39g Cubish tank COMPLETE!!

[RayAllen]

Well I sold the 210g and although I wont have all the time in the world nor the money because of the new buisness being started. Im going to do a budget/time friendly inwall tank. My plans are to put the tank in a wall where my staircase is. There is a closet under the stairs; the wall on the inside can be pushed back another 2ft. Im thinking a RR 30g cube; I dont want to make any real structual changes if I dont have to besides the drywall, Im going to remove some drywall to check out the spacing. It will look like a piece of art framed next to the tv. Any advice from you inwall guys, with is so small I think if I keep the closet dry with fans I should have any moisture issues. When I actually get this started I will post some pics.

Ray:)

[D_and_A_Custom]

I do home renovations so if you need any help let me know.I use to have a take in the wall at an old apartment i had.I didnt have any problems because i used a mildew resistant primer and painted with exterior paints all aboud where the tank was.

[RayAllen]

Heres pics of the wall where it will go. It will be in the wall to the right of the TV. You can see the closet access.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1508.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1505.jpg

[RayAllen]

Thanks to David aka Darth Tater I just picked up a 39-40g Cubish tank (24x18x20) from him that is already drilled with a 1" hole. He was also very generous enought to give me a foam/eggcrate/pvc structure made by Texreefer that fits perfect in the tank. The tank is drilled on the top left side so im going to install a calflow over it. Im on my way to have a cool little inwall to hold me over for a while. Will post pics later of the tank and cool foam work. Texreefer I will be hitting you up with a question soon.

[glennr1978]

looks like this will be a cool build!! glad to see you got a tank, my wife wasn't very happy when i told her I was going to sell you my 30g. turns out she actually WANTS me to set up another tank in our dining room.

lol, your tv just reminded me I have a ton of laundry to do when I get back home!!

[RayAllen]

I know I was laughing when I looked at the pic and the Tv had "Do the Laundry" in big letters. LOL

[MissT]

Yeah, I was hoping that wasn't a message for your wife LOL

[LoneStar]

I would consider putting some sorta vent in for that closet. The heat and humidity will add up over time. Either a passive vent or something like a exhaust fan connected to a humidistat.

[RayAllen]

I would consider putting some sorta vent in for that closet. The heat and humidity will add up over time. Either a passive vent or something like a exhaust fan connected to a humidistat.

Good advice, I figured I would put a vent at the bottom of the door with a fan to draw the heat and moisture out.

[RayAllen]

Ok heres the pics of the tank I picked up today. Its again the oceanic 40g 24x20x18. Also included are the pics of the foam structure with caves/swim throughs and the spot on the wall measured and marked off and the closet being used.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1524.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1531.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1522.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1517.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1513.jpg

Thanks for looking

[RayAllen]

I will be adding a few select peices of Live Rock to seed and spread coraline to the foam.

[RayAllen]

OK this afternoon I did a little work! Its in the wall, Woo hoo! Check it out.

I broke through
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/holecut1.jpg

The Ray and MoJo the Pug show
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Moandrayshow.jpg

Stud cut out
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/boardremoved.jpg

It fits!
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Itfits.jpg

Ta Da!
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/closetview.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1544.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1545.jpg

[RayAllen]

I still have a few things to do. I need to frame out the hole with some nice trim, paint the sides of the tank black, Get a small calflow built and put in, vent the closet, and purchase a few items such as skimmer, sump, return, lighting T5 most likely, do the tank foam/Live rock layout etc....................more and more etc..........

Happy with the progress I made so far. Everything else will come very slow due not having any money, lol.

[RayAllen]

LOL, my other 2 pugs are outside the closet in the pic wondering what I was doing with Mo.

[ErikH]

Looks really good Ray. I like the idea :) Can't wait to see it all framed. What fixture are you looking at? Also, you may want to paint the sides so you don't see in the closet!

[RayAllen]

I mentioned in my above post painting the sides black. Still not sure on the lighting. Going with a 24" fixture of some sorts. Not going to use MH because the lack of space above the tank. T5's are cool because of the color spectums available so im looking at them, but I like the 300watt 24" VHO fixture availble out there as well and the price is right for me. 300w will give me 7.5 watts per gallon which is awesome for softies and LPS which is what Im going to do.

