Fish's new tank project

[Fish]

Hello everyone,
I left the hobby for a little while (temporary insanity) because I thought I wanted to restore motorcycles instead. I found an old 1975 like the very first bike I owned when I was 14yrs old.




Almost the moment I got it all put together, the realization came to me...





I really wanted to have motorcycle and a reef tank.

My super clean nano design was even more popular than I expected and I have been thrilled to see it imitated in the different nano forums. This time around though I don't plan on doing anything fancy, just a 30+gal softies tank with sump. I have decided to go with Tek T5 lighting after seeing some of your tanks.
I'd like to thank Nate, howdy20012002, and JSTR for their help so far. JSTR (Paul) has a LFS worth of equipment in his basement - I'm not joking pm him if you need anything. I still need to have a tank built and order my lighting but so far things are coming together.
In the past, I always built my systems and then posted them... this time though I thought it would be fun to post the step by step progress.

Please don't hesitate to give advice where you see it - it's great to be back here at canreef!


- Chad

[Sushiman]

Great job on the Honda! A motorcycle & reef tank...a man after my own heart! Keep us updated.
Cheers.
Todd.

[Fish]

Haha right on Todd!


To reduce the amount of equipment in the display, I plan on using an external sump return and a closed loop.
I found a lovely Iwaki MD-40 (Japanese motor) on ebay for a good price that I think I will use to run the closed loop.




This is the one that I am planning for the return. I'm not too familiar with this pump but I have heard that they are made by Pan World - if that's the case it should be great. I was always very pleased with my Blueline 20HD.





Between these two pumps, I am anticipating about 30x turnover after losses. That is actually less than what I would have liked, even on a softies tank... we'll see how it goes though.

(I can't get the photos hosted by google to display in the thread, anyone know what I'm doing wrong?)

[Fish]

If there's one thing I learned during my time away, it is that metal is pretty. Partly for that reason, and partly because I don't have anything else to do, I stripped my Iwaki:



I could have polished it up brighter than chrome but I used up all my 1000 grit sandpaper on my exhaust pipes.

Modification Pros,
- kept me from pacing for a couple hours
- looks like it means business - way better than 'Iwaki teal'
- a 'first' ?

Cons,
- probably killed any resale value it had
- uh, did I just remove all the rust protectant finish on my saltwater pump ( :
- having to explain why

This one isn't going to be locked in the cabinet, but will sit beside the tank on the stand. Because of that (and some mother's polish) I am confident that I can keep it from rusting up on me.

- Chad

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Very cool. Glad to have you back. Always thought it was a huge shame that you sold off your earlier nano tank, since it was one of the nicest ones out there (as proven by it's many imitators )

Anthony

[Fish]

Thanks Anthony!

[Funky_Fish14]

I have to second Anthony's comment!

I cant wait to see this come together!

Too bad the pics wont show... I really want to see this pump now! Haha.

Chris

[Fish]

Chris,

Do you mean that it doesn't even work if you click on the link? Oh, that sucks... I thought Picasa was going to work out so much better than that.
I will transfer them over to Photobucket now - you gotta see the pump.

The 'bike photos at the top came through right?

- Chad

[Fish]

Return pump:






My Iwaki before:






My Iwaki after winning the Miss External Pageant:






Hope you like. You saw it here first "( :"

- Chad

[Funky_Fish14]

Yes, even the links dont work for me.

The bike pictures definetly came through. Thats a gorgeous bike too! Great job!

I like what you did to the pump! Haha. Do you plan to finish it down with something finer at all?

Chris