Paul’s 240 gallon upgrade!

[Dubs83]

That is gonna be so pretty.

Thank you! I hope I can make as nice as she pictures it.

 

[User]

Love the beam!!

What heat exchanger did you decide on?

 

[Dubs83]

Love the beam!!

What heat exchanger did you decide on?

Thanks!

I ended up using an eBay titanium heat exchanger. It’s Chinese made the same as the tutorial we had previously discussed. If you end up going this route, be advised that they did send me a stainless steel exchanger initially but quickly replaced it with the correct one.

I can PM you the seller if you need it!

Paul

 

[najer]

Nice work, interested in the heat exchanger too.

edit, poor timing!

 

[don_chuwish]

Aquarium- couple of problems here. The builder had made a mistake drilling the over flow holes. They’re 1/2” too high which renders my current overflow useless.
I contacted the overflow manufacturer to see if they could perform some custom work and after explaining what was happening, they said they can accommodate. I then called the aquarium builder and they offered to pay for the over flow. Relief!

Top notch service on both their parts. Things happen, how well a vendor deals with it says a lot.

 

[Dubs83]

Top notch service on both their parts. Things happen, how well a vendor deals with it says a lot.

Yes. I couldn’t be happier.

 

[Dubs83]

Here’s another picture of the faux beam going up. The boss lady likes it so much she wants to do the dining room too lol. What have I gotten myself into?!

I’ve also finished the backing on the stand. Attached it using 6 self tapping screws and sealed them with silicone. Also lined the threads with loctite red to keep them from backing out.

The back was painted with three coats of white flex seal and I’m still working on the tub for the bottom. I’ll do the same to it and fill the seams with white silicone to make it water proof.

The top was sanded and painted with enamel paint and that also received three coats.

I had a few hours at home this weekend before returning on my grueling 2 week away from home “tour” and I decided to do a complete reset. Since I had about 5 hours, i started the first part of the 125 break down. I removed the rock and placed it in two brute cans. Did a 10:1 water / bleach and let it sit til I get home.

I know this is a drastic step but we gave it quite a bit of thought and we’re ready to put the work in. We had mounted two HOB filters on the sump prior to pulling the rock to keep any water quality issues to a minimum and then provide us with biological media for the temporary holding tanks.

I get home on the 29th and will be breaking the 125 down completely and clearing the fish room for a small amount of renovation that needs to happen.

Thanks for your patience.

Paul

 

[Victoria M]

Do it all now while you can. I made a lot of fish room improvements while I was rebuilding my 180. I am so glad I took the time and made them.

 

[Dubs83]

Do it all now while you can. I made a lot of fish room improvements while I was rebuilding my 180. I am so glad I took the time and made them.

Yea, I started rereading your build, among others, and the ideas are flowing. I just can’t wait to get home to actually accomplish something. My schedule has me gone for two weeks then home for 1, makes this difficult. Good news is, it’s only through the first two weeks of November then everything goes back to normal. Having said that, with the fish almost ready to be moved, I plan on big things starting Monday.

 

[Victoria M]

Yea, I started rereading your build, among others, and the ideas are flowing. I just can’t wait to get home to actually accomplish something. My schedule has me gone for two weeks then home for 1, makes this difficult. Good news is, it’s only through the first two weeks of November then everything goes back to normal. Having said that, with the fish almost ready to be moved, I plan on big things starting Monday.

Wow, I am glad my thread helped contribute to your inspiration. I look forward to watching this tank build grow.

 

[Dubs83]

Hey there, so I’m back at home after a grueling two weeks away and I got straight to work. I have some man power showing up this Thursday (11/1/18) to help bring the tank inside so my work is concentrated on where the tank will sit.

I figured the best way to tackle it was moving the fish and coral over to the basement. For that, I purchased a few tanks since the dollar per gallon sale was going at Petco. Purchased a 40 breeder and two 20 gallon tanks.

I then prepared one of the 20-gallon tanks and moved my new additions that just finished the medicating portion of quarantine into it for observation. At the same time, I bleached and scrubbed the 40 breeder several times and then let it bathe in a strong vinegar solution before rinsing and setting it up as a temporary home for some of the fish. I know this is somewhat risky but I'm crossing my fingers that the time and effort I put into cleaning this thing will keep everyone safe. I just wish I had more room :/

While this was drying, I finished building a stand for one of the temp homes.

