SaraB's 268 Gallon Build¦ Try #3!

[customcolor]

i agree with the 3 sided viewing. my next tank is going to be a room devider with the 2 long pains viewable and only 1 side not. my 125 is 3 side but i want wider so i can have islands i can see around so i will shoot for a 3' wide tank.

maybe i will beable to reply to more than one quote some day too. i think there is many people who dont know how too, so your not alone

have fun

 

[Untamed12]

Absolutely got to have the three sided viewing! Good call. Why not go for 4 sided viewing?

I'm not sure what you have planned for the back wall of the tank, but consider leaving it open so you can see in from the sump room.

I've found that it isn't distracting to see directly through the tank into the sump room, but you could just hang a blue curtain there that you open up when you are in the sump room.

Considering the amount of time that I spend behind the tank, it is very nice to be able to see what's going on in there while I'm back there.

 

[customcolor]

siropa in our club has his tank like that. you would think it would bother you but it realy dont. i love his set up.

 

[BenjieC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13722572#post13722572 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Untamed12
Absolutely got to have the three sided viewing! Good call. Why not go for 4 sided viewing?

I'm not sure what you have planned for the back wall of the tank, but consider leaving it open so you can see in from the sump room.

I've found that it isn't distracting to see directly through the tank into the sump room, but you could just hang a blue curtain there that you open up when you are in the sump room.

Considering the amount of time that I spend behind the tank, it is very nice to be able to see what's going on in there while I'm back there.

Her tank back is black, w/ 4' of it being a horizontal external overflow that protrudes into her fish room.

 

[SaraB]

I've been able to get a couple things done since the last update, and I'll post some of those photo's later on.

Here's my fishlist for the tank.

Fish already in possession from last tank or purchased in anticipation of new tank being completed:

Male Blonde Naso Tang
Magnificent Foxface
Pair of Bellus Angels
Pair of Rhomboid Fairy Wrasses
Pair of Pylie Wrasses
Laboutei Wrasse
Roseafascia Wrasse (my female changed to male after the male concrete surfed)
Supermale Lineatus
Trio of Borbonius Anthias

Additional Fish Wanted:

Goldrim/Achilles Tang Hybrid
Bluespot Jawfish
Few other Fairy wrasses as well


Here's a few photo's that a friend took of some of my fish. The last ugly photo of the Bellus pair of course is mine!

Supermale Lineatus Wrasse:

Laboutei Wrasse:

Female Rosefascia that has since become a male since her mate concrete surfed in the basement:

And lastly the bad photo of the Bellus Pair:

 

[pookstreet]

Awesome fish Sara. I didn't know the bellus male looks that good. I may have to add a pair to my tank I wonder if 3 pairs of Genicanthus angels will co-exist???

 

[SaraB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13773168#post13773168 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pookstreet
Awesome fish Sara. I didn't know the bellus male looks that good. I may have to add a pair to my tank I wonder if 3 pairs of Genicanthus angels will co-exist???

Thanks Kenny! I had asked on the Genicanthus thread in the Reef Fish Forum if they could co-exist and I was told yes by someone who had multiple pairs ... you just need a tank big enough, so you might be fine. The male Bellus is quite beautiful, here's another better bad photo of just him:

 

[pookstreet]

Looks like it's time for me to track down a bellus pair. I am also in the process of looking for a Rhomboid pair and males for my other angels. I am drooling over you Lineatus. Must........resist.........too late, it's on my list now. So many fish to get and only one tank to put them in :lol:

 

[mpoletti]

Very nice fish list Sara. How do the borbonius' do in groups?

 

[Ed Reef]

I'm so in-love with your bellus pair Sara!!

 

[SaraB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13773340#post13773340 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpoletti
Very nice fish list Sara. How do the borbonius' do in groups?

There's 3 in a 40 Gallon Breeder holding tank and there's definitely a dominant one that has grown quite larger since July that rules the tank. I don't have a great view of the tank at the moment, so I'm really hoping there's still 3 in there! I think there is, but they will be much happier with another 220 gallons to share. I've seen tanks with pairs and a trio and they seem to get along mostly.



Thanks Ed Reef! I've even convinced my friend Ed to get some Bellus too! They are awesome fish!