[coraline79]

t5's fit really well in tight spaces. Man you don't mess around. Your old tank just walked out the door and now you are almost a third of the way done with the new one!!

[RayAllen]

t5's fit really well in tight spaces. Man you don't mess around. Your old tank just walked out the door and now you are almost a third of the way done with the new one!!

I go stir crazy when I dont have a glass box filled with water somewhere in the house, preferably salt water.:bigsmile:

[Kristy]

LOVE that pug show!:lmao2:

[ErikH]

bah, I can't read! I posted as soon as I saw the tank since you had already done so much. I figured in the ten seconds that had past between posts that you may have already had the tank filled. ;) I really like that idea because of the depth. Reminds me of TexReefer's but on a smaller scale.

[RayAllen]

bah, I can't read! I posted as soon as I saw the tank since you had already done so much. I figured in the ten seconds that had past between posts that you may have already had the tank filled. ;) I really like that idea because of the depth. Reminds me of TexReefer's but on a smaller scale.

Exactly; his tank inspired me to do this one. Thanks Mike, because you were kind enough to show my wife and I your tank a few weeks ago she liked enough to let me cut a hole in my wall:bigsmile:

[RayAllen]

Ok ive been doing a little work the last 2 days here ya go

Framed http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/framed.jpg
Sealing the entire closet http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/sealing.jpg
Painted sides of tank http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/paintedsides.jpg
Painted frame http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/paintedblack.jpg
Used salt and peppers sand and siliconed to the foam structure to make it not so yellow http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/notyellow.jpg
Entire closet and stand sealed with Killz http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/finishedseal.jpg
All done for now http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/done.jpg

[RayAllen]

Im very happy with it so far, not near as big as the 210g but im liking the look of the inwall so much more than any tank ive ever had. Looks like a peice of art, very cool.

[cpreefguy]

It looks awesome!

[RayAllen]

Thanks Sean! So far its all been pretty straight forward, no problems at all.

[hobogato]

great job ray!! really clean looking.

[RayAllen]

Thanks Ace next i will be doing the vents you and I talked about.

[ErikH]

Very nice :)

[Texreefer]

Glad to see that foam structure I made Is getting put to some good use,, if is is not siliconed to bottom yet,, pm me and i will give you a couple of tips

[RayAllen]

Its not yet. sent pm Mike.

[SKNR]

Looking good can't wait to see the finished product.

[MissT]

nice job, geez you work quick!!!

[RayAllen]

nice job, geez you work quick!!!

Thanks everyone, Everything so far ive done fairly quickly but its now going to be much slower while I slowly by the equipment that I will need.

[MissT]

well, I know you'll keep us posted on your progress! :bigsmile:

[D_and_A_Custom]

Looks good! I am about to start on my new system too.

[RayAllen]

Thanks, start a build thread when you do. They are always fun to follow.

[RayAllen]

I deceided I want to take the foam work on further. I want it to look more like a exibit that you would see at a aquarium or zoo where the back is completely covered, I incorporated the structure into the background so it blends in perfectly. This will allow zoas or whatever to grow up the back of the tank and look more like a natural reef. I will post pics soon.

[RayAllen]

well I scratched the above post, Made the back ground and it wasnt bad after using 3 cans of foam, lol. After it was in the tank I actually like the orginal structure by itself more so im going to sucure it into place tonight and ad the dry sand I have.

[RayAllen]

Im going with something diffrent on the sand. I have a 5g bucket full of pulverized granite that I used a year ago in a african cichlid tank I was running. Its Salt and pepper in color. Will give it a cool look; I think.

[RayAllen]

Ok today I went to walmart and bought as close to what I think is a natural color to paint the foam structure to get rid of that yellow for good. Im happy with the finished product. I also siliconed it into place with almost a full tybe of silicone so its not going anywhere.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1623.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1634.jpg

[ErikH]

Hope it stays down! Can you just paint that stuff with krylon fusion? Hmm, I still have my giant foam rock. Too bad I don't have anywhere to put it...

