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View Full Version : New 135 Gallon Chronicles


shelbiesdaddy
09/17/2007, 11:13 PM
Well, I am going to try and and chronicle the life of our new 135 gallon mixed tank.

I haven't seen it yet but we are supposed to pick it up Tuesday. I will take pics along the way. I will probably be asking for plenty of advise along the way as well.

boviac
09/18/2007, 11:02 AM
Sweet - I'll help if I can (yeah right :rolleyes: ) but I'll at least be there in spirit! I love new tank builds. :D

shelbiesdaddy
09/18/2007, 07:13 PM
Well we got it here.
http://www.drivehq.com/web/jshrout/images/tank1.JPG

The stand is very basic.
http://www.drivehq.com/web/jshrout/images/tank2.JPG

It has a repair in one of the corners. The previous owner said it has been holding water for four years. It has been holding an inch of water for over an hour here, but it will be fully tested before it comes inside.
http://www.drivehq.com/web/jshrout/images/tank3.JPG

It was being used as a freshwater tank so the algae is coming off pretty easily.

shelbiesdaddy
09/19/2007, 02:38 PM
The lighting that came with the tank is virtually useless.
http://www.drivehq.com/web/jshrout/images/tank4.JPG

http://www.drivehq.com/web/jshrout/images/tank5.JPG

I am thinking of using the current 55g as a refugium. Anyone have any ideas on how to plumb it.:confused:

boviac
09/19/2007, 08:57 PM
Refugiums are often found inside sumps, however I'm following the theory that the copepds, etc survive better when allowed to gravity drain down to the main tank vs. churned or pressure slammed via the return pump. Thus the refugium would be best placed above the main display if possible.

I'd be happy to show you how I'm thinking of plumbing mine when every you get a chance to visit.

shelbiesdaddy
09/19/2007, 09:02 PM
That is exactly what I wanted to try and do. Looking forward to seeing your plans.

boviac
09/19/2007, 09:36 PM
On the stand picture, the rear center 4x4 doesn't appear to be touching the ground.

Also the front left top corner appears to have a lt green brace. Is that holding it together?

Looking Great. Can't wait to see it up!!! Good luck with your new tank.

shelbiesdaddy
09/19/2007, 09:47 PM
Actually that is just a green piece of tape. Not sure if it is there for structural support.

There is a lot of debris in the driveway there so I won't know for sure till I get it on a smooth level surface.

boviac
09/19/2007, 09:57 PM
Doubtful, the tape is there for structural support except maybe for the trim which itself does not provide a whole lot of strength.

shelbiesdaddy
09/19/2007, 10:15 PM
That is what I am thinking (hoping).

shelbiesdaddy
09/20/2007, 06:31 PM
Well Chris, it looks like you were right.:(
http://www.drivehq.com/web/jshrout/images/tank6.JPG

kinghokus420
09/20/2007, 09:45 PM
DONT BUY IT!!!!!!
THAT TANK BOTTOM WILL FAIL..PERIOD. you can put a bandaid on it for a while but why? it needs a full bottom replacement. are you going to sleep real well at night knowing theres over 1000 pounds of rock and water depending on a bit of silicone covering a large crack? i think you said 150$ its just not worth it. keep looking and buy a nice coral instead. or offer 25$ and spend the rest on a new chunk of glass. i've done a bit of glass work and would be glad to assist. but please do not buy or if too late, dont put it in your house until properly fixed.

shelbiesdaddy
09/22/2007, 08:26 PM
Don't worry. It won't make it into the house till those repairs we talked about are made and it is fully tested. Also a new stand built with full bottom support.

Looks like I will have to make the trip up the hill since no one around here sells those lights.

shelbiesdaddy
09/23/2007, 11:46 PM
Josh,

Those moonlights are amazing. Exactly what we were looking for.

gfk
09/30/2007, 04:15 PM
drill a hole for a corner overflow and it should take A LOT of weight off that repair

shelbiesdaddy
10/08/2007, 01:47 PM
Here are the rocket engines we picked up for $20 each.

http://www.chicoreefclub.com/images/users/gallery/shelbiesdaddy/1191868746.jpg

http://www.chicoreefclub.com/images/users/gallery/shelbiesdaddy/1191868731.jpg

boviac
10/09/2007, 01:14 AM
Cool. Are those the ballasts on the top? Interesting reflector technology. Not bad. They appear to be sitting on top of the tank. Do they really hang over the front and back that much? If so you're going to have quite a bit of spread outside your tank.

shelbiesdaddy
10/09/2007, 02:17 PM
Actually I just put them there to get a better shot. They have built in hooks that I can attach to a chain or a rail.

Yes, those are the ballasts on the top.

shelbiesdaddy
10/17/2007, 06:37 PM
Well, we decided the 135 is going to be Fish Only. So we will split up the MHs and use them on the existing reefs.

shelbiesdaddy
11/07/2007, 06:48 PM
Well, I fired off the engines and with the light dispersal pattern of those reflectors they lit the entire garage. Those reflectors are definitely out.