My dream tank

[Jim Barry]

Well it has been a year in planning....

My new home is ready for possession next week, my tank is built and my cabinetry is almost ready to be installed. :biggrin:

The tank is a 190 gallon starfire 24" high, 30" front to back and 5' in length. It has an external overflow on each end with a durso standpipe. all plumbing will run into the side cabinets and down the a fishroom in the basement. The tank will be located on the main floor in my office with viewing into the great room as well.

The cabinetry is being built by Rob Craig at Majestic Aquariums.

I will post a series of pictures over the next few weeks as the tank and cabinets are installed and the fish room is built.

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/framing.jpg

[Jim Barry]

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/tank2.jpg

[Jim Barry]

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/tank1.jpg

[Jim Barry]

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/031905.JPG

[Jim Barry]

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/032305.jpg

[Jim Barry]

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/0324051.jpg

[christyf5]

Looks fantastic Jim!! I envy you guys and your fish rooms. I can't wait to see it up and running :mrgreen:

[AJ_77]

Wow Jim - nice! :biggrin: Glad you live close by.

[Delphinus]

Wowee..

[Jaws]

Sweet. I love the idea of having two external overflows on each end of the tank. Brilliant.

[EmilyB]

Hey Jim, where's the cherubs...? :razz: :wink:

[Jim Barry]

ha hah :lol:

I thought about Cherubs... but I figured Gargoyles were more my style...

[vanreefer]

shmice :mrgreen:

[shadowboy]

hellooooo second mortgage
very very nice

[rusty]

very nice! very very nice :biggrin:

[kuatto]

Thats one nice setup.Can't wait to see it all set up.

[sumpfinfishe]

Jim, that's gonna be one sweet system when it's all up and running-you must be dying in antisipation for the fill ur up day :biggrin:

Nice work on the tank, and that woodworking is pretty fine too :cool:

[AndyL]

Dude! Sweeeet!

The more I see of Rob's work - the happier I am I ordered my stand through him.

Well, if you're not going to put cherubs on the outside - I guess you'll be needing a few Cherub Angels on the inside eh? :mrgreen:

Andy

[Jim Barry]

The cabinetry was sprayed on the weekend and will be installed on Wed.

I can't wait !! :biggrin:

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/cabinet%20doors.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/cabinet%20doors2.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/sprayed%20cabinets1.JPG

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/sprayed%20cabinets2.JPG

[danny zubot]

So thats why my stand hasn't been built yet! :razz:

[medican]

what type of paint did you use??

[Majestic_Aquariums]

There'e a total of 10 gal. catylized laquer on this baby, I would guess a min. of 9 coats in total. 5 gal. of sealer, and 5 gal. of black. I hate paint, takes way too long to cure, and isn't as moisture resistant. This stuff cures fully in 24 hours, and alot harder than paint. That's just the black stuff though, add another 2 gal. of laquer for the Great Room side-different color.

[Majestic_Aquariums]

BTW, thanks to everyone for all the great complements! Much appreciated! This stand design was originally for us, but after realizing 6 months ago than it would be much-better suited in this application, we wanted to make the plan come together for Jim and Dianna. It's in my living room right now, and I am enjoying every minute of it, although short!
Install tommorrow!!!

[andestang]

That's very nice - keep the the pics coming :biggrin: Do you have everything to get it up and running right away (lights, pumps , sump ...) ?

[danny zubot]

I know where the next Calgary reef meeting is going to be! :mrgreen:

[Jim Barry]

That's very nice - keep the the pics coming :biggrin: Do you have everything to get it up and running right away (lights, pumps , sump ...) ?

The lights are 3 - 250w 10000k Ushios and 4 vho actinics.

The pump is a Little Giant 4000gph. All equipment will be located in the basement, feeding to the tank on the main floor. I will post pics as I get it up and running. The sump is 90 gallons and I will be using a 4' beckett skimmer that I bought off Dez. Water movement will be from an ocean motion 4 way along with about 2000gph from the main pump. It should be enough water movement :biggrin: stayed tuned for pics !!!

[Jim Barry]

I know where the next Calgary reef meeting is going to be! :mrgreen:

The next meeting is in July at my place !! :biggrin:

Hopefully I'll have it finished by then :smile:

[andestang]

The next meeting is in July at my place !! :biggrin:

Hopefully I'll have it finished by then :smile:
:mrgreen:

[wayner]

Looking Good!, Majestic Aquariums does real nice work!

