240gal build update. First Water Test

[TomToro]

I polished the acrylic tank with Novus 1,2,3 and was very pleased. So pleased that I did the whole tank, inside and out. I'm a very tired old man, though.

This is the first water test with tap water. No leaks and we're pretty excited. Sort of ugly, but it works like we designed. My R/O unit is coming in the mail soon I hope and I'll start with a real fill then.
Thanks for looking,
Tom
The back with old school overflows and flex tubing.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o242/TomToro/240WaterTest12-30-07001.jpg
The skimmer setup plumbed into the first sump
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o242/TomToro/240WaterTest12-30-07002.jpg
The first sump with 2400gph coming into the first section and returned by a mag 24
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o242/TomToro/240WaterTest12-30-07005.jpg
The second sump connected by a 1" bulkhead. The mag 24 is teed off to give balance to the second sump. A mag 7 completes the return from the second sump.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o242/TomToro/240WaterTest12-30-07006.jpg
Closeup view of the front with a couple of the lights on
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o242/TomToro/240WaterTest12-30-07007-1.jpg
A pic of the two tanks together. I've got a mess to clean up.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o242/TomToro/240WaterTest12-30-07010.jpg

[wantvws]

Wow. That is one awesome fish room. Nice work.
Robbie

[FeatherDuster]

I am jealous. I would love to have a fish room like that. Looks like the polishing paid off.

How long did it take to fill up with tap water? Looks like a tank that size would take hours of work.

Do you usually have chairs by the fish tanks? I know if I had those setups I would spend hours just staring at them. I can't image standing the whole time standing :) I actually have a love seat and two chairs by my 125G.

lol And I like the magnifying glass right next to the first tank.

[nycsicktank]

i need to move in next door.
seriously thats a sweet tanks

[tamableanimal]

Can you talk my wife into letting me do a fish room like that:) You are doing an outstanding job on it. Can't wait to see the new tank with animals in it.

[clown-lover]

Outstanding job so far Tom.. I can't wait for more updates.. BTW do you plan on taking out the carpet and putting in something more water friendly in the fish room??? (asking from experience here as I've had a few water accidents and on carpet they suck)

[trippkid]

Great job so far, can't wait for you to get it all set up. Have you done power outage sims, to see what happens, and if it all starts back up properly?
Awesome job, keep us posted.
Matt

[TomToro]

Thanks for the good words, Folks!

Clownlover, The carpet is going to be a problem, I know, but it's also the workout room and it was hard enough talking my wife into letting me take half of it. I just have to be very careful. Not that I'm scared of her or anything:liar:

I plan on cutting a 2" hole in the outside wall to drain my water changes (I have a septic tank). I also have a wet vac just waiting nearby.

Matt,
I did a number of outage scenarios. One pump off, the other on, all off, all on, skimmer off/on. No problems and the siphon breaks allow only about an inch or so in the sumps. I drilled them very high, maybe too high.

Tableanimal
Thanks. I'm thinking it's going to be awhile before I can stock the thing. I'm going to buy LR from local reefers and who knows what I'll have to wait out to make things safe (parasites,hydroids,who knows).

Featherduster,
Took around 1 hour to fill with the hose, but I figure it'll take days to fill with the R/O drip. I like the idea of a loveseat. We looked, but couldn't find one short enough for the 100. I usually have two chairs up close and a couple of bean bags against the back wall to look. Sometimes I drink a cocktail and just stare. :crazy:

Happy New Year, Everybody and thanks for looking.

[clown-lover]

Tom.. Black and Decker makes a little carpet blower that I have found invaluable when those "issues" happened. They dry the carpet out a lot faster than a normal fan does.. I'll get you a pic of mine if you want.

[TomToro]

Tom.. Black and Decker makes a little carpet blower that I have found invaluable when those "issues" happened. They dry the carpet out a lot faster than a normal fan does.. I'll get you a pic of mine if you want.

I'd definitely like a picture of it!, Thanks! No matter how careful I am, I'm going to spill something.

[trippkid]

sounds great Tom, I'm glad it is all working for you. Can't wait to see some stuff in it.
Matt

[clown-lover]

I'd definitely like a picture of it!, Thanks! No matter how careful I am, I'm going to spill something.

Here ya go.. Its a Stanley not a B & D but it works great. The yellow part is adjustable for angle and it really does a great job. Its like a mini version that professional carpet cleaners use..

