Would rather post this build here...

[dantimdad]

So, I have had a couple builds started and stopped due to the remodel. They WILL be finished when the remodel is done.

First, let me apologize for the really lousy quality of the photos. I suck at taking photos.

I had my last two fish in a 10 gallon holding tank until I could get through the construction stuff and get one of my builds finished. Then, April 9th, the world stopped. I had a stroke! Now, anyone who knows me knows that I don't stop moving. I am constantly doing something. It's a wonder I was ever overweight at all. LOL. I had lost over 100 pounds and stopped all diabetes medicine. I thought my life was going so much more smoothly. But, then, for some reason, I started gaining weight, having joint pain and just basically, feeling tired all the time. Turns out I had a bad para thryroid gland and it was causing major issues but my doctor missed it. While I was in the hospital for the stroke, they discovered the issue. May 16th, I had a parathryoidectomy. I am recovering from it now.

The reason I go into all this is to explain why I have yet another build, but, I am happy to say, this one is up and running and looking really nice if I do say so myself!

While being bored out of my mind on short term disability, I ran across a very unusual tank on letgo. It's 18x18x11. About 15 gallons meant for a turtle and looked brand new. My buddy picked it up for me for $5 and it still had the label on it!

 

[dantimdad]

So, after having it set on my counter to look at, I first thought I would put it up and use it for a frag tank sometime in the distant future. Then, I was given a little tile with a Jerusalem fish on it and it inspired me. I decided to de-rim the tank and see how it looked. Here it is being tested for bowing, which there is absolutely zero deflection using a machinist straight edge and feeler gauges.

 

[dantimdad]

Here is the tile that inspired the build.

 

[dantimdad]

Here is the build as it is tonight:

 

[dantimdad]

I will post pictures of the inside of the stand and the equipment. I didn't take any stand build pics. I had to have a lot of help because I am still not allowed to do heavy lifting.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Reading your story of your health issues, made me reflect on mine. I have heart issues, but slowly improving. Glad your doing better!
The hobby does have a healing effect, calms me down and distracts from the world and problems. I love it!

With that said....

Awesome tank size! Should be fun to build and will look stunning when done. Following along!

 

[ZachR32]

I love that tank! Where did you find it?? It looks so good

 

[Dennis McGrath]

Removing the rim really changed that tank. Well done !

 

[dantimdad]

Thanks guys.

Zach, Thanks! The lady I got the tank from lives in Madison. I called the manufacturer and they were trying to figure out how it got to Alabama. I almost hated to drill it and remove the label.

I am glad you are healing Flippers. Yes, this hobby can be very therapeutic.

 

[dantimdad]

Thanks Dennis! It was very squat looking before.

 

[dantimdad]

I ordered chaeto for the fuge and a small clean up crew last night for the display. Supposed to ship Tuesday.

So the equipment is:

Display: LeeMar 18x18x11 turtle tank (15gallons)
Sump: Aqueon 15 gallon standard
Display light: reeflux 175watt 12000K run off a Phillips electronic ballast
Moonlight: DIY 1 watt royal blue run at 350ma.
Fuge light: Swiftrans LED grow bulb (maybe swapping this out for more powerful setup)
return pump: quiet one 2200 (this is the only circulation at this time it seems to be really causing some motion)
Top off: DIY 12 volt pump in a Christmas bow storage bin hidden in a matching plant stand next to the tank.

That's it for equipment. I have 10 pounds of special grade reef floor and 8 pounds of live sand. About 10 pounds of dry reef rock from BRS.

I was going to buy a doser and set it up but, given the small volume of water, I think I will do a 5 gallon water change every other week and drip kalk once the tank is established.

 

[dantimdad]

Here is one stand build pic before the inside was painted and it gives an idea of how I routed out for the tile.

BTW, the quarter cylinder tank is FS if anyone is interested.

 

[Dennis McGrath]

Ok, I have to ask... What is that LP bottle in the back of the picture hooked up to?

 

[dantimdad]

My stove.

I hate electric stoves and the city wanted way too much to stub for gas.

 

[Dennis McGrath]

My stove.

I hate electric stoves and the city wanted way too much to stub for gas.

We do too.That's one of the first things we did after we moved in to this house was to replace the electric stove that came with it for a gas stove. Luckily the kitchen was setup for both options.

 

[dantimdad]

So, I got my order from Aquarium Depot Thursday. Clean up crew. They went right to work after acclimation and all of the diatom bloom is gone!

Very happy!

I have decided I am going to go LED. I love the simplicity and power of halide but I just can't get the color I want. I could go hybrid but, I have a plan for a pretty cool DIY setup. Should be done in the next week or so.

 

[GWHouston]

Glad to hear your health has improved. I can relate to the DIY projects. My tank was built into my wall when I built the house in 1999 but it sat empty till this year. I had FO 25+ years back and had my own hood design since it was my waterbed headboard. This time I wanted to correct the mistakes of that top and I'm happy to report that this top is working great. The service area is behind the DT in my closet.

You stated that you ordered Chaeto. I tried to get some today at AC but their amounts were limited. Where did you order yours?

 

[dantimdad]

Aquarium Depot

 

[dantimdad]

Small update:

I built an led fixture for the tank. Two channel dimmable with a moon light.

Replaced the DIY topoff with a nano topoff. MUCH better.

Got rid of the par38 bulb for the fuge and built a chaeto reactor with led strip grow lights.

Also sewed up 10 filter socks. The tank is clear as vodka now.

The chaeto melted into nothing before I could build my reactor. I need to get some more.

The cleaning crew is still doing a bang up job.

BTW, I am back to work and feeling pretty good. BP has it's days but, overall, lots better.

 

[dantimdad]

Full shot

Ignore the fan poking up. The only fan I had that fit was way too loud. I have a proper sized one on order.