The Tank That Love Will Build

[Coasterfrk]

To give you some backround on both my reef and personal life. I has a small reef tank several years ago that I had to break down due to our then current living situation. I also have experience with several fish only systems. I have hoped since tearing down my previous system to start a new one not knowing if I'd ever have the chance.

Moving on to personal life... A little more than a year and a half ago my wife and I found out we would be having our second child. We had some standard genetic testing done and some of the results where concerning, further studies, tests, and scans revealed that our son would be born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta....More commonly known as Brittle Bone Disease. He was born on December 4th of last year and spent the majority of his first month and a half in the NICU. We went through some scary times not knowing if he would make it or not. He is now stable. But is diagnosed as having severe type 3 OI which is pretty up there in severity of non lethal OI. OI is a form of dwarfism and Gavin will always be small, frail, and have limited mobility. He is likely to use a wheelchair for the majority of transport. Thankfully he should live a productive full life.

As we begin the journey of giving him everything he needs to meet his full potential, we began a project of sorts and that was to finish our basement to give us a family space where Gavin can do physical therapy. We are working with various companies who are donating materials to help this space become a reality. In planning my vision for this space, I kept thinking "what would make this area special " and it took me awhile to realize "hey, how about a reef tank" to me. It seemed perfect. He would not only have a beautiful changing thing to view and enjoy, but it would be educational, and just a great topic to learn and explore from the comfort of home. Especially considering his limited mobility.

This is where I want to involve this wonderful community that has taught me so much. We are hoping this community can help us put together this vision for Gavin. I know it will be difficult to do and I don't expect to get everything from donation, but am hoping we can get help to put this together to make this space extra special for Gavin. I currently have some feelers out to a couple equipment supplies in hopes that they might be able to help.

So tell me what you guys think (please be positive) and let me know if you have any suggestions or possible places to get help. Thanks.

294918

[james30ct]

Where are you located? A local reef club might be able to help you out. It sounds like you will be busy so I would suggest a simple setup that will be easy to maintain.

[Coasterfrk]

Where are you located? A local reef club might be able to help you out. It sounds like you will be busy so I would suggest a simple setup that will be easy to maintain.


We are located in Fleetwood, PA. I would love to do as large of a tank as possible. I would be very interested in automating as much of the work as well.

[dyazdani]

Can you give an idea of the space in which the tank will be located? Dimensions, options for water storage, etc... Also, what types of fish and coral did you have in mind?

Hopefully you can get some help with the initial investment, but don't forget to factor in the ongoing operating costs of a system.

[dyazdani]

Another item I was thinking about, related to the space, is how to make the install optimum for viewing. If Gavin is going to be small and/or in a wheelchair while viewing, then some care should be taken on getting him level with the tank so he can enjoy the contents. I can envision a number of solutions, but something to consider while planning.

[Coasterfrk]

I am working on clearing the space out. The area will have a fish room. I wanna say without measuring approx 100sq ft. The tank will be in the fish room in the wall facing the family area. The viewing wall would fit (as I dreamed) the dimensions of a 300dd tank. I realize we might not be able to secure one. Also attached to this space is a small old oil room that will be able to house water storage. I just aquirrd a used rodi. Just need new filters. Probably gonna use brute cans for storage. I would primarily like to do sps. Fish obviously reef community safe. But haven't thought extensively about a list yet.

[Coasterfrk]

Another item I was thinking about, related to the space, is how to make the install optimum for viewing. If Gavin is going to be small and/or in a wheelchair while viewing, then some care should be taken on getting him level with the tank so he can enjoy the contents. I can envision a number of solutions, but something to consider while planning.


I have thought of this too. The basement has lower ceilings 7ft. So the tank can't be high anyway. Plus I would want decent access into the top. Gavin may be in a wheelchair. But won't really have wheelchair access to the basement. So making sure he can roll up to it isn't a total priority. We will be able to move him ourselves easily. Yes he will be small. Maybe even appropriate safe and comfortable high seating might work.

[Coasterfrk]

Here is the space, once framed out the tank tank will sit right where the treadmill is, and basically block the view going back and the room will extend left to where the existing back studded wall ends, the doorway leads into the old oil room under the porch, that would be my water storage area.
http://i.imgur.com/TNlO8El.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LldNPUE.jpg

[Coasterfrk]

The picture in my first post doesn't seem to be loading, this is who this project is all about
http://i.imgur.com/Itnr0yM.jpg?1

[Coasterfrk]

Slowly getting ready to build a water station. Any suggestions on anyone or company that might help build/donate a sump. I'm ballparking. Thinking we would need something around 100g. I'm not against converting a tank for a sump either.

[Coasterfrk]

Great News! Some of our very first donations to the project came in!!!

