65 Gallon Tank Setup Process

[xrobbx03]

Ok well here it is. My thread with the progress of my new 65 finally getting started . What is done so far is that i have recieved my stand, took apart the doors and hinges, sanded it all down, and put primer on it.


The before pictures of the stand as i recieved it:




A quick picture of me and my g/f starting to prime the stand after an hour of sanding:


After primer being applied:

[xrobbx03]

Stand after two coats of final paint and doors after one coat:

[Chuck Spyropulos]

Looks great Robby...boy you work fast!

[xrobbx03]

I just want to get it all done i been putting of setting up the 65 for about a month now. Those coats of paint have been getting done at 10 at night after i get out of work lol. Tomorrow the doors should be done. I going to try and get out and get the tank. I know PJs has a 65 there. I also am going down to home depot to get some door handles and new hinges. Im hoping to get the tank filled with water by the end of next week. I have to try and find a place that sells black argonite sand first.

[Chuck Spyropulos]

I think I saw some black sand at Sea Creatures in Revere but I'm not sure. Give them a call...they might carry it.

Originally Posted by xrobbx03

I just want to get it all done i been putting of setting up the 65 for about a month now. Those coats of paint have been getting done at 10 at night after i get out of work lol. Tomorrow the doors should be down. I going to try and get out and get the tank. I know PJs has a 65 there. I also am going down to home depot to get some door handles and new hinges. Im hoping to get the tank filled with water by the end of next week. I have to try and find a place that sells black argonite sand first.

[xrobbx03]

yeah i know i saw it somewhere i cant remember where. I might even want to say that petsmart in everett carries it for some strange reason.

[xrobbx03]

Picked up the tank itself today and also found black sand and wouldnt you know it Petsmart had it.

Heres the stand all done. I bought new handles and painted the hinges.


Its getting to fill time hopefully tomorrow i cant get the stand all setup where i want it to be and get it nice and level. Hoping to get some water in it by monday.

[mg]

Amazing what refinishing a stand can do, lookin good!

[xrobbx03]

Tank And Stand Together. Soon to be filled.

[xrobbx03]

Filled with water and with 25lbs new dry rock and about 15lbs of LR from my existing tank. Still in the process of the rock transfer.

[xrobbx03]

water is still a lil cloudy. What do you think of the rock work so far. I still have a good 20-30 lbs of rock left to put in.

[Chuck Spyropulos]

The rock looks great! Make sure that you do not pile rock on the sand but instead pile it from the bottom of the tank up, or stack it on 2" or 3" pipe sections pushed into the sand to keep rocks off of the sand surface. The reason is to eliminate deadspots in the sand and to give your rockwork more stability.

Originally Posted by xrobbx03

water is still a lil cloudy. What do you think of the rock work so far. I still have a good 20-30 lbs of rock left to put in.

[xrobbx03]

thanks chuck. I will push down the rocks as far as they can go. Im pretty sure they are touching the bottom anyway but i will give an extra push or two to make sure.

[xrobbx03]

ok well im in mid transfer right now. Doing all the cleanup crew at the moment then the fish. The change over should be complete today except for the corals and lights. I will have to get the phosphate down before i can put my corals and get the halides going.

[xrobbx03]

well the transfer is finally complete all i have left to do is get a plain blue background on the tank.

Finished 65:






Everyone tell me what you think. Now without any plans for another upgrade anytime soon. I can now concentrate of filling the tank up with some corals. What LFS has good prices on nice sized corals?