My 90 In Wall Project (Photo Intense)

[aberg12012]

I think I'm dreaming... As if being a first time home owner isn't exciting enough, come to find out I have the perfect setup for an In-Wall tank. A little research, and away I go...

First the stand I built a month ago before I even knew what I would be doing with it. Talk about going with your instinct.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/StandProject2005-02-14_001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/StandProject2005-02-14_010.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/StandProject2005-02-14_015.jpg


The next step was a little scary for me, since I've never done anything like this before and certainly not to MY NEW HOUSE! Here's the before shot:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/CatsandInWallTank2005-03-03_002.jpg

And here's the before shot of the backside of the wall:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/CatsandInWallTank2005-03-03_004.jpg

Then I crossed my fingers, and dug in. (Literally.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/CatsandInWallTank2005-03-03_007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/CatsandInWallTank2005-03-03_010.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/CatsandInWallTank2005-03-03_017.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/CatsandInWallTank2005-03-03_026.jpg

Thats it for now, Still waiting on the trim to dry:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/CatsandInWallTank2005-03-03_042.jpg

Will post more as things progress. Planning on moving the existing live stock over on the 9th, hopefully.

[masterswimmer]

Nice job, nice pictorial. Keep'em comin'.

Russ

[Hella]

hmmmm, some day I to will have that kind of fun

[Stigmatic]

If you want to take some advised precaution... On the base of the stand, lay down about 1/4" of rubber matting. It will help leveling the tank and reduce the risk of future stress cracks.

[masterswimmer]

That wall and room behind it were really SCREAMING, "PUT A TANK HERE"! That is an ideal location.

We want more pix!!

Russ

[MalawianDude]

very cool, guy above is right perfect location for tank with all that room behind it.

You a welder? did a really good job on that stand.

[aberg12012]

Thanks, and yes I guess I can consider myself a welder. I just built a trailer a couple months ago with no prior welding experience, with the help of my father. My father can weld with a wire feed with his eyes closed, literally. Although I did all the welding on the stand, I had an excellent teacher. And it's amazing how you can make a bad weld look really nice with a grinder. :lol:

Anyways, here's the rest of the photos from today, after finishing up the framing in the wall.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/FinishedInWall2005-03-04_001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/FinishedInWall2005-03-04_007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/FinishedInWall2005-03-04_008.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/FinishedInWall2005-03-04_012.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/FinishedInWall2005-03-04_018.jpg

Next Wednessday the tank will get some live stock.

[mako56]

Very cool project, I am a welder fabricator also and was noticing in the first painted picture of your stand there was't any type of gussets but then noticed in the later photos you can see you added some I think that was a very good idea the stand is a bit high to not have any bracing. I have a spot in my basement that this type of thing might have to happen too.:)

[MalawianDude]

very cool man, can't wait to see stuff in it!

[iceman5]

looks very nice can't wait to see if full. thanks for the pictures!

[aberg12012]

Originally posted by mako56
Very cool project, I am a welder fabricator also and was noticing in the first painted picture of your stand there was't any type of gussets but then noticed in the later photos you can see you added some I think that was a very good idea the stand is a bit high to not have any bracing. I have a spot in my basement that this type of thing might have to happen too.:)

The first pic of the stand primed was a bit pre-mature. I had to get a coat of primer on it since I had it all claned up and ready. I knew it would be sitting for a couple weeks before I got around to the finishing touches, and I didn't feel like wire brushing it again. I actually wasn't going to put gussets on, but I thought what the heck, I may want to set a house on it some day... :lol: After building this stand, I'm amazed at the cheepy metal (more like wire) stands in the pet stores.

very cool man, can't wait to see stuff in it!

