I love the shadowbox idea. Did you try industrial paints and plastics for the acrylic sheets? they usually have a ton of varieties.

Tank Modification:

So I decided to do a few modifications to the tank before move-in day. I didn't want standpipes in the display area of my tank so I have decided I will put bulkheads in and close them up with a threaded plug.
I found a 1.75" diamond coated hole saw at KMS tools, pulled out the ol' drill press and (nervously) drilled two holes for returns in the top corners of the back pane. It actually went very smoothly and I believe this will allow for me to achieve the aesthetics I am aiming for.


The Move:

The move went well but lifting this tank up 4 floors with only my father's help was nothing to be desired.. Regardless the tank is on the stand and in it's final resting spot. :mrgreen:


The 90 is still up and running at the old place and I will be transferring over livestock and equipment slowly when the tank is ready.. No rush, which helps. I have a bunch of things ordered to progress the build in the upcoming weeks, including: the sump, plumbing, ATO reservoir, dosing chambers, etc. So stay tuned.

Looks good dude, now get the pots & pans unpack & make supper :lol:

skip supper, drink beer instead.

Wow, 4 flights of stairs with that beast?! That's quite a Herculean effort! Tank looks hot tho! :-)

Hahaha I did both.:lol:

Yeah it wasn't too fun. Karma for making Steve and my buddy carry it out of Steve's basement when I bought it because my 'hands were too sweaty' from the drive to Calgary. Sorry about that Steve!

Quick iPhone vid of my Nahackyi wrasse and juvie Desjardinii Sailfin in Quarantine. Sorry about having to turn your head sideways.

My sump is here!!! Pics later! :mrgreen:

CATASTROPHE.
 

Well after making tons of progress and headway, I overtightened the bulkheads inside the overflow and the bottom pane of the tank cracked! Who knew plastic could compress glass enough to crack!
At first it looked fixable as the crack started from the holes and extended to the corners of the overflow but as I loosened off the second bulkhead, 'POP!!'. The crack extended the width of the tank. To make matters worse the tank was full of about 80 gallons of water panic ensued to get the tank drained before it busted completely.
Tank was basically completely plumbed when this happened so I will have to see what I can manage to save and reuse.. and worst of all is I have to be up for work in 4hrs! JOY!

BAD day to say the least!

If there is any positive to this it is that I get to start designing a nice new custom made baby now. External overflow? I think so!

Okay maybe not, we will see! I'm entertaining ideas...

Wow that's too bad Wayne, I'm not sure how you did it but crappy deal non the less. Replacing the bottom pane would be a fairly easy job, another option to consider.

Oh Lordy! Definitely not a good way to start a Friday. At least you got it emptied before it completely broke (I assume anyways).

ouch.. that's brutal! Ya, better it happened now than later with a tank full of salt water, rocks, fish and corals..

Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.

Ya I guess I didnt really consider that option! Do you just get the glass from an aquarium builder, such as Dave at Concept?

Ya got pretty lucky! 80 gallonsish of water on the floor of a 4th story apartment would have been real bad news..

Lol, thanks Kien!

Many places to get glass, aquarium builders is definitely one of them provided they are willing. Dave is probably a good option although I obviously can't speak for him but he's helped me out with some loose glass here and there. Might be someone in Edmonton as well, best to ask around.

Just looking at the latest pics, did you have foam under the tank or just wood?

We will see what I want to do!
Yeah i added 1/2" foam just before I started filling the tank with water.. I dont really get it either lol

Check with Neal at NWGP for the glass he will hook you up.

Yeah i've dealt with Neal before.. still think im leaning towards a new tank haha!

A little late but, Bulkheads should be hand tightened. Sorry to hear about your bad luck I guess you know now. It could be worse and that water could find the fastest possible way into the parking garage and if you don't have condo insurance yet... Yikes......

Yeah I've figured that out now haha! I made sure I got my insurance before the tank got wet, this just shows its worth it!!

Shyte that is a crappy deal!! If I was in Edmonton I could strip that tank down and replace the glass in a few hrs for ya, i have perfected a technique :wink:

Don't feel bad Wayne I have crack glass from tightening a bulkhead by hand before as well.

You should come grab it then! $200 bucks to haul it away and make it brand new again. Small scuff on the right pane and some scratches on the front pane (and of course the cracked bottom) but you could have er fixed up in no time :mrgreen:

I remember a thread in here a while ago about aquarium insurance for water damage. I'm insured through Intact and when I asked my broker about it, she said she's never heard of this. Just wondering who your insurance company is.

Im insured by TD Molleche Monnex

Well new tank has been ordered and should be here within a few weeks.. Crossing my fingers. If anyone wants the old one with the cracked bottom for cheap, PM me.
While we wait for the tank to get here I thought I would keep the thread alive with some new equipment photos.


Brand new from our friends at Aqua Digital, the CSC-250 protein skimmer. She is a thing of beauty.

SICCE PSK1200 (0.454A/23W)
Air intake: 840 l/h
Dimension: L 233 x W 233 x H 555mm
Cone base diameter (mm): 200
Tank Volume Rating: 250+ Gallon

Following this build, full of great ideas so far!! I will have to use for my future builds!

Glad to have sparked your interest. Enjoy!

sucky about the tank bro, but glad to hear you're not throwing in the towel just yet :-) And man, that's a handsome skimmer!

I couldn't throw in the towel, too much money has gone towards this already.. whats a little more? haha :lol:

Yup, I hear ya man. Had a buddy once that got so fed up with his build that he just packed it in before even getting water into the tank. He was so frustrated. I'm kinda of the same mind set as you though.. so much hard earned time and money poured into this tank that it is going to keep running come hell or high water (or low water too actually). :lol:

Im friggen addicted. Going without one is just not an option! I think im actually most addicted to the build process haha.:mrgreen:

Reefing is fairly cool but builds are exhilarating :mrgreen:

Yours is looking great so far just keep opening your wallet lol.

I'd have to agree with you! :razz:

My wallet is starting to tear from the constant opening.. :mrgreen: If all goes well now I shouldn't have to open it up much more equipment wise. Just stocking with fish and sticks!

I broke. Didn't think I was going to buy a different return pump but what the hell, might as well go all out.

ReefOctopus Water Blaster HY-5000

The New Tank
 

These are a few renderings of what I am having built. Very similar to what I had before, only the return is through the overflow and not the back wall & the overflow is off of center. Oh, and it will be eurobraced.

Looks great so far!

I have been a very impatient boy waiting for the new tank to get here..

A few updates of things of done while waiting..

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1567.jpg
Here is the set up as it sits.. everything ready to go!

Put up the light fixture last night. I am going with a 6x 54W ATI Powermodule because in my opinion, the most gorgeous tanks are run with T5s. So I am going to try them out!

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC_4161.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1583.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1584.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1586.jpg

Hoping to move things along quickly after the tank arrives. So until then!...