Eric and Melissa's 125 gallon build

[eric.battani]

Ok, so here is the beginning of my 125, nicknamed "The TANK". Just finished the first coat of pain on the stand.
So to all about not making the frag swap today but I had to work late last night and I knew I wouldn't be awake enough by 11.
I do hope to be finished with the stand so I can place the tank tonight. Then hopefully sometime tomorrow after church, I can start placing rocks.

 

[eric.battani]

Well, stand is dry and tank is in place. Going to hang doors tomorrow. And try to get some of the sand off the front glass so it doesn't look so dirty. My wife use to have African cichlids in it with a sand bottom, but I had to take it out so that I could pick it up. Otherwise it was to heavy to even think about picking up.

 

[TrishW]

You work quick!

 

[mike007]

Looks nice so far keep us updated.

 

[markkazdad]

Are you going to paint the back of the tank?

 

[eric.battani]

Are you going to paint the back of the tank?

Yes, but I plan on waiting till I plumb the over flows. Trying to decide on dark blue or black? Has anyone ever painted the back of a tank with a roller? I usually use spray paint but it scratches so easily.

 

[jbonez]

Good start eric

 

[TrishW]

Yes, but I plan on waiting till I plumb the over flows. Trying to decide on dark blue or black? Has anyone ever painted the back of a tank with a roller? I usually use spray paint but it scratches so easily.

I think painting with a roller would scratch easier. Might I suggest chalk paint? It's not the same as chalkboard paint. Lots of people use it to do the distressed furniture that is so popular now. I painted a paper veneered particle board dresser with chalk paint without even roughing up the finish first. It adhered extremely well. And you can apply chalk paint with a brush, roller or sponge applicator. You can make you own chalk paint with latex paint and unsanded grout mix. As a matter of fact I think you live close to me, I have some grout and would be glad to give you some of it.

 

[markkazdad]

I'm glad I asked. I wasn't even thinking about it from that angle, and almost thought I was asking a stupid question.

 

[eric.battani]

Hey look......doors!

 

[eric.battani]

Hey look......doors!

 

[laytonp]

While I have never painted a tank I would suggest using limo tint from Walmart. I used it on the back of my cube and love it. Plus if I wanted to change I can always peal it right off. Just a thought.

 

[eric.battani]

Well the rockwork is done tank, doors still need painted, and placed on. But the tank is up and running. I'm hoping to be able to put my clownfish in later tonight. All the rock has been in my other reef system for the last month. So its got plenty of bacteria for the clowns.

 

[eric.battani]

Oh and also I have to run a real return line. I don't have any tubing big enough to fit on my 1600gph pump so I had to improvise adapt and overcome by using another pump that's only about 400 gallons per hour. But so far everything is going as to be expected. And my wife's expectance factor is in the green. Barring nothing bad happens.

 

[jbonez]

400gph thats not enough for a 125gl

 

[Greenstreet.1]

Use PVC for the big pump


The Lord is good.

 

[eric.battani]

I know the 400 is not big enough, but when I make a trip to town tomorrow I will get some tubing for a my 1600 gph pump. But for today the 400 works just fine.
And I just finished acclamating the clowns and its fun watching them check out there new home.

 

[jbonez]

O ok. Yeah you still got the snowflakes I got you a while back

 

[eric.battani]

One of them. The other one died a little while after I got it. But the one that made it is doing great. I got a misbar to go with her back in jan of this year. They are just such cool fish to watch.

 

[jbonez]

Do they host anything