2-years, finally ready for water

Orchids · #1 10/19/2006, 09:16 AM

Well, over two years ago I started to finish my basement. I did this very large undertaking by myself for two specific reasons. The basement is over 1000 square feet and divided into two areas. A multiuse large family/play room for the three kids and a work room/fishroom for me.

I decided to put a 120 gal tank into the wall and eventually move my 90 gal reef from upstairs into the new tank. 22 months ago I bought a used AGA 120 RR tank. It has now sat in it's place in the wall for 18 months. Over this time, I purchased about 80 lbs of dead or base rock and some sand. The tank now sits with that sand and rock and some assorted spiders.

Last night I cemented the last piece of plumbing into place. Friday night I will start the drip from my RO unit and hopefully by sunday afternoon, I will have a full tank (no leaks) and a full sump. I will plug the pump in and see how well I sealed everything.

Has anyone taken longer from tank purchase to set-up?

Just curious.

silverwolf72 · #2 10/19/2006, 10:38 AM

For testing I would use tap water first then use the good stuff when your sure nothing leaks. I think I'm around 6 years one this one tank of course I use to have a 100gal setup in that time so this one just kinda sat around.

SDguy · #3 10/19/2006, 10:41 AM

Mine took 1.5 years from tank purchase to fill with water for the first time.

Tang Salad · #4 10/19/2006, 10:44 AM

Mine took about 16 minutes.

Patience is an over-rated virtue.

Orchids · #5 10/19/2006, 11:45 AM

I have no way of getting tap water to the tank. It is in my basement. I may use the RO/DI waste water to fill.

We'll see.

sabodish · #6 10/19/2006, 11:57 AM

2 years is a long time..but when you factor in completely finishing a basement and a tank, i dont think its that bad. im going on 5 months for my cube and its driving me insane.

Tiki G. · #7 10/19/2006, 12:21 PM

Congratulations on the patience. I could not have waited that long. Would have been driving me crazy.....

kiknchikn · #8 10/19/2006, 12:28 PM

Yeah, I agree with Tiki, I would have definitely gone crazy waiting that long. Just waiting for my tank to cycle was bad enough, and I'm currently going crazy waiting for the fallow period in my tank to end so I can have a fish again (I had an outbreak of some unknown trematode-like parasite). Two more weeks... argh!

Orchids · #9 10/19/2006, 12:37 PM

I did go crazy. I saw this empty tank sitting there and nothing. I had to explain to anyone that ventured into the basement as to why I was waiting. I was ready in the early spring but surgery and a love of the outdoors stopped my progress. My goal is to transfer the contents of the upstairs tank in full by the end of the year.

Snakebyt · #10 10/19/2006, 01:33 PM

my predator tank sat in my living room for almost a year till i finally got it going

Tiki G. · #11 10/19/2006, 01:35 PM

Well I actually have a 65gal I have been piecing together now for about 5 months. Does that count? I still have to build a stand/canopy for it though. I know what you mean about things holding you up. Try running a tiki carving business after you get home from your regular day job. Takes up most all my extra time.

barjam · #12 10/19/2006, 02:17 PM

I put my tank in the wall and trimmed it... two years later I filled it with water.

ZOKU · #13 10/19/2006, 02:23 PM

*nod* 2 years ain't bad at all considering you were doing the basement work in the process. I purchased a 120-gal. AGA last November. I've got the skimmer, too and a couple of tanks I plan on using for a sump and 'fuge... I've since moved to Texas and now everything is in storage 'til I get a place of my own.

Orchids · #14 10/23/2006, 08:30 AM

Everything passed the leak test and on Saturday AM I started to fill the system with RO/DI. Around dinner time on Sunday all 150 gallons of the sytem was in place. I plugged in the return pump and voila, circulating water where only cobwebs and spiders had been. Around 9:00PM last night I started to add salt. I ran out and my sp. gravity is only about 1.15. A little more salt tonight and I'll start the cycle.

There is around 80 pounds of base rock in the tank which will encompass the lower level of the reef. I will begin moving in the rock from upstars a little at a time. This should boost the cycle time of the tank and hopefully by Christmas I should be a ble to transfer the stock from the main system.

SDguy · #15 10/23/2006, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Orchids
I ran out and my sp. gravity is only about 1.15.

You mean 1.015?

Orchids · #16 10/23/2006, 10:57 AM

You're right. My bad.

Tiki G. · #17 10/24/2006, 08:38 AM

Aw, what's the rush

Glad you finally got it filled. Let's see some pics!