ingtar_shinowa
New member
Nice, have fun in Mexico! i'll look forward to it.
CyclistMT's 300 Gal Plywood and Glass Build
- Thread starter CyclistMT
- Start date
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
Ok, so I guess it's update time. What? No, the stand is not done yet. Sheesh give me a break would ya? I said it was update time not "œHell hath frozen over" time. Remember what I said about getting the stand done BEFORE I put critters in the tank? Well, just read the above post about getting critters and now you know what has happened to the stand progress. And guess what this update is about? Critters!
Well, really it's more flora than fauna but at least it's an excuse to provide an update. I saw that FloridaPets had some sea grasses in stock along with mangroves and I needed some snails too so I felt like I hit the jackpot! That is, until I actually had to give them money for the things. The house always wins indeed.
Along with the above I got some mud (for amending my sea grass substrate) and pods to get the tank seeded.
I was a little unsure on the mud because I am worried about potential nutrient elevation but I wanted the sea grasses to do well and this is the real stuff, no packaged mineral mud here. Just bonafied ocean mud.
Sorry, I didn't take any pictures of the pods. Hopefully you all know what they look like by now and if you don't, well then "œyouv gots some Googling to do my freends"
First up on the sea grasses, Star Grass (Halophila engelmannii).
Next, is Shoal Grass (Halodule beaudettei).
And a pic of them in the fuge.
I thought the mangrove pods I got were really nice. Leafed out with nice roots. Here there are trussed up to encourage some aerial root growth.
Finally a pic of the snails, Nassarius vibex for sand stirring and some Ceriths to help with algae control.
All in all some really nice stuff from FloridaPets!
Speaking of snails, I found this bast,.., er, pest munching away on my zoas a couple of weeks ago. I promptly removed him and have been watching very closely for any others. None so far and the colony seems to be fine. Guess I better get that quarantine set up.
Sundial Snail
In other news my skimmer pump quit working yesterday so I guess I'll be looking to get some warranty service. Bums me out but at least it happened now and not 1+ years from now. Ah well, c'est la vie.
That's it for now and I'm off to Mexico on Saturday so I'll be off the boards all next week. Sun, sand, snorkeling, and whale sharks (and I mean the real ones, not me in a swimming suit). I can't wait!
Current tunes: Shaman's Harvest - Dragonfly
Well, really it's more flora than fauna but at least it's an excuse to provide an update. I saw that FloridaPets had some sea grasses in stock along with mangroves and I needed some snails too so I felt like I hit the jackpot! That is, until I actually had to give them money for the things. The house always wins indeed.
Along with the above I got some mud (for amending my sea grass substrate) and pods to get the tank seeded.
I was a little unsure on the mud because I am worried about potential nutrient elevation but I wanted the sea grasses to do well and this is the real stuff, no packaged mineral mud here. Just bonafied ocean mud.
Sorry, I didn't take any pictures of the pods. Hopefully you all know what they look like by now and if you don't, well then "œyouv gots some Googling to do my freends"
First up on the sea grasses, Star Grass (Halophila engelmannii).
Next, is Shoal Grass (Halodule beaudettei).
And a pic of them in the fuge.
I thought the mangrove pods I got were really nice. Leafed out with nice roots. Here there are trussed up to encourage some aerial root growth.
Finally a pic of the snails, Nassarius vibex for sand stirring and some Ceriths to help with algae control.
All in all some really nice stuff from FloridaPets!
Speaking of snails, I found this bast,.., er, pest munching away on my zoas a couple of weeks ago. I promptly removed him and have been watching very closely for any others. None so far and the colony seems to be fine. Guess I better get that quarantine set up.
Sundial Snail
In other news my skimmer pump quit working yesterday so I guess I'll be looking to get some warranty service. Bums me out but at least it happened now and not 1+ years from now. Ah well, c'est la vie.
That's it for now and I'm off to Mexico on Saturday so I'll be off the boards all next week. Sun, sand, snorkeling, and whale sharks (and I mean the real ones, not me in a swimming suit). I can't wait!
Current tunes: Shaman's Harvest - Dragonfly
ingtar_shinowa
New member
nice! If you are diving in the Yucatan coast do some cavern diving, it was awesome.
I'm interested if how your mud does.
I'm interested if how your mud does.
