Melev's new 280g Starfire tank thread

[melev]

:lol: You guys just don't get it. The woodwork will get done

If I did finish it, you'd not have anything else to tease me about.

So basically, I'm providing you guys a service here. I'm the straight man to all of your ribbing.

The bamboo stuff was there forever, as far as I can tell. It may have been there for over 30 years, as it was behind baseboard, door trim, cabinets and there was no indication that anything else was ever behind it.

I love the new look of the room, and it just gets better and better. While I moved in over 5 years ago, it is starting to really feel like home finally because it looks like my place. Before my stuff was in the house, but it was the same old walls and lights. Over the past few years, I've replaced all the carpeting and installed ceramic tile flooring where it made sense. The 280g 14 day project was quite a hurdle, and some other changes were made in a couple of rooms. If the previous homeowner came over, I think they'd really be surprised.

I'd like to replace the kitchen counters with something new. I can't afford Corian, but Ikea has butcher block cutting board counter tops that are very affordable. I'm leaning that way because I think it will look nice, but I don't know how it will hold up against stains, hot items, water and other liquids.... any of you have any feedback on that? Home Depot has a knock-off version of Corian stone counter tops that might work out, but the butcher block from Ikea will run under $100 per counter. A bargain.

 

[jnarowe]

With your DIY skills, why don't you try cement? It takes a little practice but I bet you could pull off a nice polished cement with none of the drawbacks of wood or plastic. You could also do a granite tile deal but I feel that cement is easier and you can get a nice clean look.

 

[melev]

Heck, I'll just make it out of 1" acrylic and call it done.

 

[Travis]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7542424#post7542424 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SERVO
Yah, but no one had the big $500 dollar clam

Yeah, what was up with that anyway. Sure the clam looked nice but for $500 I just laughed. I couldn't believe someone actually bought it. I guess there is a sucker around every corner. I hope whomever was dumb enough (or should I say rich enough) to buy that clam had a top down viewing tank because I looked at that croce through the side and you couldn't even see those fluorescing colors.

Sorry for the off topic rant.

 

[rdmpe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7543240#post7543240 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
With your DIY skills, why don't you try cement? It takes a little practice but I bet you could pull off a nice polished cement with none of the drawbacks of wood or plastic. You could also do a granite tile deal but I feel that cement is easier and you can get a nice clean look.

I have a friend in this business and his work is great. He's in the Atlanta area - LMK if you want to see any pictures of some of his work.

 

[chrisd4421]

Marc,
I think I understand the unspoken reasons for the woodwork still not being finished...hehehehe....

If you finish the woodwork, the tank will be complete and then logically, you could start justifying your thoughts of upgrading to a larger tank....if you don't finish the woodwork and the rogue thought of upgrading hits you, you have the excuse that the tank you have now is not finished....

LOL....at least this would be my rational.....

Chris

 

[Stile2]

Looking good! We are al,ost done with a kitchen/dining room remodel and are about to start on a new garage/master bedroom!

I keep telling myself that I'll finish the woodwork when the new garage is done.

 

[Qwiv]

I wanted to comment on a conversation about flame scallops a few posts back.

First, they eat mostly zooplankton, not phyto.
Second, some recent information shows flame scallops have a very short life span, like 2 years. Collectors tend to pick the large flame scallops for retail as they sell better. These could be a year or more in age.

That leaves a few months left on there natural lifespan plus low availability of food, which seems to account for there short life span in reef tanks. This info is only from 2 recent reports so further research needs to be done, but it might explain things to some folks.

MARK: How is that canopy coming?

 

[jnarowe]

Qwiv I can appreciate that and thanks for the post. I fed mine mostly zooplankton anyway but it is just strange that it suddenly starts to die. If I can get a tool on it, I will extricate it and see what else besides flatworms are on its shell.

I wish I could get regular old clams and oysters for my system rather than just "trophy" species as I believe they provide a valuable part of the ecosystem but I can't stand to pay so much for each one. I would drop in maybe 50 and see if they can't perpetuate themselves so that even though some die off, there would be youngs ones to take their place.

Anyone know of a source?

 

[melev]

<b>Qwiv</b>, if you've kept up with the pictures in this thread, you'd have your answer to that query.

<b>Chris</b>, that's it exactly. Good job!

<b>Jonathan</b>, there is a vendor in south Texas that sells stuff along those lines. I'll try to find out their name for you.

 

[jnarowe]

Thanks!

 

[Qwiv]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7545414#post7545414 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
Qwiv I can appreciate that and thanks for the post. I fed mine mostly zooplankton anyway but it is just strange that it suddenly starts to die. If I can get a tool on it, I will extricate it and see what else besides flatworms are on its shell.

I wish I could get regular old clams and oysters for my system rather than just "trophy" species as I believe they provide a valuable part of the ecosystem but I can't stand to pay so much for each one. I would drop in maybe 50 and see if they can't perpetuate themselves so that even though some die off, there would be youngs ones to take their place.

Anyone know of a source?

Well, flame scallops are normaly 8 bucks around here. You can get clams for around 30 for small, not quite as pretty. I can keep the clam alive for years, but the scallop for a few months. The clam is going to be cheaper after 4 scallops. I think the clam is a better deal.
Take a look at these:
http://www.ipsf.com/sandbedclams.html
There are a few threads google can find on them.

Mark: I have seen the pics. I just want to see a canopy in them on day. Your, it is to cold excuse is now a its to hot excuse. Just holding my breath for the magic to happen over there.

 

[AngeloM3]

wheres the beginning thread???

i'd like to see the build up of this

 

[chrisd4421]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7548032#post7548032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AngeloM3
wheres the beginning thread???

i'd like to see the build up of this

I think this is the 3rd split of the thread....you should go to the first page of this thread and follow the split links back to the original. It has been a great experience on all topics since the start.....

HTH
Chris

 

[Cprowler]

Page one is right HERE .

 

[AngeloM3]

awsome thanks.........

chrisd... i tried... and kept going back and back... and i think i just got in a loop... never found the first page

but i got it now... thanks

 

[rdmpe]

Weren't the first few pages chisled on stone tablets?

 

[DaveG99]

I'll tag along....

 

[hipower]

It's taken me the better part of 2 weeks to read this highly instructive missive. What an inspiration for me to do better! Marc keep it up!

 

[jnarowe]

Qwiv Thanks for that link. That is very interesting. I don't have a real sandbed in my display but I do have a nice one in my fuge where these clams would probably flourish. I'll keep that in mind!

rdmpe :lol: