thetedinator's semi-cube

[thetedinator]

Originally posted by nbd13
me also, do you get any bowing with the steel bracing?

also what size acrylic did you go with? 1/2" or 3/4"

thanks again!

Nick

No bowing at all. I have 1/2" acrlyic.

[thetedinator]

Originally posted by loserkidz
Big G, I think with the larger systems that are deeper from front to back the steel bracing is probably our best option. I actually had to retro my tank when my center brace on my 385 started to melt and crack from the heat of my MH's. I wleded a 2" stainless angle iron the perimeter of my tank and have 2- 1" straps from front to back for added supprt. Here is a link from my intall.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=475880

From the bad comes the good. Brent's near catastrophe followed by the steel solution convinced me it was good way to go.

[tigerarmy40]

any new stuff going on with the tank?

[thetedinator]

Originally posted by tigerarmy40
any new stuff going on with the tank?

It's a drag when life gets in the way of reefing but yes, stuff has changed. I will update this thread on the weekend.


cya,

Ted

[thetedinator]

Sorry for the poor quality of the photos.

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/tank_20June2005_027.jpg

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/tank_20June2005_029.jpg

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/tank_20June2005_032.jpg


cya,

Ted

[daphaze1]

Originally posted by thetedinator
From the bad comes the good. Brent's near catastrophe followed by the steel solution convinced me it was good way to go.

your tank looks better and better every time the pictures come up hehe. nice job.

btw i wished i saw brent's presentation. I was very puzzled how his tank was holding up with those MH. =) i just looked at his thread, simply amazing.

[nbd13]

Hey looks great!

couple questions for you...

1. how do you plan on hiding the wires to the streams?

2. how does those tangs get along?

3. also do you think the chevron is the best tang as far as eating algae goes?

4. do you think you are going to add anymore fish? i am trying to get an idea for my new 60"x44"x24" tank on stocking it... see our tank size is basically the same except mine is alittle shorter and wider....

this is what i have so far and would maybe like to add a chevron tang

2 ocellaris clowns
1 labouti fairy wrasse
1 lineatus fairy wrasse
1 rhomboid fairy wrasse
1 orange back fairy wrasse
1 foxface lo
1 conspic angel
1 blakc tang
1 blueface angel

now i might take out the foxface when i transfer the tank (have a 180 sps right now)...

what do you think? to much?

thanks again and great setup!

Nick

[slobound]

Looking real good Ted!

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

very nice!

[loserkidz]

Ted,
with the above pictures and having the fish next to the rocks (BOLDERS) it gives a perspective to actually how large those pieces of rock that you and Dave B. chose. I wish now that I had gone your route with the landscaping. Maybe I could superglue 750# of LR back together!!!!! J/K
Looks Beautiful,
Brent

[thetedinator]

Thanks everyone.

[Morgandy]

A link led me to this thread...very gorgeous and unique!!! Yes it does S**K when life gets in the way of reefing!! Do you have more shots of all angles and such? The 'scaping is so great on this!

[CatDog]

First, best design of a stand I've ever seen! One question that I didn't see answered is, what is the skin on the stand actually made of and how was it done?

It also looks like the skin on the back portion is removable for access to plumbing, etc. Please confirm.

Thanks

[elephen]

Nice looking man, I'm tagging along. How's that SCH work exactly?

[David P]

Not sure what the skin is made of, but yes it is removable. There is a major flaw with Teds aquascaping, well... if your trying to just run in and look at the tank then leave theres a flaw. The tank is do deep you must look whats directly in front of you left to right, then focus on whats towards the middle and scan left to right, then try to look whats far on the other side of the tank, but you cant quite see waaaaaaay over there, so you have to move to the second side and start all over, only to move to the third pane and start the entire process all over again. My quick stop by to drop off a chiller turned into about an hour of looking under all the islands and basically just drooling!

