New setup thread

[CurvBall]

Hey Big T, I guess you can never have enough flow hey

As far as my tank is concerned, I haven't had much time on my hands as I've been working on my new publication called Make Some Noise. It is South Africa's first alternative music magazine. After it's out and the launch parties are over, my tank will have my undivided attention

Besides that my tank is looking good, finally got it at home. Still need to gather all my plumbing etc and to get my stand. Once I have all that, it should be up and running 2 weeks after I do the plumbing I can't wait. Just a quick question, what lighting do you have on your new tank? I might be going with dual 250MH on mine (65g) plus 78w of T5's.

 

[big t]

Well I finished making some new toys for this setup. On the right is a phos media reactor. It is about 2x3" square and about 16" tall and powered by a maxijet 900. It has the potential to totally fluidise the media, but I have it dialed back to just a 'roll' as recommended from DonW

On the left is a new calcium reactor that I started a couple months ago, and finally finished this morning. It is supposed to be a 'fluidised' calcium reactor made to run some of the german medias. However a mag 5 that I have for it just isn't enough to do the deed. I may have to try my iwaki rltx 30 I think that ot to do it . I am going to germany here in November so I will definately be bringing some toys back with me :badgrin:. Anyway it should work fine in the meantime with ARM and the mag 5. The tank is not doing too great at the moment mainly due to a power outtage while I was on a business trip. The old Cal reactor lost its siphon and my wife never noticed it wasn't dripping for about 30 days. My cal is currently at 109 and I am working on bringing it back up.

 

[esmith]

Dang Tom, you da man!!! Those look real nice, I especially like the way you incorporated the pump onto the side of the reactore base .

Eliyah

 

[NaH2O]

Wow - awesome Tom.

The old Cal reactor lost its siphon and my wife never noticed it wasn't dripping for about 30 days. My cal is currently at 109 and I am working on bringing it back up.

Woops. Sorry that happened. Hopefully, you'll be back on track soon.

 

[Scooterman]

Nice work Big-T, If I can ever get the wood working part down I'd be happy, yours came out soo nice!

 

[jazznreef]

great job Tom! did you have good luck with the biscuit approach? is that enough corner support for a six foot long 180? i was looking at the porter cable biscuit joiner tool trying to decide if that was the route to take. I've seen other designs with 2x4s notched into each other for stability. what do you think tom? thanks man.

 

[big t]

Thanks Nikki and Scoot! Woodshop was the class that I got the absolute most out of from when i was in highschool. It is definately a nice skill to have

Jazz, I think that biscuits and 3/4" ply are plenty to support a 180, if it is all done right. I would use gorilla glue on the biscuits and the rest of the joint. It is working out just fine for me! I have seen plenty of stands that are made of only particle board and are supporting some big tanks. I would never go that route but some good 3/4" ply will do the trick no problem

 

[big t]

Well Time for a Update. Things have been going pretty well considering that I have been gone for most of the Summer. I have to thank Dave (Schottman) for taking care of me the last couple weeks, Thanks buddy. Anyway here are some pics

 

[Scooterman]

Wow what a great update, beautiful!

 

[wrightme43]

Super sweet!!! I like the stand and plumbing alot. The proof is in the critters, and they look great. Thanks for showing it. Steve

 

[NaH2O]

Looking great, Tom!!

 

[CarlaW]

Lookin pretty darn good. Did you go with all frags?

 

[big t]

Thanks a lot guys! I am pretty stoked with the way the tank is going. I just wish that I was around more to take better care of it. I am getting ready to go to Germany for 3 months, so Esmith stepped up and said he will help my wife polly out every couple weeks with maintenance.

Charlie, I did go with all frags with exception of the green millie that rtn'd all its tips. It still has a lot of life on it and I need to frag the crap out of it. A lot of the bigger ones that are in there came from Mojo's tank a couple years ago as small frags.

 

[big t]

20 Feb update

Hey Guys

I just got back from Germany a couple days ago and wow my wife Polly did a great job. I could hardly believe how well all went. Another special thanks goes out to Dave (Schottman) He took care of my tank for about 2 weeks over Christmas and New Years. I picked up 2 new pieces that are going to be in the first 2 pics after the full tank shot. The second is a neat puple w/ green polyp, hopefully it will brighten up a lot. The first is a A.Granulosa, it should color up a lot too enjoy.
Here is the full tank shot from October

and here is today

 

[big t]

here are some more shots

 

[big t]

more .................

 

[big t]

thats it .................

 

[bigreefer]

looking good look good!

 

[Elmo18]

Oh man, I can't wait for the A. nana

- Elmo

 

[reedman]

Nice show Tom. Looks like a great welcome home gift.