Upgrading...

[Sherri]

Alright you guys, especially those that helped me with all the info needed with the leak in my 100 gal. The hints were effective - "Maybe this is a good time to upgrade." LOL Sooooo....here we go. Didn't realize it took up to 2 weeks to reseal a tank. Just didn't want the fish & corals in a temporary setting for that long of a time. So I am moving up a bit to a 150 Reef Ready. And finally MH's!!!

After the 100 gal Oceanic is resealed, I will prob be posting it For Sale along with the Oceanic cabinet, canopy and the Hamilton 440 VHO lights.

Besides...I need more room for my Regal as she grows, right? And besides, I don't have any room to put anything else....Yeah, try using that as an excuse to the hubby. Actually, it was a joint decision to do so. :shades

Gosh...I'm almost catching up with some of you now. I'm excited. :w00t

[GaryP]

Sherri,

Can I get you to give me some tips on the "joint decision" thing. I'm still working on my wife to "jointly decide" to go to a 240 gal. Maybe I should have her talk to Gilbert.

[Tim Marvin]

Sherri, I was sorry to hear about the leak. It look like things are working out for the better though. I good tank move or changes always causes explosive growth a couple months later, due to the influx of new water, rock, and sand. At least that has been my experience, so brighter days ahead!

[Sherri]

When you say "explosive growth" Tim, is that a good thing or bad? LOL

[Sherri]

Anybody see any probs with a 150 being too tall? It's a 6ft.

[Tim Marvin]

Some good some bad. It seems my corals take off, but I usually get an increase in diatom bloom also. Diatoms are an easy cure though with the magnet and snails. It is the coral growth that is harder to cure, tons of frags.

[alexwolf]

for reef Sherri i would go with a shorter tank. The 150 is hard to light and tough to get into.

[Sherri]

Even with the topoff of my old bed?

[Tim Marvin]

I'll go with hard to get into. The upside is you can keep mushrooms, and other low light corals down on the bottom and in shaded areas. It is a little more difficult to keep brains and such in SPS tanks, but give the depth it makes it easier.

[alexwolf]

yes, if it is the 150 i am thinking of, its 48"long, and 30" tall. you wil not like it. you are better off with a 135, which is 6ft long, 18 ront to back, and 20 tall. i think. you can come by if you like and see mine, its 24" tall, and see if you have any problems getting in to it.

[GaryP]

Sherri,

What is the depth of the 150? 24"? That's not going to be nearly as bad as the 29" bricks that are common now. You can still go with 250 watt MH with a 24" deep tank. 24" seems to be the break point between 250 and 400 watt MH bulbs.

[alexwolf]

Gary, i thought the Oceanic was 30 tall??? if its 24, thats great. didnt mean to confuse anyone!!!

mine is 24" tall, and i can keep mushroos and all kinds of stuff in there!

[Tim Marvin]

I had a DAS that was 30 tall, and I had to use a grasper and put my arm into the tank to reach the bottom. Not to mention you need a step stool to do this. Never the less it displayed well. I prefer a wide shallow tank now though. If they made a 6ft long, 3ft wide, by 20 inch tall that would be perfect for me! I don't want to hassle with anymore customs though so I am sticking to what I have right now.

[alexwolf]

i love my 240, 8ftx24x24.....i couldnt go 30" front to back, but i would have if i could.

[GaryP]

I thought the 215 was 29" but I may be wrong. It could be 30".

[alexwolf]

5the 150 is only 4ft long.

[Sherri]

These are the dimensions....150 gal Oceanic

72 1/2 " (6 Ft)
18" Deep
29" High

[Sherri]

But since I hav A LOT of softies - wouldn't this be a bit better for them down low?

I've got a lot of zoos too & leathers - clam which could go mid range - mushrooms on the bottom?

[GaryP]

I'd much rather go with a 24: deep tank. It leaves you with more beach front property for placing things like clams, plates, and brains on the bottom. That's one thing I don't like about my 125 gal.

Have you considered going to a 180? Its 72 X 24 X 24"

[Sherri]

getting pricing on it now Gary...tank & stand thru Richard at CB Pets - that's where this 150 is...

[Polkster13]

My 150 is 48 wide, 30 front to back and 24 tall. I am using two 250 watt MH with 10K bulbs and all of the corals are really liking it. It has a center 6x6 overflow with two drilled ports (one drain and one return. I am using both as drains and running the return back over the side. I bought it used so I don't know if this was a custom tank or not. I would agree that anything over 24 inches deep is a real pain to "get in there" and maintain. Very hard to reach the bottom.

