A Brit's Glass Box

Toongraeme · #1 09-07-2013, 04:15 AM

So, here we are..... Almost 2 years after having to give up the hobby to nice from the UK, I'm almost ready to get the new tank up and running...

I'll get this brought up to date over this weekend

Toongraeme · #2 09-10-2013, 03:27 AM

Ok, so.... Here we go! I moved to Edmonton in feb 2012 from the UK. I had kept a Marne tank for about 7 years before the big move came. My first tank was a 5ft basic tank. I was keeping softies, and a couple of lps. But most important this was to be a learning curve. I was always changing things and making mistakes here and there, but because I didn't have any really sensitive species all was quite forgiving. That was until I bought a ritteri anemone!!!! Yup, it died.... I wiped out my tank! I had to start all over again with the fish I'd lost, but instead of getting beat by this I decided to buy a bigger tank!
I found a 2m long, 650litre tank. Once this was set up I picked a few tangs to go in there. Regal/yellow/orange shoulder and my favorite powder blue. For some reason I had limited success with this tank. I couldn't get much to go right in this one. I did however learn a lot about equipment with this tank. I had a chiller, my first calcium reactor, bio pellets, big skimmer, modified halide light..... But I was determined to keep wasting my money on it and started to get into sps....
Then came the big move, so everything had to go!
This is what it looked like before I left:

It was never finished, there was always something to do on it.
So, what was the first thing I did when I got here? That's right, scrawled canreef for a tank. I came away with hazratty's old setup. But I was just never quite satisfied that it was what I wanted. So it sat around.... Until Sphelps put a tank up for sale. Now, this one was just perfect for the space I wanted to put it in, great dimension too!

Toongraeme · #3 09-10-2013, 03:56 AM

Since I was starting to fall into the sps route, I had the opportunity to visit fellow reef keepers around Scotland. I got to see some amazing setups, and also some sad tear downs.... But most importantly I got some inspiration as to what I 'hope' to achieve with this tank. Since my last tank was never complete, I've decided I want to completely build this one, take my time and hope everything is just right for when I finally get it salty :-)

Toongraeme · #4 09-10-2013, 04:09 AM

So here's some pics so far:

The Codfather · #5 09-10-2013, 04:15 AM

It's about time you got some pictures up. Looks good, keep it coming.
Nice to meet you the other night.
Now get those other pictures up, I know you have more.....

Toongraeme · #6 09-10-2013, 04:17 AM

So, with the plumbing complete, all the electrics done, and a few bits of equipment.... It was time for the wet test:

And I only had one leak..... Behind the tank!!! So I had to drain it, pull it out, fix the leak.... You get the picture!!!

Toongraeme · #7 09-10-2013, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Codfather

It's about time you got some pictures up. Looks good, keep it coming.
Nice to meet you the other night.
Now get those other pictures up, I know you have more.....

Lol, thanks.... And you. I've got a little vid to put up too

Toongraeme · #8 09-10-2013, 04:50 AM

Wet test video:

http://youtu.be/lUQ6xci8uyw

ensquire · #9 09-10-2013, 05:03 AM

Nice set up , only thing I would suggest is to change out those valves on the drain lines for gate valves. Easier to tune in .

Toongraeme · #10 09-10-2013, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ensquire

Nice set up , only thing I would suggest is to change out those valves on the drain lines for gate valves. Easier to tune in .

Yeah I know.... I was being lazy lol. It's gonna be a nightmare to cut them neatly so I might just add one further down. That way I still have a way of closing the pipe without affecting the syphon :-)