Well, I did it.

[snakeblitz33]

Unofficial build thread.
An old client of mine wants to trade her 110g show tank with rock, lights, stand, canopy, pump and works for some computer skills. I made sure I could do what she wanted first. I took her up on her offer. I'll be getting the tank sometime soon. Possibly this weekend or next, but it's a definite.
I'm not going to set the tank up till sometime this next Christmas when I can get a little more income. However, I could pick some stuff up for it here and there.
I plan to drill this tank for the beananimal style overflow on the back and also drilling the bottom for a closed loop system. Anyone recommend the proper size PVC/bulkheads for the overflow?
I can't remember if the bottom is tempered or not. I don't think it is. I'll be drilling it hopefully for a closed loop system. However, I might drill the back glass close to the bottom and have the closed loop constantly keep detritus off the bottom. Thoughts on this or on pump size?
In addition to the closed loop, I want to get an mp40 to supplement and get some back and forth flow.
I want an SPS dominated tank. The lights that come with the tank are 250w metal halides. I am and will supplement with t5s. It's a tall tank. 32" I believe. I feel that should be enough for SPS in the upper half of the tank. Clams, a few Lps and something to encrust on the bottom of the tank.
I plan on buying a 55g aquarium for the sump, and I would like a large octopus skimmer and have a large refugium. Also, I plan to use my phos reactor on the new tank. Maybe my wife will agree to a ca reactor as well.
Well, it's all in the works now. I have to store the tank until I move at the end of the summer. Just trying to get some ideas, stuff that I might not have thought of.

 

[rickross23]

What are dimensions?

 

[meowzer]

What are you going to do with the rock in the meantime??

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/391070/well-i-did-it#post_3466325
Unofficial build thread.
An old client of mine wants to trade her 110g show tank with rock, lights, stand, canopy, pump and works for some computer skills. I made sure I could do what she wanted first. I took her up on her offer. I'll be getting the tank sometime soon. Possibly this weekend or next, but it's a definite.
I'm not going to set the tank up till sometime this next Christmas when I can get a little more income. However, I could pick some stuff up for it here and there.
I plan to drill this tank for the beananimal style overflow on the back and also drilling the bottom for a closed loop system. Anyone recommend the proper size PVC/bulkheads for the overflow?
I can't remember if the bottom is tempered or not. I don't think it is. I'll be drilling it hopefully for a closed loop system. However, I might drill the back glass close to the bottom and have the closed loop constantly keep detritus off the bottom. Thoughts on this or on pump size?
In addition to the closed loop, I want to get an mp40 to supplement and get some back and forth flow.
I want an SPS dominated tank. The lights that come with the tank are 250w metal halides. I am and will supplement with t5s. It's a tall tank. 32" I believe. I feel that should be enough for SPS in the upper half of the tank. Clams, a few Lps and something to encrust on the bottom of the tank.
I plan on buying a 55g aquarium for the sump, and I would like a large octopus skimmer and have a large refugium. Also, I plan to use my phos reactor on the new tank. Maybe my wife will agree to a ca reactor as well.
Well, it's all in the works now. I have to store the tank until I move at the end of the summer. Just trying to get some ideas, stuff that I might not have thought of.
Congrats Seth!!!!!!

I'd double check to make sure the bottom isn't tempered before drilling.....I'm pretty sure you'll find the bottom is tempered though, but double check it.....If it's not tempered I'd use 1" bulkheads, and I wouldn't skimp, and don't get sticker shocked as well, but nothing other than Schedule 80 bulkheads for a bottom drilled tank......Some might call it overkill, but sched 40 is just to whimpy and I'd feel a whole lot better with some beef on my bulkheads in the bottom of the tank......
Your thoughts on drilling the back (low) if the bottom is tempered is another good idea....Again I wouldn't use anything other than sched 80 for my CL bulkheads......I'd again plumb them 1", and I mention 1", because you really have very limited options with components IMHO.....If you look at the OM's, but they come with 1" outlets.....I'm pretty sure none of the other wave makers offer bigger fittings as well, so IMHO plumbing bigger is a waste of money......Even loc line doesn't come in 1", but they do have loc line in bigger sizes, but it jumps from 1/2", 3/4" and then I think it goes to 2" or something weird like that.....Another good option for the CL on the back would be to run a good size pump and just manifold it off and use the loc line to direct the water where you want it, or another option would be to look into building a VFD pump......Not super complicated, can get the parts off of ebay, but takes a bit to tune it though.....
The MP40 would be a good addition, but I'm sure you'll find to get maximum efficiency out of it, you''ll need 2 on the back to accomplish certain things.....Seth while your researching read up a bit on the Gyre, it's good reading info, and will give you lots to think about......
Skimmers, will change by the time you get building, but always keep you eye out for a good deal.....Don't go crazy oversizing, because you won't honestly gain any skimming advantage, you might actually loose performance and energy in the long run. I'd definitely look at reactors, but I'd probably spend a bit more on a quality reactor though......As far as Ca Rx, not a need until you can keep up the demand with a 2 part IMHO......Not worth the cash till that point, but a big key with the reactor is a good; quality solenoid.....Nothing cheap or you'll pay dearly for going cheap.......