[asnatlas]

Originally posted by David P
Not sure what the skin is made of, but yes it is removable. There is a major flaw with Teds aquascaping, well... if your trying to just run in and look at the tank then leave theres a flaw. The tank is do deep you must look whats directly in front of you left to right, then focus on whats towards the middle and scan left to right, then try to look whats far on the other side of the tank, but you cant quite see waaaaaaay over there, so you have to move to the second side and start all over, only to move to the third pane and start the entire process all over again. My quick stop by to drop off a chiller turned into about an hour of looking under all the islands and basically just drooling!

LOL, that is too funny.. I love deep tanks... I can't wait until I start working on mine...

Shawn

[thetedinator]

I have been very busy with work lately so I have neglected this thread. Anyway, I have continued to work on the system. Here are few pictures of some recent additions.

Red with rust Cynarina
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/tank_30July2005_008.jpg

Purple/Blue Bali Aquaculture Acropora sp. in the foreground, A. chesterfieldensis in the background.
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/tank_30July2005_010.jpg

Two shades of blue A. tenuis
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/tank_30July2005_017.jpg

Purple encrusting Montipora species
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/tank_30July2005_019.jpg

More pictures to follow......

[Chip Douglas]

I have that same encrusting monti but mine is about 1/4 of that size. I really like it.

Nice pieces!

[thetedinator]

More pictures.....

Redish Acanthastrea echinata
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/tank_30July2005_023.jpg

Red Goniopora
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/tank_30July2005_034.jpg

Yellow gorgonian
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/tank_30July2005_038.jpg

Mystery Chromis/damsel
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/tank_30July2005_041.jpg

More pictures to follow.....

[nbd13]

Hey very cool additions!

couple of questions,

1. how are you going to hide the cords from the streams?

2. can we have an updated fish list?

3. how do all those yellow and purple tangs get along?

thanks!

Nick

[thetedinator]

More pictures.....


A. chesterfieldensis from the other side of the tank.
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/tank_30July2005_043.jpg

Picture of the right side of the tank.
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/tank_30July2005_044.jpg

Another picture of the right side of the tank.
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/tank_30July2005_045.jpg

Light purple Acropora sp.
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/photos_members/data/500/tank_30July2005_065.jpg

[thetedinator]

Originally posted by nbd13
Hey very cool additions!

couple of questions,

1. how are you going to hide the cords from the streams?

2. can we have an updated fish list?

3. how do all those yellow and purple tangs get along?

thanks!

Nick

The cords are more visible since I just took out several of the streams for cleaning and haven't hidden the cords again. I hide them by moving the cords into the rock work and then running them along the bottom of the tank.

I'll have to work on the fish list update.

While the tangs were in the main tank together, they were well behaved. Back at the end of June, I lost 4 purple tangs and 3 yellow tangs over the course of a couple of weeks. I could never figure out what happened. The Chevron and two of the purples were unharmed. The tangs that died/disappeared were in the main tank (the tangs in the refugium were fine). No other fish were affected. No obvious issues like ich, HLLE, etc. A mystery. I am going to wait a couple of months and then put more tangs into the system.

cya,

Ted

[loserkidz]

Thanks for the update Ted! Are you epoxying everything down or are you wedging them into the rock work?
Brent

[thetedinator]

Originally posted by loserkidz
Thanks for the update Ted! Are you epoxying everything down or are you wedging them into the rock work?
Brent

Brent,

Some are glued, some are wedged and some are neither while I play with the placement.

cya,

Ted

[nbd13]

Ted, what other type of tangs do you have besides yellow, purples and chevrons?

any rare ones?

also any angels in your tank? or in the future of the tank?

thanks!

Nick

[nbd13]

oh yeah how many purple tangs did you have in there at one point?

i think a small school would be very cool like maybe 5-8 of them....

Thanks again!

Nick

[thetedinator]

Originally posted by nbd13
oh yeah how many purple tangs did you have in there at one point?

i think a small school would be very cool like maybe 5-8 of them....

Thanks again!

Nick

Nick,

I started with 3 Yellow Tangs. Added 1 Chevron Tang and then added 6 Purple Tangs. Eventually, I would like to have 3-5 Yellow Tangs and 3-5 purple Tangs along with the Chevron. As for angels, etc. I have one Golden Pygmy Angel in the system. It is doing great and leaves the corals alone. I might add another. The tangs will probably the largest fish I have but you never know.

cya,

Ted

[nbd13]

Great!

