :)

SpankythePyro

06/06/2010, 06:45 PM

Rhodes19

06/06/2010, 07:13 PM

nice! how long did it take for your diy rock to cure? Mine has been curing for like 2 weeks last year and I had to pull it out because of winter. Now its back in and the pH has been 8.4+ for the past week or two :/

Hi Spanky,

Thanks. I had mine curing for about 2 months. Our water here is high pH wise so it made it difficult to tell when it was done. If yours is staying at 8.4 for a while you should be good to go. I'd soak it in some salt water for a few weeks and see how it looks then before you put it into the tank. HTH

SpankythePyro

06/06/2010, 07:34 PM

Alright. My water is around 7.4 here from the tap. It stays around 8.4-8.8, I want to get a digital pH monitor though.

I'll do a waterchange next week and drop some of that rock into the water :)

Rhodes19

06/07/2010, 07:14 AM

Alright. My water is around 7.4 here from the tap. It stays around 8.4-8.8, I want to get a digital pH monitor though.

I'll do a waterchange next week and drop some of that rock into the water :)

Sounds good. I got a digital pH meter and I like it. Stick it in the water, push a button, and read. Much easier, quicker, and more accurate to read. I could never match the color in the tube to the color on the chart. It was one of those colors!!!

Rhodes19

06/07/2010, 08:05 AM

It was a busy weekend but I was able to squeeze in some reefing time. Over the weekend I picked up some new corals and added them to the tank. Here are some pics.

Two frags of Idaho Grape montis
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Idahograpemonti.jpg

Green acro
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Greenacro.jpg

Green monti (in the middle)
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Greenmonti.jpg

Acan
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/acan.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/acan2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/acan1.jpg

And a duncan my wife/enabler picked out. :D
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/duncan.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/duncan1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/duncantenticals.jpg

I'll get more pictures of the duncan when it opens up.

Rhodes19

06/07/2010, 08:15 AM

Frankie came by this weekend and noticed that some of my older montis are receding. When we looked at them we thought something may be eating them and we suspect the cerith snails. I've been seeing them on top of and attached to the bottom of the montis and thought they were cleaning them. I'll have to look more into it. Here are some of the pictures of the monti.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/recedingmontisnail1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/recedingmontisnail.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/recedingmontisnail2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/recedingmontisnail3.jpg

SpankythePyro

06/07/2010, 03:34 PM

Thats wierd, I would not think cerith snails would cause a monti to receed like that

Rhodes19

06/10/2010, 06:14 AM

Thats wierd, I would not think cerith snails would cause a monti to receed like that

I wouldn't think so either. I contacted the vendor and did more research and all the info I can find on ceriths point to them being herbivores. Its has to be something else. I've looked at them at night after the lights have gone off and haven't seen anything on them. I'll keep looking, something is bound to show up.

Rhodes19

06/10/2010, 06:17 AM

Some updated pictures of the Duncan and green acro. The acan is doing well and was open last night and this morning but it was to dark to take a picture of it.

Duncan opening/opened

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Duncanopen.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Duncanopen1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Duncanopen3.jpg

Duncan and acro

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Duncanopen2.jpg

Green acro

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/Greenacroopen.jpg

Once I get the 250 MH up I'm sure my pictures will be better. Hopefully. :)

Rhodes19

06/16/2010, 08:21 AM

Well, it happened again. My Finnex over heated the tank again. Apparently we lost power at home yesterday while I was at work and I didn't catch it. When I got up this morning, my tank was at 81 and the fuge was at 82. I opened up the front of the middle light for better air circulation and turned on the ceiling fan thats over the tank to help cool it down. As soon as I can get a replacement for my Marineland stealth 300w (that broke in the heat on position only after 4-5 months of use) I am going to pull the Finnex and replace it with a heater that does not reset to 82 deg when the power comes on. I really do need a controller. I'll have to see if I can contact Finnex and see if they have a fix for it or not.

