Tank upgrade --> 300 Gallon Marineland Project

[jbmynes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13959048#post13959048 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tlpmyd
also could you update the pics of your filtration you have for the tank, im very curious to see how thats going. thanks.

LoL your in for it now... You should just make the trip out here and check it out, his fish room is wicked....

 

[mike660r]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13959048#post13959048 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tlpmyd
mike that thing is really looking sick. i am planning on purchasing the same tank, except i will be keeping the factory stand and canopy. is there a reason you didnt want to use the factory stand ? or was it just because you wanted it to match the furniture? im pushing towards the chocolate color, but havent seen it in person. i was only concerned as to why marineland used such small drill holes for such a big tank, and also why they put the megaflows in the corner where it kinda makes looking at the tank from the side a little weird. i mean ill live with it anyway, im not going to pay and extra arm and leg to change the holes and location of overflows, they were just my concerns. also i am a bit confused, im new to this hobby, about 2 years in, do you have the rock lifted off the sand? also the plastic rods, im guessing you have to put the heaviest of the rock at the bottom so they dont fall over right? i think your the only one doing a log on the new marine series tank so this is really helping me for getting ready when i buy my tank. im just trying to sell my 120 half circle in the meantime. also could you update the pics of your filtration you have for the tank, im very curious to see how thats going. thanks.

I was after a different height and finish for my stand and hood. I wish it would have been so easy as to move the marine land hood and stand in. I would be drinking beers after work right now instead of cleaning stain off my fingers

I wasn't to happy with the small holes either. In reality the majority of people that buy tanks are not going to be feeding them with large 1500 + GPH pumps. They will most likely use smaller submersibles. I can run my Iwaki 70 full throttle on this tank an it can handle it. I have about 12 ft of head pressure on it. So that isn't much for that pump. I wouldn't worry to much about the bulkhead sizes.

My filtration room is a disaster at the moment since I am supporting the tank that I first pictured in this thread. Once I get everything moved back over I will take some new pics. Here is what it will look like once everything goes back into place.

 

[serpentman]

Hey Mike, Have you noticed any humidity issues? Also, I didn't notice when I was there, is your fishroom completely enclosed or do you have some type of ventilation? If its enclosed, any issues with pH?

 

[mike660r]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13968374#post13968374 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by serpentman
Hey Mike, Have you noticed any humidity issues? Also, I didn't notice when I was there, is your fishroom completely enclosed or do you have some type of ventilation? If its enclosed, any issues with pH?

I have a slight humidity issue. I do get a small amount of condensation on my upstairs windows. I get little beads of water that form about 1/8" from the bottom of the window frames. Over the summer I added more drywall to the spaces where the floor joists run. I filled in all the gaps with spray foam. There are still air leak cracks but I am sealing them off little by little. I also run a cheap twin fan unit in the window that is exhausting air outside from the fish room. I run a dehumidifier outside of the fish room to catch more the humidity the escapes the fish room. The plan is to install an intake vent for fresh air in the window where the fan sits now. I'm thinking I'll fill it in with glass block and have the installers put in the standard 4" dryer vent opening. Then there will be an exhaust fan mounted overhead by the rooms door that will exhaust the humid air about 10 ft and then out the back of my house. I'd like to have a shorter run but the slab of the back room is in the way. The PH averages 8.22 the way I have it now. The humidity is reading at 45% on my dehumidifer and I have it set to maintain it at that level.

Having some issues with your setup?

 

[serpentman]

On occasion I get the beads of water on the window in my office where the tank is. However, the larger concern is in my basement where the sump, etc. is. We are having condensation on the wall of the walkout entrance. I think the problem will be solved when I finish it and install a vapor barrier. However, if all goes well and I can pull off an upgrade, the tank and a fishroom would all be in the basement.

In the long run, I was planning to enclose the whole thing and install an air exchanger. However, most units run about 5-600 and require me to poke to holes out of the back of the house. Not sure how I feel about that.