Thanks this tank will be killer once those SPS grow into colonies!

how do you like you skimmer?

Nick

[nbd13]

Great!

Thanks this tank will be killer once those SPS grow into colonies!

how do you like you skimmer?

Nick

[thetedinator]

Originally posted by CatDog
First, best design of a stand I've ever seen! One question that I didn't see answered is, what is the skin on the stand actually made of and how was it done?

It also looks like the skin on the back portion is removable for access to plumbing, etc. Please confirm.

Thanks

The skins are painted wood screwed to metal.

[thetedinator]

Originally posted by nbd13
Hey very cool additions!

couple of questions,

1. how are you going to hide the cords from the streams?

2. can we have an updated fish list?

3. how do all those yellow and purple tangs get along?

thanks!

Nick

Here are the current occupants:

1 Golden Angel
1 Chevron Tang
2 Purple Tangs
1 Canary Wrasse
3 Purple Firefish
3 Yellow Assessors
4 Blue Assessors
6 Red Cap Gobies
1 Barnacle Blenny
2 Damselfish (ID is still being worked)
2 Cleaner shrimp
1 Peppermint Shrimp

The Chevron Tang and the Purple Tangs get along great.

cya,

Ted

[Reeftoker]

tank is looking very nice. would like to see some pic of the equipment outside when its all done

[Lunchbucket]

how bout a new pic??

Lunchbucket

[DeeZeal]

I love the detail that was put into the stand. It makes the typical "box of wood" look very bland in comparison. Keeping in mind the beutifull detail in the stand I would like to know if you matched the canopy as well? Can you possibly give us a shot of the entire tank with the stand and canopy in one shot? At first I thought those rocks would look to big in your tank but it turned out to be awsome! Great looking tank! AAA+++ :D

[nbd13]

Great, sounds like a nice fish list....

do you plan on anything else? or ar eyou calling it quites with fish?

thanks!

Nick

[NeilsReef]

WOW!!!

Your tank is coming along nicely. I am looking forward to your next pictures.

Thanks

Neil

[thetedinator]

o2manyfish (Dave B.) came by and made a new canopy today. When he was done, he took a few pictures.

Old Canopy
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/42447Before_01.jpg

New Canopy is hinged
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/42447After_01.jpg

4 Lumenarc L3s hanging from two aluminum tubes
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/42447After_03x.jpg

New tank under 400w 14.5k
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/42447After_05x.jpg

Cya,

Ted

[thetedinator]

A few pictures of corals in my tank.

Green Millepora
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/42447Coral_1x.jpg

Corals on the left island
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/42447Coral_3x.jpg

Corals on the right island
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/42447Coral_4x.jpg

Thanks again to Dave B.

Cya,

Ted

[nbd13]

Looks great!

do you plan to build a canopy around the lights or no?

Nick

[thetedinator]

Originally posted by nbd13
Looks great!

do you plan to build a canopy around the lights or no?

Nick

Nick,

No. I may modify this lighting system and add actinic. Otherwise, this is close to be final. I can raise the lights out of the way and work on the tank and the advantages of an open top can be realized.

Cya,

Ted

[nbd13]

Sounds good,

how many watts of VHO are you going to add?

Nick

[thetedinator]

Nick,

I'm not sure I will add actinic. I just switched bulbs from Helios 20k to Giesemann 14.5k. I may go back to the Helios. :)

If I stick with the Giesemann, I will add actinic. Too early to tell because the Giesemann's aren't even burned in yet.

Cya,

Ted

[moonpod]

that's sweet Ted. I've been itching to get Botwin to help me out with a similar project...

[thetedinator]

Originally posted by moonpod
that's sweet Ted. I've been itching to get Botwin to help me out with a similar project...

Dave is amazing. The idea came together in 10 minutes.

[DerekW]

constructive use of zip ties. ;)

Are you going to replace them with something more permanent? I'd worry about them getting brittle

[Detritivore]

looks awesome Ted :D

how are your corals from the swap doing?

