ChuckG's 65 gallon tank - Page 3

ChuckG · #21 (**permalink**) 11-13-2007, 08:10 AM

Shhhhh - don't remind my wife of that.

I have her and myself convinced that a softie tank and an SPS tank would be better for all the inhabitants.

Let's keep it that way..................

Looks like my wife is so sick with her recent operation, then getting thrush AND now a cold. (was in contact with the doctor on Sun as well as went to see the doc today on Mon) that she needs me to stay home and take care of her for one more day.

SO - we will do a heat test on the new 65 gal set up. Temp plumbing, tap water, lights on and dropped several powerheads into the tank. Crossing my fingers that we don't go above 80.

Thomas · #22 (**permalink**) 11-14-2007, 12:04 AM

Chuck how many lights do you have? I thought I bought your 36" light from this tank. Damn.

ChuckG · #23 (**permalink**) 11-14-2007, 12:13 AM

I had two.
The one I kept has a little crack in it and needs the bulbs changed. I gave you the good one.

ChuckG · #24 (**permalink**) 11-14-2007, 12:16 AM

With just turning off the one pump in front of the overflow (in the photo above), keeping the lights on and opening the cabinet door with a small fan blowing into the cabinet I've got the temp down to 81.5.

Now I'm beginning to think that replacing the Mag 12 with an external Iwaki will probably do the trick.

ChuckG · #25 (**permalink**) 11-14-2007, 01:27 AM

A few pieces of scrap acrylic and some glue and you have a DIY Filter Sock Holder

**JTMAC** · #26 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007, 12:45 AM

Thats what I did with my tank stand. bought the cheap one and dressed it up

ChuckG · #27 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007, 01:42 AM

I guess I really should have started another thread for the 65 gal softie tank.

Is there a way to split this thread now?

Things are getting interesting. Even though I got a stand that's too big for the tank there isn't really a lot of room to play with.

The shelf has to be removable in case I need to get the skimmer out. I'll replace the plastic bucket with a wooden box (once I have time to make one).

I'm about to do something I may regret. You'll see on the next update.

**phlounder** · #28 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007, 01:43 AM

That reminded me of the Oceanic stand that came with my old 200. There was no 2x4 bracing. All the stand was made of was a base plate made of 2x4s laying flat, vertical walls of 3/4" pine some 1x4 braces where the doors were and the top was just some 2x4s laying flat and centered on top of the vertical pine panels. Problem was the weight sat on the outside of the vertical panels. So, after a few months I was looking at the stand and all of the top 2x4s were starting to point down on the outer edge - the tank was on it's way to a disater!

I quickly tore the thing down and built a heavy duty stand. I still can't believe the total lack of thought and engineering that went into building that lightweight, cheap stand that was going to have over a ton of tank and water sitting on it in someone's living room.

Oh and yes there is a way to split the thread. At which post do you want it to start?

ChuckG · #29 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007, 01:50 AM

#951 starts talking about the 65 gal but there are a few comments past that one that relate to the 150. Don't know if you can pick and choose or not.

ChuckG · #30 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007, 01:53 AM

Maybe I better get an opinion before I proceed with this idea.

The doser on the shelf will be used for fresh water for the ATO. Problem is that it can't easily be removed.

My idea is to cut a hole in the top and have a "fill" hole. Since the top will have 6" of ledge on each side, this will work. I could find a hollow ceramic fish or something that can sit on top of the fill hole and cover it.