So I figured I would start my build thread… First you have to trudge through my seemingly endless meandering autobiography… LOL

I grew up in South Florida and a close family friend had, what I thought was, a huge salt-water fish tank. I was young and as most of you know when you are young everything looks bigger, but I but the tank was every bit of 8 feet long. It was a fish only tank and rarely had more than a hand full of fish. I used to spend hours just sitting there watching it. This was in the late seventies early eights, and knowing now what I know, it must have been a monumental task keeping that tank going…

I tell you this story because it is what got me interested in this hobby. When I was old enough to afford a system (at least I though I could, in the early 90’s) I started doing my research. I read everything I could and started saving for my new system. Back then under gravel filters were the hot ticket and size was a must and everything was pricy. So with college and everything that goes with that the tank… well was out… But I kept the dream.

Almost a Decade later I was surfing around the net and found ReefCentral. I read for a long while before ever even posting. I started going to all the lfs in the area and again I looked at going big (120 or bigger), but my wife (being the practical person she is) recommended that I start much smaller. So I bough a 10g nano reef. I had great luck with it. I did a light upgrade and was able to keep lots of softies and several fish (it was way overstocked).

With the success of my nano I convinced my wife that I was ready for a larger tank and she agreed. I bought a 220 from a LFS and set it up. I was only able to keep it up and going about 6 months (due to military activation) but in those 6 months the tank started coming along very nicely. While that tank was up and going I decided that I wanted something bigger and started to design, what I thought was, a real monster (close to 500g). But due to some personal issues, business issues, and military issues I had to stop all the plans.

Fast forward a couple of years and I find myself in Iraq. While being here my wife started talking to me about replacing my car that I sold (06 Vette) due to activation. We started talking about all my options and finally my loving wife said “why don’t you get a Viper…” I almost started crying… I love her so much… well I started thinking about it and said, instead of getting a car that will cost a ton and be old in a couple of years, I want a really big tank…. She said… “Ok, if that’s what you want” I love her so much… did I say that yet…

So I started thinking what “is” my dream tank… I started with length, I wanted 12’ but the price goes up a ton when you go that long, so I figured 10’ would do. Then I said I want a tall tank, my task tank was 31” tall, and I though I could go deeper, so after much debate I decided on 36”. Lastly, I thought 4’ front to back would be good… that is until I started reading about a tank or RC that was 10’x5’x30” I loved the 5’ front to back so I decided that was what I wanted.

Next was they age old question, Glass or Acrylic. I chose glass, but after a lot of designs I decided that glass would simply not do. I really don’t want to see any equipment in the tank and with glass this would not be possible. So I started shopping around for an acrylic tank manufacturer that would not break the bank, but would give me a great custom tank. Well I found it… I’ll tell you who later…

After talking with the builder, he convinced me that my size was wrong and simply wasteful. He told me that the tank needed to be 10’x6’x3’ (1350 gallons) and so it will be.

I figure that is enough for tonight, I will update again later… let the questions and “are you crazy” comments fly…lol

wow, thats gonna be a monumental task setting up a tank that big! I cant wait to see it, I am from South Fl as well "Cooper City" , what part are you from? Also 6' wide! Are you back from Iraq?

nice real nice

I think your wife is right.

Chrisjet I grew up in Miramar, and I'm still in Iraq, but I should be back in June..
Victor626nj Thanks, I think so too

LDYBKR Yes My wife is never wrong... ;)

When you are back I'm up for helping out on anything you need...that is going to be a great project!

Thanks for all you do over there!!! Keep your head down till June cause if I don't get to watch THIS thread I'm gonna be REAL pi$$ed off!!
Scott

Wow Harley - that is going to be one awesome tank. Now here is the multimillion dollar question? Where are you going to place that baby? Are you going to have to add another room just to hold your tank and equipment? Is it going to be reef or a predator tank? (shoot, you can probably have both seeing as there will all that space to swim and hide out). Just when you get back and start getting things set up - take pictures of the entire process (if you haven't learned yet, we LOVE pictures) from starting to seting up to when you finally start putting living creatures in it. Once you get it up and looking really nice, charge admission of a couple of frags to be put in your tank - people will come by the droves. Yep - plenty of questions a spinning away.

