Englishrebel's 260 Gallon System Build

[WaterKeeper]

:thumbsup:

It can take overnight for the outside air to equilibriate the water. See what the pH is a few hours after you turn your lights on in the AM.

 

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14681875#post14681875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
:thumbsup:

It can take overnight for the outside air to equilibriate the water. See what the pH is a few hours after you turn your lights on in the AM.

Thanks Tom -- will do.

 

[AcroSteve]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14509939#post14509939 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnglishRebel
I think I've decided to ditch the idea of having painted baseboard around the bottom. I'm going to mill up some 4-1/2" wide mahogany with a round over on the top edge and use that. It'll look more like a piece of furniture (with a big glass box on top).

I think that is a wise decision. Much better than the painted baseboard.





Nice work.




As far as your pickling lime question, I use Mrs. Wages from my local grocery.

http://store.mrswagesstore.com/mrswagpiclim.html

 

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14684729#post14684729 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AcroSteve
I think that is a wise decision. Much better than the painted baseboard.
Nice work.
As far as your pickling lime question, I use Mrs. Wages from my local grocery.

http://store.mrswagesstore.com/mrswagpiclim.html

Thanks Steve. I will get some pickling lime today.

Tom
The PH is 7.81 at 9:00AM up by 0.21 in about 18 hours. I'll monitor it the rest of the day to see where it ends up before I start adding Kalwasser. If I can only get the PH up a few points by connecting my skimmer intake to the outside, is it acceptable to use Kalwasser to raise it up to where it should be?
Thanks

 

[WaterKeeper]

Sure Alan KW is fine to raise it. Just remember that it also boosts Ca levels at the same time. In an active tank that is usually not a problem but in a fallow system the Ca may become elevated.

 

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14688419#post14688419 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
Sure Alan KW is fine to raise it. Just remember that it also boosts Ca levels at the same time. In an active tank that is usually not a problem but in a fallow system the Ca may become elevated.

Tom
My calcium is already at 460. I just received the two part from BRS and the alkalinity portion is High Purity Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash). I'm not sure what Kalwasser consists of that would raise the calcium, but will dosing with the Sodium Carbonate also raise the calcium? The other part of the kit is High Purity Calcium Chloride which raises Calcium (duh).
Thanks

 

[WaterKeeper]

Nope, the sodium carbonate raises alkalinity and pH. It will not add calcium but will actually reduce it if too much is added.

 

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14690822#post14690822 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
Nope, the sodium carbonate raises alkalinity and pH. It will not add calcium but will actually reduce it if too much is added.

Thanks Tom. I will start doing a small amount and keep an eye on my alkalinity and calcium.

 

[EnglishRebel]

STAND UPDATE

STAND UPDATE

Well I finally got the basic stand finished. I put two coats of oil based polyurethane on and I think it looks good (and my wife likes it so that's good). I still have to mill up some half-round to go around the base and finish up the "shelf" that will go around the tank to hide the foam and bottom glass. I'm in no hurry to do that as I want to get the actual width of the tank so that it fits snugly.
Here are some photos.
Enjoy.

 

[EnglishRebel]

TANK DELIVERY UPDATE

TANK DELIVERY UPDATE

FedEx Freight called this morning. The tank will be delivered Tuesday around noon. Will take photos of the official uncrating.

 

[ReefEnabler]

great job on the polyurethane coats, looks nice and smooth.

and awesome news, looking forward to seeing the tank up there.

 

[GlassReef]

Alan, that stand is (to use a word the young folks use a lot) awesome! Looks like it oozes quality. Congratulations on a job well done. I know very well how much work it represents.

 

[EnglishRebel]

Ryan
Thanks a lot. I didn't go the route of using a grain filler (mahogany has an open grain) but I am please with the finish. I'm glad I went with the oil based poly as it has a better gloss than water based.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14706134#post14706134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef
Alan, that stand is (to use a word the young folks use a lot) awesome! Looks like it oozes quality. Congratulations on a job well done. I know very well how much work it represents.

Tom
Thank you kindly -- and yes it was a lot of work although I did go the easy route with the panels and doors (no coped mortise and tenon joints or raised panels) but I am well pleased. Now we will have to wait and see what my wife thinks of the "BIG GLASS BOX" that will go on top. I just got a 55 gallon as an extra sump downstairs and when she saw it she said 'that's a big tank'. :lol: :lol:
BTW I was just looking at the photos of the snails over on your thread -- in the words of the young folks -- AWESOME.

 

[EnglishRebel]

Well I got the 55 gallon set up on Friday. I filled it with fresh SW and then isolated my fuge where my corals are and circulated the water from the 55 through the sump. The 300W and 500W heaters soon got the tank up to temperature. I transfered all the live rock from the QT tank into the 55 and drained the QT down enough to net my Damsel and Peppermint Shrimp so into their new home they went together with the snails and hermit crabs. I think they're happy to have more room to roam. Here's some shots of the 55 with the re-plumbed gravity supply from the fuge and the blue hose connects to the sump where the fuge used to. Just need to order a light fixture for it. I already put a power head in there as I have a relatively low flow through the fuge (as it should be).

I also got a new toy this last week - a Profilux dosing pump. It sits on a shelf above the 55 (zip tied so it doesn't become a floating pump). :eek1: I really need to put an acrylic cover over the 55.

I got some jugs and the two part solution mixes from Bulk Reef Supply. The jugs sit under the 55 and are piped inside conduit up the wall to the Profilux. Thanks for that idea Tom (GlassReef).

This room is now officially FULL.

 

[teesquare]

Alan:
It looks like you are well prepared for every need/condition. It is rare to see such detailed planning. ( When do you sleep BTW?)
I hope to get over to help Jeff set his tank - and would love to visit, and gather some ideas - if that is o.k.?
Thanks,
T

 

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14715303#post14715303 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by teesquare
Alan:
It looks like you are well prepared for every need/condition. It is rare to see such detailed planning. ( When do you sleep BTW?)
I hope to get over to help Jeff set his tank - and would love to visit, and gather some ideas - if that is o.k.?
Thanks,
T

T2
No problem -- you are welcome any time.

 

[edandsandy]

I have never seen such a beautiful piece of furniture for an aquarium.

I am very impressed with your work Alan!

 

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14715447#post14715447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edandsandy
I have never seen such a beautiful piece of furniture for an aquarium.

I am very impressed with your work Alan!

Thanks Sandy but you should thank my wife who insisted on it looking like furniture and not just a tank stand.
BTW I keep checking your thread and you haven't posted in a long while - nothing to report?

 

[erics3000]

Awesome. ..heheheeh

 

[paulthomas]

Great build Alan. And that piece of furniture that you're using to hold up your tank is gorgeous. :eek1: I showed my wife and she really loves it too.