The Wife pleaser

[Guest101]

Since im ordering my tank tomorrow I thought id start a build thread,

The tank will be a 4x2x2 with 36x18x15 (ish) sump, reef bones for the main display and a DSB with caulerpa in the sump,
Lighting will be T5's, not sure if im going to run a skimmer or not as the fish load will not be high just a few small blennies and clowns (maybe 1 largish fish),

Tank

4x2x2 with central weir with twin down pipes.
1000mmx500mmx300mm sump.
Custom made cabinet in gloss black

Equipment

Laguna max-flo 2400 return pump
custom made Phosphate reactor fed from return pump
custom made Carbon reactor fed from return pump
custom made balling vessels
custom made 4 channel dosing pump
Deltec APF600 or Bubble Magus BM160 fed from return pump
2 x tunze 6105
Aquarium Electronics Aquarium computer, controlling;
Temp
Auto topup
Lighting
Dosing pumps
Tunze pumps
overflow protection

Lighting

custom made dimmable 8 x 54w T5 unit
moon light simulating the phase of the moon

I will be using reefbones as the main filtration with some liverock to seed, Corals will be mainly SPS and very minimal fish stock.

The Design

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/tank_2.jpg

[Macca]

looking high tech John

[Guest101]

looking high tech John

Hopefully it will turn out like that.

[Guest101]

here is the fish list im thinking of,

2 x Black clowns
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/DarwinOcellaris.jpg

2 x normal clowns
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/clownfish.jpg

cleaner wrasse
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/cleaner_wrasse.jpg

royal grammer
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/royal_grammer.jpg

midas blenny
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/blenny_midas1.jpg

2 x Black bar cromis(if I can find them)
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/black_bar_chromis.jpg

If anyone sees any problems let me know but they should all be peacfull

[Tangman]

Hi John there are 1 or 2 things i would change m8, 1st the Royal Gramma is a funny fish to keep as the one i had kept getting whitespot and then clearing up which ended up with my other fish getting it. Macca says its because the Gramma is from a different part and carries a different strain of WS. 2nd one is the cleaner wrasse as they need quite a lot of fish to feed off to survive unless its eating frozen etc, if they are thats ok as they will survive. The black bar Chromis looks a nice little fish i might have to source some. Other than that it should be ok but just keep an eye on the 2 pairs of clowns as they will be ok when young but as they mature they could fight with each other. Sorry about the doom and gloom m8 but i hope you see what i mean. Twiggy PS how is the wifey ok i hope give her my regards will you.

[Guest101]

Cheers eric, I didnt think the grammer and the wrasse would have been a problem, from previous experiance they have both been fine. I thought there might be a problem with the blenny and the royal with them being similar species.

[Guest101]

This build is now on hold as the company I worked for has now gone bust and made us all redundent

[reefergeek]

Oh bugga thats not good, Had a false gramma only reason he died is he got in to a powerhead when they were on a controller it turned it on whilst the poor sod was in there, Then got a royal gramma so far touch wood no problems, My clearer wrasse eats mysis and flake mind you taken him 3 years to do it

[Guest101]

Im still getting the tank and stand as I have the money set away for them, but then it will stop until I get a newjob

[Tangman]

Thats bad news John i hope you get a new job sorted soon m8 Twiggy

[Guest101]

The tank is done and is being kept at Christal Clear Waters untill I build a stand for it, I have to say I am really impressed by the quality of the build :14:

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/20110313_0007.jpg

[reefergeek]

Wow looks nice cant wait to see the finished unit, how much was the tank

[androo]

it does look nice john will have a better look when i pop in i like the black outline

[Guest101]

Wow looks nice cant wait to see the finished unit, how much was the tank

4X2X2 are £295 mine was a bit more because I had the holes drilled

[Guest101]

it does look nice john will have a better look when i pop in i like the black outline

The black outline is just the edge of the glass but I have to agree it does look nice

[reefergeek]

I like the black silicone over clear, Met the bloke who builds them hes a nice bloke, Wonder how much it would cost for a 60x30x30 to be made up eeeeek

[Guest101]

been to shop today bought 20mtrs of 38x63 cls and 2 8x4 sheet s of 18mm MDF for my stand, got a bit more work to do tomorrow then its off to my mates sprayshop for a coat of gloss black, mmmmmm shiny

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/20110321_0003.jpg

[cl0wn]

thats some serious craftsmanship john very nice. don't forget to peel your barcodes off!!!

