Es355lucille & KissMyWrasse 365g Tank Journal
 

Scope of Work
To build an oasis where we can relax, drink a beer with friends and family, at the same time view a coral reef including fish. We decided to renovate the basement at the same time and build the aquarium into the wall. We decided to wait until the basement was completed before we completed the tank....so this has been 10 months in the making.

Aquarium Equipment
Tank 130"L x 24"W x 27"H
Capacity - 365 gallons
Overflow at one end

Sump - in the design stages, I would like to utilize the space under the aquarium for this.
Notes: Inlet/Spare area/refuge c/w lighting/live rock

Skimmer
Bubble King 300 external

Lighting
TBD

Closed Loop
TBD

The furnace room had two furnaces and a large hot water tank. The one furnace was ready for replacement and the hot water tank was a close second. We removed the two furnaces and installed one in the back corner (we call him frankenstein!). The hot water heater is now a demand unit installed on the wall. (right hand wall)

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/P1010581.jpg

This is the new hot water tank and we love it.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/P1010584.jpg

Here is a copy of the schematic for the closed loop system.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u.../bradholes.jpg

Bubble King 300 external....had to clean the gyproc dust off of her today!

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Tank Build
Tank Builder: Concept Aquatics (Thanks Dave!)
3/4" glass, beveled edges, starphire front and side glass, euro bracing.
This tank did not take long to build at all. I was so surprised at how fast a large tank can be put together. Damn! I had a picture of Dave inside this tank cleaning the edges and I have misplaced it!!!
Our floors in Cochrane are never level so I had to do some shimming. Once the construction is completed I will shim it up permanently.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/IMG_0774.jpg

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Ok, I was not very good at taking pictures to document all the changes.....so here we go. We decided the tank would be well accented with: wood and stone. The contractor we used was beyond excellent and he did a great job!
The contractor is "Revision Construction" out of Cochrane. The guys name is Derek Kennedy and he is by far the best contractor we have ever used.

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Here are some shots of the tank from different perspectives.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/IMG_4342.jpg

I don't have a lot of room between the top of the tank to the roof. My initial thoughts were HQI/T5 lighting because I have some. I may have to re-think LED because of the space and heat factor.
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Here is the almost finished product. Lots of freekin gyproc dust still!! Everything needs a good cleaning.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/IMG_4343.jpg

Here is the next phase of the project.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/IMG_4344.jpg

I purchased a slab from Black Forest Wood Products in Calgary and my contractor is going to install this along the front of the tank......OH YA, Bar top baby!!!

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...m/IMG_4345.jpg

LIKE! - I'd be at the bar all the time - Looks Great!

Wow! That tank is spectacular already and it doesn't even have water in it! :eek: :biggrin:

I am glad you stopped posting more pictures, if not I will be sitting here for the whole night.

Thanks Wayner, you will have to come for a beer when its done!

Thanks Christy, we have a ways to go yet.....but we can see the light at the end of the.....uh well..... tank!

LOL....Casey...no kidding, I had pictures all over hell....it took he a couple of hours to pull everything together. I am done!

:thumb::thumb::thumb:
Beautiful tank! I love what you've done so far.

Thanks Lance. It's getting more and more exciting as we get closer to getting water in the tank.

Holy mackerel what a beast! That is some awesome finishing work too. Can't wait to see what goes IN the tank! :)

That is a great looking tank!!! Can't wait to see it when it is finished!

Beautiful job so far, can't wait to see it finished :biggrin:

Are you freaking kidding me? This is gorgeous!! I might "borrow" some ideas here when I do my basement tank.

Holy crap that looks incredible I love it! Your choice of finishes and colors look amazing together.

Amazing project thus far. :cool:

Can't wait to see fish in it.

that tank is sick love the stand and canopy too

I LOVE the bar top! What a cool idea.:biggrin:

This looks great and I can't wait to see it wet.

Wow

hey!!!!:sad:


this is one sweet looking tank Brad.....I spent a good hour trying to figure out a way to sneek it out of your house while you were away:razz:

10'-10" Long...
Thats not a tank, but a lap pool!

Great build!

Very nice!

Not sure if you considered it but you can use an enhancer on that stone to darken it up a little, you can test the effect with water before you commit.

Thanks for the assistance in allowing me access to finish my journal. I am done now. Thanks for the comments!

Quite a bit more work now behind the wall......but I am looking forward to it.

Hi Laurie, thanks!

By all means......Thanks for the nice comments!

Thanks!......I have been thinking about this build for a year now....it took a while to get the combinations together that I wanted.

Me either Doc.....but I want to take my time with the fish room and see if I can get that right. No clue at this point what I am doing completely. Thanks for the comments.

Thanks for the comments guys and gals! I am looking forward to getting the back room together...

Can't say anything that hasn't already been said, but WOW! This is such a beautiful build! congrats on a job well done! Can't wait to see how this progresses!

I have to appologize and make a correction. Doug is the best "Contractor" that we ever hired! And we have a dining room hardwood floor to prove it. Sorry Buddy! Also thanks for the tank sitting! We really appreciate that!

You know Ross.......when you stand at one end and look down into the tank.....thats exactly what I thought when it was first built....Thanks!

Thanks sphelps, I will definatley consider what you are saying. I used that same product on the tile flooring that we did as well. Right now this wall is full of gyproc dust, so I am going to use a stiff brush first and it will brighten up quite a bit.......if not enough I will use the enhancer.

Thanks Coralgurl!

Amazing setup so far. would love to have a pint at that bar!!

As for lights your only choice should be leds. After recently switching I can say this is the future, my tank has never looked better and the whole room doesn't dim when the halides fire up lol.

Thanks subman, we shall! I am always glad to hear the comments regarding LED's....I know everyone has their opinions on favorite brand name.....which brand did you go with?

Thats the plan!!!:biggrin:

Yes thanks again for fishysitting!!! Let's pick a night when we can take you and Laurie out for supper. Also we will let you two know when the BAR IS OPEN!!!!

Sharon

And I am looking forward to getting my KITCHEN BACK!!!!!:twised:

I have radions over my main display and love them. I also have a sol for over my frag tank, but haven't set it up yet so no hope there lol.

Not sure when I'll be in town again but it would be great to go out together and I'd love to stop by and see that beautiful tank in person :biggrin:

Sweet job! Your build and my build on RC share a lot of the same designs and practices. Good to see others thinking the the same drift. I was planning on using the darker cultured stone from the same manufacturer.

Keep up the good work!
Rob

Thanks Rob! I will be checking our your build on the RC.