But it was too good to pass up

[Chris Spaulding]

I was at my LFS and he asked are you still thinking about a 8 ft tank ?
I said yes but man the cost have just gotten so high lately.
He says “ Well I have a customer that’s breaking down his tank . It is an acrylic 8x2x2 3/4” thick with stand , canopy, and sump”
This peaked my interest and I said “It’s got to be a good deal and I am game” It just happens that earlier in the week I was looking a that exact same tank but 1/2” acrylic so I knew what it cost new.
Later he went over to where the tank was and sent me pictures and asked “ How does $1200.00 sound ?”
Me “OK”

Attached are the pictures that he sent me.
Much more to come.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Nice! Love an 8' tank. Cleaned up it'll be awesome.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

Nice! Love an 8' tank. Cleaned up it'll be awesome.

Thank You
Yes it will take some elbow grease but should turn out.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

The next step was to round up a few friends and rent a Uhall trailer to get it moved over. Took 4 of use about a total of about 3 hours . And after took them out for lunch and drinks.
The next day I headed to the store and picked up 20 gallons of distilled white vinegar and started a 3 day soak. In the mean time I pulled out the sump and tried to modify to my liking. This sump is huge 60”x20”x20” I was not satisfied with the layout among other things so I decided to replace the sump and went with a Bashsea Pro 48 and it is being delivered on Friday.
Also while the soak was taking place started to look for other gear needed.
R2R marketplace is a great place to pick things up.
Lights Sky’s x4
Flow Neptune waves x4
Neptune DoS and also picked up the new DoS continuous
57 w AquaUv
Return pumps Staygrow 2800 gph x 2 I have had great luck with these been running on smaller systems for almost 2 years with no problems
Set of Maxspect 350 cloud additions
Reef factory Large flease roller
Avast Large Kalk stir had onhand
Aquamaxx DC Q 3 Skimmer have on hand was too big for my heavy stocked 150 gallon tank
Aquamaxx T3 calcium reactor.
Picture of aquarium after the soak.

 

[crazyfishmom]

The next step was to round up a few friends and rent a Uhall trailer to get it moved over. Took 4 of use about a total of about 3 hours . And after took them out for lunch and drinks.
The next day I headed to the store and picked up 20 gallons of distilled white vinegar and started a 3 day soak. In the mean time I pulled out the sump and tried to modify to my liking. This sump is huge 60”x20”x20” I was not satisfied with the layout among other things so I decided to replace the sump and went with a Bashsea Pro 48 and it is being delivered on Friday.
Also while the soak was taking place started to look for other gear needed.
R2R marketplace is a great place to pick things up.
Lights Sky’s x4
Flow Neptune waves x4
Neptune DoS and also picked up the new DoS continuous
57 w AquaUv
Return pumps Staygrow 2800 gph x 2 I have had great luck with these been running on smaller systems for almost 2 years with no problems
Set of Maxspect 350 cloud additions
Reef factory Large flease roller
Avast Large Kalk stir had onhand
Aquamaxx DC Q 3 Skimmer have on hand was too big for my heavy stocked 150 gallon tank
Aquamaxx T3 calcium reactor.
Picture of aquarium after the soak.

Awesome job with the cleanup, tank is looking great! Can’t wait to see what you do with it!

 

[vetteguy53081]

The next step was to round up a few friends and rent a Uhall trailer to get it moved over. Took 4 of use about a total of about 3 hours . And after took them out for lunch and drinks.
The next day I headed to the store and picked up 20 gallons of distilled white vinegar and started a 3 day soak. In the mean time I pulled out the sump and tried to modify to my liking. This sump is huge 60”x20”x20” I was not satisfied with the layout among other things so I decided to replace the sump and went with a Bashsea Pro 48 and it is being delivered on Friday.
Also while the soak was taking place started to look for other gear needed.
R2R marketplace is a great place to pick things up.
Lights Sky’s x4
Flow Neptune waves x4
Neptune DoS and also picked up the new DoS continuous
57 w AquaUv
Return pumps Staygrow 2800 gph x 2 I have had great luck with these been running on smaller systems for almost 2 years with no problems
Set of Maxspect 350 cloud additions
Reef factory Large flease roller
Avast Large Kalk stir had onhand
Aquamaxx DC Q 3 Skimmer have on hand was too big for my heavy stocked 150 gallon tank
Aquamaxx T3 calcium reactor.
Picture of aquarium after the soak.

Good for you - Congrats !!! Bigger is Better

 

[Chris Spaulding]

Awesome job with the cleanup, tank is looking great! Can’t wait to see what you do with it!

Thank you

 

[Chris Spaulding]

After draining the tank of the vinegar solution and drying out I could see quite a few scuff marks but no scratches. Back in the rear corners where the coralline was real thick and along the bottom at the sand line still had some light hazing and I could not get it buffed out.