And as Scott said - THANK YOU and your comrades for serving our nation during this trying time. May you and all be kept safe in all that you do and know that we are here for you. If you ever need anything (books, magazines, games, whatever) - just post here and we'll help out if we are able to.

(shoot, you can probably have both seeing as there will all that space to swim and hide out.

Shoot...they'll be enough space for Harley to swim and hide out!

This sounds like an awesome plan. You're unbelievably lucky to have such an understanding wife. I look forward to this thread.

thanks for all you do over there. stay safe

i will give a helping hand

Shoot...they'll be enough space for Harley to swim and hide out!

Yeah, but if he puts a shark in there he better not.

Just hope his wife doesn't get upset when she sees all the time that will have to go towards the maintaining of it. But at least she is supportive in his desire to have an ocean in the living room.

I like this multi-quote thing...LOL
When you are back I'm up for helping out on anything you need...that is going to be a great project!
I will take all the help I can get, I will even supply the beer or tea your choice.

Thanks for all you do over there!!! Keep your head down till June cause if I don't get to watch THIS thread I'm gonna be REAL pi$$ed off!!
Scott
I'll be safe just for you ;) LOL

Wow Harley - that is going to be one awesome tank. Now here is the multimillion dollar question? Where are you going to place that baby? Are you going to have to add another room just to hold your tank and equipment? Is it going to be reef or a predator tank? (shoot, you can probably have both seeing as there will all that space to swim and hide out). Just when you get back and start getting things set up - take pictures of the entire process (if you haven't learned yet, we LOVE pictures) from starting to seting up to when you finally start putting living creatures in it. Once you get it up and looking really nice, charge admission of a couple of frags to be put in your tank - people will come by the droves. Yep - plenty of questions a spinning away.

And as Scott said - THANK YOU and your comrades for serving our nation during this trying time. May you and all be kept safe in all that you do and know that we are here for you. If you ever need anything (books, magazines, games, whatever) - just post here and we'll help out if we are able to.

as for placement, yes we will be adding about 375sq feet onto the house. Half of that will be for the tank and the other half will be an office... Here is the kicker... The tank will be... are you ready... on the second floor... :)
Allmost all the equipment will be in the basement under the tank. The only things that will be with the tank will be, a 65 gallon surge tank and pump to fill it. Two 4200's and a custom OM 4 way for closed loop, and an OM 4 way for return...

Thanks for the offer to send stuff, but at this point we are all looking to head home and in about 92 days or so we will be out of here. But if there is anything that comes up I'll let you know.

Shoot...they'll be enough space for Harley to swim and hide out!

I though about parking the Harley in the tank for the "mermaid" shot.
They would look nice together....
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/Picture_0581.jpg
This sounds like an awesome plan. You're unbelievably lucky to have such an understanding wife. I look forward to this thread.


thanks for all you do over there. stay safe

Thank you, yes I am very lucky... although my wife did say I could have the tank as long as all she has to do is look at it...


i will give a helping hand

I'll take it...

I almost forgot... this will be a predominately SPS tank.

Here's a couple pics of my mistress from a trip I rode to Key West this past Summer...
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l216/familyreefer/ImportedPhotos00008.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l216/familyreefer/KeyWest-July142007031.jpg

Nice we will have to go for a ride when I get home... The great thing about saddle bags is we have a place to put our frags...

I have made trips to ATL to buy and trade frags on the scoot. A couple of coolers with cool packs,,. A great day trip and frags to boot!!! Look me up when you get home. Just last week end I rode up to Blairsville and met up with some friends for a weekend mountain camping trip. Little chilly at night and the mornings but not too bad. Just sittin round the campfire drinking beer and tellin lies!!!

Family Reefer, do you know how rare it is to see another Heritage Springer but also with the same handle?

Here is mine. Sorry didn't mean to hijack the post.

