ceastman Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 I have a 230g main tank - 84 x 23.5 x 27, 80g sump - 48 x 20 x 20 and a 50g refugium 36 x 18 x 18. These have been in storage for almost a decade. I attached a picture of what it looked like when we first got it started up in Connecticut before we moved and it was put into storage. Now that we are getting back into the hobby, we noticed some things have changed - most notable lighting, so we are planning on swapping out the MH and HO fluorescent for some LED. Probably also get a Neptune Apex to replace my Aqua Controller II. We will use the Tunze turbelle pumps we have and put some newer ones on the x-mas list. We are hoping that the Iwaki main pumps still work, I do have to find a replacement front casing for one of them. We also have some gear from MRC - Nilsen reactor, a dual chamber calcium reactor and a protein skimmer. My wife and I have started dabbling in making our own rock, which has been a lot of fun. White Portland cement and crushed oyster shells. I'll post some pictures of the rocks in the next couple of days, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Looks good. Nice start. Welcome back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Is that a current picture? The rockscape looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceastman Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 That is the picture from Connecticut about 9 years ago. My wife and I are going to try and create a sunken pirate ship theme this time around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Sounds neat! I can't wait to see what you come up with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobR Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Great looking tank, and welcome back to the hobby. Look forward to seeing your tank come together. What are your plans as far as corals? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceastman Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 The main tank has been placed and the stand for the water closet has been built (need to sand it and then paint it). I also had time to test my Iwaki 70RLT, two of them worked and the 3rd needs a replacement volute. hmm not sure why the pictures are rotated 90 degrees..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gig 'em @ NDstructible Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 That's a gorgeous tank! I can't wait to see what it looks like when you get it filled and running. Has it been leak tested? A decade seems like a while for a tank to sit in storage. Was it temperature controlled storage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Looking good! Any thoughts on increasing stand height? It irks me that my tank is not at eye level, and I'm not even that tall of a person. I am guessing though with the height of your actual tank itself that you may not have as much of a viewing issue as I have on the 18" tall tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibs Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Nice looking tank! Can't wait to see what this sunken ship theme looks like! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceastman Posted October 7, 2013 Author Share Posted October 7, 2013 I partially filled it with tap water and also contacted the manufacturer - http://www.midwestcustomaquariums.com/ all the seams and silicone seem to be intact, no bubbles or cloudiness that I can see. They also have a lifetime guarantee against leakage due to manufacturer defect. http://www.midwestcustomaquariums.com/lifetime-warranty/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gig 'em @ NDstructible Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 A lifetime guarantee?! Nice, that's something good to have in this hobby. How much research have you put into lighting your tank with LEDs? If you plan on growing SPS and other corals in a tank that size I would almost recommend using 2 different types of lights instead of 100% LED. There's all kinds of debates on whether current LEDs can successfully grow SPS or get the same results as MH or T5, it's my opinion that they haven't completely reached the level of MH yet, but using combos of T5s and LEDs is a good balance that covers enough light wavelengths and still reduces electricity and heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceastman Posted October 8, 2013 Author Share Posted October 8, 2013 I spoke to Nick over at buildmyled, I was thinking about going with (4) 72" fixtures, (2) 12k 90 degree and 75 degree, (1) 14k 75 degree and (1) super actinic 90 degree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 I spoke to Nick over at buildmyled, I was thinking about going with (4) 72" fixtures, (2) 12k 90 degree and 75 degree, (1) 14k 75 degree and (1) super actinic 90 degree. That should have a nice 14K look. The whites in the 12K are really white. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceastman Posted October 20, 2013 Author Share Posted October 20, 2013 Polishing the tank with Plastx and Novus, almost done making the rock and finished painting the sump/refugium stand: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceastman Posted October 20, 2013 Author Share Posted October 20, 2013 So the first fish in the tank will be a..... ...cat fish..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Grog Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 the cat trap is working Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceastman Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share Posted October 22, 2013 Got the refugium & sump stand in place and a couple of items from MRC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Your gonna be wet in no time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceastman Posted October 26, 2013 Author Share Posted October 26, 2013 Would a silicone sealant be safe for applying around the gaskets in my overflow boxes? The rubber gaskets still seem to be pretty pliable but I wanted to make sure before I started cementing the pvc together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceastman Posted October 26, 2013 Author Share Posted October 26, 2013 Refugium placed and verified lights still work. Drilled holes for drains 1 1/2" and return lines 1" , also placed the sump and skimmer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceastman Posted October 26, 2013 Author Share Posted October 26, 2013 Cleaning out the double venturi from the skimmer: Using a solution of water and vinegar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Would a silicone sealant be safe for applying around the gaskets in my overflow boxes? The rubber gaskets still seem to be pretty pliable but I wanted to make sure before I started cementing the pvc together. As long as the silicone has at least 24hrs to cure, you're good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceastman Posted November 17, 2013 Author Share Posted November 17, 2013 Got the two return pumps plumbed and the skimmer pump plumbed, worked some more on the drain and return lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceastman Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share Posted November 18, 2013 Finished plumbing the drains and return lines on the main tank side and 3/4 done on the water closet side. 1/2 done plumbing the return pumps to the return lines. 1.5" drain lines and 1" returns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.