order my DT today...

No offense taken, made me realize I need to slow down and be more systematic. Never crossed my mind that it might leak :) Appreciate the comments.

I ran into another glitch last night trying to bring up the BK for testing. The Iwaki I'm using to front end it apparently isn't self priming and can't pull water up very far at all to get started. Once I got some water into it, it worked fine, but I've got to work out a solution to that problem.

I meant to start all of this a year ago but got sidetracked -- was trying to scramble and make up lost time, but I need to back off some and be more methodical.
 
I've been trying to scramble to have the entire backend ready by the time the tank got here -- not practical or even possible (especially since I'm heading over to Dallas on Saturday for a week). Expecting the DT around 2nd week of May just as I get back (although I haven't checked a ship date yet)

It was a goal with no real purpose :( I wanted to have the rock cured by the time the tank got here, but I started atleast 8 weeks late for that...

So, I'm going to reset my brain

Probably best to just build out the aquascape in an empty tank and start the cure process in place. Using mostly dry rock from brs in the DT, mixture of Eco reef and Pukani)... With some live rock in the refug to seed it.
 
If you have the space, you could definitely get the rock going. Being away will allow you to let it cycle without you watching it daily and impatiently. It will definitely cut down on the time between getting your tank set up and adding livestock.

You might experience a short mini cycle, but it's better than setting everything up and THEN having to wait 8 MORE weeks.
 
pic including the BK 300 under test...

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got the 6 Radion XR30 power/controllers mounted tonight.

won't be much happening for a bit now, I have to fly over to Dallas Sat AM and not back till the following Sat.
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Love the reef central clock there. How do you like the BK so far or too soon to tell ive been curious about them but their price index is much higher compared to other brands.
 
Love the reef central clock there. How do you like the BK so far or too soon to tell ive been curious about them but their price index is much higher compared to other brands.
cant say for sure yet, but it is definitely an amazing piece of equipment... its mesmerizing to stand and watch... I have an Iwaki feeding the input of the Red Dragon pump.
 
ship date pushed out 4 weeks on the display tank. The back panel fractured during temper and they had to start over and cut a new panel.

Now targeted to ship at month end.

BK 300 seems to be breaking in nicely -- impressive piece of equipment.
 
Awesome setup so far. That is a bummer about the push back date for the DT. Doesn't seem like there is a whole lot of people in the hobby from the upper parts of NE PA. What area are you from? Im in Susquehanna county just south of the Montrose area.
 
Tough break on the tank hopefully they get all that done soon. Does the bk300 use 1 or 2 red dragon pumps?
it has 1 Red Dragon pump which I have frontended by an Iwaki pump...

everyones really excited to see this baby in action:)
thanks... it'll be up someday -- we hope :)

Awesome setup so far. That is a bummer about the push back date for the DT. Doesn't seem like there is a whole lot of people in the hobby from the upper parts of NE PA. What area are you from? Im in Susquehanna county just south of the Montrose area.
also in Susq... New Milford Twp just a bit north of you.
 
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well, it finally got here and is sitting outside in a crate now... hope to get it inside this weekend if we get enough folks rounded up -- it's a mere 800 lbs :)

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I ordered in 8 sets of vacuum suction grips from China -- arrived today. 2 are rated at 200 lbs, 6 are rated at 125 lbs. Hopefully that will work out. Beer and slow smoked brisket & ribs are planned for the folks -- after the tank in in place!!!
 
We got it inside and on the stand... I swear it was 1600 lbs, not 800lbs. We had 8 guys (including a couple of monsters) on the handles and were barely able to pull it off... but we gotter done...

And the beer and brisket and ribs that followed was a real hit with everyone!!!! I smoked the brisket for 22 hrs and the ribs for 7 hrs -- it just fell off the bone...

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so... I'll start working on plumbing again tomorrow...
 
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