lockrookies 180g custom build

[lockrookie]

You are very talented. Love the tank! How did you learn to do all of your glass work? just Trial and Error or do you work at a glass shop? I just got a 180 Gallon 2 days ago for free that has a broken pane that Im planning on replacing. Debating on if it would be worth it to do it in StarFire or not.

Regretfully no I don't work in a glass shop I wish I had for polishing a few pieces. You just have to muster up a little bravery and research. Anyone can do it. My other issue is my silicone skills are yet to be desired. But when I finish everything one day you won't see most of it anyways. The art of hissing the ugly. But seriously don't be afraid just be sure you order the correct size of glass to be replaced. I recommend going with eurobracing with external overflow if possible. I had to do internal and it takes away from so much internal space.

If you have questions and wish to pick my brain you are more than welcome to.


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[lockrookie]

As well I didn't go starphire myself for two reasons. It scratches easier and secondly I'm a cheap bugger. Lol



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[TripsterAK]

Great thanks! I will more then likely be messaging you for some info. Yeah I just got a quote from a Local Glass store and its going to be $365 for Normal glass. I should find out next week what the glass guy at the LFS can get it for. As far as the over flow im not sure what im going to do yet.

 

[lockrookie]

For me to replace the front pane and add 4" brace cost me 265$ so before you commit get numerous quotes for the same glass I was quoted all the way up to and over 800$ and if you are doing an external overflow best to use factory cut glass with straight edges and build a beam animal style overflow. So before you buy research your options and build it to your liking.


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[TripsterAK]

My LFS actually had a pane from a 180 that im getting for $100. so Ill pick that up and get it all set up.

 

[lockrookie]

That's awesome save a bit of cash there... Be sure you check for scratches that may annoy you I didn't check my end pieces and some huge scratches that now I wish I had replaced them too


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[TripsterAK]

That's awesome save a bit of cash there... Be sure you check for scratches that may annoy you I didn't check my end pieces and some huge scratches that now I wish I had replaced them too


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Its going to be the back of the tank, it will just be painted anyways so im not too worried about it. Also talked to the glass guy at the LFS and he said If i take all of silicone out and pay for the silicone that he will seal it all up for me for free! $120 for a 180 seems like a good deal to me lol. Okay im done thread jacking. You should post a current FTS. What lights are you using on your tank?

 

[deadmeat]

Looks great! All that work pays off.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

As well I didn't go starphire myself for two reasons. It scratches easier and secondly I'm a cheap bugger. Lol



Sent from my porcelain aquarium

Cheap bugger is the past. You are balling on a budget. Tank looks good. Wishing you the best on building your hood. I personally think its smart to wait until you get what you want.

 

[lockrookie]

Its going to be the back of the tank, it will just be painted anyways so im not too worried about it. Also talked to the glass guy at the LFS and he said If i take all of silicone out and pay for the silicone that he will seal it all up for me for free! $120 for a 180 seems like a good deal to me lol. Okay im done thread jacking. You should post a current FTS. What lights are you using on your tank?

Hijack away...I'm not one to worry about such things. Tank hasn't changed much since the last fts. Currently I'm running an aqua medic MH fixture 3x150w and 2 x 70w but I'm kinda unhappy with it shoulda gone with 250w but I hope to be using led by next year

And yes 120 for a 180 is awesome... More cash for gadgets


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[lockrookie]

Looks great! All that work pays off.

Thanks for the compliment


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[lockrookie]

Cheap bugger is the past. You are balling on a budget. Tank looks good. Wishing you the best on building your hood. I personally think its smart to wait until you get what you want.

Yes patience and tight budgets go hand in hand in my household.. Between wife our 15 month old twin girls. And this hobby I may start getting grey lol. Hobby comes last but it's getting cold so I have to try to complete it or it won't be done until spring lol


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[lockrookie]

So finally my claim with ups is settled they didn't even come to the house to Check investigate. I tried the whole twitter @ups thing. What a gong show that was. But in the end it was Neptune systems that came through for me. They emailed me today that the claim came through yesterday and they are shipping out a new eb8 today. I can't say enough nice things about Paul. He was quick to respond to my emails and always kept me updated. Even when he was at Macna.