[Grins]

The new tank looks awesome and not even full of salt water yet. Way to go Tom!

[wantvws]

I want a couple of these to park my butt in front of my tank....
http://www.nagsheadhammocks.com/detail.asp?id=2222&sku=NHCC-K&mode=ADD&prc=P000


They compliment the nautical look well, I think. And they're freakin comfortable!
Robbie

[mandy21]

I love nags head hammocks\. I have a few here at my apartment (the one you posted, actually but with a green pillow) as well as, like 8 of various styes at home. We vacation on the outer banks twice a year so it's always nice. wow that was so off topic, sorry.

I am definitely drooling over the threads about these big tanks. I can't wait to see this monster with some livestock in it.

[Subliminal]

Just out of curiousity, why did you use the 'old school' overflows, instead of drilling your tank? That's one of the beauties of acrylic...you can easily drill it.

[OldManOfTheSea]

Im not jealous of your tank, but am jealous that you be starting your 240 before I start mine. So what type of reef system will it be, or you be still doing more soft corals? What type of lighting are you planning on?

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE :)

BUDDY

[TomToro]

Subliminal,
I chickened out on drilling the tank. Murphy's Law follows me around. In the future I might drain the tank about a third and drill for high overflows, but only if the U tubes give me trouble.

Old Man of the Sea,
I'm thinking a fish only with LR. The lights are 3x55w PC actinics and 160watts of NO 10kk. I like the idea of not worrying about getting only reef safe fish. I figure in a year or so when I'm sick of the fish killing each other, I can easily switch over to reef with T5s and sell off the unsafe fish. I'll have to hook up a kalk reactor or drip, but that's about it. I will be going Bare Bottom this time to reduce the chance of picking up a grain of sand in the magnet scraper and gouging the acrylic. That will be a challenge, although I'll have deep sand beds in both sumps along with LR and Cheato.

Now on to research UV.

[TomToro]

[ I can't wait to see this monster with some livestock in it.[/QUOTE]


Me too, Mandy. I'm already sick of watching the fresh water going through the tubing. :mad2: I need to see some salt creep! :nilly:

[FeatherDuster]

I like the FOWLR idea. That setup is always great for large tanks because you can have beautiful large fish that no one would chance in a reef. It also works out for you because you have a reef on one side and the FOWLR on the other. Beauty of both worlds.

[Mr.Firemouth]

For UV go with a larger unit, 30+watts. Keep flow around 500gph and get one with a long straight reaction chamber instead of the steps or spiral tubes. This will make maintenance easier.

Check Dr. F&S in the pond section for larger better sterilizer options.

[TomToro]

For UV go with a larger unit, 30+watts. Keep flow around 500gph and get one with a long straight reaction chamber instead of the steps or spiral tubes. This will make maintenance easier.

Check Dr. F&S in the pond section for larger better sterilizer options.

Thanks for the tip! I have no idea what I need so that helps.

[TomToro]

Salt is in. Live Rock is in 200lbs. When things clear up, I'll post a pic. I'm getting pretty pumped! I figure in another month or so, the first fish!

[TomToro]

200lbs doesn't look like much, does it?
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o242/TomToro/001.jpg

[Grins]

Wow Tom, just wow.

[BMorgan]

That is simply just an awesome looking tank. Not to mentioned I am entirley impressed that you were able to convince your wife to let you do that :lipssealedsmilie:

[clown-lover]

200lbs doesn't look like much, does it?


No but it still looks like a stunning tank.. Have you ever thought of making agocrete rocks? That dispearsed within that much live rock could help save you quite a bit of cash.. There are some huge threads on RC on how to make it..

I have pictures of a reef system in my blog that is built on agrocrete rock and it has been running for 10-12 years. Steve has some gorgeous specimens.

[jagr200]

That looks great. The only thing you need besides fish is a background. That way you cant see all the overflows and hoses. Keep up the good work.

[alexuta]

This is awesome, but why so black around. Keep going this is nice job.
Alin

[Grins]

I think it was just taken with the lights off to spotlight the tank.

[TomToro]

Thanks Grins! Thanks everybody!

I ended up buying another 120lbs from a guy late last night along with some LS for the fuges.

I have a nice reversable blue/black background, but not sure which to use yet.

Grins is right. Just shut the room lights so you could see inside the tank. It was still pretty cloudy at the time of the shot, but now it's crystal clear.

