Build almost complete!! - Page 3

Htfdwhaler · 02/21/2015, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogergolf66

That's how mine is setup too. It's so easy to remove

Nice..

Definitely convenient if you need to take the it off for whatever reason..

ganjero · 02/21/2015, 08:56 PM

What did you use to paint the inside of the cabinet and where did you get it?

Htfdwhaler · 02/21/2015, 09:15 PM

I few purchases over the weeknd..

I bought the materials to stain the stand. I have been pushing it to the side for a while now. Here is what I am going with.

Bought the tunze care long to clean the glass. This thing is awesome, I used it on my 40breeder. Can't believe I went so long with out it. lol..

Some live stock!! Picked up a cleaning crew.. I am only doing trochus snails in this system. Best snail by far IMO and the only ones worth having in a reef... Bought 15 to start off with.

Getting closer to putting water in the tank..

I added the sand today. Again I went with Tropic Eden 60lbs of ReefFlakes and 30lbs of Miniflakes. This stuff is absolutely amazing best substrate I have used thus far as far as aesthetics, no wonder people go crazy over this stuff.

I am doing a light sand bed 1-2 inches and ended up only using 60 lbs (1 and 1). So I will shortly be putting up the other 30 lbs bag of reef flakes for sale.

Some pics.

As far as the aqua scape I was absolutely in love with the left island and knew if I took it down I will not be able to reconstruct it. It's hollow in the center and gets a ton of light through it. I think that I can have corals growing out of the inside of the rocks up towards the light which I think would be really cool.

The right island has a ton of surface are on top great SPS real estate. Just tons of room for corals to grow. I am overall happy with it and decided to keep it for now.

Htfdwhaler · 02/21/2015, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ganjero

What did you use to paint the inside of the cabinet and where did you get it?

To be honest I picked up some exterior house paint on the clearance rack from home depot. One of those cans that some one has mixed for them and they don't end up purchasing. It was $5 bucks.

I didn't want to spend $20 on a can of paint. It was between red and pink... Went with the red. lol.

ganjero · 02/21/2015, 09:35 PM

For some reason i thought it was some type of liquid fiberglass or epoxy.... Lol.. I guess is the particle board that makes it look like that.

I was about to recommend you for the outside the general finishes java gel stain. Awesome color and product, i just finished restoring a stand for a 120g and it looks amazing.

Flippers4pups · 02/21/2015, 09:38 PM

Your attention to detail is very good!

sinful · 02/22/2015, 11:30 AM

Did u buy tank local?

snake1 · 02/22/2015, 01:46 PM

+1 on the trochus snails they are the best

Htfdwhaler · 02/22/2015, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinful

Did u buy tank local?

I did. The tank is a DSA 105 non drilled. I bought it from Marine Warehouse for around $630. I drilled and painted the back panel myself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snake1

+1 on the trochus snails they are the best

Yes! These snails are awesome. Dropped them in my 40 gallon for now, they immediately went to work. Woke up the next morning back panel of glass was spotless.

Htfdwhaler · 02/22/2015, 07:49 PM

My first water test today. I Teed off my RODI unit and ran the line to my ATO reservoir, took about 50 feet of 1/4 inch tubing. I tested all the fittings for leaks and also the container and made sure the float valve in the container was working as well. Started fine tuning the ATO system as well. I'm exited to finally get some water in the tank even though it's just a little water in the sump. LOL..

Should have water in the tank this week..

rfalvey89 · 02/22/2015, 09:28 PM

fill that beast

RDM · 02/23/2015, 06:09 AM

Htfdwhaler did you consider using the Ecotech multi light RMS for your Radions?

wickedbell · 02/23/2015, 09:22 AM

You did an awesome job

hummer41269 · 02/23/2015, 11:59 AM

This build is sooo cool nice job

Htfdwhaler · 02/23/2015, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfalvey89

fill that beast

Getting there!! LOL..

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDM

Htfdwhaler did you consider using the Ecotech multi light RMS for your Radions?

I did consider it. I like the current look better.

If I get bored, I can always change it to the multi light RMS, just simply buy the track.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedbell

You did an awesome job

Thanks!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hummer41269

This build is sooo cool nice job

Thanks!!!

likefish · 02/26/2015, 10:27 AM

Just a thought for your rockscape, if you are planning SPS. The tops of your rocks look really close to the water surface. WHEN (gotta stay optimistic) you get good SPS growth, any stag or branching acro mounted high will reach the surface quickly.

Just a suggestion; Build your "rockscape" with the finished "reefscape" in mind. What will it look like when it grows out? Hope that makes sence.

Beautiful craftsmanship and attention to detail! Well done.

Htfdwhaler · 02/26/2015, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by likefish

Just a thought for your rockscape, if you are planning SPS. The tops of your rocks look really close to the water surface. WHEN (gotta stay optimistic) you get good SPS growth, any stag or branching acro mounted high will reach the surface quickly.

