Hay shipmate, yeah this being one of those projects I had to get done or stare at in the back yard kept me busy and focused. But this is it for me as far as aquariums unless I get rid of a couple smaller ones. I have other projects like an RV that needs a head rebuilt so I can take off next summer and set the fish feeder LOL. Im glad your moving right along and wish I new how to breed AC's.
As I write this the tank is filling up behind me as I finally got the Harold over who helped me get the cabinet off the dolly's using a fulcrum and 2x4 to lift each end while I unclasped and pulled them out. Had to recharge the water softener to bring my supply hard water down from 850 PPM to 14 PPM Cal/Mag. Then I filled the tank just a couple inches before stopping to shim one side of the cabinet at the studs to get it level, the best I could archive was 1/16 of an inch difference between one end of the tank and the other, I hope that should be OK.
I'm not putting in any ornament or sand in even though I have it all already set aside and waiting until I get my filters up and running first (1 sump and 1 canister FX5) and just add a few feeders to start cycling the tank first. This it gives me more time to detect any leaks as a tank without ornaments will be much easier to drain and get working on if it springs leaks. God willing I just don't think its going to leak as I was as careful one could be and over sealed the tank, who ever heard of 1 inch corner and 2 inch bottom seals 1/2 inch thick at the center LOL (eight 10oz tubes of silicone $30).
It looks like Ill be transfering my 14 AF Ciclids from my 80 tall tank first becasue they are getting too big and crowded and secound becasue that 80 tank has a leak at the top rim in 3 places so I plan to drain to 1/2 way and do a top reseal only. You know me, if it ant all broken why fix it all LOL, just like this 244 tank as it still has the original top sides and center brace seals and holding well, although all the joints inside and out are new silicone.
harold and I found a dry bean size bubble in one of the inside corner seals, an obvious flaw when I used the spoon and diden't press down hard enough in that spot. Harold asked me if I was going to follow protocol and drain the tank and redo the entire inside seals over againe? I told him are you day dreaming my friend LOL, of course not, that bubble will be there dry as a bone probubly as long as I will be.
Tomorrow Ill post pics becasue they are too dark and grainy to do the tank justice tonight. Thank you and God bless AC members kind, helpful, honest, and uplifting posts.