i'm down with everyone putting a ton of money into a pot for us to race for =)

There could be a bonus arm-wrestle or thumb-war at the end?

Tony we should start ETA. That's Empty Tank Anonymous.

"Old Hag" as in "old hag syndrome" Tony?

Watch with the way karma's been kicking my ass lately both of your tanks will never see an issue once their done...mine will become a hair algae/cyano algea forrest

I could be part of the ETA group!! I just reread this whole thread (I'm horrible for not following build threads), and I laughed when I came across my comment on page one saying I couldn't picture what you're talking about. I was like, uh what was I talking about??? :lol:

Haha, if the ETA group started earlier i probably would have joined.

sadly, im coming into quite a bit of money so it shud be up soon.


almost 1.5 years planning and setting up my 29 gall. wooo!

You should be banned for such comments :D

hahaha,i just re-read that and i was like, why the heck am i saying sadly???

(sorry for hi-jackin your thread a bit delphin)

No banning, you should be forced to spread the cash around to everyone so we can all benefit! Then you can be banned! :mrgreen:

And just so this stays on track. What can we help you with Tony? Better yet starting next week Kevin will be but two blocks from your house working, so I'm going to have him drop off that plastic mesh if you still want it.

He should be banned for THIS comment LOL I think I've spilled more RO/DI water than 29g in a year LOL

ROFL that is pretty funny. I could have a 29g set up in like 30 minutes start to finish, and thats with a limited budget too :biggrin:

1.5 years man, what have you been doing? :razz:

Lol, having the budget of a 12-14 year old makes it hard. (specialy with 4 other FW tanks to maintain)
plus i had zero saltwater equiptment from other tanks so i had to set up an RO system, get salt mixing stations set up, ect ect.

but my job at elite aquatics has helped a ton

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY TONY'S TANK







hijack over

I'm one of the worst offenders for hijacks, so it's all good. :)

Hopefully when life settles down a bit for me I can get this project off the backburner again. It's not like there's been NO progress of late, just not of enough significance to post about.

If I hadn't have had 3 other SW tanks and a FW planted tank on the go this would probaby have been done years ago. Maybe. I've also been fighting off hobby burnout off and on during this time .. so sometimes the focus just gets left to "just keep what I have already going". Or it comes down to I need to save up pennies for the next purchase or whatever.. stuff like that.

your are just lazy man, get rid if the other tank and that SO Called Fresh something and get that tank going. come on Tony...:smile:

good thing you are not working for the goverment we would never get anything done.......:mrgreen:

Wow, Tony, you weren't kidding when you said your build thread was a little behind :-) I thought maybe I'd inspire you a little by resurrecting your thread. Or I'll just end up ****ing you off by reminding you of the dauntingly massive task ahead..

I have to admit, I feel a little guilty now that I can hit you up at work for work and reef related questions. :redface: I will be sure to try and queue up all of my questions and ask them all at once.

"So, Tony, my protocol is having issues polling, and my blue tang has ich, what do I do?" :lol:

:rofl: Oh my. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. :lol: / :cry:

I need a couple days off then I might be able to make some headway. In the last couple weeks I've been trying to located a local supplier for Thorite so I can do some creative aquascaping but haven't been able to find anything as yet (not that I've had an awful lot of time to faithfully pursue the search though). Stuff just keeps piling up!

tony i wouldnt worry about the thorite just use zap straps and pvc

marco rocks has threaded nylon nuts and bolts I might try.

I totally went into this thinking I would do the rod thing as well .. I went as far as buying acrylic rods. In the end I just don't want to bother drilling the rocks. I have a hard enough time getting rocks to fit together "just so" anyhow, so I figure I'm further ahead to just do it once and then cement the pieces together rather than try to find the right angle to drill and then wiggle the rock onto the rod and etc. etc.

I did find a different product - forget the name now but I can check it later and post back if it works out - like Thorite it is a "polymer based patching compound" so theoretically it should also be tank safe. However I'm going to test it first, I'll put a bunch together and let it sit in water overnight and see if the pH changes at all.

Then again, some people just use regular old cement .. Since it's a small amount comparitively the pH spike might be minimal and since the tank sits empty anyhow at first to cycle maybe it's a non issue..

and some just stack there rock so it won't fall over :mrgreen:

Steve

I dunno. I think you have more possibilities if you can reinforce it. Plus, stuff just happens that you can't plan for. Like right now in my 115g, I have a 4-5lb rock on top with a clam glued to it that is constantly being jostled. I have no idea who's responsible for shifting it around like that, but every few days I'll find it in a slightly different orientation.

Seen a couple tanks that mortared the rock structures and I thought they looked good. But .. well, we'll see, I don't have much of a knack for aesthetic rock placement so maybe it will just look like butt in the end anyhow.

I was thinking about building pillars for mine and reinforcing with great stuff covered in epoxy and sand.

Sanjay used Thorite and I've gotta say it looks pretty sweet. He has a thread on reefcentral about how he did his rock work but I don't have the link.

