DREAM TANK BUILD IN NEW HOME BUILD,TURN INTO A NEVER ENDING NIGHTMARE! Advice welcome

Whoa, dude! That is a very lovely looking tank, but you really have to do something about the drain. It sounds like a mondo toilet in perpetual flush. It should be dead silent. Do some research on durso and herbie drains. You don't have to buy them, you make them yourself with common plumbing supplies.

Show us the rest of your system so we can help spot other problems. Do you have a quarantine system? I'll bet you don't. You need to quarantine all fish and corals separately for 6-8 weeks before introducing them to your tank lest you introduce a pest or pathogen that will wipe the entire tank out. Also, you've left little room for corals to grow or fish to swim. I think you will have to remove some of that rock.

For books, if you don't already have any, I suggest Mr. Saltwater Tank's books and videos. His are the most up-to-date.

Dave.M
 
Well having a salt water tank is much like having a car that needs work done on, if you don't know anything about it then you really are at the mercy at the people doing the work and hoping that your trans-axle distributor cap belt doesn't need realignment.. because that'll cost ya. Being as you can't go back in time and learn before you buy that cat is kind of out of the bag.

Like Dave said, very nice looking tank, and I really don't see anything really wrong with it on the surface. Cylinders can be a bit tricky to aquascape with rocks, especially if they're tall tanks which is why they tend to have that "piled up rock" look, although I can't see if there is a bit of space inside some of that rock, and those types of places where fish can swim in and out are ideal, if they're stuck to the outside they're not going to be super happy.

I agree with the drain sound, but that is something that can be fixed probably. But what most concerned me is the plumbing I saw under the tank, without knowing where each of those goes it'd be hard to say what exactly needs to be done, but it looks like the overflow is on the back against one side, and it's hard to tell which pipes go to that but I see one pipe that's a rather small diameter that opens up to a larger one, and most of those pipes look to be 1 inch in size which is a bit smaller than I would have done with a tank that size.

I'm also curious about how you have water flow in that tank, the small pipe size is going to limit how much flow you can get if you have some sort of closed loop. I am a bit worried too that if some of those are pipes that blow water directly into the tank that the output of the pipe is well below the surface (I'm speculating on this though) and if you ever have a power outage the water is going to drain out of that tank to the level of the pipe. I did see a single pump on the side which helps, but one big killer of saltwater tanks is lack of flow.

I'd like to see where all those pipes go too, that's where all the magic happens and where any sort of issues tend to arise, and also a place you could put some quarantine tanks in for the future.

I know you want the instant gratification, but you really should hold off on putting anything else in that tank until you get it all set up properly. All those fish tank shows they have on TV, they gives you the instant gratification, however the cold reality is that after it's over many of those fish die due to improper setup and zero quarantine procedures.
 
I'm think'in pro athlete... ;) awesome house, view, everything .... Be safe ... Someone in your household will need to become very familar with filtration and equipment, monitoring systems on phone, etc... . A good Maintenace person should be spending time educating tank owner... Power failures? redundancy ? In theory, you'll need to know every gate valve on the system... Learn the details, it will be rewarding. Reach out to Mega Tank Owner in Texas, PMRODGERS.... :) Goodluck!
 
Wow, gorgeous home and awesome tank. WOW!!

This is a great place to hang out with other reefers, sorry about your ordeal and...

[welcome]
 
Beautiful home and an amazing tank dude. I'm glad things are now working out for you. I'm curious and I may be a bit naive in even suggesting this but from reading what you wrote, you come across as a "money is no object" kinda guy and that is fantastic. Wish I had it like that. That being said, why not contact that crew out in Vegas? They have that show on TV, Animal Planet. I believe its called "Tanked". They seem to specialize in huge custom builds like yours and they fly and install them all over the country with great success it seems like. Might have had better luck with them, I don't know.

In any event, good luck with your tank. Hopefully you get familiar with it and in time we can all learn a thing or two from you. Not a lot of people have tanks of that magnitude.
 
Kingsixx said:
That being said, why not contact that crew out in Vegas? They have that show on TV, Animal Planet. I believe its called "Tanked".
No. They don't do ongoing maintenance. They just slap it in and dash, like he original supplier here.

Dave.M
 
Beautiful home man. Congrats on whatever you're doing in life! I agree with the others, you should be able to get that drain to near silent. I definitely work on that, especially since it's connected to a theater room :)
 
Lovely home, and that tank has tons of potential.

