Lightsluvr's 340G Upgrade

[Pacific Reefs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15352101#post15352101 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pacific Reefs
A*W*E*S*O*M*E

Well I have an out of control aiptasia problem which really keeps me from taking pictures of it. Added a copperband so I hope he helps. I might try some of those Berghias if I can find some. Also after the leak and tank drain I just threw the rock in there. To top it off I just found out the tank has Zoa Pox!

But I have started giving it more attention...ordered some much needed MH bulbs and an I-Tech skimmer.

Let me know how those Berghias work out for you!

 

[edandsandy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15351669#post15351669 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lightsluvr
Here is a full tank shot with all T5s running...

LL

WOW! It just seems like yesterday you were starting your build and now you up and running!
Your build was very well thought out, you had a plan and you executed it!,
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!:celeb3: :celeb3: :celeb3:

 

[Lytehouse]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15353799#post15353799 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by peaceinusa
George,

I have to say that you have done an outstanding tank build. This was a superior build as every aspect was thought out to the most minute detail and it shows. I have to commend you on first of all asking for advice for everything and then weighing the options and taking the proper actions to do things right the first time!

Most everyone in this "expensive" hobby likes to think that they know the right way of doing things. But with your advanced knowledge of the hobby, tanks, setup, inhabitants....you still asked for advice for everything, and took it....KUDOS!

I am looking forward to checking out your tank now that it is stocked. Congrats on a job well done!

What Cha' gonna do with all the extra floor space in the living room once the 120 and 180 are gone?



Peace.

Peace,

your turn to take some oak and take the tank to the next level. Want me to bring a saw? :rollface:

 

[Lightsluvr]

Looking back...

Looking back...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15352748#post15352748 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishcatdog66
I know it wasn't easy but man you sure make it look easy!I still don't have the guts to start my first saltwater tank and this is #3(?) for you!If you were me would you just start with the biggest tank for the space available or start smaller and work upwards like you did?I have a 110 planted fresh and am getting bored with it.:rollface:

In hindsight, we wonder why we just didn't start with a 350G tank...but at the time, we thought that a 95G was HUGE!

Little did we know...

This will be our final, final tank , so we wanted to make it something we could be proud of and enjoy.

I would recommend that you look at the space you can dedicate for a tank, and get the largest tank that will fit there...my experience is that larger tanks are no more work than smaller ones... I was working my butt off maintaining the 120G and 180G. This 350G will be more automated and should be less demanding overall.

Fingers crossed.

Thanks for tagging along and please come back often.

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

Thanks!

Thanks!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15352068#post15352068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dtking
one word, BEAUTIFUL!

Thanks, Dustin.

Be careful out there in the desert... I want to give you a personal tour when you get back stateside.

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

Hi Chuck

Hi Chuck

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15352625#post15352625 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Goodwin9
I like your aquascaping! Looks good, and all of the fish look like they're happy too!

Before I started this project, I read through three splits of your build thread... got lots of ideas and inspiration. Thanks for coming over and saying hello. Please come back often.

Now what can I build?

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15353799#post15353799 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by peaceinusa
George,

I have to say that you have done an outstanding tank build. This was a superior build as every aspect was thought out to the most minute detail and it shows. I have to commend you on first of all asking for advice for everything and then weighing the options and taking the proper actions to do things right the first time!

Most everyone in this "expensive" hobby likes to think that they know the right way of doing things. But with your advanced knowledge of the hobby, tanks, setup, inhabitants....you still asked for advice for everything, and took it....KUDOS!

I am looking forward to checking out your tank now that it is stocked. Congrats on a job well done!

What Cha' gonna do with all the extra floor space in the living room once the 120 and 180 are gone?



Peace.

Thanks, Peace. It couldn't have happened without your help along the way.

I think the 120G and 180G are both going out the door on Saturday July 18. Then I will have the carpets cleaned and put a couple of chairs for a reading/sitting area. The new seahorse nano will be in that area as well as a book case that was displaced when the wall was torn out for the tank...

As Lynn hinted, I bought some red oak trim and am ready for my favorite trim carpenter to make his magic appearance so we can enclose the area above the tank.

I am thinking about ordering two panels for use above the tank, so they'll match the panels below. I don't think they would be any heavier than what we could build. The panels would be 49" wide (each) and tall enough to go from the front of the tank to the hinge point on the wall above the enclosure. The panels would have an appearance of four doors, just like the lower panels. Seems like that would save a lot of work - do you agree? All that would be left to do is construct the frame to support the upper assembly, hinge the doors and live happily ever after...

