Since Miracles forgot to apply the black vinyl backing, I tried to apply the vinyl on the tank myself, but I suck. Bad. There's no way I can do it right and make it look decent. I'll probably have to paint the back tomorrow.
Also, I had our electrician friend come in, and long story short, because of shoddy construction (builders used 1/2" conduit where it should be 3/4"), he couldn't get the new wire through - all this after 2 holes in the wall and 3 hours figuring out the wiring in our condo). So now I'll be running the tank off the exisiting circuit (which does the whole living room area) for now and hope that it holds.
I made some progress today. I cut out an area for the outlets, and expanded one of the holes I put in the back top corner of the stand since I forgot that the power cord for the fan for the light fixture has an adapter on it.
Also, I hung the light fixture. Got the bulbs in and, glass splash shields installed and put that baby up!
It makes me crazy that the fixture is held up by little bolts in the ceiling, but I suppose I should have faith in them - but I can't help but feeling like one day I'll come home to the fixture having gone for a swim....
Anyways, I'm pretty happy.
Next steps:
1. Make back of tank black somehow - try vinyl again? paint black with acrylic/latex?
2. Level stand - it's ever so slightly off.
3. Get tank on stand.
4. Glue down plumbing.
5. Silicone in sump baffles.
6. Arrange electrical components (power bars, controllers, battery back-up, cords, etc.).
7. Profit!!
Just kidding! Then starts the real fun!! Filling the tank!!! woooooo
), I put it all together under the stand. Thanks to the acrylics and the white interior, it looks really clean.
I can smell the progress already!
