It's offical with this thread! 260 gallon build begins!

[iplumbsome]

Hey,
So what exactly did you find was best for polishing your tank?
I'm using a meguiars polish (not the same as mentioned above), and a wool drill attachment but I'm finding that I don't like the attachment and it's killing my cordless 20v battery. Also the acrylic is still hazy. I am considering the same polish or novus and going to harbor freight to buy a new orbital buffer.
So I'd be interested to get your thoughts.

Sorry I forgot. I think the foam applicators worked the best. I also use microfiber cloths to remove it. Not sure if that matters.

 

[jgvergo]

My whole goal is to make this tank as easy to maintain as possible. I am starting from scratch so I can do pretty much anything at this point. What are some things you guys would do to make things easier?

You should definitely check out the BRS series on Ultra Low Manintenance (ULM) tanks!

 

[iplumbsome]

Haven’t posted in awhile, but I have been making progress. As I mentioned before I cut out the internal overflows for a couple reasons. I am not a huge fan of the blue and they took up so much space on the inside. Super happy with the results. The only downside I see right now is tank maintenance. Having an in-wall isn't ideal as it is but now I have to deal with the overflow box in the way. Off came the blue and on went the black.

 

[iplumbsome]

After I got it stripped and painted I made some mods to my sump and refugium and got those plumbed up.

Pumps are way louder than I anticipated so I think I am going to add some foam board to the underside of my stand and use a short piece of hose so I don't have a rigid connection.

 

[iplumbsome]

After I got it stripped and painted I made some mods to my sump and refugium and got those plumbed up.

Pumps are way louder than I anticipated so I think I am going to add some foam board to the underside of my stand and use a short piece of hose so I don't have a rigid connection.

That blue outline will be covered with sand but that was the outline of overflow boxes.

 

[iplumbsome]

I don't have it plumbed up yet, but got a good start on my mixing station and quarantine tank.

I am sure you have all seen it before but the one pic is what happens when you drill tempered glass! Back to craigslist looking for another 55 gallon. One of the reasons that isn't done yet.

 

[iplumbsome]

I bleached my dry rock for close to 3 weeks. Pulled it out Friday and throw this aquascape together in a few minutes. What do you guys think? I am going to take a chisel to a few of the pieces to get them to fit more seemless.

That piece of plywood is cut to the size of my tank. It is 30" tall. I think the pile on the right is 18"

 

[Fudsey]

From all the posts in the aquascape thread, you should make the valley off center, but I like it

You should build yourself a step that runs the length of the tank to make it easier for you to do work on it. Maybe something you can slide into place to do work and then slide it out when you need to get into the sump? Just a thought

 

[AtlCPA]

How many pounds of rock is that roughly?

 

[iplumbsome]

From all the posts in the aquascape thread, you should make the valley off center, but I like it

You should build yourself a step that runs the length of the tank to make it easier for you to do work on it. Maybe something you can slide into place to do work and then slide it out when you need to get into the sump? Just a thought

Yeah I was going to have my buddy weld me up a "plank" out of aluminum and either just put it on some brackets. The top of the tank is 6' 2". I built the stand higher because I like standing in front watching.

 

[Fudsey]

Yeah I was going to have my buddy weld me up a "plank" out of aluminum and either just put it on some brackets. The top of the tank is 6' 2". I built the stand higher because I like standing in front watching.

I'm 6'2".... I'd need a step for your tank as well

 

[iplumbsome]

How many pounds of rock is that roughly?

It doesn’t look like it but it has to be over 200 lbs. I think I bought 240lbs and I had about 25 lbs from a previous tank. There are quite a few chunks laying on the ground not being used. Whatever I have left I was thinking about breaking up into rubble and throwing it into my sump and refugium.

I have an industrial pressure washer so I probably knocked a lot of weight of the rock just getting all the nooks and crannies cleaned out, so maybe it's under 200.

 

[iplumbsome]

I'm 6'2".... I'd need a step for your tank as well

Maybe you should stop by to do sand maintenance so I don't have to get wet armpits. [emoji1]

 

[Fudsey]

Sure.... it's only 1100 or so miles... no problem

 

[iplumbsome]

From all the posts in the aquascape thread, you should make the valley off center, but I like it

You should build yourself a step that runs the length of the tank to make it easier for you to do work on it. Maybe something you can slide into place to do work and then slide it out when you need to get into the sump? Just a thought

Probably be cheaper just to buy this and somehow figure a way to fasten to my stand.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ARJTKY/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_oBPfBbJMDG5K0

 

[Fudsey]

Probably be cheaper just to buy this and somehow figure a way to fasten to my stand.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ARJTKY/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_oBPfBbJMDG5K0

That would work pretty darn good

 

[iplumbsome]

Getting ready to order sand. Are must people using 1"-2"?

 

[Fudsey]

That's about what I use

 

[iplumbsome]

She's wet!

 

[iplumbsome]

She's wet!