3 day 150 to 300gallon scramble [Archive] - Reef Central Online Community

saurus

08/05/2005, 05:11 PM

Let's just say this all started when my lfs had a 240 gallon scrathced up tank sitting the back waiting for me. The guy only wanted 200 bucks for it but it had no internal plumbing and it was pretty worn. So, I decided not to buy it but......... the wheels started turning...

Three weeks later I couldn't do anything but plan my next tank. I currently have a 150 gallon glass 60x24x24 with one overflow.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865P1010017resoze-med.JPG

After comtemplating size, I decided to go with a 300 because I like the additional 6 inch depth. I stayed with the 24 inch height for maintenance purpose. The tank is 96x30x24. The space that I have for the tank was 101 inches by 30 inches deep so it was a perfect fit. I had the overflow built on the left side with 2 1.5 drains and 2 1.5 bulkheads for closed loop if I decide to at some point. The reason is becuase to the left of the tank is my sump closet with a 75 gallon sump and all my equipment.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865P1010032resize-med.JPG

I already have most of the equipment. I really only had to add another mh. But I was able to get ahold of 3 luminarcs 3's from www.propertyroom.com which I couldn't pass up. I had another fish only system with about 120 pounds of liverock which I transfered over. The fish were already all sold off.

I had a buyer for the tank once it was moved out but after everything was done I found this :(

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865P1010077ressize-med.JPG

The guy was pretty bummed but was able to buy another tank for $250.00. He took the stand and canopy. :D

saurus

08/05/2005, 05:22 PM

So, the night before I picked up my tank I had to move all the livestock from my 150 to a 100 gallon holding tank which was the fish only. That whole process took about six hours. I drained as I moved the livestock to the other tank. I kept all the water to put back into the new tank. I also had 3 44 gallon trash cans with water already mixed waiting. I was able to move most everything to the 100 gallon and whatever was left over I put into the sump. The next morning we moved out the 150 and the construction begun.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865Photo_072605_006.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865Photo_072605_005.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865Photo_072605_003.jpg

Sorry for the quality of the photos. I did not have my digital and had to use my treo 650 phone. As the stand was constructed, I went to pick up my brand new 300 gallon custom built acrylic tank built by www.midwestcustomaquariums.com which did not cost only $200.00. Chris, the owner, was awesome to work with and was very fair in price. He didnt think twice when I asked to have the overflow on the outside. The tank turned out awesome and exactly how I wanted it.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865Photo_072605_008.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865Photo_072605_010.jpg

saurus

08/05/2005, 05:40 PM

The gentlemen who built the stand has been in the woodworking business since he was a little kid. His dad was a master woodworker. He pays alot of attention to the finish work. This is one of the reasons my digital camera was missing.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865Photo_072605_022.jpg

The other reason was not far away causing some kind of trouble.

My backhouse has a "tiki" or "jungle" theme so I thought it was necessary to have the tank fit in. I went with the canopy to look like a pitched roof which I will attach thatch to.

The stand is finished and now it is time to get the tank installed. The reason it was a 3 day scramble is because my livestock was getting stressed. I am not sure if it was the move or the water quality in the other tank because all the fish were "panting" and I lost 2 anthias, a flame angel and my really cool hawkfish. So, I decided to get things moving and just go for it. We put the tank on the stand and I started moving the original water over to the new tank. I dont know how many 5 gallon buckets I filled, carried and drained in the new tank. I moved all the new water from the trash cans into the new tank and got the heaters going to warm it up.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865Photo_072605_024.jpg

So, now the new tank is filled half with new water and half with the original. I used trash bags and a bowl in the middle trick to help with the sand storm becuase I used 4 brand new bags of southdown sand I have been storing. It did help for anyone who plans on a new tank and doesnt want a huge sandstorm.

Water filled up and temperature was good so all the livestock was moved back in. The fish seemed instantly happier and breathing better. It was midnight by the time I got everything back in and finished. I was sooooo sooo tired. I worked from 8 am to 12 midnight without a break. I am a Realtor so I am not used to working that hard :lol: . I woke up the next morning and found I had muscles in places I didn't even know about. I was sore to say the least. My arms woke up about an hour later and we got started.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865Photo_072705_002.jpg

You can see the framing for the "roof" with the dowel to hang my luminarcs. I worked on the plumbing while the rest of the construction went on.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865Photo_072805_012.jpg

saurus

08/05/2005, 05:53 PM

The plumbing was complete and I fired up the mag 18 and no leaks except for forgeting to put the cap on the second drain. :eek2: :eek2: Boy, when that water went into the overflow I freaked out. :D . But, luckily, I was there in a snap to screw it on with minimal water loss. I have 2 seio 1100's crankin and about 1000 gallons through the sea swirl in the right corner. I wired up the luminarcs and fired them up.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865Photo_072805_001.jpg

The construction went on and so did the wiring. Got the third one fired up.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865Photo_072905_001.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865Photo_072905_010.jpg

More construction....