And welcome.
I'll be back in the Lounge where I belong if you're looking for me.
Stop in, I'll buy you a cold one.
 
I'm sorry to hear about your terrible experience with your previous installer. The only positive out of this is that I'm sure you are getting a crash course in aquarium design, equipment, plumbing, maintenance, husbandry, etc. This new knowledge will make your situation less asymmetric when dealing with aquarium "professionals"....and I use that term lightly with some folks and companies.

A couple of quick thoughts:

1. I totally agree with the previous posters that suggest quieting your drain down. It really is possible to get to a completely silent drain. Depending on your maintenance company's expertise, they should be able to help. Most methods, however, rely on making a main drain a full siphon (which makes it dead silent since it is not also sucking air in) and having an additional emergency drain. This may or may not be possible depending on how your tank is plumbed. But, the drain really can be completely quiet.

2. Your tank is on the 2nd floor of a beautiful home. If there is another word I would keep in your mind is: redundancy. You need to make sure there are safety redundancies engineered into system to avoid a tank disaster. Believe me as I lived through a tank disaster due to not having enough failsafes for a large aquarium.
 
Thanks guys for all your advice, and kind words!!
Yes, I have complained about the loudness of it, since my master bedroom door is about 10-15 feet away from the tank!! I actually have the home builders original plumber coming out to take a look at quieting it down.. They tank builder refused the help of any of the builders connections, and wanted to use there own people!!
Yes I thought I would slowly learn my tank from the pump room, to the aquarium!!
The apex/8 doser setup it being installed today..
I saw the video, and agree with the guys about the live rock not being right!!
I had a live rock slide, from them actually over loading the tank with it..
I'm in the final stages of getting that all redone, and setup will be similar to that of that video!!
Anyways I'm learning the best I can, and The tank is actually starting to work great!!
The perimeter levels, are getting better after weekly water changes, and the salinity is right at .026, so that's fine..
I actually do have a quarantine 100 gallon tank, that is coming in soon..
Lot easier to grow the zoanthids I want from there, and use it like the one guy stated..
I will have more videos of the pump room, and a video closer up to the lights, and where that noisy sound, so everyone can see how it was built..
For now, I'm at my family's ranch having fun with my brother, and dad!!
Checking out all our baby deer, and make sure they are eating right, and have no illnesses!!
We love nature, taking care of animals, as well as this tank!!
Which is why it saddens me, this tank builder did such a pour job, and now won't even try making things right, cause he knows how much money I had to spend from there screw ups!! I Live, & learn the hard way, but anyways I'll try putting up some more videos later, and try to answer everyone's questions directly!!
Till then enjoy this beautiful Sunday!!!
Thanks Jason!!
 
Hey custom. Sorry to hear about all you're hassle in the beginning , but looks like you're working you're way through it. I myself have recently had a rock slide so know how frustrating this can be. The one end of my tank I have rodded and drilled . Solid as anything , the other I took more Liberty with and slowly sinks when fish burrow etc. Looking at the height in you're tank I would look more at the Roding method to build a taller and more elegant structure , especially as you have it viewed from multiple sides. The last thing you want is a collapse as you get more corals in it. Also the more you can leave it open the better for flow, maintenance , reduced detritus build up etc.
Well I hope you're nightmare is over and good luck with the tank.
 
That is a beautiful tank!

Have you considered finding someone on this site (another large tank owner perhaps) to either consult or refer you to someone who could review and refresh your tank?
 
Ok. I have to ask. Whose Heisman is that? Is it a replica or did you win that trophy? I am a huge college football fan and racking my brain on Heisman winners. If you don't want to answer that then I understand. People like to keep anonymity on the Internet. Anyway, beautiful home and tank. Shame it took what you went through to get to this point. When you pay that kind of money you expect the service to match the price.
 
That is a beautiful tank!

Have you considered finding someone on this site (another large tank owner perhaps) to either consult or refer you to someone who could review and refresh your tank?

Actually that would be great, to have somebody that has a long history of maintaining, and wise knowledge of larger tanks, to fish/coral, and sorts of stuff as well!!
So hopefully, between this forum, and the other local forum, I can either get some recommendations for either or!!
I'd also like to find somebody in my area that can rebuild the rock in my tank the right way!!
I couldn't believe, with that amount of live rock, fish gallery did nothing to prevent there install of live rock, from cave ins!!! I'm new to this, but common sense should have been used there!!
Another thing that gets me big time confused, is asking a question, to a couple different fish/reef shop owners, and my tank guy, because I will usually get a different answer from them all!!! lol
So since my tank/system guy, basically turned it back into a fully operating, and 100% functioning tank, I tend to listen to him, even if I disagree on a few small things, here, and there!!

