Jasonanatal's 150 gallon "Lets Bring Out The Big Boy" Reef Aquarium.
Well everyone I have had just a little vacation from the Forum and the hobby and now I'm back and I think it's time to start something new. I'm fortunate enough to have found a great position with a Law in Midtown Manhattan so what better way to celebrate then to go by the motto "Work Hard and Play Hard". I will be purchasing and transporting my new 150 gallon Oceanic Reef Ready Aquarium to my apartment in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx tomorrow morning and I'm really excited. Now don't get me wrong I make good money but I'm not a millionaire so this tank will take time to grow into a full blown Reef Aquarium. But I will keep photo-document with detailed information as much as possible. I will make every attempt to spare no expense in parts and equipment but I do have a a Wife (into Freshwater Planted Aquariums), a Son and a Puppy who still need to eat.
(This section will contain photographs (hopefully live video feed in the future) and information of the current progress that I am making with the Aquarium. I will also include chaptered links so you can jump to various chapter in this Aquarium build for quick reference.)
150 gallon "Lets Bring Out The Big Boy" Reef Aquarium Update.
Craigslist Makes Dreams Become a Reality.
Well you have to go by the old addage "Ones man's garbage is another man's treasure". Well this was exactly the case on Craiglist for me. So I enlisted the help of one of my friends and jumped in my trusty Honda Element and for $325.00 and a little elbow grease I had the foundation for my new Reef Aquarium. (150 gallon Oceanic Reef Ready Aquarium and Black Wooden Stand.
However, for $325.00 it came with a price. The rear of the Oceanic 150 gallon Reef Ready Aquarium was painted black and not with Latex paint. Just standard flat black paint. Also the wooden Oceanic Aquarium Stand was severly water damaged within the interior and numerous amounts of scuffs and scrathes on the exterior. Also the hings of the doors are rusted. So I have some work ahead of my but hopefully picasso can turn this in need of work into a work of art.
Photograph - The 2007 Honda Element 4WD EX, perfect for moving large aquariums.
Photograph - Me and my friend Richie in front of my apartment with the Big Boy Reef.
__________________ My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack???
150 gallon "Lets Bring Out The Big Boy" Reef Aquarium Update.
Restoring the Oceanic Reef Ready Aquarium.
The back side of the Oceanic 150 gallon Reef Ready Aquarium was painted using standard Flat Back paint which present an issue.
First I had to decide what method to use in order to remove the paint without damaging the Aquarium. Since the placement of the Aquarium is in the center of my living room I wanted to be able to see through on both sides.
Unforuntately most chemical cleaners in the market that would have assisted in softening up the paint but most lkely could have had long term effects on future Aquarium inhabitants so I opted out of the easy road. Instead I decided that a single edged razor blade combined with a little elbow grease would do just the trick. We'll see if I am intitled to the fruit of my labor.
Photographs - With a single edged razor blade as my tool and 6 days of patient scrapping. The black flat paint was removed.
__________________ My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack???
150 gallon "Lets Bring Out The Big Boy" Reef Aquarium Update.
Oceanic Wooden Stand Restoration Project
Well the Oceanic Wooden Stand for this 150 Oceanic Reef Ready Aquarium was exposed to constant water spilling from it previous owner. I deemed after seeing the stability of the stand that I could restore it and add some reinforcement for my added piece of mind. So I have broken down the project into phases to complete for the entire restoration.
Phase #1: The entire Oceanic Wooden Stand will be sand down by hand to remove chipping paint and unsightly areas. This also includes the removal of screws that the previous owner had placed in to guide wires.
Phase #2: Once the sanding has been completed I will purchased wood beams to be placed at strategic points within the Oceanic Wooden Stand just for that extra added security.
Phase #3: Pressboard will be added over the existing base and rear of the Aquarium and screwed in.
Phase #4: The final process will include the Oceanic Wood Stand being primed with Latex White Latex Paint and finished with Black Hi-Gloss Paint.
__________________ My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack???
150 gallon "Lets Bring Out The Big Boy" Reef Aquarium Update.
Delivery of New Photography Equipment.
Well I got my new toy delivered today. The Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1 Digital SLR Camera with 8 gigabyte Ultra Memory Card. This thing takes some awesome photographs for the money. Now all I have to do is purchase a Macro Len from Canon and the were good to take some professional photographs.
Photograph - Canon Digital Rebel XTi Digital SLR Camera.
__________________ My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack???
looks like you have a good start, i look forward to seeing your progress.
__________________ "Noone cares how much you know, untill they know how much you care."
"Fear Leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering"
"Human subtelty will never devise an invention more beautiful,
more simple or more direct than does nature"
- Leonardo Da Vinci
"I am made of the dust of the stars, and the oceans flow in my veins"
-Neil Peart
"The strenuous and dogmatic are the moral enemy of the good. They demand that we believe the impossible and practice the unfeasible" - Christopher Hitchens
JAY! WELCOME BACK! I've missed you around here. Looks like you have the makings of a cool new tank. Do you still have the nano?
CarmieJo, I have definitely missed you as well. I still have the Nano but it will be taking a new role as a Quarentine Aquarium for my 150 gallon Oceanic.
__________________ My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack???
Hello Jay and a pleasure to meet you. I admire you already as I am a bargain hunter and not only do I like to save money, but I also love the feeling that it gives me to know that I have spent my money wisely. You are off to a great start and I have enjoyed viewing your eye candy. I look forward to following your progress.
Jasonanatal's 150 gallon "Lets Bring Out The Big Boy" Reef Aquarium. 
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I admire you already as I am a bargain hunter and not only do I like to save money, but I also love the feeling that it gives me to know that I have spent my money wisely. You are off to a great start and I have enjoyed viewing your eye candy. I look forward to following your progress.