I've never made agrocrete rock. Looks interesting, though. I ended up paying under $2.00/lb for the 200.00 and $1.00/lb for the 120lbs.

I drilled a 2" hole in the side of the house so I can do water changes a foot from the sump. I used a 2"pvc pipe, some silicone caulk and two end caps to seal the hole when not in use. That's one thing my wife doesn't know about yet.:headshake2: She's the best, though. I can't believe she let me do this either.

All I need now is to hook up my r/o unit close by the tank, hang my Home Depot special lights over the fuges and buy a U/V unit. In the home stretch and thanks for looking everybody! Oh yeah, I guess I have to wait for the tank to cycle too:wall:

[Catpicklesdog]

It's looking stunning Tom. Can't wait to see it finished.

[Almondsaz]

Tom: your tank looks great. It is surprising how 200# of rock doesn't look like that much in your tank...good thing you got it at the price you did. I to can't wait to see it start to be populated. It really looks impressive.

[Grins]

As I a female reefer I always laugh at people being amazed at someone's wife letting them do something. It wouldn't be hard to convince me to drill a hole in the side of the house to change water from a fishroom.

[Catpicklesdog]

^^ Same here. There's a lot to be said for being single!!^^

[Sploke]

Wow Tom, tank is looking awesome. Glad you got the acrylic polishing thing worked out as well.

[Grins]

^^ Same here. There's a lot to be said for being single!!^^

Seriously, I'm considering switching teams, shacking up with you and pretending the coco is mine.

[TomToro]

Thanks Folks!! I appreciate the compliments.

[TomToro]

Seriously, I'm considering switching teams, shacking up with you and pretending the coco is mine.

I think I'd better stay out of this one. :eek3:

[Grins]

lol. I was wondering if that would get a comment. Apologies for the slight derailment of your thread. The whole wife thing though sincerely gives me a chuckle. I hear it so often because of how dominated the hobby is by men. In any event, your new tank is definitely a thing to watch and follow and I'm glad you're sharing it with us.

[mandy21]

^^ Same here. There's a lot to be said for being single!!^^

or in a couple where stuff like that is not a topic for argument or discussion. He has his video games, I have my fish and cats and uh shopping, in general.

Tom, it's great to see the rock in the tank. It's coming along nicely and I get a little giddy everytime there is an update to the tank.

[SHK_ATK]

Nice start tom, I wanted to do mine a pred tank in the beginning but Im having a blast doing a reef, I always am crossing my fingers when I stumple across a 200+G tank for cheap, future FOWLR tank in the making.

Im surprised nobody asked this BUT what kind of stock where you hoping to put in the beast?

[TomToro]

Nice start tom, I wanted to do mine a pred tank in the beginning but Im having a blast doing a reef, I always am crossing my fingers when I stumple across a 200+G tank for cheap, future FOWLR tank in the making.

Im surprised nobody asked this BUT what kind of stock where you hoping to put in the beast?

Thanks, SHK.
I'm not really sure. I know that's sort of crazy since I planned out the tank build. :crazy:

I'm open for suggestions, though. I'm looking for non-aggressive fish. Very Colorful and hardy. Not much larger than 8". Interesting shapes would be nice. I'd like to be able to keep shrimp so hawks are out. I don't have a substrate so most gobies are out. No Triggers. I think wrasses are cool. I like most of the angels especially the flame. I won't have sps so I can have angels, YES!
I've always been a fan of the Powder Blue Tangs, but I hear they're ich magnets. I'd like to consider other tangs, but not sure which. Naso, Achilles? I already have a Hippo and Yellow so they're out.


I welcome all suggestions that I can look up.

Thanks for looking,
Tom

[TomToro]

or in a couple where stuff like that is not a topic for argument or discussion. He has his video games, I have my fish and cats and uh shopping, in general.

Tom, it's great to see the rock in the tank. It's coming along nicely and I get a little giddy everytime there is an update to the tank.

Hey Mandy,
I'll have a new update soon. Since the last one, I've added another 120lbs of LR. Some cool arched ones.

My parameters were excellent already so I added a couple of troublesome fish I had in different tanks (jail). A Clarkii and a bi-color psuedo. One was in a 12g nano and the other was in a 15 gallon cheato tank. It looks like I set them free when I put them in the new tank.:headbang2: Hopefully they'll be cool when I add other fish.