-tim

[Fliger]

Wow, looks great. Can you give an overall impression of all the cool toys you bought? You have some nice equipment.

[thetedinator]

Originally posted by Detritivore
looks awesome Ted :D

how are your corals from the swap doing?

-tim

Tim.

The nana from Bill and the chalice from Dave B are both doing great. Your stuff doing ok?

Ted

[Detritivore]

my stuff is doing good. the blue chalice is starting to grow. :D

[thetedinator]

Originally posted by Detritivore
my stuff is doing good. the blue chalice is starting to grow. :D

My chalice is growing but it's not blue. :(
Not complaining. Can't keep everyone happy.:)

cya,

Ted

[True Percula]

wow really nice tank may i ask how much i cost?

[Detritivore]

hey ted, my blue chalice isnt so blue either, LOL :D it is starting to get a blue tint to the corallites though, so hopefully it'll get there :D

[thetedinator]

Originally posted by Fliger
Wow, looks great. Can you give an overall impression of all the cool toys you bought? You have some nice equipment.

Overall I'm very happy. It's been a learning curve and I'm just starting to feel like I have a handle on things. I was not fluidizing the FR509 enough which probably cost me some RowaPhos. The gravity feed couldn't meet the flow demands of all of the equipment especially when I added a chiller. The CA reactor absolutely rips which caused "problems" with high calcium. The Tunze's are great but you need to stay ahead of the maintenance requirements.

My single biggest issue has been X-10. I use an ACIII to control everything and everytime you change or add equipment to the system or add appliances to your household, you have to check the X-10 stuff out.

Cya,

Ted

[goby1]

Did I read a few pages back that you are using tap water? G1

[goby1]

Great looking setup... I've always been a fan of the exposed look. G1

[thetedinator]

Originally posted by goby1
Did I read a few pages back that you are using tap water? G1

I use RO/DI water only. If I implied I used anything else I apologize. The water where I live is terrible. It is high in silicates. TDS out of the tap is 400+PPM. I monitor my RO/DI water and as soon as it shows 1PPM, I change the DI media. With the high TDS, water changes and evaporation, I end up changing the DI media every 4 weeks.

cya,

Ted

[LoneStarSA]

Can we see photos of the cabinets outside holding all the equipment??

[LoneStarSA]

:rollface:

[Ereefic]

thetedinator, on page 9 of this thread, you posted some pics of your deltec skimmer. I noticed the main skimmer bodies walls are covered in brown funk. Why are you getting such a build-up in the main riser body? Shouldn't that be going into the collection cup instead of staying in contact with the water?

[thetedinator]

Originally posted by Ereefic
thetedinator, on page 9 of this thread, you posted some pics of your deltec skimmer. I noticed the main skimmer bodies walls are covered in brown funk. Why are you getting such a build-up in the main riser body? Shouldn't that be going into the collection cup instead of staying in contact with the water?

That's algae on the body of the skimmer. The skimmer is outside and was exposed to sunlight. The skimmer is covered now so that's no longer an issue.

BTW - Good seeing you at last June's IMAC.

cya,

Ted

[THE GIMP]

Nice work! I am impressed, inspirational to say the least. Are clams still in the plans? Did you mention a wave box? I'd like to see a pic of your equipment cover if you don't mind, I am considering it for myself.

[loserkidz]

Ted,
where are the updated growth pics????
Brent

[arconom]

I knew I subscribed to this thread:) I have been wanting to see updates for a long time.

[irishpete]

Ted, Looks awsome!! keep up the good work!

[Draggie]

Hi Ted, just finished reading through this thread and WOW what an amazing system. Really like your stand and light hood design.

I'm busy setting up a 260 gallon system (Total system volume about 300 gallons) and really like the idea of taking the sump outside. Filled the tank this weekend and it's way too noisy. In tank circulation is from 2 x 6100's and 2 x 6000's on a 7095 so it's just the drains and returns as far as plumbing is concerned.
I have a semi enclosed patio area just outside the sitting room where the tank is situated and an ideal place to put the sump.
I would also build it into a cabinet and make a feature out of it to keep the wife happy.
Have you experienced any problems so far in terms of heating / cooling or other ?

