James404's 225g+ SPS Dominant

[michael_in_nc]

Are you doing all the new stand building work yourself or having it done? What is your estimate for water in the tank? We might end up being pretty close!

 

[James404]

Yep doing it all myself. Not sure when I'll be filling it up though, still got so much to do and I want to do everything right the first time.

 

[michael_in_nc]

How is the stand going?

 

[James404]

How is the stand going?

Finally made some progress today, let's just say it's not easy moving a 500 lb. tank from one stand to the other by yourself:

Still need to skin it and work on some finishing work but that can happen while it's full and cycling.

 

[michael_in_nc]

That one looks solid! You said you were going to use the doors from the original stand, what about the skin, can you re-use any of the old stand? I'm guessing the canopy can be still be used?

I'll bet we add water near the same day. Race is on.

 

[James404]

That one looks solid! You said you were going to use the doors from the original stand, what about the skin, can you re-use any of the old stand? I'm guessing the canopy can be still be used?

I'll bet we add water near the same day. Race is on.

Haha yea this one is definitely much sturdier, it was pretty scary when I looked at the back of the other stand the back slats were slanted, ripping out :furious:

I actually decided to do new cabinet doors on this stand, since my wife decided the old one would be good for a different area of the house. Canopy will still be used for sure.

Lol yea it's gonna be close between who fills up first. I want to glue in the plumbing of the overflows at least down to the bottom of the stand so I can move the tank against the wall before filling it up. Then all I have to do is make sure it's leveled and get the aquascape done :dance:

 

[James404]

Progress finally made today...


Got the preliminary aquascape done, may add another rock but I am sticking with a real minimal look:

And we got water:

 

[michael_in_nc]

Ah, you beat me with the water. I think I motivated you...

Can you reach those vortech's in the back from the sides? I was thinking about putting one back there, but I was concerned about how hard it would be to get to it if I needed to.

 

[James404]

Lol yea you definitely did motivate me.

I left enough room in the back to reach them but it took my fiance and I to get them in place, I was so afraid of dropping one and cracking the tank!

 

[aquaph8]

Looking good James, now for the exciting part. Beautiful tank, Felix did a great job with it.

 

[James404]

Thank you Brett, I am very happy with the tank so far, I never hesitate to recommend Felix. Still so much work to do though!

 

[shazeone]

tank is looking great. like the open scape idea. is that rock the pukani? is that the whole 100 pounds? i'v been thinking of getting some myself. how do you like it?

 

[James404]

tank is looking great. like the open scape idea. is that rock the pukani? is that the whole 100 pounds? i'v been thinking of getting some myself. how do you like it?

Thank you, yes that is the pukani from BRS. I still have some of the 100lbs I ordered that I haven't used so that is less, not sure how much exactly. The rock is excellent, I am a huge fan of bulkreefsupply. Their customer service is unbelievable and the points system is great.

 

[shazeone]

yeah , that rock seams to be really light in dry weight and large in size. trying to make my mind up on the pukani or the macro rocks... been a hard to decide.

 

[James404]

yeah , that rock seams to be really light in dry weight and large in size. trying to make my mind up on the pukani or the macro rocks... been a hard to decide.

I don't think theres much difference between marco rocks and BRS pukani, I believe its all coming from pretty much the same place.

 

[DrHarryLopez]

Nice progress James!

 

[James404]

Nice progress James!

Thank you Harry!


I have been putting some thought into what I will be using as a sump in the fish room, I will need to take some measurements when I get home from work but I am leaning towards a 150g or 100g rubbermaid stock tank. I will also be using two 32g brute cans for a water change setup.

 

[DrHarryLopez]

Thank you Harry!


I have been putting some thought into what I will be using as a sump in the fish room, I will need to take some measurements when I get home from work but I am leaning towards a 150g or 100g rubbermaid stock tank. I will also be using two 32g brute cans for a water change setup.

I thought about it at one time, but the dimensions, and how i wanted everything to fit just didnt work. At the end if the run how did u plan to fit in the baffles to reduce the air bubbles?

What you u plan to put in there?
This is mine. 75G, two Skimmers, 6 Filter Socks chamber

 

[James404]

No need for baffles with them, if you use filter socks and there are some other methods using PVC to reduce the microbubbles. I have an external skimmer and return pump, all that will be in the sump is some live rock and the zeovit reactor, heaters, and the water blaster pump that will be feeding the skimmer.

 

[James404]

Aquascape is done, tank is full and cycle has started


Ripped out the carpet from the fish room, tiling will begin today