You think YOU can't wait?!?!?! :D Now I need to buckel down, finish painting the stand, clean the tank out, run the plumming, and figure out how in the heck I'm going to move everything over from my apt. At least it's only a 15 minute drive on hy 41 from my apt. to my house. Just wish I had a van instead of a pickup. :rolleyes: Maybe it'll be 78 out next Wed... :lol:

[aberg12012]

Originally posted by masterswimmer
That wall and room behind it were really SCREAMING, "PUT A TANK HERE"! That is an ideal location.

We want more pix!!

Russ

Sorry, just saw this post now.... and yea, it's funny cuz a week ago Friday when I closed on this place, a good friend of mine came over to see it. And his first reaction to the basment was "why didn't they extend the finished portion out to this wall?" No more than a minute later he answered his own question and gave me the idea. The perverbial "you know what would really be cool?" Gotta give him credit for the idea in the first place, as it never even crossed my mind till he suggested it. And I still can't get over how easy the whole project was, and how everything went so smoothly. It was just scary, thinking about tearing a great big hole in my new house and not really being sure how it would work out. Now looking back, seeing the before photo, man that wall was boring!! :D

I can only hope the tank move goes as smoothly.

[Aquabucket]

That is going to be sweet!

I guess we know what room you will be spending your most time!

Good luck and enjoy!

[aberg12012]

Originally posted by Aquabucket

I guess we know what room you will be spending your most time!


You got that right! Eventually the opposite wall that you see my computer on will have my 75 gallon oscar tank. That side is the same situation, behind the wall is a laundry room. :D

[aberg12012]

Just an update on the subject of lighting:

Yesterday I picked up a used PFO daul 400 watt EYE ballast from Scott of Gooch's Corals. (Thanks Scott.) Today I ordered the Iwasaki's and quick connect cords to go with it, along with replacement bulbs for my existing VHO and PC ballasts.

I will be running 2x110 watt VHO URI Actinics and 2x65 watt PC 7100 K Blue Bulbs. Suposedly the 7100 K Blue PC bulbs will help balance out the 400 watt 6500 k's, and Hellolights had them on clearance for 9 bucks. :lol:

[mako56]

Wow!!!!!!!!! that will light up your world. Are you going to have all 1150 watts running at the same time?

[aberg12012]

Originally posted by mako56
Wow!!!!!!!!! that will light up your world. Are you going to have all 1150 watts running at the same time?

Yep. 220 watts of actinic, 130 of blue, and 800 watts of daylight. The beauty of it is the tank is in a cool basement, and should stay cooler even in the summer months. (Granted, the tank itself will warm things up.) And because it's behind the wall, the lights will not be enclosed by anything, and I can blast as big of fans as I need at the tank, lights, and sump(s). Hmm, which brings me to the next thing I need to order...

Auto top off. :lol: I predict massive evaporation on this tank.

[masterswimmer]

Originally posted by aberg12012


Auto top off. :lol: I predict massive evaporation on this tank.

Yes you will have lots of evap. You also made mention about it being in your cooler basement. So is mine. I don't have any water problems but cement/concrete walls do have a tendency to sweat during the summer months. That in conjunction with your tank evap you should run a dehumidifier. I run mine all year long.

Russ

[aberg12012]

Originally posted by masterswimmer
you should run a dehumidifier. I run mine all year long.

Russ

Yep, have been planning on it. ;)

[Stigmatic]

I have an auto top off on mine... I turned my dehumidifier off. I have the basement sump and it seemed like the dehumidifier was sucking a lot of water from the sump.

[masterswimmer]

Originally posted by Stigmatic
I have an auto top off on mine... I turned my dehumidifier off. I have the basement sump and it seemed like the dehumidifier was sucking a lot of water from the sump.

Dehumidifiers will only remove airborne moisture. The sump does add moisture to the air......that's what evaporation is. When the dehumidifier removes the moisture, the drier air that results from that 'makes room' for additional evaporation from your sump. Therefore if you don't run a dehumidifier, you might have less evaporation. However, that's the reason for running it. The moisture will cause mold and mildew to form. And that is not what you want, especially in a basement. In the main living area with doors and windows opening and closing it is more 'foregiving' for that additional moisture. In an enclosed basement, carpet and furniture will deteriorate more quickly. Allergy sufferers will not appreciate it either.

