99sf's 150-Gallon Upgrade
- Thread starter 99sf
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99sf
Guest
Arnold,
I'm planning to rent the moving truck early Friday afternoon, and move the fish & coral into the holding tank. Then, plan to be in Fremont with the truck relatively early, by 9:00, for the main tank move. I predict that cleaning & polishing it (in Orinda) will take at least a few hours, leaving us to set up the tank on Saturday afternoon. Would love to have your help, if you are available. Most likely, I will be working on the plumbing and electrical around 3:00 on Saturday.
I'm planning to rent the moving truck early Friday afternoon, and move the fish & coral into the holding tank. Then, plan to be in Fremont with the truck relatively early, by 9:00, for the main tank move. I predict that cleaning & polishing it (in Orinda) will take at least a few hours, leaving us to set up the tank on Saturday afternoon. Would love to have your help, if you are available. Most likely, I will be working on the plumbing and electrical around 3:00 on Saturday.
tuberider
Guest
99sf said:
I use the F1 for most tanks with the "Super Algae Cutter" (used to be called Super Algae Sock), you can see it on this page http://www.mightymagnets.com/pads.htm, the plus will be a little strong for your tank, the standard is fine. Also, I didn't realize how much they came down in price, whoopie!
99sf
Guest
Perfect, thank you, Jeremy. I just ordered the clearance version of the F1 plus a few sets of pads. The page I found includes mis-matched and cosmetic blemishes for a reduced price, but "They are in every way just as effective as the stock models and will look very similar." Looking forward to having a very clean tank!
99sf
Guest
I went back and checked to see who tentatively offered to help with this project. Does this list seem accurate? Anyone available on Friday (instead of Saturday) for just the livestock move?
Seminolecpa / Bryan (loaning Brute cans with wheels, tarp, water jugs)
Apon / Arnold (Saturday after 3:00)
Saltwatersig / Sergio (Saturday after 11:00, loaning heater, in sump skimmer)
Patchin / Steve (saturday morning breakdown)
Orion / Gus (Saturday morning)
Guihan / Benjamin (Friday afternoon loaning buffer, 100 gallon acrylic holding tank, 4 water jugs)
Seminolecpa / Bryan (loaning Brute cans with wheels, tarp, water jugs)
Apon / Arnold (Saturday after 3:00)
Saltwatersig / Sergio (Saturday after 11:00, loaning heater, in sump skimmer)
Patchin / Steve (saturday morning breakdown)
Orion / Gus (Saturday morning)
Guihan / Benjamin (Friday afternoon loaning buffer, 100 gallon acrylic holding tank, 4 water jugs)
99sf
Guest
BAR members, thank you so much for all the help! I definitely have negative tank moving karma now. We managed to dismantle the tank on Saturday (thanks to help from Steve, Bryan and Gus and two non-BAR friends), clean it and polish it (Sergio & Arnold). It looks so much better!
And Bryan & Gus showed me that the pre-existing plumbing had a number of danger spots, including a bulkhead at the very bottom/back corner of the sump, leading to an external pump that was almost impossible to remove during the tear-down. Bryan convinced me that the siphon overflows could be a great way to ruin the floor in my apartment, and that I should order internal overflow boxes and drill the tank. Gus' strong construction skills showed when he removed extra support beams from the stand, allowing the sump to be removed, plus he played an important role in designing the return plumbing system, including sawing a tank baffle to place the return pump inside the sump. Sergio, Arnold & Cathy really polished the tank with a buffer & Novus late in the afternoon.
Now, I'm still cleaning & organizing equipment, and trying to convince a small reef company in Minnesota to make another large internal overflow box, since Bulk Reef Supply only has one available. Of course, I'm trying to convince them to manufacture this and mail it to me by Saturday. Meanwhile, the fish, coral & rock seem stable in their holding tanks. I did a 5-gallon water change last night in the fish/coral holding tank. Trying to find a copper banded butterfly fish that can feast on the aiptasia in the live rock holding tank.
Photos attached... I am definitely available for the next big BAR tank move! I can't thank enough those of you who put in so much time to help me this past weekend. And I owe a few of you some ricordia frags.
And Bryan & Gus showed me that the pre-existing plumbing had a number of danger spots, including a bulkhead at the very bottom/back corner of the sump, leading to an external pump that was almost impossible to remove during the tear-down. Bryan convinced me that the siphon overflows could be a great way to ruin the floor in my apartment, and that I should order internal overflow boxes and drill the tank. Gus' strong construction skills showed when he removed extra support beams from the stand, allowing the sump to be removed, plus he played an important role in designing the return plumbing system, including sawing a tank baffle to place the return pump inside the sump. Sergio, Arnold & Cathy really polished the tank with a buffer & Novus late in the afternoon.