[RayAllen]

I talked to the man him self mike and hes using it on his most recent project. Krylon fusion is safe to use in the aquarium hence why people use it to paint their calflows, overflows, or anything they have in their tank they want another color. Ive been going to TexReefer for all my foam questions and respect his foam skills. Now thats fun to say. The peice is actually a little heavier than youd think with the plastic pvc inside and with as much silicone as I used its not moving, especially since its going to have weeks before water hits the tank.

[glennr1978]

lookin' good so far!!

[thesponge]

Did you end up getting that VHO fixture?

[RayAllen]

Did you end up getting that VHO fixture?

No VHO, I will be going MH for lighting. Most likely 250w pendant or retrofit.

[thesponge]

Oh from that pic of the tank with the light it looked like you may have already purchased the lighting

[RayAllen]

oh sorry for confusion that just a small florescent fixture I have.

[RayAllen]

Picking Up 250w MH Mini PFO Pendant with Icecap ballast and 10k bulb tommorow!

[apedroza]

Thats looking real nice!!!! Good job!!!

[RayAllen]

Well I made a couple of pruchases this weekend. Thanks to MikeDelgado I have a 250watt PFO mini Pendant with a DE 10K Ushio bulb with a glass shield. Super bright and looks great. And thanks to Kristy and Mike I now have a Octo 110 skimmer. I think Im going to have a couple of SPS in the tank, no more than that so they can actually become a decent size, the rest will be zoas and LPS. And more pics

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1708.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1705.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1710.jpg

Ray

[RayAllen]

On a side note the 250watt really doesnt get as hot as I thought. So the heat issues I thought I would have wont be so bad. Woo Hoo!

[BioCube14]

that is really cool tank setup I wish i had a house

[RayAllen]

Thanks it coming together nicely. I hope to have it filled with water within 2weeks; 3 the lates.

Oh and this is the 2nd home my wife and I have bought and cant be happier being home owners. Benefits far out way the negative of a mortgage payment.

[joelb]

man Ray, you really make things happen! and your young... good for you. i don't know if this would be any help to you but my 175g has been established for about 6 years now and felipe services it with water changes and suppliments once a month and if you need some estableshed saltwater, i'll be glad to let you know when the next water change is so you can fill about half your tank with the "good stuff" and add the other half with new saltwater. let me know if that would help. good luck, joel

[RayAllen]

Thanks Joel, I consider myself lucky to be in my mid 20's and accomplish what I have. I owe a lot of that to my beautiful wife Nikki who is in her late 20's.

I will let you know when I need some water and bring some buckets :)

[joelb]

way to go Nikki! sounds good, we empty 45-50 gallons at a time.
just let me know (210)978-6399, joel

[RayAllen]

Thats great I could fill the entire tank and get a good jump start. Although this time im going to take it slower and not add any corals for a while do to wanting to try SPS.

[ErikH]

Looks great buddy. :) That 250 is the same one I have, gotta love 'em.

[RayAllen]

yea its awesome, and I couldnt have gotten it for a better price.

[Mr Cob]

Any updates for us Ray? I've been looking forward to some more pics of your progress!

[RayAllen]

Thanks for following a long on the build! Unfortunately no, Nothing new. Still need to buy the sump, pump and a little bit of LR. I was hoping to have it running by now but other things have been going on. I will post as soon as I have something new.

[RayAllen]

Bought a 30g for a sump today. Still need to cut and install baffels. The left side; 10" section of the tank will be for the skimmer followed by a baffel. 2nd section 12" will be the fuge and the last section for the return pump.

I will be picking up my bulkhead and Mag 7 tommorow also.

[RayAllen]

Ordered my 1/4" acrylic today from glasscages.com for my sump baffels. They cut it to size for me so all I have to do is intall it when it arrives. It was actually cheaper for me to order from them with shipping versus driving to allied to get it from them, lol. With gas prices and Allied open 8-5 which are the hours I work it was also easier to just to make a call and be done.

