Gablami’s 260 gallon Rimless SPS Build

NeverlosT · Jul 20, 2020

Please give the tank a real good inspection when you get it. We ordered a CDA tank end of last year (a big one), it was delayed about 3 months past the initial promise due to all manner of things, then showed up and the bottom was majorly defective, they shipped it back, it showed up again with the same defect, they shipped it back, it showed up again and this time had two deep 3" long scratches in the front panel from all the shipping, they sent the owner up to fix them, and he wasn't able to. So now about 5 months late and we finally sent it back permanently, got a refund, and ordered a tank from AGE. It just arrived, right on time and perfect.

Not saying CDA can't make a great tank, I am sure that your's will be terrific, just giving fair warning to inspect it well and make sure it is up to your standards. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

The build is going to be awesome! Cant wait to follow along.

Gablami · Jul 21, 2020

NeverlosT said:
Please give the tank a real good inspection when you get it. We ordered a CDA tank end of last year (a big one), it was delayed about 3 months past the initial promise due to all manner of things, then showed up and the bottom was majorly defective, they shipped it back, it showed up again with the same defect, they shipped it back, it showed up again and this time had two deep 3" long scratches in the front panel from all the shipping, they sent the owner up to fix them, and he wasn't able to. So now about 5 months late and we finally sent it back permanently, got a refund, and ordered a tank from AGE. It just arrived, right on time and perfect.

Not saying CDA can't make a great tank, I am sure that your's will be terrific, just giving fair warning to inspect it well and make sure it is up to your standards. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

The build is going to be awesome! Cant wait to follow along.

Thank you for the heads up. Sounds like a horrible experience. I’m glad I’m the end you got what you wanted, but still...

Trust me, I’ll be checking it carefully. It sounds like you ordered through your LFS. At least you had that on your side — an advocate. I can only imagine what a pain it would be deal with that situation on my own.

rds85 · Jul 21, 2020

Tomorrow is going to be a great day! I hope you got some help to get this into your house

Gablami · Jul 21, 2020

rds85 said:
Tomorrow is going to be a great day! I hope you got some help to get this into your house

7 guys, 8 suction cups, a ramp, 2 dollies, forearm forklifts, sliders, and a plan. I’m ready!!

rds85 · Jul 21, 2020

Gablami said:
7 guys, 8 suction cups, a ramp, 2 dollies, forearm forklifts, sliders, and a plan. I’m ready!!

Sounds like your ready!

cmaxwell39 · Jul 21, 2020

It will be better than Christmas. I wouldn't blame you if you don't hardly sleep tonight. Can't miss Santa.... err.... the delivery truck. Looking forward to tomorrow's updates.

Gablami · Jul 22, 2020

cmaxwell39 said:
It will be better than Christmas. I wouldn't blame you if you don't hardly sleep tonight. Can't miss Santa.... err.... the delivery truck. Looking forward to tomorrow's updates.

Man it was like backbreaking exhausting Christmas. Like if you were hosting Christmas for your entire extended family and a bunch of kids.

The tank and stand were heavier than I expected. 800 lbs for the tank, and 600 for the stand.

3/4” glass is no joke!

Gablami · Jul 22, 2020

Tank got delivered at 9:30am.

Built a ramp to get up onto the deck.

Moving the stand was relatively easy. Leveled it with the 8 adjustable feet. I put moving pads underneath the feet to slide it into the corner on the advice from the tank builder.

The tank was another story. Broke the two dollies that were supposed to be able to handle 1000 pounds each, as we went up the ramp. They got us up to the deck however, and served their purpose.

Fortunately we have a 7ft wide sliding door to go from the deck into the great room, so that was not a hurdle. We tried lifting it straight into the stand, but that was a no go. We built another stand with cinderblocks and pallets, so we could lift it half way up, right next to the tank, and then had a couple guys on the stand help get it up. NOT EASY!

Fortunately I had 8 professional suction cups from my local reef club (shout out to BAreefers!). Without those it would have been impossible.

But finally it’s here!

signal7 · Jul 22, 2020

Looks fantastic! Congrats!

TexAgReefer · Jul 22, 2020

Gablami said:
Tank got delivered at 9:30am.

Built a ramp to get up onto the deck.

Moving the stand was relatively easy. Leveled it with the 8 adjustable feet. I put moving pads underneath the feet to slide it into the corner on the advice from the tank builder.