Rhodes19

06/21/2010, 08:43 AM

I got some time this weekend to work on a few projects. I replaced the grow light over the fuge with a 26 w CF flood light (90 w equivalent) and boy did that put out a lot more light. I think thats going to work a lot better. I also made 2 more screens with 1/2" mesh to place over the tank for better lighting and cooling. I started making some 2x2' boxes from scrap 1/8" plywood to mount the MH in. I got the wood cut and some of the corner supports glued in but ran out of small clamps. The intent is to make the 2x2" boxes so they fit nicely over each of the 3 openings on the tank (only making 2 boxes for now. Ran out of scrap) and easier to move around when necessary. The reflectors are 7" tall so I'm making the boxes 12" tall. I was planing on cutting a hole in the back for a computer fan but I'm thinking of just putting a support over the top to attach the reflector to and let the heat rise up and out. Haven't figured that one out yet. I'll post some pics once the boxes are quasi assembled.

New light in fuge and 2 new screen/jump guards.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/newlightandscreen.jpg

Rhodes19

06/29/2010, 03:05 PM

Ok, last night was not fun. I pulled one of my live rock out so I could remove the ric and keep the rock out of water for a few days to kill off the vermitid snail. The rock is begining to look like a porcupine! Well after using a new razor blade and massacring a ric I stopped. I was doing more harm than good. I may just pull the rock (and one or 2 more like it) and stick them back into a 10 tank. :(

Rhodes19

06/30/2010, 08:52 AM

As the song says "Teach your children well"

My 26 year old daughter made this card for me for father's day and sent some money with it. YES, another enabler!!!

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/FishyFund.jpg

I laminated it and will attach it to a container for loose/spare change. :D

Rhodes19

07/03/2010, 06:43 AM

I stopped off at a lfs on the way home yesterday and picked up a few clips for some heaters (ditching the Finnex), a digital thermometer for my wifes wf, some filter floss for the wet dry and a neon green candy cane coral. The main lights were off but the actinics were still on. I couldn't resist. :D

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Neongreencandy1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Neongreencandy2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Neongreencandy4.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Neongreencandy3.jpg

More fish and snails today I hope. :)

Rhodes19

07/06/2010, 08:05 AM

Well, I had some time to play in the garage yesterday afternoon and it wasn't too hot (86 deg). I finished making and painting the boxes for the MH lights I'll be putting over the top of the tank. I still need to find one more reflector and then I'll make a 3rd box.

Here are the boxes with a hole in the back for mounting a 4 1/2" fan.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHbox2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHbox1.jpg

Side view.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHbox3.jpg

Front view.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHbox4.jpg

I painted the inside with white Kilz primer and the out side with Black rustolium (left over from one of my wife's projects).
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHbox6.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHbox5.jpg

Paint is still wet.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHbox7.jpg

Eventually I'll replace these with a nice canopy, but for now, these will work.

Rhodes19

07/06/2010, 08:10 AM

Oh, and my new fishy friend came out for a quick photo op. :)

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Bluetang3.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Bluetang2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Bluetang1.jpg

Yes, I know. I need to clean the glass. LOL

Rhodes19

07/09/2010, 06:32 AM

Ok, MH pic time. I mounted the reflector and a fan on the box (ops, forgot to take pictures of that) and placed it on the right side of the tank and all I can say is WOW. I only have one MH up (250w) at the moment but I'll get more up later when I can.

MH box on right side of tank.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHontank3.jpg

Light just turning on.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHontank8.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHontank1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHontank2.jpg

Duncan under MH
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHontank7.jpg

Royal Gramma wanting to be in the pic.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHontank6.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHontank5.jpg

Here is the 6" PC light that was on the tank. I had to take it of in order to put the MH box on and I moved the T5 boxes over.
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHontank4.jpg

When I moved one of the T5s, the light went out for some reason. I'll take it off when I get home tonight and see whats up. The MH bulb is a Radium 20k and it definitely gives off a different light than the T5s. That side of the tank is so much brighter.

MarineGirl411

07/09/2010, 09:38 AM

Rhodes19

07/09/2010, 02:01 PM

That looks very nice! Do you have a refractometer or a hydrometer? I am wondering if your salinity may be higher than normal because of the monti. Your alk may be too high as well. Are you testing at all? I am thinking that the ceriths were eating algae that had accumulated on the monti's after the tissue receded. That has happened to me before in the past. I just picked up a refractometer (after years of using a hydrometer with a swing arm and a digital refractometer). My levels were up to 1.028 even though the other testers said 1.025. I cannot believe I waited so long to get one. It will save you some money on salt as well! =)

I would love to try Radiums, but I have DE fixtures. I am using Phoenix 14k bulbs. I really like the colors on them, but I'd like just a tad more green to come through.