My $.02,
Russ

[aberg12012]

Russ I agree with you, and was going to post the same reply. Yes you will get less evap w/o, but only because the room air is more saturated. Water dosn't evaporate as easily when the air is already saturated. I had 3 aquariums in my apt for the last 2 years, and beleive me, I don't want my house that humid.

[masterswimmer]

Originally posted by aberg12012
Russ I agree with you, and was going to post the same reply. Yes you will get less evap w/o, but only because the room air is more saturated. Water dosn't evaporate as easily when the air is already saturated. I had 3 aquariums in my apt for the last 2 years, and beleive me, I don't want my house that humid.

:thumbsup:

Right on the money

Russ

[gooch]

Just make sure everything is wired GFCI or GFI. Water and salt and electricity do not mix well. I have every one of my outlets hooked up this way.

Surge protectors are very valuable also. Get a good one.....not the five dollar fleet farm special.

Scott

[gooch]

Auto top off. Tunze Osmolators are what I use on every tank. Won't set up a tank without one. I almost always stock this but I sold two last week and I am at zero. Should get a couple soon.

Scott

[aberg12012]

Originally posted by gooch
Just make sure everything is wired GFCI or GFI. Water and salt and electricity do not mix well. I have every one of my outlets hooked up this way.

Surge protectors are very valuable also. Get a good one.....not the five dollar fleet farm special.

Scott

Yea, I'm planning on adding another circuit breaker and running a line off it for the tank. What is the difference between GFI and GFCI? I was planning on using the GFCI outlets that are used next to sinks.

Wait... Ground Fault Interupter, Ground Fault CIRCUIT Interupter? Maybe I just answered my own question. GFCI cuts off power to the whole circuit, where as GFI only cuts it to the individual outlet?

As for the auto top off, I already ordered a float switch from www.autotopoff.com.

[aberg12012]

Now on the topic of substrate:

I had intended on going BB, and already have starboard trimmed down to fit. But now that it's in the tank, I can't stand looking at it. I would like to go with something different, other than southdown as I can't stand that either. (I'm fed up with sand storms.)

I guess I'd like to find something locally that is between crushed coral and southdown. Just something to cover the front of the tank for looks.

[aberg12012]

HERE IT IS!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/InWallTank2005-03-10_001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/InWallTank2005-03-10_004.jpg

Spent the last 2 days (which included all night last night) moving aquariums and other "critters" of mine. What a royal pain. Just got the lights up and running an hour ago. Can't wait to get the bulbs for the PFO's. :D

[z28cam]

Very nice aberg

[iceman5]

very nice thanks for the pictures!!!!!

[aberg12012]

Thanks guys... Here's some more for your viewing pleasure. Things are looking "ok" considering they just had a 20 minute ride in the back of a pickup in sub freezing temps yesterday. :lol:

I literally just hung the lights a couple hours before these photos.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/InWallTank2005-03-10_003.jpg

RBTA isn't looking too hot, but I hope it'll come around... (Normaly it's about 10" when fully spread out.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/InWallTank2005-03-10_013.jpg

And the hermits are wondering "Where did all the sand go???"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/InWallTank2005-03-10_012.jpg

And finally, since my tank really isn't anything to drool over, here is something that is... (I knew I put that ledge there for something!)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/InWallTank2005-03-11_005.jpg

[Aquabucket]

Sweet! You sure get things done fast!

I dig the trim you picked out as well.

You can try Caribsea's reef grade sand ~ it's a much larger particle size than SD or oolite. I use it in my display tanks at the store. You can stirr it up pretty good with-out clouding up things very much. It costs about a buck a lb. at most LFS.