[alexwolf]

you will have a very tough time getting to the bottom of that tank.

[GaryP]

I saw both the 150 and 180 the last time I was up there. Bother are very nice.

I think the 180 was what they got in to be the new coral tank. I'm sure they know where to get another one.

[Sherri]

Just spoke to Richard - out of 180 - checking on delivery time....

[GaryP]

Sherri, PM sent

[GaryP]

f you get the 180 I guess we'll have to pass a ziplock bag at an upcoming meeting and get you something to fill it up, huh?

[captexas]

I like the 24x24xwhatever length dimensions best myself. Good surface area and not so deep you can't reach the bottom.

[Sherri]

Yeah...seems as tho no one has the 180 in stock...hard to try to find a new tank & fit in breaking down the old. :cry

[captexas]

Yeah, tanks that size are hard to find at a LFS as it's high dollar inventory. It took 6 weeks to get my 240g in from Oceanic. Even if you ended up with the 150, it's still a nice sized tank, just need some long tongs to grab things and good halide lighting to reach that deep.

[Sherri]

Wonder if one is in stock in Austin...would be willing to drive there to get it.

[dow]

Hmmm... Don't know if this would help, but have you considered going with one from Glasscages.com (http://www.glasscages.com)? Their prices are really good, and might be enough to offset the shipping charges.

They show a 180, 72x24x25 for $350.

[alexwolf]

takes too long to get in......she would have to wait 3 weeks.

[Sherri]

Looks like it's a 2 week wait on the 180 - by then the 100 will be resealed...what a drag...

[dow]

Well, there is that. I thought that maybe they'd have one the size she needs in stock. Might still take that long to get there, but if she can't find another one before then, then she's lost nothing.

[TroyPham]

hey sherri. let me check with a guy down here to see if he has any instock.

[Sherri]

Thanks Troy. Where are you? Just checked with Austin Aquariums....they don't have any also.

[TroyPham]

i'm waiting for a call now.

he's got a bunch of tanks. some are used and some new.
he told me he does have a 180 used and is getting the l.w.h for me.

i'm in corpus christi

[scuba_steveo]

Sherri, IMO, a 180 Brick would be perfect for you. Check with Aquatek.

DIMENSIONS ITEM
72½ X 24½ X 25 180 REEF READY® BRICK STYLE AQUARIUM ONLY

Here is there dimension sheet. If you are buying new get a brick!
http://www.oceanicsystems.com/products_dimensions.html

[scuba_steveo]

Aquatek can have a 180 or 215 by this Friday :)
If you want Brick, It is 4 weeks :(

[captexas]

Aquatek wont have them in stock. Probably the largest tank they would have at the store would be a 125 and probably not a reef ready tank. Most of the larger sizes they special order. I know my 240g is not a stock item with Oceanic so it took longer, you might be able to get a 180g in faster.

[captexas]

Sherri - If you have Aquatek order the tank for you, they get it through a distributor, Lone Star, that is out off of IH35 around Shertz I think. You can have them hold the tank there so you don't have to drive to Austin to pick it up.

[Sherri]

Right Chris...Richard at CB Pets and Sara at Fin Addict have both tried Lone Star....Lone Star is out. Sara says about 2 weeks & Richard thinks about 1 - 1/2 weeks. So if they all go to Lone Star, Aquatek can't get it either...

[Sherri]

Troy...not really interested in a used. Also wanting Reef Ready. I have already talked with Bruce at the store in CC...he doesn't have one either.

[captexas]

That's a bummer, just bad timing. I think as long as you have your old tank torn apart, might as well order one if they are sure it will be here in 2 weeks. That also gives you some time to pick up any extra equipment you might need and have things planned out for when the new tank arrives so it won't take long to get it up and running. Either way, you will have to wait two weeks for the old tank to be resealed and safe for water.

[TroyPham]

ok. it is used and reef ready. this is not at TFH. if u still want to know i'll post it.

[scuba_steveo]

Sherri...Order a 180 Brick and spend the next few weeks setting everything else up.

[CD]

Aquatek wont have them in stock.


Actually, they have a 150 Oceanic there right now (well, as of last weekend), but it's not RReady.

Wendy

[captexas]

Was it in the crate by the door? If it was, those are ordered in for people. I know sometimes they have a decent sized tank over in the rows of tanks for sale, but I have never seen a 180g or larger. Either way it doesn't matter now, they don't have what Sherri wants right now.

