The LAST big upgrade

michika · #1 03-30-2009, 07:02 PM

As requested I'm making a separate thread to document our last big upgrade from our current 180g grow out tank to a ~450g display system in the basement of our Calgary home.

We have decided that we are upgrading to a 10ft long by 2ft tall by 3ft deep glass in-wall tank. Right we we have decided on a coast to coast overflow in the back which will probably only have a depth of 6-10" depending on the plumbing.

Our goal is to light this tank with a combination of MHs and T5s. Part of our decision to go 3ft deep rather then the original 4 ft is the opportunity to reduce the number of MHs/T5s we require (and the electricity bills),

We got a quote back on the stand, and are just waiting on some details before officially placing our order. I'm amazed at the price quoted, and after some checking around, I don't think we'll do better for quality, price, or service. I'm feeling pretty confident on placing this order. At least with a stand on hand we can fit it into place while the renos are ongoing, with minimal worries over it getting damaged.

The tank will also have a sump, refugium, frag grow out tank, frag QT, and fish QT systems. We also have plans to encorporate an auto-water change system. We expect most everything to be run off our Reef Keeper Elite.

I have budgeted about $10-$15K for the build and stocking of this tank from start to finish. We also expect to pay an additional $300-$500 per month in maintenance costs, electricity, water, supplies, etc.

On January 11th, 2009 we made the first physical steps towards renovating our basement. Really by renovating I mean actually making it functional because its one of those 1950s basements with nothing in it.

This is the outlined area where the tank will be sitting. It will share the same room as our entertainment area. We plan to have two panes visible, the front, and the right side.

Leah · #2 03-30-2009, 07:07 PM

That will be amazing

lastlight · #3 03-30-2009, 07:23 PM

Exciting! Will you assemble this tank yourself?

fishytime · #4 03-30-2009, 07:25 PM

Well its about time!

j/k You will definitely not be disappointed with the stand...if you decide to go with him. Did I show you guys the blue metal flake stand he did at the shop? Its one pimped-out metal stand.

michika · #5 03-30-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

Well its about time!

j/k You will definitely not be disappointed with the stand...if you decide to go with him. Did I show you guys the blue metal flake stand he did at the shop? Its one pimped-out metal stand.

We're pretty firm on going with him, just need a time-line on when it could be ready, and to discuss some details about how to get it into our basement.

You'll have to show me on Saturday. I totally want some randomly coloured stand now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

Exciting! Will you assemble this tank yourself?

Probably, we are still 50/50 on if we will or not. Either way it has to come into the house in pieces through one of the basement windows, and must be assembled on site.

dkcrx · #6 03-30-2009, 08:08 PM

thats going to be a great setup, can't wait to see he progress.

Skimmerking · #7 03-30-2009, 08:28 PM

congrats Catherine glad to hear it and glad to hear that your tank is doing alot better... lord knows the time and effort you have put into it and the losses too.

steveg · #8 07-16-2009, 01:18 PM

Hi there, looks like quite an exciting project! I have just moved into the area and am planning a basement tank too, not as big but I would welcome your recommendation as to where to get a tank from. Good luck!

michika · #9 07-16-2009, 02:33 PM

Welcome to the area!

So far its really looking like we'll be building this sucker ourselves in the basement due to accessibility issues. I've never purchased a tank from a builder, or a store, so unfortunately I don't have a lot of recommendations. I used to buy my tanks 2nd hand, and now I just buy the glass and we assemble them ourselves. You might want to try the Calgary forum and ask for a list of places who sell/build tanks.

Dez · #10 07-16-2009, 02:43 PM

Hey Catherine,

If you're going to build your own skimmer, are you looking for acrylic tube? I was going to build by own but I bit the "Bullet" and ended up with a PM Bullet 3.

I have about a 4 foot 8" acrylic tube that I won't be using anymore since I'm not going to build my own skimmer. It's got a sealed base already as I got this tube from a broken 8' skimmer quite a few years back.

If you're interested PM me and I'd probably take any reasonable offer.

Keep the updates coming.

Des