So I took the opportunity to do some water tests and at least I can be happy because for once my dKH isn't low! Yay!

Temp: 81.9 (I fear we have another heater disaster pending, I'm watching this)
pH: 8.12
SG: 1.026
ORP: 329
dKH: 7
Nitrate: 0.02 (Elos)
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
Phosphates: 0.11

I figure the phosphates are leaching from the rock and feeding the GHA. I think of the 0.11 number more so as what is leeching out of the rocks, but not being used by the GHA. I was thinking of participating in Red Coral's Rent a Seahare program starting this afternoon. I also found that with some EXTREME force you can blow off the techni-colour algae. It doesn't seem like all is lost anymore.

At least you can find something good in all the tragedy you have had with this tank!

So I got a few quotes today from Bow Valley, were we got the glass for the 180g, for the big tank.

for 13x3x2 = $3K glass only, not low-iron, including holes & eurobrace
for 11x3x2 = $2K glass only, not low-iron, including holes & eurobrace.

We'd need to assemble it obviously, but they would deliver and help us get it into the basement.

Now I just need to make a cardboard or plywood dummy pane for the long side panels to make sure we can get this length of glass into the basement. LIke I mentioned earlier we would probably cover the glass and keep it away while we finalize reno decisions for the basement.

Did you consider the 11ft configuration as 11x4x2? I think that would be a great size, and I'd asumme similar price to the 13ftr. :smile: (just an idea. :wink: )

I think 11ft is small, but it will probably be what we go with if we can't fit the 13ft panes in the house. I like the lucky number 13!

What?????....going bigger....looking forward for that thread.

Trying, but there is a lot of work involved.

Is you big tank going to be all glass or plywood/glass?

The prices above are for all glass. We haven't yet priced out plywood. I think it will come down to a cost vs. time deal. Originally we wanted plywood/fiberglass to help save on the cost of the big tank, but with the option of glass being so affordable, we may not even need to look at fiberglass.

GARF.org will give you the plywood calcs