[thetedinator]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7107132#post7107132 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Draggie
Hi Ted, just finished reading through this thread and WOW what an amazing system. Really like your stand and light hood design.

I'm busy setting up a 260 gallon system (Total system volume about 300 gallons) and really like the idea of taking the sump outside. Filled the tank this weekend and it's way too noisy. In tank circulation is from 2 x 6100's and 2 x 6000's on a 7095 so it's just the drains and returns as far as plumbing is concerned.
I have a semi enclosed patio area just outside the sitting room where the tank is situated and an ideal place to put the sump.
I would also build it into a cabinet and make a feature out of it to keep the wife happy.
Have you experienced any problems so far in terms of heating / cooling or other ?

I live N of Los Angeles where the weather has a little more spread to the highs and lows (because I'm inland on not on the ocean). To ease my mind, I have 2100Watts of heat. Two 800W heaters outside and a 500W heater inside. This is overkill but if if any single heater fails, I'm still good. I have two fans over the sump and a 1HP chiller. If the tank temperature should get two high, my Aquacontroller is set to turn off the MH lights. Lastly, the sump/refuge is exposed and next to the house so that heavy rain has the potential to change saliinty. When the weather calls for rain that might be a problem, I cover the sump/refugium with clear, 6mm plastic.

Good luck and sorry for the late response.

Ted

[thetedinator]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=4769707#post4769707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Konadog
Ted, are you going to enclose your outdoor equipment under something like Dave B, or is it staying open?

Nice to see water and rock, almost looks like you have a reef tank again!

After all of this time, the equipment is still open. I don't know if this has been a blessing or a curse. I had several quotes on cabinets and everyone flaked. In the meantime, I'm not sure the maintenance can be any easier with the equipment exposed. The downside to this has been finding a way to cover things so they aren't exposed to sunlight all of the time. I've been using 6mm black plastic. When I work on the equipment, remove the plastic. When I'm done, staple it back in place.

Ted

[Konadog]

Wow Ted, you woke up! :D

How's the hair algae battle going? Let's see a few updated pictures. Your rock should be coloring up nicely by now.

[thetedinator]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6988617#post6988617 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by loserkidz
Ted,
where are the updated growth pics????
Brent

All,

The tank is recovering from a bad, bad hair algae breakout that started at the end of January. I finally whipped it but to tell the truth, I don't know if I affected the outcome or if the passing of time was the real reason. The breakout may have been caused by the feeding of frozen food (which I kind of doubt since I run RowaPhos and I had been feeding frozen mysis and cyclopeeze since July) or it may have been caused by something in a product I was using to treat RO/DI water prior to making saltwater. Anyway, I quit feeding the frozen food in March. I also traveled and worked so much during March and April that I didn't do a water change. The hair algae killed itself off by mid April. I did a water change the first week of May and am back on a regular schedule.

In any event, the tank doesn't look as good as it did in the October 07, 2005 pictures. The hair algae killed 90% of my corals. The Montipora's were mostly unaffected. I lost all of my Torts (Berman, Oregon, ORA). I lost almost all of my A. milleporas and the few that made it lost all of their color. Most of the corals in the October pics are gone.

But life goes on and the system is on it's way back. I have put a few corals back into they system since early May and they are doing ok.

I will post some pictures soon.

cya,

Ted

[thetedinator]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7409447#post7409447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Konadog
Wow Ted, you woke up! :D

How's the hair algae battle going? Let's see a few updated pictures. Your rock should be coloring up nicely by now.

Ken,

I wasn't asleep. Between 55+ hour work weeks and 3 trips a month to points east, finding time to post anything anywhere was tough. I barely found time to follow Brent's thread (who is actually making progress!) let alone update mine.

I finally got a day off a week ago Friday and hopefully work will be sane so I can get a life. All of the overtime really drove home how much Uncle Sam takes for his share. As you know, all work and no play makes Ted a dull boy.