Another option would be going with a black sand/gravel. I also use this in some of my fish only tanks. You can really stir this stuff up and it stays weighted down pretty well for its small particle size (smaller than the Caribsea). Detritus and silt will seperate from it quite well upon stirring ~ bringing it up into the water column to be skimmed, syphoned or filtered out.

I look forward to seing things develop ~ that's a really nice set-up you got gong there!

[aberg12012]

Thanks! Words can't describe how excited I am, not only to have this tank up and running but also now since I have all my aquriums and other "critters" at my new place, it's really setting in. This is MY place... :D Truly awsome.

Just for comparison... here was my 75 reef at my old apt...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/aberg12012/Reef%20Aquarium%20Photos/FullTankWBandDEE.jpg

And here it is now...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/InWallTank2005-03-10_018.jpg

Only the VHO (actinic and 10k) were running on the second pic, which explains the color balance difference. Id already shut off the Ushios. :D

I should be getting the 400 watt Iwasakis in this morning, along with replacement VHO actinics and the 7,100 K blue PC bulbs. Which reminds me, I should go put the signature on the door for UPS since I won't wake up in time. :lol:

[aberg12012]

Originally posted by Aquabucket
You can try Caribsea's reef grade sand ~ it's a much larger particle size than SD or oolite. I use it in my display tanks at the store. You can stirr it up pretty good with-out clouding up things very much. It costs about a buck a lb. at most LFS.


Well, the other day I went out and picked up 30 lbs of some "normal" size reef sand. It's not really sand, more a small particle crushed coral IMO. I like it's size. I planned on just putting it in the front of the tank for looks. But honestly, now that the tank is set up with nothing but the starboard, I really dont mind the bare bottom. Both my friends who helped me move the live stock agreed it dosn't look that bad. One was really sceptical untill he saw it, and seemed to even admit today it's not that bad.

I'm reluctant to even put the 30 lbs of what I have down in the front of the rocks. I think I may just save it for the fuge, which I plan on having a DSB in anyways as it will only receive mechanically filtered water, and won't cause any sand storms.

Now I need to get the 55 cleaned out and have some glass cut for the baffles.

[aberg12012]

Oh yea... one more thing. Anyone else ever have any problems with AGA's overflow kit doing the toilette thing? Mine's flushing pretty bad no matter what I've tried. Seems it's drawing in too much air. I wouldn't really care since it's behind a wall and sound is a non-issue, but it's really gunna create problems for the auto top off with it flushing up and down.

[masterswimmer]

Fantastic job. Very impressed with the finished product and how quick you got it done too. Looks great. Congratulations.

Russ

[Stigmatic]

As for the overflow problem, i have the AGA Mega Overflow and dont have any problem with the draining. I hear a lot of people go with the durso overflows and never have a problem. As for the starboard, hell... give it a couple months and it will be covered in coraline, or try to get a "zoo mat" started on there!

[masterswimmer]

Stigmatic, I really like that zoo mat idea. Do they attach to starboard?

Russ

[aberg12012]

Thanks guys. As for the starboard, like I said before, now that it's all set up I don't mind how it looks. Infact at eye level from a distance (like in the photos) the floor of the tank isn't even visible anyways. And I'm sure in a few months the bottom will no longer be white at all.

As for the flushing action of my standpipe, I'm not sure what would fix it. I may just plug the air hole, which will make slurping noises, but will keep the water level even. Heck, might as well just try making a durso or stockmann. Just annoys me that I spent 50 bucks for 2 bulk heads, a 6" ball/socket nozel, 2 feet of PVC and a 90 degree elbow.

[Zombies026]

Dude I have 2 admit it looks awsome..Gonna have 2 stop by some night with a few beer and stare at it for awhile..Might need my drool cup...AAA+++ all the way man...

[aberg12012]

Originally posted by Zombies026
Dude I have 2 admit it looks awsome..Gonna have 2 stop by some night with a few beer and stare at it for awhile..Might need my drool cup...AAA+++ all the way man...

