I would firstly like to say a massive thanks to Rob for all his help with both my own tank, and my work tank. I have gone from an absolute beginner to a beginner in just a few months! I really couldnt have done it without him.
I have been MSNing Rob, which is a bit naughty as it takes up peoples time, but also means no-one else benefits in the forums. I am now posting a tank journal so that everyone can see what I have had questions and problems with.
The tank is an 8ft x 2ft x 2ft custom build by Tank Build UK. The workmanship was poor, and the cost high. Any English viewers beware. The tank (with weir and pipework) and 5ft x 18" x 12" sump came in at about £1300. I was very disappointed by the work.
Anyway.....the tank is situated in the lobby of a block of 24 apartments we have built in Peterborough UK. The stand was built by our carpenters from 6"x2" and 3/4" ply. The system will have 4" DSB and 150kg live rock (Indonesian). I had a massive row with the supplier who sold us Fijian and delivered Indonesian (poor quality from what I can tell by looking at it).
Here are some photos of the tank etc...it is now on the stand and filling (drip by drip) from the RO unit...painful! It has taken days to fill 1/4 full...
Lighting consists of 3 x 250w 10,000k MH's, 4 x 5ft 58w Actinics and 1 x Moontube 4ft.
Pump is Oceanrunner 6500, Skimmer Tunze Comline, Heaters = Tetra 300w x 5, Powerheads = MaxiJet 1200's x 5, Reef Crystals for salt (on Robs recommendation!)
I shall post again when tank is full and cycling..
Wow, japanese gardens, marine tanks in the lobby and that chandelier! Had there been apartments like that in my area I wouldn't have wasted time buying a house!
Looks great so far, can't wait to see it fully stocked.
I have now mixed salt (Reef Crystals) and added 150kg of live rock and 40lbs of live sand (on top of playsand 4-5" DSB). 2 boxes of liverock went "bad" when being stored in buckets, but with Robs advice I have scrubbed and put in display tank to kick start cycle. After changing the water in te buckets, the smell did go, but the sulphur seems to have killed off parts of the affected live rock!
I have a Tunze Comline in the sump (rubbish quality I think, badly made and flimsy - any views?) and my own Ratz skimmer (beauty). I have doubled up on skimming incase it helps with clearing sand scum and other nasties for the first week or two. By the way, I cant seem to make the Tunze work..
the sulphur seems to have killed off parts of the affected live rock!
I'm sure it did kill parts of the rock but, rock and it's inhabitants have a way of coming back. I'm sure it will be okay.
Quote:
I have a Tunze Comline in the sump (rubbish quality I think, badly made and flimsy - any views?
Tunze product's quality has never impressed me much. I think the Tunze Stream pumps are pretty good but extremely expensive IMHO.
Things are looking good, Steve, keep the pics coming. It will be nice to see this mature.
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
Looks great! Just be sure that the lobby isn't open to the general public! I would hate to have somebody put something in there! (like cigarette butts, trash, stupid stuff like that). Or make sure that most people don't have a way to get into it
I would move into your apartments in a heartbeat! I'm sure that it will make your place VERY appealing. Over here in the states, it is hard to find apartment complexes that appeal to crowds like you do (at least in my neck of the woods....Cleveland!)
Lighting consists of 3 x 250w 10,000k 
