PTSD treatment tank

[leveldrummer]

One more question how many people glue the pipes on the drains?

you talking about inside the overflow? dont glue it into the bulkhead, you can glue the pipe and fittings together, but just press it tightly into the bulk head, its common for fish to get into the overflow and sometimes the only way to get them out is to pull the drain out of the bulkhead and let them ride the water slide down into the sump.

 

[1fishkeeper]

I ended up gluing the pipe to the "T" part of the drain. As for where it goes into the bulkhead it has a threaded fitting. I should be done with all of the plumbing this weekend that is if I can get a few hours to finish it up.

 

[Bigeyo]

Tank looks great and thank you for your service!

 

[Joe0813]

good progress on your tank..... and thank you very much for your services in Iraq for this country

 

[Joe0813]

what are the dimensions of the tank, and what are you planning on for fish?

 

[1fishkeeper]

Thanks Joe, The tank is 60 x 27 x 27. As for fish I don't have a clue as of yet. Right now I am having a hard time trying to decide on equipment.

 

[1fishkeeper]

Ok I guess I have a question for everyone. Should I get a Ranco controller for my heaters or should I just get a Reef Keeper or Apex and us it to control my heaters?

 

[dave.m]

A general controller like the Apex is a whole-tank decision. It would be a waste of money to get such a system for just the heaters. Consider the costs of the heater-only controller versus the whole-tank controller, decide what you can afford, and if a whole-tank controller is doable for you, start thinking about overall measurement and control for automating the tank's operations. If going the whole-tank route is outside your budget then suddenly the dedicated heater controller begins to make more sense.

Dave.M

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

I just read your build again and the title caught my attention. I too use my reef for therapy. I started 1 June 2009 after extensive research. Before that I was reading how elderly, ADHD, and autistic individuals where improving with their lifestyle when an aquarium was present.

I too served in Iraq right after 9/11. Almost to the day five years I was hit by a roadside bomb and was hospitalized almost 3 years. Once I started reefing my way of life changed drastically.

You have a great build going and keep up the good work.

 

[Assassynation]

Looks great! Are you going to use your 40B as a Qt tank or are you going to part it out?

 

[1fishkeeper]

A general controller like the Apex is a whole-tank decision. It would be a waste of money to get such a system for just the heaters. Consider the costs of the heater-only controller versus the whole-tank controller, decide what you can afford, and if a whole-tank controller is doable for you, start thinking about overall measurement and control for automating the tank's operations. If going the whole-tank route is outside your budget then suddenly the dedicated heater controller begins to make more sense.

Dave.M

I have looked at controllers for the entire tank. I have been thinking about getting one or I might just hold off for a little while to get one. I don't know for sure on that one. One day I say yes and the next I say I really don't need it.

 

[1fishkeeper]

I just read your build again and the title caught my attention. I too use my reef for therapy. I started 1 June 2009 after extensive research. Before that I was reading how elderly, ADHD, and autistic individuals where improving with their lifestyle when an aquarium was present.

I too served in Iraq right after 9/11. Almost to the day five years I was hit by a roadside bomb and was hospitalized almost 3 years. Once I started reefing my way of life changed drastically.

You have a great build going and keep up the good work.

Yeah I can't believe how much it has helped me with my PTSD. But I have to give you a big thank you. What part of that S**T hole were you in?

