265 gallon setup
 

here is a couple pictures of my new 265 gallon tank on the stand, it is a little difficult to see where it ends but the cardboard on top is the cap and goes the whole length, there is another tank up against it at the end, sorry for the bad picture. the dimensions are 84"L X 24"W X 30"D. and the other pic is of the 5 chamber reactor, its also not a great photo but there will be better ones later. this reactor is amazing, it does it all and then some. definitely worth looking into for you to upgrade or to even start with a calcium reactor. i've got everything from hidden reef and they have been amazing, mike nikki and mark have spent countless hours answering my questions and bending over backwards to help me out. the tank should be plumbed in the next week, hopefully earlier (huh hmmm mike?) just kidding. i'm using a 70 gallon sump underneath with a dart for a return and a barracuda for the closed loop, i'm thinking this is still insufficient flow in the tank but we'll see how it turns out. skimmer is still in the air as to what to use but mike is looking into some options. some of you may have followed my other post of starting a 125 but i upgraded from that before it was done, figured it was easier to do now rather than later. for additional flow i'm thinking possibly 2 tunzes with controller or wavy seas with controller. i'm leaning towards tunzes but hope you guys can give some input here

today i bought my equipment for my saltwater mixing. i 33gallon garbage can, GX 6000 pump to push the new water up to my sump on the main floor. i also installed my RO/DI unit and started flushing the system, i'm still waiting to get the fittings for it to do a final install. i installed the plumbing in the wall and through my cold air duct of the furnace to the main floor and installed 2 cable mounting plates and drilled the holes out to fit the RO line and the new salt water line. a neater install will be done in the basement once i get the remainging fittings for the RO. let me know what you think, and if someone would let me know how to make the pictures bigger on the post that would be awesome

this is the wall outlets where the lines will come through

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/dat...s/100_0511.jpg

this is the plumbing in the floor joists going in to the cold air duct
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/dat...s/100_0512.jpg
here is the mixing bucket roughed in

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/dat...s/100_0513.jpg

here is the RO/DI installed and roughed in just flushing out

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/dat...s/100_0514.jpg

Have you got a webspace somewhere that you can host the pictures on? Like shaw webspace? If you put the pictures somewhere like that, you can have them a lot bigger.

no i dont but thanks anyway

You can sign up to host your pictures on photobucket - it's free and even I can do it most of the time.
What skimmer is that in the 2nd picture?

Looks Great Colin So have you decided on a skimmer. How bout that massive H&S. :)

J

ruth thats not actually a skimmer it is a 5 chamber reactor, it is a calcium reactor plus what ever other media you want to run its an amazing setup, the picture didnt turn out well but when i get it setup and filled and i'll post more with more details, hidden reef is selling them right now.

jason - i'm still undecided, i may take on a new skimmer not on the market yet, but i'll let you guys know as soon as i get one.

Those are pretty sweet dimensions on your tank. However, 30" would be a little too tall for me (curse these stubby arms :lol: ). It is nice to have a giant viewing pane though.

Have fun with the project.

i'm thinking the same thing with the height, i'm going to have to invest in a 3 step stool or something. anyone know a link on ways of doing pvc structure, i'm thinking of doing alot of archways and overhangs so i'm thinking pvc would be strongest

Well I'll be snookered - it looked like a big H&S or something. I'll have to do some more research on that baby.
Here is my latest toy - just waiting for the rest of the PVC needed to plumb the outflow then I will fire it up - the thing I really don't like about buying European products is that you cannot find any fittings that will fit if you happen to break one or want to modify.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...h/IMG_3757.jpg

Well I'll be snookered - it looked like a big H&S or something. I'll have to do some more research on that baby.
Here is my latest toy - just waiting for the rest of the PVC needed to plumb the outflow then I will fire it up - the thing I really don't like about buying European products is that you cannot find any fittings that will fit if you happen to break one or want to modify.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...h/IMG_3757.jpg

thanks pretty cool ruth. i know what you mean about the european products, the reactor i got is european so finding info on it right now is really difficult. the skimmer i'm looking at is european as well and again there is no info on paper right now to research it other than word of mouth and seeing the unit

i know the tang police will probably freak out on me but this is why i am asking to get peoples input. i have a list of tangs i'm really looking at getting for this 265 and i'm wondering if the stocking is too many or if they will get along together in the system. remember i'm not planning on doing the typical wall of rock but doing a lot of archways and hiding spots. the ones i'm thinking of are

regal
blonde naso hopefully a male
powder blue
purple
achilles

any input would be good currently i have not had tangs because i felt a 55gallon was too small for them but they have always been fish i have wanted. additionally i'm thinking of getting a moorish idol. does anyone have good links to people experiences with them. i know they are one of the hardest to keep but i wanted to research they hell out of them before i make a final decision.