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865Photo_073005_002.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865Photo_073005_003.jpg

saurus

08/05/2005, 06:00 PM

The fish were all fine. They seem to be pretty happy with all the new Real Estate. The tangs fought for their territory. I still have all the aquascaping but take a look.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865Photo_072905_005.jpg

My rbta's were so deflated I thought for sure I lost them. They house the 2 saddlebacks. My blue carpet which house my 2 percs seems to be doing good.

The construction went on, staining, sealing, varnishing and look what happened........

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865P1010064resize-med.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865P1010074resize-med.JPG

I was very pleased how it turned out and I just need to find some thatch to install on the "roof" I used the bamboo sheeting you get from depot and had him install it. It lets the top and the bottom of the tank "breath" I still have some more work to do and I hope to get to the aquascaping. I will give updated pictures as I go. It has been up for a little over a week and a half and everything is doing great. Even my blastos.

rocknut

08/05/2005, 06:29 PM

That looks great! I just got done building my current set-up (about 1/5th of the size of yours) and it took me about 6 weeks. I'm amazed at how quickly yours went together! Looks awesome!!!

Andys29

08/05/2005, 06:49 PM

Looking good!

smokez01

08/05/2005, 07:36 PM

Sweet! i cant wait to see the thatched roof , that is such a cool idea.

saurus

08/18/2005, 01:00 PM

I finally found the place to buy thatch and installed it. I still need to aquascape but it looks more finished. I am very pleased. I have 2 tunzes with the controller on its way and a ampmaster 3000. I will have some 3 month old seios for grabs soon.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865P1010003resize-med.JPG

Shot of the tank. I think I will have a large rock structure with caves on the right side. And maybe a island type rock structure on the left. The middle will probably be my tall rock with 3 rbta's and 2 pairs of mated clowns.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865P1010012resize-med.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865P1010014resize-med.JPG

Any ideas on aquascaping would be nice. There are a good couple size rocks. The sandbed is only a inch or so.

Reefy

08/18/2005, 01:08 PM

Very creative! Love the look! Reminds me of the South Pacific.

polywise

08/18/2005, 01:18 PM

saurus

Any worries of the thatched roof going up in smoke?

reefboy1

08/18/2005, 01:32 PM

Saurus,

Awesome!!! I really, really love the island look and the thatched hood.

Aquascaping is primo as well. Great job.

Art

A Reef Scene

08/18/2005, 03:11 PM

Looks great

saurus

08/18/2005, 03:50 PM

Thanks guys for the kind words. I have had my "tiki" room for over 5 years now and this really completes it. And to think I started with a 18 gallon eclipse. Scary :eek1:

This is indeed a cool hobby.

polywise:

I don't think the thatch is close enough to be a problem. Under the thatch is a 1/8" sheet of plywood and the luminarcs are a foot below that. I have two fans that push any heat out of the canopy and the front of the doors are ventilated by the bamboo sheeting.

NHMarine

08/18/2005, 04:38 PM

Nice job!!!! Thank you very much for taking the time to stop and take pictures and narrate while all this was going on.

PS, maybe you can find some creative door pulls, like sea horses, or something.

eugimon

08/18/2005, 05:32 PM

I love it! have you thought of adding another tank on the adjacent wall to get a wrap around effect?

juice me man

08/19/2005, 06:25 AM

a very nice set up.

jarhed

08/19/2005, 08:30 AM

Absolutely SMOKIN design there!!! I'm really impressed!

saurus

08/19/2005, 09:19 AM

Originally posted by NHMarine
Nice job!!!! Thank you very much for taking the time to stop and take pictures and narrate while all this was going on.

PS, maybe you can find some creative door pulls, like sea horses, or something.

"Runs off to Expo to pick up some door handles" Expo is a high end Home Depot store. I think they even have sea horse door pulls. Great idea though. Thanks for the kind words.

saurus

08/19/2005, 09:27 AM

Originally posted by eugimon
I love it! have you thought of adding another tank on the adjacent wall to get a wrap around effect?

