Hey guys

[bwade209]

Well, been lurking in the shadows reading up on this site for awhile now and thought I'd formally introduce myself. I'm Brian, live in Ceres and just broke down my 72 gallon bowfront upgraded to a 300 gallon with a 75 gallon sump. I'm still in the build process but have everything transferred and just finishing up some odds and ends.

Here's just a picture version of my build as I am too lazy to type everything right now HEHE My complete build is on cvr but here are all the pics from it in order.

Here are a few pics from the build...or nightmare....

It wasn't the prettiest setup, but the price was right

The more I gutted out, the more water damaged boards I found and had to replace....it would've been a LOT easier to just build a stand from scratch...

I told you it was more of a nightmare than a tank build HEHE, just wait...it gets better....

 

[bwade209]

So here's during the stand construction...I replaced just about everything and double braced it all...then threw on some trim to hide the ugliness...oh yea, and added an extra 4" to raise the tank up for better viewing

Fresh Paint...

Here's where I decided not to do a 240 gallon tank and go with a 300....well my father-in-law made that decision for me HEHE, I can finally laugh about it now but TRUST ME I was NOT happy at the time!

5ft from the door...10 ft from being on the stand...DOH....oh well, the tank went on hold for about a month because I was over it and had given up... and it was the holidays.

 

[bwade209]

But then found a sweet 300 gal TruVu Acrylic that fit my stand early Jan.

I'm still working on the canopy, just have to mount the VHOs and LEDs but wanted to finish the aquascaping before putting the canopy on because it is hard enough getting in there with an open top

 

[bwade209]

Finally....here it is (well half of the tank...the other half is still just piles of live rock waiting to be aquascaped)

Happy fish...

 

[jeff209]

Nice. I really like ur setup. keep the updates comin

 

[iluzhun]

man if only i could convince my wife toet me go that big. I was lucky for a while when i had my 178. But now I have no space for that big of a tank unless I get rid of my teenager........Anyone want a teenager.........real cheap???

 

[Bdimas]

Nice build Brian. Man thats crazy that your father in law broke the 240! But it did turn out better in the end. You did a real nice job on the stand too.

 

[Jacob D]

Very nice set up Brian. Excellent job on the stand. Looking forward to a full tank shot when you get the rest aquascaped! What are you lighting it with?

it was more of a nightmare than a tank build HEHE, just wait...it gets better....

LOL reminds me of my own build, less a broken tank, but looks like you have the finish line within sight, good work.

 

[bluenassarius]

sweet setup. like the work you did on your stand

 

[Jacob D]

BUMP!...

for another big tank

 

[RiOnRoxXx]

Dang I totally missed this thread! Holy smokes that's a gorgeous tank. What is the metal thing in the tank? An old fishing reel? Looks awesome!!! Please give us an update.

 

[bwade209]

Dang I totally missed this thread! Holy smokes that's a gorgeous tank. What is the metal thing in the tank? An old fishing reel? Looks awesome!!! Please give us an update.

Thanks for the compliment. I posted this awhile back and never really updated it. The metal thing might be the sunken ship with GSP taking it over?

And an update......*drumroll*.......all dead LOL Had a power failure about 6 months ago while we were out of town. 90% of my corals died...ALLLLL the SPS.....dead....all my acans/blastos.....dead...UGH!!! I think one of my RBTA's died and messed up the water parameters...who knows.

I've only lost one fish since starting it though (the big yellow tang). I'm just now getting my feet back into the water per say after the loss. hopefully it'll look as good, if not better pretty soon. It's still hard for me to pay big $ for these frags after losing all of those.

 

[RiOnRoxXx]

Brian what did you have frag wise? I'm sure a lot of us are willing to kick down some frags. I know for sure once I get my stuff growing I can help out. Just let us know what you're missing. Glad to see you didn't throw in the towel.

 

[phizzle]

i'll toss some frags your way once mine start growing out. you've bought a lot from me in the past so i'll hit you up when i make some cuttings.

 

[bwade209]

I pretty much bought every frag I saw for a good year or so LOL Thanks for the offer, after all the nightmares and headaches I went through building the tank, it was impossible to just walk away from it :rollface:

For awhile I was just going to go "fish-only" but after awhile I missed some of the frags I had. I had at least 35 different species of zoas, 8 different acans...and TONS of SPS...still unsure about getting back into anything SPS as of now. I have a couple of cheap frags i'm testing the water with....so far so good.

I'm not looking for a handout though...I know how much time, work and $ it costs to keep them alive and grow, I dont mind paying for frags if anybody has some. I've got my eye out right now for a few I really, REALLY miss. I'll post a new thread so this one doesnt turn into a WTB ad HEHE :lol:

 

[bwade209]

i'll toss some frags your way once mine start growing out. you've bought a lot from me in the past so i'll hit you up when i make some cuttings.

Thanks Phi...yea I remember buying a couplefrom you...LOL :lol: There's a few...well more than a few I got from you I wish I still had...

 

[RiOnRoxXx]

No problem Brian, just let us know if we can help. I got a lot of my stuff from friends and club members just kicking down things. In the spirit of NVR I just would like to see the same to continue but if it's like an LE or something in that sort I understand.

I'm sure with all the buzz and current tank pics rolling around here lately you can easily see what some of us has available

Phi's a good dude! Always has the best frags.

 

[bwade209]

Phi's a good dude! Always has the best frags.

Oh I know, I know....I probably funded his whole wedding by buying frags :lmao:

 

[jeff209]

updated pics?????????

 

[bwade209]

I have to reaquascape things but I'll get some pics up ASAP...my tank got a huge..... HUGE makeover today thanks to Joe (Joes210gal). Thanks again for all the color!!! Snagged 31 new "frags" today...mostly acans and favias...and few misc ones I couldnt pass on (gonipora, blastos, chalice, brain, ect.) I'm in coral heaven right now!!! (and dipping/aclimating hell) LOL :beer: :spin2: :lol2: :thumbsup: