How I got approval for my tank upgrade....

This is a funny thread. I got approval for a new tank when the tank in my home office leaked 20 gallons of salt water in our 6 month old house. She nicely stated that it would be a good idea to have a tank in the basement.
 
SPotter said:
I am often arguing with the contractor who happens to be me about he/I will start the project. I seem to be losing the argument :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Steve,
I just reread this and I am over here laughing out loud literally! Set a date and put a hole in the wall, tear up a floor, or carpet. I found that to be the best motivator...LOL. When I started my 180 upgrade after tearing up the carpet I realized I had crossed my Waterloo and there was no turning back...LOL. Please tell said contractor (you) I said let's get moving...lol.
 
LOL...there seems to be a slight labor dispute with site foreman (my wife) over design wishes which is causing a slowdown. I am ready to just get the sawzall out and cut a hole in the wall in my basement that just happens to the size I need for the tank :spin1:
 
well...the labor dispute and lockout has been solved. The site foreman (wife) has decided that she would rather have a professional do this job. The replacement crew begins on July 5th and estimates it will take about 2 weeks to do and about twice as much money than what it would have cost me. So while it will get done a lot quicker than I could do it, it will set me back a little with the $$$ I had put aside for my upgrade. All of my clients will be getting a lot of calls from me next week so they can buy stocks and bonds from me:)
 
Now that is what I am talking about. You have some dates which is always a good thing. You need a robo-dialer now...lol.
 
Contractors have finished ahead of schedule and over budget...how does that happen???? I have everything I need with exception to one important thing...the tank. There are a couple for sale locally that I am considering...a 180 and a 265. i really like the 265 but it will throw off my lighting plan a little.
 
Spotter... I busted out laughing at your original post. Seriously funny... "more worried about breaking wind"... I mean, we all think it... and you typed it!! Hilarious stuff!! Keep the humor going, it'll help with the overall build!

... how about some pictures of where this is going, and the work thus far?

And sorry you can't go long. I myself prefer long tanks for the viewing real-estate you get. Mine's 8' x2 x2. I love it. Bigger is better!! ;)

I got the fiance' to approve my 240 upgrade by showing her the tank in someone else's home... and knew she'd be against it. However, Once I explained the price of the swap... and how the tank was nearly "free" (which it was once I sold off all the unneeded components), she saw the light. Now, she loves it and no lying involved. ;) But all said and done, I think it was a $1000 upgrade in total.
 
Last edited:
Johny,
No pictures just yet to take as all I have been doing is collecting equipment. I promised I would buy everything used to keep the start up costs down.

I orginally was going to keep 2 DT's on 2 different systems but have decided that since they will both be mixed reef's...there's no reason to do that. So by putting them both on the same system I will have the room for a longer tank.

My hang up with the longer tank is I already purchased my lighting based on a 72" tank. I will be using 3 400w MH's with VHO supplement. I'm not concerned about the MH's, I just dont want to have dark corners because the VHO's dont reach the edges of the tank.

What kind of lighting are you using?
 
SPotter said:
Contractors have finished ahead of schedule and over budget...how does that happen???? I have everything I need with exception to one important thing...the tank. There are a couple for sale locally that I am considering...a 180 and a 265. i really like the 265 but it will throw off my lighting plan a little.
Click to expand...

Too Funny...next time tell them to finish on time and on budget! Take your time and make sure you get the one you want. Once you drop the money you are going to regret not getting what you want. I think the 6' VHO may be the longest they come. Other wise you have to get two smaller bulbs and put them together.

Good Luck!
 
I am wondering if I could center the 6' vho and have 6" on each side of the bulb if that would work.
 
SPotter said:
Johny,
No pictures just yet to take as all I have been doing is collecting equipment. I promised I would buy everything used to keep the start up costs down.

I orginally was going to keep 2 DT's on 2 different systems but have decided that since they will both be mixed reef's...there's no reason to do that. So by putting them both on the same system I will have the room for a longer tank.

My hang up with the longer tank is I already purchased my lighting based on a 72" tank. I will be using 3 400w MH's with VHO supplement. I'm not concerned about the MH's, I just dont want to have dark corners because the VHO's dont reach the edges of the tank.

What kind of lighting are you using?
Click to expand...

Got ya... makes sense. Used is good if you can find what you need (specifically). I had to buy new for some items... as I wanted to run single ended mogul style halides, and never found used reflectors..etc.

I ended up with (4) 250W halides, and (4)39W T5HO (actinic+ and fiji purple). The halides were 14K but they washed out the T5s (in my perception of color to the eye). Being they got hot, as well as the old magnetic ballasts... I ditched them, and went all LEDs. Ordering them direct from overseas. I couldn't be happier (with 4- 112W panels). Better color, cooler, and less energy consumption. I don't get as much shimmer however... :(
 
the final piece to the puzzle....

the final piece to the puzzle....

So I have found my tank...200 gallon 64x24x30 glass with corner overflow. I found the tank on 4fishtank.com and got it for $800. I originally wanted to do a closed loop but the company wants $55 per hole to drill it for me so I am re-thinking it now and will probably go with power heads. I am too chicken to try drilling it myself.

I havent finalized when I will pick the tank but hopefully it will be in the next week to 10 days.
 
That's impressive that you can do 10 of those! A bunch of my buddies and me were at a party at college about a year ago and all of us high school and college athletes could hardly do one. I think one of us did like 2 or 3. The rest of us couldn't get one complete one done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Another Reefer back from a 13 year Hiatus
Replies
8
Views
279
griss
griss
R
Coralife Chiller Error E1
Replies
1
Views
89
Reefing102
Reefing102
M
Iam about to build my forever tank. Any advice? I want to migrate my current two ranks
Replies
5
Views
266
Paul B
Paul B
M
How everything change and keeps changing
2
Replies
21
Views
567
MCReef1420
M
P
How can I reinforce a kitchen cabinet to support say a 90 gal tank?
Replies
16
Views
373
Philip
P
Back
Top