HD's 144 1/2 Moon
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- Thread starter hdsoftail1065
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OP
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Fish are crazy!
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OP
Well Christmas came early. @Katrina71 ! Your awesome my friend, these are beautiful! What a wonderful gift, my wife is still in aw!
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OP
So after completing my build I have recognized a couple of areas where I messed up. Nothing that greatly affects how my system operates but causes more work and frustration. Hopefully this can help someone in the process of building.
1. This is probably my biggest mistake to date - since I was using the room behind my tank as a fish room I placed my tank to close to the wall in an attempt to hide the water lines from view. Problems caused - power head/magnets are difficult to relocate and I'm restricted on the placement. 3 prong plugs will not fit btween the tank stand and the wall. Tip- while it's great to hide your plumbing do a quick equipment fit test of your equipment prior to filling you tank to ensure you have plenty of working space behind the tank. In my case just another 1/2 would have made a difference in my controls and power head placement options.
2. It's ok to listen to your lfs for the equipment needed and recommend equipment for your system, but take it with a grain of salt. Do you homework! The sump/fuge I purchased is a good fit if I used it under the cabinet, but since it is in the fish room I could have easily doubled or trippled the size. Tip-2 write out your plan and share it with a new set of eyes. Not knowing any reefers at the time I was putting together a big system (bigger than my past experiences) somebody here will be more than happy to provide build ideas or suggestions. In my case someone here did mention going with a different sump/refuge but the return policy already expired and budget was in play. I plan to expand on what I have by adding a larger fuge so this wasn't a huge impact, just more work/cost that could have been avoided.
1. This is probably my biggest mistake to date - since I was using the room behind my tank as a fish room I placed my tank to close to the wall in an attempt to hide the water lines from view. Problems caused - power head/magnets are difficult to relocate and I'm restricted on the placement. 3 prong plugs will not fit btween the tank stand and the wall. Tip- while it's great to hide your plumbing do a quick equipment fit test of your equipment prior to filling you tank to ensure you have plenty of working space behind the tank. In my case just another 1/2 would have made a difference in my controls and power head placement options.
2. It's ok to listen to your lfs for the equipment needed and recommend equipment for your system, but take it with a grain of salt. Do you homework! The sump/fuge I purchased is a good fit if I used it under the cabinet, but since it is in the fish room I could have easily doubled or trippled the size. Tip-2 write out your plan and share it with a new set of eyes. Not knowing any reefers at the time I was putting together a big system (bigger than my past experiences) somebody here will be more than happy to provide build ideas or suggestions. In my case someone here did mention going with a different sump/refuge but the return policy already expired and budget was in play. I plan to expand on what I have by adding a larger fuge so this wasn't a huge impact, just more work/cost that could have been avoided.
Fudsey
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I did the same thing with tank placement. Hard to put anything behind the tank
Scurvy
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Good tips! I usually kitty corner my tanks to make sure I have room behind them. I tried dry fitting my first setup tight to the wall and ran into the same problems as you. Moved it away from the wall and didnt like how it looked so wound up kitty cornering and was happy.
OP
OP
FINALLY!!! Got one out of the wife's tank and into mine. I gave it strict orders going in NOT to split. 
We will see if it's listens to me better than my wife and kids do.
We will see if it's listens to me better than my wife and kids do.
NY_Caveman
likes words, fish and arbitrary statistics
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Ya, this will be self inflicted pain.
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OP
Water is a little messy, I just cleaned the glass and turkey basted a couple of rocks. But what I do want to show off it the awesome gift from our friend @Katrina71 ! It looks nice in the tank, thank you for your generosity.
We have 2 mems to remove on a rock in the wife's tank, then hers will go in.
We have 2 mems to remove on a rock in the wife's tank, then hers will go in.
OP
OP
I need a @Fudsey filter. Ordering my orange camera filter or orange safety glasses, my pics stink! Merry Christmas to me!Water is a little messy, I just cleaned the glass and turkey basted a couple of rocks. But what I do want to show off it the awesome gift from our friend @Katrina71 ! It looks nice in the tank, thank you for your generosity.
We have 2 mems to remove on a rock in the wife's tank, then hers will go in.
OP
OP
Its perfect!
Fudsey
Jack of all trades, Master of none ;-)
Reef Squad
Excellence Award
Reef Tank 365
Photo of the Month
Hospitality Award
NHFS Member
My Tank Thread
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