[ylmaya]

Yippeee - picked up 90lbs. of caribbean and cultured rock today and got EVERYTHING going. Tank is a little noisy - we have to work on insulation in the cabinet by the sump. And lights are HOT! Boy - the ballasts get really hot - I think we'll have to rest them on a cooling rack of some sort so they don't sit directly on the wooden shelf. Also will have to cut some more vents into the cabinet for air circulation.

Here are some pics of everything going. (including my extra garbage can water reservoir)

Waddaya think.....I can't wait to get a flashlight on this rock at midnight.....I have already found a large brown starfish hitchhiker.......

 

[ylmaya]

Here is a shot of the rock within the clouds....hoping this is still unsettled sand and not air bubbles.

 

[ylmaya]

Another one of the rocks closer up....isn't this exciting.....

 

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Looking really good and remember Patience is the key here as you continue! Way to go!:beer:

 

[Doug1]

Yama you either need a real name or an easier user name
See I wasn't kidding about the lights
But I suspect that once it clears it will be a very nice looking setup. Not quit the 18- plus in wall monster but I have to say that you have done a nice job, and your hubby deserves a big hug as well

 

[ylmaya]

Hey Doug - I don't get what you mean by the 18-in wall monster? Am I missing something (sometimes my kids seem to think I am.....)

And oooh - it is so tempting not to just pull all the stuff out of the nano and just put it in the big one now.....I know I know Patience Patience.......

Anyway - yea- whooeee those lights are hot. I only had them fired up for 1/2 hour to check things out and I am kinda scared. I better get a thermometer and monitor water temp for a few days to see how they affect it. I was actually wondering - won't I have more die-off on the rock if I don't light it....(I was told not to put lights on for 2 weeks)? Shouldn't I start lighting now???

Regarding the heat we'll definitely suspend the ballasts some-how and I think I have to get a bigger fan somehowi would rather not have to buy 5 more of the little 3 inchers......any suggestions?

 

[Doug1]

Sorry Y that was supposed to read 180 +gallon in wall monster. I meant it aint the huge tank, but its looking very nice in its cabinet.
For fans I have 4" industrial grade fans that I recover from oxygen generating machines, they move a lot of air. I have seen people run 4" dryer duct to fans in the ceiling or duct to outside, tho I don't think thats very practical in your case
The biggest probl.em you are facing is trapped heat in the cabinet, the more heat you can let escape of force out the less it affects the outcome(tank temp).
FWIW and Realize thats a nice cabinet you got, but if it were I , I might consider replacing the top of the cabinet with a piece that went with the look but was basically open and covered in nylon screening or eggcrate lighting grid. Then mayby 4" below the open top I would have a pair of 4" fans suspended by a clever bungee cord type affair, to cut vibration induced noise.
Also the other thing you may run into with sump below is salt creep all over, increasing the airflow in the sump area will help evaporative cooling unless the AC doesnt work and you have a high humidity situation.
Hopefully using the guidelines I have outlined you can keep temps managable and not have to add a chiller
If you are intersted in a couple fans, I get them free from work and am willing to share. I will happily ship to a neutral work address or whatever. Email ShirleyM, I sent her some last year. Good Luck, and have fun

 

[thefatman]

that's looking awesome!

i love the huge rock pieces, mine are all teeny compared! i gotta get some big rock in the new tank.

love the center cave.. very cool!

 

[Casey]

Man I love pics looks good dude.

 

[ylmaya]

Thanks guys - this morning I woke up and the water was all clear. I am glad you like the big rock - I was a bit worried about it in terms of how to attach all the coral and stuff but I think there are enough nooks and crannies so I'll be ok. I am sure the fish are gonna love the cave too! I'll post more pics next week after I add more stuff!