But Brandon, the owner of zoanthids.com has helped me so much!!
explaining on several big topics, wording the conversation where I can easily follow, and learn from it!! lol
I've opened up to him a lot as well!!
This guy, has sat on the phone with me for hours at a time!!
talking to me about ways to better improving, and keeping my tank a consistent healthy, happy, STRESS FREE TANK, and does it more, rather then selling me on zoanthids!!!
Just Truely, 100% stand up dude!!
This should be an exciting week for me, and my tank!!
First, My apex, & 8 doser system was just installed, so can't wait to learn that!!
I'm also changing up my lights a bit, by adding some new Ecotech gen 3 pros, and my first order of crazy bright colored zoa's are coming!!
I'll take some videos/pics of all my coral tomorrow, and will show y'all what's being delivered this week as well!!
Thanks again guys
Jason
 
Ok. I have to ask. Whose Heisman is that? Is it a replica or did you win that trophy? I am a huge college football fan and racking my brain on Heisman winners. If you don't want to answer that then I understand. People like to keep anonymity on the Internet. Anyway, beautiful home and tank. Shame it took what you went through to get to this point. When you pay that kind of money you expect the service to match the price.

It's actually a real heisman,but not the actual players trophy!!
When Johnny Manziel, won the heisman, the man who makes the heisman trophies every year, made Johnny's, and 2 extras.. I think the other went to the dean, or somewhere at A&M!!
My nephew is a senior at A&M, and since I personally know Johnny from a mutual friend here in Houston.. I found the opportunity to get the 3rd one, and got it!!
There are actual fakes, that are made then signed, but I don't think they are allowed to be the same size/weight, or something like that!!
The craftsmanship really what separates them!
(Before he signed it)
I took a pic of both of them together!! That was about 5 phones ago, so I gotta find that pic!!
I'm a pretty open guy, with hobbies lol
 
Ok 1st thanks to those, that at least believe me that this happen!!
2nd it's Pretty ignorant, i am getting the hints from some think I'm lying!!
I have more to do in life then to sit on my cell phone for 2 hours, to write this!!
I agree 100% way to long, but I didn't want to leave anything out, and yet I still did, but we will go back to that when I inform y'all who it is!!
Now that I'm fully awake, I will mention the stores name, even though he was suppose to ship me a couple items!! Not worried about it now!!
Then I plan on turning him into the better Business Bureau!!
2nd I mentioned the size of the tank!!
3rd, I mentioned that I know I am a newbie on here, with the exception of about 2-3 people who I think are members on here!!
Johnike, if members are on here like you I will go somewhere else!!
I live in Houston, Texas, I've spent $500 with the guy, that lives or works in Utah!!
I just had To mention him, because out of all the people to offer me any help in this mess, Brandon asked emediatly, even offered to even fly down!!
So yes, when I meet a stand up guy like him, I going to go sure mention his kindness!!
Yes my architect met with the owner several times, but he builds homes, and is very well known famous builder!! So this is on me, but I saw this shops aquariums inside malls, and he was so professional at first, I really thought it was going to be a good drama free build..
On the pictures, I went down below, and clicked on attachments, and it's kept saying upload error.. I have a iPhone 6+, can I post pics, if so tell me how!!
Or I can go to that website, which I'm drawing a blank, and post pictures there, and leave the link to the page here!!
Anyways let me know..
I'm not on here looking for sympathy, now looking back on it, and seeing how easy it is to join clubs/forums, and how nice a lot of guys are on the Internet, it's my fault, I just want to make sure, the next person in my situation, makes the correct choices!!!
I'm sure with the hints a made, those from Houston has to have a idea who it is? If not I will open up, and tell everybody, as soon as i am able to post pics, since by the sound of it I must prove I'm not making this up!!
Till then thanks to those with kind words, and please pm me more info on the local clubs, and other fun forums!!
Thanks
Jason
Still waiting to hear which store this was.
I'm a little surprised that a person of your implied caliber would bother with the BBB.
 
well its refreshing that you are real and that you have come to this forum for help. you have found a great home to learn and experience the joy of reef keeping. on another note I read that you are planning to raise zoanthids. as a newbie you should do some research on here about how toxic they can be. lots of precautions should be put in place when handling them.. they can be deadly..
 
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