I'd also like your's and other's opinion on a background. I'll post a picture of a black background and a blue background. Let me know which you guys like the best. Keep in mind that there will be pink/purple coralline showing up too.

Thanks for the interest:)

[TomToro]

lol. I was wondering if that would get a comment. Apologies for the slight derailment of your thread. The whole wife thing though sincerely gives me a chuckle. I hear it so often because of how dominated the hobby is by men. In any event, your new tank is definitely a thing to watch and follow and I'm glad you're sharing it with us.

Hey Ms. Grins,

I was definitely going to comment, but couldn't figure out a politically correct way to say anything at all. :headshake2: I guess quiet was the safe route.:lipssealedsmilie:

When I say good things about my wife, it's only to appreciate her good graces as my partner in crime (she really is very cool). Not saying women in general would be upset by the hobby, but either wife or husband could be upset by all the time and money used up by the hobby. Sorry if it came off wrong. Not my intention.:)

You always keep things entertaining! Thanks for the good words, too.:)


Tom

[Grins]

Tom, sincerely you were a gentleman and not offensive in the least about the wife comment or my daring comment. It is just one of those things we women in the hobby often hear. The men in my club (for the most part) treat me really rather well but they too joke about hiding stuff from their wives when it comes to tank purchases and other related things.

[USCavalry19d]

Well I just have to say WOW you really have a nice set-up going on over there Tom. I thought I was lucky in being able to talk my girl into letting me put my tank in the dining room but yeah you have an entire fish room, that is just much cooler. Honestly I cant wait to see this tank when its stocked.

[Reefscape]

Tom, as expected, its looking fabulous and really starting to take shape now its all fired up and rock in there...really impressed with your work as always...I really cant wait to see it with some stock in...Spot on...Keep it up..

Niko

[TomToro]

Well I just have to say WOW you really have a nice set-up going on over there Tom. I thought I was lucky in being able to talk my girl into letting me put my tank in the dining room but yeah you have an entire fish room, that is just much cooler. Honestly I cant wait to see this tank when its stocked.

Thanks US and good hearing from you.

Here's a couple of pics with the additional rock and a choice of backgrounds. How about you folks telling me which looks best...blue or black.

Also some pics of the sumps with their new rock and algae.

Black:
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o242/TomToro/240backgrounds1-6-08004.jpg
Blue:
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o242/TomToro/240backgrounds1-6-08001.jpg

Sumps:
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o242/TomToro/sump001.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o242/TomToro/sump004.jpg

You can see the hole I drilled into the wall with the white cap. Makes life easier.

Next: Install the R/O next to the hole so I can drain the waste water out.

[TomToro]

Tom, as expected, its looking fabulous and really starting to take shape now its all fired up and rock in there...really impressed with your work as always...I really cant wait to see it with some stock in...Spot on...Keep it up..

Niko

Thanks Niko. I appreciate your good words, Buddy! I just have to try to have some patience because I really want to stock it now:wall:.

[clown-lover]

Tom it is really looking great.. As to your question i'm bias as I like black.. :D

[TomToro]

Tom it is really looking great.. As to your question i'm bias as I like black.. :D

Thanks, CL. That's one for black.

[mandy21]

I like both of the backgrounds. So you wouldn't go wrong either way. There is something about the blue that I'm liking just a tiny bit better.

I absolutely adore the rock setup.

[wantvws]

Man that looks great!! I would suggest very few tiny little fish that vanish as soon as you put them in the tank. And only one of each. Wait...that's been done....some goober with a 210.....:naughty:
Looks really good...throw away the television and go fish watching!
Robbie

[mandy21]

Man that looks great!! I would suggest very few tiny little fish that vanish as soon as you put them in the tank. And only one of each. Wait...that's been done....some goober with a 210.....:naughty:
Looks really good...throw away the television and go fish watching!
Robbie

bwahahahahahahahahaha I spit water all over the place at that.

It does look great, but tvs are the same as fish tanks. . . . can never have too many and there is no such thing as too big. :drool:

[Miss my puffer]

Love the setup! Tough decision on the background. I have the black on my tanks and to tell you the truth, I really don't notice it. I think it might help give the color of the fish a little more pop. Although the blue makes it look a little more like ocean water. Glad I don't have to make the decision. Oh, wait, I WISH I did have to make a decision on what color background to use on my 240 because that would mean I would have a 240! Anyways, whichever one you go with is going to look great.

