Eagle Reef Upgrade

[James Hammett]

It’s been 5 months and we have outgrown the Biocube.... students learned a lot last semester but man will they be blown away when they return in August..... We are upgrading to a 75Gallon reef. Many people both in here and from Monster Reef ( an online coral sales store) have been very generous with our class Reef. We Drove to Tulsa OK and picked up the new to us Tank on Saturday.

 

[James Hammett]

Sunday was a day of cleaning, the tank had been broken down on Friday and the seller (who upgraded to a beautiful 120) hand not cleaned it yet so we did the job.

Today we used Old English furniture polish to spruce up the stand and canopy... I forgot to get pictures.

 

[James Hammett]

Our plan thus far, with much help from
Monster Reef, is 3 AI Prime HD’s for lights. Low profile power heads ,Coral-box RN-1, An Apex Jr, an Eshopps Rs200 sump. Not sure yet on Skimmer. Also not sure if I can tune a refuge in the RS200 but would like to.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Wow, congrats on the upgrade! Yep that will be a dandy. How many students do you have helping during the summer break?

 

[James Hammett]

I have a rotation of 15 a couple each work day

This one rose with me to get the tank.... he’s a big help

 

[hdsoftail1065]

That is amazing. They should a youth inspiration badge or a community involvement badge on this site.

 

[James Hammett]

We got a sump today. Used but will be great for this system after a little cleaning. An ESHOPPS RS200 sump. Will work on plumbing it in on Thursday.

 

[James Hammett]

Water testing Sump this morning. Has a small crack at the very top edge way above water line

 

[James Hammett]

Sump holds water fine and cleaned up nicely...

Now to add a divider and get another section in here for substrate and live rock.... May be chaeto

 

[James Hammett]

Started plumbing the tank today!!! EXCITED

 

[James Hammett]

Tank is plumbed now waiting for EQ to arrive so we can tie it in. Had to paint it it hide the ugly purple streaks from the primer

 

[James Hammett]

Ok guys this is a used tank with a 1997 sticker on it. Silicone visually looks fine. What do you do for testing for leaks... fill with tap water, or RODI water? How long do you let it sit before emptying again and beginning set up?

 

[Jason mack]

To test for leaks I would fill with tap water and leave for 24 -48 hrs ... if it still needs a good clean on the inside I would fill with RODI Water to test it and that will clean it beter as well !!

 

[James Hammett]

Filled this morning, stopped in and checked it out at 3pm. Found leak in plumbing very small /slow around threaded fitting at bottom of overflow fixable. Everything else holding fine....

 

[larryl]

Glad it’s only a small leak. I usually watertest a tank for with freshwater for at least three days.

 

[Mr.Asbury]

Congrats on the tank upgrade!

I'm starting a tank this fall with my students as well, I'd love to hear any advise you have after spending a semester working with your students on a tank!

 

[James Hammett]

Moving day for the Bio Cube making room for the new tank!!!!

Making the move

Making the move

Making the move

Bio Cube has a new home....

Empty space for new Tank.

 

[JBKReef]

WOW!!! Glad things are moving on up for the project!

 

[James Hammett]

Skimmer, Powerheads, and return pump came in today. Rocks tomorrow and sand soon to follow. We should go wet I. The next week or so I believe...

 

[Mr.Asbury]

Skimmer, Powerheads, and return pump came in today. Rocks tomorrow and sand soon to follow. We should go wet I. The next week or so I believe...

Exciting stuff! Looks like you’ll get it up and going before the school year starts up!