The tank was another story. Broke the two dollies that were supposed to be able to handle 1000 pounds each, as we went up the ramp. They got us up to the deck however, and served their purpose.

Fortunately we have a 7ft wide sliding door to go from the deck into the great room, so that was not a hurdle. We tried lifting it straight into the stand, but that was a no go. We built another stand with cinderblocks and pallets, so we could lift it half way up, right next to the tank, and then had a couple guys on the stand help get it up. NOT EASY!

Fortunately I had 8 professional suction cups from my local reef club (shout out to BAreefers!). Without those it would have been impossible.

But finally it’s here!

Looks incredible!!

cmaxwell39 · Jul 22, 2020

Gablami said:
Man it was like backbreaking exhausting Christmas. Like if you were hosting Christmas for your entire extended family and a bunch of kids.

The tank and stand were heavier than I expected. 800 lbs for the tank, and 600 for the stand. 3/4” glass is no joke!

That is no joke for sure. And I like what you did there, trying to make Christmas sound bad (I wonder if that will work on my kids in December?). Tank looks great. Glad everything went (relatively) smoothly.

Wen · Jul 23, 2020

Gablami said:
Tank got delivered at 9:30am.

Built a ramp to get up onto the deck.

Moving the stand was relatively easy. Leveled it with the 8 adjustable feet. I put moving pads underneath the feet to slide it into the corner on the advice from the tank builder.

The tank was another story. Broke the two dollies that were supposed to be able to handle 1000 pounds each, as we went up the ramp. They got us up to the deck however, and served their purpose.

Fortunately we have a 7ft wide sliding door to go from the deck into the great room, so that was not a hurdle. We tried lifting it straight into the stand, but that was a no go. We built another stand with cinderblocks and pallets, so we could lift it half way up, right next to the tank, and then had a couple guys on the stand help get it up. NOT EASY!

Fortunately I had 8 professional suction cups from my local reef club (shout out to BAreefers!). Without those it would have been impossible.

But finally it’s here!

Looks amazing, congratulations!!!
The canopy is sweet, like your location choice and the tank dimensions!
Didn’t realize you were doing a peninsula tank against a wall (me too!).
So, what’s on your tank to-do list today?

rds85 · Jul 23, 2020

Soo ummm.. Why isn't it filled yet?

Looks great! What is your review on the CDA tank?

Gablami · Jul 23, 2020

Wen said:
Looks amazing, congratulations!!!
The canopy is sweet, like your location choice and the tank dimensions!
Didn’t realize you were doing a peninsula tank against a wall (me too!).
So, what’s on your tank to-do list today?

Just going to work on getting the tank perfectly level today. With straps I can pull the tank and stand off the wall and work solo. Another handy toy to have for this are these inflatable shimming balloons. It says it can only lift up to 500 lbs, but with a 2x6 underneath it raises the whole corner of the tank to allow me to adjust the leveling feet.

Pump up the balloon until that side is the level, and then put down the leveling feet.

Gablami · Jul 23, 2020

rds85 said:
Soo ummm.. Why isn't it filled yet?

Looks great! What is your review on the CDA tank?

Working on it! Only so many hours in the day!

Took forever to level. My forearms are wasted from pumping up those shin balloons over and over again. Maybe it’s just my OCD tendencies, but here are photos of all four panels of the tank for the record:

Right

Left

Back

Front

Sorry to bore you with that, but needed to submit that as proof.

Got my first 100 gallons of salt water mixing up. If I had another hour I could start pumping it into the tank, but duty calls. Gotta pick up the kids.

cmaxwell39 · Jul 23, 2020

Looks great. The time spent making sure everything is just where you want it will be worth it in the end. Besides, there is no such thing as a tank that is too level.

newjack · Jul 24, 2020

OMG Thank goodness I didn’t answer my phone when you called asking me to help move that BEAST! lol
Can’t believe you guys had that hard of a time moving that thing.
It looks awesome Gabe. Let’s get that thing aquascaped and filled.

rds85 · Jul 24, 2020

Gablami said:
Working on it! Only so many hours in the day!

Took forever to level. My forearms are wasted from pumping up those shin balloons over and over again. Maybe it’s just my OCD tendencies, but here are photos of all four panels of the tank for the record:

Right

Left

Back

Front

Sorry to bore you with that, but needed to submit that as proof.

Got my first 100 gallons of salt water mixing up. If I had another hour I could start pumping it into the tank, but duty calls. Gotta pick up the kids.