Marineland kindly donated two 40g breeders to be used for quarantine. They also included Penguin 200 HOB filters, LED lights and submersible heaters to go with them!

http://i.imgur.com/leHlkvsl.png

Gavin was Super Happy!

http://i.imgur.com/zOl4Rl0l.png
http://i.imgur.com/QZgNZyKl.png

[Coasterfrk]

Also In Today,,,
H20 Systems Donated A Waveline DC-12000 Pump!

http://i.imgur.com/4mn8yIS.png?1
(Too Big For gavin To Hold)

[mpderksen]

I too have a son with special needs (autism in my case), and the fact you, as a parent are involved in considering his involvement is a testament to you as a person.
I work in science, and given he will have physical, rather than mental challenges will be a joy to share your love of the hobby, and it's related biology and chemistry. I own a tank today because my uncle sat me down at a young age and showed me a book on marine biology he was studying. I ended up a molecular biologist as a result.
I had a thought for you. Look into kickstarter and see if you can get the project going with donations.
My 18-year old nephew started one for a movie project he was doing when he came down with cancer and had to delay art school for a year. He ended up funding the whole thing and had enough extra for additional equipment. (He is an origami and stop-motion movie artist).
Not sure on the rules for solicitation on the forum, but for this, contact the moderators first for guidance and I bet you could make a post without issue.
I, for one, think that this is the true spirit of the hobby we all share.

[Coasterfrk]

I too have a son with special needs (autism in my case), and the fact you, as a parent are involved in considering his involvement is a testament to you as a person.
I work in science, and given he will have physical, rather than mental challenges will be a joy to share your love of the hobby, and it's related biology and chemistry. I own a tank today because my uncle sat me down at a young age and showed me a book on marine biology he was studying. I ended up a molecular biologist as a result.
I had a thought for you. Look into kickstarter and see if you can get the project going with donations.
My 18-year old nephew started one for a movie project he was doing when he came down with cancer and had to delay art school for a year. He ended up funding the whole thing and had enough extra for additional equipment. (He is an origami and stop-motion movie artist).
Not sure on the rules for solicitation on the forum, but for this, contact the moderators first for guidance and I bet you could make a post without issue.
I, for one, think that this is the true spirit of the hobby we all share.

Thank you for your kind words, we may consider something like this a little down the road, right now we are trying to work with the companies first. Stay Tuned!

[Coasterfrk]

Small Update, we knew we had an old corroded cast iron sewer pipe that ran under the entire length of basement. and with starting to finish the basement we knew we would have replace it. It ran directly through the future fish room. We are about midway replacing it.

The 40g Breeders donated by Marineland came via freight last week. Nothing like receiving a call from delivery company saying "Hey I have a pallet of aquariums for you" HAHA

Starting to setup the QT Rack as well you can kind of see it to the left, its s a mess right now.

http://i.imgur.com/iY00ASJl.png

[Bdial]

I have a son with a disability and he too will be wheel chair bound for his life. He loves my tank at home and we set up a small tank in his room which he loves. This is a great idea. Make the tank low enough so he can get right up to it.

[Coasterfrk]

I have a son with a disability and he too will be wheel chair bound for his life. He loves my tank at home and we set up a small tank in his room which he loves. This is a great idea. Make the tank low enough so he can get right up to it.


I have given height some consideration. I'm sure we are gonna make it lower I'm worried still how easy it will be to view unassisted. He will always be very small. Some other children we have met are only 36" tall in their chairs.

[Bdial]

I would try to do a stand between 24-30" and a tank between 24-31" that way regardless of what equipment he is in he will be able to see everything going on. A sand bed is a must and hard corals are out. Soft corals and some lps are best. The movement and color combinations are what matter. My boy could careless about my Aussie acros but those cheap fluorescent fake plants are the beesnees.

[Coasterfrk]

Hello everyone, sorry I have not been very present lately but we where very busy working on the basement and dealing with the holidays. Gavin has been good, he did suffer his first semi-major break last week, he fractured his right femur up near his hip, but he seems to be healing just fine. As far as the basement goes most of the progress has been in the family room portion of the basement, we received a donation from Dricore, they donated a subfloor and wall system for the basement. The entire subfloor in the family room is done and most of the walls are in. I am using some of the walls to frame out the fish room as well, the inside of them facing the fish room will be drywall which i will cover with a water resistant paint. I also did a 2x4 sill beneath these walls in the fish room, to create kind of a catch-pan in case major leakage happens.