[RayAllen]

Still waiting for baffels to come in before water can finally fill the tank. Here are some pics to hold you over untill they come in

Overflow and bulkhead installed
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1770.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1771.jpg

And the 30g sump that barely fit into the space as you can see. 1/2" longer and I would have been screwed
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1773.jpg

[ErikH]

So you are going with a mag7 for your return as well? I am going to do the same in a tank a tad larger, and I am glad to see someone else doing it. :) Why not the Calfo style overflow? Ace did the work right? Not asking to be a pest, just helps me to see your build. :) Thanks!

[RayAllen]

I bought the tank used already drilled on the top left so I figured Id just go with the corner overflow; yes ACE made it. Also with the tank being small I did not want the shadow casted all they way across the tank which is what a true calflow would have done. This way the entire tank gets fully lit by the MH.

[RayAllen]

Oh and yes on the Mag 7 as a return. Picked one up from BigBird

[ErikH]

This way the entire tank gets fully lit by the MH.

There in lies my debacle, but in a cuttle tank filtration takes precedence over lighting, but I don't know what I want to light the tank with. It's the snake consuming itself. :)

[Gilbert]

every thing looks nice but dont you think its going to distract you from the tv, and what happens when you want a bigger tv

[MissT]

every thing looks nice but dont you think its going to distract you from the tv, and what happens when you want a bigger tv


great problem to have!!!


It's looking great, Ray. Once you get it going, I'd love to come check it out

[RayAllen]

every thing looks nice but dont you think its going to distract you from the tv, and what happens when you want a bigger tv

My last cube was next to the TV and know one seemed to mind. Being that it is in the wall its more like a picture hanging near the TV that just happens to be alive, lol. Id prefer to watch a aquarium anyday over a TV. Wife and I are not huge TV fans we prefer to watch more educational channels such as Discovery, History etc... And for the living room id never go over 42" plasma or LCD in the future so there is plenty of room with some to spare. I have a seperate theater room in the house with my 50" plasma so thats where all the movies and spurs games are watched:bigsmile:

[RayAllen]

great problem to have!!!


It's looking great, Ray. Once you get it going, I'd love to come check it out

Thanks! Agree 100%; like watching national geo in my house. You are welcome to come by and check it out once I have water.

[RayAllen]

Baffels came in the mail today. Will be working on the sump tonight after Deadliest Catch.

[SKNR]

Ray been following your build since the beginning, great looking tank
I am also in the process of working on my sump,I have a question. I thought you could not secure acrylic to glass. not having done this before I could use some advice.
I would rather use acrylic as my glass cutting skills are not that great, as apparent in my sump that i will be redoing.

[cpreefguy]

Pictures
In the 8th page of the
Cube would be
Super
!

[RayAllen]

Ray been following your build since the beginning, great looking tank
I am also in the process of working on my sump,I have a question. I thought you could not secure acrylic to glass. not having done this before I could use some advice.
I would rather use acrylic as my glass cutting skills are not that great, as apparent in my sump that i will be redoing.

Several of us have used acrylic baffels in glass. It will hold if done right. Use thick enough acrylic and silcone and you will be set. Im using 1/4" thick acrylic and ive used it in the past with a couple of sumps with nothing but success. Just make sure to silicone each side of the acrylic and this will prove to be a great seal.

[RayAllen]

Hey now Sean im on page 4 on my settings which have pics on it, lol :) Im going to let my sump sit over night and then do a water test to make sure the baffels are good to go and then plumb this baby to the tank finally to do my first run test. Cant wait to post pics with water! I will actually be able to see what my 250w MH pendant looks like with glimmering water, then the pics will come.

[crabman]

man that is so sweet! great job, very impressive!

[RayAllen]

Thank You. Not a 210g which i recently sold, but i think its coming along very well.

[RayAllen]

Sump is good to go. From right to left Skimmer, fuge and then return pump. Simple but effective.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1780.jpg

[ErikH]

Not too shabby Ray. Let me know when the celebration keg arrives!

[thesponge]

Looks great Ray.

[RayAllen]

Not too shabby Ray. Let me know when the celebration keg arrives!

Thanks! All thats left to do is buy the plumbing, less than $10-15. Also a couple of peices of Live rock and fuge macro and mangroves which I already have lined up.