Just a suggestion; Build your "rockscape" with the finished "reefscape" in mind. What will it look like when it grows out? Hope that makes sence.

Beautiful craftsmanship and attention to detail! Well done.

Thanks!

Appreciated the input. Agreed, in my mind I'm already placing corals where I want them to be and how I want to set it up.

I have at least 8 inches from rock to the surface of the water. If I can get corals to grow 8 inches tall I am a happy camper.. Plus I think it would be cool to actually have to corals growing out of the water. Let's see what happens.. LOL.

Htfdwhaler · 02/26/2015, 06:30 PM

THEN THERE WAS WATER!!!

A lot of time and energy has gone into this. Friends and family think I am crazy for putting so much time and effort into a "fish tank". They just don't understand. LOL..

Filling the tank

Finally full took about 24 hours to fill with RODI water..

Of course after filling the tank up, darn thing started leaking everywhere. I drained 30 gallons out. Took plumbing apart to fix what needed to get fix. Yes, very frustrating to say the least, but finally 100% leak free.

It's just fresh water at this point. Water is a little cloudy, started running Carbon to clear it up.. Will check my PO4 tomorrow. If high will run GFO. Shouldn't be that high from what I read the rock and sand I chose is very clean.

Going to place a small order with Tampa Bay Salt Water to seed my tank.

Also took the skin off a started prepping for stain.

I know these Iphone 4S pictures suck!! I need an upgrade bad, but all my money for that went to reefing. SMH.

Reefpilot11 · 02/26/2015, 11:22 PM

Very nice man can't wait to see it stocked with fish! Have any idea what you're going to put in it?

zachfishman · 02/27/2015, 06:26 AM

Always appreciate the lit sump area.

zachfishman · 02/27/2015, 06:28 AM

If you go by my schedule, you'll be ready to host in two weeks!

RDM · 02/27/2015, 07:03 AM

You're making good progress. It's always nice to see water in the tank for the first time. Did you put anything under the rock like egg crate or starboard? Or is the rock just sitting on the bottom glass?

sageblade24 · 02/27/2015, 10:31 AM

Nice rockwork.

The dual island look seems to be really popular lately.

sinful · 02/27/2015, 11:27 AM

How are you liking that overflow from ebay? Any noise?

rfalvey89 · 02/27/2015, 07:46 PM

well done

02/21/2015, 09:38 PM	#56
Flippers4pups Home made abyss Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lake Saint Louis, MO Posts: 2,047	Your attention to detail is very good! __________________ Don Reefing since 1993 Current Tank info: 125 gallon DT , 125 gallon basement sump. Rw 15 & Rw 8. Panworld 150ps return. Reef Octopus 150 skimmer, 3 165w mars aqua led.

02/22/2015, 11:30 AM	#57
sinful Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Winter Haven, Florida Posts: 2,085	Did u buy tank local? __________________ -Matt

02/22/2015, 01:46 PM	#58
snake1 Premium Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 2,044	+1 on the trochus snails they are the best __________________ Snake1 Current Tank Info: Future build 60 Cube/45 gallon sump, Ecotech XR30 Radion Gen 4 Pro, 2)mp40 , 2)mp10, Full Apex, I-Tech100 Skimmer, JBJ Auto Top Off, custom I-Tech one off calcium reactor.

02/22/2015, 09:28 PM	#61
rfalvey89 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Lutz FL...Never heard of it?- Neither had I Posts: 1,113	fill that beast __________________ ....None of you understand. I'm not locked up in here with you. You're locked up in here with ME! Current Tank Info: 150 gal powered by Ecotech Radions, Vectra, MP40QD's

02/26/2015, 11:22 PM	#69
Reefpilot11 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Indian rocks beach Posts: 926	Very nice man can't wait to see it stocked with fish! Have any idea what you're going to put in it? __________________ 75g Mixed Reef - ATI 36" Sunpower / x2 MP10s / SWC 120 Skimmer / Tsunami Sump / MR1 Reactor / Apex

02/21/2015, 08:56 PM	#52
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	What did you use to paint the inside of the cabinet and where did you get it?

02/21/2015, 09:15 PM	#53
Htfdwhaler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 347	I few purchases over the weeknd.. I bought the materials to stain the stand. I have been pushing it to the side for a while now. Here is what I am going with. Bought the tunze care long to clean the glass. This thing is awesome, I used it on my 40breeder. Can't believe I went so long with out it. lol.. Some live stock!! Picked up a cleaning crew.. I am only doing trochus snails in this system. Best snail by far IMO and the only ones worth having in a reef... Bought 15 to start off with. Getting closer to putting water in the tank.. I added the sand today. Again I went with Tropic Eden 60lbs of ReefFlakes and 30lbs of Miniflakes. This stuff is absolutely amazing best substrate I have used thus far as far as aesthetics, no wonder people go crazy over this stuff. I am doing a light sand bed 1-2 inches and ended up only using 60 lbs (1 and 1). So I will shortly be putting up the other 30 lbs bag of reef flakes for sale. Some pics. As far as the aqua scape I was absolutely in love with the left island and knew if I took it down I will not be able to reconstruct it. It's hollow in the center and gets a ton of light through it. I think that I can have corals growing out of the inside of the rocks up towards the light which I think would be really cool. The right island has a ton of surface are on top great SPS real estate. Just tons of room for corals to grow. I am overall happy with it and decided to keep it for now.