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/44/44439/folders/97898/1992997Harley1.jpg

I would rethink the 3' height. You'll never be able to access most of your tank. Mine is only 3' wide and I barely have any access at that height. With a 6' width, fogetabowtit!

I don't think a guy like harley will mind us talkin scooters on here. I looked for those Springer beach bars the day I ordered my bike. Back then no one made them with a springer spread. Chubbys finally came out with them. I always thought these bikes would look better with the old school bars on them. I want to switch to the gangster white walls like yours when mine are shot. The rear needs to be replaced now anyway...It's got 15000 miles on it so thats not too bad for an OE tire.

This thread is always here for anyone wanting to talk motorcycles...

As for the 3' depth. I will get wet. I will have a hard time getting to the sand. I know these things and I'm willing to deal with them. I want the depth, so I have to make these sacrifices. I have designed a trolley system that will run over the tank. I will be able to lay on it and position my body anywhere over the tank. This will allow me to get to any place in the tank I need. I will also be buying a mask and a snorkel, along with a long set of tongs.

oh good now I can bug you on here too :)

If your dead set on the 3' depth, I would seriously think about a catwalk over the tank. And did I mention your nuts for doing a 3' tall tank in acrylic!

If you want to see what its like, hit up CBA the main display there is 8x4x3. it will give you an idea of what your getting into.

The trolley system is like a cat-walk that moves...with me on it... This will allow me to get to anywhere over the tank. As for the 3'...yes I'm dead set on it. As for acrylic, I first decided to go with glass, but changed my mind when some of the custom additions I wanted could not be done. The tank will be 1.25" acrylic.

Can't wait to see it!

Trolley system should work fine. The few times Ive had to get up on a tank to clean it(tanks over 30" tall) it sucked big time. A moveable mirror will help ALOT as well when your trying to see what your doing from above.

what additions do you mean and why couldnt they be done?

Awesome tank and bikes.

Geehh: Me too.
EnderG60: I decided early on that I was going to use many Tunze streams. I also decided that I really didn't want to see them. So I decided that I wanted to have external Tunxe boxes and external overflows. The Glass builders I talked to could not or would not do this. I also wanted to run several returns threw the bottom of the tank, and all but on builder said they could not drill that many holes in the bottom of the tank and still guarantee that the tank would be sound. All that and the many horror stories I have read about people loosing tanks due to silicone letting go made me turn to Acrylic... It is a choice that I really didn’t want to go with, but in the end I think I will get what I want and if I scratch it, I can fix it...
Cameron: Thanks

Is this going to be a fish only tank?

No it is going to be predominately an SPS tank

OK picture time...

The first picture is a drawing of the addition with the tank in place. The total addition will be 25'x15'. The tank will take up exactly halh of the space. Oh did I mention that the tank will be viewable from the front and left side?

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/additionwithoutofficedoorwithoffice.png

Here is the basic tank design. The Tunze boxes aren't "exactly" where they will be and the holes aren't "exactly" the right size, but you get the idea. The holes on the bottom of the tank are for the custom OM 4 way return. This OM has a 2" input and 4x1.5" outputs. Each 1.5" output will be split into 3x.75" outputs. These returns aren't so much for added flow; they are more for hitting dead spots and keeping the rock clean.

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/Tunzeboxtank2D.png

Will the wave action from the side Tunzes cause any cancellation with the back ones?

The builder that is doing my tank sent me some picture of another tank that has Tunze boxes, here are the pictures...
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/IMG_7902.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/IMG_7903.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/IMG_7904.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/IMG_7905.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/IMG_7906.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/IMG_7907.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/IMG_7908.jpg

Will the wave action from the side Tunzes cause any cancellation with the back ones?

I don’t think so. The two sides will be at slightly different levels. My hope is that this will create some wild eddies (I think that is what they are called). And all 8 of the streams will be controlled via the Aquacontroller III Pro and an AquaSurf.

Dang, I didn't know army officers made this much money to support a 1350 SPS tank! I shouldn't have turned my conditional contract in so long ago!!!