I headed out to the auto parts store and picked up some 2500 grain wet/dry sandpaper and began to sand these areas. This worked like a dream with out a lot of elbow grease. But I realized that it would take a lot more to get this now scratched to a light haze out. I started to look through Amazon and found a battery powered 4” buffer. Also ordered a Novus kit and got to work. With the buffer and Novis in hand I got to work and after a couple hours the tank looks almost new.
I also grabbed a Durado mount that my Dad had caught 45 years ago that I had hanging up at my tackle store and mounted it above the tank. I think it looks good and it reminds me of him.

 

[Jimbo327]

That's awesome! Buffing acrylic is hard work. Good job. That's looks like new!

I can't believe your dad caught that huge fish. It's great that you have a keepsake of your dad, definitely show it off. The fish looks like it belongs right there.

 

[Nano_Man]

Looks great wait till it’s busy with fish
Very nice

 

[Chris Spaulding]

While I waited for the sump I kept looking at what rocks to use and I kept coming back to Tropic Eden Morroca Rock. I decided to get about 6 small and medium pieces of various shapes and shelves. I really just wanted to see it in person. The rock arrived and each piece was wrapped very well in bubble wrap. Not one broke piece. After unwrapping the rock one of the first things I noticed was how light it was compared to same size Marco rock or even some true Branch rock I have had laying around. The texture and looks of the rock is outstanding! I played around with it for a bit and came up with a small scape. Keep in mind this is only about 12 pounds of rock. I was so impressed that I went back to @premiumaquatics and ordered a 150 lb mix and match. This was at about 9 pm MST. I promptly got an email confirmation of the order and was asked what kind of pieces I preferred? I told them I would like a good mix of Med and large pieces with a good amount of shelves arches and caves. I said the tank is 8x2x2 and have fun picking out. A short while later they informed me the the order is picked wrapped packed and shipped. And that they enjoyed putting this together along with the tracking information. I was surprised to see that it is expected on Saturday between 2 and 6 pm. I can not wait to see what these 4 boxes are loaded with.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Exciting!!! Great tank. That Novus is a fantastic product. Been there done that. Good luck with your rock.

 

[Provate]

While I waited for the sump I kept looking at what rocks to use and I kept coming back to Tropic Eden Morroca Rock. I decided to get about 6 small and medium pieces of various shapes and shelves. I really just wanted to see it in person. The rock arrived and each piece was wrapped very well in bubble wrap. Not one broke piece. After unwrapping the rock one of the first things I noticed was how light it was compared to same size Marco rock or even some true Branch rock I have had laying around. The texture and looks of the rock is outstanding! I played around with it for a bit and came up with a small scape. Keep in mind this is only about 12 pounds of rock. I was so impressed that I went back to @premiumaquatics and ordered a 150 lb mix and match. This was at about 9 pm MST. I promptly got an email confirmation of the order and was asked what kind of pieces I preferred? I told them I would like a good mix of Med and large pieces with a good amount of shelves arches and caves. I said the tank is 8x2x2 and have fun picking out. A short while later they informed me the the order is picked wrapped packed and shipped. And that they enjoyed putting this together along with the tracking information. I was surprised to see that it is expected on Saturday between 2 and 6 pm. I can not wait to see what these 4 boxes are loaded with.

Great tank

 

[Chris Spaulding]

Exciting!!! Great tank. That Novus is a fantastic product. Been there done that. Good luck with your rock.

Looking forward to tomorrow after said and done will also be adding TB live rock and sand

 

[Chris Spaulding]

Great tank

Thank You so far so good

 

[smitten with ocean life]

looks fabulous! following along!

 

[Chris Spaulding]

Last night the new Bashsea 48 Pro sump was delivered only about 3 too 4 weeks early. They packed the sump very well and no damages what so ever. After about 30 min pealing off the wrapping on the sump it was ready to move into the stand.
The next thing is to plumb this in. I have 2 1” drains and I want both of them to go into the filter roller. The filter roller has a 1.5” inlet. I have a good idea how to accomplish this.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

The 150lbs of Tropic Eden rock arrived. All was packed very well mahout out to @premiumaquatics for how they packed and shipped. With this rock you get a lot more per pound than almost any other. Turned out that I have too much. I could have gotten away with 100 lbs.

Came in 4 large boxes

Each piece bubble wrapped

After some time this is what we have for the scape will sit and watch for some time and maybe play with it some more. But O am likening the first go around.

The leftovers

 

[kevgib67]

Great score, can’t wait to see it filled with life!

 

[Chris Spaulding]

Great score, can’t wait to see it filled with life!

Still going to be a bit got plumbing and control to get done and lighting to get mounted, then sand.