Introduction:
I am starting this tank journal knowing I have a long time before I can possibly have a wet tank, mostly so I can get you to critique the ideas and sanity check my mad ravings as I go along.
A bit of backstory, my wife and I sold our old house way quicker than the agent of we expected, meaning rather than a few months with my Mother Inlaw (MiL) it will be 32 months by the time we move in and I my dream tank. Living with your MiL is as bad as the cliches make out
My new house has been designed around the fact I wanted a large tank, I was originally promised a 10x3x2 thru the wall tank by my wife, but due to the building design and structural requirements I had to scale back to 8x3x2, but now I have been OK'd for 8x3x2.5. Not the end of the world, less lights to have to run and I can have a smaller skimmer.
Here is a layout of the front 1/2 of the ground floor of the house, with the tank marked in Blue:
So the tank will be mostly in the Lounge surrounded by a wall of cabinets, with the glass being flush with the wall in the family dining area, with luck the build should be finished early in the new year, and having my mate build the house means I can move the tank in and have it cycling before the official handover.
To enable the tank to be easily carried thru the house I was able to incorporate a 1500mm wide passageway the length of the house from the rear garage to the lounge.
I will have 2 IBC's setup and plumbed thru ducting under the concrete pad to the tank and a 90mm waste pipe to allow for water disposal, the builder has advised me he will build the tank area like a shower with a brick hob and a sloping floor to the 90mm floor waste "just in case".
The intention is to have the 2 main panes of the tank in 12mm starphire and the other vertical panes in 12mm float with a 15 or 19mm base, after seeing the workmanship of Pacco from Vebas it is likely that is who will build the tank.
This is going to be a long haul project and I have no illusions that it will be cheap or quick, so from time to time as I get new gear or I have more to add I will do, I now need to
someone with mad skillz with sketchup to draw up the tank/stand/cabinetry for me.System Objectives: Centre piece to our new home, visible from Family/Dining and Lounge
System Type: Double reef, LPS dominated 1 side, SPS the other side with large show piece clam
Display System:
Strike up Date:
Display Tank: 8x3x2.5
Display Lighting:
5x 120W LEDs
Stand: Steel
Sump: 5x2x18"
Support systems:
System Water: Natural salt water
Water Storage: 2 IBC's plumbed to the system under the concrete slab.
Display Water circulation: 4x Vortech MP40's, 2x Closed Loop pumps.
Return Pump: TBC - 7000LPH - 9000LPH
Skimmer: BK Supermarin 250
Chiller: Haliea HC-1000A
Evaporation Top Up: RO/DI - Tunze Osmolator
Current Water Chemistry:
Nitrates:
Phosphates:
Alkalinity:
Calcium:
Salinity / Specific Gravity:
Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Intended residents:
Huge cleanup crew
2x Occy Clowns
1x Blue Tang called Tabetha
1x Bristlerooth called Bazil
1x Flamehawk called Flynn
1x Acanthurus Nigricans called G-Rim
2x Lemon Peel Angels (mated pair) Lenny and Lucy =-> yes a recipe for disaster in LPS tank I know
1x WA Algae Blenny called Benita
2x Urchins Ernie and Bert.
Large shoal of Anthias
Corals:
Acros
Stylos
Pocis
Torch
Leather
Hammers
Other LPS
I'll be keeping an eye on progress