Just kidding. The set-up looks impressive. Looks like you put a lot of thought into this. As an SPS tank, and it being 3' deep, I'm guessing 1000Watt MH lamps? What kind of skimmer and CR are you going to run? What size sump?

BTW can you disclose the tank builder?

several 250's or 400's would be perfect. IMO 1K's are a waste. Tank idea is great and looking nice! cant wait to see it further along :)

Dang, I didn't know army officers made this much money to support a 1350 SPS tank! I shouldn't have turned my conditional contract in so long ago!!!

Just kidding. The set-up looks impressive. Looks like you put a lot of thought into this. As an SPS tank, and it being 3' deep, I'm guessing 1000Watt MH lamps? What kind of skimmer and CR are you going to run? What size sump?

BTW can you disclose the tank builder?

Army Officers do OK, and don't forget, I have been stuck in Iraq for almost a year... Tax free... with little or no bills... :)

I will be using 400W Mh bulbs... Figure it like this... The tank will have a 3" sand bed and the water will be about 2" from the top of the tank (to have room for the surge) so I really only have a 31" water column. Everything I have read said that 400W Mh will give good par (in the 250 range) at the bottom of a 36" tank. I will have a total of 8 400W 20K XM SE bulbs. They will be in Lumenarc reflectors and over driven with 400W hqi ballasts. I will also have 14 4' T5's and 4 6' T5's all running 12K bulbs on Icecap ballasts (4 Icecap 660's and 2 Icecap 430's).

The skimmer is going to be a custom Volcano. It will have a 48" tall 24" diameter main tube. All the reactors will also be custom and made mainly from 10" tubing...

The "sumps" (2 of them) will be 48"x48"x28" stock tanks and a third will be the refugium. I will also have a grow-out tank and a QT tank (sizes have yet to be determined, but I'm thinking 72"x24"x14" for the grow-out and 48"x24"x24" for the QT.

You may really want to consider doing closed loop system using 3phase motors and a VFD.

Ive been researching it and for the price you really cant beat it. Much more controllable then a OM(especially if you have more then one pump) WAY more flow if you use eductors, and when you put them on a pulse mode the power useage is about 1/4-1/3 of what it would be running full blast all the time.

and im tell ya, do the blv 14k bulbs, they are WAY better then the XM's. Xm's will die off fast when overdriven and are more purple. BLV 14's are like 20k blue in color and put out more par for longer.

400's will work fine for what you want. If you wanted a mixed reef with sps in a few key spots then I would say go with 3 1000w bulbs.

I looked into the VFD, but decided against it. The big reason is I'm really not doing much with closed loop. My closed loop will have about 7600gph coming from 2 Sequence 4200's. That's only about 360 watts or so, and like I said before the closed loop is really only for hitting those pesky dead spots.

As for the bulbs, I have not bought them yet, so I can still change my mind. Do you have a link to where I can look at the BLV bulbs? The reason I am looking at the XM's is I have heard tons of good stuff about them; in fact, you are the only one that has ever told me anything other than them being great.
In my last tank I used Aquaconnect 14K Hqi bulbs (250W) and I liked the color, but they were a little too white. I want something a little bluer.

As for the 1K bulbs: One of the great benefits of the Lumenarc III reflectors is that I can use any bulb, I just need to change the ballast. If I see a need for the 1K's later I can go that rough, but at first I want to see if I can make the 400W work. I also think before I go to 1K's I would change the reflectors and go pure hqi.

I love those boxes and is the first real thing I have seen that makes me want to buy an acrylic tank.

wow, can't wait to see this in a year!

A baracuda head on a 3phase motor will put out the same flow(and well over 20,000 gph with eductors) And when you pulse it for 10 seconds every minute(for example) you only use the full 360w for 10 seconds rather then 60. Plus with two of them you can point them so they oppose each other and time them to simulate a very realistic wave surge in both directions. There will be no dead spots. Plus you save by not needing the OM, or the hassle of having to worry about cleaning them.

And as I was saying you dont need 1000w's, you will do just fine with the 400's. If anything just make an island and put a single 1000w over it for those REALLY high light SPS. And my offer still stands to come over and check out my lights. I have the BLV 14k and my old 20 xm so you can see the differance.

