Hello everyone, I've been a member here for almost 2 years now and just wanted to start off by giving a big thanks to all the members that come to this forum to share their knowledge and experience. Without everyone, I surely would have had a much longer learning curve. Also, thanks go out to Kyle for providing us with this great forum in the first place!
Now, on to the journal!
The story begins with my 80 gallon bowfront that's been running for close to 2 years. After catching the planted tank bug, this tank became quickly overfilled with plants and I began yearning for a larger tank. Although it's an 80 gallon, the planting area is quite a bit smaller than that of a 75 gallon because of the shape, and to make matters worse, it was "reef ready" with a large overflow and return tube on either side of the tank, which further subtracted from the planting area. I was hoping to get a 180 to 215 gallon 6 footer, but with bills and everything, it just never panned out. I finally decided to give up and try to make the most of what I had for the time being. To accomplish this I decided to empty the tank and move it to another location where it'd look a little nicer, and I decided I would plug the bulkheads and remove the overflow/returns to get some extra space in the tank...
Well, I started the whole project, moved the fish and plants to some rubbermaid tubs, plugged up the bulkhead fittings and stopped at that point to finish it another day...
Later, we had to go to petsmart to get some stuff for our dog.... Then, I saw it..... It was a 5 foot wide 125 Gallon High Tank, with black silicone seals. The tank was $329.00 and the stand only $179.00... I was finding it very difficult to resist the temptation... Here was a tank that wasn't too expensive, and yet would still satisfy my urge for a larger tank. It was the perfect happy medium. I looked to my wife so that she could talk me out of it, but she was actually quite supportive so we both agreed to get it! :icon_bigg
Attached is a pic of the 80 gallon. Boy, that laterite sure is messy....
-Jeremiah
Now, on to the journal!
The story begins with my 80 gallon bowfront that's been running for close to 2 years. After catching the planted tank bug, this tank became quickly overfilled with plants and I began yearning for a larger tank. Although it's an 80 gallon, the planting area is quite a bit smaller than that of a 75 gallon because of the shape, and to make matters worse, it was "reef ready" with a large overflow and return tube on either side of the tank, which further subtracted from the planting area. I was hoping to get a 180 to 215 gallon 6 footer, but with bills and everything, it just never panned out. I finally decided to give up and try to make the most of what I had for the time being. To accomplish this I decided to empty the tank and move it to another location where it'd look a little nicer, and I decided I would plug the bulkheads and remove the overflow/returns to get some extra space in the tank...
Well, I started the whole project, moved the fish and plants to some rubbermaid tubs, plugged up the bulkhead fittings and stopped at that point to finish it another day...
Later, we had to go to petsmart to get some stuff for our dog.... Then, I saw it..... It was a 5 foot wide 125 Gallon High Tank, with black silicone seals. The tank was $329.00 and the stand only $179.00... I was finding it very difficult to resist the temptation... Here was a tank that wasn't too expensive, and yet would still satisfy my urge for a larger tank. It was the perfect happy medium. I looked to my wife so that she could talk me out of it, but she was actually quite supportive so we both agreed to get it! :icon_bigg
Attached is a pic of the 80 gallon. Boy, that laterite sure is messy....
-Jeremiah