[RayAllen]

Thanks thesponge. I love your Signature, lol.

[SKNR]

Nice sump, thanks for the advice, will be redoing one of my baffles with acrylic this weekend. Can't wait to see the pics.

[RayAllen]

Update I did the plumbing on Monday before going on my business trip. I got home tonight from Kansas City and finally put water in the tank! Woo Hoo. I did a fresh water run to make sure everything is running well and everything is great except My Mag7 pump impeller is broken, figured this out when I plugged it in and it was super loud. This will set me back a few days untill I can get a new one.

[ErikH]

Ray, I am picking one up Saturday. You can borrow it.

[RayAllen]

Thanks Erik, but im just going to place a order for a new Impeller and I will be good to go. Wonder if any of our local stores sale the parts?

[thesponge]

I know some stores in Austin do. So I would say that some in SA probably do also.

[RayAllen]

More pics, finally with water (Freshwater run test)

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Ripples.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Sumpworks.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/waterinaction.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/freshtest.jpg

[tony]

thats a killer setup

i admittedly didnt read the whole thread. did you end up with the 250w MH? are you going bare bottom?

[ErikH]

:)Envy:)

[RayAllen]

thats a killer setup

i admittedly didnt read the whole thread. did you end up with the 250w MH? are you going bare bottom?

Thanks!

No not going barebottom, right now im just running freshwater to check and double check for leaks or any problems. I will drain and add the sand to the main tank and the fuge as well. I did end up with a 250w MH DE pendant and love it, now I just want to get a higher Kelvin bulb. Right now its a 10k Ushio.

Another note Texas Tropical has my pump impeller so I will pick it up today or tommorow:bigsmile:

[coraline79]

Yes, Yes, Y_E_S! Looking awesome! your fit and finish is unparalleled. I hope mine looks that good.

[zcatzmeow]

Dude! I sooo wish I hadn't read this thread! :cry_smile:

I have a wall just like that....that backs up to a closet.....and right now it is the space for the 120g that I'm thinking of downgrading.

I'm gonna keep and eye on your project....maybe save my pennies too :thumbs_up:

[RayAllen]

Dont know if you guys noticed if the first water pic, but I used a glass top as a splash guard so that mositure cant get into the wall or on the outside. Works perfectly.

Thanks coraline79, great compliment.

[thesponge]

It's looking great Ray.

[DBlackman]

Nice!!

[RayAllen]

Dude! I sooo wish I hadn't read this thread! :cry_smile:

I have a wall just like that....that backs up to a closet.....and right now it is the space for the 120g that I'm thinking of downgrading.

I'm gonna keep and eye on your project....maybe save my pennies too :thumbs_up:

They say to copy is the greatest form of flattery.:)

Thanks everyone. Salt will be in tommorow so I will officially be cycling.

[RayAllen]

Paul28 you were right. The shimmer the MH gives off is awesome. Never would have gotten the effect with another type of light.

[Paul28]

Yeh i love it thats why im not going to go full t5 only for my Actinics i knew you would :), Love the tank man its looking great been watching the thread love the set up :)

[Mr Cob]

Looking great Ray! I have enjoyed following along with your progress! I'm actually getting kind of impatient and ready for the reef already. LOL!

Can you comment on the carpet under everything? I made a terrible mistake of lining my stand with carpet once. Let's just say it was a real chore removing it with a 40gal sump with hard lined plumbing.

The smell was AWEFULL! My wife hated the hobby that week!

Just curious. I did see that your sump was up off of the carpet but at some point I would think the carpet is bound to get wet...

[RayAllen]

Thanks guys.

I did leave the carpet in the closet, I thought about removing it. I have had many tanks on carpets without any real leaks or spillage so its never really been a issue. I will keep my fingers crossed on that one. I am going to keep a fan in the closet to help circulate air and keep thing dry from moisture.

[RayAllen]

Just got done adding salt and sand to the tank. Also put sand and crushed coral skeletons in the fuge. Will post pics when everything clears up. Now the real fun begins! Finally after 2 months of slow work.

[Mr Cob]

Just got done adding salt and sand to the tank. Also put sand and crushed coral skeletons in the fuge. Will post pics when everything clears up. Now the real fun begins! Finally after 2 months of slow work.