Wow, a triple A plus! :D Thanks man. I've got alot of work to do on it yet. I guess thats most the fun of it though. I tend to loose intrest once there is nothing left to modify or "tweak."

Sucks I got ordered over till 2 am this mornin. I can't wait to get home, since my new lights are waiting at my back door. :D

[daddavis1]

I know its a week later and things may have settled down abit so is all that live stock moved over now.

[aberg12012]

Originally posted by daddavis1
I know its a week later and things may have settled down abit so is all that live stock moved over now.

Yep, what you see is all of the pre-exisiting live stock. Sorta sparse right now, but once everything settles down with my new house, and I get used to paying the bills I'll see how much spare cash I got for frags. :D

On the update note:

Over the past week I ran two dedicated 20 amp lines to the tank with 2 intermatic timers for the lights. I then wired in the 400 watt Iwasakis.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/BackSideOfreef2005-03-15_010.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/BackSideOfreef2005-03-16_012.jpg

Gotta love high speed flash sync. Those Iwasakis are bright. I actually wear sun glasses back there while they are on. Otherwise I see black spots for hours. :lol:

Last night I got my auto top off set up and running. What a pain to keep it from siphoning. I had to drill a small hole in the hose just above the water in the garbage can to break the siphon, since the water in the garbage can comes up higher than the other end of the tube.

Then also last night I cleaned up the ol' 55 gallon tank with a razor blade and stripped all the old caulking as well. Man was that stuff nasty looking. The tank is very old, and very stcratched up. It's prefect for use as a sump. I had 1/4" glass cut earlier in the day for the dividers. After cleaning and stripping I caulked it all back together and installed the dividers. Couple more days till the silicone hardens 100% and I'll be swapping out the 20L that is far too small for a 90.

[aberg12012]

One more thing, I finally figured out the problem with my overflow gurgling and flushing. The problem was I had the drain pipe submersed too far in the sump, causing back pressure. So the water had to rise up to push through the pressure, then it would flush, then rise... etc. I trimmed the drain pipe so it's just barely under the water, so it's still quiet enough. Both my home made Durso and AGA's standpipe work perfectly now. Man what a waste of 50 bucks though, now that I see how easy making a Durso really is.

[aberg12012]

So now, for a little comparison of lighting. First pic is w/ only VHO's running. (10k and Actinic URI.) Second is with VHO's (both running actinic) and 2x65 watt PC's (running 7,100k blue bulbs.) I really like the blue bulbs. They arn't actinic, but they sure balance out the strong yellow of the 400 watt Iwasaki's. Third photo is the same as #1, only with the old 175 watt Ushios (10k) running. #4 is same as #2 w/ the Iwasaki's running. I can't get over just how bright, and hot those things are. My electricity bill should be intaresting.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/InWallTank2005-03-10_018.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/BackSideOfreef2005-03-16_016.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/BreakerBoxesand90Reef2005-03-13_021.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/BackSideOfreef2005-03-16_002.jpg

All taken with the same white balance setting, for comparative reasons. :D

[masterswimmer]

Looking good my friend. I'm 'feeling' pic #3 with your old Ushio's.

Keep up the good work,
Russ

[aberg12012]

Originally posted by masterswimmer
Looking good my friend. I'm 'feeling' pic #3 with your old Ushio's.

