The build that I've been waiting for

Abstractopher · Aug 23, 2022

Well @FishThinkPink talked me into starting my own little thread to keep track of my progress. My goal in this build was to find a dream tank and turn it into a dream system all while hoping to not break the bank and save on some stuff. It has been great so far! Found a Waterbox 6025 that I mentioned in my intro that was used for 3 months, previous owner wanted much larger and I benefited. I wanted to take my time finding the pieces that I wanted at bargain prices but not just what was available in my area. Of course brand new is always the best but there are still some good items out there to help you save and invest more in the live stock a little more. I couldn't believe how heavy this thing was. I drove about 130 miles to get it but that's just part of the fun for me. It barely fit in our Honda passport but when you are determined you find a way. I happen to have some of the drawers that washing machines are mounted on and was able to strap them to furniture dollies at the same exact height as my SUV to save on the back. It killed me to leave this beautiful tank in the garage but the place it was going needed to be just right. Here are some pictures, I'll add more to this later.

GobyGuy · Aug 23, 2022

Following for the journey!

Abstractopher · Aug 23, 2022

To do this right we decided to take down a wall, a (non-loadbearing) ceiling post and replace tires that would have been missing where the wall was. It was amazing to see what getting someone to do 8 tiles cost in Florida, my quotes ranged from $689 to $880. For that reason I decided to do it myself. As far as the wall, my friend that does drywall andwas happy to help and did a great job!

Johnz · Aug 23, 2022

Nice find on the used tank, and lucky you had spare tiles or were able to match them. Can't wait to see the build progress.

am3gross · Aug 24, 2022

When I decided to do my build, not once did I think, I am gunna try and do this without "breaking the bank"! SHHHHHH!!!! Dont tell the wife!

Congrats on the tank, it will be a fun experience for sure. Keep us update, we all love pictures!

Abstractopher · Aug 31, 2022

Abstractopher said:
Well @FishThinkPink talked me into starting my own little thread to keep track of my progress. My goal in this build was to find a dream tank and turn it into a dream system all while hoping to not break the bank and save on some stuff. It has been great so far! Found a Waterbox 6025 that I mentioned in my intro that was used for 3 months, previous owner wanted much larger and I benefited. I wanted to take my time finding the pieces that I wanted at bargain prices but not just what was available in my area. Of course brand new is always the best but there are still some good items out there to help you save and invest more in the live stock a little more. I couldn't believe how heavy this thing was. I drove about 130 miles to get it but that's just part of the fun for me. It barely fit in our Honda passport but when you are determined you find a way. I happen to have some of the drawers that washing machines are mounted on and was able to strap them to furniture dollies at the same exact height as my SUV to save on the back. It killed me to leave this beautiful tank in the garage but the place it was going needed to be just right. Here are some pictures, I'll add more to this later.

Abstractopher · Aug 31, 2022

Sorry been traveling for work but thought I would add a few photos my wife took off the next step which was the aquascape. I found a bunch of dry reefrock on marketplace that someone had an abundance of at a great price. I set up a table with tape lines to depict the inner footprint of the tank and also cut a piece of PVC to be the max height I wanted rocks to reach just to keep checking to not go over.
I used a combination of super glue with rock dust as well as putty and stone fix to give it that extra! It took a few days and a coyote couple tear downs but it's great to get the reefscape where you want it prior rather than piling rocks and risking them falling.
For some reason pictures do not do s great job of showing the Tru design, next post will be a better view of that final look.

Abstractopher · Aug 31, 2022

The next step was getting this heavy piece of glass in place without damages.... Lol with some help from some friends and a little engineering, building a ramp into the house we got it in place with the DIY light rack, and the reefscape inside

kiet_kat · Aug 31, 2022

My dream tank. Love the scape as well. Following

paulojbsilva · Aug 31, 2022

Abstractopher said:
Well @FishThinkPink talked me into starting my own little thread to keep track of my progress. My goal in this build was to find a dream tank and turn it into a dream system all while hoping to not break the bank and save on some stuff. It has been great so far! Found a Waterbox 6025 that I mentioned in my intro that was used for 3 months, previous owner wanted much larger and I benefited. I wanted to take my time finding the pieces that I wanted at bargain prices but not just what was available in my area. Of course brand new is always the best but there are still some good items out there to help you save and invest more in the live stock a little more. I couldn't believe how heavy this thing was. I drove about 130 miles to get it but that's just part of the fun for me. It barely fit in our Honda passport but when you are determined you find a way. I happen to have some of the drawers that washing machines are mounted on and was able to strap them to furniture dollies at the same exact height as my SUV to save on the back. It killed me to leave this beautiful tank in the garage but the place it was going needed to be just right. Here are some pictures, I'll add more to this later.

Great thread. Curious on the development.

GobyGuy · Aug 31, 2022

Abstractopher said:
The next step was getting this heavy piece of glass in place without damages.... Lol with some help from some friends and a little engineering, building a ramp into the house we got it in place with the DIY light rack, and the reefscape inside

Killer move - glad everything worked out with the ramp

knecht · Aug 31, 2022

This is going to be a great build. The rock work looks great in the tank. Following

Abstractopher · Sep 3, 2022

Well, fast forward a while, to cycle we decided to go with the fritz zyme 9 to really get things going due to the reef rock that we used. I had acquired an aquamaxx Cone S 2Q, I would have liked to go DC on this but the deal was really good on BRS and figured as a skimmer it would be easy to upgrade down the road. I added 2 vortech MP-40 power heads as flow from the one end due to peninsula design, an ecotech vectra S2 for a return pump and 2 ecotech xr30 G5's that I set at just a hair above BRS suggested height of 8" up to 9" and 14.5 inches on center from the ends to make up for being a 5 foot tank instead of their tested 48". Water added, skimmer left off and we were off to the races. While it cycled I left the lights off and we did use fish as suggested in this set up but they were some hardy springeri damsels which may prove to be some good inhabitants when SPS is added.
I have to say that I never really saw a big ammonia spike so I do believe in this nitrifying bacteria method.
Just as the cycle ended I added 2 bottles of purple helix and 2 bottles of pink fusion. I was skeptical but after a few weeks I am seeing a pink hue to all of my rock work so I am excited to see the progression over the coming months.
We have a mated pair of black ice clowns that are chilling in a nano tank for now, just waiting to be added!