Colin, I am by no means an expert on Tangs but I am sure that Naesco (sp) will chime in.
I have a Yellow and a Hippo in my 230g and they get along just fine but they are from different families and have a different colour and body shape. I think if you stay away from tangs from the same family you are usually OK.
That said I do know that purple tangs can be very aggressive so you may want to add that one last. Achilles are my all time favorite tang but I don't have a system that I could add it to as my Yellow tang is a real SOB and attacks anything even remotely similar in colour and body shape. I found out the hard way when I tried to introduce a Moorish Idol to this tank. I ended up moving it to my 190g and he is still doing great. Achilles are also the most prone to getting ich so quarentine is a must.
There is a thread on RC about Moorish Idols but I haven't read it for a while - lots of good information though the last time I did look at it.
Emily B (Deb) just lost her Moorish Idol yesterday and it had been kept in captivity for about 4 years which is a really long time for this particular fish - they have a very poor track record. Mine is about a year in my tank, although I did loose one to the SOB yellow tang before I got this one. Also as a note I did not order either of these fish - they came in with a shipment to one of the LFS in Vancouver and they asked me if I would try them given I have fairly healthy large systems.
Don't know if that helps any.
What kind of a skimmer are you looking at?

thanks for the info ruth. as far as the skimmer goes i'm not sure the name, its from proline aquatics and they are bringing it in for me this week i believe. when i get info and pics i'll post. i'll try on rc for that moorish idol post.

a quick update, there has been a few little equipment changes but i'll update that later, i have the stand in place and sump and equipment installed but just have to install plumbing to tank. the tank is in the garage because the 'movers' if you want to call them that could not lift off the ground. really really long story and i'm still to P.O'd to get into it right now, i promise i will vent about it later. anyway i cleaned out the tank wiped all the equipment down. and some quick pictures to show you a bit of whats going on
sump looking right
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0591.jpg

sump looking left
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0592.jpg

equipment in stand
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0590.jpg

sump in stand, on the rh side on the wall you can see where the RO line and water change line will come through the wall
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0587.jpg

calcium reactor
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0584.jpg

barracuda c/L pump and dart return
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0585.jpg

SWEET Colin it's lookin really good

thanks, we've been buying stuff for the past 3 months i think it is. its exciting to finally see something for the money. i think it'll pay off in the end. i'll post more pics when the tank is on and the plumbing hooked up. wait til you see the job marc did with the plumbing. its nothing short of amazing.

so i thought i would fill you in on exactly what happened yesterday. i thought i would phone to see how much it would be to have movers move the tank. so this guy says it would be $130, well of course i agreed. i told it him the tank alone is approximately 600 + lbs. he says him and the other guy have lifted alot more. so they get to the store and cant budge the tank and want me and mike to help him. i said what are you going to do at my house because of the stairs. so then he says that he has to have 2 more guys and its going to cost more. so after a bit i pay and he brings 2 more guys. so they get the stand and tank on the truck. we get home and the 4 of them are dying just trying to get the stand in the house. i've never seen movers like this. but they finally get it situated after damaging my banister. they have the tank on 2 4 wheeler dollies. they roll it down the ramp and get the tank caught on the ramp by the tanks 2 end corners. it rips the plastic trim off and chips the glass, i dont think the integrity of the tank is damaged but mike is going to come have a look. stupid idiots anyways they then roll the tank to the door way and get the tank of the doorstep but now they cant lift the tank up to a standing position, 2 of the guys are over 50 and in bad shape and they pop their backs out trying to lift it. they decide they cant do it but now they cant lift it over the door step to get it back out, finally they did but now the 'owner' says that he needs 2 more guys and it will be more money, i told him to stuff it 'you know where' and that he would be paying for it. so we roll the tank into the garage and put it on blankets. i never paid him any money and told him he would get it when the job is done. but i'm hoping to get some big guys together to move this upstairs without the guy so that i can tell him to stuff it again and not have to worry about him. mike from hidden reef said he is going to round some guys up and see if they can help out. the owner claims that he cant find 2 more guys to help out that i will have to find them but i said why would i pay you if i have to help with my friends. he just doesnt want to have to pay these guys out of his pocket. now i'm all worked up again. sorry about the big rant but thought you may be interested in this story

Holly Crap. When are you going to try again?

Mission isn't very close to me but let me know when Mike gets the guys together I'll try to make it out to help

J

hey thanks jason, i'm not sure when i have to talk to mike and see whats going on. but thanks for the offer i'll let mike know

That bites Colin - I don't blame you for being upset. When I moved my 230g into my house I rounded up my son (20) and 3 of his biggest buddies. I then talked to a couple of glass shops and they lent me the suction cups they use to move big pieces of glass. I actually had the tank in my horse trailer as that is how I transported it to Fort St. John from Edmonton. I tell you these guys were good. They picked that tank up - groaned a bit - but moved it in slick as a whistle. I, of course, supervised (I only weigh 110lbs so wouldn't have been much help with the lifting). If you can try to rent or borrow some of those big suction cups - they are wonderful for these kind of moves. Oh and get big young guys 'cause they all want to show each other who is the toughest and stongest etc. etc.

good idea with the suction cups, i'll have to see if i can get some. did you put your 230 upstairs or down?