Here are some pictures, they should get better as times go, the materials to finish the family room have been taking up so much space its hard to get pictures

http://i.imgur.com/IfKRn08l.jpg

This is from inside the family room the staircase is outside the picture to the right, behind the white wall is the utility room for furnace, tools, etc. right past the cutout on it towards the right I have to build a wall yet this is the wall the tank will be placed in and the space beyond that is the fish room

http://i.imgur.com/Oe49yQgl.jpg
Here is very close to where the tank wall will be built, we replaced the sewer pipe that ran the length of the basement before starting this project, the fish room area is the only part I don't have concrete back in the floor, but we took the opportunity to add drainage for both a floor drain and utility sink. We also replaced the hot water heater so this old one in the picture just needs to be hauled out. The wall on the left cuts back near the end where that rack , the quarantine system will fit into and then beyond that is the doorway to the old oil room below the porch, which will be storage/ possibly water storage area. The water meter and plumbing on the right must be relocated to build the tank wall, hopefully this will get done soon.

http://i.imgur.com/1YZ3IAdl.jpg

Here is the view of the little cove for the qt system from inside the utility room right before I put the wall up, you can see the sill I built, this will get sealed up to prevent leaking.

http://i.imgur.com/elubxEsl.jpg

Finally here is the qt system fitted into the cove after the wall was in.

Again sorry for the lack of updates and terrible photos/mess I've been working so much yet so in and out down there its been a mess, Thanks for reading!

[OrQidz]

Wow what an adorable little guy! I'm sorry to hear about the femur fracture. It looks like he is in good loving hands with your family and I'm glad he has you.

I have no advice on construction and big systems, but I second the idea of a system more geared to softies and LPS, lots more movement and things to look at. Easier to manage also. I'm sure he will love watching any fish as well as the usual CUC and a shrimp or two.

Good luck in all of this - I'm amazed at your ability to manage a medically fragile child, construction in the house, and a reef tank :)

[Coasterfrk]

It will most likely end up being a mixed reef. It is hard juggling everything but we have good support and I a caring wife. :-)

[Coasterfrk]

Still trying to source a tank. I would really like to get a marineland 300dd. I realize this isn't an item for the project we could get donated. But I still would like to find a facility that would at least either give a good discount or ship it free. Any suggestions?

[sahin]

I am sorry I cant help with any recommendation regards the tank as I live in the UK and dont really know the companies. But maybe send some of the big aquarium companies an email with a link to this thread? Maybe even send some of the companies that make custom tanks...you never know one of them might be generous hopefully.

I think its great what you are doing and I could only encourage you to continue. I hope Gavin continues to recover well. Honestly, my heart goes out to you and your family...I think I can in some ways relate to your situation...My eldest son was born with a congenital heart defect, and has a very complicated heart defect. He has had open heart surgery twice already and is now 7 years old. Still needs further corrective surgery sometime in the future. He really likes my tank and has even begun to understand basic things about the tank. My tank also serves to help me deal with the pressures of life and the moments that I spend in front of the tank with my son are really something.

I hope you manage to sort something out regards the tank. I will keep an eye on this thread. I recently started a Facebook account and maybe I can share this thread there at some point to perhaps spread the word...I dont know if that will help, but maybe something to do.

I have also sent you a PM about a further idea that may help you, but cannot discuss here as it will be against the rules and dont want to get in trouble.

[Coasterfrk]

So received two new pieces from H2O Systems. We had the original 1200 they sent us awhile ago and today got a 6000 for our water mixing station as well as a test controller for the 1200 featuring apex compatibility.
http://i.imgur.com/5jvcC5kl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/YY7UNOpl.jpg

[sahin]

Good to see bits are still coming in. :beer:

[Coasterfrk]

So having fronts on finding a tank. Not sure which way to go. I can get a stock marineland 300 DD locally. Or I have an acrylic tank manufacturer willing to build an acrylic version at cost plus freight. Either way cost is almost identical. Decisions...

[Daniel62]

I say glass, acrylic scratches to easily

[Coasterfrk]

So it looks like we will be getting a custom acrylic tank built from MidWest Custom Aquariums. They have been generous enough to build a tank for us at cost. It will be a couple months until they can fit it in to build it. Very exciting!!!

[Mishri]

That's awesome. Congratulations! Really cool for Marineland and Midwest Custom Aquariums to donate for you.

[Coasterfrk]

So Got some fun stuff today. Got a skimmer. A reef octopus 350. I got a killer deal on it brand new. Also got in a gently used apex I bought. Can't wait to test out apex with the apex ready rlss controller I got from h2o systems.
http://i.imgur.com/LO5Qgu5l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QaKWS27l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5fZrUFLl.jpg

[Coasterfrk]

Hoping for another status update tomorrow. Hoping to pour in the last of concrete on fish room from when it was dug up to replace sewer pipe.

[Coasterfrk]

FINALLY! I have my basement floor back! Finally got all the concrete done. Actually looks like a usable space now. Got the water meter moved as well. Gonna be putting doors in soon. Also have to seal all gaps in the flood rim I built so I can garage paint the floors. Then drywall the wall straight ahead and install mop sink. Getting exciting!
http://i.imgur.com/UQRbcVQl.jpg