[reefergeek]

Looking well, oh just reminded me need to measure the panels i need for the cladding to get a price

[Guest101]

thats some serious craftsmanship john very nice. don't forget to peel your barcodes off!!!

Cheers Pete, those barcodes will be covered when I put the front on.

[Guest101]

Looking well, oh just reminded me need to measure the panels i need for the cladding to get a price

What you cladding yours in?

[androo]

i know i am hyjacking your thread mate but i am going to do mine in black acrylic but everywere i have looked is so expensive

[Guest101]

i know i am hyjacking your thread mate but i am going to do mine in black acrylic but everywere i have looked is so expensive

why not buy clear acrylic which is cheaper and spray the back of it black

[reefergeek]

Had three choices was going to order these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kitchen-Plinth-Black-Gloss-3-lengths-2700mm-x-150mm-/260752175749?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Kitchen_KitchenFurn iture_EH&hash=item3cb60a7285

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brand-New-500mm-High-Gloss-Black-Kitchen-Door-457-497mm-/170600623814?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Kitchen_KitchenFurn iture_EH&hash=item27b896eec6


Or mdf and then paint or use the vinyl wrap in gloss black as well seen one done like this and looked a little cheap

or b+q gloss black

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=it+kitchens+gloss+black+&x=0&y=0

[androo]

Had three choices was going to order these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kitchen-Plinth-Black-Gloss-3-lengths-2700mm-x-150mm-/260752175749?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Kitchen_KitchenFurn iture_EH&hash=item3cb60a7285

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brand-New-500mm-High-Gloss-Black-Kitchen-Door-457-497mm-/170600623814?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Kitchen_KitchenFurn iture_EH&hash=item27b896eec6


Or mdf and then paint or use the vinyl wrap in gloss black as well seen one done like this and looked a little cheap

or b+q gloss black

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=it+kitchens+gloss+black+&x=0&y=0


carnt get on your b&q link mate is it kitchen panel acrylic Kev a mate of mine suggested that

[Guest101]

I wanted to stay away from the kitchen cabinet stuff because as it ends up blistered and warped, Im doing mine in gloss black car paint with laquer so it should be rock hard and definatelly water proof.

[Guest101]

carnt get on your b&q link mate is it kitchen panel acrylic Kev a mate of mine suggested that

its PVC,.....

[androo]

I wanted to stay away from the kiktchen cabinet stuff because as it ends up blistered and warped, Im doing mine in gloss black car paint with laquer so it should be rock hard and definatelly water proof.

Can i ask how much it would cost please john have you bought clear acrylic and then spraying it

[Guest101]

Can i ask how much it would cost please john have you bought clear acrylic and then spraying it

Dont know yet, its a friends sprayshop so knowing him probably nothing just paint costs.

I painted acrylic before when I made a front panel for something I built.

[androo]

cheeky i know but could he be persuaded in doing him some extra

[reefergeek]

sorry its

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=it+kitchens+gloss+black+&x=0&y=0

Might be asking your mate as well and throwing him money for himself and for the paint

Getting a little sick of mine now been uncladded but still paying for the flipping holls grrrr

[Guest101]

I can ask for ya

[androo]

I can ask for ya

willing to pay John bud dont expect nothing for free mate aslong as it doesnt work out to costly

Thanks

[reefergeek]

Could be a nice little earner for him with me and androooooooooo

[androo]

Could be a nice little earner for him with me and androooooooooo

Now we are talking and we can put too for some acrylic to if your up for it maybe get it abit cheaper

[reefergeek]

Was going to use 18mm mdf and 12mm mdf for the top surround

[Guest101]

I think I might need to change my sump design, I was going to have a "natural" system using a DSB and caulerpa, no skimmer and just keeping softies, BUT, I think ive changed my mind, I think I want a full blown SPS reef which would mean a sump re-design and large skimmer.