 

[snakeblitz33]

For fish, I was thinking I would keep my two tomato clowns and bicolor Blennie.
For other fish, I was looking at:
Yellow tang OR lemonpeel angel
Green clown goby
Neon goby
Six line wrasse
Anthias. (not sure of what species. Suggestions?)
Don't give me that bs about yellow tangs in a four foot tank. I've done it in a 90g easily.
Inverts galore.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Dimensions are 18.5w X 48 X 32t I think. It will be a very hard tank to reach the bottom, but I've always had a passion for tall tanks.
She only has 30 pounds of real live rock in the tank. The rest is base. I'll dry the base out and cure it in RO water till the time comes. The live rock I can stash most of it in the sump of my current system. (and pray that it doesnt cause problems since it was moved. )
I really like your suggestions, acrylic. I think I am going to play it safe and drill the back glass and use schedule 80 bulkheads. I planned on my next tank lasting me quite a few years until I move it into the house that I want to build. (my wife and I are buying land in the country in the next five years!) I'll check out that thing too, maybe sometime tonight.
The lighting system will have to be completely revamped. Ugh. I don't really know if I want to use halides either. If LEDs improve by the time I get light on it, I just might try that and supplement with some t5s.
I'll post a diagram of what I'm thinking of soon enough. I'm so excited!

 

[rickross23]

So the tank was basically free in a way??? My suggestion is a harem of Bartletts...they have the best survival rate of Anthias in the aquarium.

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/391070/well-i-did-it#post_3466348
For fish, I was thinking I would keep my two tomato clowns and bicolor Blennie.
For other fish, I was looking at:
Yellow tang OR lemonpeel angel
Green clown goby
Neon goby
Six line wrasse
Anthias. (not sure of what species. Suggestions?)
Don't give me that bs about yellow tangs in a four foot tank. I've done it in a 90g easily.
Inverts galore.

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/391070/well-i-did-it#post_3466356
Dimensions are 18.5w X 48 X 32t I think. It will be a very hard tank to reach the bottom, but I've always had a passion for tall tanks.
She only has 30 pounds of real live rock in the tank. The rest is base. I'll dry the base out and cure it in RO water till the time comes. The live rock I can stash most of it in the sump of my current system. (and pray that it doesnt cause problems since it was moved. )
I really like your suggestions, acrylic. I think I am going to play it safe and drill the back glass and use schedule 80 bulkheads. I planned on my next tank lasting me quite a few years until I move it into the house that I want to build. (my wife and I are buying land in the country in the next five years!) I'll check out that thing too, maybe sometime tonight.
The lighting system will have to be completely revamped. Ugh. I don't really know if I want to use halides either. If LEDs improve by the time I get light on it, I just might try that and supplement with some t5s.
I'll post a diagram of what I'm thinking of soon enough. I'm so excited!
I started years ago with the 110 show, and it just got old with the height, but loved the look of the tank though.......
Dude....LEDs are already proven......If we could post link, I could show you progression shots from a thread on the other forum......As time goes things will get dialed in more of a standard, but the technology is already proven.......

 

[spanko]

Acrylic, google the name of the progression thread, then post the link to google and tell us which link on the page to go to.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I'm interested in seeing the thread as well. With all the hype around LEDs, if they are worth the $ I'll bite.
I have been researching the gyre aquarium concept and I like it, but it might not do well in a 110g show tank with the dimensions. Personally, I like the "wall of rock" look in taller aquariums. The gyre way makes that impossible. If I'm gonna have a really tall tank, might as well do the wall of rock and use every inch of available space. Then again, it IS new and interesting. I might try it off the bat and see if I like it. I thought a tidal wave action back and forth by an mp40 might be just as effective? I am going to place a powerhead or two behind the rockwork as well.

 

[siptang]

Wow sounds awesome Snake!!
I will follow this thread to see how you will stock up this one.

 

[mr. limpid]

You lucky dog, good score. I would QT that rock B4 you put it in your sump, unless this one of your current clients. You said old client.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Old/new. I call her an old client because I quit servicing her tank a couple months ago. Lol. I think her rock is good. No algae build up since the last time I saw it. Her fish were healthy. I think she is going to want me to take her livestock too. In that case I have no clue what I am going to do about it. Probably list them on a local forum for pickup. Dunno.
About that ca reactor- I know to wait. . But I've always wanted one. Lol. I may start with a quality Kalk stirrer.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Also, I've been looking into controllers. Can someone talk me into getting the cheap apex controller or is there a reason to buy the little bit more expensive one? I heard that the rk's have been having major issues.

 

[mr. limpid]

That is why I stick with FO a lot cheaper, you young whipper snappers and your fangle equipment. LOL Hey Seth how is your new baby and mother doing?

 

[sweatervest13]

Nice Score!!!
That is one deep tank, should be real cool to see how you do it up. Looking forward to seeing what you got up your sleeve.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Emma is growing every day. Her days and nights seem to be a little mixed up right now, so that is what we are working on. I'm getting 3 and four hours of sleep a night on average. Thanks to acrylic and the gyre information, I couldn't stop my mind thinking. Lol. My wife is doing alright. She is pretty stressed, not only because she has a newborn to care for, but she also has two months of college left before she graduates and she is going through all the paperwork and homework etc etc.
I'm just coasting.

 

[meowzer]

When she gets up at night, don't turn anything on.....just as much light as you need to prepare her food or change her
During the day...conduct business as usual....do not tip toe around her.....that helped for me

 

[deejeff442]

feed that kid some whiskey at bedtime .you will sleep all night .... just kidding benadryl is better.
congrats on the tank