Piranha_Owns
New member
great build enjoyed reading the last 7 pages keep the pictures coming
265G Project
- Thread starter RParker
- Start date
RParker
Member
Thanks, I actually haven't minded taking it slow. I think it's kept me from burning out on the project.
I'm not sure at this point.. I made the promise to myself that I wouldn't start it up until everything was competed, I've made that mistake in the past and I believe my tanks suffered for it. I still need to tweek the light rack, buy sand, a bit more rock and few other odds and ends.
The real fun? Like battling the eventual H/A outbreak? j/k I hope my planning will make the start up smooth and relativly painless! :lol: Well a guy can dream about it being painless..<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15735479#post15735479 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lightsluvr
Really looking good, Robb.
Tagging along for the "real" fun!
LL
Thanks, No worries, I love posting pics.. ha!
RParker
Member
Not much to report these days..
I decided I didn't like having my ballasts inside the electrical cabinet so I moved them into the ceiling on top of the book cases. I like them much better up there, there is a lot more room up there for heat dissipation and more room down in my cabinet. There will eventually be a canopy on the tank to hide the wires, for now I just tried to make them look neat.
I've found the down side to having all my electrical run to one cabinet, I have to extend a lot of wiring, almost none of the cords reach the cabinet. I was surprised at the cost of heavy gauge wire and new plug ends..
I decided I didn't like having my ballasts inside the electrical cabinet so I moved them into the ceiling on top of the book cases. I like them much better up there, there is a lot more room up there for heat dissipation and more room down in my cabinet. There will eventually be a canopy on the tank to hide the wires, for now I just tried to make them look neat.
I've found the down side to having all my electrical run to one cabinet, I have to extend a lot of wiring, almost none of the cords reach the cabinet. I was surprised at the cost of heavy gauge wire and new plug ends..
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GDAVIDSON7285
New member
Looks great nice job on the wiring
RParker
Member
RParker
Member
I think I'm getting pretty close to getting it up and running.. I'm going to pick up 150 lbs of sand this evening, then I can start on aquascaping. I've decided against the foam and rock wall look and go for pillars.
I need to pick up one more EB8 for my controller.
I love the look of this tank so I'm going to try and build something similar. I don't know who's tank this is, so I hope they don't mind.
I can't build them this big, but I like the look.
I need to pick up one more EB8 for my controller.
I love the look of this tank so I'm going to try and build something similar. I don't know who's tank this is, so I hope they don't mind.
I can't build them this big, but I like the look.
RParker
Member
Yeah everytime I see a photo I like I save it.. I have far too many now, it's hard to decide which way to go.
That aquascape would look far better in your big tank, much grander on the scale your building. My aquascaping attempts in the past have been a train wreck, I'm going to try though. :idea:
Jared J
New member
Small update,
Hutches and corner cabinets in:
Hey, how'd did you hang those shelves? They look like Ready To Assemble shelves with the cardboard back. I'd love to hang my bookshelves like that.
RParker
Member
Hey Jared,
They aren't cardboard backed book cases.. the backs are probably 5/8 thick. They are mounted to the studs in the walls and in the picture you provided they are spaced for the counter top to slide underneath them. With the counter top installed they are supported from the back and the bottom.
Matias Ilhabela
New member
you have the link assembly of the reef?
RParker
Member
you have the link assembly of the reef?
I'm sorry I don't. I came across this photo while looking through a pillar thread. I remember the poster saying it wasn't his tank, it was one he helps maintain, so I'm not sure if a build thread exists.
RParker
Member
In my excitement to finally have the tank installed I placed a light (400w hqi) on the center brace to see how it looked, I got distracted and the eventual heat build up caused the center brace to break. The tank was full of fresh water at the time, I'm lucky it didn't completely let go and dump water all over the basement. I didn't break it on purpose but I won't deny that I benefited greatly from it breaking
Ouch!
Ouch!
That has to hurt!
So what's the plan now?
New tank with euro-bracing?? :celeb1:
LL
Ouch!
That has to hurt!
So what's the plan now?
New tank with euro-bracing?? :celeb1:
LL
RParker
Member
Hey LL,
That happened quite some time ago, the new tank is already installed and plumbed. The pics of the damaged tank are back on page two. If the new tank somehow got broken I'm sure I's be done! lol
RParker
Member
Got sand in the tank tonight, I like shallow sand beds so I only put 80 lbs of Caribsea Seafloor Special Grade. It covered the whole tank bottom with about a 1" deep sand bed.
You've all seen sand before so I won't bore you with the pictures. Next step, Auquascaping.. my most hated part of the job.
You've all seen sand before so I won't bore you with the pictures. Next step, Auquascaping.. my most hated part of the job.