I myself was in a*s-cracker-stan (I love what I call it) back in Oct 2001. One of the first ones with boots on the ground. Then I went to Iraq in the end of 2002 then my second trip was in 2004. That is when my military life would end. Murphys law got me. The day before I did my indeff reelistetment. Three of us were on my sniper team had over watch of a guy we knew was making the IED and VBIED. I had a thumbs up to take the target when we could. We were on top of a hill all done up so no one could make us out. Well while we were waiting some kids were playing soccer right next us on the flat spot of the hill. Someone kicked the ball over us. When the kid went to get it he didn't even know we were right there. Until he tripped over us. The next thing we knew they were running back into town. We called up asking to see if we can change our location. Well the uppers were taking their sweet time making up there minds about it. The next thing we knew we could hear the sounds of outbound mortars being fired. We took off running when they started to hit all around us. All three of us were hit. We were lucky another group of guys were not that far away I could hear it happening so they came rushing over to help us. I owe them big time. They were able to get us back to the FOB and the hospital. We all were sent to Germany for medical and then back state side for rehab. All of us were med-ed out of the army.
I have had my ups and downs but like I said the aquarium is one of the biggest helpers. As I hate the answer to what the doctors say just take this pill and that pill.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Yeah I can't believe how much it has helped me with my PTSD. But I have to give you a big thank you. What part of that S**T hole were you in?

I myself was in a*s-cracker-stan (I love what I call it) back in Oct 2001. One of the first ones with boots on the ground. Then I went to Iraq in the end of 2002 then my second trip was in 2004. That is when my military life would end. Murphys law got me. The day before I did my indeff reelistetment. Three of us were on my sniper team had over watch of a guy we knew was making the IED and VBIED. I had a thumbs up to take the target when we could. We were on top of a hill all done up so no one could make us out. Well while we were waiting some kids were playing soccer right next us on the flat spot of the hill. Someone kicked the ball over us. When the kid went to get it he didn't even know we were right there. Until he tripped over us. The next thing we knew they were running back into town. We called up asking to see if we can change our location. Well the uppers were taking their sweet time making up there minds about it. The next thing we knew we could hear the sounds of outbound mortars being fired. We took off running when they started to hit all around us. All three of us were hit. We were lucky another group of guys were not that far away I could hear it happening so they came rushing over to help us. I owe them big time. They were able to get us back to the FOB and the hospital. We all were sent to Germany for medical and then back state side for rehab. All of us were med-ed out of the army.
I have had my ups and downs but like I said the aquarium is one of the biggest helpers. As I hate the answer to what the doctors say just take this pill and that pill.

I was at anaconda. I was in the army. I was at Walter Reed from 2004 - 2006 then did a year here. I was in the back of a PLS truck converted as a gun truck. We passed an IED and the blast caught me. But reefing saved me.

 

[Joe0813]

sorry to hear about your deployment... you men and women really do inspire me to be a better person for what you all go through when your over there.... so a big thank you to you and newbie for your services

 

[1fishkeeper]

sorry to hear about your deployment... you men and women really do inspire me to be a better person for what you all go through when your over there.... so a big thank you to you and newbie for your services

Thanks Joe

 

[1fishkeeper]

Well I got my skimmer and heaters ordered today. Tomorrow I'm going to get my rock ordered. Right now I have the BRS Pukani in my 40 and I loved it. Other then the algae that it grew but now that I have been doing some reading about LC dosing and treatment I can nip it in the butt before it starts. But I have been eye balling the dry Fuji rock that they carry. What one should I go with? The Pukani or the Fuji? In other tanks I have seen "reef saver and macro rocks" but I just didn't like the looks of them for some reason.

 

[1fishkeeper]

Another small update I ordered 140lbs of pukani rock from BRS today. Bring on the PO4 just kidding. I plan on doing a LC treatment on it before putting it in the tank.

 

[gordonheimer]

Looking good so far! Did the tank bottom come painted black?

 

[1fishkeeper]

Looking good so far! Did the tank bottom come painted black?

Thanks, and yes it did.

 

[1fishkeeper]

Well after about 10 different trips to the hardwear store I think I got my plumbing all done. Well almost I have just a couple of things to glue on but that will only take me about 30 seconds tonight when I get home from work. I would like to get a freshwater leak test done this weekend. Then the fun really starts. My rock will be here on Monday so then I can start making it take shape. I have some cardboard cut out all ready for me to figure something out. Time to go though all of the pictures and get some ideas on my aquascape.