Nathans new 6.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 reef build.....Will Be Pic Heavy

[thetangman]

Hi, my name is Nathan, and i have been keeping aquariums of pretty much every type for many years, and now it’s time for the big one!
I currently have a 5x2x2.5 lps reef up and running, but my lovely wife and the wisdom to try and clean it with an old magnet glass cleaner that I thought was thrown out years ago, and scratched it pretty bad.
Plus I have always regretted not getting a bigger tank to begin with, but I was not in the financial position to do so at the time.
It is also running on two Fluval FX5s, and a Tunze HOB skimmer which are a pain to maintain and keep clean enough to keep the water chemistry in check, so i am looking forward to the benefits that come from having a large sump, and refugium setup.
The new tank will be replacing my 5ft, and so I don’t have to worry about moving it, my new tank will be made into a room divider, with three viewable sides, and all my current livestock will be transported over when the time is right.


System Objectives: Happy healthy creatures

System Type: Mixed Reef - Primarily LPS

Display System:

Strike up Date: TBA - possibly June/July 2012 if I get sorted

Display Tank: 2000L x 760W x 760H mm. Cross and euro braced. (Dennison @ Maryanne's Aquarium)

Display Lighting: x12 PAR38 LED lights from EcoXotic or Ledtric. (8 already on original tank)

Stand: Powder Coated Steel, with white laminated panels all round, held with magnets and clips. 2000mm x 760mm x 1050mm

Hood: Open top, but with DIY aluminium frame, again with white laminated panels (to match the kitchen) all round, held with magnets and clips. 2000mm x 800mm x 400mm

Sump: 1200 x 600 x 450 Sump (Dennison @ Maryanne's Aquarium)

Support systems:

System Water: Natural sea water

Top up Water: Own RO/DI unit

Display Water circulation: 2 x Vortech MP60WES at this stage

Return Pump: RLSS 10000LPH DC Controllable Pump

Skimmer: RLSS (Reef Life Support Systems) R8-i Protein Skimmer

Chemical Support :

Carbon Filtering: Via 2L Fluid bed filter

Bio Pellets: Via 2L Fluid bed filter

Calcium Addition: Via dosing pump

Iodine Addition: Via dosing pump

Magnesium Addition: Via dosing pump

Other Chemical Maintenance: N/A at this stage

Images:

Current Tank Side View!


Current Tank Front View! (Looks way better in real life.)


Favorite Coral


XLarge Duncan


Some of my existing stock.....












More To Come...........

[thetangman]

Sooooo,
Does anyone know where i can get a quote for a powder coated steel stand for this tank?

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Morgazmo]

You can ask fishwhisperer for the deets, but I'm pretty sure he went to a place in Burleigh called Marshalls engineering. They knocked him up a real nice stand for a good price. I'm not sure who powder coated it, but it was another mob. Drop him a pm.

[thetangman]

Hi.
Thanks for the reply. I have decided to get the stand done by the same guys making the tank and sump.

[thetangman]

Also, I have had a change of plans with regards to circulation in the main tank.
I have just purchased a Vortech MP60WES and am very happy with it and will now be using two of these up one end to create the effect I am looking for.

[thetangman]

Well it looks like thing are finally starting to happen!!
Last week i orderded the extra globes i needed, and there on there way from the states.
Also, today i am getting in contact with Dennison to start the tank and stand build, and hopfully it will be ready in a couple of weeks.
I am not sure who i can get to help move the tank in my house, as my family is away, Sooooooooo if anyone out there is bored for an afternoon, i would love to hear from you. Your kindness will not go unrewarded.

[thetangman]

Just got these from Dennison.

Looking awesome!!

[thetangman]

And I also realised I have not added any pics of my current tank at night. So here we go!



Hope you like.

[reefsecretsaquariums]

Sooooo,
Does anyone know where i can get a quote for a powder coated steel stand for this tank?

Any help would be much appreciated.

we can get them made though my old boy if you like

[thetangman]

Thanks, I forgot that you guys could do that for me!
I have already ordered mine from Dennison. Should hopefully be ready in a couple of weeks.

[reefsecretsaquariums]

thats cool ... i thought you were asking ..

[thetangman]

I was before but it's ok now, just didn't delete the said post requesting help.

[thetangman]

Went to visit Dennison yesterday. Finalised all plans and should be recieving tank, stand, and sump in three to four week.

getting rather excited now!

