Tank up and running! (PICS)

[jessezm]

Well, after about a year of planning, saving, accumulating, wrenching, etc., etc., I've finally got saltwater, sand, and live rock in my tank! Thanks to all who have helped and provided great input (whether or not I listened to it!). I'm not sure what the last photos were that I posted--I think it was of the canopy lift, but forgive me for reposting some if I do...
<fieldset class="gc-fieldset">
<legend> Attached files </legend>

>

class="gc-images" title="Canopy lift 016.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="Canopy lift 017.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="Canopy lift 018.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="Canopy lift 019.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="Finished tank shots 005.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="Finished tank shots 011.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="Finished tank shots 012.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a> </fieldset>

 

[jessezm]

Some more...
<fieldset class="gc-fieldset">
<legend> Attached files </legend>

>

class="gc-images" title="Finished tank shots 016.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="Finished tank shots 017.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="up and running 001.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="up and running 002.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="up and running 003.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="up and running 004.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="up and running 005.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a> </fieldset>

 

[jessezm]

and the last few...
<fieldset class="gc-fieldset">
<legend> Attached files </legend>

>

class="gc-images" title="up and running 006.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="up and running 007.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="up and running 008.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="up and running 009.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="up and running 010.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="up and running 011.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a> </fieldset>

 

[jessezm]

I may re-do some of the aquascaping and add a bit more rock, though I do like negative space in the middle. It's hard to tell from the photos, but it's almost 4ft from the front of the tank to the back corner, and you can see through the two large caves/valleys all the way back almost. It creates a really neat effect.

I've still got a lot of work to do, including building the cabinet faces and doors, which I have no idea how to do, and installing the auto top-off, water change tub, and Schuran calcium reactor (it will fit on the inside of the door once I have a door built). Also, even with the syphon break, I get way too much backfill in the sump when I shut off the main pump. I have an overflow hole at the top of my sump which drains through the floor (shhh, don't tell my wife!) to the driveway, but then I lose all the water and the pump will probably run dry if I'm not there to take care of things or asleep when the power goes out...

So clearly, there are still things to figure out, but I'm off to a good start!

 

[matttvi]

very cool! Did the Mrs. make you put up that temporary covering on the stand..?

 

[jessezm]

Yeah--keeps the children out....for now.

 

[FutureInterest]

Wow that looks like my tank... if it was pimped out MTV style. Very nicely done.

 

[jessezm]

Here's a couple shots of my house that I meant to post a while back. The furniture is all very nice dark mahogony and cherry, and the floors are 120 year old heartwood, which means that the cabinet fronts have to come out looking VERY nice or else I'm in big trouble... I have the wood already, but I'm thinking of shoping this one out since I don't own the tools to do it myself, and my cousin's woodshop is all the way up in Atlanta and he's got no time to help, being the hot shot capitol defense attorney that he is....
<fieldset class="gc-fieldset">
<legend> Attached files </legend>

>

class="gc-images" title="House pics 001.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="House pics 002.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="House pics 003.jpg_Thumbnail1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a> </fieldset>

 

[sparksfly]

THe tank looks very nice. :up: Glad to see it up and running.

Jimmie

 

[jessezm]

Thanks! Bad pics, though--they just don't do it justice! Someday we'll have to do a Macon tour of tanks--there are a few really nice ones down here!

 

[sparksfly]

Sounds like a plan. Or maybe start in Macon and work our way to Atlanta.

Jimmie

 

[showtime305]

It's about time you got this thing running. I'm just kidding. It looks great so far.

 

[george]

Nice house! I love the front porch.

All it needs now is a couch and beer cooler. Take me back to my college days.

 

[kh971]

Jesse , I have a pocket hole jig, that you can borrow to help make the doors and front face of the cabinetry. I made my stand with it, a great little piece of ingenuity.

 

[jessezm]

I'll definitely need one of those if I get that far on my own. Problem is, I don't have a table saw, and those aren't very portable... I need one to cut the edges of the panels at 22.5 degree angles so they match up to make the 45 degree angles in the front two corners of the tank. A jointer would also probably help. I have 3/4" red oak ply that I want to rip into boards to make up the face of the stand, and use solid pieces for the door panels. I definitely need a table saw for that...

 

[tsciarini]

OMG!!! It finally happened!!! Congrats Jesse... it's looking good!

 

[cdub]

i'm about to head over jesse to make the inagural frag donation.

 

[jessezm]

Thanks for the "tank warming frags", Cory!

Since those pictures were taken, I added 60 more pounds of LR from Poseiden's reef--truly beautiful stuff! I'll take some more pictures tomorrow.

 

[kevin]

Great Job Jesse...

 

[kh971]

I happened to be in the area on business and checked out Jesses tank, it looks great, the canopy is smooth and i wish i had thought of it. The rockwork is simply amazing. I told him it looked good, but it is really amazing.Great job Jesse.