[FeatherDuster]

I usually prefer black, but in some tanks you can't really see the dark contrast. Blue actually looks better on your tank to me. But overall, its great so I wouldn't mind either colors.

[Grins]

In your photos I prefer the blue. However in person I tend to prefer the black backgrounds.

[Reefscape]

Hey Tom, i really the black background, it really does make things stand out far better and i feel black gives depth to a tank..

Looking great..

Niko

[SHK_ATK]

I would do a sohal tang no aggression if you dont add another tang or a trigger.

They are also a false power blue tang (they are more of a purple color than blue) but am not aware if they are ich magnets as the pbt.

Mimic tangs are always nice and stay rather small, purples, yellow eye, flamefin, cheveron tangs add a lot of color. Nasos are nice, if you want diffrent body shape sailfins fit the bill.

Flames add a nice bright red color, but since you wont be adding coral you can add a butterflyfish the hardier ones always have nice colors.

Have you given a foxface a thought? nice coloring ESP. if you get a Doliatus Rabbitfish or Magnificent Foxface both VERY NICE!!

a school of blue/green OR blue-reef chromis would be nice to see school. Anthias makes for a nice small colorfull fish but some species are really hard to maintain. Lost of stuff to play with tom.

[salty420]

looking great. amazing rather. as far as backgrounds go i always vote black but i agree that in these pics i have to go with the blue.

[TomToro]

I would do a sohal tang no aggression if you dont add another tang or a trigger.

They are also a false power blue tang (they are more of a purple color than blue) but am not aware if they are ich magnets as the pbt.

Mimic tangs are always nice and stay rather small, purples, yellow eye, flamefin, cheveron tangs add a lot of color. Nasos are nice, if you want diffrent body shape sailfins fit the bill.

Flames add a nice bright red color, but since you wont be adding coral you can add a butterflyfish the hardier ones always have nice colors.

Have you given a foxface a thought? nice coloring ESP. if you get a Doliatus Rabbitfish or Magnificent Foxface both VERY NICE!!

a school of blue/green OR blue-reef chromis would be nice to see school. Anthias makes for a nice small colorfull fish but some species are really hard to maintain. Lost of stuff to play with tom.

Those are good suggestions and some cool things I can look up. Thanks for the help, SHK! I've had a foxface in a past tank and liked it a lot. The others are new to me.

[TomToro]

Pretty amazing poll so far. I'm at 4 for Blue and 3 for Black. But... some say they like the black, but not on my tank. I like the look of the blue, but the thought of the fish colors showing more vibrant with black has me in the middle again. This is getting good. Thanks for the replies, Folks!


Latest Update: Reverse Osmosis is in and hooked up to a float valve in a water bucket. The ato feeds the tank from there. Works well so far, but boy is the R/O a slow trickle. Supposed to be a 100gpd, but I doubt it.:silly:

[SHK_ATK]

I leave mine on when I go to sleep and it fills about 40G worth of water in my 55G trash can 8 hours later.

I would go for the blue backround looks more "natural" I have black on mine but its covered so much coraline that most of the black is covered by now.

[TomToro]

I leave mine on when I go to sleep and it fills about 40G worth of water in my 55G trash can 8 hours later.

I would go for the blue backround looks more "natural" I have black on mine but its covered so much coraline that most of the black is covered by now.

Sounds like your's is around 100gpd. You must have good water pressure.

Good timing:headbang2:! I just asked about garbage cans as reservoirs in another thread. Can I ask what type you use? Brand, where you got it, etc.? I was looking at a Rubbermaid 50gal can I saw at a Dept store(meijer). I'm under a space constraint and it would fit perfectly.

Thanks,
Tom

[SHK_ATK]

its a 50G rubbermaid "roughneck" that has wheels so I can wheel it next to the tank. Only prob I have seen is that the bottom tend to "bulge" out when its full of water but other than that shes a keeper. I got it at wal-mart for I think 10-15 bucks I cant really remember.

[TomToro]

its a 50G rubbermaid "roughneck" that has wheels so I can wheel it next to the tank. Only prob I have seen is that the bottom tend to "bulge" out when its full of water but other than that shes a keeper. I got it at wal-mart for I think 10-15 bucks I cant really remember.

That's the exact one I saw. I'll get it today and thanks a lot!