Travis and Jessica's 400G Build

[A_CoupleClowns]

-I'm running Apex, I have feeder also which is awesome, I have wireless module so my Vortech MP60's can run opposite to create wave, I have water detection module with sensor in my pan under my tank, I'm still new also, took a little reading and practice to get set-up and working, I have my Kessil's on it with timer program sunrise/sunset, I have (2) Energybar 8's

I might have to look into those leak detectors just for peace of mind when we are out of town and stuff like that. Can't wait to have auto feeding setup. I am feeding way to many fish right now with this qt and the coral/fish holding tanks.

Love my Apex. I wouldn't be surprised to hear you run out of power with just one EB8. As you get used to it, you'll be adding things on there you never thought of. I'd imagine many Apex users have 2 EB8'S or at least an EB8 and an EB4.

Ok good to hear, I kind of worded it weird above but I meant we are ordering two EB8's right from the get go, the one that comes with the $799 kit and an additional one.

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

Well I really hate to post a terrible update like this but here it goes.

It sounds like the 400g is coming down. I got the BA overflow height all dialed in yesterday and added the salt last night, the tank was running for a little over 24hrs. Walked by it this morning and a good sized rectangular bubble on the back wall immediately caught my eye. I thought that was weird since the back wall is black, I looked into the over flow and realized that is where the brace for the external overflow connects to the tank. The external overflow and brace for the overflow are siliconed to the black tint on the back of the tank and the tint is lifting off the back glass in that spot. The back acrylic panel of the overflow is deflecting outward and that pressure pulling on the brace is what I think pulled the tint off the glass.

I contacted AGE and they have been great, luckily we bought from a company that stands behind their products. They advised me to drain the water out of the external overflow right away. It sounds like AGE is going to be building another tank with a different design for the overflows (smaller) and sending it our way to swap out with the current 400g. They are reviewing the original build specs and getting back to us.

Jessica is devastated. We were 15 days or so from adding the first round of fish. Some sort of manic shock would probably best describe my state of mind at the moment, so close, but yet ssssooo far!! The plumbing/holes in the wall and rockwork placing/epoxying were a pita, just thinking about re doing this all over again after we just finished everything up just makes me want to throw in the towel. I will have to cut the rocks apart with a dremel cut off wheel or something, I used 9 tubes of epoxy :lol:. Anyone looking for a way to acquire more patience just need to take up reef keeping I guess. :spin2:

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

Wow it didn't even make it 24 hours? Who silicones on top of tint?

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

Wow it didn't even make it 24 hours? Who silicones on top of tint?

Yeah, you are right it probably did happen in less than 24hrs. I fired the tank up yesterday around 9am and it had been turned off and on about 15 times while I adjusted the height but other than that it ran steady. Noticed the bubble in the tank this morning around 8am.

That is a good point about the tint. Is it a common practice in the industry to silicone over a tinted back wall? It seems like a direct acrylic to glass contact would make a better silicone bond? Just speculation as I have no experience with silicone, acrylic or glass. We are taking another move from your playbook and painting the back wall this time around. :lol:

 

[Ciwyn]

Hey its actually a good thing you caught it now and not a month down the road. Even though now still sucks.

I'm guessing that rock work is too heavy to lift out together?

 

[daplatapus]

That totally sucks. I feel for you. But like Ciwyn said, better now that in a few months when things are growing and somewhat stable. Keep living vicariously through some of the tank on here

 

[Kaidman]

I can only imagine what you're feeling after being so close. Keep your head up. Hopefully AGE will turn around the new tank fast.

What's the reasoning behind the overflow box being acrylic?

 

[sarens]

holy cow didn't expect to read this, at least they are standing behind thier product, always remember "it is ok to lose your patience but never lose your sense of humor!" :jester:

-hang in there, in a short time you will be able to forget all about this

 

[Black Mammoth]

Someone told me about your issue since I also just got another AGE after my first one failed. I'm not a tank builder, but I believe that there are two reasons why your tank is failing. Since they are building another one, maybe they can make these changes before it is too late; maybe they are already making them.

1. Your tank is using 1/2" thick glass. It really should be 3/4" thick. There is too much deflection on 1/2" glass for a tank that size. On top of that you are 27" tall. If you talk to other builders, they would be using 3/4" glass.

2. Those coast to coast overflows like that on the back are problematic, at least according some builders. My first tank was similar to that and it cracked. When talking to a builder I described my tank design. He knew I had a crack, but I didn't tell him where. He correctly guessed where the crack was on the first attempt. He said that is why they don't do those overflows. I had multiple builders tell me this. The problem is that the brace doesn't really have anything to grab because of the overflow. The cut out also changes the support.

