renman303

Guys, Thanks for the input. Actually, I have no idea what I need in the way of equipment ! I'm thinking of a Barracuda for a pump (only because I heard Aaron talking about it at his house). This is how I'm getting my ideas! I've heard good things about a "Euro Skimmer, RC18 or something like that? I need a calcium reactor, I want a sump that will accommodate all of the equipment plus some beneficial algae, live rock and a few shrimp. I also need a Tunze for the tank. I contacted "John" at "Aquarium Obsessed" and he was a great help. I told him I wanted a 72x26x26 that was eurobraced instead of having a center brace and a starphire glass front. He suggested, "An internal overflow greylite glass, 4hole 2 durso, 4 bulkheads". Other than that, I don't know what I need? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

James, That's great! You guys need to come to Gtown this spring for the Bluegrass Festival that we have here at the Georgetown Park. We had about 4000 people last year!

Toss that Hydrometer. They're good for brewing beer. I bought my refractometer from Drs. Foster & Smith. I'm happy with everything that that place sells. They really back it all up including livestock. Here is the link to the one that I have for $41. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...amp;pcatid=9957

Just a quick tally to see if we have any musicians out there? Sorry if this is a repost! I played drums for 10 years and have been playing guitar for the past 32. I also do luthier work and build one-of-a-kind electrics as well. My daughter, just turned 8 on Feb. 9 also plays drums. She's wicked good compared to how I was at that age. Any with only 6 lessons under her belt, she rivals most 16 year olds....I'll have to make a YouTube video. Proud Papa, I am... Dave "renman"

I know there are infinite number of plumbing options, closed loop, etc....But, If I end up ordering a tank "new", all of the manufacturers want to know: Overflows: How many and where? Holes for plumbing: How many? What size holes? My current setup on my 55 gallon is external skimmer through a sump into a chiller and returning to the tank so, I'm really not sure what to tell these guys? Anyone want to chime in on what's important?

Aaron, Is this Saturday? If so, I'm sorry but my daughter has a basketball game. If Sunday, I'm in! Dave

I would not do it unless like stated, that you can find out about what the coils are made of? Most are made of copper for the home. That could be deadly for your inhabitants.

I know Cmanning has a 215 brick but I believe her's has two overflows, one per each back corner.

Since the tank I originally wanted to build is a no-go, I am going to purchase a 215 gallon tank to put against a wall. Probabaly from DSA. The reef ready tank has two overflows, one in each back corner. It's 1/2" thick glass. It has center braces. It's $1100. The same 215 gallon tank in "brick" form is a massive 3/4" thick tank with no braces, large single center overflow. It's $2300. Is not having bracing and a center overflow worth $1200? Or should I put this money into lights, skimmer, calcium reactor?...

I have a Prime Chiller (Current) that is 1/3 hp on my 55 gallon. It will easily run up to a 300 gallon. Got it from "Adam" the owner of Partners Pet Center in Round Rock. Paid right at $600 for it. Here is a link to one on Drs Foster and Smith. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...mp;pcatid=13127

Well.....I just hit a giant snafu on this project. I don't know what made me take a look at the architectural plans for the home but now I've come across a huge problem. My entire second bathoom is in the way! I thought that the bathroom was only as deep as the closet. RAT FARTS!!! I could either go back to the "room divider" look or keep the slanted look but place it against a wall. Everything else pales in comparison to this "in the wall" project. Back to the drawing board....

This is the spot that I've picked to install the new tank. It will be custom designed. AGE tank, Euro-braced, Starphire glass front panel, external overflow off of the left side to hear the wave action, 224.41 gallons measuring 72x24x30. I decided on an external overflow to maximize internal space. The tank is being built by John and Brian at Kingfish. I just purchased a great deal on a "Perfecto Prestige Stand and Canopy" thanks to "Britfish". He sold it to me for $375! They list at over $1100 ! Im concerned that the whole thing is built out of 3/4" ply including the supports??? I may just add a 2x4 attached to the 4 middle supports for piece of mind. the corners are of 3/4" ply that is doubled up. I guess it's OK as is, as even Oceanic's stands are built the same for that size. The tank will be plumbed through the wall shown in my dining room wall (We are converting it to a sitting room) and into the garage where I will have auto fill features coming off of the R.O. system into storage tanks. I will also include a drain in the garage to pump out the sump for water changes. We may even add two doors from the garage opposite the two doors on the front right of the stand to access the sump for maintenance directly from the garage. Spills here will be no problem. Speaking of which, the sump will be a refuigium that will consist of my old 55 gallon setup. I already have an "AquaStep 25w Ultraviolet Serilizer" And "Nova Extreme T5 setup with 2-10k and 2-420nm Actinics". Pics at Photobucket link: RenMan's Photobucket for 225 gallon aquarium Dave "RenMan" renman303

I hate to show my age, but, I'm not exactly "blog" savey???? I'll give it a try though? Is that where I just keep putting up the progrss that this goes through? I should ask my 8 year old, she probably knows????

Are extra chemicals really needed? I mean there are literally dozens of additives from "Mineral Blocks" that dissolve slowly to Stronium, Iodine, Iodide, Calcium, blah, blah, blah.... 1.) Are any of these really needed on a regular basis? 2.) What do you use and why? Two LFS that I have just visited said, "Essentially....No". "If your tank is well established then the need to add anything much is unlikely." Perhaps just maintaining calcium levels for rock and clams... I can understand if you check the calcium level and it's low. But, "Trace Elements", "I-Tech", "Coral-Vite"........ I only add Phytoplankton, and Cyclopeeze Marine Plankton for the Clams and other filter feeders and a big Mineral Block for most trace elements and calcuim to be supplied. I have no issues with my Pistol Shrimp or any shrimp and everything seems healthy for the past 3 years. Just wondering.....