 

[slojmn]

Sara,
Just spent some time reading from the first page to get caught up on your tank build. WOW, Awesome tank, system, fish list, etc. Your patience is great, taking your time, planning, all that bodes well for a great system in a year or so when it gets all dialed in and established. Future "Tank of the Month" material for sure .

I think the idea on page two from rockworm is definately the way to go. One system that can easily be shut down into 2 systems if something goes amiss. Your garage is definately drool material. It puts our newly "remodeled" 3 car garage to shame...We just are not good at organization even when we do have some space to play with, lol.

The fish room with all of your equipment is what I dream about...but wont be able to make come true in our present location. I love the idea of a room dedicated to all of the "equipment". It is so much easier to deal with stuff when you have a bit of room. A stand is so constraining, even on a small system like mine.

Your design looks really good. What made you go acrylic rather than glass?? Size and weight, I would assume....

Your fish list is sweet, you definately could add some nice fish to the list once you are ready. That Bellus pair is so sweet. Ming has a pair here in Cali at his shop, Atlantis, and they are so neat to watch.The males are gorgeous . I will enjoy this thread very much as progress continues .

 

[SaraB]

Hi Alicia, thanks for checking out the thread!

The tank rebuild process has been a slow one, but it gave me some time to really think things through more and get it done right ... hopefully ;-)

I need update this thread with some more photo's this weekend. I did decide to plumb the systems together and drilled my sump to accommodate 2 pumps for returns. I also had some great helpers with my plumbing!

I decided to go acrylic due to the weight and I also like having the ability to buff the scratches out as accidents do happen. I also like the insulation properties of acrylic as well with the tank & system being in the basement in the midwest.

I'll update sometime this weekend with new photo's!

 

[PnoyReefeR]

Those are some pretty fish you have there Sara....

Im subscribing on this thread

 

[SaraB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13834806#post13834806 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reeferpnoy
Those are some pretty fish you have there Sara....

Im subscribing on this thread

Thanks! I've been watching your build thread as well!

 

[SaraB]

OK, time for some updates as there has been some movement on the build!

Earlier this month my friend John came by and added the Hayward bulkheads to the tank as well as took a look at the system and we hit the store to get the rest of the plumbing needed!

Here's some of the parts neatly placed:

Here's the explosion of plumbing parts I've been tripping over for weeks!

I also did some work on a slop sink tub that is going to house my External H&S skimmer. I've been running it in my sump since I got it because #1. I've had the room in the sump and #2. I'm worried about it flowing over and emptying my tank. I don't have a shut-off system on it and I don't want to mess with adding one either. I started with a full sink and cut it down to about 4" tall:

Here's my line for the hubby to take the Sawsall to:

And here's the finished product:

I planned on having the sink over-hang the sump and having it just drain down into it, but things never go as planned and it is now plumbed into the sump via some spa-flex and a bulkhead.

More photo's to come!

 

[SaraB]

I'm looking for some feedback on the Stand and Canopy Stain. My carpenter just finished up building the doors and my Mom is coming down on Wednesday to help me finish up the Staining and Varnishing. A couple people have seen the framed doors with the raw wood against the stained parts and they like the contrast look. The raw wood is a bit too light, but what do you all think of maybe a lighter stain color on the framed parts? I'm more into the classic looks, but I'm kinda liking it a bit too with the two-toned concept. Anyone have any suggestions/comments???

Here's the base stand. There's two doors on the ends as well:

Here's the canopy section showing one of the end panels:

 

[Ryan009]

It's great seeing the updated photos. Plumbing looks good - that much closer to filling it up!

Your're very patient - and that's a good thing. I'd be going nuts until I had water in there.

I also LOVE the neon sign in the background!

 

[SaraB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13848864#post13848864 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ryan009


I also LOVE the neon sign in the background!

Thanks, it's a great sign! I got it late last year from a LFS that was going out of business. My husband gave it to me as one of my Christmas presents last year.

Speaking of Christmas ... and it's snowing outside right now!!!

Here's my Reefing Christmas Tree that is in the basement with my tanks. There's some plain bulbs as fillers, but most of the decorations are saltwater related ... yes I've become a reefgeek!

 

[porthios]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13848795#post13848795 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SaraB
OK, time for some updates as there has been some movement on the build!

Earlier this month my friend John came by and added the Hayward bulkheads to the tank as well as took a look at the system and we hit the store to get the rest of the plumbing needed!

let me guess.. he fixes the cable? :lol:

awesome build sara. tagging along..