Dego's First Tank - All-in-one, 3-sided nano

[Tim224DT]

Looking great!! Good luck in the build.

[fish.freak]

you in portland yet?

[Dego Red]

Well, I suppose it's time for an update...

We made it from Detroit to Portland last week after driving 32hrs in a total of 42hrs...something I'll never be crazy enough to do again. Shockingly, the tank and stand survived 100% in the shipping cube.

Unfortunately I was (foolishly) expecting to spend roughly $5K in this move including furnishing our new townhouse. I managed cross nearly double that mark. After I've been looking at everyone's progress and considering the health of the tank, I'm contemplating dropping out of the buildoff rather than rush things. At this point, my AC Jr. and missing equipment (test kit, gloves...all the small stuff that adds up) has fallen to the bottom of the totem pole.

Our new furniture arrives Thursday, ultimately determining the tank position on the main floor. I'll at least post pics since the tank/stand/hood will be reborn in black to match the furniture...

[DarthOcellaris]

naw, don't quit...you have a full year to do this man

[sly fox]

hang in there mate.. hope you enjoy portland, its a nice city

[fish.freak]

Originally Posted by Dego Red

After I've been looking at everyone's progress and considering the health of the tank, I'm contemplating dropping out of the buildoff rather than rush things. At this point, my AC Jr. and missing equipment (test kit, gloves...all the small stuff that adds up) has fallen to the bottom of the totem pole.

Our new furniture arrives Thursday, ultimately determining the tank position on the main floor. I'll at least post pics since the tank/stand/hood will be reborn in black to match the furniture...

Dont worry your tank is so sweet you could put fresh water castles, mermaids and skulls in it and you would still be way ahead. Once you get it stained and in position fill it with salt water and a few pound of live rock and let it run w/o the lights on for as long as you need. Forget the test kits your new LFS should do it for you, and the gloves just man up.
It can be over whelming to think of everything you will ever need, but if you take it slow and space it out its not much. Trust me Im a student, and I was so intimidated by the reef world that I started out FOWLR, and slowly built a reef.
Besides you tank is too sweet to let it sit dry

[fish.freak]

TheBeak might even lend you this

[aquawolf]

Don't give up now, you still have a lot of time left to continue being patient and doing things right. Glad to hear you and the tank made the move without any problems, and I wish you continued good luck with the build.

[kimsie]

Don't give up!!! With that beautiful stand - you can't give up! You have so much time! And that stand counts for a lot!

[miniwhinny]

Have fun in Portland. We lived there before moving to Redmond. My brother and his wife and family and my mo all live in PDX still so I visit there a lot.

So don't drop out, you have plenty of time to get things going.

[Danyen]

I'm in and I haven't even finished designing my tank. Stick in there Dego. We'll just sit back and draft the pack until right before the finish line

[reefermike1]

very, very nice work!

how does the water get behind the panel with the powerheads though? i didnt see any teeth on the top of it for water to flow over it?

[Dego Red]

Thanks for all the support guys.

Don't worry about the tank getting finished - it means far too much to me to just let it sit. I simply meant taking my time rather than keep up with the competition, but it seams I have been swayed...

Last night I painted the hood black, and I have to say it looks much better than I expected. I just need a bit more paint and I'll finish up the sides/stand/rear of the tank tonight. At the same time, I'm going to pick up my lower stand (read: two small oak bookcases) and paint that as well. The best news of all? My furniture arrived this morning, so I just have to position the tank and add water!

Hopefully it all gets done tonight (right...), but I've been taking pics along the way so I'll post up soon...

[Dego Red]

Originally Posted by reefermike1

very, very nice work!

how does the water get behind the panel with the powerheads though? i didnt see any teeth on the top of it for water to flow over it?

Thanks, Mike.

I've found some mesh that's just the right size (with some simple modification) at Lowe's to run along the top of the acrylic. I attempted the teeth with a router, but it really doesn't look very good without a jig. This should provide plenty of flow and keep the critters from heading over the waterfall.

[fish.freak]

Originally Posted by Dego Red

The best news of all? My furniture arrived this morning, so I just have to position the tank and add water!

Hopefully it all gets done tonight (right...), but I've been taking pics along the way so I'll post up soon...

I cant wait to see!!!