Your tank is looking awesome! Your stand is still soooooo beautiful. Can't wait for more pictures.

Hi MarineGirl,

Thanks, and its funny that you bring those subjects up. I have had several folks make similar comments about salinity, alk, and cerith snails. A friend of mine is going to let me borrow his refractometer until I get my own (using hydrometer). I've been trying to keep my salinity at 1.025 but if the hydrometer is off, I could have a higher SG. I'll be doing a water change this weekend and I think I will drop the SG down to 1.023 and see if that makes a difference. The alk is typically low and I have to raise it with a buffer and my Ca tends to be high (diy rocks made from crushed oyster shell I'm thinking). I was thinking the ceriths were eating the montis but I've been assured they are herbivores so they are probably just going after the algae on the dead tissue. There are a bunch of ceriths that have died off near the front of the tank so when I do the water change I'll suck them out. It will make the tank look better (besides, so many snails freaked my wife out :D)

I like the looks of the MH. I have a Coral life 12K bulb I want to put in and see how that looks. I've heard folks with radiums love them. I'm just happy with more/better light. I should be getting some more MH shortly and I'll but them in their own boxes for now. At some point I want to make a nice canopy to match the stand but just haven't had the time (and temp) to do it. Maybe this fall/winter. Sorry to hear about your fiancé's shoulder. Is he doing better after surgery? Yeah, I won't let my wife touch my table saw either, or any of my other power tools for that matter. Its a guy thing. :D She has however, been using my cordless drill lately. I'll have to get her one of her own so she'll leave mine alone. :)

MarineGirl411

07/09/2010, 03:15 PM

The winter is a great time to get things done. =) I am sure your canopy will turn out great when you get it done.

My fiance is doing a little better with the shoulder. He will let me use his chop saw, circular saw, and saber saw. He almost cut his thumb off once with the table saw so he does not want me using it at all. =( Thank you for asking if he is doing okay. I cannot wait to see some more pictures! =)

Let me know what your SG is when you borrow the refractometer. I bought a Sybon from that fish place for 48.00. It's not that bad with all the money us reefers spend on corals and fish. =)

Rhodes19

07/10/2010, 06:48 AM

Hi MarineGirl,

I gringe when I see my wife touching my tools. She does have her own little tool box with some of the basics but she still helps herself to mine.

Ok, here is a pic of the back side of the MH box. I forgot to take it earlier. I don't have the fan connected yet (need power supply). When I got home last night the tank temp was still 75 deg. Nice :).

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHboxfan.jpg

Rhodes19

07/15/2010, 06:12 AM

Some more additions. :)

A flat acropora
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/acraporaflat.jpg

Red favia
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/favia1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/favia2.jpg

7 head Green tip hammerhead
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/hammerhead2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/hammerhead1.jpg

4 head neon green candy cane
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/neongreencandy21.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/neongreencandy22.jpg

Rhodes19

07/16/2010, 12:02 PM

UPS just visited and delivered my Captive Purity Refractometer from Marine Depot. Now I feel like a big boy aquarist. :) Can't wait to get home, check the calibration and see where my tanks really are at.

MarineGirl411

07/16/2010, 12:40 PM

Woohoo! I bet you will be surprised. I was! =)

Floowid

07/16/2010, 02:24 PM

I have two hydrometers. One reads 1.021 and one reads 1.028 on the same water. A refractometer shows the water to be exactly 1.025, so I know just how far off each one is. The shocking thing is if I were using just one (either one) I would be off by a long shot.

Rhodes19

07/17/2010, 07:21 AM

Well, when I got home last night I had to calibrate the refractometer (was off just a little bit) and then I tested my water. SG 1.027 so it is on the high side. My hydrometer was reading 1.024. I made up some water last night and I'll do a partial water change tonight.

Rhodes19

07/21/2010, 07:31 PM

Ok, the SG is now down to 1.023 per the refractometer. :)

MarineGirl411

07/21/2010, 07:48 PM

;-) That is good news.

Rhodes19

07/23/2010, 09:19 AM

Here are some attempts at taking close up shots of some of my corals. The colors are off and I'm not sure how to correct for that (I'll get/learn photoshop at some point). I tried using the macro setting but could never get as close as I wanted. I'll need a much better/more expensive camera at some point as well, but that is on the bottom of my list.

