Labor of Love. I hope.

fishnu · 09-22-2007, 02:15 PM

Hi Reefers. I am just begiining on the SW journey. I have maintained FW aquariums in the past but want to build a Reef Tank. The progress will be slow because time and money are limited, and because I want this to be an aquatic bonsai....I'd rather be good slow than bad fast.

I have laid out some general plans but am still struggling with how to set up the sump / refugium and plumbing. I am in the middle of a divorce (Hence, the money limitation) and in a new job (hence the time limitation) but I will try to get one post up per week.

I purchased my tank used. It is a glass 90 gallon pentagon tank and stand, badly painted black.

I liked it because of the (albeit badly painted) wood trim on the tank, which I found unususal (to me anyway). It weighs more than Britney on a binge, and getting it out of his third floor apartment and into my basement was enough to satisfy my need for a challenge for a week.

The objective will be to stip it and stain it Mahogany with a satin finish. I expect that alone will take me this weekend and next.

This weekend is stripping weekend. I will be careful to seal the interior of the top of the tank before I get started.

It has a corner overflow, but isn't drilled. This will take some cleaning up. BTW what are the three compartments for? Overflow, input.....and heater? Can I shoot 900GPH through this box? We'll see.

My plans are for a 30-40 gallon sump and refugium combo, a magdrive or Eheim 900-1000 GPH return, 2 250 watt metal halides (if I can find them at a reasonable price) and 150 pounds of Live rock. Unless soneone convinces me otherwise, I will buy aquarium sand and let the rocks liven it up.

That's it for now, back to "the stripper".

lcstorc · 09-22-2007, 02:37 PM

Looks like a great start.
Good luck on your woodworking project.

boozeman · 09-22-2007, 02:52 PM

fishnu · 09-23-2007, 12:17 AM

Stripped, bathed in spirits and ready for bed.

Good night.

goldenmean · 09-23-2007, 12:59 AM

Good job!
Sleep well Reefer

Melanie · 09-23-2007, 08:27 AM

Excellent, funny start to your chronicle. I look forward to seeing your bonsai reef born.

sasquatch · 09-23-2007, 09:22 AM

It has a corner overflow, but isn't drilled. This will take some cleaning up. BTW what are the three compartments for? Overflow, input.....and heater? Can I shoot 900GPH through this box? We'll see.

I have no idea what that is, if it was a freshwater tank maybe, Your saying its not drilled? no hole thru glass, if thats the case remove it and clean up the glass, your probably going to need an overflow of some kind,Congrats on a new start. Steve

fishnu · 12-03-2007, 01:47 PM

Ok, I have been a tank-slacker. I'll admit it. But I have my reasons, including two significant health issues simultaneously and one surgery, tomorrow, as a result.

I will be out of commission for about two weeks, but I didn't want to go under the kinife without a vocal high five to Scott (Dentoid). A few weeks ago Scott offered to sell me his used Aqualight Pro 48" lights which he was replacing with his new Solaris.

Not only did these lights come looking spotless (I mean, like brand new spotless. I literally could not tell that these had ever been used) but they came packaged as though Scott sent them via Demolition Express and wanted them to stop off and have a couple of drinks with the crash test dummies. I mean, I could have hit this box with a sledge hammer and these lights would have come through without a scratch. The amount of time and energy Scott put into this was ... intimidating?

Anyway, I just wanted to give a very public thank you to a great guy. Here's to you Scott.

John

Dentoid · 12-03-2007, 01:55 PM

I'm glad you got the light safe and sound! I flirted with the girl at the UPS Store to get an extra special delivery job!

I'll say a prayer and here is to a speedy recovery!

Doot77 · 12-03-2007, 02:05 PM

It looks like a good start, I like the dimensions on that tank. Look forward to seeing it come together once your back on your feet. Good luck with the surgery!

boozeman · 12-03-2007, 07:14 PM

hope everything goes well...keep us posted

fishnu · 03-23-2008, 11:39 AM

OK, back on the project. Tank stained, varnished (one coat to go), and drilled with that useless corner box ripped out.

Egg crate bottom and PVC frame to support live rock, with space beneath for circulation.

Cabinet stained awaiting las coat of varnish, and new hardware

Sump with space for ASM g2 left, return pump middle and refugium right.

Live rock still curing happily. Hermits, snails and bugs. No worms, but I'll find some later.

Sump for LR curing tank. 6500k compact fluorescent, ASM G2 and a temp controller driving 2 heaters at 81F, 8.1pH, 0-0-0 ammonia trites and trates. Calcium is a little low, but I'll get plenty of coraline later.

Lights and sand sitting in my living room awaiting the tank.

Getting there!

goldenmean · 03-23-2008, 12:48 PM

Lookin good John!
I really like the LR pvc frame.

Dentoid · 03-23-2008, 01:22 PM

Nice job John! You're on your way to a spectacular reef!

fishnu · 03-24-2008, 03:09 PM

Google Sketchup is cool. I created three separate items (cabinet, sump and tank) and then merged them. It didn't take me very long to get this done, and I can rotate it from every angle.