Sherri, I still think if you are ready to pay the extra money to upgrade, go ahead and order what you really want now instead of trying to find something that simply comes close to what you want that is in stock somewhere. A tank that size is a hefty investment and as you have had your other tanks for so long, you will want to get something that you will be happy with for a long time as well. Just my opinion though, I know there is a lot more involved to upgrading than just buying the tank itself. Lots of work involved to get everything else put in place to make the system work. I think it's all worth it though for sure, I know I can't wait to go from my 75g to my 240g! :-)

[Sherri]

Chris...I'm gonna go ahead & order it tomorrow and get it going...the 180 RR & stand.

[Triggerman]

good choice sherri...this might be alittle too big, but i bet there should be a 215RR available. 72*24*28. just a thought.

[dan]

you go girl!!!!!!!!! get what you want. you sure you want to stop at 180? hehe. you could go 280 JK. i think you'll be happy with the 180. :D :D are you ordering your lights from CB? i just order 3 MH reflectors from CB. can't wait

[NaCl_H2O]

OK Guys & Gals - this thread has got to be the ultimate example of the type of beasts we have become!

Sherri posts a "Help me, my tank is leaking" post and she gets a lot of good responses and over the course of three days her post gets 51 replies.

Now, she says "I'm gonna upgrade", and in LESS THAN 12 HOURS, she gets 51 replies.

I love this hobby :D :D :D

Sherri - My Oceanic 215 Brick is 72.5" x 24.5" x 29"H - GO FOR IT!!

[Triggerman]

well last time i looked the price difference between the 180 and 215 wasn't that great and i believe it should be in stock. if you like the extra height i agree go for it as well.

[Sherri]

Didn't like the height of 29" - that's why I got away from the 150...it was 29" and I'd like to be able to reach the bottom. That's why I went from the 150 to the 180. CB Pets had the 150 that I "almost" went to get today. The 180 sounds great to me...it's my size... :shades Looked into the Brick, but 4-6 weeks is a bit long to wait with a crippled 100 on my hands. The 180 sounds like a good fit for me. 8)

[iwantacans]

my aga 210 is 72x24x29

[Sherri]

Sherri posts a "Help me, my tank is leaking" post and she gets a lot of good responses and over the course of three days her post gets 51 replies.

Now, she says "I'm gonna upgrade", and in LESS THAN 12 HOURS, she gets 51 replies.

Thought I'd make it a group effort... :w00t Hey...wait a minute...more responses on an upgrade than a leaking tank?! My kind of friends!

[iwantacans]

doh.... nm my post i didnt relize this hread was 4 pages long.... *sighs* time for bed!

[NaCl_H2O]

Sherri, a little note on the 29" depth I didn't realize until I started setting mine up. You can put in a really deep sand bed (6"-8") and stil have plenty of depth for everything else.

Shorter arms, deeper sand bed :D

[BA]

hey Sherri...Jose has a tank like 390 gallons... :skeezy ...for go it!lol

[Sherri]

That's a swimming pool to me... :w00t

[BA]

didn't u see the Discovery show "swimming with the sharks"...you could LIVE it Sherri!!!!! go for it!

[CD]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4359467289&ssPage Name=STRK:MEWA:IT

Here ya go....just think of all the room you would have for corals! :P

Wendy

[Sherri]

Ok...gotta another update! Gilbert ordered me the 180 BRICK RR today! Apparently Oceanic says that they are pretty much behind on the 180 and would have to build it also...so, since we have a "leak" situation, they would build a Brick as quick as they would a reg 180 RR - about 2 weeks. So if the time frame is the same, why not go Brick, right? hehe What a man! :wub

Yeah, Wendy...I've been pretty pitiful lately cause I don't have any room to add anything more to the 100....get those baggies ready! Will finally will be able to do SPS with MH's.

[NaCl_H2O]

OUTSTANDING!!! All that space, and no center brace! Let me know if you want to borrow the "MAAST Cart"?

You chose wisely :D

[don-n-sa]

That Maast cart makes life easy with a new Large tank, a bunch of us have used it.

[Sherri]

OUTSTANDING!!! All that space, and no center brace! Let me know if you want to borrow the "MAAST Cart"?

You chose wisely :D

Of course, we've got to keep the tradition going passing the "MAAST Cart" around until all Charter Members have used it at least once! Thanks & will let you know when the tank gets here! :)

[NaCl_H2O]

Sherri, what's the height of your stand? The top of the cart is exactly 36" tall. The tailgate of our truck is about 38" and my stands are 36". Very little muscle was required to move my 215RR and 140RR. The 215 was about 550lbs empty :o . If you have any stairs to deal with, PM MikeBoy, he rented some ramps that really helped at his house.