BTW, posting the publicity stuff for MASLAC really helped me out.

cya,

Ted

[Konadog]

Ted, I was working those hours the end of last year so I totally understand.

No problem on helping out, it's what makes the club run!

[thetedinator]

Running Helios 20Ks. A few pictures.

Polyps out on a recent aquaculture purchase
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/42447coral_025_sm.jpg

Recovering A. millepora in the center and a recovering green Pocillopora on the right
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/42447coral_041_sm.jpg

Another recovering A. millepora. That's the coral in my avatar.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/42447green_millie_026_sm.jpg

cya,

Ted

[koiandcoral]

Tank looks awfully clean... what happened to the hair algae?

[thetedinator]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7432329#post7432329 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by koiandcoral
Tank looks awfully clean... what happened to the hair algae?

The hair algae is gone. :D

[arconom]

Whats caused the sudden Hair Algae? Did you find the source? What did you do to get rid of it?

[thetedinator]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7432803#post7432803 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arconom
Whats caused the sudden Hair Algae? Did you find the source? What did you do to get rid of it?

I'm not sure. Everything is anecdotal. My suspicion is I was introducing iron to the system but I really have no way of knowing. There is always the possibility that the hair algae was part of some sort of "aging" of the system because it occurred right before the system had been up for 1 year.

The only other thing I can point to is what I am no longer doing: I very, very rarely feed frozen food and I don't use "RO Right" to correct the RO/DI water before doing water changes.

cya,

Ted

[thetedinator]

A few coral pics...

A.tenuis from ReeferMadness
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/RM_Tenuis.jpg

Cali Tort
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/Cali_Tort.jpg

A. granulosa
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/A.granulosa.jpg

A. millepora
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/A.millepora.jpg

Acropora species
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/A.species.jpg

cya,

Ted

[tacocat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7409338#post7409338 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thetedinator
After all of this time, the equipment is still open. I don't know if this has been a blessing or a curse. I had several quotes on cabinets and everyone flaked. In the meantime, I'm not sure the maintenance can be any easier with the equipment exposed. The downside to this has been finding a way to cover things so they aren't exposed to sunlight all of the time. I've been using 6mm black plastic. When I work on the equipment, remove the plastic. When I'm done, staple it back in place.

Ted

Slap some drapers and curtain rods for a temporary fix.

[thetedinator]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7501089#post7501089 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tacocat
Slap some drapers and curtain rods for a temporary fix.

I have some other ideas. I'll let you know if they work out.

[tacocat]

Cool other than that, it looks good. My new tank is simiar except it's 4'x4'. It needs to have a panel replaced by Leemar (long story).

My old/current tank is living in my garage (100g), and I have a 1 hp chiller hooked up to it. Thus far, the garage has been upwards of 93* and the tank doesn't get over 81*.
I plan on using it even when the tank and sump make it inside. The chiller will stay outside.

You may be able to avoid using a chiller if your sump stays in the shade, the in-house portion of the tank has adequate ventillation, and your area cools off at night. If you get a coastal breeze at night, I bet you'll be fine. I'd recommend an outside thermometer and clock for the sump area.

[thetedinator]

My 240g combination sump and refugium has had a structural failure. I found a crack in the acrylic on one of the panels on the refugium. I have bought some time by putting some clamps on the panel to support it. I don't know why the acrylic failed after about 19 months but the sump/refugium is outside exposed to sunlight, heat and cold.

I am exploring my options on replacing the sump/refugium including using tomato bins. I'll post an update when I decide what to do.

cya,

Ted

[Waxxiemann]

yikes, dude :eek1:

I hope everything works out! I love your tank.

Cheers!

[adddo]

What about those big "Rubbermaid" stuff you guys have in the US? Maybe that would work better in an outside environment.

Love your tank and had a good time reading thru the thread! Thanks for sharing.

[David P]

Ted, I have a spare 90 you can use if you need it for storage. I think I can also get an odd 180 uniquarium that the entire front panel is crazed. Its about 5 feet long, 3 high, and 2ish deep. Let me know if I can help. Fox Feed up Sierra Hwy stocks the large Rubbermaid stock tanks. You know I have a truck and not affraid to use it.