Keep up the good work,
Russ

Heh... yea I "feel" the same way. :rolleyes:

But to be honest, the difference is mostly through the eyes of my camera. Comparing the real deal, I do like the new Iwasaki's with stronger actinic/blue supplementation running better than with the ol' Ushios. (Maybe it's the 120 bucks I spent on the bulbs that's got me convinced... lol) I'm really starting to "dig" the intensity too. Through the camera it seems to be an obvious choice for the Ushios, but reality looks a little different. I have a feeling my custom tone curve of the camera needs some tweaking. :D

What I'd like to do, is go back and take more comparative photos. This time, using the same shutter/apurture/ISO settings to also show the difference in intensity as well. Trouble is, I only have one set of moguls so it would require re-wiring. :rolleyes:

[aberg12012]

Oh yea, and some of you have probably notticed by now, my RBTA apears to be splitting after the move. I really wish it wouldn't. It'll look like crap for a month afterwords. I prefer it to be nice and big, in one peice looking nice. Not to mention, that fire clown is really hard on it's host. So when it splits, it's only half the size and dosn't put up with her as well.

[FlipFlops24/7]

Originally posted by aberg12012


What I'd like to do, is go back and take more comparative photos. This time, using the same shutter/apurture/ISO settings to also show the difference in intensity as well. Trouble is, I only have one set of moguls so it would require re-wiring. :rolleyes:

You better be shooting in RAW Alan! What lenses do you have for your D70? I just got my Rebel XT yesterday and spent the rest of the day messing with RAW files for the first time.


Awesome awesome tank by the way.

[aberg12012]

Originally posted by Debaser
What lenses do you have for your D70?

I mostly use the kit lense, but I do have a set of Sigma macro zooms from my other Nikon film body that I only use if I either need the extra focal length, or the macro. Otherwise the kit lense is a bit sharper. Eventually I'd like to pick up the 50mm f/1,8. I think my kit lense would take a back seat to the 50mm prime most the time.

Awesome awesome tank by the way.

Thanks! I'm honored to hear that. Now I need to get in gear, and order some clean up critters so it dosn't end up looking like my old sewer system of a 75.

[Zombies026]

well with a great idea I had running through my head the other half shot me down right away..I was surfing on e-bay and saw a 750 gal tank reef ready..LoL we all know what came from that-nothing..I tryed to sell her on it but the price tag,its always the price tag..I mean come on its only money right??LoL..I guess she thought 3,500 was to much money,plus it didn't help when I told her she could put in some overtime..LoL...O well maybe next time..LoL

[aberg12012]

LOL Here's an idea...

sell the wife and buy the tank!

It's a win-win situation! And with that big of a tank, you'll pretty much be married to it anyways! :D

Does the 3500 include shipping? :lol:

With a tank that large, I'd say it'd be easier to build your own tank... on site. Thats like a small swimming pool! :D

[mwitten]

Originally posted by aberg12012
HERE IT IS!

...

Spent the last 2 days (which included all night last night) moving aquariums and other "critters" of mine. What a royal pain. Just got the lights up and running an hour ago. Can't wait to get the bulbs for the PFO's. :D

Aberg,

What are the dimensions of your "window" opening , if you don't mind my asking? Also, how high off the floor is it? I am getting ready to do a similar install with a 120 gallon, 48x24x24, and this looks like a similar "viewing area".

This looks great, by the way! I am impressed! I also appreciate your posting the project...

-Mike

[aberg12012]

Hi Mike, and thanks!

Off the top of my head (not home right now) the opening is 46" wide (two studs were removed, 16" on center) and about 22" tall. Tank is a 90 overflow, and the opening just covers up the black trim on the top/bottom, and the side corners (with the ugly silicone caulking) are also covered up.

The 120 should be the same. A 46"x22" opening would cover everything up nicely I would think.

[aberg12012]

For those of you intarested, since it's been a while here are some updates:

The tank was turning into a hair algae green house, just like my old system was. Of coarse there was a bit of it that got transfered over as well. But the glass and overflow also had nice brown algae growing on it that I was cleaning every day. I then picked up a load of snails and hermits. Since then I barely have to clean once a week, and they keep the overflow and the bottom starboard nice and clean. Finally coraline is starting to grow on it, rather than brown hair algae. I still am suprised at how well the snails and hermits keep things cleaned up. The only thing I clean now is the front glass. The rest is snail food.