Sweet! You know we are waiting for pics right...?

[RayAllen]

Sorry guys I havnt gotten around to pics, been busy. Just a update the tank is obviously new with newly mixed water and because of this my skimmer is producing zillions of some of the smallest Micro Bubbles ive ever seen that are getting into the main display. Its driving me nuts but hopefully after the next few days it will be broken in and gone. I read the the introduction of carbon somehow helps this so I added a bag to the sump. I will post pics today or tommorow. Promise :)

[RayAllen]

...

[RayAllen]

As promised pics. Ok Here is for the most part the finished product. Going to add a couple of bigger LR rock peices. Dont mind the Micro bubbles. Not sure if im sticking with the Ushio 10k, because its not bad but still not blue enough. Thanks to Darth Tater I have some macro and mangroves in the fuge.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Complete.jpg
top Down of in sump fuge section
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Fuge.jpg


Ray

[Mr Cob]

lOOKS GREAT RAY!

[RayAllen]

Thanks, I used a sugar sized crushed granite type sand that really blended well with the structure. It will look so much better once corals are introduced. Im just imagining a nice sps on the top with all its glory and a mountain of cool zoas. Any maybe a small clam.

[coraline79]

It is really coming together! I can't wait till I get to this point.

[RayAllen]

Thank you

[Mr Cob]

Can we get a wall pic?

[RayAllen]

No Problem, As you can see since ive started a couple of months ago my family room walls are now green and I painted the aquarium frame white to match the trim of the house.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1852.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1849.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1851.jpg

[RayAllen]

I need a new flat screen!

[LoneStar]

very nice

[Paul28]

Thats sweet man looks like a picture on the wall very clean work

[RayAllen]

Thanks guys.

[crabman]

man that is SO SWEET! one day i will have something like that! good quality works, looks nice and clean, can't wait to see it established!

[tony]

im uber jealous

[LoneStar]

im uber jealous

All you gotta do is get a stud finder and a sawzall Tony! :wink_smile:

[RayAllen]

What I like about it.. Instead of feeling like I just have a small tank that would have normally been setup up out in the open now I have a cool inwall tank that is a little decieving. My visitors think its one of the coolest things to. I also feel I have something worthy of entering TOTM once I have it stocked. SO watch out here I come :)

[thesponge]

Were you planning to paint the wall or did you do that for the tank?

[RayAllen]

We planned on painting the walls already. Why do you ask; Do You not like the color? We also plan on putting white crown molding up so it just makes since for the tank frame to be white like everything else to fit in archetually.

[thesponge]

I think it's a great color. I asked because I though you painted the frame for the tank black and now it's white so I wondered if it was an after thought to paint the wall. But I think the wall color with the white trim in the room gives it all a great finish. Now if you could only find a 50" LCD TV that's white you would be set!

[RayAllen]

Finding white 50" LCD might be tough, lol.

[tony]

krylon sells white ;)

[RayAllen]

krylon sells white ;)

Man i couldnt imagine spending 2-3k on a TV to only spray paint it white. That would be crazy.

[LoneStar]

whats another $5 for masking tape?

[RayAllen]

whats another $5 for masking tape?

LMAO

[FAT fishy]

sweeet

[Mr Cob]

That has got to be the best use for an under stair's closet I have ever seen!

Looks super clean! Nice work!

Thanks for adding the pics for us!

Now you need a wall mounted plasma :)

[RayAllen]

The only thing that is driving me nuts are the Micro bubbles the skimmer is putting in my sump therefore going into my Display. Its doing it because the tank is new, but even at a couple weeks its not really skimming anything but clear water. Im just going to unplug it and let the tank cycle some more so the skimmer has something to skim and maybe then the Micro bubble will cease.

[tony]

i remember reading somewhere that running a new skimmer through the dishwasher would help with that

[ErikH]

They need to make Ray an iTV.

I can't WAIT till my thread says "complete" lol. I am two weeks away from the 75 being "done".

[RayAllen]

i remember reading somewhere that running a new skimmer through the dishwasher would help with that

Huh, interesting I may hald to try that. It is used but on a new system.

