Oldude's new 400 gal tank build

[Mikeeee]

It's about time man! . The MP40W VorTech's are great! i have 1 and will be getting another. Your SPS frags i got from you seem to like the flow. GL dude!

 

[Cprowler]

Cool project Greg, I'm jealous. I wish I had the room to do the same. Looking forward watching it progress.

 

[michika]

I've been tagging along for awhile Greg, and I think its going to be a fantastic build. Do you have an ETA on the change over?

 

[Oldude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13248806#post13248806 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michika
I've been tagging along for awhile Greg, and I think its going to be a fantastic build. Do you have an ETA on the change over?

I am anticipating starting in the tail end of Sept or early October. I have been waiting for my contractor to get back from vacation.

 

[michika]

What happens to the fooseball table? Does it need to find a new home?

 

[Joe Kelley]

This is gonna be good!

 

[Oldude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13251022#post13251022 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michika
What happens to the fooseball table? Does it need to find a new home?

It will likely be going to my daughter's place. Maybe she can teach her husband & kids to play.

Joe Kelley This is gonna be good!

I sure hope so Joe, I am quite excited about the finished reef myself just not looking forward to the transfer process. It's going to be interesting pulling my 130 gal apart. As you can imagine from this FTS from a few months ago there are a lot of pieces fused together as well as many fusing much of the rockwork together. Should create a lot of new frags. Wish me luck!

 

[crab0000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13252003#post13252003 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Oldude
Should create a lot of new frags.

Man, I think this is the only time I've ever wanted to live in Canada!

 

[Joe Kelley]

Greg, I'm sure you have been down this road before. Setting up many safe/stable redundant systems and getting a game plan of how thing will go that day or 2 will make it all go smooth. Get plenty of help too even if it is just some good friends to keep stress to a minimum. I've been through breaking up large fused colonies before and it's all about hammer and chisel for me as primary weapons. They also make nice clean breaks. Reefs come apart pretty easy IME.

Do you have an idea of the rock structure for the new tank?

I wish you luck and most of all have a great time, that is a very exciting new home for your animals!

Joe

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13252003#post13252003 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Oldude

I sure hope so Joe, I am quite excited about the finished reef myself just not looking forward to the transfer process. It's going to be interesting pulling my 130 gal apart. As you can imagine from this FTS from a few months ago there are a lot of pieces fused together as well as many fusing much of the rockwork together. Should create a lot of new frags. Wish me luck!

 

[mcliffy2]

You might have the quickest TOTM in history. Start up new tank with cool open aquascape + add amazing corals from old tank = TOTM a week after setup

 

[michika]

I'm sad the table is going. I had a lot of fun with it at the last reef meet! Still a bigger reef tank it is place is an acceptable trade I suppose

 

[werdlone]

Just food for though....

If you are going to be using all of your existing equipment, it is difficult to get the new tank up and running and "stable" for the transfer from the old tank. You may have to buy some lower end pumps, heaters, lights, etc to get it set up and cycled before your move.

I had the same issue with my upgrade. I didn't want to put a lot of prized sps into a bigger tank that wasn't completely cycled yet. I know you will be adding all of your rock as well, but it may still have a mini cylcle. It is also a big job to set up all of the lights, the tank may be in the dark for a day or more until all of your live stuff is put in safely.

On a good note...with all of the frags you will be making during the transfer..you could pay for your upgrade!!!!!

 

[Oldude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13256862#post13256862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcliffy2
You might have the quickest TOTM in history. Start up new tank with cool open aquascape + add amazing corals from old tank = TOTM a week after setup

Thanks but I wouldn't hold your breath.:lol:

 

[Oldude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13256809#post13256809 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Joe Kelley
Greg, I'm sure you have been down this road before. Setting up many safe/stable redundant systems and getting a game plan of how thing will go that day or 2 will make it all go smooth. Get plenty of help too even if it is just some good friends to keep stress to a minimum. I've been through breaking up large fused colonies before and it's all about hammer and chisel for me as primary weapons. They also make nice clean breaks. Reefs come apart pretty easy IME.

Do you have an idea of the rock structure for the new tank?

I wish you luck and most of all have a great time, that is a very exciting new home for your animals!

Joe

Thanks Joe. I have a pretty good idea of how it will all come together and what I am doing to the stucture/aquascape. Hopefully it goes as planned.

 

[Oldude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13259146#post13259146 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by werdlone
Just food for though....

If you are going to be using all of your existing equipment, it is difficult to get the new tank up and running and "stable" for the transfer from the old tank. You may have to buy some lower end pumps, heaters, lights, etc to get it set up and cycled before your move.

I had the same issue with my upgrade. I didn't want to put a lot of prized sps into a bigger tank that wasn't completely cycled yet. I know you will be adding all of your rock as well, but it may still have a mini cylcle. It is also a big job to set up all of the lights, the tank may be in the dark for a day or more until all of your live stuff is put in safely.

On a good note...with all of the frags you will be making during the transfer..you could pay for your upgrade!!!!!

I appreciate your input thanks.

 

[Mikeeee]

This must be exciting for you! i know i would be quite excited. I too agree with TOTM after a week . With that size of tank aquascaping will be easy..just keep it nice and open and lots of room for your corals grow and fish to swim and i may just have to make a trip to Calgary . Dont think im coming home empty handed though! hahaha.

 

[Ty1e]

Hey Greg, looks like lots of fun for the next few months for you.
Let me know if you need help, I'm still trying to get my 180 rimless togeather before November.

The plains look great so far buddy. :eek1:

 

[Oldude]

Thanks Mike & Tyler. It is already going slower than I hoped but it should eventually come together. I am needing to buy more equipment related items than I first anticipated but I guess that's par for the course.

 

[Oldude]

new tank is ordered.

new tank is ordered.

So it's official..........I finally ordered the tank yesterday.
96 x 36 x 27 with "starphire" front pane.
I also ordered a couple of Vortech 40 watt gen2's & I think I've decided on a Reeflo "hammerhead" 5800 GPH for a return pump. Time to start getting the area ready.......tear up the carpet, tear down the bar, build the walls & put in the sink and work counter, stand, etc, etc. Wow just a ton of stuff to do.

 

[Oldude]

I had the same issue with my upgrade. I didn't want to put a lot of prized sps into a bigger tank that wasn't completely cycled yet. I know you will be adding all of your rock as well, but it may still have a mini cylcle. It is also a big job to set up all of the lights, the tank may be in the dark for a day or more until all of your live stuff is put in safely.

I hope to do a temp plumb job with all the tanks together for a week or two before moving anything and will have additional lights set up before hand. The cycle should be very minimal (well at least in theory)