The slant end faces the front door and does get some filtered East sun. I don't think that will be too much of an issue. I do think it will add some "natural" appeal and give a nice view lengthwise. I'm not sure who will build the tank yet. Since just making this decision yesterday I have already spoken with a rep from Deep Sea Aquatics. I like what they have to say on their site being all of them are the former employees of the Oceanic Company that shut down in Dallas. Master builders as well. They only use Starphire glass. I've read good things on Aquarium Obsessed as well. I can tell you whom I won't use: "Glasscages". I may also bring the tank down to 30" deep as the proposed setup is 36". That would still give me ~335 gallons. I'm not sure how easy it will be to not only setup but, work on a tank that's 36" deep? Where the spotlight is located in the art niche I thought I'd keep that sort of "recessed lighting" theme down the length of the tank for the MH double-ended lighting. It will be clean looking as there will be no hood. I will have "art frame" panels above to access the lighting and below there will be removable "raised panels" on the slant side and two on the long side for complete access to the sump and everything else. Getting that ~800 lb monster into the space should be quite an undertaking, Any thoughts guys and gals?

The Coloniel, as I affectionatly call her....has without pause, agreed to the placement of my new up and coming Reef Tank! Guess I'll keep her around awhile! Originally, I was going to place a 215 gallon (72"x24"x31") between two pilars dividing my living room and dining room. Multiple issues here: First and foremost, the removal of the carpeting and refinishing of the floor. Secondly, what if we wanted to rearrange the room? Now we have a huge monolith smack-dab in the center of the two room and no room flow. Third, I would need a custom stand with access from both sides of the room and there is really no place to hang the MH lighting. So, inspired by a post on Reef Central: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...hreadid=1304924 Built into the wall from a guest bedroom closet. This was a great idea. I don't have a guest bedroom nearby but upon entering the front door of my home, I have a vestibule closet, art niche and 5 more linear feet of wall that is 30" deep. The art niche is 26"x30"x54" high. The remaining straight part of the wall is 59". I'm sure that I could for ease of measurment bury it an extra inch in length to 60". I will make the tank in this shape: Here are some shots of of the art niche and wall where I am going to put the tank.

I'm convinced....I want nothing to do with this company now! I phoned them for a quote and the lady who answered was very curt and snappy. I just chalked it up to someone falling off of the wrong side of the bed...I guess she did, and landed square on her head ! I will now check out "Aquarium Obsessed" and others. I'm going to post some pics here in a sec to show you where I want to put this tank. I'll start a new thread though so you can all see the progress. Great help guys! Thanks for covering my 6 !!!!

Carlos, Thanks for the link....The DSA tanks look really nice! I've heard that this is the company that bought out Oceanic? I was looking at Glasscages as well. They have a 240 gallon that is 72x24x31 tall that is Reef Ready, bulkheads, 2 overflows, Starphire glass on both sides including stand for $1900 delivered to Dallas. I'd still have to drive up there but I'm sure the tank and stand would fit in my pickup. Seems like a really good price considering that I got a price on an Deep Sea 215 the other day with oak stand and it was also $1900. But the DSA did not have Starphire Glass.

Rich, Thanks for the insight. Same to everyone else. Great point on the weight, being it's a one time shot. Who's going to lift it after that? I'm sure I can muster 4-5 guys to help me put the tank in place when the time arises? Cindy....great point on the MH heat. I can't find anyone that makes a "brick" tank with no supports on top, especially one that is 6' in length? I've decided that I'm going with a tank that's Starphire glass on both long sides since it will be viewed from two sides. If I'm going to drop a few G's on a tank what's a few hundred to make it look rights??? Next is to decide on a tank from Oceanic , Glasscages or (someone told me about "Deep Sea" but, I'll be dipped if I can find them anywhere on the net????

I am looking at various 200 gallon setups to upgrade my 55 gallon. Does anyone have experience with Acrylic? I was looking at Tenecor who specializes in acrylic tanks. They do make some compelling arguements for acrylic http://www.tenecor.com/info_lib_2.html like light weight, clarity bettter than any glass tank and the ease of removing scratches (I have some in my 55 gal glass tank as well) and it's usually the only material used in very large applications.

I live in Gtown just down the road from you. I'd be happy to help. What is your address? Give me a call: cell: 818-2221

Dude, Why don't you just make your own LR? It's easy as can be and all you need is a piece or two of already cured live rock to jump start the stuff you make and if you only have a nano tank, a 5 gallon bucket with a small pump to let it cure in for a few weeks. Not to mention that you won't be paying $6-7 a pound. It may cost you $10 to make all you need for your setup. Let me know if I can help.... Best Regards, Dave "RenMan"

WTB a 72" tank with or without stand as a room divider. Also need MH lighting, 400W. Live in Georgetown....email me! Dave

Yea, maybe better in a refuge tank or quarentine tank. They are clean and sterile now.

Perhaps I should save myself the headache and get the moon lights that are independent of any other lights? I know Drs Foster and Smith sell them. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...mp;pcatid=12110 Dave