[bulletsworld]

Wow, Jim! It's looking awesome! Keep the pictures coming!

[Tman1973]

Jim when are you going to stop fooling around and start taking this hobby seriously? :biggrin:

Nice set up; I can’t wait to see it in person.

[Jim Barry]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :mrgreen:

[RD]

I had coffee with Rob & his dad this morning, sounds like he's got his work cut out for him over the next few days.

Beautiful set up Jim! :cool:

[Majestic_Aquariums]

Well, the beast is DONE! All went fine. Should have photos soon.
Thanks, Jim. A super guy to work with, and it was are pleasure to build a stand for your dream tank!!!
Robert and Rhonda Craig

[Marcus K]

Wow, future Canreef tank of the month! Hope I can visit next time I come to Calgary.

Marcus

[G1GY]

Wow, future Canreef tank of the month! Hope I can visit next time I come to Calgary.

Marcus

Future "Anywhere" tank of the month!

I've looked at Roberts work a bunch of times and don't think you could have made a better choice of builder to work on your project with Jim.

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet! :mrgreen:

[Majestic_Aquariums]

Thanks Gary! That's a very nice complement! Still waiting on some pics. I know Jim is busy, I am sure he will post some more soon. We could post some, but I would like him to decide which ones he would like on here.
Rob

[Jim Barry]

GREAT WORK ROB !!!!!!

The tank looks awesome.....

I will post pics tomorrow. Today I have to start plumbing the tank.

:biggrin: :biggrin:

[medican]

So its a black catylized laquer, any clear coat on it or all in one? Is it flat or semi gloss?

Oil based?
What is the recoat time?
Any sanding? What grit? Wet or dry?


As you might have guessed I will be spraying a stand soon I hope. :razz:

Thank you for the info

[Majestic_Aquariums]

Yes. The finish is a black laquer. In Jim's stand, he was wanting a flat finish (little gloss) Laquer is measured for it's sheen by degree. 30'-35' being satin, 50' is semi, and 70' to 90' is gloss. We used 35' on this stand. I use a white "vinyl" laquer for the base sealer-takes lots of coats, with sanding in between all coats (light, 220grit sandpaper)

After 4-5 coats sealer, then it's time for black. First coat has a slight texture added.
As a rule, I like to mix the final coat black with an additional 50% clear, adds a bit more gloss. (this can be done, as black laquer starts with a clear base in the mixing process)
But with Jim's I just stuck with black, to give it the flat look, very little gloss.
Some of the pics show a good sheen, but it is actually a flat finish, it's just the flash.
Laquer isn't an oil base, but more an alcohol base I guess. Laquer dries fast, and cures much quicker than an oil based paint. That stuff can take a month to cure, laquer cures in 24 hrs.

Anyway, dry sand lightly once dry to the touch-anywhere between 20-40 min. is usually good.

If you plan on spraying yourself, do so in a WELL ventilated area, and wear a proper mask. The fumes are very toxic, and flamable. Best to do outside if you can.
Hope this helps a bit, let me know if you need more info.

[Jim Barry]

Finally the tank is set up, plumbed, filled and running.... :biggrin: :biggrin:

Here are some pics as the tank and stand were installed

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/install1.JPG

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/install2.JPG

[Jim Barry]

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/install3.JPG

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/install4.JPG

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/install5.JPG

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/install7.JPG

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/install8.JPG

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/install9.JPG

[Delphinus]

Looking good there Jim. :cool:

[Jim Barry]

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/install10.JPG

The tank is currently clearing right now, so I will post some pics of the finished tank in a few days.

Unfortunately I lost a clownfish and Atlantic Blue Tang in the move. I guess they couldn't handle the stress and change in water conditions.

It's always a sad day when your fish die :cry:


[/img]

[Jim Barry]

Here is the pic of the sump and equipment

http://members.shaw.ca/jim.barry/sump1.JPG

[AJ_77]

Man, that is looking better and better. Sorry to hear about the fish though... Hopefully the tank will be ready for some new occupants soon! :biggrin:

[Delphinus]

What's your return pump?

PS. Sorry to hear about the fish. :frown:

[dbdavid]

Hey there Jim, how about an update on your new tank. :smile: Lets see some pictures :multi: :multi:

Dave