Cool idea. My friends and family make fun of me saying that the room should be a huge tank and just have enough room to walk down the middle. I tend to agree :D . We have a pool and alot of the new pools today have gone to saltwater. Cool idea huh? No or less chemicals I guess. I spoke with my pool guy yesterday and he said they mix the same way and same salinity. Ohhhh the possiblities!!!!! ;)

But thanks for all the nice comments. I really appreciate it.

I have about 3000 gallons per hour running through my system. I guess that would be the minimum. I purchased from a fellow reefer two tunzee 6000's and a ampmaster 3000. Seeing my mixed setup, would that be too much flow? Probably about 3600 from the tunzes and 2000 from the ampmaster through two sea swirls. Would it shock the corals too much? I know some people have 60x turnover but this is a 300 gallon tank. I couldn't imagine 18000 gph :eek1: .

saurus

08/19/2005, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by jarhed
Absolutely SMOKIN design there!!! I'm really impressed!

Jarhed, can you leave this hut alone?? :lol:

jarhed

08/19/2005, 09:33 AM

Originally posted by saurus
Jarhed, can you leave this hut alone?? :lol:

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! :lol: :lol:

Yeah, I'll bypass your village! :smokin:

TheCoralReef731

08/19/2005, 08:42 PM

It looks like the rock is all level from a distance. Maybe try to make hills/valleys in it.

saurus

08/19/2005, 10:48 PM

Originally posted by TheCoralReef731
It looks like the rock is all level from a distance. Maybe try to make hills/valleys in it.

Yes, I noted that in one of the last posts that I still need to aquascape. I offered a couple ideas but asked for some help. I was thinking of making a large rock structure on the right with lots of openings and some sort of island on the left with my large tonga rock housing my 3 rbta's and two mated pairs in the middle. But I would really appreciate some feedback. The current formation of the rock was created blindly when I transfered the rock from my 100 holding tank and the new sand had not settled. I neeeeeeeeeed creative help :mixed: hehe.

Bugs

09/01/2005, 09:07 AM

Nice theme you have there. I like the way you build a hut for your tank. I have few questions for you if you don't mind. How long did it take you to complete the project? How far is the luminarc above the water? Can you adjust them up and down if it needs to and how if you don't mind explaining it?

saurus

01/01/2006, 04:22 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=5539890#post5539890 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NHMarine
Nice job!!!! Thank you very much for taking the time to stop and take pictures and narrate while all this was going on.

PS, maybe you can find some creative door pulls, like sea horses, or something.

I finally got a chance to get some photos. Getting a new camera for Christmas helped. What do you think? Will these work?

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865DSC_0111.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865DSC_0047.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865DSC_0084.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865DSC_0044.JPG

Any help with taking photos would be appreciated. Not sure if I am taking macros shots correctly.

saurus

01/01/2006, 04:27 PM

And another updated shot of the tank.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865DSC_0038.JPG

Another macro..

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/39865DSC_0060.JPG

saurus

01/01/2006, 04:36 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=5631015#post5631015 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bugs
Nice theme you have there. I like the way you build a hut for your tank. I have few questions for you if you don't mind. How long did it take you to complete the project? How far is the luminarc above the water? Can you adjust them up and down if it needs to and how if you don't mind explaining it?

guess I never saw your post. Sorry if its too late. The main bulk of the project was about a week. It is ongoing as most who have been down this road before. You don't own a reef, it owns you :p . The bottoms of the luminarcs were about 4 inches off the top of the tank. The bulbs were about 7 inches from the top. I have since added a fourth luminarc and raised them up so the bulbs are about 9 inches off the top because of the center braces and heat issues. I also changed my old xm 15ks 250 watts out to brand spanking new 14k hamiltons and what a difference. Sorry to speak poorly of the xm15k's but they were not up to par :lol: . I have the luminarcs hanging from plastic link which I can adjust up and down. If you look at the past pics, you will notice the dowel which allows me to slide them back and forth and tilt them however I like. It was a cheap alternative and it works. I would not have them any lower due to heat issues.

keto

01/01/2006, 04:49 PM

man that has to be the most creative set up i have seen on here,your theme is great, my hat is off to you, great work.

