Tank swap: 60 x 30 x 18 to 68 x 32 x 22

[usingthejohn]

I hate this hobby. Went from a 55gal to a 120gal to a custom CADlights 140gal in a little over a year. Wasn't extremely happy with my CADlights tank, but learned to live with it...mainly cause I didn't want to do another tank swap.

Then, I got a Moorish Idol. I've had it for nearly 3 months now, and decided to upgrade to a slightly bigger tank to give it more swim room. Not to mention, I began to hate the internal overflow. So, I thoguht of upgrading...then life got in the way. Funeral...funeral...money issues...thoughts of breaking down, etc. But my wife wouldn't let me break it down, even though I listed things for sale.

Things started to settle down, but a full on upgrade wasn't in the plans. Then my buddy came to the rescue.

He's been dabbling in building acrylic tanks for a bit now, and has agreed to build me a tank. So I'm being setup with an all acrylic tank, 1/2 inch all around, 68 x 32 x 22 with 3" eurobracing all around and a rear external overflow of 30 x 4.5 x 10 tall.

I wanted a bit more swim room and real estate within the tnak, without needing to upgrad lights. I currently have 3 radions and 4x54W T5s. If I need more lighting, I may just get a 60" retrofit, or the radion wide angle lenses.

I'll be reusing the following:

48 x 22 x 18 AA 2 chamber supm. I may try to get a bigger supm, but that's down the line. Another option I'm thinking of is adding a 20 gal tank, raising it on an elevated platform and drilling it to allow it to gravity feed the main sump. This smaller tank would house nothing but live rock.

MP60 x1; MP40 x2 (although I may end up giving both to my buddies for their help once I get a Gyre...I'll wait to read the reviews)

Aquamaxx coneS CO3 skimmer
Jebao DC6000....until I get a new return
Radion x3
4x54 T5 x 4 bulbs.

I also have a buddy who will help me build a stand and swap systems. In exchange for his help, I'll give him my current setup for like...$50 bucks.

After watching my tank for the last 10 months, I want to implement a few things, namely:

A cabinet to house ballasts, apex, controls, etc.

A shelf inside for the DJ strip, doser, test kits, etc.

I'm a fan of the black sand; however I hate how it stands out so severly when sand gets displaced. So, I'll paint the bottom black to blend in with the black sand...hopefully.

I should hopefully have it within the next 2 weeks...pictures to follow as they're taken.

 

[usingthejohn]

Some more photos I took of the rhomboids at the lfs. I will either add another golden rhomboid for a trio, or a female lineatus to partner up with my supermale....i'll see after I get the tank

The mystery wrasse isn't mine though. That's the owners personal fish. He's giving my fish a luxury suite while they await a remodel haha

 

[usingthejohn]

Well just an update.

Picked up the tank from my buddy. Seems very study and an currently 6 hours into a 7 day leak test. No leaks thus far. However I don't have the bulkheads so I'm not sure how the external overflow is at the moment.





Progress of stand

 

[matt 76]

Looks very nice! Need to get some water in that box.

 

[tclndcrz]

i really like the external overflow box. very slick!

 

[usingthejohn]

i really like the external overflow box. very slick!

Looks very nice! Need to get some water in that box.

Thanks guys.

Minor setback. 1 very small leak I found. Going to put some weldon 16 along the interior of the tank. Then do another extended leak test.

 

[snake-062]

looks very nice. keep an eye on the front of the tank I had a tank built that was 48 x 30x30 and used 1/2 acrylic and the front bowed. after about 6 months the front began to show stress marks . the company built a new one with 3/4 material and every thing is fine. but was a costly mistake I had to switch out tanks and pay for the upgrade to thicker acrylic.

 

[usingthejohn]

Leak testing new tank


Buddy finishing up stand. Next is to cut out doors


Then sold my tank and used the cash to buy toys for the local children's hospital.

 

[usingthejohn]

looks very nice. keep an eye on the front of the tank I had a tank built that was 48 x 30x30 and used 1/2 acrylic and the front bowed. after about 6 months the front began to show stress marks . the company built a new one with 3/4 material and every thing is fine. but was a costly mistake I had to switch out tanks and pay for the upgrade to thicker acrylic.

Thanks.

I looked around online and anything under 24", 1/2" acrylic is acceptable. Plus I have a 3" eurobrace all around. So let's hope for the best. Worst comes to worst, I'll swap out to 3/4" down the line.

 

[usingthejohn]

Ok. Set up the tank, mounted canopy and lights and did the scape. Final step is to finish electrical cabinet and mount doors.

 

[maddmaxx]

thats some serious lights on that tank lol

 

[usingthejohn]

thats some serious lights on that tank lol

Yeah it is. Eventually will add one final radion, depending on the response I get from the corals once I setup my apex and t5s again. [emoji1]

 

[usingthejohn]

OK, it's been 2 weeks since I've updated the thread. Here's some new photos. I'm not pleased with the aquascape; I plan on changing it around, maybe after the holidays. Just collecting some new rock and tips from the Aquascape thread here. Next is to start collecting some corals.

Photos suck, but its all taken with my cellphone. Will take out real camera when I have more days off.


The golden rhomboid pair

supermale flame

various wrasses

Left side of tank

Right side

 

[usingthejohn]

Equipment list:
Aquamaxx ConeS CO3 skimmer
Jebao Dc6000 return
Maxspect Gyre
MP60
2 Seaside Aquatic reactors (only running Carbon for now)
Reef Octopus Biopellets reactor
Full Apex w/ BOB and ATO
3 Radions
4x54 T5s

I plan on upgrading the return to something else down the line, and saving up some more cash for one more radion...not sure.

Livestock:
4 Flame wrasses (1 supermale, 3 female)
2 Golden Rhomboids
2 Potters wrasses
2 ornate Leopard wrasses
1 bluestar leopard wrasse
1 black leopard wrasse
1 yellow corks wrasse
1 filamentous wrasse
1 longnose hawkfish
1 Moorish Idol
1 blue tang
1 Copperband
7 different BTAs
couple different zoa frags
1 single headed Torch

 

[blkg35]

Tanks coming along nicely John. Loving the wrasses you got in there. What's the stocking plan for corals? Pics of the sump?
I hope the tank doesn't bow to much with the 3" eurobrace.

 

[usingthejohn]

Tanks coming along nicely John. Loving the wrasses you got in there. What's the stocking plan for corals? Pics of the sump?
I hope the tank doesn't bow to much with the 3" eurobrace.

Mainly softies and lps. There isn't much bowing at all.

 

[usingthejohn]

Finally settled on my scape. I went with an arch that spans from the front right corner to about the back half. Along the front, I kind of replicated the arch, but laid it along the bottom, a type of island, I guess you could say.

 

[usingthejohn]

Here's my final scape. Hope you enjoy as much as me.

 

[wowkingjames]

How many wrasses do you have? Awesome tank?

 

[usingthejohn]

How many wrasses do you have? Awesome tank?

I have 14 wrasses.

It's still under construction but thanks for the post