Just another big built-in project...

[rocketeer]

Once I start destroying stuff, there's no turning back.

Along with moving, I'm upgrading from my 120 gal to a 240 gal in-wall tank. This is going to be cool. It's going to be where the wet bar used to be. There are mirrors on two walls behind it so when you look at the tank you will also see two reflections of the back of the tank. So it will be built to be viewable from both sides.

Jack

[rocketeer]

Ace built me a great sump six feet long. He's fast and does good work. Nice guy.

A friend of mine helped me paint the base and demolist the kitchen.

Jack

[rocketeer]

Meanwhile the kitchen remodel gets under way.

Here is a preview of the cabinets that will soon be up for sale. They are only a couple of years old and are real nice.

Jack

[hobogato]

wow! that is quite a project. keep us posted!

[scuba_steveo]

I did not know you were moving
looks great
keep us updated

[blueboy]

nice sump!

[rocketeer]

Ok, I bought a bunch of sand and some rock. I figure I'll start cycling them in the sump as soon as possible with some of my existing rock. When the tank comes I can transfer the sand and rock from the sump to the main tank. Then my livestock can go into containers, my existing base rock goes from my 120 into the main tank, crushed coral substrate gets cleaned up and moved from the 120 to the new sump, and the livestock goes to their new home. :D

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~rocketeer/Cabinets/Sump2.JPG

Do you think it'll work?

Meanwhile, if anybody is interested in some cabinets, check out the thread in non-aquarium stuff for sale. Here's a link for convenience:

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~rocketeer/Cabinets/CabinetsForSale.html

Jack
[/img]

[hammondegge]

wow, instant fish room.

[LoneStar]

Awesome Stuff!!

Please keep posting updates and photos as you go!

[rocketeer]

It's here!

I need about six guys to help me carry in a 240 gal. tank Sunday or Monday evening.

I'm offering free pizza and beer or soda pop. There are possible frags if you like any of what I have. Caulerpa and that red macro too. Any takers?

Thanks,
Jack

[RNall]

Jack, I could help you on Monday.

I moved my 215 (7'X2'X2') with one guy and he is half my size. It sucked. I do not wish that on anyone.

Just let me know.

Thanks,

[Ping]

Pm sent on 2 helpers Sunday.

[hobogato]

hey jack, i may be able to help, but it depends on how my hand is doing by then. i cut my finger pretty badly and dont know if i would be able to use that hand very well. ill let you know on sunday if it looks like you are going to need someone else. btw, i moved mine in with the help of just three other guys, and it wasnt too bad.

[ou812pezz]

I could possibly help monday evening. Where are you located?

[rocketeer]

Hey,

Thanks guys. I'm in NW SA. Near Huebner and NW Military.

Jack

[Alamo]

I can help if needed just let me know... im having a 220 delivered tonight :)

[betiuminside]

I can help on Sunday... from 12 to 7PM. LMK Cell 210.388.2941

Alberto

[rocketeer]

I couldn't get the stand ready for Sunday. It looks like it'll have to be Monday. If you can help, just show up at 2906 Bee Cave around 6:30. Feel free to call me at (210)723-5144 if you need directions. I'm in Northern SA Near Huebner and NW Military Ave. I'll have pizza and a cooler ready. :D

Anybody who helps is welcome to a frag from my 120 reef also. You two people who want cap frags for $20.00, if you help you get them for free!

Thanks,
Jack

[Jeff]

i will try to be there, any extra help could always be had.

[ou812pezz]

I should be there to lend a hand.

[Jeff]

updates on the tank?

[rocketeer]

Ok, update time. Thanks to John for the pics. And thanks to John, Patrick, Peter, Jeff, Byron and Eli for the help! :D I hope I didn't leave anybody out. Flame me if I did.


http://www.home.earthlink.net/~rocketeer/ForumPics/seethefishswimsinhere..jpg
See, the fish swim in here!

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~rocketeer/ForumPics/Sweatingforcoldbeer.jpg
Sweating for cold beer.

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~rocketeer/ForumPics/watergoesinPingnotBEER.jpg
Water goes in Ping, not BEER!

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~rocketeer/ForumPics/****thatwasheavy.jpg
**** that was heavy!

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~rocketeer/ForumPics/Eightfeetoffun.jpg
Eight feet of fun!