Here's the youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psoP8...om=PL&index=22

Ah, found the thread for you. It explains the use of Thorite ect.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&pagenumber=66

Got to page 69 for the full tank pics.

... Having a complete beehive of a time trying to locate Thorite. The product name of Thorite seems to refer to 2 or 3 different but similar products. The best I'm able to do so far is locate three buckets of "Thorite 400" in Edmonton. It turns out that the product name itself from BASF is discontinued and replaced with a new product line "Emaco" but it is unclear to me whether it is just the name itself that has changed or whether the composition as well has changed, rendering the "I know it's safe to use based on blind faith" aspect completely null and voided. Reading up at RC has been completely futile as there's only casual passing references to various differnet products ranging from "it's completely safe" to "I can't find this stuff where can I find it" (to which there are responses like "use THIS stuff instead, it's sort of safe" or "Just use acrylic rods, I'm so helpful I rule!!"). Anyhow I am now trying to check whether Emaco GP is any easier to locate, or perhaps Emaco S110. Apparently these are the closest things to what Thorite USED to be, but it's still unclear to me whether "GP" and "S110" refer to the same product. To confuse matters, the same product may have different names whether inside or outside the U.S.

Soooo ... this is starting to feel like a complete wildgoose chase and/or fiasco and I'm about ready to say "This isn't worth it." But I'll spend a few more hours on this and see where it takes me, if I get anywhere I'll post some findings since it seemed there were a couple others who were interested in finding Thorite.

Have you seem Khaosinc's thread on RC?(if you havnt I highly recommend reading it...by far one of the most entertaining threads Ive ever read) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1650383 He used spray foam to bond his structures together....I never really looked into it, as far as how many others have used it, is it reef safe etc...might be worth checking out.

:eek: Wow... That's a sweet build!

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My brother in Calgary has used spray foam twice in his 90 gallon tank. He claims that it dries inert but still manages to break down over time. If you apply it too quickly or thickly, it will likely warp once the water is in the tank. It is also not immune to breakage, scrapage, gouging etc. Which looks a bit unsightly. He always used the "Mono" type foams that come in a can. There may be other types of foam out there that will stand up better in an aquarium.

In my experience as an insulator for a while, I should tell you though that no foam dries completely inert. At least, not when used as it was intended. They ALL off gas over time, and some more than others. There are open cell foams and closed cell foams, sugar based, and poly based. I for one, wouldn't trust any of them in my tank.

Just my 2 cents about the foam thing....back to you Tony!:wink:

Wow shouldn't have clicked that RC link. There went an hour of time I needed for some work!

As for this whole thorite thing...all you need to do is check out the bonsai inspired thread on RC to know that rods are a great alternative.

Thanks, but .. I'm not really interested in drilling rocks and nor really interested in foam. Sorry, just one of those things. I have a vision, and if it takes me longer to stay to that vision so be it. It's not like I have any shame left with the timing on this, so what's a little longer.

That link is crazy. I skipped forward a few pages and see pictures of his open heart surgery and I was all .. Ok I missed something there. For a minute there too I thought all the little electrical things next to his bed were part of his sump room or something. :lol:

Well, seeing lastlight and Parker update their threads I thought I'd give this thread a little resurrection to make it a gang of 3. Christy's not gonna believe what she missed on whilst sipping Juan's margarita's.

Last night I installed an electrical outlet box on one of my walls! Well, it's just the box part, no wires yet. But it's *totally* bolted onto the aluminum C-channel the outside basement walls are framed up with. And I didn't quite put the vapour barrier back.

I know, it sounds like, not a lot. But the prep work that had to go into it was insane. For one, the spot where I'm starting is adjacent to where I had my old 75g standing and the aluminum studs were seriously rusty (aluminum rusts? who knew!) So I had to rebuild part of that wall. I came out of that experience with a newly found profound hatred of metal studs for walls.

And Ok, I lied. I have done more than this since June. But it's hardly measurable stuff. Like, I put 4 circuits into the tank room. This was a logistical nightmare that went beyond the usual amount of work for such a task because the wall where the outlets are, is framed crooked but it's a load bearing wall AND it's finished on the other side AND it's a stairwell so knocking it down and starting over wasn't an option, but trying to fix it as I go along is laborious. AND I only work on things on this project after 11pm at night, so it tends to go slow. Oh and AND I might kind of had to do it over a few times because I wasn't happy with the results. It also included decommissioning the old 2 circuits that ran the 75g and 110g tanks (which are still running) because they were never inspected and only meant as temporary anyhow. I think I spent 40 hours in total getting the circuits done up in 2-3 hour chunks at a time.

