3 day 150 to 300gallon scramble

[saurus]

Let's just say this all started when my lfs had a 240 gallon scrathced up tank sitting the back waiting for me. The guy only wanted 200 bucks for it but it had no internal plumbing and it was pretty worn. So, I decided not to buy it but......... the wheels started turning...

Three weeks later I couldn't do anything but plan my next tank. I currently have a 150 gallon glass 60x24x24 with one overflow.

After comtemplating size, I decided to go with a 300 because I like the additional 6 inch depth. I stayed with the 24 inch height for maintenance purpose. The tank is 96x30x24. The space that I have for the tank was 101 inches by 30 inches deep so it was a perfect fit. I had the overflow built on the left side with 2 1.5 drains and 2 1.5 bulkheads for closed loop if I decide to at some point. The reason is becuase to the left of the tank is my sump closet with a 75 gallon sump and all my equipment.

I already have most of the equipment. I really only had to add another mh. But I was able to get ahold of 3 luminarcs 3's from www.propertyroom.com which I couldn't pass up. I had another fish only system with about 120 pounds of liverock which I transfered over. The fish were already all sold off.

I had a buyer for the tank once it was moved out but after everything was done I found this

The guy was pretty bummed but was able to buy another tank for $250.00. He took the stand and canopy.

 

[saurus]

So, the night before I picked up my tank I had to move all the livestock from my 150 to a 100 gallon holding tank which was the fish only. That whole process took about six hours. I drained as I moved the livestock to the other tank. I kept all the water to put back into the new tank. I also had 3 44 gallon trash cans with water already mixed waiting. I was able to move most everything to the 100 gallon and whatever was left over I put into the sump. The next morning we moved out the 150 and the construction begun.

Sorry for the quality of the photos. I did not have my digital and had to use my treo 650 phone. As the stand was constructed, I went to pick up my brand new 300 gallon custom built acrylic tank built by www.midwestcustomaquariums.com which did not cost only $200.00. Chris, the owner, was awesome to work with and was very fair in price. He didnt think twice when I asked to have the overflow on the outside. The tank turned out awesome and exactly how I wanted it.

 

[saurus]

The gentlemen who built the stand has been in the woodworking business since he was a little kid. His dad was a master woodworker. He pays alot of attention to the finish work. This is one of the reasons my digital camera was missing.

The other reason was not far away causing some kind of trouble.

My backhouse has a "tiki" or "jungle" theme so I thought it was necessary to have the tank fit in. I went with the canopy to look like a pitched roof which I will attach thatch to.

The stand is finished and now it is time to get the tank installed. The reason it was a 3 day scramble is because my livestock was getting stressed. I am not sure if it was the move or the water quality in the other tank because all the fish were "panting" and I lost 2 anthias, a flame angel and my really cool hawkfish. So, I decided to get things moving and just go for it. We put the tank on the stand and I started moving the original water over to the new tank. I dont know how many 5 gallon buckets I filled, carried and drained in the new tank. I moved all the new water from the trash cans into the new tank and got the heaters going to warm it up.

So, now the new tank is filled half with new water and half with the original. I used trash bags and a bowl in the middle trick to help with the sand storm becuase I used 4 brand new bags of southdown sand I have been storing. It did help for anyone who plans on a new tank and doesnt want a huge sandstorm.

Water filled up and temperature was good so all the livestock was moved back in. The fish seemed instantly happier and breathing better. It was midnight by the time I got everything back in and finished. I was sooooo sooo tired. I worked from 8 am to 12 midnight without a break. I am a Realtor so I am not used to working that hard :lol: . I woke up the next morning and found I had muscles in places I didn't even know about. I was sore to say the least. My arms woke up about an hour later and we got started.

You can see the framing for the "roof" with the dowel to hang my luminarcs. I worked on the plumbing while the rest of the construction went on.

 

[saurus]

The plumbing was complete and I fired up the mag 18 and no leaks except for forgeting to put the cap on the second drain. :eek2: :eek2: Boy, when that water went into the overflow I freaked out. . But, luckily, I was there in a snap to screw it on with minimal water loss. I have 2 seio 1100's crankin and about 1000 gallons through the sea swirl in the right corner. I wired up the luminarcs and fired them up.

