Not a typical doctor's waiting room... 450 gallon reef

[Beenalongtime79]

Thanks Dudester! I think I will be happy with what I'll be doing in the future. May I ask, but are you also in the medical field?

Also, how do you like the reeflux bulbs?

 

[Dudester]

I haven't used the 400W ReefLux bulbs personally, but I'm currently using a 250W 12K and it looks great.

sending you pm

 

[KingfishJohn]

Possibly on the styrofoam but probably not. The sump is only 24" wide so should fit no problem.

John

 

[jnarowe]

well, the styro sheet will help to reduce vibration noises so I figured you would be doing that and the bolts were really a moot point. at 24" it's no big deal anyway. whenever I help others build systems, I always try to have them put in a water-proof liner and styro under the sump and return pump.

 

[fishypets]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9004230#post9004230 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
Way to go guys!

Hey Matt, I told you everything is bigger and better in TEXAS!! LOL

 

[gkarshens]

I just helped move this thing in today. Let me say "WOW!" It is a terrific tank and you could land a 747 on that stand. I am sure John will post pics soon.

 

[KingfishJohn]

Brian's phone has the pictures as I didn't bring a camera this time (knew that I'd have to be lifting and not shooting pics haha).

The tank is an incredible thing. Very very well built and beautiful. The stand the builders built is 6" steel and literally could hold anything I could throw at it.

Thanks to my "crew" , I could not have lifted that tank alone!

 

[Dudester]

Just got back from vacation, and honestly I'm jealous that I wasn't there to help get the tank into the office and onto the stand. John, you have to share the info that you gave me about the tank move - talk about close calls!

Gabriel, no pics? I don't think I've ever seen you without a camera in your posession . Guess you had your hands full, though. Thanks so much for helping out!

 

[Yaryman]

I know this has been covered already, but I'm just amazed at how few overflow slots there are.

Just my 2¢, but I think you will come to regret that part of your design.

 

[jnarowe]

there's more than one way to run a reef tank. I am a fan of large overflows but many tanks thrive on just a corner overflow. Different philosophies are what is great about this hobby!

 

[KingfishJohn]

I know that everyone doubts the overflow. Let's wait until it's running and maybe you'll be singing a different tune or I'll be dremeling out some new slots.

I love this hobby!

John

 

[Tunjee]

I wonder what kind of special silicone they use to adhere glass to plastic?

 

[KingfishJohn]

Love Aqua Teen btw...

I'll offer this advice on the silicone.

We weren't sure if this tank was going to fit in the overflow. Only one was working at the time, and it wasn't a service elevator, just one that would handle a pediatric gurney.

Two options if the tank didn't fit at this point... cut off the external overflow and reattach it (or so we thought) or get a crane. I called AGE to talk about option 1 and we would have had to have one of their guys come to Austin and fix it personally.

Luckily the tank fit in the gator and is in its final resting place (on top of a stand that could handle the weight of a semi).

 

[Dudester]

I'll take the liberty of editing thedude's post. He meant to say "We weren't sure if this tank was going to fit in the elevator."

Since Brian's phone appears to be "off-line" I'll post the pics I took last night of the tank on the stand. I wish my 6'5" partner was with me, it would have been nice to get a photo of him laying in the tank ... with room to spare. Love the PVC bottom.

Here's a view looking down the barrell, with the controversial overflow in the foreground. Check out the acrylic bracing.

 

[jnarowe]

really looks good. may be tough to keep that overflow comb clean but I am sure you guys will figure it out. how thick is the pVC bottom?

 

[Beenalongtime79]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9115909#post9115909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
really looks good. may be tough to keep that overflow comb clean but I am sure you guys will figure it out. how thick is the pVC bottom?

I think it'd be rather easy to construct something out of gutter guard to place over those combs and just take it out once a week for a quick rinse and then back over the combs.

Gosh guys, I really would have wished my pediatric surgeon was that cool and savvy to put a monster reef tank in the waiting room!

Keep the progress notes and pictures coming!

Peace,
John

 

[alien9168]

This looks awsome!

 

[makoJ]

WOW thats a HUGE tank, nice work man!

 

[longhornreefer]

Hello All,

I can't believe i just found this thread and it is already 4 pages long, and its just a glass box.

Allow myself to introduce.....(pause).....myself. My name is brian with kingfish aquariums in austin, and i have been slaving over this tank for the past few days. i have documented the installation and have some great eye candy.

Let me comment on the "poor design' of the overflow. We had no choice but to make it 12" wide because of the wavebox and extention, the 2 C.L. holes, and the constraints of the filtration closet. I definately see a dremel in my near future, i think i will start by cuting out every other tooth and using black eggcrate from behind to keep small fishes out.

I had already built the sump b/4 I noticed the bolts anchoring the stand down (even though these bolts are so unnecessary). So I planned and jointed some 2x4's and attached them together with waterproof wood glue and biscuit joints. I leveled the 2x4 sump riser with 1/8" and 1/4" pieces of rubber mat.

 

[longhornreefer]