Addiction wins, 450 gallon system begins

[Hop]

Sheesh... Stupid little sump is more work than I thought it would be The baffles were no problem, but fabricating a bracket for the auto top off took hours

Now soon as everything dries, I need to get things laid out and make sure they will work. My biggest concern is figuring out how to fill the top off container and designing the fuge so that the chaeto doesn't plug up the drain or drains and cause a flood.

I was hoping on having this done already so I could put my Christmas tree away

 

[jnarowe]

you know Hop, I can't wait to see how this turns out. I am bummed you are selling off stuff but that's the way it goes. I am in too deep to admit defeat! :lol:

 

[Hop]

Defeat? This is no defeat

This is the pep talk at half time for the big game:lol: I may be working on getting the 125 ready and dreaming about how cool I'm going to make it, but the focus is on the big tank!

I've already started the to-do list... I've priced fiberglass sheets for the canopy space and wetroom, priced out and researched new vent fans to completely seal off and isolate the area above the tank, begun sketches for the re-construction and researched equipment. The most notable changed will be the addition of tunzes or maybe vortech if they ever get their controller made and two closed loops on timers to simulate tidal conditions. Calmer seas at night, better lights and an emphasis on the aquascape

I've been putting an extra day in at work every week to get caught up and some issues taken care of. After about six months of this, I should have the breathing room back and construction will be the only real hurdle By then I won't have to work OT to get it done!

So I finally got the sump finished and the other items (top off bucket, fuge and pumps) set out and it looks like things are just about ready. No obvious points of interest... YET. Soon as the overlow gets here, I'll be in business for a wet test

 

[Hop]

The overflow came in today Got it cleaned up and am filling the 125 w/ tap for a wet test I'm expecting a total disaster as so far this has gone without any problems and that's just not like me:lol:

 

[Hop]

Well all systems are go! Only a small problem with my sedra pump that is suppose to be 700gph at 0 head and a life reef overflow that is rated for 700 gallons I have to throttle the pump back a hair at about 6' of head.

Otherwise I just have some plumbing to do and the switch on Tuesday. So this thread is close to the end

Once the 125 is up and running, I'll post a new link, but it won't be nearly what this thread was... Then when I start construction on the new system, albeit slow, I'll begin a real detailed thread... maybe

 

[divecj5]

Sounds like things are coming along nicely with the 125 Hop. Looking forward to following along on that thread once it's up and going. Have a great weekend.

Adam

 

[Bax]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8968161#post8968161 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hop

Once the 125 is up and running, I'll post a new link, but it won't be nearly what this thread was... Then when I start construction on the new system, albeit slow, I'll begin a real detailed thread... maybe

I am sure it'll be a great effort with great results, tanks don't have to be gianormous to be beautiful, or fascinating!

I am looking forward to the new thread!

 

[Hop]

Well tomorrow is the big day... Everything is almost ready. I have 40 gallons of RO/DI made up and 40 Gallons of salt being mixed, just in case.

I plan on using the 60-70 gallons in the fuge to fill up the tank, remove and clean the sand from there and then place it in the tank. Then I plan on moving the rocks and aqua-scaping, toping the system off and getting it running, removing the rest of the rocks from the display and moving the livestock. I'm hoping about 2 hours for the whole move A few more hours to clean up the old tank and get parts yanked off for shipping.

Still debating if I should go skimmerless until I can meet with a front-range member to trade parts for his skimmer or put my GEO on the tank, sitting in the livingroom, for a few days Wife would love the working modern art in the livingroom

Kind of an excited sadness all at the same time... I am having fun researching and planning the rebuild of the big tank. I've got the wetroom about half re-planned and I'm liking it! Grow out tank and system reservoirs all in place. The top off and SW mixing containers are getting moved out of the room, so I should have plenty of space in there...

 

[jnarowe]

The top off and SW mixing containers are getting moved out of the room, so I should have plenty of space in there...

Where will you move them to? I have thought about doing this too, but can't figure out where to put them. I thought maybe under the deck outside the tank room, but then it would be subject to cold temps. during the winter months.

 

[Hop]

On the outside of the same wall. I am going to build a new work bench in a large L shape. On one side, the two mixing containers will be underneath, sealed off from the garage. Should just be a little building and a little insulating. They will be on rollers and after opening two doors, I will be able to roll them out for cleaning. Still figuring on some of the details

 

[jnarowe]

can't wait to see it.

 

[Hop]

When I got home last night, I started the switch. I got the DSB in the fuge cleaned up and moved into the tank along with about 40lbs of rock and 50 gallons of salt water. Then I put a Hot magnum with a micron cartridge on it over night to clear the haze

So now I'm eating breakfast, getting ready to move the rest of the rock and get some plumbing figured out Should be pretty simple aside from plumbing the return and getting a DJ power strip and the AC Jr. installed.

That and chasing the fish around:lol:

 

[jnarowe]

Yeah, chasing fish is not fun...damn little things are quick!

 

[Hop]

Well I guess this thread is official ka-put... Everything is moved now and I'm draining the last few inches of water out of the big tank. All I have to say is the rocks were heavier coming out than going in.

Also the fish were pretty easy to catch The star fish, shrimp and snails were another story.

So I will have one more post for this thread at the end of the week or beginning of next week, posting a link to Hop's nano 125

 

[melev]

And a picture of the empty tank!

 

[jnarowe]

shrimp ar ehard to catch unless they are cleaners.

 

[Hop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9002399#post9002399 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
And a picture of the empty tank!

Sure, why not. Still has a pile of sand right now... I had to rise it with cold water so the smell wasn't so bad.

Found out some interesting things. I had a few mystery worms, shrimp are freaky when they run up the net and onto your arm, putting an arm in a cloudy tank with an upset foxface is stressful and I am probably the only living human being who poked himself in the head with a vermited snail! Heavy rock, no further comment

J: The hardest part was I would pull a really heavy rock out, turn it upside down and the little bustars would leap back into the tank and find the next heaviest rock to hide under Repeat process. Then they didn't like the net, they preferred to run up your arm and ride in your hair on the way to their new home:lol:

Oops, sorry, I said there would only be one more post.... OK there will only be one post more after this one!

And here is an interesting fact. One of my rocks was 54 lbs when shipped. When removed yesterday, with some water and coraline... 124 flipping lbs! That's not an incredible amount of weight, but it is when you are trying to basically curl a sharp rock with thousands of vermited snails. I went through over 30 rubber gloves...

 

[jnarowe]

wow...what a trip. like culling out worms, you just keep taking away dirt until there is none left and just a ball of worms.

 

[Hop]

Link to Hop's 125 Gallon Nanotank

 

[dga]

that is one of the finest natural looking freshwater tanks i have seen. nice work...