I know that these are things you probably don't want to hear. However, it is better to get it fixed now under warranty. Mine failed 6m to a year after the 3 year warranty was up. I ended up going back to AGE for a couple reasons and hopefully I won't have another problem. My tank is slightly smaller than your tank and look at how it was built (mostly based on my design).

- 96"L x 30"W x 26"T (324g)
- 3/4" low iron glass 3 sides
- 30" centered overflow
- 2" stainless steel top bracing. The cross braces touch just before the overflow cut out
- 2" stainless steel bottom bracing

If you go 3/4" and the bigger bracing...it will be WAY heavier than what you just installed. Good luck!

EDIT: I saw that olddude is using tempered glass and that should give it extra strength. AGE is not using tempered glass.

 

[SPotter]

Very surprised they allowed you to go with 1/2". When I was pricing my tank which is almost identical to yours at 96x36x24, no one including AGE would quote me 1/2". Everyone said it had to be 3/4" and I just assumed from the get go it would be 3/4". I would strongly consider having them rebuild it with 3/4".

 

[nuxx]

That stinks so sorry about that!

Our 150 gallon frag tank was built by AGE, not setup yet.

Was going with 3/4" glass originally, but they recommend I go down to 1/2".

It's only 60x36x16", so it should be OK with thinner glass... I would have thought 3/4" would have been much better for you as well.

They are great to deal with though, I'm sure it'll all work out!

Also love your RC name

 

[Reel North]

I'm getting a tank made with an external overflow, but it's 48" long. The tank is 72 x 30 wide x 24" tall. Euro braced.

It's 1/2". I've read the limit is 24" for 1/2" glass.

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

Ok guys, I know it has been awhile so here is a little mini update of what is going on at the moment. Tank size has moved up from 400g to 470g to accommodate the internal overflow. AGE is stepping it up from 1/2" glass to 3/4" glass, and they are also moving from 1.25" stainless steel bracing up to 2" stainless steel bracing. There will be a brace going across the top of the overflow divider of some sort, I am guessing stainless but it could possibly be glass or something. The hole locations will change a bit but other than that this should be a fairly accurate representation of whats going on. AGE is covering all costs associated with the tank rebuild and up-sizing and we will be covering the cost of new plumbing and new stands. Ian at AGE even offered to build us a metal stand for the new 470g to send along with it, but we turned it down because we want a nice wood, furniture grade stand in the house. We were surprised when he tried to throw in the metal stand on top of all the other upgrades, that's when we really realized they are trying to do anything in their power to make this right.

 

[prop-frags]

Travis, that is GREAT to hear! And kudos to you and Jessica for QT'ing your fish... We have done this with all of our fish and while it can sometimes be inconvenient or somewhat of a hassle, n the end it is worth it!

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

Travis, that is GREAT to hear! And kudos to you and Jessica for QT'ing your fish... We have done this with all of our fish and while it can sometimes be inconvenient or somewhat of a hassle, n the end it is worth it!

Thanks! I am pretty sure we would have lost the Achilles at minimum if we didn't QT, so definitely worth it. He went through a nasty case of ick and also a bacteria infection of the mouth. Looking great now though! I think our orange shoulder and the purple tang possibly have flukes, but we are going to start prazi pro tomorrow. We should be in good shape once the prazi treatments are finished. Big thanks goes out to Humblefish for guiding us through the qt process along the way. With out his suggestions we probably would have screwed it all up LOL!

 

[reefjunkie86]

Not sure if you have already but any chance you could explain your QT process? Thanks in advance.

 

[Black Mammoth]

I'm glad to hear that things are being made right! I don't think you will have a problem with the new design. It sounds like they are doing everything I said that should have been done Expect it to be at least 400 pounds more than your last one!

 

[reefalot]

Just a thought as I have been down this path with such a large tank. I would let them make the stand to match and then have your carpenter put false cabinetry around the stand. It will give you more room inside and will be very easy to level. It also insures your tank in the event of issues down the road...they made the matching stand.

You can also make a pan at the bottom to capture any possible spillage in the stand and protect your floors.

 

[SPotter]

just a thought as i have been down this path with such a large tank. I would let them make the stand to match and then have your carpenter put false cabinetry around the stand. It will give you more room inside and will be very easy to level. It also insures your tank in the event of issues down the road...they made the matching stand.

You can also make a pan at the bottom to capture any possible spillage in the stand and protect your floors.

+1

 

[Oldude]

Very sorry to read about your tank troubles. Sometimes it seems like this hobby is often an exercise in frustration rather than the hours of peaceful tranquility it is supposed to be. Good luck with the tank.