750 FOWLR Build

[mrfish55]

I posted this build on another forum when it was set up, guess in celebration of the 1 year anniversary I will share with the rest of you, the adventure began early Sept 2009 when I found a link to a for sale thread, moments later in one of my more brilliant moves I was the proud new owner of this. 750 gal 8'x5'x30" 1" acrylic tank, condition was amazing, like new.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2305.jpg
The plan was to install it where the basement window is, here, and then close in the deck to create a fish room.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2306.jpg
September 14th 2009 demolition started, outside where tank was placed.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2311.jpg
Removed stucco.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2312.jpg
Started framing.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2313.jpg

[mrfish55]

September 16th, window removed and started platform for tank.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2314.jpg
Sits opposite the 300 reef.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2315.jpg
View from inside.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2317.jpg

[mrfish55]

September 19th, tank in place and filled for testing.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2318.jpg
September 20th, finished off framing and started drywall.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2321.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2322.jpg

[mrfish55]

Token shot of the kids in the tank.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2323.jpg
September 24th, epic drywall and painting marathon completed, wall color chosen as tank will have no background to give increased illusion of depth (cause you know you need that when the tank is only 5' deep) Note fittings in wall, all plumbing for skimmer inwall for clean install.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2325.jpg
September 25th, equipment installed and livestock moved over (tank came with everything including livestock)
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2327.jpg

[mrfish55]

Sept. 27th, first full tank shot, still some trim work to do and lights not installed yet.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2367.jpg
Built myself a light rack, 2x250w 10k Halide in Lumanmax reflector and 2x6' VHO (1 10k 1 actinic) all wires inside tube to keep it clean.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2460.jpg
FTS with lights.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr88/Mrfish55/IMG_2457.jpg

[collegeman]

That is one nice tank! Do you have any up to date photos?

[mrfish55]

That is one nice tank! Do you have any up to date photos?

I have changed nothing over the past year so it looks the same, I did however run into a bad batch of food back in April and lost the 3 large Angels, I will get some back room pics in the next bit as it is finally getting finished.

[Recty]

Looks nice, I'd love to have a tank that size :)

[FishGuy5]

Gorgeous build and tank!

[mrfish55]

Looks nice, I'd love to have a tank that size :)

Thanks, pictures do it no justice, one of those things that really needs to be seen live.

Gorgeous build and tank!

Thanks, turned out pretty good for a 10 day build, best part is it's dead silent.

[karaim]

How the *ell did you move that thing? It must weight a good 1/2 a ton.

[mrfish55]

How the *ell did you move that thing? It must weight a good 1/2 a ton.

I think the empty tank weighed in at around 850lbs, it was actually easy to move, the place I picked it up from was in a basement with a window behind, took the window out and slid the tank out and onto a wheeled platform, we then wheeled it around the house and onto a car trailer, installation was a little trickier as my yard has a pretty good slope to it, gravity helped we only had to steer, luckily I have stong friends, only took 6 of us to move it. Getting it onto the stand took the most effort as I made it a little higher than normal to accomadate the sump and plumbing.

[jjk_reef00]

Looks great, I love deep tanks!

[WuHT]

I have changed nothing over the past year so it looks the same, I did however run into a bad batch of food back in April and lost the 3 large Angels, I will get some back room pics in the next bit as it is finally getting finished.

how unfortunate

[jmccown]

great tank. That french angel is awesome!

[Marc]

I noticed you used crushed coral instead of sand. Did you use the crushed coral for easier siphoning and cleaning? What does your filtration room look like?

Marc

[mrfish55]

Looks great, I love deep tanks!

Takes some getting used to, not many home tanks 5' back to front from what I've seen. Opens up some great landscape possibilities.

how unfortunate

Was a sad day for sure, only lost the three large angels, nothing else even looked a little stressed, I added a small Emperor and Blue face to relpace 2 and am still on the hunt for a nice French, although I am not sure the tank is big enough to support such a large fish.

great tank. That french angel is awesome!

Was, lost him unfortunately.

I noticed you used crushed coral instead of sand. Did you use the crushed coral for easier siphoning and cleaning? What does your filtration room look like?

Marc

Crushed coral is what came with the tank, I elected to keep it as it is heavier so less prone to getting stirred up and causing scatches on the acrylic, no need to siphon as the high fin snapper is constantly turning the sand bed over looking for food bits. Filtration consists of the 6' tall skimmer and a 240 gal sump full of live rock, regular water changes keep everything in check.

[Marc]

Takes some getting used to, not many home tanks 5' back to front from what I've seen. Opens up some great landscape possibilities.



Was a sad day for sure, only lost the three large angels, nothing else even looked a little stressed, I added a small Emperor and Blue face to relpace 2 and am still on the hunt for a nice French, although I am not sure the tank is big enough to support such a large fish.



Was, lost him unfortunately.



Crushed coral is what came with the tank, I elected to keep it as it is heavier so less prone to getting stirred up and causing scatches on the acrylic, no need to siphon as the high fin snapper is constantly turning the sand bed over looking for food bits. Filtration consists of the 6' tall skimmer and a 240 gal sump full of live rock, regular water changes keep everything in check.

Great looking tank. Are you planning on replacing the large fish you lost in the near future? Or maybe you can get a small bamboo shark!!! Also is that an airstone skimmer from Precision Marine? They make great skimmers as well as they have good customer service.

Marc

[khaosinc]

wow... love the 5' depth...

