My first fish room

[Matteus]

Another addition to the fish room that I haven’t had a chance to post in here yet is a tank I picked up a few months back. 8x3x2 -360g from a fellow mfk’er.

it was a crazy full day trip that I had to coordinate 5 guys, who all have wives and children. And even at that it wasn’t enough muscle, so I had to recruit some rando guy off the street of Toronto ??

I tried to use the wheel cart set up from the other tank. Each dolly was rated for 1000lbs, but we destroyed 2 of the wheels on one of the carts. Like absolutely mangled, ball bearings everywhere ??Luckily I had an extra cart that was a bit heavier duty. Now the tank currently sits on the mangled carts and one has bent so much 2 wheels aren’t on the ground.

I am still working through a plan as to how to get it up on the stand again, and limited in the time I have to invest into it. So now my fish room is an absolute disaster/ construction zone.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Niceeee!

 

[fishdance]

Just found this thread.
Some suggestions in no particular order that might be too late now:

* Dulux Durebild STE is a commercial grade 2 part epoxy coating suitable for aluminium. Highly recommended. Capable of acids, fuels, temperatures etc. Look up the specifications as there would be equivalent in other brands too.

* If your sump volume is too small and/or you want the water return(s) to tank to be below the water surface, consider a reverse flapper check valve to instantly stop a back siphon back to sump during power outage. When water is flowing normally, the check valve at top on a dead end breather pipe is held closed. Exactly opposite to the intended design. I'll try to find a photo.

* Yes installing a viewing panel is possible. For a curved rain tank, use polycarbonate instead of acrylic as it bends better and is stronger. Suggest you use a steel or aluminium strip on vertical sides to stiffen. And use silicon as a gasket, not main adhesive. So only half tighten screws until silicon is fully cured and THEN tighten the screws down.

* Cutting small end strips off thick glass is very difficult unless you have experience. I use a long nail aligned under the score line, place a thin 4mm plywood sheet on top of glass and then hit the score line firmly with a rubber mallet to create the crack which will then run for you. Important the nail is perfectly aligned. If your inexperienced, I'd get a diamond cutting wheel on angle grinder with water and just to the best you can. Maybe clamp a wooden rail guide to keep the grinder straight-ish. But you won't get the experience unless you break a lot. Practice on scraps first. A blunt - older glass cutter is better for thick glass than a new sharp wheel as it scores a wider groove. (Use vegetable oil with the cutter).

Looks like your living the dream! Don't give up.

 

[fishdance]

Oh.. raising big tanks up to the stand height: I use 100mm thick wood planks, just lift one tank end high enough to slip another plank under then repeat at other end. So it sea-saws up slowly & safely. Go up one plank higher than your stand height, span the last plank right across the stand. Then slide the tank over and onto the stand. It will be sitting on a plank at each end which will be sitting on the stand. Then lift one tank end to slide the plank out, repeat for other end.

For really big tanks, use a hydraulic jack to lift the tank end. Pine wood is soft enough to be a good cushion.

 

[Aqua Anteater]

Cool project there. I wish the streets of S. Cali looked that clean.

 

[Matteus]

So I have an incredible amount of things that I need to figure out and get done in the next few weeks before temps start dropping. My fish room is an absolute disaster and I have no room to move or even think.

But tonight I was just relishing in how I have some of the coolest fish ever. Most of the fish I currently have are dream fish of myself and lots of other folks. I am super happy with my stock as is and I just had to take a moment to enjoy them tonight.

 

[Matteus]

So I got the 300 acrylic plumbed and running today. I think I will let it run for a few days before I move it into place just to be sure.

 

[Matteus]

Update- 300 is up to temp and sump is about 80% functional. Dropped a few canaries in and if all goes well tomorrow will add some sharks

 

[Matteus]

So I have been working like crazy to get my 8x3 into the garage this week before snow comes next weekend.

It is wonderful to have accomplished the goal. Now onto the next goal of getting it supported properly so I can start putting water in it to start leak testing etc.

 

[Matteus]

So after 2 months of the tank sitting empty I have finally managed to get the stand reinforced well enough that I feel safe to add water.

it has been a mental struggle to get through it. Have lots of obstacles, but I have to keep moving forward. There are rumours of other tanks and set ups on route to be in this room. I can not do any of those until this beast is conquered though.


I am just leak testing this tank and the proposed sump. I don’t know if I will keep the current sump I have available. It’s only a 75g and I feel like I should have at least 100-150g sump on this set up. Also trying to figure out a way to incorporate the wet dry box filter I am currently using on the blue tub.



another decision I need to make is what kind of plumbing I will use on this set up. I have these bits and pieces from previous failed attempts, I mean learning lessons lol. I would like to use up this stuff before I start buying new stuff if possible.

so the options are a gate valve and a straight pipe, a ball and a gate, 2 straight pipes, or a ball and a straight. I’m new to plumbing so appreciate any experienced sump plumbers advice.