As far as lighting, I purchased a new dual 250 watt standard PFO ballast, and 10K XM bulbs. The 400's were just too much light, and half of it was wasted shining out into the room. I couldn't stand knowing that so much of my electic bill was going towards not only lighting the tank, but also the entire basement behind it. I now have spider reflectors for the 250's, and to be honest the tank seems to get just as much light with the better reflectors as the 400's were with the flat reflector. Much more effecient, and I can actually work back there w/o sun glasses now. :lol:

Here's the latest pics, from a couple days ago. Nottice how it's still nice and clean looking. I hope to keep it that way through the years.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/ReefTank-FullTank2005-04-15_05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/berg12012/New%20Tank%20Project/ReefTank-FullTank2005-04-15_07.jpg

[mako56]

Ya good old wps I think they love all us crazy people. I just ordered a 180 gallon and am going to put it in the basement in the utility room with a hole into the family room to view it. Liking all your ideas and will be using some. Lookin very very nice a living picture.

[aberg12012]

Mako...

I'm glad it gave you some ideas. And thats exactly what it is... a living 3D picture. :D

On a related note, my RBTA finally split. It had been threatning it ever since I moved, and I'd been trying to keep it happy so it wouldn't. Well, last night it finally did. Now both halves are starting to wander all over the tank. :rolleyes: I hate when that thing splits. It had been sitting on the same rock, where I want it, for the past year or so. Not anymore, and now it'll take another 6 months to get them back up to size. And all the while my fire clown will be beating the crap out of them both. Time to banish her to the fuge I guess. :rolleye1:

[FlipFlops24/7]

Alan, if you ever want to sell that rBTA, keep me in mind please :-)

[mako56]

I have a green anemone that has split three times and I see in the tank that there is a baby one now too. I had to get some of them out because they were stinging my corals I wish I would of done it in there wondering stage because I had a hard time getting them out. I put them in a smaller tank I have and it looks like they are coming around but it took alLot out of them. Now I still have two and the baby in the tank. If anyone looks at this and has an idea how to get them off the rocks advice would be appreciated.

[aberg12012]

Originally posted by Debaser
Alan, if you ever want to sell that rBTA, keep me in mind please :-)

Sorry, but a couple close friends would probably disown me if I didn't give them first dibs. :D But I'm planning on keeping both clones, if they live through it. I can't tell, but it almost seems like they arn't completely splitting. I saw the one clone pulling away the other day, but now it's moved back righ against the other one, and I can't see if they are seperated completely or not. Maybe they'll live happily next to eachother, or maybe they just havn't completely riped apart yet. I guess we'll see what happens by May 15th.

Mako...

Besides risking tearing their foot, I think the only thing you can do is to remove them with the rock they are attached. If your trying to get rid of one, maybe encourage it to move onto a small rock that you can remove.

[dbui]

Alsome nicely done! You give me a great pics idea of how in wall tank done. You must be very handyman.

[aberg12012]

Originally posted by dbui
Alsome nicely done! You give me a great pics idea of how in wall tank done. You must be very handyman.

I'm glad you found my photos useful. It makes the extra effort I took to pause every now and then for a pic worth it.

[thrlride]

Your tank is looking great!

[aberg12012]

Wow, a visit from THE president! Thanks for the compliment.

[daddavis1]

Its really too bad. I mean with the RTBA's moving all over killing everything. I could solve that problem for you. Your close friends wouldn't have to know.

In another forum the: tank of the month, featured a Spiecies tank with just RBTA's. His meathod for preventing the movement was making the rock the RTBA is on an Island. It would move to the top of the rock and stay there. Also if you want to remove them his recommendation was place the rock against the glass and the RBTA would walk ot the glass where the base can be removed more easily. check it out. He also removed all other coral because of the damage being done by the RBTAs

[thrlride]

It's been about a year now, how is the tank doing?