[WuHT]

Was a sad day for sure, only lost the three large angels, nothing else even looked a little stressed, I added a small Emperor and Blue face to relpace 2 and am still on the hunt for a nice French, although I am not sure the tank is big enough to support such a large fish.



You went from queen/asfur/big french to only an emperor+blue face ? If you had room before it stands to reason you should have room now.

[mrfish55]

Great looking tank. Are you planning on replacing the large fish you lost in the near future? Or maybe you can get a small bamboo shark!!! Also is that an airstone skimmer from Precision Marine? They make great skimmers as well as they have good customer service.

Marc

I have replaced the blueface (in a 90 corner right now till large enough to join the big boys) and will replace the French when I find a nice one, I replaced the Quenn with an Emperor, no other additions planned at this time.

Yes that is a 6' Precision Marine air driven skimmer and they do have awesome customer service, I run my 300 reef with Precision marine equipment as well, there is no substitution for quality.

wow... love the 5' depth...

The 5' depth is awsome, when I get a chance I will post a back room pic.

You went from queen/asfur/big french to only an emperor+blue face ? If you had room before it stands to reason you should have room now.

I still have the Asfur, I lost the Queen, Blue Face and French

[TitanTV]

I guess one should never underestimate the strength of wood. That stand build scares me but it seems to be working just fine. Awesome tank by the way and you made me look at the wall that goes out under my deck..hahaha

[tcmfish]

I guess one should never underestimate the strength of wood. That stand build scares me but it seems to be working just fine. Awesome tank by the way and you made me look at the wall that goes out under my deck..hahaha

+1! Is it just me or does it look like the stand is about to give in the pic of the skimmer? It definitely isn't straight.

Also got any updated shots of the tank without the big french in it. He kind of dominates the tank in the pics and it would be cool to see some new shots. Maybe some that show of the depth a little.

But nice tank! It looks so clean!

[mrfish55]

I guess one should never underestimate the strength of wood. That stand build scares me but it seems to be working just fine. Awesome tank by the way and you made me look at the wall that goes out under my deck..hahaha

+1! Is it just me or does it look like the stand is about to give in the pic of the skimmer? It definitely isn't straight.

Also got any updated shots of the tank without the big french in it. He kind of dominates the tank in the pics and it would be cool to see some new shots. Maybe some that show of the depth a little.

But nice tank! It looks so clean!

That was a temporary 2x4 wedged in while waiting for the last steel leg to be installed (old picture) the stand is 8" thick double layer of 1" ply and was leveled with laser level, dead flat,level and going nowhere, I will post some updated pics of completed stand. I left it like that initially to see what the reaction would be to a 7500lb tank resting on a crooked 2x4. :eek1: not many people even notice, good eyes.

[Nighthawk31]

Very nice! I love it! :beer:

[chrisqueenz]

How big is the Asfur? How is his temperment with tankmates? Love the tank btw!

[mrfish55]

Very nice! I love it! :beer:

Thanks, I love it too.

How big is the Asfur? How is his temperment with tankmates? Love the tank btw!

Asfer is around 7-8" I dont notice him bothering anyone, but he will stand his ground if someone trys to push him around, I will try and get some new pics here in the next week or so, also have a video I need to get edited.

[airplanes1016]

very impressive

[WuHT]

any updated pictures ?

[mrfish55]

any updated pictures ?

Soon, having computor issues currently, soon as it's fixed I will get some fresh pics.

[slattery]

love the tank,looking build one,have a 48x30x30 but its time to go bigger

[Marc]

Any updates yet as of fish room pics???

Marc

[mrfish55]

Any updates yet as of fish room pics???

Marc

Sorry for the late reply, life has been crazy busy, will try and get some pics up soon.

[stangd1909]

Very awesome! You did an outstanding job! I would to have something like that one day.

[rnscross]

are you going to put in a school of smaller fish or will the snapper just eat them? do you have a current and future fish list?

[oakes]

Looks great!

[mrfish55]

are you going to put in a school of smaller fish or will the snapper just eat them? do you have a current and future fish list?

No real planned additions, do have a line on a large Moorish Idol that is in need of a new home, so it all depends on what I come across, I do have to watch as the Snapper thinks anything that hits the water is food, need to keep him well fed or he picks off my clowns for a snack.

Looks great!
Thanks, it's like owning a boat, 2footitis and bags full of money can get you what you want, kind of.

[fsbbn@hotmail]

Can you please explain this to me?

I have changed nothing over the past year so it looks the same, I did however run into a bad batch of food back in April and lost the 3 large Angels, I will get some back room pics in the next bit as it is finally getting finished.

I have many large angels and want to make sure I do not run into the same fate.

[namxas]

Super nice job, and a VERY clean install!

[mrfish55]

Can you please explain this to me?

I have changed nothing over the past year so it looks the same, I did however run into a bad batch of food back in April and lost the 3 large Angels, I will get some back room pics in the next bit as it is finally getting finished.

I have many large angels and want to make sure I do not run into the same fate.

I was feeding fresh chopped mixed seafood in bigger pieces just for the larger fish, I fed one night the normal routine, they ate and within hours were not looking right, over the next 48 hours I lost the three large Angels and the snapper just pulled thru, no other fish were affected and I ran a full battery of water tests looking to find a problem. In the end figured it had to be the food, threw out the rest of that batch and have not had problems since.

[WuHT]

need... pictures!!

[sledge760]

Looking good.