Renton's Evolution from 200 to 440 gallons

Renton777 · Aug 24, 2020

Tomorrow I am going to go get a bunch of dry marco rock. The boy and I taped out the outline of the tank and placed the closed loop intakes and returns down (their order is still subject to change).

The intakes will be mounted higher up to reduce the chance of sand getting sucked in. I also intend to keep the rock at least 6" from the class to give a lot of room for swimming and flow.

nornicle · Aug 24, 2020

I realise I recognise this room from tidal gardens based on that circular window?

Renton777 · Aug 25, 2020

nornicle said:
I realise I recognise this room from tidal gardens based on that circular window?

You are correct. In the Tidal Gaardens world my aquarium is know as Nathan's Aquarium.

Renton777 · Aug 25, 2020

Got some rocks and played around. Built the first structure. I am trying to hide the closed loops so I have that limitation but I have some pretty good ideas in my head for the rest of the rock.

The tape measure shows the overall height of the tank

Then I grabbed some plumbing....a startling amount of plumbing.

Renton777 · Aug 26, 2020

Progress on the rock construction

mattgsa · Aug 26, 2020

I love the rock work

Renton777 · Aug 26, 2020

If you like videos of rocks, well you have come to the right thread. I finished a third rock structure. The pile of rocks in front of the far left closed loop return and the rocks to the left of that are not complete, just stacked up to get a little look.

Also, a few pictures of the actual tanks with the holes drilled!

Display tank:

Frag tank:

Sump:

Renton777 · Aug 27, 2020

More rocks

tripdad · Aug 28, 2020

Really liking the rockwork, especially the open, negative space at the sand bed level. The arch is a nice feature too.

Renton777 · Aug 29, 2020

Aquarium Placement....getting closer

Renton777 · Aug 30, 2020

Here is a video that Tidal Gardens made about the tank move:

Renton777 · Sep 5, 2020

I wasn't sure if I was going to soak the rock structures I made in water prior to putting them in the tank until I was at Tidal Gardens and they had some rocks soaking and the water was clearly discolored.

So, I soaked the rocks in RODI water for about 5 days. A film definitely formed on the top or the water and the water clouded up. After draining the water a white residue was left in the tubs. I am happy I soaked them.

Renton777 · Sep 6, 2020

Tanks are on schedule to arrive Wednesday morning. I am getting everything set to hit the ground running on plumbing the system Wednesday and Thursday.

Wrangy · Sep 7, 2020

Exciting times ahead!!
(I always recommend people soak their rock in RO for at least two weeks too, makes such a huge difference to the start of a tank and not dealing with so many uglies haha)

Djtonton · Sep 9, 2020

Cant Wait!!! If you need an extra hand during the process please let me know im right around the corner!

Camaro Show Corals · Sep 9, 2020

Cant wait to get your 200

Renton777 · Sep 9, 2020

Thanks to some retired folks, neighbors working from home and a couple reefers we will able to get everything in place with a lot of sweat and muscle! Went reasonably smooth.

Started some plumbing today and now I am off to Lowes to get more plumbing odds and ends.