430gal., L-shaped display

["Umm fish?"]

Me, too, Tanya! Thanks! Did you and your husband manage to recover any of your money? It's amazing the thought process AFY showed: They were screwed by their employee--and I agree that sucked--so therefore they're justified in not returning any of their customers' money. The company sold a ton of equipment and their phone lists but didn't feel obligated to their customers at all. Not even at a discount. Pretty slimy. I hope they're in jail.

So, what kind of tank did you end up with?

 

[murphysfish]

12 ft is the only way to go ~~!!!

 

[murphysfish]

12 ft is the only way to go ~~!!!

 

[murphysfish]

ooops double post!

 

["Umm fish?"]

Well, it should make for some fun aquascaping. I do want lots of open space for swimming and for sandbed critters, while still masking the closed-loop intakes. I'm looking forward to that.

 

[bkvreef]

I just skimmed through this and I have one question:
Who dreams of these things?

My dreams aren't even as awesome as this!

Can't wait to see more!

 

[ser_renely]

wow, pretty cool.

 

["Umm fish?"]

Sorry, I've been ugly sick for a few days. I'm finally clawing my way out of it, though I still can't speak very well.

More photos: http://www.ummfish.com/remodel.html

They are soooo close to finishing the living room ceiling. Here's a current full tank shot. Sorry about the plastic, the insulation guys were here yesterday shooting closed-cell foam to make a vapor barrier between the area above the tank and the rest of the house, and they shot some over the end of the plastic cover, burying it. I'm already coughing, so I didn't want to disturb the insulation.

From the other direction:

The carpenters finished installing the MDO above the tank today:

Most of the PVC downstairs is glued. Almost time for a freshwater test, at least down there!

And there it is. Thanks for looking!

 

[in_flight]

that ceiling looks awesome!

 

["Umm fish?"]

bkvreef and ser_renely--Sorry, I have a link to one of the earlier pages and post from the "Quick Post" box on the bottom, so I didn't see your posts before. Thanks!

And thanks, in_flight. I'm pretty awed at how amazing their finish carpentry is. I just hope I get to live there one of these days.

 

["Umm fish?"]

Oops. I forgot to point out the other tank-related issue that's going on. Here's a photo of the trench to install the gas line for the backup generator. Apparently, they are going to be installing that tomorrow!

 

[CoRPS]

Whoa. That's a lot of work for a fish tank!

Very nice Andy.

 

["Umm fish?"]

CoRPS--Well, you know, it's not all just for a fish tank.... The hope is that we get to live there, too. And that backup generator will keep my family warm in my house-without-a-fireplace if there is ever a problem with a big blizzard, which happens every once in a while.

Thanks!

 

[fivesmallworlds]

Umm, fish? Can I have your wife talk some sense into my wife??? lol This has been AWESOME! I can't wait to see life come into that tank. It should be so relaxing to hang out in the tub and just watch a part of the ocean swimming by.

 

["Umm fish?"]

fivesmallworlds--Thanks! And good luck! Do you have/want kids? I must say, the sight of a three-year-old referring to corals by their Latin names in public places would pretty much win over any parent. Seriously, my kiddo is _way_ ahead on her life sciences understanding and even evolutionary theory and I pretty much attribute that to the pets we keep. The last display tank was just one huge educational moment after another. She was so proud when I was able to go in and talk to her class about the plight of the Banggai cardinals and she got to help lead the talk.

My lovely bride rocks, BTW. She loves the tank for the fascinating ecosystem that it is, the chance for education for all of us (we've all learned so very much), and she's the one that insisted on a large tank when this remodel came around. What she doesn't really care for is the process of planning, choosing equipment, or setting things up. That's not the puzzle-solving that she likes. She loves the finished product, though.

But we trade: I set up and maintain the fish tanks and she sets up and maintains the electronics. I think I got the better end of the deal.

I have to agree with you though. I'm excited to have the nice shower in there (we haven't had a shower for a decade), but I can't wear my glasses in the shower and I'll miss out on the tank.... What to do?

 

["Umm fish?"]

It looks like the builder started the second row of top braces:

As you can see here, he's overlapping the braces so that seams never fall in the same place:

My return plumbing access panel:

Shot from the top of scaffolding. Oh, I'm daring, just to make sure you all get the best photos.

Happy Halloween!

 

[JCTewks]

Andy, my wife rolls her eyes everytime I try to teach our 15mo old to say "A-can-thas-tre-a" :lol::lol:

Our 7yr old has NEVER called a clownfish a "nemo", thank God! I can't get her to use latin names yet

 

["Umm fish?"]

See, Jeff! You know....

 

[falesdk]

Holy cow I just read through this whole thread, I didn't keep track of hours, but between my three year old and other things, it took me three evenings! I cannot wait to see not only the tank, but the house done! They are both going to be beautiful!

I'm extremely Jealous

 

[Ian]

That celing is sooo nice!

I guess the tank is cool too!