750 FOWLR Build

[mrfish55]

I posted this build on another forum when it was set up, guess in celebration of the 1 year anniversary I will share with the rest of you, the adventure began early Sept 2009 when I found a link to a for sale thread, moments later in one of my more brilliant moves I was the proud new owner of this. 750 gal 8'x5'x30" 1" acrylic tank, condition was amazing, like new.

The plan was to install it where the basement window is, here, and then close in the deck to create a fish room.

September 14th 2009 demolition started, outside where tank was placed.

Removed stucco.

Started framing.

 

[mrfish55]

September 16th, window removed and started platform for tank.

Sits opposite the 300 reef.

View from inside.

 

[mrfish55]

September 19th, tank in place and filled for testing.

September 20th, finished off framing and started drywall.

 

[mrfish55]

Token shot of the kids in the tank.

September 24th, epic drywall and painting marathon completed, wall color chosen as tank will have no background to give increased illusion of depth (cause you know you need that when the tank is only 5' deep) Note fittings in wall, all plumbing for skimmer inwall for clean install.

September 25th, equipment installed and livestock moved over (tank came with everything including livestock)

 

[mrfish55]

Sept. 27th, first full tank shot, still some trim work to do and lights not installed yet.

Built myself a light rack, 2x250w 10k Halide in Lumanmax reflector and 2x6' VHO (1 10k 1 actinic) all wires inside tube to keep it clean.

FTS with lights.

 

[collegeman]

That is one nice tank! Do you have any up to date photos?

 

[mrfish55]

That is one nice tank! Do you have any up to date photos?

I have changed nothing over the past year so it looks the same, I did however run into a bad batch of food back in April and lost the 3 large Angels, I will get some back room pics in the next bit as it is finally getting finished.

 

[Recty]

Looks nice, I'd love to have a tank that size

 

[FishGuy5]

Gorgeous build and tank!

 

[mrfish55]

Looks nice, I'd love to have a tank that size

Thanks, pictures do it no justice, one of those things that really needs to be seen live.

Gorgeous build and tank!

Thanks, turned out pretty good for a 10 day build, best part is it's dead silent.

 

[karaim]

How the *ell did you move that thing? It must weight a good 1/2 a ton.

 

[mrfish55]

How the *ell did you move that thing? It must weight a good 1/2 a ton.

I think the empty tank weighed in at around 850lbs, it was actually easy to move, the place I picked it up from was in a basement with a window behind, took the window out and slid the tank out and onto a wheeled platform, we then wheeled it around the house and onto a car trailer, installation was a little trickier as my yard has a pretty good slope to it, gravity helped we only had to steer, luckily I have stong friends, only took 6 of us to move it. Getting it onto the stand took the most effort as I made it a little higher than normal to accomadate the sump and plumbing.

 

[jjk_reef00]

Looks great, I love deep tanks!

 

[WuHT]

I have changed nothing over the past year so it looks the same, I did however run into a bad batch of food back in April and lost the 3 large Angels, I will get some back room pics in the next bit as it is finally getting finished.

how unfortunate

 

[jmccown]

great tank. That french angel is awesome!

 

[Marc]

I noticed you used crushed coral instead of sand. Did you use the crushed coral for easier siphoning and cleaning? What does your filtration room look like?

Marc

 

[mrfish55]

Looks great, I love deep tanks!

Takes some getting used to, not many home tanks 5' back to front from what I've seen. Opens up some great landscape possibilities.

how unfortunate

Was a sad day for sure, only lost the three large angels, nothing else even looked a little stressed, I added a small Emperor and Blue face to relpace 2 and am still on the hunt for a nice French, although I am not sure the tank is big enough to support such a large fish.

great tank. That french angel is awesome!

Was, lost him unfortunately.

I noticed you used crushed coral instead of sand. Did you use the crushed coral for easier siphoning and cleaning? What does your filtration room look like?

Marc

Crushed coral is what came with the tank, I elected to keep it as it is heavier so less prone to getting stirred up and causing scatches on the acrylic, no need to siphon as the high fin snapper is constantly turning the sand bed over looking for food bits. Filtration consists of the 6' tall skimmer and a 240 gal sump full of live rock, regular water changes keep everything in check.

 

[Marc]

Takes some getting used to, not many home tanks 5' back to front from what I've seen. Opens up some great landscape possibilities.



Was a sad day for sure, only lost the three large angels, nothing else even looked a little stressed, I added a small Emperor and Blue face to relpace 2 and am still on the hunt for a nice French, although I am not sure the tank is big enough to support such a large fish.



Was, lost him unfortunately.



Crushed coral is what came with the tank, I elected to keep it as it is heavier so less prone to getting stirred up and causing scatches on the acrylic, no need to siphon as the high fin snapper is constantly turning the sand bed over looking for food bits. Filtration consists of the 6' tall skimmer and a 240 gal sump full of live rock, regular water changes keep everything in check.

Great looking tank. Are you planning on replacing the large fish you lost in the near future? Or maybe you can get a small bamboo shark!!! Also is that an airstone skimmer from Precision Marine? They make great skimmers as well as they have good customer service.

Marc

 

[khaosinc]

wow... love the 5' depth...

 

[WuHT]

Was a sad day for sure, only lost the three large angels, nothing else even looked a little stressed, I added a small Emperor and Blue face to relpace 2 and am still on the hunt for a nice French, although I am not sure the tank is big enough to support such a large fish.

You went from queen/asfur/big french to only an emperor+blue face ? If you had room before it stands to reason you should have room now.