Chaotic Reefer4u

01/01/2006, 09:21 PM

very cool

TEDDYKOLLER

01/02/2006, 09:22 AM

VERY NICE. THE MACRO SHOTS ARE GREAT AS WELL.

snorvich

01/02/2006, 01:02 PM

Looks really great. I cannot believe you did it that fast. Mine tooks months!!!!

gregmoeck

01/02/2006, 03:20 PM

the roof looks like a fire hazard :)

saurus

01/14/2006, 12:24 PM

Thanks everyone for all the nice comments. As far as a fire hazzard goes, I have about 300 gallons of water to put it out :p .

sohal tang 1

01/14/2006, 05:50 PM

Wow....incredible set up! Looks very OCEAN like!!!! For aquascaping I would make 2 seperate islands with white sandbed mostly open in between...with clams there and zoos etc in between the two islands....the islands should have large caves with lots of openings etc...that is what I would do....extremely neat mixture tank...I love it! Nice job!
Tim

kane4187

01/14/2006, 06:00 PM

Awesome set up I'm in the process of building my stand and hood and plan on lining the whole thing with bamboo and staining around the same color as yours.

mwood

01/14/2006, 07:48 PM

Great lookin' setup. I've been thinking about doing a rainforest cafe theme. Yours is so similar, well, lets just say I'm more than a little jealous.

Marcus

PS, I was also thinking about doing something with thatch and my lighting. Iâ€™m just not sure how that part is going to work.

saurus

12/02/2006, 07:22 PM

Well, almost a year. After many changes and upgrades, I am getting there!! :D

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/saurusforrest/resizefull.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/saurusforrest/12-5.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/saurusforrest/12-2.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/saurusforrest/12.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/saurusforrest/12-1.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/saurusforrest/12-4.jpg

:wave:

Jerry W

12/02/2006, 08:02 PM

Wow! Really nice evolution there! Love the trigger and the goldflake. If the angel nice to your corals?
Gorgeous tank!

hatfielj

12/02/2006, 08:23 PM

Very cool setup man! Creativity is always a good idea. I love that trigger too! What kind is he? Looks like he'd be too big for my 120gal though.

saurus

12/02/2006, 09:21 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8666967#post8666967 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jerry W
Wow! Really nice evolution there! Love the trigger and the goldflake. If the angel nice to your corals?
Gorgeous tank!

The goldflake does not touch a thing. He is actually the bully of the tank. I have had him for about 6 months and he is a upstanding citizen.

saurus

12/02/2006, 09:28 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8667078#post8667078 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hatfielj
Very cool setup man! Creativity is always a good idea. I love that trigger too! What kind is he? Looks like he'd be too big for my 120gal though.

He is a crosshatch trigger. I purchased him from a diver in Hawaii through a group buy coordinated by bebo77 (Gabriel). He might be a bit big for your system. He tends to swim in front of one of the tunze 6100's which leads me to believe he misses free range. He is like a big dumb dog who wags his tail everytime I come in the room waiting for a treat. Great personality. You might want to try a female. They are not quite as colorful but much smaller.

saltyfishy123

12/02/2006, 10:04 PM

OMG that tank is just sick....... That monti cap is awesome.Whats it called? Which monti cap is that...

Hop

12/02/2006, 11:46 PM

Very nice! A few more updates would be nice:) How about quarterly rather than yearly:lol:

saurus

12/03/2006, 12:36 AM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8667705#post8667705 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltyfishy123
OMG that tank is just sick....... That monti cap is awesome.Whats it called? Which monti cap is that...

Much appreciated!! It is the standard Monti Capricoris (http://www.easyreefer.com/sps_identification/species/montipora/capricornis.php) red in color. You can see a picture on the first page when it was much smaller. It has since grew 3 fold and has gotten 3 times as thick.

saurus

12/03/2006, 12:47 AM

Hop, I couldn't believe when I saw the date of the last post on this thread. I have been a bit busy with kids, work, family, etc... I have thourougly enjoyed the upkeep on my tank over the last year and what I have learned. People always ask about the maintenance on the tank but I relate it to a hobby (working on cars, golf, bikes, etc) and then they can relate. I look forward to this year and to apprecaite the growth rather than upgrades and changes, much of what I did this year. I have my water parameters inline and have been noticing a lot of positive growth. I will be posting more often. :rolleye1: :D

qwuintus

12/03/2006, 06:20 AM

Creative to say the least! Pics make a big difference with the digi cam =)

Snook65

12/03/2006, 05:33 PM

I love the Polynesian look. Tank is very impressive!

mflamb

12/03/2006, 05:50 PM

Very sweet. How long have you had the vlamingi???

