New 135 Gallon Chronicles

[shelbiesdaddy]

Well, I am going to try and and chronicle the life of our new 135 gallon mixed tank.

I haven't seen it yet but we are supposed to pick it up Tuesday. I will take pics along the way. I will probably be asking for plenty of advise along the way as well.

 

[boviac]

Sweet - I'll help if I can (yeah right ) but I'll at least be there in spirit! I love new tank builds.

 

[shelbiesdaddy]

Well we got it here.

The stand is very basic.

It has a repair in one of the corners. The previous owner said it has been holding water for four years. It has been holding an inch of water for over an hour here, but it will be fully tested before it comes inside.

It was being used as a freshwater tank so the algae is coming off pretty easily.

 

[shelbiesdaddy]

The lighting that came with the tank is virtually useless.

I am thinking of using the current 55g as a refugium. Anyone have any ideas on how to plumb it.

 

[boviac]

Refugiums are often found inside sumps, however I'm following the theory that the copepds, etc survive better when allowed to gravity drain down to the main tank vs. churned or pressure slammed via the return pump. Thus the refugium would be best placed above the main display if possible.

I'd be happy to show you how I'm thinking of plumbing mine when every you get a chance to visit.

 

[shelbiesdaddy]

That is exactly what I wanted to try and do. Looking forward to seeing your plans.

 

[boviac]

On the stand picture, the rear center 4x4 doesn't appear to be touching the ground.

Also the front left top corner appears to have a lt green brace. Is that holding it together?

Looking Great. Can't wait to see it up!!! Good luck with your new tank.

 

[shelbiesdaddy]

Actually that is just a green piece of tape. Not sure if it is there for structural support.

There is a lot of debris in the driveway there so I won't know for sure till I get it on a smooth level surface.

 

[boviac]

Doubtful, the tape is there for structural support except maybe for the trim which itself does not provide a whole lot of strength.

 

[shelbiesdaddy]

That is what I am thinking (hoping).

 

[shelbiesdaddy]

Well Chris, it looks like you were right.

 

[Rysam]

DONT BUY IT!!!!!!
THAT TANK BOTTOM WILL FAIL..PERIOD. you can put a bandaid on it for a while but why? it needs a full bottom replacement. are you going to sleep real well at night knowing theres over 1000 pounds of rock and water depending on a bit of silicone covering a large crack? i think you said 150$ its just not worth it. keep looking and buy a nice coral instead. or offer 25$ and spend the rest on a new chunk of glass. i've done a bit of glass work and would be glad to assist. but please do not buy or if too late, dont put it in your house until properly fixed.

 

[shelbiesdaddy]

Don't worry. It won't make it into the house till those repairs we talked about are made and it is fully tested. Also a new stand built with full bottom support.

Looks like I will have to make the trip up the hill since no one around here sells those lights.

 

[shelbiesdaddy]

Josh,

Those moonlights are amazing. Exactly what we were looking for.

 

[gfk]

drill a hole for a corner overflow and it should take A LOT of weight off that repair

 

[shelbiesdaddy]

Here are the rocket engines we picked up for $20 each.

 

[boviac]

Cool. Are those the ballasts on the top? Interesting reflector technology. Not bad. They appear to be sitting on top of the tank. Do they really hang over the front and back that much? If so you're going to have quite a bit of spread outside your tank.

 

[shelbiesdaddy]

Actually I just put them there to get a better shot. They have built in hooks that I can attach to a chain or a rail.

Yes, those are the ballasts on the top.

 

[shelbiesdaddy]

Well, we decided the 135 is going to be Fish Only. So we will split up the MHs and use them on the existing reefs.

 

[shelbiesdaddy]

Well, I fired off the engines and with the light dispersal pattern of those reflectors they lit the entire garage. Those reflectors are definitely out.