The construction went on and so did the wiring. Got the third one fired up.

More construction....

 

[saurus]

The fish were all fine. They seem to be pretty happy with all the new Real Estate. The tangs fought for their territory. I still have all the aquascaping but take a look.

My rbta's were so deflated I thought for sure I lost them. They house the 2 saddlebacks. My blue carpet which house my 2 percs seems to be doing good.

The construction went on, staining, sealing, varnishing and look what happened........

I was very pleased how it turned out and I just need to find some thatch to install on the "roof" I used the bamboo sheeting you get from depot and had him install it. It lets the top and the bottom of the tank "breath" I still have some more work to do and I hope to get to the aquascaping. I will give updated pictures as I go. It has been up for a little over a week and a half and everything is doing great. Even my blastos.

 

[rocknut]

That looks great! I just got done building my current set-up (about 1/5th of the size of yours) and it took me about 6 weeks. I'm amazed at how quickly yours went together! Looks awesome!!!

 

[Andys29]

Looking good!

 

[smokez01]

Sweet! i cant wait to see the thatched roof , that is such a cool idea.

 

[saurus]

Got Thatch?

Got Thatch?

I finally found the place to buy thatch and installed it. I still need to aquascape but it looks more finished. I am very pleased. I have 2 tunzes with the controller on its way and a ampmaster 3000. I will have some 3 month old seios for grabs soon.

Shot of the tank. I think I will have a large rock structure with caves on the right side. And maybe a island type rock structure on the left. The middle will probably be my tall rock with 3 rbta's and 2 pairs of mated clowns.

Any ideas on aquascaping would be nice. There are a good couple size rocks. The sandbed is only a inch or so.

 

[Reefy]

Very creative! Love the look! Reminds me of the South Pacific.

 

[polywise]

saurus

Any worries of the thatched roof going up in smoke?

 

[reefboy1]

Saurus,

Awesome!!! I really, really love the island look and the thatched hood.

Aquascaping is primo as well. Great job.

Art

 

[A Reef Scene]

Looks great

 

[saurus]

Thanks guys for the kind words. I have had my "tiki" room for over 5 years now and this really completes it. And to think I started with a 18 gallon eclipse. Scary :eek1:

This is indeed a cool hobby.

polywise:

I don't think the thatch is close enough to be a problem. Under the thatch is a 1/8" sheet of plywood and the luminarcs are a foot below that. I have two fans that push any heat out of the canopy and the front of the doors are ventilated by the bamboo sheeting.

 

[NHMarine]

Nice job!!!! Thank you very much for taking the time to stop and take pictures and narrate while all this was going on.

PS, maybe you can find some creative door pulls, like sea horses, or something.

 

[eugimon]

I love it! have you thought of adding another tank on the adjacent wall to get a wrap around effect?

 

[juice me man]

a very nice set up.

 

[jarhed]

Absolutely SMOKIN design there!!! I'm really impressed!

 

[saurus]

Nice job!!!! Thank you very much for taking the time to stop and take pictures and narrate while all this was going on.

PS, maybe you can find some creative door pulls, like sea horses, or something.

"Runs off to Expo to pick up some door handles" Expo is a high end Home Depot store. I think they even have sea horse door pulls. Great idea though. Thanks for the kind words.

 

[saurus]

I love it! have you thought of adding another tank on the adjacent wall to get a wrap around effect?

Cool idea. My friends and family make fun of me saying that the room should be a huge tank and just have enough room to walk down the middle. I tend to agree . We have a pool and alot of the new pools today have gone to saltwater. Cool idea huh? No or less chemicals I guess. I spoke with my pool guy yesterday and he said they mix the same way and same salinity. Ohhhh the possiblities!!!!!


But thanks for all the nice comments. I really appreciate it.

I have about 3000 gallons per hour running through my system. I guess that would be the minimum. I purchased from a fellow reefer two tunzee 6000's and a ampmaster 3000. Seeing my mixed setup, would that be too much flow? Probably about 3600 from the tunzes and 2000 from the ampmaster through two sea swirls. Would it shock the corals too much? I know some people have 60x turnover but this is a 300 gallon tank. I couldn't imagine 18000 gph :eek1: .