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
Unfortunately I haven't learned how to scuba. I may take an introductory course while I'm down there to see if I like it enough to get certified. Not sure I need another expensive hobby though. (And reefkeeping isn't my only one as it is.)
An old 175w 6500K halide I had laying around in a mini Lumenarc. I had my not so old Iwasaki 14K in it but I thought the 6500K might be better to get my ATS kicked off and for the sea grasses/mangroves.
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
It's time for another exciting installment of....... 
Even I can't get through that with a straight face. There is nothing exciting about this thread. Two months between posts, watching a video with ribbons fluttering in the tank so you can actually see SOMETHING in there, and putting up with my rambling with nary a question in sight does not make for an exciting exchange I know.
Ok, so maybe it's not as bad as all that but clearly you're all a bunch of gold diggers or at least want to be part of the entourage for the big tanks with the big spenders. I can't garner nearly the attention of the Triple S Fish Ranch or the DSPS Tank from Thailand and THANK GOD Matt's 5000ltr Display has dropped to the second page as of this posting. But I'm not bitter. No. Once they're all done and gone I'll still be here with my five corals and you'll all come crawling back to my thread begging for an update.
Of course I'm only teasing. I too thoroughly enjoy those threads, especially Matt's since he's in the plywood club. But I had to find some way to kick off this over due post and since being the class clown is the only thing I've got going for me at this point, well, that's what you get. Comedic sarcasm.
And what has prompted me to grace you with my presence you might ask? (That's the way I see it in my head anyway.) What? The stand? Pfffft, no I haven't finished the stand yet. I'm not even sure why you bother asking anymore. :deadhorse1:
No, I actually have acquired a few more critters I wanted to show off and provide a little bit of an update. So first the critters. The actinic shots are taken as RAW and post processed. I'm still learning all of that so these aren't perfectly color aligned with what my eyes see but they're pretty close. The full daylight are under the 14K XM's so the colors wash out quite a bit. Radium's are high on the list to get. :thumbsup:
Favia
Acans
Continued....
Even I can't get through that with a straight face. There is nothing exciting about this thread. Two months between posts, watching a video with ribbons fluttering in the tank so you can actually see SOMETHING in there, and putting up with my rambling with nary a question in sight does not make for an exciting exchange I know.
Ok, so maybe it's not as bad as all that but clearly you're all a bunch of gold diggers or at least want to be part of the entourage for the big tanks with the big spenders. I can't garner nearly the attention of the Triple S Fish Ranch or the DSPS Tank from Thailand and THANK GOD Matt's 5000ltr Display has dropped to the second page as of this posting. But I'm not bitter. No. Once they're all done and gone I'll still be here with my five corals and you'll all come crawling back to my thread begging for an update.
Of course I'm only teasing. I too thoroughly enjoy those threads, especially Matt's since he's in the plywood club. But I had to find some way to kick off this over due post and since being the class clown is the only thing I've got going for me at this point, well, that's what you get. Comedic sarcasm.
And what has prompted me to grace you with my presence you might ask? (That's the way I see it in my head anyway.) What? The stand? Pfffft, no I haven't finished the stand yet. I'm not even sure why you bother asking anymore. :deadhorse1:
No, I actually have acquired a few more critters I wanted to show off and provide a little bit of an update. So first the critters. The actinic shots are taken as RAW and post processed. I'm still learning all of that so these aren't perfectly color aligned with what my eyes see but they're pretty close. The full daylight are under the 14K XM's so the colors wash out quite a bit. Radium's are high on the list to get. :thumbsup:
Favia
Acans
Continued....
ingtar_shinowa
New member
lol, I no loner feel bad about the progress of my build.
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
Tang
In other news I tried to initiate the warranty on my skimmer pump. Although when I tried to ship back to SWC, UPS told me I needed a phone number for them before I could ship. Three e-mails to request that number have gone unanswered by SWC. At first he was very responsive and gave me a shipping address although there were signs he was trying to be evasive to avoid processing the warranty. The vendor I purchased the skimmer from has told me that he has had no contact from SWC now for six weeks. The vendor has been as helpful as possible but ultimately it is up to SWC to honor the warranty. At this point I'm scared to send it back though because then I'll be out the pump body, impeller, and volute if I don't get it back. Although it will end up out of my pocket, at least I can buy a Laguna 1500 from any number of vendors and get my skimmer going again. I guess that Reef Octopus 5000 isn't looking so much more expensive after all. Honestly I wasn't expecting much out of SWC based on the owner's reputation but I didn't expect a Laguna pump to go out in less than three months either. At least I don't have a huge bio load so it's not been much of an issue to not have a skimmer at the moment.