Camron: Glad I could help... :D

They had the same affect on me... :D

oh and thats another reason to go check out CBA, you can see a bunch of different reflector styles and bulbs from basic spiders to luminarc 3's, and the big UFO lminarc 1's, and everything from 175w to 1000w halides.

A baracuda head on a 3phase motor will put out the same flow(and well over 20,000 gph with eductors) And when you pulse it for 10 seconds every minute(for example) you only use the full 360w for 10 seconds rather then 60. Plus with two of them you can point them so they oppose each other and time them to simulate a very realistic wave surge in both directions. There will be no dead spots. Plus you save by not needing the OM, or the hassle of having to worry about cleaning them.

And as I was saying you dont need 1000w's, you will do just fine with the 400's. If anything just make an island and put a single 1000w over it for those REALLY high light SPS. And my offer still stands to come over and check out my lights. I have the BLV 14k and my old 20 xm so you can see the differance.

Well, I could do that, but... I already bought the 4200's and the custom OM 4-way... So it is what it is... LOL

I would love to come by and check out your lights when I get home... I'll see you in June... :)

wow, can't wait to see this in a year!

I'm really hoping to have this up and going in less than a year, but with that said I'm in no hurry... Good things come with time and patients.

Harley - look's like you've got a good idea of what you want and love the diagrams/pix of what the actual tank looks like.

While you may indeed have the tank up in less than a year, it'll be close to a year so that it will look really nice with all your SPS's a thriving and some fish a swimming around.

But once you get the tank up and all, have a house warming party and charge the guests two-three frags to put in the tank.

You are right in the fact that it will be at least a year until I have corals living happily in the tank. Once everything is up and going I will have a tank warming party... However, I would never charge people to see my tank... But frag donations are always welcome :D

Here is a list or equipment I will need for this system, some I have some I need and some I am not sure on yet:
Tank – being custom built when I get home
Stand – Haven’t found a builder yet
Skimmer – Custom Volcano
Kalk stirrer – 10” tube custom built
Ca reactor – 10” tube custom built
8 Lumenarc III reflectors – on order
8 400w hqi ballasts – on order
4 Icecap 660’s – I have 2, I need 2
2 Icecap 430’s – I have both
Hammerhead – got it
2 Darts – got 1 need 1
2 Sequence 4200’s – got them
8 Tunze 6100’s – got them
1 Tunze 6201 – got it
1 Tunze Rock – Got it
Aquacontroller III Pro and all the stuff to go with it – got it
1 custom OM 4 way – got it
1 OM 4 way – got it
1 monster magnet – got it
3” actuated ball-valve – on order
65 gallon surge tank – on order
Miscellaneous electronics for surge system – on order
3 stock tanks – need to get
2 water storage tanks – need to get
Heaters – need to get
Chiller – need to get (I’m thinking Tradewinds 2.5 Hp)
Grow-out tank – need to get
QT tank – need to get
1600 pounds of rock – need to get
1600 pounds of sand – need to get
25-30 buckets of salt – need to get
RO/DI unit – need to get
2 auto top off units – need to get
Doser – need to get
Big UV system – Going to DIY
36W Turbo-twist UV (for QT tank) – got it
All equipment for QT – need to get (but don’t really know what I need until I get tank
Lights for grow-out – need to get
Air exchanger – got it
Back-up Generator – need to get
More plumbing than I care to think about right now – need to get
Loc-Line – ordering soon (let me know if anyone want’s to go in on an order)
Media chambers quantity TBD – need to be built


So this is my “basic list” I say basic because there is still a ton of little stuff that I will need. Anyone think of anything big I left off, or anything I didn’t mention that you think I need please chime in…

... have a house warming party and charge the guests two-three frags to put in the tank.

a stock the tank party. what a great idea. why didn't I think of that.

I'm thinking more along the lines of a plumbing party... Come smell the fumes... :D

Harley,
First: thanks for being over there and doing what you are doing.
Second: I looked Alto up and it is a ways for me but i'm up for camping in the back yard and drinking beer during the plumbing party.

