New to RC (with pics)

F

Foxface210

New member
Hello All-

As already stated- I'm new to 'posting' on RC. Been really involved with a local forum for a number of years but never really got engaged on RC until today.

Been in the SW hobby for almost 6 years and have kept everything from 12 gallon nano tanks to my 240 gal reef. Wouldn't consider myself an expert on anything but like helping out if/when I can. I tend to lean more towards the DIY and equipment areas. I love a good tank build.

I'm currently running a 240 mixed reef and I just dissembled my 180 in-wall FOWLR tank after the sump developed a leak. (I'm currently converting it to a FW planted tank for a change in pace.)

Looking forward to learning and helping where and when I can.

So... if RC is like any of the other forums I've been involved with, it's all about the pictures...

Built my 240 stand/canopy from oak-
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Older FTS-
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A few closer shots-
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180 Build-
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WOW. Both of those tanks look amazing. Cool to see that your going to do a planted tank as well. Welcome to the forum. I'm new to the site as well.
 
I love the oak stand. Do you have any more pictures of it perhaps in build. You look like you could be a seasoned woodworker, and i'd love to hear about how you went about making it since i'm still in the planning stages myself.
 
Thanks for the props guys.

I'm not sure I'm a seasoned woodworker but I like to tinker and figure things out. (plumbing, wood working, electrical, etc.)

That was my first attempt at making raised panel doors and the experience was frustrating but fun.

Here's some more pics from the build, including my dorky ear to ear grin. I finished the build and filled it with water 2 years ago this coming November.

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Made the stand extra tall so I wouldn't have to bend over to look inside all the time. The downside is that it takes a ladder to do anything inside the tank. Still wouldn't change it though. I'm 5'11" so you can get an idea of how tall this thing is, especially with the canopy on it.
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20gal tall refugium inside of a 75 gal sump. I modeled this after a zero edge tank. The return from the skimmer is constantly feeding water to the 20 gal fuge and it overflows into the sump so it's low flow with constant turn over.
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This was the tank when I first aquascaped it
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Wow those tanks are great I really like the eel but why break down the whole tank because of a leaking sump couldn't you have just changed out the sump
 
jonathansruelas said:
wow that in wall tank is amazing . good job.. the eel looks healthy and ready for a snack. is it a honeycomb?
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yeah- it is/was a honey comb eel. (tessalata eel) I sold him to a local tank addict and he's keeping him in his office tank.

cr85r said:
Wow those tanks are great I really like the eel but why break down the whole tank because of a leaking sump couldn't you have just changed out the sump
Click to expand...

Thanks!
Yeah, I could have just replaced the sump but I'll be honest and say I was just bored with it. I had a lot of bad luck with that tank and felt like it was time to just make a change... The tank faces the living room and it was really cool when people came over but it was kind of boring when you're sitting there everyday looking at it.

Eels, sharks, stingrays, lions are typically not really active fish meaning, they're not always out and about roaming the tank. I have the big reef (built first) and I didn't want to manage two large reefs. I also wanted to try something new and I've never kept any freshwater tanks aside from a beta or a few goldfish. Long story short- I've just had some bad blood with that tank so I'm going to try and give it a new life.

Who knows though... salt is in my blood so I may end up going back to some type of SW tank if I don't like a planted fresh tank.
 
Very awesome tanks. I had a 225 that I was rebuilding that I wanted to turn into a FW tank. but the Mrs said it was either a 180 reef or a 225 reef, but not room for 2 tanks.
 
Pickupman66 said:
Very awesome tanks. I had a 225 that I was rebuilding that I wanted to turn into a FW tank. but the Mrs said it was either a 180 reef or a 225 reef, but not room for 2 tanks.
Click to expand...

I hear ya... Very thankful to have a Mrs. that supports my addiction. The in-wall tank was actually her idea. I'm just glad that she's not addicted too... I've seen 'addicted couples' first hand and some would prefer to buy new corals over food for dinner.

Nice to have the support but with a check and balance IMO.
 
the tanks look really cool! ive never done a fw planted tank but heard that they can be a challenge as well...i like how you raised the stand up on the 240 makes it nicer to view imo good luck on the non salty side of life!
 
frozenreefer said:
the tanks look really cool! ive never done a fw planted tank but heard that they can be a challenge as well...i like how you raised the stand up on the 240 makes it nicer to view imo good luck on the non salty side of life!
Click to expand...

Thanks. The height of the 240 has it's drawbacks... the the canopy is so high that I have to remove ceiling fan blades to take the canopy off the tank. :D

I do like the straight viewing versus bending to see inside the tank though.

From what I've read and understand, a planted tank can be a PITA but success is equally rewarding as a nice coral reef. Similar concept except I'll try to grow different varieties of plants instead of corals. We'll see... At least I'll still have my salty 240 to keep me occupied as a FW should be a lot less demanding in terms of time and energy.
 
no problem. the honeycomb looked big.. how long was it? looked like u had to waste alot of money on food for those species u had.
r u thinking of keeping any fish in your new FW system?
 
jonathansruelas said:
no problem. the honeycomb looked big.. how long was it? looked like u had to waste alot of money on food for those species u had.
r u thinking of keeping any fish in your new FW system?
Click to expand...

Not sure there was much waste as they would always eat anything and everything put in that tank. Fed the eel 2 jumbo shrimp every other day, the shark would eat a couple pieces of shrimp, and a bay scallop or two. The stingray would eat anything and everything you put in the tank.
 
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