Here we go again...500gallon build

[ClosetFishGeek]

Well its another day....and had to get as much work in today becouse I cannot devote any more time to my build this week....:irked:. Today was spent mostly on the base of the tank along with refining the lift system. Also had another long conversation with the guys at Ottawa Inverts regarding the Profilux controller. At this point in time a may be swaying towards this unit but am doing some more homework. Also when speaking to them they said some interesting "Unofficial news" stating that this coming year the vortechs will be fully controllable by the Profilux....hmm some interesting news if its true. In the meantime some more new additions are in quarantine.



More moisture resistant Plywood making up the flooring of my cabinet. This actually sits about 3/4" of the floor and was painted with the left over paint from the canopy and then 2 coats of polyurethane.



The whole base was dismantled from the frame sanded and then laminated with a veneer. After all the laminating was finished all the exposed edges and faces(bottom and back side) were primed and painted in a black outdoor moisture block paint.



We miscalculated the amount of veneer we would need so I ordered another sheet to finish one panel...a whole 4' x 8' to finsh a 30" x 30" peice...:irked:. Thank God for small freinds....I could never have done this..



Its almost complete....but I am pleased with the progress....:splitspin



My soon to be new Inhabitants.. A yellow belly hippo, Clown tang, and purple tang....This will complete my list of tangs. These will be added with my other tangs( maculiceps, Naso, hippo, sailfin, and fowler). Heres hoping for peace among the 3 Acanthurus as these are the ones I have to keep my eye on the most. We will soon see.

 

[Awibrandy]

Thane, the more I read your thread the more I want to go out to your place, and see it in person cause I know the pics are not telling the whole story.
BTW, what tank is this:

 

[albano]

Also had another long conversation with the guys at Ottawa Inverts...said some interesting "Unofficial news" stating that this coming year the vortechs will be fully controllable by the Profilux....hmm some interesting news if its true.

Exactly what we were told by Vortech people at MACNA!

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

Thane, the more I read your thread the more I want to go out to your place, and see it in person cause I know the pics are not telling the whole story.
BTW, what tank is this:

Awibrandy....You can come and see it whenever you would like...:splitspin It really is tough to get it all with the camera... That tank is the ORA display at MACNA. I took a pic becouse I felt it was the nicest display at the show and loved the aquascaping. Gave me some more ideas...:splitspin

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

Exactly what we were told by Vortech people at MACNA!

Alfie Im glad your heard that too....I thought I was hearing things. I approached Ecotech and they were being very elusive and dodging all of my attempts to get them to confess....:splitspin We will see...

 

[aznt1217]

Are you converting the garage into a fish room Thane? Because the Decor of the stand would look fantastic with the proper furniture

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

Are you converting the garage into a fish room Thane? Because the Decor of the stand would look fantastic with the proper furniture

I absolutely am....When I am done with the tank I am going to complete the rest of the garage. It wont be fully finished but it will look dam close.....:splitspin

 

[aznt1217]

Awesome!

 

[FaviaFreak]

Top Notch build my friend! i would love to swing by to check it out when it's all done, or if you need help with anything just give me a holler

 

[Awibrandy]

That tank is the ORA display at MACNA. I took a pic becouse I felt it was the nicest display at the show and loved the aquascaping. Gave me some more ideas...:splitspin

Well then!, Thank you for taking the pic!! I love the aquascaping as well, and like you it has given me some ideas for my so call fowlr.:tub:

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

Top Notch build my friend! i would love to swing by to check it out when it's all done, or if you need help with anything just give me a holler

Kevin thanks buddy......It was good to see you at MACNA. Hope to see you soon.

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

Well I went back on my word and did some more work... Not a lot but some more wood work. Just couldnt keep away....



This was a pain in the neck wrapping a round edge with formica.....lots of fun....:splitspin Screwed up about 3 times...The heat gun became our best freind.



Almost there with the doors....



Base is finally done.....



Here is the job supervisor....

 

[Bob 1000]

It's much easier to use a iron then a heat gun.. I use one all the time for veneering,, is that a word,,lol..

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

It's much easier to use a iron then a heat gun.. I use one all the time for veneering,, is that a word,,lol..

Thanks....I will try that next time.....sounds like a plan.... Anything is easier than what we were doing...:splitspin

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

Today I decided to add more rock to the middle of the tank to design more ledges for corals and more hiding areas for fish.



Full tank shot...



Left Side..



Right Side....

I cant wait for the rock to get covered in coralline...right now its a lovely two tone....:irked: I will be testing the Phoenix 14k mogul bulb on tuesday...should be interesting

 

[Awibrandy]

And I can't wait to see it full of corals, and fish!!!!!! I love the rock work, so nice and open......

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

And I can't wait to see it full of corals, and fish!!!!!! I love the rock work, so nice and open......

Thank you....:splitspin I cant wait either. Pretty soon it will be gleaming with life...

 

[D1J8Z]

O man I am so jealous

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

O man I am so jealous

;O)....How is your Rommels Rainbow doing .... :splitspin

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

Well today was another productive day....As of today my canopy and stand are visually complete. There are still some minor cosmetic details to finish but for the most part this hurdle is complete. Here are some quick pics...





It definitely took longer than expected....:splitspin I also recieved another bulb today for testing. A single ended Phoenix 14k 250w. I heard many positive things about their 14k de bulb and wanted to try this one as well. Once again the testing was done with a Vertex electronic ballast and lumenbright large reflectors.



The par was 607 at 12" below surface +/- 2 inches....The season for the +/- 2" was I had to hold the probe in the water and take the pic as well...:splitspin...no assistant today. This par was on point with the radium bulb and to my surprise was the bluest bulb out of the bunch( radium250w & reeflux20k).

It was very hard to tell the differences between the three. My friend Matt suggested I use a laminated peice of white paper and place it under water to see the subtle changes in blue and well it definitely worked(thanks Matt).



The left side is the Phoenix 14k & the right is the reeflux 20k. These pictures makes the differences obvious.



The last thing on todays list was to set up my calium reactor. I am using the MTC pro-cal unit and used it on my prior tank with very nice results. It should be able to keep up with the demand.