I have to be honest, this is the most stressful part of this entire upgrade. Moving these guys around and now having 3 tanks to look after while preparing for the upgrade is quite daunting.

Anyhow, after the fish and coral, we began the task of finding all the snails!

I have more, but must get back to work!

Paul

 

[don_chuwish]

Fun stuff, I found it difficult to resist grabbing a couple of 20G at Petco yesterday. I have 3 QT tanks running already... what's two more?

 

[Victoria M]

That is the hardest part. good luck to you!

 

[Dubs83]

After removing the occupants of the 125, it was time to drain it and get it out of the house for cleaning.

Yes, it’s filthy. The muck lifted after removing rock and chasing fish around was unreal.

Sand is out

Time to get it out.

Go get this thing out of the house, I went over to Harbor Freight and picked up two hydraulic tables with a 1000lb capacity. I then built two boxes so I can get them level with the stand. This will also help move the new tank into the house tomorrow

With the tank out, it was time to remove the stand

And the panel and drains

And we finally have it out.

On the agenda today:
- sand and spackle the wall.
- install new drains
- hang out new beam
- prepare fishroom
- clean the 125
- go trick or treating

I’ll post updates as I go.

- Paul

 

[Dubs83]

Okay not terrible so far. I’m forced to take a break as I have to start getting ready for the neighborhood trick or treat event. But here’s what I got done:

Wall has been spackled. Just needs to dry and I can sand it down and touch up the paint tomorrow

Drains have been removed. I plan on making a simpler arrangement. Will post pictures later as I MUST get this done before the tank gets moved inside tomorrow.

Fishroom side:

Foam has been glued to the stand. Weighing it down with various projects lol

MP40s and skimmer sitting in a vinegar bath. Will probably remain there over night.

I did not clean the tank, just ran out of time. I’ll have to tackle this tomorrow after I break the fish room down. There’s rain in the forecast but hopefully it’s not an all day event so I can get some things done outside.

I did take a break to get my pre Halloween now in! [emoji316]

We’re going to try and hang the beam up and plumb the upstairs to the fish room after we return home. This is in hopes of getting the mess out of our living quarters as I can see my fiancé getting somewhat annoyed with it.

-Paul

 

[Victoria M]

Okay not terrible so far. I’m forced to take a break as I have to start getting ready for the neighborhood trick or treat event. But here’s what I got done:

Wall has been spackled. Just needs to dry and I can sand it down and touch up the paint tomorrow

Drains have been removed. I plan on making a simpler arrangement. Will post pictures later as I MUST get this done before the tank gets moved inside tomorrow.

Fishroom side:

Foam has been glued to the stand. Weighing it down with various projects lol

MP40s and skimmer sitting in a vinegar bath. Will probably remain there over night.

I did not clean the tank, just ran out of time. I’ll have to tackle this tomorrow after I break the fish room down. There’s rain in the forecast but hopefully it’s not an all day event so I can get some things done outside.

I did take a break to get my pre Halloween now in! [emoji316]

We’re going to try and hang the beam up and plumb the upstairs to the fish room after we return home. This is in hopes of getting the mess out of our living quarters as I can see my fiancé getting somewhat annoyed with it.

-Paul

That is an incredible amount of work done.
And lol about the fiance annoyance.

 

[User]

Killing it dude! All that in one day!! You must be motivated like crazy

All Ive done is api tests and fed my crabs+snails for the past 2 weeks. And hang with my 10 week old while mom travels for work.

I have a few hours scheduled for my post cycle nitrate reduction WC on Friday... so some progress will be made.

Great progress man, looking forward to more!

 

[Dubs83]

It’s in! A good buddy of mine swung by today and he and I knocked it out. I was amazed that we didn’t run into a single problem bringing it in. Anyway, I’ll let the photos speak for themselves!

Stand and new drains

Backed the pick up truck right to the front door. This avoided two steps! We used the two yellow straps to pull the pallet right in the door...

...then slid one end of the tank on to the hydraulic cart.

As I pulled, he pushed so we can maneuver the second card under the other end of the tank and....

...it’s in!!!!

Painted the back, maneuvered the carts into position then lifted both ends to stand height and it’s officially in the house!

I will be letting my back rest today, so probably get some small things done but the last few days have been absolutely defeating in terms of my lower back. Will hopefully have more later!

-Paul

 

[User]

Love it!!

How long is that thing?

 

[Dubs83]

Love it!!

How long is that thing?

Thanks!

It’s 8’ x 2’ and 25” tall