paulthomas' 400 Gallon Reef Build

[Justan]

Actually I saw Reefbum's set-up and it looked good.
My tank is going to run parallel with the joists, plus my supports will only have to be about 4 feet tall as it is a crawl space and not a full basement.
My tank will be 84" long x36"x25"tall and the back side of the tank sits against a wall that has a cement footing supporting it, which should help a little, but I was going to put LVL cross braces on the ends and in the middle, with a screw jack or brace on each end. I just don't want to spend a whole bunch one pole jacks, I was thinking of just using LVL, cutting it to a wee bit oversized and sledge hammering into place standing on end. Still giving it some thought though.

 

[paulthomas]

I'm certainly no authority on the subject, but that sounds pretty sturdy. But it never hurts to overbuild your bracing.

 

[k9asia]

updates

updates

any updates on the build?

 

[paulthomas]

Re: updates

Re: updates

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14804848#post14804848 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by k9asia
any updates on the build?

Uh... Just minutes ago, I started up my skimmer with water and vinegar to clean it out. Does that count?

 

[paulthomas]

This is not much of an update. But eh...

Vertex Zeo 3 liter filter:

Aquascaping of sorts

Paul

 

[paulthomas]

Miracles Aquariums Kicks @$$!

Miracles Aquariums Kicks @$$!

Miracles Aquariums went WAY above and beyond in taking care of me with this new tank. I'm extremely happy with the way it looks and with the customer service that Miracles provided me every step of the way. They seriously rock!

30" x 24" x 12" Frag tank:

 

[Blinding Reef]

VERY impressive tank...good luck on your build..
ygpm.

 

[paulthomas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15283060#post15283060 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blinding Reef
VERY impressive tank...good luck on your build..
ygpm.

Thanks bro. Did you order yet? If so, from whom?

 

[strout]

Very nice looking tank, can't wait to see it finished.

 

[paulthomas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15482007#post15482007 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by strout
Very nice looking tank, can't wait to see it finished.

Thanks. Me too.

 

[Blinding Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15481653#post15481653 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by paulthomas
Thanks bro. Did you order yet? If so, from whom?

not yet, i'm still in the planning phase...can't decide on internal or external overflows and other details like placement of returns and such....I'm thinking I'll be placing my order sometime late this year or early next
So what other updates can you give us on your incredible tank and build? How's it coming along?

 

[lastlight]

Totally remember seeing this thread a long time ago and well...since you posted in mine I'm going to put some heat on YOU =)

Updates?

Your tank is so beautiful man. I had contacted Miracles for a quote but never heard from them and decided to have mine built locally. Like you I had planned on dual overflows and the Spectra. I was OBSESSED with getting that thing but it turned out to be a little too pricey for me. Obviously I went all T5 and time will tell whether that was a wise decision.

One thing that is really appealing to me is the bottom eurobracing on those tanks. I should have done that with mine.

 

[Dave's Reef]

Looking forward to the day you get this puppy WET!!!

Keep any updates comin our way Paul!!! :bounce3::bounce2::bounce2:

 

[paulthomas]

Totally remember seeing this thread a long time ago and well...since you posted in mine I'm going to put some heat on YOU =)

Updates?

Your tank is so beautiful man. I had contacted Miracles for a quote but never heard from them and decided to have mine built locally. Like you I had planned on dual overflows and the Spectra. I was OBSESSED with getting that thing but it turned out to be a little too pricey for me. Obviously I went all T5 and time will tell whether that was a wise decision.

One thing that is really appealing to me is the bottom eurobracing on those tanks. I should have done that with mine.

Originally, I planned on a DIY Lumenarc retro-type fixture, identical to Leonardo's. My wife acted as though she was cool with it. Later she admitted that she didn't like the look of it. I didn't want a canopy, so I went with the Spectra. It was way more than I wanted to spend on lighting, but I'm pretty happy with it so far (fired it up for a looksee).

I think the T5 route is a good one. The coral's colors look fantastic under T5 only lamps and growth seems to be just as impressive, from what I've seen.

I wouldn't fret over the lack of a bottom euro. I've talked to a bunch of people with large tanks about it. They all said that it's nice to have, but that it's overkill in most cases. As long as a tank's seams are sound, there's no need for it.

 

[paulthomas]

Looking forward to the day you get this puppy WET!!!

Keep any updates comin our way Paul!!! :bounce3::bounce2::bounce2:

Thanks Dave! I'll do my best to post something soon.

 

[ReefBum]

Yes. Let's see some updated pics!

 

[paulthomas]

Soon, bro. Soon.

How was your season? Did you get out much?

 

[ReefBum]

Got out this past Friday at Montauk and my buddy and I landed 8 albies. I should have had more but I had a bad "line" day. How about you?

 

[paulthomas]

Albies? Awwwww! I saw a couple in Woods Hole over a week ago. We missed the huge showing thay had not two weeks earlier around the Cape.

The rest of my season has been a bust. I've been out six times, mostly after sbft. I did manage to hook two. One pulled the hook after 30 seconds or so and the other I fought for 4 HOURS. I thought I was casting to 60" fish, armed with a Penn 950 and St. Croix 20-40 lb. rod. Boy was I wrong. We got the tuna within 20' of the boat a few times, but then it'd just peel 100-150 yds. of line like I wasn't there. The battle continued for just over four hours and spanned 8-9 miles at 3-4 knots. I was up on the bow practically the whole time, kneeling against the bolsters, before I smartened up and lean against the console. :rolleye1: Everything was cramping. My quads, calves and forearms were seizing up on me. After switching hands, my left hand would close on its own. :hmm4: I tried palming the spool (set at 17 lbs.), but that had little affect on this fish. My hands had burn marks and some skin rubbed off of my knees. At the four hour mark, my buddy, who after two hours had been wondering if I was a p***y, took the rod so that I could get a breather. Immediately, he yelled in disbelief and said that he'd want no part of that fish for an hour, let alone four. It was getting late, our families were waiting and we had no cell signal on the bank. So after my buddy repeatedly explained that his wife was going to freak, I took the rod back, grabbed and held the spool in place and got three pumps before the line parted. It was a clean break. My bud said that he was afraid that I would've fought that fish for another four hours. I honestly don't think I could've done it. That fish was as fresh at four hours as it was at four minutes. I had the wrong rod/reel, no harpoon and NO fighting belt. We both forgot ours. :rolleye1: I was outgunned, to say the least. We estimated the tuna at 80", 300-350 lbs. Afterwards, I said no more of that, let's go for albies. LOL.

A few days later, I picked up a 10' Poon Harpoon and Shimano Stella 20K on a custom 40-100 lb. Big Game spinning rod. :lol:

LOL, now I'm reliving fishing reports on RC. :lol2:

 

[SuperR*]

Nice to see you are making progress Paul. I have not been on RC in a few months now. Busy summer.

Looks like I have some catching up to do and also looks like your tank turned out great! Congrads!

Now hurry up and get that bad boy running! :rollface: