How not to build a 750/1500 gallon build thread-Khaosinc 3/5/71-8/30/11

OK, >6 month lurker coming out to say something...

In my previous marriage, I somehow ended up with 10 ferrets at one point... At the time I wasnt sure how that happened, and afterwards I still dont know (they were all spayed or neutered, so I know they weren't having babies in there!!!)... Not asking questions was also my policy...

But hey, for 25 minutes a day, ferrets are a blast to have around!
 
they seem like almost more work than my tank (not that I do any of it) we have a mix of store bought, rescues, retired breeders and foster ferrets. Different diets, different play rooms, not to mention that they have their own room to themselves..

I just hate it when they steal my beer...

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oh yea... fish content..LOL

Water change/ dilution tank is in place. For now it will be fed by my back up 1262 pump. Only thing I have handy that wont overload the return line. The idea is to simply mix the new salt batch in the tank, and then connect it via the overflow. When its time for a change, I shove the hose (hooked up in the pic) down the drain and kill the pump. Drain it out, wipe anything that built up in there out and mix new water. Turn the pump back on and away I go. Hopefully once I add a cover I won't have to much more evaporation. Might move my carbon reactor and the other one I haven't actually put to use yet up there so I don't have to much around in the sump as much.

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and yea, I know my wiring is a fire nightmare. I'm working on it slowly.
 
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I thought I'd seen a post where you sold the tank just a little while ago. Did I mis-read or miss some posts? At any rate it's good to see you posting and making progress :thumbsup:
 
I think you are refering to :
I sold the tank, as I deceided I wouldn't trust it again. I don't forsee having another large glass tank.
Click to expand...

He was talking to someone about what he did with the tank that broke a seem. The original reason he bought a new tank, well that and being a lil tipsy :lolspin:
 
I did actually have this one up for sale, but couldn't even get a nibble on it. Gave up on selling it and decieded to focus on it as best I can to try and keep me sane for a while.
 
Well the water change/dilution tank is up and running. I think I want to lower the return line an inch or so for my own piece of mind. I also need to lower the baffles in my sump apperently as my current "power loss test" will overflow the sump if its any higher than it is now. Also need to do something with the stock bulkhead on that tank. Its dripping just a hair. I'm planning on cutting down the old cover to my 300 gallon to make a cover for at least most of it to keep the evaporation down.

I have a friend coming this weekend to help me move a mess of my power cords so I can at least reduce the fire nightmare that my little behind the tank world is creating. I'm hoping to run most of them on to the ceiling and mount the power bars on to the back of the canopy.

Already toying with a 300 gallon tub sitting on craigs list right now and making it a giant mangrove swamp as well... I do so wish I still had a paycheck. Would make things much easier.

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sump is a little low for my liking... may need to adjust some things. might also get to pull some of the powerheads out of there,

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easy water changes. Unplug the pump, shut off on valve and turn on the other. should take a day or so to fill that tank and mix salt. Still need to get a big tank for a top off one of these days.. filling a five gallon water bottle every day gets old.

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dang, I have got to finish cutting/making a cover for that tub... lost 25 gallons (to evap) of water in a couple of days.

at least I don't think I have a leak....
 
khaosinc said:
dang, I have got to finish cutting/making a cover for that tub... lost 25 gallons (to evap) of water in a couple of days.

at least I don't think I have a leak....
Click to expand...

Watch your salinity levels, closely. This will HOPEFULLY, help you rule out a leak. If you're evaporating, your salinity should increase, until you top off. If you're leaking, (Well, if your tank is leaking,) your salinity will drop, when topping off with fresh water.
 
I have it covered now and its much better. Finally had a use for the old hood for the 300 gallon. Cutting it with a sawzall might not of been the best choice though.. couldn't find my jig saw anywhere. Fortunetly 25-30 gallons really doesnt change much as far as levels in my tank.

I finally actually got to do something fun with my tank for a change. Water actually is starting to look fairly good (according to the tests anyway.) I suspect the natural sunlight doing wonders on my front glass is helping with that.

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Stopped by the LFS store to pick up a few cheap frags to see if my tank is as agreeable as I think it is. Lost a bunch of stuff thanks to the fiasco of the last year. Kinda got talked in to taking home a little sailfin tang. Someone dumped him off on them and they really didn't have a big enough place for him

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4 hours of acclimation later... I finally had it to the point I can see in most of my tank. I've spent so much time playing with the back side and plumbing that I kind of let it get away from me again. still needs a couple more hours of scraping that dang green coraline off of it.

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Not very impressed with the whole bag thing

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And free... I know I should have quarantined him, but I don't have a spare tank big enough. Already eating and the only one that seems to want a piece of him is a tomato clown about the size of my thumb. wiped out most of a sheet of nori in a matter of minutes. Eats flake as well.

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also picked up some cheap softies. I kinda plan on seeding the tank with most of the agressive/invasive (read that easier) softies and let them fight it out. I have some nice high flow areas they won't do well in and once I balance all that out (and manage to stay out of the hospital) I may add some stoneys in there.

not all of them open yet. Theres about 5 different color Zoas/palys on there

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Xinea and some anthillia.. however you spell it. I still haven't figured out where I'm going to put them yet. Sitting off to the side as my legs are done for the day

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those yellow polyps everyone ends up hating.... they are off in a corner by themselves.

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I might break the rock full of Zoas up to scatter them around the tank a bit better as well. Tired of just looking at purple rock.

couple other random shots.. I really need to junk this POS camara.

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9-10" give or take. I have yet to catch a picture of it when he raises his "sail" but I'd bet he's almost 1' tall
 
it was great to feel like I was actually doing something fun in the tank for a change. Just got to sit there and watch the tank after everything for a couple hours before lights out. Don't even remember the last time I did that.

Still keep seeing a 1/2 million things I really need to get to..
 
the sharks are just under 1' long. I got them 'used' and they were already converted to salt water when I got them. They haven't bothered any fish or corals, but I do suspect them in the dramatic reduction in my crab/shrimp population.
 
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