224g In Wall Finally Started March 08

At least shes not a Red Wings fan lol. I had to deal with them for a few years in Detroit. Try being a Flyers fan in the D when Detroit was dominating. now THAT sucked lol
 
Well today I picked up the window tint 5% for the sides and back of tank. I also got supplies to build a lighting rack.
Got the lighting rack done tonight, took about 2 good hours and it was done. I will post pics after photobucket comes back online.

Next up, tinting the tank, then finish plumbing, water test. Hang lighting and install fans.
 
Have you thought about having a removable back block rather than tinting? Not sure how good the tinting is as far as being able to see in from the back side, but it sure would be nice to take off a removable backing and have complete view from the back side.

Weatherson made a cool removable back on his tank if you want to look at an idea.
http://www.weatherson.com/background_panel.htm
 
Here is the light rack.

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M+P, thanks for the link to Weatherson's background, It would be very difficult for me to have a removable background with the external overflow and the drain valve that will be there soon. Thanks for the suggestion and the link though, he did a great job on his and it looks really cool.
 
Nice metal work. What's your plan to raise/lower the lighting? I wish I had an inwall tank like yours so I could have better ventilation. I use 3 lumenarcs with 250 MH in an enclosed hood. It's created all sorts of heat problems. Will you be using glass under the lumenarcs, or leave open?

Matt
 
Where did you get your tank from? Looks like its going to be a nice system. I'm very jealous of your ideal set up in the basement with so much room and a perfect spot!
 
Thanks hatfielj, I just couldn't resist using that spot for an aquarium.
The aquarium was built by Concept Aquariums in Edmonton, Alberta.
 
Matt, great questions. I am not sure how to lower or raise them, I picked up the chain today and was just looking at that.
Also I am not sure about glass under the lumenarc's, I was going to ask to see if anybody else does that. I think it would keep them cleaner long term. You can just take out the glass and run it through the dishwasher if it gets to much salt creep.
Do you have glass in yours?
 
yes, I have glass on all 3. To remove the salt spray I just take some ro/di water and spray on and use a squeegy to clean off. I had to vent mine and run fans. It cuts down some light entering the tank, but it's worth it in the long run as you'll keep your reflectors shiney.

I got the glass/angle metal holders from pacific gardens.

One way you could raise and lower lights is to use one of those bike pulley systems, it your ceiling height is high they would work like a charm.
http://www.improvementscatalog.com/home/improvements/41817-bike-hoist-pulley-system.html
 
Thanks Matt, that looks like a great system, I'll definitely be using something along those lines if I can.
Ken
 
Tonight I put the tint on the sides and back, next time I will do this before I install the bulkheads. I did a pretty crappy job, good thing I can cover those bad spots with rock.
If you ever want to divorce your wife but didn't know how to tell her, invite her to help you put window tint on your tank.

Later on tonight I will work on plumbing some more, should be done by the end of the weekend. I am parenting my two little kids, 4 year old girl and 7 month old boy, so I won't get too much done.

Ken
 
Oh yeah, DISASTER has already struck, I found a tiny chip out of the front pane on my starfire front, right in the middle of the viewing area.
I'm not sure what to do, the manufacturer is 6hrs away, and I don't think that I can wrangle the same 5 men to help me move another tank.

Suggestions?
 
This looks like it's going to be a great build! Your 7 month old was NOT happy about his mermaid shot was he? That was a precious picture you will treasure ;).

I can relate to the statement about you and your wife putting window tint on. That kind of works with anything that you get frustrated on huh? We have been married 28 years now, so we have had a few of those experiences :).

I've seen several people use the bike pulley systems on here and all of them love them. Just make sure you have the end tied off or safety chains so there is no way they can fall in.

Did you resolve the chip in the glass yet?? I bet that is very stressful for you. Hopefully you can work it out with the manufacturer and round up enough strong backs to help change it out. (Bribery always works well).
 
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