New 7 x 2.5 x 2.5

[lllesley]

HI,
Thought I would start a little journal about our upgrade.
We have had a 6 x 2 x 2 (bought second hand) for about 15 months. Went down this path to find out if this hobby was something we would want to be in long term.
Well we were hooked straight away, although there was lots of things that annoyed us about the tank - eg. coast to coast INTERNAL overflow, previous owner had few scratches on glass etc.
So we decided to get a new tank made, then comes the problem we wanted bigger but not enough room.....hubby says lets take a wall out and go for a peninsular !
So thats what we did, while tank being built we bashed down & put up a few walls.
The wall we removed was backing onto the current tank. So builders had to be extra careful. lol

 

[lllesley]

The tank arrived and the plumbing started. Never done it before so we actually just copied our old Bean Animal set up. Only difference being a click on tap fixture for siphon water changes & pumping water from IBC back into tank.

We also ordered a much larger sump, was sick of wishing we had a big sump, so new sump is 6 foot with 1 foot ATO 7 foot total. We are using NSW only in this tank. So have 1000lt storage container out back.

 

[DavidinGA]

Where'd you buy the tank? Those are about the dimensions I'm looking for.

 

[lllesley]

To help with the move we actually exchanged just over 1200lt of water over 10 days between the old and new tanks. By move day all parameters were absolutely spot on & our livestock had also adjusted well with the large water changes. We were lucky enough to have enough equipment to keep both tanks running at all times, we kept the skimmer with the livestock at all times.
So move day....OMG !!!
Day 1 - 9 am - 2am . Scape only.
Day 2 - 6am eventually moved all livestock over, corals first then fish /skimmer
Day 3 - rest day
Day 4 - power boards, auto top up, doser etc etc etc.
Still doing it now.
We didn't realize how difficult scaping was with a peninsular, making something look good back front and side is virtually impossible. Spent most of the day running back and forth. The old tank is blocking access around the tank at the moment so we had to run outside and come through another door to look, just awful !

We took a quick video of the final results (before poweheads etc were properly placed.)
The video was taken within 20hrs of livestock being added. So some corals are sulking but overall very happy with move and results.
The powder blue and 2 hippos/blue tangs are brand new,looking relaxed & eating. No aggression at all so far. We added them at the same time as all the others so think that helped.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce_oI70Ghcg

Today is day 4 and it appears we may have already passed our little mini cycle that we expected. Ammonia never really spiked as such but it was slightly green on day 1, today day 4 its 0

When old tank is gone (being picked up tonight) I will take a video of the other side and the end.

We are very open to opinions on the scape or any other ideas or thoughts, we are still learning and never scaped before, so would actually be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[lllesley]

Where'd you buy the tank? Those are about the dimensions I'm looking for.

I am actually in Australia, we have a local builder. I think you helped a lot when we realized our tank was too full, fixed now due to every ones suggestions and feedback on here ! thanks /

 

[Macscale]

Very cool looking tank!

 

[lllesley]

New Sump always looks so clean !

New Sump always looks so clean !

Thought I would so a pic of the new sump before it becomes a filthy mess. They always look so nice when they are new

 

[tidus10]

Its so pretty... If you would like.. I take donations.. just saying..

Well done, I love that tank. and that sump is just so nice

 

[lllesley]

Its so pretty... If you would like.. I take donations.. just saying..

Well done, I love that tank. and that sump is just so nice

Thank you. !

 

[kegogut]

From what I can see the rock work looks great.

 

[lllesley]

From what I can see the rock work looks great.

Thank you

 

[kegogut]

I would like some more pics! lolz

 

[lllesley]

I would like some more pics! lolz

After Xmas I will take some. I don't have a decent camera but will try. Merry Xmas by the way !!!

 

[kegogut]

After Xmas I will take some. I don't have a decent camera but will try. Merry Xmas by the way !!!

Sounds good. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

 

[lllesley]

Here are some more shots of the new tank. I am not a good photographer so please escuse the quality, but it should give you a reasonable idea on the layout.
We are very happy so far, 10 days after the move and readings are all very good.
The highest nitrates got was day 3 at 1ppm & they have slowy dropped by themselves and now are back to undetectable. We lost no fish & only 1 coral is looking as though it might not make it. So overall we would class the move as extremely successful.

 

[lllesley]

Here is the other side. trouble with peninsular lots of sides to take. lol

 

[kegogut]

I really do like the rock work alot.

 

[lllesley]

I really do like the rock work alot.

thanks ! Appreciate that !

 

[Reef707]

Nice tank! What type of butterfly is that? Is it reef safe? Ive been thinking about getting one.

 

[lllesley]

Nice tank! What type of butterfly is that? Is it reef safe? Ive been thinking about getting one.

Its a Copperband.
I would research very carefully about them as they are very difficult fish to keep. A lot of them die from starvation. It took me 5 long weeks to get this one eating, nearly lost him. They are supposed to be reef safe with caution, this one has been with us for about a year now and hasnt touched any corals yet.
Hope this helps and good luck.