[Guest101]

Stand is finished and at painters will be going down thursday to do all the prep work filling and sanding, need to make 2 new doors tomorrow as the ones I made as these ones got knacker up by the hinges.

Took it to Christal Clear to test fit the tank and sump and they fit great

Also need to cut some wood for the sides of the valance.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/P220311_1220.jpg

[androo]

did you ask your mate about doing a couple more tank stands please john?

Your tank and stand looks great by the way buddy

[Guest101]

did you ask your mate about doing a couple more tank stands please john?

Your tank and stand looks great by the way buddy

Yeah he'll do them but never give a price as Idont know what you want doing.

[androo]

Not sure myself John i have a stand courtesy of Eric and i want the tank stand to be black gloss effect so basically i want to clad the back and sides and i will be putting doors on it but not sure how the best way to go about it ie acrylic or mdf?

[Guest101]

You know when people say "if you want a job doing right do it yourself" well just been to finish my stand and when I walked in it was already painted black, Great I thought untill i had a look at it, rather then spraying the stand as was agreed he decided to use household gloss and a roller it looked f***ing S**t. have just spent the morning sanding all the paint off

[reefergeek]

Grrrr knew a bloke who prepared a triumph t6 bonnet spent over 20 years rebuilding the car he brought over from germany he send the bonnet to get sprayed and it came back crap so he had to sand it all down again and fill and sand they wanted £200 for spraying it he said no chance

[Guest101]

ill be spraying it myself in the back yard tomorrow, going to borrow the father-inlaws compressor and gun

[Chris@ChristalClearWaters]

Nightmare pal, ah well, at least you'll do a propper job ;)

[reefergeek]

Only thing i havent got is the water trap for the compressor got a decent spray gun might get one bought mind you the father can get it sprayed econ yellow quite big spray booths there lol

[Guest101]

Why does it always have to rain when I work outside. the stand has had 3 coats of primer and is now as smooth as glass, just been and bought a new spraygun as my father-inlaws was putting a few bits through and wasnt giving an even coverage which is fine for the primer but not the base coat or lacquer, so tomorrow it should be finished and will post some pics up then.

[CP Ocean]

sounds like its coming along nice, I know what you mean about the rain, every time I wash the car ....

[reefergeek]

Best time to wash a car in the rain dont end up with smear marks

Still got my mates 4ft tank outside i am trying to finish it off but not going out in this lol

[Guest101]

its not raining that much here its just the odd drip ever now and again, just dont want to risk it

[Guest101]

A quick update whilst im waiting for paint to dry

The stand was sanded down with 1000w/d paper untill it was super smooth then on went the black all was going great until the wind decided to get up, it pulled a load of sawdust from under the shed and laid it nicely on the side of the stand how nice, so now I have to wait for it to dry and sand it again before putting the lacquer on.

Primer
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/20110331_0010.jpg

2 coats of jet black basecoat
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/20110331_0012.jpg

[reefergeek]

You have just convinced me to spray my own, have you got a car buffer you can use with polishing compound to get the orange peel out if there is any, I would think the gloss would be far less forgiving

[Guest101]

I did have I sold it a while ago, the gloss that was on this has f***ed it, its left scratches all over it that I couldnt get out, it would have been easier to make a new stand,

[reefergeek]

Did the same anything that lies about lol, You would think i would learn every ting i get rid of i seem to need it again

Might get a cheapo one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kent-High-Power-Car-Buffer-Polisher-9-10-8-Pads-Set-/140475559365?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20b4feedc5

[Tangman]

Hi John have you used 2 pack paint as i would have done so that when you have laquered it you can rub the marks out and buff to a lovely gloss finish, plus saltwater wont attack the 2 pack laquer as it sets rock hard.Twiggy

[Tangman]

Did the same anything that lies about lol, You would think i would learn every ting i get rid of i seem to need it again

Might get a cheapo one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kent-High-Power-Car-Buffer-Polisher-9-10-8-Pads-Set-/140475559365?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20b4feedc5
Hi Kev this is the one you want as your one is only a polisher and is dual action which wont buff it as this one will. Twiggy
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-POLISHER-BUFFER-SOFT-START-6-SPEED-BODY-SHOP-/270389557911?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3ef4793a97