I also had an opportunity to pick up a golden dwarf eel, who now resides in my 110g cube. At first I wasn't concerned about him getting out. Then I decided that too often have I tempted fate in the past and gotten burned that it was just too risky to leave the tank open-top indefinitely, and even though the tank's days are numbered, it's still long enough that a curious eel who wants to get out, has enough time to try. So I built a canopy for that tank using pine 1x8's and a piano hinge and about 20 screws. My DIY skillz are the shizzle marblez! Eat your heart out Mr. Professional Cabinet Builder Fishytime, you're gonna cry with a jealous rage when you see this work of art. You may also decide that my creative use of tuck tape to hold the canopy down onto the tank is something you wish to incorporate into your own designs. It's ok, I didn't apply for a patent so no need to pay me royalties as yet.

Pictures to follow. Sometime soon. When I find my home computer and a camera to use and stuff like that.

Wow this night is already off the hook! Babysteps Tony! I also do all my work when everyone sleeps. Spent 3 nights now breaking my back trying to route cables in my crowded stand. Looking forward to some pics ;)

Tagging along...........patiently

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I was going to ask for an update back in like August, but I knew you'd get around to it when you were ready.:wink: Looking forward to the new pics.

So, here is the end product of the aforementioned 40 hours. I should mention that apart from redoing this several times, and even stepping down my original plans what I wanted (I wanted to do 6 circuits or 4 circuits of 20amps but gave up on that), I also ripped my tendon in my left thumb stripping some of the wires, swore, sweated, bled at times, and probably swore enough to scare a trucker. I'm not making any of this up, so, um .. I guess what I'm saying is please be kind when you critique the work. :lol:

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/a/d/..._p10100020.jpg

And, uh ... hmmm Ok apparently I haven't taken a picture of it with the drywall cover on it (it's just temporary, it will have to come off when the inspector comes). It, uh, looks way better with drywall and actual covers. So just imagine it looking better for now. I'll take a picture of it, uh, maybe tomorrow.

When I took down the old two "temporary" circuits I found one of the GFCI's like this. Yikes. I'm relieved those plugs are now history.

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/a/d/..._pa0301840.jpg

Here is my beautiful canopy for the 110g cube. I know, it's so beautiful you can't help but cry a little bit. Trust me, I know. I'm just gonna sit back and wait for the accolades to pour in now. Any moment now, I'm sure.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...P1010005-1.jpg

Can you see the eel? I'm impressed, for a random shot you can see the eel, the dottyback, the rabbit, the tang (of course), the male bellus, and a chromis. Mind you, I'm gonna guess you might have to squint a bit since the tank part of the photo is so overexposed. Oopsadoodle. :redface: Hiding in this shot are the female bellus, the potter's, the blenny and the smaller chromis.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...P1010006-2.jpg

Yeah, I wasn't really going for form over function. If I had put more than 20 minutes into it, I might have made it sit outside the perimeter. I just measured the outside dimensions, built the box and taped it down so no little eel could push his little head under it and still crawl out. The front panel I sliced with a table saw, put in the piano hinge and put the clips on the sides to hold it closed. Hopefully this will keep jumpers and crawlers in where they're supposed to be.

And I guess that's sort of it for "stuff I've built" for now. But, hey, since others folks have been know to post livestock pictures in build threads before the tanks are actually running, so, I might as well do it too, since I have kinda nowhere else to post the next bunch of pics. Here is just as good as any other place. :)

Golden dwarf eel poking his head out of some GSP..

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...P1010001-2.jpg

Ember blenny from Carmen..
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...P1010002-2.jpg

This was one of those 1/4" (yes, 1/4") RBTA's from Red Coral back in February. The story cracks me up: Kevin told his supplier "Please don't send huuuuge ones like the last ones you sent" and they sent these wee-little-tiny things smaller than your average majano. :lol: I was honestly afraid it wouldn't last longer than 2-3 days before disappearing forever, but it's held on. It's still pretty small but as you can see it's bigger than 1/4". I think it's really pretty with the spotting or starburst pattern or whatever that sparkle-glowy stuff ought to be called..
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...P1010001-1.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...P1010002-1.jpg

Thanks for looking. :)

I so have to get me one of those ember blennies man. Yours seemed like a sly little guy peeking at me from down in the rocks.

And for a 20 minute canopy that IS pretty kickbutt. You even have a locking latch on the front come on!

Have you done anything with the sump yet?

That's scary.. I've added checking out the plugs to my things to check on every once in awhile list

I think the wiring was a my least favorite part. I had to run circuits through finished basement walls.. What a pain to try and not pierce the vapor barrier.

My second mistake was placing my sump right up to the cabinet on the left. My electrical cabinet is the left hand cabinet so now if I want to run a plug into it I have to reach over and behind the sump to try and dangle the cord in front of the access hole at the back of the electrical cabinet.

Looks good Tony!

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Way to go Tony. I'm still using power bars so your electrical is far better than mine. Beautiful eel too.

Tony, Brett and Robb all showing progress on their respective tank build: The world's coming to an end, I just know it. I'm rushing out of the house right now to cross a few things off my Life-To-Do-List. Tonight is sky diving and buying a couple of hours from the Russian hooker triplets.

While you're out I'm gonna help myself to a few heaters and salt if you don't mind.

Does that cost triple the single price or is there some kind of group rate?