Let me know what help you need.

You don't have to camp in the back yard... you can sleep in the tank...

looks like a massive prroject, it should be a good time. If you need a place to order plumbing supplies check www.flexpvc.com and www.savko.com - the flexible pvc is great!

I will be ordering a ton of stuff from these guys, when I do I will post on ARC to see if anyone wants to go in with me... Maybe a few of us can save a bit of the old $$$

OK, though I would share one of my new tank, on going, horror stories.

As I mentioned before I am trying to be as thrifty as I can with this system, and still get great equipment. One of the things I decided early on to get was a custom Volcano skimmer. The problem I had was the custom price that was associated with said skimmer. One of, if not the most expensive part of the skimmer is the 24” diameter body that is 48” tall. I shopped around and the best price I could find on it was $700 a foot… Jessie James used a gun… So I was really excited when I found this on eBay:

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/6b7d_1.jpg

That is a 48” tall 24” diameter cast acrylic tube (display case)… The stating bid was $300... I bid on it and won… I was the only bidder…

Here is where the trouble started… Shipping was crazy… almost $165.00 plus they guy shipping wanted some $ for packaging… So I gave him $500 even and told him that I wanted $2500 in insurance…

Well I got an e-mail the next day that said he had dropped off the tube to be shipped, but the insurance was a lot higher than he though it would be so he was only able to insure it for $1100. I told him that I would gladly pay the extra for the additional insurance, but it was too late, the best we could do was cross our fingers and hope…

Well I guess my fingers were not crossed enough because this is what showed up:

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/fullviewalittlecloser.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/fullview.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/whatsleftofthetop.jpg

So with all that it has been almost 2 months and UPS finally decided that they killed my tube, and they will pay the $1100 insurance claim. Now, some sort of good news. I found some tube wholesale for $400 a foot ($1600 for the whole tube). I will still have to come out of pocket for the other $500, but I guess it’s better than having to pay the whole $2800 I though I would have to pay at first. Here is a picture of the prototype skimmer that is being tested. Mine will be basically the same… Obviously the cone and collection system is not on it… but you get the idea of how big this thing will be.
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/Tank%20stuff/IMG_7839.jpg

Harley--I've said it before-and I'm gonna say it again--thanks for your service to our country-myself and our fellow Americans should be grateful to you guys for service our country for our protection-
second--MAN that's a FREAKIN' Huge skimmer

Thanks Eric it's always nice to hear when someone appreciates the troops.
And yes that is a FREAKIN' Huge skimmer :D

The wave boxes will cancel each other out, you really should put them on one side or the other. It is your tank so do what you feel you need to but I beleive the 2 on the end will be useless for a wave, mind you they will still generate current but not like the wave box and they will take away from the boxes on the back. I would check with Rodger on RC to see what he says before they start building the tank. JMO

Thanks for the input Jerry; the thing is I am not using the streams as waveboxes. They are there for flow only. I will have a 65 gallon surge system that will fire for 3 hours in the AM and 3 hours in the PM (to simulate the tides). The plan is that I will most likely turn all the Tunzes off (or way down) during this time... I will have to see how well this works... The reason for the boxes is simply to hide the streams. Hope this clarifies my idea a little.

I get you now. As for turning the streams down, I have a 600 gallon tank and have 4 x 6100 and 2 waveboxes and if you want to keep the flow going you will end up running the streams wide open all the time. At least that is what I ended up doing. Can't wait to see this thing come together.

I figure I will also run my streams WFO all the time as well, but I was thinking I might need/want to turn them down/off during surge cycle... I figure that will be part of the "fine tuning"... We will see and I'll keep everyone informed when I get to that phase...

One other thing I'm doing... when the holes are cut for the 6100's we will actually cut the holes to fit the 6201 and 6301 streams and insert a spacer so that the 6100's fit... that way if I see a need to upgrade to the larger streams in the future I can.

How are the Tunzes mounted in the overflow boxes in those pics?