[thetangman]

Ok, so I got a heap of live rock very cheap on the weekend, and I can’t fit any more in my current setup, so I decided to dry it out and start aqua scaping some pieces and see how it went.

I am planning to have about three bommies (islands), with a heap of over hangs, low footprint area and a lot of negative space.

This is my first try at this, so please be kind.

This section started out as three different pieces, and I used ecotech glue to blend them together. I am planning to put another piece under the bottom one, to lift it off the ground, and allow better flow underneath.



Used an empty bottle to support the structur till the glue dried.



Next morning!

[zeebull]

Looks good . I reckon I would be tempted to flip that piece over and use it like that. Well that's if its not to top heavy anyway

[thetangman]

Thanks. I tried that, but the piece on the base is very heavy, and about the size of and A3 paper. The pics dont really show the size well.

[thetangman]

Well I got some tunze coral gum today, and have finished my first of about three islands I will be making. The hight is about 450mm high.









I have never done anything like this before. Any thoughts or comments?

[pazz]

first bommie looks really good mate keep up the good work

[robthepom]

nice looking tank, love the size

you are either single or have a very understanding wife , there is no way in the world my wife would let me glue rocks on the kitchen bench top

layout and bommies looking good

[thetangman]

Yes very understanding! She actually did a lot of it, because my fingers were to large and fat to get into the tight spots. I was warned about scratching the top though

I am hoping to have a lot of ledges and open rock work in the tank to promote good flow and ledges at different heights for acclimatising corals.

[thetangman]

Well finally an update.

The tank is finally getting built.

More pics of the sump and stand as i get them.


Front


End

[thetangman]

Well i am proud to say that even though i have not been on here often recently due to work, i have been keeping this project running at full speed.

Now it has arrived, here is a heap of pics for you pic hungry guys/gals....


I have been shopping!!!!


The empty space.


Unloading.


Unloading.


Placing sump on the lwan.


Unloading the stand...


Only just fitting through thr door.


In place.


My bro shocked at the size of my new toy...


Dennison and i comparing my old tank height to my new one.


Sump and stand in place.


Sump and skimmer in place.


Bringing the tank through,with one guy on one end (me), and three guys on the other.


Finally some help came around..


One more final lift.


Dad and Mum (thats her hand on the right, yelling franticly for me to sit down, as i went blue in the face and was passing out from the massive lift (260kg tank). Appears that no one wanted to lift little ole me (115kg) off the ground.


Feeling better, i got to have a walk around my new feature wall.


And now you can all guess whats comming....


Thats right, the customary owner in the tank shot!


Dennison doing plumbing, and me unpacking another vortech MP60WES. Couldnt wait.


Dennison realising that he forgot to bring ALL the plumbing parts.


Decided to turn the sump around, and have the skimmer at the other end.


Such a poser.


Think i need some taller chairs, cant clean all the glass!


Also couldnt wait to get the rock island i made weeks ago in the the tank.


Tank shot.


Tank shot.

Any comments or input you guys can give would be great. Enjoy my picture journey, there is heaps more to come!!!

[ssscuz]

massive upgrade mate, looks great. that bommie u made looked so much bigger on the bench ha ha, but i like the open space look it allows alot of fish swimming room
is there much room in the sump for flow back from the dt in power out? the sections look very tall.

[molanj]

cant wait to see more

[dougie]

looking forward to seeing this tank come to life!

[thetangman]

OK, well it has been a while since i have been on, and given a much needed update (Sorry), but here we go.

I have had a professional kitchen maker come and clad the stand with two double bi-fold doors, with quick release hinges.

Also over the last few days, my wife and i have been playing around with the aquascaping, and we finally settled with something we like.

So here is a blow by blow picture story of what has been happening recently.

Enjoy!!



The night the cabinetry was finished.


Putting silicon on the end and rear pieces of cabinetry.


Installing the end piece.


Installing other end.


Installing doors.


Installing doors.


One door finished.


One of the scaping ideas we were toying with.


What we decided on.


Just to get the size in relation to..... well.... people.


End view.


Kitchen view.


Kitchen view.


Filling!!!


Almost full, but need to buy my return pump tomorrow, and another 1000L for my now empty ICB.


End view


Kitchen view when full.


Hope you have enjoyed this update, and as always, feel free to comment and offer any advise or suggestions that you may have.

[Curlz]

Looking great! I love the see through look.
Will be following the journey

[axela]

IMO perfect size tank!
Looking great man!

[CBrian]

Looks really good, aquascape is killer!

[reefsecretsaquariums]

nice to see its comming along nicely .