KrazyKuch's & Michika's 180Gal Tank Build

[michika]

So I took the opportunity to do some water tests and at least I can be happy because for once my dKH isn't low! Yay!

Temp: 81.9 (I fear we have another heater disaster pending, I'm watching this)
pH: 8.12
SG: 1.026
ORP: 329
dKH: 7
Nitrate: 0.02 (Elos)
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
Phosphates: 0.11

I figure the phosphates are leaching from the rock and feeding the GHA. I think of the 0.11 number more so as what is leeching out of the rocks, but not being used by the GHA. I was thinking of participating in Red Coral's Rent a Seahare program starting this afternoon. I also found that with some EXTREME force you can blow off the techni-colour algae. It doesn't seem like all is lost anymore.

[Chaloupa]

Originally Posted by michika

So I took the opportunity to do some water tests and at least I can be happy because for once my dKH isn't low! Yay!

At least you can find something good in all the tragedy you have had with this tank!

[michika]

So I got a few quotes today from Bow Valley, were we got the glass for the 180g, for the big tank.

for 13x3x2 = $3K glass only, not low-iron, including holes & eurobrace
for 11x3x2 = $2K glass only, not low-iron, including holes & eurobrace.

We'd need to assemble it obviously, but they would deliver and help us get it into the basement.

Now I just need to make a cardboard or plywood dummy pane for the long side panels to make sure we can get this length of glass into the basement. LIke I mentioned earlier we would probably cover the glass and keep it away while we finalize reno decisions for the basement.

[JDigital]

Did you consider the 11ft configuration as 11x4x2? I think that would be a great size, and I'd asumme similar price to the 13ftr. (just an idea. )

[michika]

I think 11ft is small, but it will probably be what we go with if we can't fit the 13ft panes in the house. I like the lucky number 13!

[fencer]

What?????....going bigger....looking forward for that thread.

[michika]

Originally Posted by fencer

What?????....going bigger....looking forward for that thread.

Trying, but there is a lot of work involved.

[mark]

Is you big tank going to be all glass or plywood/glass?

[michika]

The prices above are for all glass. We haven't yet priced out plywood. I think it will come down to a cost vs. time deal. Originally we wanted plywood/fiberglass to help save on the cost of the big tank, but with the option of glass being so affordable, we may not even need to look at fiberglass.

[fencer]

GARF.org will give you the plywood calcs