However creating and rotating PVC is eluding me.

Front:

and rear.

I am not compulsive enough to draft the skimmer, pump, etc.

John

09-22-2007, 02:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
fishnu Plate Coral Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 739 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Labor of Love. I hope. Hi Reefers. I am just begiining on the SW journey. I have maintained FW aquariums in the past but want to build a Reef Tank. The progress will be slow because time and money are limited, and because I want this to be an aquatic bonsai....I'd rather be good slow than bad fast. I have laid out some general plans but am still struggling with how to set up the sump / refugium and plumbing. I am in the middle of a divorce (Hence, the money limitation) and in a new job (hence the time limitation) but I will try to get one post up per week. I purchased my tank used. It is a glass 90 gallon pentagon tank and stand, badly painted black. I liked it because of the (albeit badly painted) wood trim on the tank, which I found unususal (to me anyway). It weighs more than Britney on a binge, and getting it out of his third floor apartment and into my basement was enough to satisfy my need for a challenge for a week. The objective will be to stip it and stain it Mahogany with a satin finish. I expect that alone will take me this weekend and next. This weekend is stripping weekend. I will be careful to seal the interior of the top of the tank before I get started. It has a corner overflow, but isn't drilled. This will take some cleaning up. BTW what are the three compartments for? Overflow, input.....and heater? Can I shoot 900GPH through this box? We'll see. My plans are for a 30-40 gallon sump and refugium combo, a magdrive or Eheim 900-1000 GPH return, 2 250 watt metal halides (if I can find them at a reasonable price) and 150 pounds of Live rock. Unless soneone convinces me otherwise, I will buy aquarium sand and let the rocks liven it up. That's it for now, back to "the stripper".

09-22-2007, 02:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 16,308 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Labor of Love. I hope. Looks like a great start. Good luck on your woodworking project. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g Jawfish enjoyment ASM answer girl. Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. (\___/) This is Bunny. (=O.o=) Copy and paste him into your signature (")__(") to help him gain world domination Question of the day: When will Booze put water in that huge beautiful tank?

09-23-2007, 12:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
fishnu Plate Coral Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 739 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Labor of Love. I hope. Stripped, bathed in spirits and ready for bed. Good night.

09-23-2007, 12:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,647 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Labor of Love. I hope. Good job! Sleep well Reefer __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My First Quarantine Tank. 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

09-23-2007, 08:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
Melanie Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 2,120 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Labor of Love. I hope. Excellent, funny start to your chronicle. I look forward to seeing your bonsai reef born. __________________ My Reef Journey Latest Recap My Videos My Flickr Photos Pres. of Dork Club I love ScubaDrew and North East Coral! Read why HERE...

09-23-2007, 09:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,455 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Labor of Love. I hope. It has a corner overflow, but isn't drilled. This will take some cleaning up. BTW what are the three compartments for? Overflow, input.....and heater? Can I shoot 900GPH through this box? We'll see. I have no idea what that is, if it was a freshwater tank maybe, Your saying its not drilled? no hole thru glass, if thats the case remove it and clean up the glass, your probably going to need an overflow of some kind,Congrats on a new start. Steve __________________ DIY stuff for my tank stand, 100g tank,rock lift, overflow, foam walls, closed loop,lighting reflectors, 50gal sump, bubbletrap and sock holder, ato bracket,kalk bucket and reservoir, 40gal fuge, fuge lighting, remotish dsb raceway, turf algae raceway, dual pumped recirc skimmer, more to follow. Peace, Loce and Understanding RIGHT NOW!

12-03-2007, 01:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
fishnu Plate Coral Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 739 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Labor of Love. I hope. Ok, I have been a tank-slacker. I'll admit it. But I have my reasons, including two significant health issues simultaneously and one surgery, tomorrow, as a result. I will be out of commission for about two weeks, but I didn't want to go under the kinife without a vocal high five to Scott (Dentoid). A few weeks ago Scott offered to sell me his used Aqualight Pro 48" lights which he was replacing with his new Solaris. Not only did these lights come looking spotless (I mean, like brand new spotless. I literally could not tell that these had ever been used) but they came packaged as though Scott sent them via Demolition Express and wanted them to stop off and have a couple of drinks with the crash test dummies. I mean, I could have hit this box with a sledge hammer and these lights would have come through without a scratch. The amount of time and energy Scott put into this was ... intimidating? Anyway, I just wanted to give a very public thank you to a great guy. Here's to you Scott. John __________________ *I'd rather be good slow than bad fast.* Fishnu, Lord of Fishes Mantis Shrimp Club My Tank Thread The Wisdom of Fishnu - Mistakes on the path. 75 Gal Refurbished and Refinished Dutch Aquariums System Tank drilled with 2 1.5" bulkheads and 30 Gal Sump / Refugium Combo; 90 Lbs Fiji LR; ASM G2; OR6500 Pump; 2 Koralia Nanos; 2 150W HQI 2 96W Actinics; Kent Maxxima Hi S 60GPD RO/DI. Amphiprion percula (OMEN); Sphaeramia nematoptera (CODY); stenopus hispidus (PIMP THE SHRIMP); Selected hermits and snails. Euphyllia divisa, Euphyllia glabrescens, Pink Acanthastrea (Lord?), selected mushrooms. Looking for mermaid.