Now, I'm still cleaning & organizing equipment, and trying to convince a small reef company in Minnesota to make another large internal overflow box, since Bulk Reef Supply only has one available. Of course, I'm trying to convince them to manufacture this and mail it to me by Saturday. Meanwhile, the fish, coral & rock seem stable in their holding tanks. I did a 5-gallon water change last night in the fish/coral holding tank. Trying to find a copper banded butterfly fish that can feast on the aiptasia in the live rock holding tank.
Photos attached... I am definitely available for the next big BAR tank move! I can't thank enough those of you who put in so much time to help me this past weekend. And I owe a few of you some ricordia frags.
seminolecpa
Past President
So glad you decided to tkae your time and do a good polist and upgrade to internal overflow boxes. Just looking at the way the old owner had it set up was making me nervous.
I don't think I have seen that much salt creep in a long time. The tank was nearly empty (as Christina had taken most of the livestock out the day before), but I got to take home lots of souvenirs of it with me as I think I was covered in it by days end.
Very happy to see that it will be set up properly and safely.
I don't think I have seen that much salt creep in a long time. The tank was nearly empty (as Christina had taken most of the livestock out the day before), but I got to take home lots of souvenirs of it with me as I think I was covered in it by days end.
Very happy to see that it will be set up properly and safely.
99sf
Guest
I spent much of my free time this past week cleaning reef stuff, caring for the livestock, filtering/mixing water, and trying to organize. Since everyone last saw the tank on Saturday, I have scrubbed: four Maxi-Jet 1200s; a Koralia 4; two Seio powerheads; a number of acrylic powerhead supports; a chiller; many buckets; HOB overflow kits; several powerstrips; an ASM G-2 skimmer with pump; and assorted Rubbermaid containers. So much work! Anyone need a Max-Jet or Seio?
I got a depressing email message this morning from the small company that fabricates the glue-on internal overflow boxes. My package should have arrived today. Apparently, the post office returned it to the sender this morning in Minnesota, questioning the stamps on the package. That means I cannot finalize the plumbing until Monday at the earliest. But I should be able to install the bulkheads, hard plumb drains, and work on the return system (with Dad's help) on Sunday. Bought Weldon-3 from Tap Plastics to attach the overflow boxes once they arrive.
One thing I have not worked on since Saturday is sanding out the scratches in the tank. That's tomorrow's project. I'll start with 400 wet grit, then move to 600 and 1500.
Tonight, I tried to eradicate all the aiptasia on the live rocks. There were even two aiptasia on the maxima clam's shell! Used Blue Life Aiptasia Control, which has worked well for me in the past. The holding tanks definitely make reaching into the rocks easier than the 150 gallon display tank.
I got a depressing email message this morning from the small company that fabricates the glue-on internal overflow boxes. My package should have arrived today. Apparently, the post office returned it to the sender this morning in Minnesota, questioning the stamps on the package. That means I cannot finalize the plumbing until Monday at the earliest. But I should be able to install the bulkheads, hard plumb drains, and work on the return system (with Dad's help) on Sunday. Bought Weldon-3 from Tap Plastics to attach the overflow boxes once they arrive.
One thing I have not worked on since Saturday is sanding out the scratches in the tank. That's tomorrow's project. I'll start with 400 wet grit, then move to 600 and 1500.
Tonight, I tried to eradicate all the aiptasia on the live rocks. There were even two aiptasia on the maxima clam's shell! Used Blue Life Aiptasia Control, which has worked well for me in the past. The holding tanks definitely make reaching into the rocks easier than the 150 gallon display tank.
Apon
Supporting Member
maybe add a 1000 grit in there? don't forget to do it with wet sand paper and keep it wet. Also keep wiping the acrlyc down so you can see the scratch is gone. When you start doing it, you will see milkesh colored water. If its sunny I would do it out side to yet as much light on the tank, if not. inside with lots of towels.
tuberider
Guest
You may want to backup some of the Weld on #3 with some #16 just incase you don't get a perfect seal, which is likely going to be the case since the tank has held water.
I also agree with Arnold, 1000 seems to be a magic grit when it comes to polishing acrylic (like 320 for surfboards).
I also agree with Arnold, 1000 seems to be a magic grit when it comes to polishing acrylic (like 320 for surfboards).
99sf
Guest
OK, you guys have convinced me to return to Tap Plastics, where I will get some 1000 grit sandpaper and some Weld-on 16, as well as a fiberglass rod to make some rock pillars. Arnold, I plan to have a bowl of water next to the tank while polishing, and will routinely drench the sandpaper. Towels ready!
