New Tank

[tom obrecht]

Here's an update from this week. Just completed the lighting hood. I wanted to have alot of access on this tank from the front and back so I put the whole lighting system on rails. This picture shows the aluminum rails being constructed.

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Here's a picture of the hood over the tank with 3 Luminarc reflectors in place. The light ballasts will ride on top of the hood.

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Here's a shot of the hood pulled out of the way to access the tank.

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[lvpd186]

Wow Tom, thats a great idea. I was thinking about using a pulley system when I get my in-wall system done, but the rail idea looks like it would be much sturdier. I see you already have plug sockets on the ceiling, you must of had a good plan going in to this. I might have to rethink some of my plans.

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8772217#post8772217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lvpd186
Wow Tom, thats a great idea. I was thinking about using a pulley system when I get my in-wall system done, but the rail idea looks like it would be much sturdier. I see you already have plug sockets on the ceiling, you must of had a good plan going in to this. I might have to rethink some of my plans.

Thanks...yeah I've been planning this since before my last tank. I've taken ideas and plans from others I've seen and until now really haven't had the space to do things the way I wanted. The rails I used haven't been easy to locate ( I had to go to a farm supply store) but it was worth the wait. So far it looks like it should work well. I tried to plan for added things such as equipment ect so I tried to put plenty of outlets in to handle the future "toys".

 

[lvpd186]

Tom, any updates? I'm looking forward to seeing your tank up and running.

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8882142#post8882142 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lvpd186
Tom, any updates? I'm looking forward to seeing your tank up and running.

Ya, I'm looking foward to seeing it up and running too!! I'm waiting to hear back on some water issues I'm having with the well water on the property. It looks as if that is coming to a close and then I'll finish things up and the water will flow. Just for some eye candy, I'll post a pic of a store's display tank in the northern burbs of Chicago that I've been to a few times. This is the reason I've decided to go sps this time around. The colors in this tank are unreal!!

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[lvpd186]

That is definitely a cool tank, I like the surge, looks like it adds a ton of bubbles though. I am going to try and have a mixed tank still. I am contemplating having two rock structures; one with softies and the other with sps (the sps one will be like a single pillar). Sps corals do have some nice color, but it is cool how some of the soft corals flow with the current.

 

[huskerreef]

I have some frags that are yours when your ready. I should deliver them..... you can't trust UPS.

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8883180#post8883180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lvpd186
That is definitely a cool tank, I like the surge, looks like it adds a ton of bubbles though. I am going to try and have a mixed tank still. I am contemplating having two rock structures; one with softies and the other with sps (the sps one will be like a single pillar). Sps corals do have some nice color, but it is cool how some of the soft corals flow with the current.

Yeah the surge really adds some nice water mov't. It drops 60 gallons when it goes. It did add bubbles but only for a shot while since the surge only went off maybe every 8-10 mins.

Yes I agree that softies do add alot as far as mov't goes. That's why I went that route last time. I hope to incorporate some gorgonians this time around if possible just for that reason.

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8883394#post8883394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by huskerreef
I have some frags that are yours when your ready. I should deliver them..... you can't trust UPS.

Two of my favorite things...friends who come and visit and frags!!

 

[garvin90]

I think that someone will need to hold the frag container to prevent any mishaps from occuring during the trip. I graciously volunteer my services.

 

[lvpd186]

This may have the makings of a good ROAD TRIP!

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8893052#post8893052 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lvpd186
This may have the makings of a good ROAD TRIP!

I'm game! Let's wait at least until I get water in the tank!!

 

[huskerreef]

I do believe a delegation from the Omaha Marine Society should make the trip up north to investigate the possabilities of a future tank tour. Now that you gave me your updated address I am fedexing a bottle of Prime....fill er up.

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8909324#post8909324 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by huskerreef
I do believe a delegation from the Omaha Marine Society should make the trip up north to investigate the possabilities of a future tank tour. Now that you gave me your updated address I am fedexing a bottle of Prime....fill er up.

Believe me, NOBODY is more anxious to get the tank filled than i am!! I't been kind of a frustrating week. Still waiting for the ro/di company to figure out the well water senario and get a unit made for me...you'd think from the way they are making it sound the well was dug right through a nuclear waste site! I must have talked to them at least a dozen times on the phone already. I hope we are getting close.

I'm also trying to findendcaps for my VHO's like the ones in this picture from my old tank.

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It is a dual socket (one socket holds 2 bulbs). Apparently it was an Italian brand that was discontinued. I have RC flooded with posts trying to find someone who might be able to find some. So if anyone might be able to locate 2 pairs I'd be forever thankful.

As far as the tank tour goes...YOU BET! I'd even throw a BBQ for everyone who came up!!

 

[zenn]

I love the way you have your new tank set up. It just looks well planned and easy to maintain.

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8911603#post8911603 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zenn
I love the way you have your new tank set up. It just looks well planned and easy to maintain.

Thanks. Only time will tell how successful all my planning will be. Kind of like building a new home. After you are in it for awile there are things you might have changed. Even though this is my 6th set up, I'm never one to say that everything is just as I want it untill it's been up and running for awhile. I will say this however, the builder did a nice job on the back filter room as far as space and finish work goes.

 

[tom obrecht]

Well finally an update. After almost a full day of breathing pvc pipe cement glue fumes (sorry if my writing is slurred ) I managed to knock out almost all of the plumbing. I just have the return of the fuge to go. Here are pics of the main return by way of the 4 Sea Swirls.

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I'm still hopeful I can finish the plumbing in the next few days, complete the wiring on the lighting and get an ro/di unit ordered yet this week. I'm thinking if all goes as planned (which it rarely does) I'll be in the process of making water for the tank fill up this time next weekend.

 

[aphenes]

Looks awesome Tom!
Post those photos on the FRAG thread. Having a photo of the endcaps may jar someones memory!
Was the return line sagging from weight that you put some wood supports under it?

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8927933#post8927933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aphenes

Was the return line sagging from weight that you put some wood supports under it?

Exactly. The return runs the entire length of the tank (8 feet) and since the only thing holding it up was the Sea Swirl connections I needed the support. One of those things I never thought about in the planning stages but I think it will work.

 

[garvin90]

You devil you! Joel came in to see me the other day and it appears someone has already had a sneak peek of your tank! He said you set it very well especially the catwalk idea so that you can maintence every area of the tank. Joel said however that while you can reach straight down from the side, you pretty much have to be in the tank to reach anywhere else right?

On a side note, you have competition. Kurt i believe is thinking about outdoing your tank! I think this obviously calls for you to go ahead and make a marine pond...