12-03-2007, 01:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 9,408 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Labor of Love. I hope. I'm glad you got the light safe and sound! I flirted with the girl at the UPS Store to get an extra special delivery job! I'll say a prayer and here is to a speedy recovery! __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

12-03-2007, 02:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
Doot77 Scopas Tang Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DeKalb, IL Posts: 456 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Labor of Love. I hope. It looks like a good start, I like the dimensions on that tank. Look forward to seeing it come together once your back on your feet. Good luck with the surgery! __________________ Matt ________________________________ 110 Gallon Oceanic with dual corner overflows and 40 gal Oceanic 150 Sump Livestock : - 1 Mystery Wrasse, 1 Fairy Wrasse, 1 Royal Gramma, 1 Diamond Watchman Goby, 2 Turbo Snails, 6 Nassarius Snails, 1 Fighting Conch, 6 Dwarf Blue Legged Crabs & 6 Dwarf Zebra Crabs, 3 Emerald Crabs, 1 Purple Reef Lobster, 1 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, 1 Red Sea Star, 1 Brittle Star, 1 Sand Sifting Star Fish 20 gal Quarantine tank Doot's Reef Chronicle

03-23-2008, 11:39 AM	#12 (permalink)
fishnu Plate Coral Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 739 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Labor of Love. I hope. OK, back on the project. Tank stained, varnished (one coat to go), and drilled with that useless corner box ripped out. Egg crate bottom and PVC frame to support live rock, with space beneath for circulation. Cabinet stained awaiting las coat of varnish, and new hardware Sump with space for ASM g2 left, return pump middle and refugium right. Live rock still curing happily. Hermits, snails and bugs. No worms, but I'll find some later. Sump for LR curing tank. 6500k compact fluorescent, ASM G2 and a temp controller driving 2 heaters at 81F, 8.1pH, 0-0-0 ammonia trites and trates. Calcium is a little low, but I'll get plenty of coraline later. Lights and sand sitting in my living room awaiting the tank. Getting there! __________________ *I'd rather be good slow than bad fast.* Fishnu, Lord of Fishes Mantis Shrimp Club My Tank Thread The Wisdom of Fishnu - Mistakes on the path. 75 Gal Refurbished and Refinished Dutch Aquariums System Tank drilled with 2 1.5" bulkheads and 30 Gal Sump / Refugium Combo; 90 Lbs Fiji LR; ASM G2; OR6500 Pump; 2 Koralia Nanos; 2 150W HQI 2 96W Actinics; Kent Maxxima Hi S 60GPD RO/DI. Amphiprion percula (OMEN); Sphaeramia nematoptera (CODY); stenopus hispidus (PIMP THE SHRIMP); Selected hermits and snails. Euphyllia divisa, Euphyllia glabrescens, Pink Acanthastrea (Lord?), selected mushrooms. Looking for mermaid.

03-23-2008, 12:48 PM	#13 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,647 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Labor of Love. I hope. Lookin good John! I really like the LR pvc frame. __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My First Quarantine Tank. 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

03-23-2008, 01:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 9,408 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Labor of Love. I hope. Nice job John! You're on your way to a spectacular reef! __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

03-24-2008, 03:09 PM	#15 (permalink)
fishnu Plate Coral Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 739 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Labor of Love. I hope. Google Sketchup is cool. I created three separate items (cabinet, sump and tank) and then merged them. It didn't take me very long to get this done, and I can rotate it from every angle. However creating and rotating PVC is eluding me. Front: and rear. I am not compulsive enough to draft the skimmer, pump, etc. John __________________ *I'd rather be good slow than bad fast.* Fishnu, Lord of Fishes Mantis Shrimp Club My Tank Thread The Wisdom of Fishnu - Mistakes on the path. 75 Gal Refurbished and Refinished Dutch Aquariums System Tank drilled with 2 1.5" bulkheads and 30 Gal Sump / Refugium Combo; 90 Lbs Fiji LR; ASM G2; OR6500 Pump; 2 Koralia Nanos; 2 150W HQI 2 96W Actinics; Kent Maxxima Hi S 60GPD RO/DI. Amphiprion percula (OMEN); Sphaeramia nematoptera (CODY); stenopus hispidus (PIMP THE SHRIMP); Selected hermits and snails. Euphyllia divisa, Euphyllia glabrescens, Pink Acanthastrea (Lord?), selected mushrooms. Looking for mermaid. Last edited by fishnu : 03-24-2008 at 03:11 PM. Reason: i kant spel gud.

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