On my tank Ill be using a bracket to mount them in a track that was routed out of the back of the external waveboxes.Heres a pic of the external waveboxes.....

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k85/46bfinga/externalTunzewaveboxes.jpg

Each of them are mounted on either side of my external overflow on my 600.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k85/46bfinga/600gallontank.jpg

Sorry to Thread jack,,, but what are you using to make the 3d render drawings?

Another hijack... Hey harley... my 63 year old Dad bought a 07 nightster last year and had the race tuner kit with pipes added a few weeks ago making 69 HP on 500 lbs with 69 foot pounds of torque now,, anyway, we are heading to the NASCAR track in Atlanta tomorow in order to get our hardcards. ( We have been working the track as firefighters for the last ten years) Tought we would make a bike trip out of it for the day. get your butt back here safe and RIDE with us dude!!!

[QUOTE=46bfinga;139431]How are the Tunzes mounted in the overflow boxes in those pics?

QUOTE]

Good question and the answer is... I don't know... I'm sure my builder has thought of that and come up with some kind of cool solution... I like your idea of a track... it will be interesting to see what he comes up with...

Sorry to Thread jack,,, but what are you using to make the 3d render drawings?

No problem at all... I use Google SketchUp http://sketchup.google.com/ It is free and works great.

Thanks Family reefer... Sounds like it will be a cool trip... When I get back maybe we should get an ARC club ride together...

Wow those tunze boxes are an excellent idea.

In a tank that size few people would even notice the ginormous tunzes, but now they never will. Acrylic rocks :). Bravo.

Thanks, I only hope they come out half as good as I hope they do... Time will tell

Shane when you get home give me a call, I'll drag Maggie out and we'll ride with you again.

Absolutely, I'd be honored to ride with you again... On a side note, how are your tanks doing???

Harleyguy......................................... ...........I...........I..........I think I am Love with Your wife too.You must be the luckiest Guy in the world.I`ll be tuned in to this thread.Cant wait to see it up and running.Thanks for your service to Our county and come home safe!

What are you going to use to feed the reators? I have a LiterMeter which is getting the job done, but am interested in finding something more controllable... too bad the AC3 doesn't have a dosing system.

Looks like you already got the skimmer body and such, but did you consider two seperate skimmers? Given what you paid it would seem like that might have been an option. Course wouldn't be nearly as cool.

As for "feeding" the reactors, that's still up in the air. Mainly because I'm not 100% sure how big they will be yet, all I know is that most of them will be 10" diamiter, because that's the size tube I bought. As for the two skimmer idea, I never considered it, because two big skimmers still costs a lot (probably more than 1 huge skimmer) and those two skimmers would most likely use more power than the one I will have... and your right the two skimmers just wouldn't be nearly as cool :D

Harleyguy......................................... ...........I...........I..........I think I am Love with Your wife too.You must be the luckiest Guy in the world.I`ll be tuned in to this thread.Cant wait to see it up and running.Thanks for your service to Our county and come home safe!


Ya, I'm pretty lucky, she's a good old lady... uuummm don't tell her I said that...

Tank looks like its going to be a great build!

Loc-Line – ordering soon (let me know if anyone want’s to go in on an order)


I've got a ton of line-loc if you are interested.

So I was talking to my wife tonight, about the tank, and she finally tells me how she “really” feels about it. She basically said that she thought it was just STUPID to do an addition onto the house for a fish tank. :slap: I was kind of mad at first, but then I figured it was better she told me now than later. She also said that I could have a big fish tank but I needed to try and keep it in the house…. So I left the conversation kind of bummed, thinking about all the time and planning I ad invested in the big tank, not to mention all the stuff I have already bought. Then I started thinking about where I was going to put the new tank. The only thing I could come up with was a plan I had started years ago, which involved building a tank to separate my foyer and my living room. The tank would be a peninsula.
I then started surfing the net, like I do, and to my amazement I came across this.
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh221/Mr_big_reef/Tank%20stuff/8433IMG_0576.jpg
Peninsula, 8’x4’x3’ 719 gallons the funny thing is this is almost the exact size I needed, so, I bought it. :dance: :dance: :jumpy: :jumpy: :w00t: :w00t: :yay: :yay: :yay:
I also picked up a nice 240 gallon sump a Deltec AP902 a Tunze wave box and an extension. Now, who want’s to ride with me to Virginia when I get home to get it?

