mcarvers New 130 Bowfront

mcarver · 10-03-2006, 05:30 PM

This is the begining of a journey, my journey into the world of saltwater. I'm an old hand at freshwater fish and breeding but this is a whole new adventure for me. So grab yer favorite drink, pull up a chair and join me on the setup, and population of my new 130 bowfront reef.

The tank just arrived today on a pallet and offloaded it to my pickup. As soon as i get her unpacked and on the floor, we will definitly be sendin pics!

Wish me luck, and dont go too far.... I'm gonna need yer help.

Thanks for watchin,

mcarver · 10-03-2006, 05:34 PM

First problem I need help with...

Its 3:30 in the afternoon.... I wanna close my store and take this baby home and get it set up!!!!

Need MORE Duct tape!!!

MedicMike · 10-03-2006, 09:25 PM

Man I checked out the website where you got er and thats a pretty reasonable deal!! good luck!

abigtroutt · 10-03-2006, 09:31 PM

Ok I still see no pics and I dont see the link where medicmike checked out your tank??

Its 9:30PM here and I need to go to bed soon! I may have to look in the morning 4:00AM comes too quick

Phishnoob · 10-03-2006, 09:39 PM

Looking forward to pics

tabwyo · 10-03-2006, 10:46 PM

I agree with the pics comment. Hey at least your at home. I have been on location for the last 64 days.

Nice reference to your nautical roots Noob... plankowner.

mcarver · 10-03-2006, 11:34 PM

Ok.. Noob here and full of spirit, questions and a pic lol. Got the New tank in the house, Ordered it from www.4fishtank.com set in place and ready to plumb.

The tank and stand.. WOW Beautiful. Not sure I like the top access but WOW.. the picture does it no justice.

Being the Noob that i am, I ordered it with the 180Gal sump system. Well now.. Plumbing parts are a haphazard joke, Skimmer is rated 75gal and is made by someone i can't pronounce. The Sump.. well lets just say it is heavy and has lots of chambers. I think I can make it work. However.. Headed to the LFS in the morning to see if they have a decent skimmer. Else Ill be ordering one online. Main pump is another issue. Ill be getting one of those too. Not sure what volume i need.

Ill be headed to Home depot to get the plumming parts needed tomorow.

Note to self... Slow down!

Built the Rock stand saturday.. hahaha WAY too big. and didnt take into account the skimmer.. so that will be Fixed tomorow nite too. Hope to fill it up with FW for a test run Tomorow nite.

Workin a deadline here, Friday LiveRock arrives.

Pic of Saturdays mistake.

And Pic of the New Reef Home.

mcarver · 10-03-2006, 11:57 PM

Thought I would share with you the sump, skimmer and pumps they sent, then you will be more understanding of my dissapointment. It surprises me that they build such nice quality cabnitry and tanks that they would ship this equipment with it. Sorry about the quality of the sump pic but batts choked on that pic. you can see their representation of it at http://www.4fishtank.com/new_page_22.htm Sposed to be the 180 gal system. Wish I would have saved my money and DIY instead.. seems I am anyway but with their sump lol. Ahhh the life and times of a noob.

Crash course in plumbing 101 commin up lol

BTW the Lights look great. Aquavim MH http://www.4fishtank.com/aquavim_mh_system.htm
38": 878w has 2x400w MH + 2x39w T5. and looks to be high quality.
Will get a pic of them tomorow.. batterys went dead.

mcarver · 10-04-2006, 12:08 AM

BTW.. Thanks Medic

tabwyo · 10-04-2006, 12:59 AM

Well i aint noob but I have 2 cents to share.

Sounds as if you my friend fell victim to "the pakage deal" syndrome. Tell you what though. At least your starting with more equipment than 90% of people. The racks an easey fix. As for plumbing, your in for a treat. One piece of advice. Measure twice and cut once.

mcarver · 10-04-2006, 11:08 AM

Ok.. been to HD and picked up parts for plumbing.. This is the plan. Any ideas, am i forgetting something? overkill?

BTW, Thanks everyone for all your help.

tabwyo · 10-04-2006, 11:18 AM

looks good to me...

shouldn't you be at work????

mcarver · 10-04-2006, 11:43 AM

I am at work LOL. But gonna close up at noon for a bit to run out to LSF and see what they have for a skimmer, a couple of pumps for in tank and replacements for the skimmer and return pump they sent.

Hope you get to go home soon Tab. But at least your workin. I had to buy my job... finaly gave up trying to work for others.. They kept telling me I was Officially Unemployable. hmmm

But at least I go home at nite.

Looking into this tank this morning... Dang! that thing is TALL. Looks like its going to be a challenge to build a reef base to the top..

MedicMike · 10-04-2006, 09:21 PM

May I suggest a EuroReef skimmer their plug and play baby. Like that chicken cooker thing on the infomercles "just set it and forget it!"

mcarver · 10-05-2006, 01:28 AM

Got the plumbing done.. water test.. NO LEAKS

Remodled the Rock stand a bit to fit.

Added salt and sand, workin up the salinity 1.020 so far and mixing overnight, check and add in the morning. Liverock will be here Friday. Got a nice cloud going.

Went to LFS today and picked up a 1200gph pump.. no name. They didnt have a skimmer so I'll be ordering. May take you up on the suggested Euroreef, but set this one up and plumbed it in to get by till then.

Looks like good circulation goin on by the particulate cruising the tank. Have a second 1200 pump just in case.

SOOOO HAPPY.. NO LEAKS!!!!

Couple of pics.. tank and refuge.. Bad pics but I'm excited and gotta share. LOL I sat and watched the bright cloud for an hour tonight. Better than tv. maby I'm just warped.

Updates to come