600 gallon Acrylic Reef - Page 11

pwhitby · #**251** 01/16/2006, 11:31 PM

Well.....

Next phase is completed, Thanks to Tim and Lynn, the stand is in the house and is pretty much in place. I do still need to move my sump, but ran out of time this weekend.

As I feared, there is a bow in the concrete floor which makes the stand unlevel. In the near future Tim and I will construct a wooden frame that the steel sits on and then mark iand cut it to make an exact fit with bow of the floor. This will also raise the top edge of the stand to approx 34 inches, which is where I want it.

I would post a pic or two, but PhotoBucket is down right now.

Paul.

pwhitby · #**252** 01/17/2006, 12:27 AM

Ok...PhotoBucket is up again:

here we are:

and to give it a sense of scale, here is Lynn stood behind the stand.

Next step move the sump to give me access space all round. As you can see, I will have full access to this tank.

Cant wait to get it in

P.

JR719 · #**253** 01/17/2006, 02:34 AM

Paul,

Have you researched the "self leveling cement"? I don't know how thick it has to be to be really solid. I think you mentioned earlier about if ever selling putting the tile back.... If it was just a thin layer to level, should even help with replacing the tile (better lines). Just something to think about if you have not done so already. Beats having to figure out shims and placement.

Jeff

dustin Combs · #**254** 01/17/2006, 05:10 AM

Looking good P. Tell Lynn to grow up! Or is the thank that big.

d

Knyght · #**255** 01/17/2006, 10:37 AM

Wow, is that a tank stand or a frame for a queen sized bed??? I knew that it was big but dang!!!

Just a thought, if you do go with the wooden stand frame/shim *whatever you are calling it* be sure to use a very hard wood, to keep it from compressing in all the wrong spots. I`m sure you have considered this, just checking. Not sure what wood I would recommend, for sure not pine though

Might want to consider a really good sealer for it as well to keep from warping/splitting etc. *You just know that it will be getting wet sometime*

You could also consider using a custom made steel shim, instead of wood. You are talking about a ton *or more

* of weight there.

Just rambling thoughts

Gwalker · #**256** 01/17/2006, 12:41 PM

I always use composite shims for large tanks. They don't split, splinter, swell, warp or twist unlike wooded shims or supports. They're also waterproof, won't rot or mold and are impervious to insects.

my 2 cents

Gary

pwhitby · #**257** 01/25/2006, 11:58 PM

well....as some of you guys know, I had to fix a rather major leak at my house. Judging by the meter readings, I was losing about 100-150g /day hot water......

My cats found the break. They would always lie on a couple of tiles in my kitchen. I realised I had the leak a few days ago, the cats beat me too it.

So today Tim and I removed some cabinets and jack hammer in ahnd tore up my kitchen floor. Once found (which is easy to say, hard to do) the faulty pipe was cut and replaced. Now all I have to do is repair the AC/Heat pipes we tore through to get to the pipe and back fill the hole, lay concrete and relay the tile.

Some pics.....

The nice new hole with new pipe fitted:

the wet sand we removed...

one more:

it was a long, hard and very dirty job. Credit goes to Tim, he certainly knows how to fix a problem.

......now I can get back on with my tank.

Paul.

JR719 · #**258** 01/26/2006, 01:27 AM

Yuck. Glad you found it before it cause any major foundation problems. Congrats to your cats and Tim. I might have to borrow them, the cats and Tim that is, if I suspect any leaks. There's always a setback isn't there? How 'bout more tank progress pics?

lawboy888 · #**259** 01/26/2006, 01:48 AM

even with the worst news, you still share with us

good luck with your tank buddy.