So Neptune systems is definitely on my A list of companies to deal with.

Shortly after reading the email I get a call from ups on the matter. And the person who calls me is a customer of my own company( I know where he lives ). I discussed all the issues explaining everything. And he has put me on the non ring and run policy. Whatever that entails. But assures me it will never happen again and if it does I have his direct line. To contact him if a situation arises. We will see how this goes when the new eb8 arrives.

On a happier note picking up my Fragalot frags in a bit hopefully all is good to go. Will post pictures as soon as possible. And update on their status

Have a great weekend


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[TripsterAK]

its always good to hear about great customer service!

 

[lockrookie]

I will always give credit where deserved just seems a shame to throw out the water damaged one. But I'm not going to risk hooking it up to my system and fry everything. If ups hadn't thrown it in a place no one would find it it wouldn't have been rained on.


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[lockrookie]

So..... This is what's newish.. Built part A of my 2 part hood which makes me happy will try to snap a pic or two in a bit.. Mounted light on said hood. Even more spiffy. Tested everything last night... Good to go...and today it agent down hill.

Woke up to the t5s all fired up ready to go so I waited until 10 for the halides to fire. And they didnt. For some reason my apex isn't keeping good time. So I have to look into why its doing that but I fired them up manually all was well with the world. Until 6:00 tonight the halides shut off. It seems to be o reheating the water... Bugger so now I have to figure out a plan to cool the water without the use of a chiller and keep it below 82. Let the thoughts begin...

Got my doser from A fellow refer today as well much appreciated. So now I have to make some media storage containers as well as finding a good source to purchase the media from in canada

here is the beginning of the year pic with new light

 

[lockrookie]

It's always sad to see a fellow reefer have to shut down for whatever reason. Especially since they have been in the hobby since 07. I am glad I was able to help him out and purchase his corals in hopes he can return to the hobby when things get better and I can give him frags to start up again.

Some frags came in from a recent frag box order ill tag them but I have to apologize my very blue lighting made taking pics with my I phone difficult so once it's done uploading ill post a vid later as well.

There where 23 corals in total I couldn't get suitable pics of most. Ill try with my wife's camera.

 

[lockrookie]

These are a couple of the fragbox corals again I apogee for the pics

 

[lockrookie]

And a quick video

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af103/lockrookie/DSCF0241.mp4

 

[lockrookie]

Since I'm up here is an update and a couple fun photos

I have had a huge algea outbreak I intend to eradicate by any means necessary. A week ago I bought a sea-hare from our lfs. And it's the first one Ive had that actually survived when introduced to my tank. Two years ago I tried two that didn't make it through shipping. At first I didn't think it was going to make it do to it barely moving about but tonight it seems to be chewing down so there is hope.

I also Received my bottle of algae fix by API on Friday and did my first dose on Friday. So far the only thing I've noticed is there is less film algae on the glass. I realize it won't happen overnight. But it does seem to be doing something at the least. It says to dose every 3 days but I promise not to post each time.. But will try to take key pics is possible.

Here is a pic with a small sample of the algae featuring my manderin whom prolly loves the algae for hunting purposes

Secondly I've been slowly getting ready to dose calcium and such and still have to finish the lid for my dosing container. I have been using a reactor but no matter how much I tweak and play with it I can never get the reactor to keep up. So I'm going to re purpose the co2 canister and make my own soda.

In the meantime this is what Ive done to a small tank given to me with no less than a broken pane (I think in this thread it's a given to have) fixed the broken piece with some glass I have hoarded. And cut a couple more for dividers. I was going to build from scratch something different but got lazy for now may change it down the road. I was hoping to have more space for some future upgrades. But for now this will do

The pics...

Hopefully I can get it finished this weekend along with some trim work on the stand. I know I bought parts for the hood but for the life of me can't remember where I left them

Lastly a. Couple random pics

Oh I forgot I thing my hydroponics whatchamacallit is ATM IMG lower branches are turning white flesh receding I may have to frag it and start over... Really sucks