Neon green candy
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/neongreencandycloseup.jpg

monti
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/monticloseups7.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/monticloseups6.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/monticloseups5.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/monticloseups4.jpg

Same monti but with different ISO
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/monticloseups3.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/monticloseups2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/monticloseups1.jpg

Hammerhead
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/hammercloseup.jpg

Rhodes19

07/23/2010, 09:22 AM

Fungi
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/fungicloseup2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/fungicloseup1.jpg

frogspawn
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/frogspawncloseup.jpg

Acan
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/acancloseup.jpg

Snail
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/snailcloseup.jpg

MarineGirl411

07/23/2010, 10:26 PM

I really like your pictures! =) That acan sure is pretty. What kind of montipora is it? Capricornis? Lookin good! :dance:

Rhodes19

07/24/2010, 06:51 AM

I really like your pictures! =) That acan sure is pretty. What kind of montipora is it? Capricornis? Lookin good! :dance:

Thanks MarineGirl,

One of these days I'll get a new camera and take better pictures. I believe it is a Capricornis but don't hold me to that. When I bought my 180 the lady I bought it from gave it to me as a frag and by the time I got home I forgot the name. Now I write them down!! :)

Rhodes19

07/30/2010, 12:53 PM

We have tumbleage!!! :) I modded my fuge baffles so now I have a undercurrent that causes the cheato to tumble. I had 2 11 7/8x1 1/2" pieces of glass cut and I siliconed them in place. Works like a charm. I drained the fuge, dried the top of the middle and 3rd baffle, applied a line of silicone on top of the baffles and clamped them in place. I then siliconed both ends. The wax paper was used to make the clamp removal easy. :)

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/fugebafflemod1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/fugebafflemod2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/fugebafflemod4.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/fugebafflemod3.jpg

Rhodes19

08/09/2010, 09:07 AM

Ok, its official, I don't particularly care for the Sicce power head. I had to move it around and have it point into a different part of the tank and it kept falling off its bracket. I would try to rotate the power head on its axis and it kept popping off. My Koralia 4 is easier to direct unfortunately, the magnet is just barley strong enough to keep it on the 3/4" glass.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/SicceVoyager4.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/SicceVoyager43.jpg

MarineGirl411

08/09/2010, 10:28 AM

Rhodes19

08/10/2010, 07:53 AM

Is that sicce made by the same company that makes the sicce pumps used for skimmers? If so, I hate them! I will never have another sicce pump. They are lousy! I bet you could find a used tunze or vortech.

Hi MarineGirl,

I believe they are. If I'm not mistaken, they are an Italian company that is supposed to be pretty descent but I won't get another one. I've been eying the vortech MP 40 but I still have sticker shock. After I get my lighting and skimmer squared away, I'll start working on getting a better flow system. Maybe even get an external pump and some pvc and plastic tubing and make some kind of closed loop system.

osagendn

08/31/2010, 08:17 PM

Chris I love the tank man!! Keep it up!

beex215

08/31/2010, 09:32 PM

tank is coming along pretty nice. really like the blue tang. id stick with the t-5

Rhodes19

10/04/2010, 07:21 AM

tank is coming along pretty nice. really like the blue tang. id stick with the t-5

Hi beex, thanks. Sorry I didn't get back with you sooner. Life has been keeping me busy. I had to treat the tang with cupramine because she got velvet during quarantine but she is doing better now. She should be ready to go into the 180 in about 2 weeks. I want to do some re rockscaping before she goes in though. I'll try to do that next week.

Rhodes19

10/04/2010, 07:22 AM

Ok, here are the pics of some frags I picked up over a week ago and they seem to be doing ok. I picked up a purple joker acro and a purple rim monti. I guess I was on a purple kick. :) Last time I was on a green kick when I got a green acro, a green monti, and a green digi (don't think it made it. :(). I spent time doing a 60 g water changes and cleaned up the sump and pulling out a bunch of dead snails. I also spent some time taking some of my other loose coral frags and mounted them on some rocks so the snails would stop knocking them over and upside down. Some of the frags where on plugs so used a masonry bit and drilled some rocks and used the clay like epoxied to hold the 2 together.

