Simplycoral's 165g Upgrade... RANDOM PICTURES.
 

Well folk's.. The time has finally arrived to upgrade my 90g to a 165g ...

I have put the planned 250g on hold until next year now as my original location for the tank is a little un-level to say the least & would need some serious re-inforcement..

This 165g being the easy option for the time being ...

My tank at the moment is heavily stocked and there is always a need for more room!!

I am hoping this journal in time, will allow me to look back and see how the corals change & grow over time as i have recently (3 months ago) begun the Zeovit system.. I have already seen some excellent results.

I have begun to build the tank stand and will post some pictures shortly. In the mean time here are a few pictures of the Corals that will make their home in the new tank..

Simon..


http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4949.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4950.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4951.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4953.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4957.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4959.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4961.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4962.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4963.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4967.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4968.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4969.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4973.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4974.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4975.jpg

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4979.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4981.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4982.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4984.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4985.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4986.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4991.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4992.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4994.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4997.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4976.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4978.jpg

You have some amazingly colored corals there. What is that very girthy one with the three new branches called?

Your corals are beautiful, can't wait to see the upgrade

Yeah should be good. Jumping on to follow this one!

Wow nice corals! Can't wait to see this one!

AWESOMENESS Simon! K If you need a hand some time soon, give terry, jessie and I a shout. We will bring beer, and umm...beer and motivation! But yah, if you need a hand, give us a shout!:biggrin:

Youve got some really nice stuff there:biggrin:

The coral you asked about Brett is acropora abrotanoides

Thanks Everyone :biggrin:

The Stand is almost complete.. Just a few finishing touches..

As Doug said the coral is Acropora Abrotanoides :biggrin: Came in on the RC pre-order.. Lovely coral and seems to be doing really well.!

Did you get one Doug?

Simon..

A few pictures of the stand..

I was a little worried about building a 6ft unit as i did not want a bulky unit in the dining area. I have hopefully designed it to look slightly more compact by making the actual unit smaller than the top & base :smile:

Not sure if this will work visually.. Fingers Crossed :neutral:

I am using Maple Veneer for the areas that will be seen. I haven't decided on the finish yet though.

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1281.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1282.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1283.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1287.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1290.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1296.jpg

More tomorrow!

Simon

There seems to be some cool stuff to see, but it's really hard to see anything from those "stamp" size images :cry:

Tagging along. Any chance of a full tank shot of your 90 gallon?

No....I had to pass.....no room for big colony size pieces anymore....in fact having a hard time finding room for frags:lol:

Stand looks like its gonna be sweet too

Does this forum support ltd html? I didn't know we could post thumbs that linked to larger images. I think that's a great idea.

Are you building the stand yourself? Whoever is seems to have a pretty nice setup in the shop!

Will post one this evening Dez, How are the new corals doing.:biggrin:

You could try sticking the frags to the glass :lol: often thought about doing it myself! not sure if it would work...

I am building the stand myself; Got called into work today though so am a day behind. Will post a few more updated pictures this evening.

The images are thumbnails.. If you click on them they will enlarge :biggrin:

I thought it would be better to use thumbnails so i could add more pictures without everyone having to scroll through lots of large pictures when people read the journal..

That way you can click on the pictures that interest you..

Regards,

Simon..

A few more pictures of the stand as promised :biggrin:

Still a few finishing touches to be made.. Another door, shelf etc.. Then i have to decide on a finish :neutral: Not sure if to spray it or oil it..

I really like the grain on Maple so may go for the oil.

Simon..

CLICK ON THE THUMBNAILS TO ENLARGE

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1300.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1302.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1303.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1305.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1308.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1310.jpg

I had to promise the wife that i would build a stand this time around :lol:

Incidentally this tank 48x18x24 (90g) un-drilled, the black tubular stand and the 2x250w MH with 4 Actinics & Moonlights will be for- sale shortly.. Looking for just $500 for everything.. So if anyone is interested LMK..

Very well looked after :wink:

Simon.

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP5000.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP5003.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_IMGP4945.jpg

New corals are awesome. Love the colours. Thanks! I'm sure you'll see pictures of them later when they grow:biggrin:

Thanks for the full tank shots. Beautiful tank! Love the birdsnest!

Looking forward to the rest of the build. That stand is looking SEXY!