If you're in the neighborhood this week, and have a minute, please stop by so we can make some plans and I can order the necessary. I am going to use basic 3" red oak molding to frame the entire opening as well as the side pieces.

Talk to ya later.

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15352932#post15352932 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kingsland
Looks great. The rockscape turned out really nice.

I tried for the 3 to 5 ratio in rock placement...and left lots of swimming room for the fish.

I really like the Tonga Branch... in addition to the obvious one sticking up, there is another piece resting on a rock with its tip in the sandbed... giving impression that it broke off the big piece... (Ms. LL's inspiration)

More places to attach coral...

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

LR

LR

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15353838#post15353838 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by OkR33Fer
Wow, George, looks Great!

Alot of that rock looks fimiliar for some reason too.

It should look familiar...

That big piece of Tonga, in particular.

In addition to what I got from you, I picked up another 45 pounds of shelf rock for the display.

Almost all of the LR from the 180G went into the Rubbermaid sump where I am going to sic the Berghia Nudibranchs on the aiptasia. I hope to start a Berghia aquafarm...

I have a light ready for you anytime you want it.

Many thanks.

LL

 

[Pacific Reefs]

How is the skimmer so far?

 

[Brad Rogers]

There are so many things I love about this build, from the rolling light assembly to the mixing tanks, not to mention the beautiful tank, but the one thing I haven't seen answered....


What is the recipe for these awesome looking ribs???

 

[gmneil]

looks great!

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15361113#post15361113 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pacific Reefs
How is the skimmer so far?

The Orca is living up to my expectations... it is creating lots of very fine bubble foam and I have dialed it in to create a thick, wet skimmate. It has been running with no need for adjustment for the past 48 hours.

I'll snap a photo or two tomorrow...

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15361223#post15361223 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brad Rogers
There are so many things I love about this build, from the rolling light assembly to the mixing tanks, not to mention the beautiful tank, but the one thing I haven't seen answered....

What is the recipe for these awesome looking ribs???

That's what I like - a reefer who does his research!

I'll PM you my secret recipe, but the basic deal is to marinate the slabs in a Jumbo zipper bag for 4 hours, turning the bag occasionally to assure good coverage. Smoke with hickory and apple wood for about six hours at 225 degrees in a Cookshack or Smokin' Tex electric smoker...Move an aquarium and stand while waiting.
When you twist the bone and the rib moves easily in the meat, slice and serve with sides and copious amounts of barley pop...

LL

 

[ReefingBuddha]

Lightsluvr, I saw your post in Ed's thread about the worm ID and I'm 95% sure it is a small Eunicid Worm. I removed one yesterday when I broke down my tank and it was almost 36" long.

From what I saw the pictures your posted definitely resembles the worm we removed. Same head and body shape with the same spiky points on the sides of each segment and the "Predator" looking head. Good catch!

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15361685#post15361685 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thirschmann
Lightsluvr, I saw your post in Ed's thread about the worm ID and I'm 95% sure it is a small Eunicid Worm. I removed one yesterday when I broke down my tank and it was almost 36" long.

From what I saw the pictures your posted definitely resembles the worm we removed. Same head and body shape with the same spiky points on the sides of each segment and the "Predator" looking head. Good catch!

Glad I got it and its little buddy while they were still small...

LL

 

[Dtking]

I cant wait to get home so i can see this tank! I would really love to see it so i can get new ideas for mine!!! Everything is going good so far, nothing new to report, just alot of boredom and busy work!

-DT

 

[Lightsluvr]

Update

Update

We had a major Thunderstorm blow through here this afternoon. we lost power and I was able to watch the pumps shutdown and restart without incident. Good news.

The APC on the Vortechs also worked flawlessy. I have over two hours safety net with the Vortechs running at maximum output on the APC.

Generally I have been pleased with the crud being skimmed from the tank by the Orca 250:

Time to clean the collection cup:

The bubbles in the neck are pretty large... will tinker with the minimal adjustments to fine-tune the beast...

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

Invitation extended!

Invitation extended!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15362119#post15362119 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dtking
I cant wait to get home so i can see this tank! I would really love to see it so i can get new ideas for mine!!! Everything is going good so far, nothing new to report, just alot of boredom and busy work!

-DT

As soon as you land in Oklahoma, make plans to come down to visit and catch up on happenings...

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

Skimmer tweaking

Skimmer tweaking

Tweaked the Orca 250 a little and got a better head of fine bubbles...

The secret's in the sauce...

LL