I don't have a downstairs in my house so main floor. The tank had to come out of the trailer - up a couple of stairs to the deck - around the deck and through the front door - hard left turn then into the living room.

wow sounds like fun. my worry is there is 13 stairs it has to go up. access to them is ok but its just a long way up

stairs
 

colin
if this helps any, when I moved my 300g cube tank, i custom built a wooden sleigh out of 2x6, 2x4 and plywood to the exact footprint of the tank.
The bottom is plywood with smooth carpet stapled onto the plywood. When the tank is placed on the sleigh, I used some 2x6 to brace the sides and ends so it can't slide off. Then i used a couple 50' thick ropes and i had about 8 people to help push the bottom and pull the rope up the stairs. The same concept was used for bringing it down the stairs. The carpet was placed on the plywood to minimize damage to the flooring.
let me know if you want more info. PM me and i"ll give you my number

No need to apologize. That does bite. Thanx for sharing. I am interested. Have a move pending. Looks like it'll be December. Biggest tank I have is a 180g which will require 4 people. Gonna go the friends/CanReefers route first but if that doesn't work out, movers it'll be. Good to know what to watch out for.

Thanx for the tip Ruth. (Edit: That'd be a good one for the "Tips and Tricks" thread).

Cheers:smile:,

sounds like a really good idea chin, thanks. do you have any pictures of it. the 2X6 and 2X4 were just used for the sides is that right and the sleigh was just plywood?

Hey Jason,

If you don't mind an extra body in your car if you go, I would be glad to lead a hand.
Allways happy to get my hands on someones elses tank. :wink:

Dan

thanks for the offer dan. thats awesome. i'll be sure there is wobbly pops and pizza in abundance

no pics
 

Niloc
sorry no pics but i drafted the following image to help you visualize it. Its in four steps cuz I can't draw 3d.
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/dat...Sleigh_jpg.bmp
1) The first top left pic is the plywood slab for the most narrow footprint of your tank (my tank was a 48x48x30 cube so the most narrow footprint was putting it on its side for a 30"x48" footprint)

2) top right - I added three 2x6 across (screw down with many screws)
3) bottom left - I added two 2x6 lengthwise (screw down with many screws)
4) bottom right - I put two 50' ropes through the opening you will have from the different layers of 2x6 wood and once the tank is on, screwed some pieces of 2x6's along the back and sides to keep it in place. Just the weight alone should keep the tank on the sleigh but you can use some straps to hold it down too.

hope that helps.

wow thats awesome. i went and got some supplies tonight to start it before i seen you picture but ill have to get some more. i bought a 3/4" melamine board for the base it has industrial strenght mdf in between and the melamine is super slippery so i'm thinking it will help with sliding. thanks alot for the input chin, thats awesome i feel a little more positive about bringing this beast up now. those are really cool dimensions you have as well.

Similar experience
 

I am glad not to be in your shoes. I have a custom 250 gal glass tank which took a year to build. It was at least 800 lb. It took my contractor and 5 guys to carry it into my house. They chipped the corner on the brick carrying it up the front steps. Thank God it didn't break the tank and the chip is on the back and not visible. They could hardly lift it onto the stand. I don't think they could have carried it up a flight of stairs.

Good luck with the move
Shane

I working in Abby next week except wed and could help if it's after work on one of thoes days.

Using that sled & with enough guys, Chin's tank wasn't nearly as nasty to get down a narrow flight of stairs as it could have been.

Anthony

thanks bill i'll let you know, i appreciate it. i'm going to build the sled tomorrow and post some pics

well i built the skid today with the help of chin's drawing, thanks again chin, i modded it a little, i'm going to add 1/2" round to the front and back ends of the skid so that it wont catch the carpet and stairs and hopefully roll up if it does get stuck. i also bought 3 100ft ropes for pulling the skid up and 2 tie downs for attaching the tank to the skid. i also got this awesome set of lighting from home depot today to light up the inside of the stand for working. it is 3 20w halogens, they are only roughed in right now so that there is light to work in there to do plumbing. once i get my profilux controller i will really clean up all the wiring for all equipment. i've got the supplies for doing the wiring just a matter of assembling the tank. heres some pics
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/100_0598.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...100_0597-1.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...100_0596-1.jpg

Something you might want to consider, those studs are meant for vertical support not horizontal.Wider might be better as well. Just a thought.

good point, what if i did another 2x4 on each side? would that be strong enough?

additional support
 

Colin looks good and looks...... familiar :)
Suggestion: Since your tank's longer than mine, I would put in additional cross planks (two 2x6s) in between whats there now. I would do this because you are using melamine base which is really just particle board. Any concentration of heavy weight in between those cross planks will cause the melamine to flex (this may occur when going up or down stairs). The main concern is that the flexing will cause the melamine to crumble around where the screws are located causing the melamine to break away from the 2x6 platform - not so bad if you are on flat ground but could be pretty inconvenient if halfway up the stairs.
Then I would do what you asked about putting a 2x4 on the sides but I would go with 2x6 and make sure you put a couple of 2.5" - 3" screws on each of the ends of the cross planks and every 6 inches along the long planks. The 2x6 will also serve to brace the sides of the tank from sliding.
That should make the sleigh pretty strong and reinforce the horizontal support.
Good luck.