02/21/2015, 09:35 PM	#55
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	For some reason i thought it was some type of liquid fiberglass or epoxy.... Lol.. I guess is the particle board that makes it look like that. I was about to recommend you for the outside the general finishes java gel stain. Awesome color and product, i just finished restoring a stand for a 120g and it looks amazing.

02/22/2015, 07:49 PM	#60
Htfdwhaler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 347	My first water test today. I Teed off my RODI unit and ran the line to my ATO reservoir, took about 50 feet of 1/4 inch tubing. I tested all the fittings for leaks and also the container and made sure the float valve in the container was working as well. Started fine tuning the ATO system as well. I'm exited to finally get some water in the tank even though it's just a little water in the sump. LOL.. Should have water in the tank this week..

02/23/2015, 06:09 AM	#62
RDM Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: West Central Florida Posts: 68	Htfdwhaler did you consider using the Ecotech multi light RMS for your Radions?

02/23/2015, 09:22 AM	#63
wickedbell Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1	You did an awesome job

02/23/2015, 11:59 AM	#64
hummer41269 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: IL Posts: 21	This build is sooo cool nice job

02/26/2015, 10:27 AM	#66
likefish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: central florida Posts: 738	Just a thought for your rockscape, if you are planning SPS. The tops of your rocks look really close to the water surface. WHEN (gotta stay optimistic) you get good SPS growth, any stag or branching acro mounted high will reach the surface quickly. Just a suggestion; Build your "rockscape" with the finished "reefscape" in mind. What will it look like when it grows out? Hope that makes sence. Beautiful craftsmanship and attention to detail! Well done.

02/26/2015, 06:30 PM	#68
Htfdwhaler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 347	THEN THERE WAS WATER!!! A lot of time and energy has gone into this. Friends and family think I am crazy for putting so much time and effort into a "fish tank". They just don't understand. LOL.. Filling the tank Finally full took about 24 hours to fill with RODI water.. Of course after filling the tank up, darn thing started leaking everywhere. I drained 30 gallons out. Took plumbing apart to fix what needed to get fix. Yes, very frustrating to say the least, but finally 100% leak free. It's just fresh water at this point. Water is a little cloudy, started running Carbon to clear it up.. Will check my PO4 tomorrow. If high will run GFO. Shouldn't be that high from what I read the rock and sand I chose is very clean. Going to place a small order with Tampa Bay Salt Water to seed my tank. Also took the skin off a started prepping for stain. I know these Iphone 4S pictures suck!! I need an upgrade bad, but all my money for that went to reefing. SMH.

02/27/2015, 06:26 AM	#70
zachfishman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 3,577	Always appreciate the lit sump area. __________________ Patience is a reefer's best tool. Secret Xenia lover. M.S. Marine Biology Staff - Marine Discovery Center, St. Petersburg FL Tampa Bay Reef Club BOD 2018 Current Tank Info: 34g modded Solana

02/27/2015, 06:28 AM	#71
zachfishman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 3,577	If you go by my schedule, you'll be ready to host in two weeks! __________________ Patience is a reefer's best tool. Secret Xenia lover. M.S. Marine Biology Staff - Marine Discovery Center, St. Petersburg FL Tampa Bay Reef Club BOD 2018 Current Tank Info: 34g modded Solana

02/27/2015, 07:03 AM	#72
RDM Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: West Central Florida Posts: 68	You're making good progress. It's always nice to see water in the tank for the first time. Did you put anything under the rock like egg crate or starboard? Or is the rock just sitting on the bottom glass?

02/27/2015, 10:31 AM	#73
sageblade24 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Palmetto, FL Posts: 125	Nice rockwork. The dual island look seems to be really popular lately. __________________ Zoa\Paly Collector Current Tank Info: IM NUVO Fusion 20

02/27/2015, 11:27 AM	#74
sinful Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Winter Haven, Florida Posts: 2,085	How are you liking that overflow from ebay? Any noise? __________________ -Matt

02/27/2015, 07:46 PM	#75
rfalvey89 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Lutz FL...Never heard of it?- Neither had I Posts: 1,113	well done __________________ ....None of you understand. I'm not locked up in here with you. You're locked up in here with ME! Current Tank Info: 150 gal powered by Ecotech Radions, Vectra, MP40QD's