[scuba_steveo]

A am very happy for you for getting a BRICK. Nothing beats them. Awesome!

[Sherri]

Well, an update....the 180 RR Brick will be here tomorrow! Boy, was that quick. Oceanic rushed the order cause we had a leak. Would normally take 4-6 weeks. Thanks to Sara at Fin Addicts for all her help.

[::pete::]

If y'all need help let us know.

[Sherri]

Will be posting when we know exactly when we can pickup - either Thursday afternoon or sometime Friday. :w00t We've managed to control the leaking and haven't had to break the 100 down yet. Gonna have to do that before we can place the 180 where the 100 is. But we can at least get it to the house to start working on getting it ready...

Thanks.

[GaryP]

I know what you are going to be doing this weekend. :)

[dow]

... so does this mean that the meeting is moving to Sherry's for a hands-on tank setup clinic?

[GaryP]

... so does this mean that the meeting is moving to Sherry's for a hands-on tank setup clinic?

Now that's an idea.

Sherri... Could you please do a better job of coordinating with the meeting committee before your next crisis? :)

[wtrujillo]

... so does this mean that the meeting is moving to Sherry's for a hands-on tank setup clinic?

that's a great idea. the board should follow-up.

[captexas]

Kind a hard to do a clinic in a few short hours when there are a million ways to set up a tank. But a nice idea. I have a feeling once Sherri & Gilbert get that new tank home, they will want to move things over as fast as they can! :P

[GaryP]

If the BOD would like to pay for my new 240 I'd be happy to put on a clinic at my house. :)

[NaCl_H2O]

If the BOD would like to pay for my new 240 I'd be happy to put on a clinic at my house. :)

If the BOD will pay for my 215, I'll tear it down and do it over :D

[GaryP]

I sincerely doubt we could redo your plumbing in the space of a meeting unless we have some serious plumbers in the group.

[Sherri]

Thanks to Pete & Steve (NaCl H2O) for helping us unload this thing. And to Felipe & Sara for helping out so much also. It's awesome. It's sitting on the MAAST Cart! And thanks to them for giving us such great ideas to do that we're totally confused all over again! LOL :w00t A lot has to be done to the Brick as to breaking down the 100....so it's not an overnight thing. Gilbert is learning Plumbing 101 quickly...LOL

Hopefully we can hold a meeting one of these days when it's all said & done...

[::pete::]

Hopefully we can hold a meeting one of these days when it's all said & done...

Confused or not Im sure it will look great just like the 100, if not better when its finished!! ;)

[JimD]

Pics? We need pics!

[Sherri]

I'll prob start a new thread showing the progress...right now it's getting things organized. Right now I have in my livingroom....a full 100 gal (still up & leaking!), a 100 gal tub with new saltwater & pump that makes noise!, a 50 gal tub...a 180 gal Oceanic stand behind my couch...and an empty 180 Brick sitting on "the MAAST Cart". :wacko

[captexas]

LOL, Sherri, I guess I forgot to tell you that pump is not exactly quiet! :-P

[NaCl_H2O]

I'll prob start a new thread showing the progress...right now it's getting things organized. Right now I have in my livingroom....a full 100 gal (still up & leaking!), a 100 gal tub with new saltwater & pump that makes noise!, a 50 gal tub...a 180 gal Oceanic stand behind my couch...and an empty 180 Brick sitting on "the MAAST Cart". :wacko

Yea, and it's really gonna be neat when you get a couple hunded pounds of aragonite, some uncured liverock, and the sweet smell of PVC glue in the air :)

We are all VERY jealous :D :D

[Sherri]

LOL, Sherri, I guess I forgot to tell you that pump is not exactly quiet! :-P

Don't laugh, Chris....you will soon have the pleasure of its' sweet sound yourself... :skeezy But seriously, it's worth it. (for now!) It will certainly help us out in the transfer of the corals, rocks & fish.

[Sherri]

Yea, and it's really gonna be neat when you get a couple hunded pounds of aragonite, some uncured liverock, and the sweet smell of PVC glue in the air :)

We are all VERY jealous :D :D

And as for you Steve, should you miss that atmosphere, you have our number. :skeezy

[GaryP]

MMmmm, the smell of a new tank. It just makes me all a-quiver...

[::pete::]

We need a biting your tong smiley!!

[NaCl_H2O]

We need a biting your tong smiley!!

Did you post this in the right thread?

Did you forget the "e" ... biting your tonge :P

or did you forget the "h" ... biting your thong :unsure