That stand is incredibly well made I think! The way you've sandwiched the plywood together must make that thing ROCK SOLID. One suggestion (might be too late) would be to use stainless pipe handles rather than knobs. That way you tie into the steel pole on the other side of the stand...bringing it all together. Strictly my opinion. Love what you're done so far.

http://www.made-in-china.com/image/2...ndle-1112-.jpg

How did you skirt the bottom? Is that metal plating?

Thanks Dez. Glad the corals are doing well :smile:

I picked up the pipe handles originally.. but thought they made the unit look a little like a kitchen unit. I wanted to try and make it look like an individual piece of freestanding furniture. Well that was the plan :biggrin:

The metal is Octolux which is brushed stainless steel to match the legs.

Regards, Simon..

Well the stand is finished :biggrin: (other than a coat of oil) and has been transported to my house! Hell of a job getting it into position but we got there...

Red Coral are building the tank which should be ready on Wednesday. Starting to get a little nervous about transfering the corals & fish :neutral: praying that it will all go to plan..

Any tips or advice to ensure a smooth transfer would always be welcome :smile:

Simon

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1311.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1313.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1317.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1318.jpg

Really nice looking stand, I like the three doors - I only have two on mine as I had enough trouble making two doors let alone three!

I was wondering, what kind of oil do you use? Having just built a stand myself the cautious part of me wants to use satin varnish, but the adventurous part likes the idea of oiling it. I've never used oil (other than teak oil) before, does it stand up to water OK and how exactly do you go about applying it?

Rob.

Beautiful job on the stand.....and a natural oil finish will be perfect...maple is not the easiest wood to stain and stain on maple tends to hide the little bit of grain that it has...

In house transfers are not that big o deal IME....just have a few bins/buckets for rock and water and a cooler or two for your fish and corals....spare heaters and power heads will allow you to take your time a little more....

Nice job on the stand.

very impressed on the stand, and i love the side cabinet to be able to store all those things that dont fit in the sump area. very clean. are you staining it or anything like that? now put the tank on top of this bad boy already.

Hi, Thanks!

I will be using 2 coats of Danish Oil and Varathane to protect it from the saltwater :biggrin: I have just finished applying the Oil. Doug (Fishytime) is right; the maple has a very fine grain which would not show very well with most stains. Danish Oil highlights the grain very well and i love the way it brings out the different colours in the maple..

The Oil i apply with a rag & the Varathane with a brush.. The Varathane is a little more work though as you have to rub it down with wire wool between coats. 4 coats in total...

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1327.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1328.jpg http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_DSCF1331.jpg

Thanks :biggrin:

Got the rubbermaid containers ready! Thinking of doing it at night to minimise the stress.. Nervous about the change in conditions as i have lost corals like this in the past :neutral:

Thanks Guy's.. Hoping to get the tank into position on Wednesday :biggrin:

Will take me a little while to get it all plumbed though, before i make the switch!

Looking good Simon!!

Thanks Ross :smile:

Hoping to have more progress this week.. and some new pictures posted by the weekend...

Simon.

Oh Yeah!! The Tank has finally arrived and looks great.. :Banane03::Banane03:

Thanks to Kevin @ Red Coral for the help getting this tank into position :smile: Dam it was heavy!! and fits the stand perfectly..

Now the fun starts...

Simon..

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMGP5082.jpg

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMGP5089.jpg

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMGP5087.jpg

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMGP5086.jpg

Congrats! Thats awesome, now let the games begin! :wink:

looks pretty sweet simon. good job on the stand and that tank is a nice chunck of glass.

That's looking sharp! Is the back tinted glass?

Thanks :biggrin: Not the best plumber in the world though :lol:

Thanks Terry.. Alot heavier than i thought! so i am glad i reinforced the stand.

Thanks. The back has a covering similar to a tint that you would use on a car window. almost like a large piece of electrical tape if that makes sense? :smile:.. The overflow is hidden with black Lexan

oooh, that is one shiny tank Simon, looks like I found another reason to pop by a pay a visit and drink beer haha:lol:

Very nice Simon, Is this one going in the dinning room, where your present tank is? Love the external overflow. No more sump in the basement?

Thanks Josh. Mine's a Grasshopper :lol::lol:

S