[RayAllen]

Some Updates. As of Thursday I now have a beautiful coral beauty and cinnamon clown thanks To Hobogatos students also 5lbs more of Fiji premium from Phenomical. As of Today thanks to MissT I also have a hydor Koralia 2 and a large mag float. And now pics

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/39gMay1108.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/CoralBeauty.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/CinClown.jpg

[hobogato]

looking great ray!

[RayAllen]

Thanks Ace its doing really well and the fish were eating from day one.

[RayAllen]

Update May 21st. Im at war with Algae. Both hair and some kind of Rusty brown algae. I several snail (3-4 diffrent species) thanks to Kristy and Mike. They are working on it slowly but surely.

[tony]

are you feeding rod's food by chance?

i fight that same brown algae and it comes and goes

[RayAllen]

Im feeding Formual 1 and 2 flake. The brown algae actually came before the fish and the hair algae after introducing.

[tony]

hmmmm mine is very rust colored and grows mostly on my pumps, pipes, mostly plastic stuff

[RayAllen]

Sounds like the same stuff, mine is growing on the pvc, hydor, overflow but also the glass, sand and everything else, lol. Since adding the snail it has improved though.

[ErikH]

some kind of turf algae? I have some on a rock crowding out some zoas. The tank looks great Ray, I'll give you some frags to start off with if you want... Let me know. Oh yeah, GO SPURSSSSS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[tony]

give me a shout if you are over in my neck of the woods and i can donate some frags to the cause

[RayAllen]

Sweet guys in a 2-3 weeks im going to hit the two of you up for those frags! Im going to be out of town from May 26-June7th and dont want to be gone with new corals in the tank.

[RayAllen]

Memorial day update. Big thanks to Aquasport24- I picked up a ultralife reef ATO from him and its working like a charm . He also gave me some SPS frags just to try and see if they take to the tank. A couple of peices of cap and the other in not sure what it is; greenish in color with orange tips. I know I said I was going to wait untill after I got back from my trip but they were given to me so hope all goes well why im gone. My timers all work correctly, my ATO is working perfectly and snails have done wonders on the algae although the hair algae is drowing like weeds. I think they will do good; we will see....

[Kristy]

That big turbo should help with the hair algae. We had it growing in the little tank and they totally took care of it. Do you want to borrow another one to help? I don't think you could support 2 of them in the long term, but they could help you clean up the problem.

[RayAllen]

No thanks Kristy, he and the other devoured the brown algae. I meen it covered the tank and it is completely gone. He seems not to prefer the hair but now that the other is gone im hoping he will turn his attention to it.

[RayAllen]

Update on the tank. As of this weekend... Saturday the 14th I picked up 10lbs of cured fiji and added it to the display. On Sunday I also get a huge hook up from Tony with frags and more. Off the top of my heads I walked a way with 3 small colonies of zoas, frog spawn, a big peice of green Monti, a Crocea Clam and another LPS which I am not sure of the name. Thanks Tony! Thanks to BigKGlen I also have a large rock with awesome neon green Hairy mushrooms last weekend. Im steal dealing with a little hair algae and some micro bubble issues but all in all its coming along. I am also about to start dosing B-Ionic. Will try to get updated pics tonight when the lighting in the house isnt so bright.

[RayAllen]

Tested today and all is good

Calcium 380 ppm
Alk 10dKH
Phosphates 0ppm
Nitrates 0ppm

Just found my camera charger so I will post pics tonight. Tank has new inhabitants and the fishroom/closet got a revamp.

[RayAllen]

Ok finally a couple of photos if you want to see more check out the photgraphy section

May 11
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/39gMay1108.jpg

6-19 Today
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/6-19tank.jpg

Early May
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/waterinaction.jpg

6-19 Today
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/6-193.jpg

[hobogato]

did you really frame the tank that way or did you do that in photoshop? if that is the way it looks on the wall, that is AWESOME!

[RayAllen]

LOL, I used photoshop to make the frames. The actual frame around the tank is white but the pics where taken in the dark with no flash. Probably could make it look like that though.