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~rocketeer/ForumPics/Seeitsleakingrighthere.jpg

So, the tank has a few problems. So far, Tom at Glass Cages has been very decent about it. He agreed to pay for return shipping. I guess we'll see what happens after that.

If he is willing to stand behind the tank above and beyond the warranty terms, I really don't want to slam him. I am going to gripe about the four or five weeks that I will lose. I'm making house payments on two houses.

[Ping]

let us know when you need to move it, or move the new one.

[ou812pezz]

I'm in again either way. Excellent choice of pizza and beer. Jack, did you mark the glass with a grease pencil where it leaks? Hope everything works out for you. Looks to be a sweet project.

[Jeff]

i'll be in again.

[rocketeer]

Cool, you guys are great. Yeah, I used a sharpie.

Thanks,
Jack

[hobogato]

i should be able to help this time if needed. lmk

[Alamo]

Lol I will be there with the camera again.

[rocketeer]

Ok, that one leaked. The bottom was bowed real bad. And it was chipped. I described it to Tom at glass cages and he said he would pay for return shipping. He built me a new one and paid for shipping both ways. All it cost me was about a month. I'm glad they stood behind their product.

I had some piano movers get the tanks on and off of my truck. I did have to pay them twice. Thanks to you guys who volunteered, but I thought asking for help three times was a bit much. Piano Handlers made it look easy for $150 then $100. I had them move a piano while they were here. PM me if you want their number. Oh yeah, He won't guarantee against damage.

[rocketeer]

Here's a pic of my new additions. A beautiful sailfin tang from Aquatic Warehouse and some firefish I'm collecting from here and there. The yellow tang is from my old system. I put them both in at the same time and they get along great. Ther rest of the fish and corals will be moved soon. Along with lights, pumps, skimmer calcium reactor, ...

I build a light rack that lifts up out of the way. It has to swing back then up to avoid hitting the beam above it. It'll hold 4 250W halides and 14 feet of actinic VHOs. The pulley positions cause it to move across then up when I pull the cable. It works pretty well. The whole thing will be enclosed in cabinetry.

Jack

[captexas]

Looking good and I like the new kitchen too! :)

[LoneStar]

Looks good so far. The kitchen turned out really nice too :)

[hobogato]

great job jack :shades

[rocketeer]

Finally got the front done just in time for a huge christmas family invasion. Still needs to be stained though.

Jack

[sharkboy]

Lookin' great! Nice work all the way around....

[Ping]

Nice trim work. Looks like the snowmen are cheering the tanks completion.

What is the black thing in the corner?

[caferacermike]

My bet, side overflows.


Very very nice.

[SAtiger]

Really cool tank. Congrats.

[SoLiD]

Tank Evny!!!! ;) - SoLiD

[stephencraig]

rockateer,
I'm seeing 5 chambers plus inlet and return areas on your sump. How are you planning on using the sump?

Stephen

[captexas]

Have to say that is the nicest trim work I have seen on a tank. Heck of a project!

[brewercm]

I love the way you made access to the sides along with the top. Great looking tank. Who did you have do your countertops and were they reasonable?

[stephencraig]

Yes, sorry for not commenting earlier, but the whole set-upp is gorgeous. My wife loved the kitchen, too.

Stephen

[rocketeer]

Hey, thanks for all the comments. :D

Yeah, side overflows both drain down to the right end of the sump.

The sump has various algaes growing in it along with some xenia and other fast growing things mainly for filtration. There are some power compacts over it. The chambers are seperated by eggcrate to keep the algaes in place. I still need to get the crushed coral from my old tank and put it in the sump. I'm shooting for about 3.5 inches of it. The main display has sugar fine sand.

Water top off is in the last chamber of the sump. At the left end of the sump are three bulkheads. Two are for return pumps. Returns run through the overflows and over the top of the tank and into four 1 inch elbows that run continuously. The third bulkhead serves an external Aqua C skimmer.

In the right end of the main display there are four drilled holes for 1 in. bulkheads. These are intakes for a closed loop. They feed a Sequence Dart that returns water to the tank through a Oceans Motions Four Way valve. Each port on the valve serves two 1 in. elbows over the top of the tank. In the picture you can see 12 elbows in the top of the water. My wife hates these. She thinks they look ugly. But I have no power heads.

Behind the tank are a couple of large mirrors so when you look at the tank from the front you see the back of the tank twice over the rock pile. When you walk behind the tank you see the tank four times like you walked into a tunnel. If anybody wants to come by and check it out, pm me.

Jack