A reef grows in Brooklyn

[russianmd]

My biggest thanks to Jim and Russ from House of Fish ? these gentlemen went above and beyond the call of duty in installing and setting up this tank!

So to start:

This is the space for the tank. Originally, I was going to go with custom-built, but was priced out. Fortunately, smoknreefrs had a tank he made me an awesome deal on, which fit the space pretty perfectly (and if you ask Russ and Jim, they?ll say just a little too perfectly).

The wires on the bottom is also where all the plumbing will go to the basement.<O:p

The original stand (just a bit of foreshadowing)...</O:p
<O:p</O:p

Here?s the equipment:<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
120g AGA reef-ready tank with two mega-overflows<O:p</O:p
75g sump<O:p</O:p
Skimmer - Bermuda Aquatics BPS-5C
4ft Maristar Fixture Kit: 500W HQI & 2-54W T5<O:p</O:p
Pumps: Mag 9.5 (skimmer)<O:p</O:p
Gen-X PCX-55HT (return)<O:p</O:p
Tunze 6025 (2)<O:p</O:p
Heater - Finnex 500w with controller<O:p</O:p
ESV Titanium Ground Probe<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p

About 140 lb of liverock<O:p</O:p
ESV aragonite sand (mix of coarse and fine)<O:p</O:p


More pics and a narrative of the set-up later.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

looks like you found the perfect spot for it. 75g sump? wow

 

[digitalreefer]

C'mon, at least a empty tank shot! The stand is just a tease! :fishhit:

 

[russianmd]

C'mon, at least a empty tank shot! The stand is just a tease! :fishhit:

Here 'tis, in all it's AGA-bestickered glory on the floor!

 

[prattreef]

Slow, methodical, psychological torture. Is that what they teach you in Med School with all those rats and stuff???? I however, in true soothesayer fashion know the story to be told... its a good one

Randy

 

[masterswimmer]

I'm familiar with the story too I'll concur, it is a 'good' one.

Nice to see the progress shots. Looking forward to seeing some water

R

 

[russianmd]

Saturday was D-day. Jim and Russ came over, things were all set, we were ready to go:

Here are the gents in the basement drilling the sump:

Here's the tank with only sand and lights on:

Here's the tank full of water - notice near-perfect clarity using Russ's patented 'trash bag on the sand' technique:

And here are the three of us about five minutes later as we hear a very ominous creaky/crackling settling sound:



My wonderfully talented carpenter Patrick built the stand so that only about 1/8 of the frame of tank rested on the top sheet of plywood. None of us could see that because there was also 1.5" of styrofoam on top of that. Plus, about 4" of the tank in the back were not supported AT ALL!

So when the tank was full, it started tilting backwards.

What happened after that can only be described as heroic: we drained water into brutes, scooped out sand, disconnected plumbing, took tank off stand, pretty much remade the stand on the fly, and started over.

Needless to say, when I say 'we', I mean Russ and Jim - I was along for this very rocky ride. And this is why I say that these guys are the real thing, true gentlemen, amazing human beings. I expected them to walk away and say - call us when the tank is fixed. They truly went above and beyond the call of duty.

So this is what the tank looked like at the end of this 13 hour day - yes, live rock is in the tank at this point:

The tank is pretty clear by now, and I am playing with aquascaping. It also no longer makes any unexpected noises, and my skimmer is pulling awesome skimmate.

My hat is off to the men of House of Fish!!!

 

[nijunet]

They always do go above and beyond they did the same with me. Looks good, can't wait to see it finished.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

more pics :biggrin:

 

[TimberTDI]

Hey Russ is that a tool belt?:biglaugh: :smash: :bigeyes2: :wow:

 

[crox99]

Come on show us more pics!!!!!:smoker: :smoker: How are you going to stock it?

 

[masterswimmer]

Hey Russ is that a tool belt?:biglaugh: :smash: :bigeyes2: :wow:

I played nurse . It was easier to hand the surgeon his tools with them close at hand. :teeth: And don't make fun of me :supermad:

R

 

[House of Laughter]

more pics :biggrin:

Me too please -

Russianmd - was our pleasure making sure it was (re)done right.

Can wait to see the clarity shots and some of the mechanical shots as well. Glad you like it, it should serve you well for a good long time.

Hope Eugene likes it too.

Jim

 

[russianmd]

Some shots of the sump, the tank with aquascaping (please feel free to comment), the skimmer cup. The tank is cycling - of course, but the levels are manageable and not sky-high.

I am waiting on arrival of a small powerhead and a heater to start mixing saltwater in a brute - that's when water changes will start.

Live stock list is still being determined - but I am aiming for a nice mix of softies, mostly lps, some sps and clams - as well as some peaceful fish.

 

[MightyMike]

looks awesome, hows the maristar treating you?

 

[House of Laughter]

NICE

Good to see that skimmer chucking Nog already -

We have to open up that rock work a little (Unless you like the center island look - some people do)

Looking good so far and keep up the good work. Dropping you a PM. Glad to hear there is no more creaking and shifting.

House

 

[House of Laughter]

Did I meantion, I love the way halides shimmer like that!! Ugh looks awesome.

House

 

[russianmd]

So far the Maristar has been really beautiful - Jim and Russ use it on some of their systems and swear by it.

The fan is really quite, the colors are great - and it produces minimal heat. For me (again, for 5 days so far), it's a winner.

 

[House of Laughter]

And letting everyone know those are the new 14k Ushio bulbs in that fixture.

House

 

[nanchil]

it is comming up very nicely. Good luck.