So here begins the 3rd incarnation of my main display tank. The first two of which were of the saltwater variety....SPS emphasis on the first, and FOWLR on the second.
The tank itself sits in an in-wall cabinet I made myself between my living room and dining room. This gives me a large amount of space for a sump and any other stuff I need to hide like plumbing lines, CO2 tanks, and supplies.
The first incarnation was actually a different tank (made by glasscages), but during the 1st rebuild I replaced it with a custom tank made to my specs by A.G.E. in Dallas (local pickup!). It is roughly the size of a standard 120g, but just slightly different in the measurements by <1" each way with a custom external overflow and starfire front/back glass. Oh yeah, and it's got a cool PVC bottom.
For this 2nd rebuild and switch to freshwater, I'll be using that same tank and the majority of the supporting infrastructure I already have in place. In fact, I'll be ripping a bunch of stuff out like the protein skimmer and Vortechs.
I have yet to decide on a style for the tank, but I've been busy looking at as many tanks as I can find for inspiration (here's looking at you Tom Barr). Whatever I do has to accommodate the front/back viewing aspects of the tank.
Here's a list of some of the major tasks/checkpoints I have to work through:
The tank itself sits in an in-wall cabinet I made myself between my living room and dining room. This gives me a large amount of space for a sump and any other stuff I need to hide like plumbing lines, CO2 tanks, and supplies.
The first incarnation was actually a different tank (made by glasscages), but during the 1st rebuild I replaced it with a custom tank made to my specs by A.G.E. in Dallas (local pickup!). It is roughly the size of a standard 120g, but just slightly different in the measurements by <1" each way with a custom external overflow and starfire front/back glass. Oh yeah, and it's got a cool PVC bottom.
For this 2nd rebuild and switch to freshwater, I'll be using that same tank and the majority of the supporting infrastructure I already have in place. In fact, I'll be ripping a bunch of stuff out like the protein skimmer and Vortechs.
I have yet to decide on a style for the tank, but I've been busy looking at as many tanks as I can find for inspiration (here's looking at you Tom Barr). Whatever I do has to accommodate the front/back viewing aspects of the tank.
Here's a list of some of the major tasks/checkpoints I have to work through:
- Breakdown/cleanup of existing setup (almost done)
- Finding suitable hardscape
- Hardware changes (acquire & setup CO2 system, get new float switches, new freshwater bulbs, etc.)
- Decide on a style stocking list
- Decide on a dosing regimen/setup (I'd like to use the dosing pumps I already have)
- Devise a continuous water change system (I have an ATO system already in place as well as access to a drain