Here is the purple joker acro.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/PurpleJokerAcro1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/PurpleJokerAcro2.jpg

The purple rim monti. It actually broke in 2 while I was mounting it. Its pretty thin and fragile.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Purplerimmonti1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Purplerimmonti2.jpg

Here is the green acro I got a while ago. I drilled a hole in a rock and mounted it so it would stop getting knocked over. It is also starting to branch. :woohoo:

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/greenacrogrowth2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/greenacrogrowth1.jpg

Here is the hammer head I mounted on the rock. It was in the sand since I got it. While I was mounting it, I noticed some small heads being formed off the main stock/branch. Can't wait to see how they grow out.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/frogspawnonrock.jpg

I also mounted an acan onto a rock as well but I forgot to get a picture of it. :(

chimmike

10/04/2010, 08:58 AM

Might want to put that monti a little higher in the tank, those guys love light.

Rhodes19

10/04/2010, 11:02 AM

Might want to put that monti a little higher in the tank, those guys love light.

Hi chimmike, thanks. I'll definitely do that. I want to acclimate them to the MH for a week or so before I move them up. They came out of a T5 set up and I want to make sure I don't bleach them like I did with my other montis. Hopefully they will do ok. I can't believe how thin the purple rim monti is. I didn't apply much pressure when it snapped. Is there anything I can do to thicken it up or strengthen it?

Rhodes19

10/11/2010, 06:51 AM

Well, I asked Frankie to come over and help me re rockscape my tank yesterday and boy did we have fun. My rock wall was pretty decent but I finally couldn't take it any more. I've seen so many other peoples tanks and just love the look or their rockscape and the corals that covered them and knew I wasn't going to be able to come close to theirs with my wall so I asked Frankie for some help. We spent about 4 hours working on the tank and when I say we, I mean Frankie, I just was the strong back, assistant. :D I told Frankie what I had seen and liked and he took it from there. We pulled out all the corals and put them in a separate container and then removed almost all the rock.

Corals
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape3.jpg

Rock
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape2.jpg

After we pulled all the rock Frankie had me put my diatom filter on the tank to help clear up the water. I would not have thought of that, I've only used my diatom filter on on my FW systems.

Diatom Filter
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape4.jpg

After the water cleared up a bit I handed Frankie the rocks and he started to put them in place and played with them until he got them where he liked him and had them stable. By the time we were done, the rockscape was looking great. Frankie got it all set up so I have a lot more caves for the fish to swim in and sleep in, a very eye appealing shape and he also got rid of all the dead spaces on the bottom that I had with my wall. Needless to say, not all of the rock went back in so its parked in my green house for now.

FTS
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape5.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape6.jpg

Rhodes19

10/11/2010, 06:51 AM

Photo op of me. :D
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape9.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape8.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape7.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape11.jpg

FTS with lights
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape14.jpg

Left side
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape18.jpg

Right side, the monti corner
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape16.jpg

Rhodes19

10/11/2010, 07:00 AM

Here are some more pics.

Middle of the tank
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape17.jpg

Coral shots
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape21.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape20.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape19.jpg

Rhodes19

10/11/2010, 07:23 AM

The before view
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/MHontank2.jpg

Rocks removed
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape1.jpg

The new and improved look :D
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/Warrpiper2000/180%20build/Rerockscape15.jpg

I think Frankie did an awesome job on the new rockscape. It's more eye appealing, it allows for better flow and fewer dead spots, it definitely has a lot more flat surfaces to place corals on, and we can see the fish a lot more/easily. The 6 line wrasse and the yellow tale blue damsel have been having a blast exploring the new nooks and crannies, and the green chromis and occellaris' are out and swimming more were we can see and enjoy them. Best of all, my wife likes how it looks too. Big plus. :thumbsup:

Frankie, thanks again for coming over and helping me do the rockscape. I really appreciate it and we're going to enjoy it for years to come. Now its time to start getting more colorful corals to adorn the rockscape. :D

Rhodes19

10/11/2010, 08:37 AM

Oh, there was one disappointing moment during the rockscaping and that was with the pod farm. I had drilled lots of holes into 2, 1/2" pvc pipes and then capped them. I got the idea from a few different threads and thought I'd try it as well. Well, when we pulled them out during the rerockscape we pulled the caps off and emptied them. No pods. :( Oh well. I didn't put them back in, I'll just hope they grow in the rocks. I want to add some mandarins to the tank at some point but I want to make sure there is enough pods for them.