 

[mike660r]

Sounds like a vapor barrier and some insulation would do the trick. I would love to have an HRV but its a out of the budget right now.

 

[serpentman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13969648#post13969648 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mike660r
I would love to have an HRV but its a out of the budget right now.

Unfortunately, the same applies here.

 

[mike660r]

I picked up some aptasia - X yesterday. So far so good on the results. I know the true test is a week from now to see if they come back or not. I do have to say that the included applicator with the bent tip works very well.

 

[mike660r]

I made some progress this evening. I managed to get the lighting hardware installed in the hood. I used 3 SLS Lumenmax elite reflectors and 4 - 6ft' VHOs. Everything went in great.

 

[mike660r]

I usually like the bad news first, but in this case finding out at the very end that my hinged front panel isn't going to fit is a real bummer I installed some stops and supports to the interior of the hood. They are measured out perfectly to fit the tank. Well, I forgot to calculate for the recess of the face frame that needed to sit inside the hood.

In the photo above you can see the 3/4" gap. In the next picture you can see where I tried to pop the piece out with some channel locks. Man, wood glue is tougher than nails.....

After pacing the floor till 01:10 this morning. I figured I can take a circular saw and cut that piece out. That is the only way it is coming out. I'll have to live with the reminder that you should measure and size things up 3 or 4 times from now on. Honestly, I did measure it a bunch of times but I was focused on the size of the tank and not the clearance that was need for the lid. Just keep in mind if you use this design. Don't repeat the mistake I did I'll post some more photos of the masacre tomorrow. Corals and fish are going in tomorrow and the hood will go on as well.

 

[mike660r]

If anyone has a small compact circular saw that I could borrow tomorrow let me know. I may go pick one up if my full size saw seems to cumbersome.

 

[itZme]

Mike I have a Ryobi trim saw with circular blade if you need to borrow it. I also have a guide for it if I can dig it up. The saw has a 5" blade.

Let me know if you need it. I might be able to run it out there for you Monday if you can wait that long or you are welcome to come out and grab it. It is just like the one in this pic.

 

[PMG]

Mike, I have a lightweight 7-1/4" circular saw, and I also have a Saw-Zall ( I think that's how you spell it) with some longer blades. It looks to me from the pictures that you may not get the depth of cut you require from a circular saw. I would try the Saw-Zall with a few small pry bars to help split the two pieces apart as you cut.

Elle and myself need to run to Home Depot this morning to get a few plumbing supplies. Let me know if you could use a hand. I can just as easily go to the HD by your house as the one in Wadsworth.

 

[mike660r]

My wife came up with a great idea.. cut it by hand. That made me think of a mitre box hand saw. Perfect in size 14" long. I also picked up a 12" fine tooth blade for my sawzall. I used the mitre box saw to start and finish the cuts. Worked like a champ. Thanks for the ideas guys.

 

[BrunstuckyJoe]

I was going to suggest a coping saw....

 

[mike660r]

Getting a little closer to being done. Finished up the hood and temporarily plugged the lighting in. Moved the corals and fish over this afternoon. I asked my wife to help me set the hood on top. That was almost a disaster , but we got it up there.

 

[smmscott]

Why is it that your tank that has been up for hours looks better than mine that has been up for years?

 

[mike660r]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13990299#post13990299 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smmscott
Why is it that your tank that has been up for hours looks better than mine that has been up for years?

LOL,

New tanks always have that luster. Atleast that's what i am told.

 

[Cove Beach]

Thats a funny lookin stream in the right upper corner!! Hey i got a couple extra mods for MJ1200 you can use if you want. Or have you moved the Tunzes up stairs since the pictures?

 

[mike660r]

Yeah that lil pump was placed to stir the water around. I just haven't taken it out yet. The streams are soaking in vinegar. I figured I give them another good cleaning before I put them in. I should have them back up and running tomorrow.