[tacocat]

Rubbermaids are nice, but these are much more robust:

http://www.dacocorp.com/store.php/cPath/56_58

[cali_reef]

Koi tanks from Tat is another good alternative for a sump.

[Alphabet]

Very nice thanks for the pics!!

[thetedinator]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8363365#post8363365 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by David P
Ted, I have a spare 90 you can use if you need it for storage. I think I can also get an odd 180 uniquarium that the entire front panel is crazed. Its about 5 feet long, 3 high, and 2ish deep. Let me know if I can help. Fox Feed up Sierra Hwy stocks the large Rubbermaid stock tanks. You know I have a truck and not affraid to use it.

David,

Thanks for the offer. Still sorting the options out. Might need the truck. I'll let you know.

Ted

[thetedinator]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8364537#post8364537 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tacocat
Rubbermaids are nice, but these are much more robust:

http://www.dacocorp.com/store.php/cPath/56_58

Tacocat, which bin are you refering to.....there are many on the page!

[tacocat]

Ted, one of our LFS uses these tubs. They work great and are easy to drill.
http://www.dacocorp.com/product_info.php/cPath/10_11_45/products_id/38

[tacocat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8364590#post8364590 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cali_reef
Koi tanks from Tat is another good alternative for a sump.

There's one in my garage. :D

[thetedinator]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8369670#post8369670 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tacocat
Ted, one of our LFS uses these tubs. They work great and are easy to drill.
http://www.dacocorp.com/product_info.php/cPath/10_11_45/products_id/38

This may do the trick. What kind of fittings did your LFS use on these?

Thanks again,

Ted

[tacocat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8390891#post8390891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thetedinator
This may do the trick. What kind of fittings did your LFS use on these?

Thanks again,

Ted

Basica bulkheads. We put a couple of 1.5" Heavy Duty SCH 80 Bulkheads into it. Standard 2" bulkheads should work also.

[thetedinator]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8396501#post8396501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tacocat
Basica bulkheads. We put a couple of 1.5" Heavy Duty SCH 80 Bulkheads into it. Standard 2" bulkheads should work also.

Taco,

I showed the picture of these bins to Dave B. He said that these bins flex and bow when you put water in them. Have you seen the big unit with water in it and did it flex and bow?

Thanks,

Ted

[tacocat]

The larger one flexes a little. I'd say 1". The smaller one I linked to doesn't flex much if at all.

The larger bins have four holes on the bootm which will need to be tapped and plugged. The smaller ones have no holes.

Ted,

I'll take a couple of pics of some filled bins and post them sometime this week.

[thetedinator]

Still lots of issues. What can I say, stuff happens.

Front view
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/front_20061122.jpg

Left side
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/left_20061122.jpg

Right side
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/~thetedinator/325g/right2_20061122.jpg

cya,

Ted

[Lunchbucket]

issues w/ what.

pics look great
Lunchbucket

[Konadog]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8603803#post8603803 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thetedinator
Still lots of issues. What can I say, stuff happens.

Ted, at least you SPS are living! You still running a busted sump?

[naka]

looks good to me. keep it up Ted.

James

[thetedinator]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8603882#post8603882 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Konadog
Ted, at least you SPS are living! You still running a busted sump?

Ken,

Most of the SPS are doing ok. I have had some strange die offs but mostly the corals are happy. Fighting another algae problem. Seems to be one damn thing after another.

Yeah, still living with the busted sump. I'll probably take if off line and put a couple of bins on line at the end of December. That's going to require a rework of the plumbing.

cya,

Ted

[Konadog]

Ted, ********** (Eric) is moving his shop and has a few of the grey bins for sale. It might be worth a call if your still looking for one.

[David P]

Ted if you want to do a major water change and dont mind Catalina, Ive got just about 800g in my garage. I can deliver 200g at a time. I had a 500 or 800 watt heater but it just died so I could heat 200 gal at a time... Im not sure how much your system holds...~600? anyhow I can hold up to 1200 plus some barrels and can get deliveries on tuesdays whenever you need it.