Oh I got the stand to..

and Now it looks like I have a ton of new Tunze 6100's to sell

hey harley if i dont have a job by then i would go and help you out hives me an excuse to get out the state for a while ...as long as you feed me lol......but seriously ill help

Your on. PB&J going to be OK for food? ;D

how about some mre lol

actualy im more of a steak guy but it seems like pbj is all your gonna be able to afford after your done with this tank lol

We don't get MRE's any more they cost too much

are you serious then what do you guys get

We get KBR... LOL :D

KBR only charges the Government $38 a plate:confused2:

Congrats on the tank. I almost bit the bullet and bought it from RC also. But then I started thinking what I would do with a 600 and a 700 gallon tank. If you decide to sell the 6100's let me know. I may pickup a couple extra depending on the price.

man id love to have a tank that size. :drool:

Haha oh how the plans change huh man! Haha well let me know when you are going to VA and what part btw? I was born there and grew up in Norfolk.

I used to love making MRE bombs... Pot Roast with Veggies and Chilli... mmmmm.... Cache Lake camp food is the best though.

Looking forward to this. :D

Congrats on the tank. I almost bit the bullet and bought it from RC also. But then I started thinking what I would do with a 600 and a 700 gallon tank. If you decide to sell the 6100's let me know. I may pickup a couple extra depending on the price.

If you had gotten it, both of you tanks would have been almost as big as the monster.... Man what the heck was I thinking, In a way I'm glad my wife talked some since into me, She always knows what's best and I :love: her.

man id love to have a tank that size. :drool:

I'm really stoked, and I love the fact that it's going to be a peninsula.

Haha oh how the plans change huh man! Haha well let me know when you are going to VA and what part btw? I was born there and grew up in Norfolk.

Your right it's wild, what 2 days ago we were talking about the big tank, man how the tide turns... But I'm really happy with this tank, I will have it up much sooner, no "real" construction, half the stuff to buy and my wife is happy... and in the end that's what counts, because if she isn't happy, then I sleep on the couch, and that ain't happing.

I used to love making MRE bombs... Pot Roast with Veggies and Chilli... mmmmm.... Cache Lake camp food is the best though.

I'm fairly sure that's why they took them from us. It's funny how much stuff you could get into with, a bunch of guys stuck in the field and MRE heaters...:ahh:
Looking forward to this. :D

Me too:D :D :D :D :D

Very nice..can't wait to see when its finish....

Informal Pole


So should I close this thread and start a new one???

Or

Keep going with this one???

KBR only charges the Government $38 a plate:confused2:

What are KBR's? I've never heard of those. Tried Google and all it gave me was an engineering firm.

MRE's are good stuff, I bought them for a biannual camping trip I go on and was very surprised... the main meal is delicious.. everything else that comes with it is disgusting and would only eat if I was in Iraq or something but the main meal is actually really good... never heard of KBR's Ill have to ask a military buddy of mine, I live right down the street from dobbins (2 miles)

as for the tank, good to see that you have found something that satisfies you without pissing off the wife too bad, compromise is wonderful

KBR is a contractor for the US government they supply the troops with many different types of services. Such as cooking, cleaning, running shops for the green zone etc,...

so did he get the tank up or what im dieing to see it

KBR is a contractor for the US government they supply the troops with many different types of services. Such as cooking, cleaning, running shops for the green zone etc,...

Oh ok so google was right!!

KBR isn't just in the green zone. They are in every established base in Iraq. They take care of 95% of the infrastructure needs of the Military in Iraq, but the charge the Government a ton of money to do it. On a side note... it is my understanding that **** Cheney is a majority owner...

Hey Harleyguy. I live just up the road from you! I just wanted to say thanks for the job you guys are doing over there! I would love to see this when you get it finished. Also if I can help just let me know.