The Jaebo WP40's are still doing their thing so I'm happy with them so far. I've heard rumor of a possible WP60 coming out and I might get a couple if they do. I still think I need a couple more pumps for when the tank starts to fill in and they would do nicely with a boost in flow.
I've also been working on getting my Mg up. I was having some hair algae issues and my ATS hasn't really kicked off yet so I don't know if it was just coincidence upon getting the Mg up or something else but the hair algae in the display is completely gone.
And finally, I really have been making progress on the stand. I have the last set of panels built, I just need to stain and finish them. Maybe that will be my next update.
Till then! :beer:
Current tunes: Dio - Hungry for Heaven
In other news I tried to initiate the warranty on my skimmer pump. Although when I tried to ship back to SWC, UPS told me I needed a phone number for them before I could ship. Three e-mails to request that number have gone unanswered by SWC. At first he was very responsive and gave me a shipping address although there were signs he was trying to be evasive to avoid processing the warranty. The vendor I purchased the skimmer from has told me that he has had no contact from SWC now for six weeks. The vendor has been as helpful as possible but ultimately it is up to SWC to honor the warranty. At this point I'm scared to send it back though because then I'll be out the pump body, impeller, and volute if I don't get it back. Although it will end up out of my pocket, at least I can buy a Laguna 1500 from any number of vendors and get my skimmer going again. I guess that Reef Octopus 5000 isn't looking so much more expensive after all. Honestly I wasn't expecting much out of SWC based on the owner's reputation but I didn't expect a Laguna pump to go out in less than three months either. At least I don't have a huge bio load so it's not been much of an issue to not have a skimmer at the moment.
The Jaebo WP40's are still doing their thing so I'm happy with them so far. I've heard rumor of a possible WP60 coming out and I might get a couple if they do. I still think I need a couple more pumps for when the tank starts to fill in and they would do nicely with a boost in flow.
I've also been working on getting my Mg up. I was having some hair algae issues and my ATS hasn't really kicked off yet so I don't know if it was just coincidence upon getting the Mg up or something else but the hair algae in the display is completely gone.
And finally, I really have been making progress on the stand. I have the last set of panels built, I just need to stain and finish them. Maybe that will be my next update.
Till then! :beer:
Current tunes: Dio - Hungry for Heaven
ingtar_shinowa
New member
I wondered who got that big hammer from Ron.
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
Well, I didn't get the whole thing, just a piece of it. There was plenty left over so if it's all gone he must have sold it off to others. But I was really excited to get some of it. Even the actinic pictures don't do it justice. It just "glows" under the blue.
tgunn
Active member
Looking good! I'd careful with SWC. They have their storefront in my city and it has been closed for a number of months. The owner got hit with over $150k of fines for illegal coral importation so I don't think his business is likely doing too well any more. Google saltwater connection and you will find the news stories. In the last year nobody local has heard much from him.
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
Yeah, I was aware of all the troubles the owner of SWC found himself in. I actually wasn't going to buy an SWC because of that but then CoralVue raised the prices on all their skimmers so for the same size/performance, SWC was the bargain. I made the purchase from a US vendor hoping that if I needed warranty support they could help me out. I honestly didn't think I would need the warranty. Skimmer bodies rarely fail and the Laguna pumps that are used on my skimmer have a strong track record. Unfortunately it looks like I drew the short straw. At this point I think I'm going to consider it a loss and buy a new pump body. Even if he does come through with a phone number at this point I don't think I'd send it back because I don't trust I would ever see it again and no one else that I'm aware of makes that volute/impeller for these pumps anymore.
I just hope my experience helps someone else out that might be considering buying SWC products right now. At this point I will never buy an SWC product again although they may not even have anything left anyway.
