300gal Rubbermaid transition reef pond

karimwassef

karimwassef

Active member
Ok. So I'm tearing down my 380gal built-in since we're moving and I'm setting up an ultra cheap outside Rubbermaid pond at my dad's house until the new house (and new tank) are built.

So... starting a new cheapo 300gal thread :D

Step one- get a trailer $20 to pick up the 300gal tank $200 from the local tractor supply.

Step two- surprise my 70yr old dad with it... :)

Will keep you posted

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/A5D57D6C-573E-4FEB-A3D4-FBF85DA00896_zpspshvtggn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/A5D57D6C-573E-4FEB-A3D4-FBF85DA00896_zpspshvtggn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo A5D57D6C-573E-4FEB-A3D4-FBF85DA00896_zpspshvtggn.jpg"></a>
 
I wish i lived in america when it comes to fish tanks ... other issues not so much ... good old uhaul ... i wish we got rubbermaids as well

look forward to the viewing of this
 
Oh the side sump is a Rubbermaid. The ATS surge is a Rubbermaid. And the ATO container is.... a Rubbermaid.

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/80900DEB-FBE9-455D-8940-39824FE637C0_zpslciqlobt.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/80900DEB-FBE9-455D-8940-39824FE637C0_zpslciqlobt.png" border="0" alt=" photo 80900DEB-FBE9-455D-8940-39824FE637C0_zpslciqlobt.png"></a>
 
So everything will be outside? Will you be able to keep all of your corals, fish, inverts? Lighting will be sun-powered? Are you going to have a screen top?

So many questions and so few answers provided. Very unlike you Karim! :0)
 
This is an experimental project so we will learn together.

Here is what we do know
- wife wants house tank gone in 30 days
- dad lovingly in shock and dismay but still willing to help

The rest is TBD.

The plan is: Yes. Everything outside. Solar lit with some supplemental as needed. All life retained - fish, coral, sand, rocks.

Screen top - not exactly. The tank will be on a concrete porch and surrounded with pink foam insulation. The top will be open but under a canvas awning that is immediately over it.

However, based on my orientation (south facing), location (TX) and the time of year (assuming this move doesn't last forever), the majority of sunlight comes in at an angle so that the tank gets lit, even if it's covered.

You can see the shadows here

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/193F6453-4E79-45F7-A017-614DD07FF36B_zpsky9hjfjh.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/193F6453-4E79-45F7-A017-614DD07FF36B_zpsky9hjfjh.png" border="0" alt=" photo 193F6453-4E79-45F7-A017-614DD07FF36B_zpsky9hjfjh.png"></a>
 
The dims on the Rubbermaid are excellent for this 69" x 62" x 25"

With 3" of sand, that's 22" which should allow a lot of sunlight over the lip.
 
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I may have to redesign the elevated ATO. the awning comes in at 10' so need to redesign.

Biggest risk in the move is the transport of the two living biofilters - the sand bed and the scrubber. Mostly the sand.

I really value the worms in my sand. They're one of those really important but misunderstood elements of success.
 
So. Probably going to build a mini-greenhouse with my dad to house the temporary tank ~9' x 9' x 8'. This will need a solid base for the filters too so maybe a plywood sheet.

Nothing fancy- gravel to create a level floor. We can use on leftover shingles and plastic sheeting as barrier material.

So the move is tricky... since we share the same equipment.

1. Build mini-greenhouse and position/predrill and plumb the 300 gal tank.
2. Build a high deck in the covered space to hold the 100 gal ATO Rubbermaid at ~ 6ft.
3. Fill my own ATO tank and then move the RODI filter to my dad's so he can start to fill the 300 (it'll take three days). Add salt. My tank uses 15 gals a day so that gives us a week before I go dry.
4. Get another uhaul and disconnect the ATS and AUX sump from my 380 gal. Drain as much as possible, and move it to the new location (1hr drive). The ATS and AUX can run together without being connected to anything. The 380 DT too can run independently.
5. Plumb the ATS and AUX sump live! This should be a few couplings, little glue.
6. Re-start the ATS/AUX. Then connect to the DT and close the loop and tune. This turns the 300gal live in ~3 hours.
7. Move the ATO tank to the new location - start filling it again there. Also move the kalk reactor (that needs ATO water) to the new tank also. Now this is where the old DT becomes vulnerable. It can go without a filter but it needs the kalk drip or Alk can drop fast! Also need to move the Apex for control here.
8. Get uhaul... Within 24hrs, move the rocks and coral to the new tank in semi-dry condition. I may need to get a temporary Rubbermaid filled with water to make the haul. Could reuse my old 100gal surge. These are massive concrete rocks encrusted with coral.
9. Use zip ties to suspend all the rockwork around the perimeter. (((Pray)))
10. Now, the new system is effectively "live" with a running ATS and kalk. Next comes the sand. Another uhaul move. This will be in two groups. Surface sand first. Then deeper sand. This is when the fish could freak out and die... so might do fish first? The idea is to add the deeper sand to the new tank but only after rinsing it. The surface sand has all the worms so that'll go in last.
11. Last uhaul load. Fish and all remaining life.
12. Chiller.

Sounds painful and dangerous... but I'm looking to transplant a large complex organism that weights over a ton.

See any unnecessary risks? Any way to do better?
 
new plan and more detail

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/44_zpsuyx6vs5g.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/44_zpsuyx6vs5g.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 44_zpsuyx6vs5g.jpg"/></a>
 
Greenhouse frame coming together and location getting prepped

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/3DCE9C4B-6D6F-4066-98D1-6609A4C580CA_zpsgrhyffh8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/3DCE9C4B-6D6F-4066-98D1-6609A4C580CA_zpsgrhyffh8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 3DCE9C4B-6D6F-4066-98D1-6609A4C580CA_zpsgrhyffh8.jpg"></a>
 
I would think maybe you'd want to do a large grain gravel with pea gravel on top of it. There are others more knowledgeable than me, but it seems to be logical.

This is already turning out pretty great. It's like a project within a project to keep us all satisfied. :0)
 
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