Knyght · #**260** 01/26/2006, 10:01 AM

What a thrill that must have been for Lynn

100/150gls a day of hot water? Ouch! Fixing that leak will surely help on cutting the utility bill. Not to mention not running out of hot water during those long morning showers

mskohl · #**261** 01/26/2006, 10:14 AM

man, that's a mess. I'm impressed at your and Tim's abilities to repair though. Do it yourself'ers save a lot of money.

poke75 · #**262** 01/26/2006, 11:18 AM

There in lies one of the advantages of having a crawl space. No jack hammers or diging to fix a leak like that.

One of the BIG disadvantages is...... No 600gal tanks allowed!!

Congrats on finding the leak in the original hole. It doesn't allways happen like that!!

DizziDezi2 · #**263** 01/26/2006, 12:01 PM

wow- lynn looks so calm- I would have killed you a long time ago.

padixon2 · #**264** 01/26/2006, 01:27 PM

i think she secretly loves having an indoor ocean, :P

DizziDezi2 · #**265** 01/26/2006, 02:17 PM

paul next you should just convert your swimming pool into a reef- never would have to leave to go snorkeling.

pwhitby · #**266** 01/26/2006, 03:32 PM

for giggles....I priced up the cost of that....

Salt alone was ridiculous.

Would have been nice tho.

P.

dugg · #**267** 01/26/2006, 08:25 PM

Actually this is a + Paul. Now you can measure that slab thickness, and figure up the weight that it is going to safely hold before you get that huge thing set up. I still believe you should consider pouring in about 6 piers under your stand. This would also make a great way for you to get it completely level, and if you sell, you can tile right over them.

LotR Clown · #**268** 01/26/2006, 10:59 PM

I was checking on the process of the tank setup and this mess comes up. Excellent that you found the leak in the first hole. At least the savings on heating and water bill will give you some more money for the tank. Now back to work on the monster. It's gonna be impressive I'm sure.

Kevin

JimmyS · #**269** 01/27/2006, 01:18 AM

I was by Paul's house last weekend and I must say that the pictures do this beast absolutely no justice. It is truely huge and will be an awesome setup.

Russ Braaten · #**270** 01/27/2006, 02:23 AM

Hey Paul,

Doug and I could have used your cats to find his last slab leak. Tim found the first one but I missed the second one by 4 feet. I had two holes to repair after that.

One question... Tim did all the hard work for you, right? hehehehe

Gwalker · #**271** 01/27/2006, 02:52 PM

It must also be nice to know first hand how thick and durable your foundation is. I'm sure you didn't go through it like "butta"!!

pwhitby · #**272** 01/27/2006, 02:59 PM

its about 3-4 inches and SOLID. The sand under is packed tight and under that is a very dense clay layer.

aaparkr · #**273** 01/27/2006, 10:46 PM

soooooo... how did you determine exactly where to start?

Tony

pwhitby · #**274** 02/06/2006, 08:48 PM

Finally the hole in my kitchen is filled and its time to get abck to building my tank.

For those that didnt have the pleasure of seeig my busted up kitchen heres a couple pics. I had to remove a corner cabinet unit to get to the leak. To answer your question Tony, it was getting hot in one spot...I figured thats as good a place as any to start. In fact we missed the actual leak by about 6 inches....however th hole was a great deal bigger.

The floor is now relaid, tiled and the cabinetry back in place. I had to make a tile that would be a close match by cutting down larger tiles.

Anyways..its done....back to the fun:

Today my pump and the OceansMotions 4way arrived. The pump is a sequence seq4200 pump. This is going on my closed loop system which will incorporate the OM 4way. I spent quite a while talking to Paul (the owner of OM) last week talking about plumbing options. I may rethink my idea of using the OM to create a on/off wave motion and configure it to make a rolling current in the tank. This way it will help nutrient flow in the system.

The last of my bulkheads also arrived. Now its time to get the wooden footing of the stand made and down ready to get the beast on top. Tomorrow....moving the sump. Shouldnt take too long, just a quick drain and then move and refill....hopefully.

Knyght · #**275** 02/07/2006, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pwhitby
Anyways..its done....back to the fun:

Yah!!!!!

Nicely done as well