I just hope my experience helps someone else out that might be considering buying SWC products right now. At this point I will never buy an SWC product again although they may not even have anything left anyway.
ingtar_shinowa
New member
yeah a couple of my buddies were looking at SWC and I was far too wary. Too bad you can never get CoralVue on sale. my 3000sss was the most expensive part of my build.
well I stayed up until 3 am reading your thread until my laptop died. finished reading it this morning to my pleasure. I had a great time reading and im soon going to be beginning my new build as I am moving mid November..... eek. very informative you've so far convinced me on making rock and getting some "chicken grit" so thanks a lot for the inspiration. a lot of good info and the in depth detail gave me a lot of faith in your info. so thanks a lot will be following... for now its off to work gotta buy a house... so I can build a new tank
gotta buy a house... so I can build a new tank laabcbigbee
New member
First off another Amazing build on Reef Central. Second, do you know what the maximum length you could build a plywood tank, with 3 viewing panels, the long sides and 1 short side? Would it just come down to the thickness of the plywood and glass?
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
well I stayed up until 3 am reading your thread until my laptop died. finished reading it this morning to my pleasure. I had a great time reading and im soon going to be beginning my new build as I am moving mid November..... eek. very informative you've so far convinced me on making rock and getting some "chicken grit" so thanks a lot for the inspiration. a lot of good info and the in depth detail gave me a lot of faith in your info. so thanks a lot will be following... for now its off to work
You stayed up till 3 am to read this drivel? You deserve a medal!
Just don't let it go to your head. It's only honorary. You can't really pilot the DSV.
All joking aside, thanks for taking the time. I am glad you appreciate the effort. I know you put "chicken grit" in quotes so you probably understand this but for others, remember there is such thing as chicken grit and that's NOT what you want to use. You want oyster shell or poultry calcium if you're not going to use crushed coral for your DIY rock.
Good luck on the house hunting and thanks for putting your faith in me. That's one more person on my side on my road to world domination. Now where are the rest of my minions?
Thank you very much and, yes, I think you're only limited by your imagination my friend.
That is an 8000 gal plywood tank over on Monster Fish Keepers. Of course, at some point concrete becomes more cost effective.
Cheers!
Current tunes: Rush - Limelight
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
ALL ABOARDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
da, da, ba ba duh, duh, da, da
AIE, AIE, AIE, AIE, AIE, AIE......
ba, ba, duh, duh, da, da
We're going off the rails on a Crazy Trainnnnnnn!!!!!
Why you ask? Because the stand is DONE! How crazy is that??????
I feel like this finally closes the chapter on "œthe build" and officially opens the chapter on livestock acquisition and grow out. Of course there are some things that are yet to be completed that are related to the on going build but that's what it is, ongoing, not necessary to sustain life. Not that the stand skinning was necessary to sustain life but as suspected it did have an impact on tank temperature (went from 76 to 80 degrees with all panels installed) so there is a connection.
Also, RADIUM'S ARE IN THE HOUSE!
To give you a sense for the difference I snapped a pic with one Radium and on XM 10L before I deinstalled the XM.
This is much improved but I'm still not 100% happy with the color. I still think I need some 405-420 nm LED's to fill in the final actinic gap. But this will definitely do for now.
That's it. Just a quick update to let everyone know where things STAND. Get it? STAND! Ha! That's funny stuff right there......
Current Tunes: Ozzy - Crazy Train (duh!)
da, da, ba ba duh, duh, da, da
AIE, AIE, AIE, AIE, AIE, AIE......
ba, ba, duh, duh, da, da
We're going off the rails on a Crazy Trainnnnnnn!!!!!
Why you ask? Because the stand is DONE! How crazy is that??????
I feel like this finally closes the chapter on "œthe build" and officially opens the chapter on livestock acquisition and grow out. Of course there are some things that are yet to be completed that are related to the on going build but that's what it is, ongoing, not necessary to sustain life. Not that the stand skinning was necessary to sustain life but as suspected it did have an impact on tank temperature (went from 76 to 80 degrees with all panels installed) so there is a connection.
Also, RADIUM'S ARE IN THE HOUSE!
To give you a sense for the difference I snapped a pic with one Radium and on XM 10L before I deinstalled the XM.
This is much improved but I'm still not 100% happy with the color. I still think I need some 405-420 nm LED's to fill in the final actinic gap. But this will definitely do for now.
That's it. Just a quick update to let everyone know where things STAND.
Get it? STAND! Ha! That's funny stuff right there......Current Tunes: Ozzy - Crazy Train (duh!)
ingtar_shinowa
New member
Looking great!
