DKoKoMAN’s 305g Basement Reef

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by davej

Is it possible having the mp40 on the Rubbermaid, that the dry side and wet side were too close together? Did you use it with proper spacer to make sure the 2 parts are the right distance apart. Might have caused mp40 to shut down.

I would definitely say that I think it came down to the thickness of the Rubbermaid compared to my glass. It would just tumble and eventually turn off after 5 mins. I put it back in to my tank and wham-o, runs like a dream again.

[DKoKoMan]

On that note... my Frags came in 2 days ago from Jess and they are gorgeous. I’m getting angry at the various things from the move that are taking up my time. Right now they just sit on my frag rack looking oh so colorful and all I want to do is get them secured o my rock work. On top of all that I am on nights this week. First world problems!!

On another note my wife and I are going to Cabo at the end of October and my in laws booked me a couple dives as a birthday present. So I’m super pumped for that. I’m just debating g if I should tackle the overflow box before or after our week vacation? I just don’t want a disaster to come home to. The leak was slowed as much as I could with silicone (1/4 of a 5g pail) in 24 hours.

Anyone have a good idea on how to cut the bottom plate out without jeopardizing the remainder of the sides. My goal would be to get the bottom out as clean as I can so I don’t have to do a whole bunch of new silicone work (not my strong suite). Also a pain in the but is I will have to cut my drain pipes to get the bulkheads out and replace them. Got to love finding sch 80 1.5” fittings, unions and pipe. Open to any suggestions, tips, do’ and don’ts

[lastlight]

Sorry to hear of your tank-moving woes. I'm picking my tank up tomorrow and I've got a sick feeling about it already. As for cutting that pane out I would use the smallest guitar string. use a blade to make a hole or just push it through. Then saw up and down with the string. I cut apart my 400g this way and that had inner eurobraces in the bottom. Would have been nearly impossible without the guitar string!

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by lastlight

Sorry to hear of your tank-moving woes. I'm picking my tank up tomorrow and I've got a sick feeling about it already. As for cutting that pane out I would use the smallest guitar string. use a blade to make a hole or just push it through. Then saw up and down with the string. I cut apart my 400g this way and that had inner eurobraces in the bottom. Would have been nearly impossible without the guitar string!

That’s a pretty good idea! I know they use wire to cut pvc so that would definitely work. My goal is to try and get the bottom panel out without compromising the rest of the overflow box.

[gregzz4]

I cut apart a 90g with an Olfa L2 and multiple passes until the blade went all the way through.

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

I cut apart a 90g with an Olfa L2 and multiple passes until the blade went all the way through.

I thought this may work with a bunch of snapping the blade to keep it sharp. My other worry is cutting the black vinyl while trying to remove this darn piece.

[DKoKoMan]

Well I have been looking at my tank and the plumbing over the weeks. It looks like I might be able to cheat a little on the plumbing by ordering a couple new spears unions. I already have unions in place and should be able to add the small amount of plumbing to the existing half of the union. I will have to replace all 3 bulkheads and a couple short runs when the bottom plate is replaced.

I am just waiting for Dave @ Concept to make up the replacement overflow plate. For anyone on the fence with Concept, I would like to assure you I have received great customer service even after the tank was completed...just saying.

On that note it’s been almost 4 weeks since I moved the tank. I lost a total of 3 Coral Frags, no fish and the parameters have been spot on. The only hands on I have been doing is ensuring my salinity hasn’t dropped to much from the crack in the external overflow. Other then that it’s business as usual. I’m a little annoyed as I found a couple aptasia that I need to get rid of. In my first tank I used to use lemon juice and give them a squirt. I hadn’t had to deal with them for a long time. Is there any new effective methods for removing them? I plan on buying 10 peppermint shrimp to toss into the display. Let me know reefers what works for you in the meantime!