The Worst Thread in RAG History

olsaltybastard · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 12:20 AM

Here it is folks!! I should be good to go for setting up the 215g tank next week. I bought it a few weeks ago, and took the time to clean off all of the coralline algae and stuff that stuck to the glass.

I have spent several weeks building the stand for it. I still don't know exactly how I am going to go about attaching the doors, but I don't need doors to make it work. It's not perfect, but built about 1,000 times better than any stands produced by Oceanic or AGA.

Over the past 2 months, I have had about 100 lbs of Marshall Island live rock "cooking" in my garage. I went ahead and drilled several holes through each piece. A fiberglass rod will be inserted into the rock, and subsequent pieces will be stacked on top of each other. This should go a long ways to assist in flow rather than the usual rock wall. I then procured some Tonga table rock to give a bit more variation to the scheme. There is going to be lots of open space for corals to grow and fish to swim.

Speaking of flow, I ordered a pair of Tunze 6201's to compliment the two 6100's I already have; there is going to be LOTS of flow going on in here!! I just need to get the magnetic hangers for them and I should be set. This is much more expensive than a closed loop, but I like the idea of little power usage and not having to drill holes in the glass.

I ordered a single piece of cutting board (starboard) for the bottom of the tank. I was going to seal it into the tank, but silicone does not stick to silicone very well. It would have made a tremendous mess, and probably not have been much better than leaving it alone in the first place.

The skimmer is still the Deltec APF600; I see no reason to upgrade this skimmer as of yet. I am still within the manufacturers ratings and haven't really put it to the test.

The plumbing is going to be done in stages. I already have PVC on the tank now, and not quite happy with it. I will use spa-flex for the time being and take it from there. I would like to go with an external, flow rated pump rather than a Mag12 or Mag18. This means I have to drill my sump, which means I have to empty it, blah, blah, blah. This will be a nice winter project when it's 40 degrees outside and raining. I will eventually end up with PVC again, but it will be a bit more basic than what I have right now.

Today, I set up a 65g tank that will be a temporary home for the fish during the transfer of tanks. Tomorrow, I will transfer 50lbs of rock that is currently in the display, and begin the task of transferring the fish over as well. This way, I will not be pressed for time and I can let the new tank take a few weeks to do any last minute cycling that may occur.

The worst part about this thread???? I dropped my camera in the river back in June, and haven't replaced it. That's right, I have NO pictures of this setup!! A 215g tank, Deltec skimmer, Tunze streams, and not a single picture!! This thread really does suck!! Maybe, I'll borrow the camera from work and take a few pics, maybe I won't!!

MDPinUSA · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 02:31 AM

No pix... expect to see more of this.

phlounder · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 03:30 AM

Good luck with the build OSB and put a new camera on the Christmas wish list.

**Paramecium** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 03:49 AM

No pics on a build thread is the perfect reason for a permanent ban!

olsaltybastard · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 05:05 AM

Here is a poor shot of the tank with the cutting board bottom installed. Nice glare, I know!!

Here is just over $964 in water movement. These are in addition to the two 6100's and the controller which I already have. No wife and no kids makes decisions like this a no brainer!!

Here is a crummy shot of the front. The doors are not on and the top molding will not be put in place until the tank is set up. The tank weighs 500lbs empty and is a bear to move around. Having the molding in place would compound things to the point where profanity would run wild.

Here is the rock that has been cooking in my garage for most of the summer. All of it has been drilled with a 1/2 inch masonry drill bit.

This is a single idea of what you can accomplish by using this method. Keep in mind that these are a few small pieces that happened to be lying at the top of the containers; the rest is much larger and more shapely.

I'll take some pics of the holding tank tomorrow, once I get it set up.

**Paramecium** · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 12:21 PM

Jeez, threaten a ban and look what happens. I did the same thing with my rock, I like doing it this way the best.

Forget the wife and kids, time to hire a cute french maid!