[reefergeek]

Yeah buddy just looked at that one, thought they were more expensive last time i looked they were, I had a bosch one and flogged it for £120 it was from a garage closure back in the old days of spannering Jeez there all cheap now just need a water stop for the compressor shall have a look at the spray gun to make sure thats ok think its a devilbiss pro with the stainless cup gravity fed

[Guest101]

Yeah used 2 pack, that polisher is expensive(the pro one) there cheaper then that in the shop near me.

gave it another light sanding with 2000w/d to get rid of the bits and gave it another coat then straight on with the laqcuer just finished it when the wind picked up again and dumped a load more s**t on the stand. ill see if it will buff out.

here the shiny stand
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/20110331_0013.jpg

and the s**t right on the front corner
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/20110331_0014.jpg

[reefergeek]

Does look well buddy, Remember having a car wing sprayed and we got it back it was gloss back it was bloody awful orange peel all over we sanded that down with 2000grit then tcut all by hand, Looked like a mirror when we finished, The 2pack is very dodgy stuff a mate sprayed his car in it with no air fed mask in a garage he was badly for a long time

[Guest101]

I didnt have a mask either forgot to buy one but I was outside with plenty of ventilation, That what I was thinking of doing sanding and then tcut or the g3 compound I have and doing it by hand

[Guest101]

Its finished all sanded and buffed still a slight orange peel effect put I dont care it in the house and ready to put the tank on tomorrow, then I can build the valance
going to paint the inside with a white bathroom paint.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/20110401_0001.jpg

[androo]

Looks great John a job well done mate look real nice with that new tank of yours on

[cl0wn]

looks very impressive mate.

[Guest101]

My tanks in, BIG THANKYOU to Chris for delivering ti and carrying it in the house with me.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/20110402_0004.jpg

[cl0wn]

wow, looks super slick.

[Guest101]

Suppose I should do an update since ive done a bit of work on this tank,

Have installed the glass weir and the plumbing in the weir, just been and bought some black acrylic to make a weir cover and am just going down to my dads to router some teeth into it. I also bought a 100GPD RO unit a few weeks back along with a booster pump my water pressure before the pump is 20psi now im getting 100psi and am producing RO at a stready stream instead of a drip.
The tank has got nearly 30k of reefbones in and is being washed in RO, I will do a 100% RO water change each week until the P04 has all gone, Ill put some pics up later

[Guest101]

heres some pic of the progress

plumbing
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/20110508_0009.jpg

Home made weir comb routered into 5mm black acrylic
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/20110508_0013.jpg

let there be water
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/20110508_0014.jpg

ingore the doors I havnt got around to finishing them yet the tape its holding the door up to stop my son climbing in
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/20110508_0018.jpg

End veiw
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/johnl69/20110508_0019.jpg

[Buster]

Coming on great John. Looks a nice piece of kit.

[CP Ocean]

yey its wet

[reefergeek]

Looking well John nice one buddy, If you had a smaller amount of reef bones people have put them in to the toilet cistern far easier then water changes lol

[Guest101]

Just been asked about setting up a tank with reefbones instead of liverock so i thought id post my reply up here aswell in case anyone else want to know.

For setting up a new tank with just reefbones, then the first thing you need to do is to wash them, they contain a load of dead creatures and detritus, so a good jet wash will remove most if not all of the loose particles in the rock. then you need to remove the phosphate that gets chemically bound to the rock when it is dried off, So a good soak in RO water will absorbe all the P04 a couple of powerhead to add flow will help, this can take a few weeks and requires alot of RO, 100% changes weekly will remove alot of the P04, when the levels get down to really low then its time to use some rowaphos to remove the remaining P04. at this point its time to add fresh RO and salt and cycle the tank, a few kilos of live rock should be added now to help seed the cycle and add some small critters to the tank.
once cycled reefbones are just as an effective filter as liverock but its a lot of work, but is cheaper and you have less chance of adding an unwated pest into the tank.