Rocketman1429

12/03/2006, 07:00 PM

sweet tank man, great job!

invincible569

12/03/2006, 07:39 PM

Creative idea! Love it. I also love your fish collection.

saurus

12/03/2006, 09:39 PM

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I think this has become more than a hobby :eek2:. I guess I knew that the day I bought my first 18 gallon eclipse :lol:.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8672380#post8672380 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
Very sweet. How long have you had the vlamingi???

I bought him off a fellow reefer who had a 100 gallon tank. He felt he needed a bigger home. He has since grown considerably. I have had him for probably close to a year. He is a fat, fat, fat fish :bigeyes:.

GSMguy

12/03/2006, 11:10 PM

is your clown in the picture captive bred or wild cought

saurus

12/03/2006, 11:57 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8674749#post8674749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
is your clown in the picture captive bred or wild cought

To be honest, I don't remember. I have had the mated pair since before I joined this board. I doubt they were captive raised because I was a more of a newbie back then and wouldn't have known. I think I just got lucky and they "hooked" up :love2: :lol:.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/saurusforrest/12-6.jpg

drummereef

12/04/2006, 01:18 AM

What a sweet tank! Makes me want to sit back and enjoy a Pina Colada and watch the fishies swim by. Awesome! :thumbsup:

818

12/04/2006, 03:04 AM

Now thats an effin reef tank!!!

saurus

12/04/2006, 10:03 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8675408#post8675408 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by My F1sh R D34D!
Now thats an effin reef tank!!!

Hey, why wait till the next frag swap? You are welcome to stop by for a few beers, hair algae and bristle worms anytime :beer: :lolspin:.

GSMguy

12/04/2006, 11:04 PM

true percs are the best, great tank

alien9168

12/05/2006, 07:51 PM

Your tank is awsome! I love the theme! :)

saurus

01/29/2008, 01:28 PM

The tank is maturing and I am seeing nice growth and stability. Took a little longer than I wanted but now it is exciting to see the future potential.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/saurusforrest/012708151-4.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/saurusforrest/012708197.jpg

I changed to 5 mini luminarcs with 20k radiums. I like the coloration. The tank is bright. I am still shy of good camera skills so if anyone can recommend a good online photo course, I would appreciate it.

NYIntensity

01/29/2008, 04:02 PM

Looks like he adjusts them up and down with the chains that are looped over the dowels.

GSMguy

01/29/2008, 04:04 PM

wow it looks great. dont change a thing.

Bebo77

01/29/2008, 04:22 PM

looks very nice...

ycnibrc

01/29/2008, 04:23 PM

nice progress and nice tank...how is the golf flake angel behave??

saurus

01/29/2008, 05:23 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11717388#post11717388 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ycnibrc
nice progress and nice tank...how is the golf flake angel behave??

He behaves great in my sump after I took him out of the display :lol:. I recently added some acans which I believe he took a liking too. I also believe he had something to do with no polyp extention on my sps. Now everything is looking good and bushy as can be. You spend all your time trying to get your water quality perfect and find out months later problems may have been due to a fish :rolleyes: . So, now I am done with angels. I have had angels from day 1 but now it is not worth the chance. I feed heavily so I guess some people just get lucky with non nipping angels.

Gools

01/30/2008, 10:37 PM

Can I see a pic of your new lights? With 3 openings in the top, how do you have them arranged?

I have the same size tank, I'm setting up, really like yours and have gotten alot of ideas. Thanks

klasiksb

02/12/2008, 09:27 PM

saurus, what size are the opening on the top of the tank? Any problems getting in to the tank to do stuff? If you had it to do over again, would you go with eurobracing instead?

TandN

02/12/2008, 11:27 PM

awesome happy to see the tank doing so well

Dansin

02/12/2008, 11:51 PM

Looks great. I love the look also. Can you tell me what kind of trigger you have in the tank it looks like it has a pink tail?

saurus

02/13/2008, 02:56 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11727880#post11727880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gools
Can I see a pic of your new lights? With 3 openings in the top, how do you have them arranged?

I have the same size tank, I'm setting up, really like yours and have gotten alot of ideas. Thanks

I will get some updated pictures posted soon.

saurus

02/13/2008, 02:58 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11833936#post11833936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by klasiksb
saurus, what size are the opening on the top of the tank? Any problems getting in to the tank to do stuff? If you had it to do over again, would you go with eurobracing instead?

The 3 openings are 20x20 I believe. I don't really have a problem getting in and out. I dislike the center bracing and would definately go with euro if possible and low iron glass if I were to do it again. Actually, since it is built in, I would just do a plywood tank with a low iron front pane.