Just purchased a 500 gallon

[marcaharding]

Alright guys, I am new started last year with a 55 gallon and it has taught me so much, I wanted to upgrade to a 180, but found a deal on a 500 gallon and purchased it on the spot after talking with a couple people. I am planning the tear down and build now and will be doing this next weekend. If there is anyone in the charlotte nc area that may want to help please let me know. I will be posting pictures of the tear down and build as soon as i can

[SS_Sean]

Post lots of pics and info.... beautiful tank. What kind of setup are you going with?

[thenewguy997]

Someday i hope to have that size tank.... god, imagine the things you could do with it!

[marcaharding]

The tank is currently set up and running with over 15 different fish including an angel and over 9 different types of tangs, clown fish and several others that I am sure are there but hiding. The DP has over 1000 pounds of live rock with 5 power heads, the sump is a 190 gallon with live rock with a huge protein skimmer. I plan on adding the apex system to monitor and I am currently in the process of setting up two 275 gallon totes for a rodi and saltwater storage near the tank so it will be easier to perform water changes and auto top offs. It has a killer LED system that just makes you say WOW. The pictures do not do this tank justice and when I actually saw it, I was in shock as to the size and beauty of the tank. I feel so lucky that my wife is letting me take over the garage and turn it into a man cave. I also have schedule an appointment for a company to come out and install a generator in case we ever loose power to allow the tank to stay running at all times

[Lostinthedark]

Now that's an upgrade!

[r2odie]

Awesome upgrade!! Good luck! Looking forward to lots of pictures.

[Johnnycat]

So cool on so many levels!

[marcaharding]

The tank will stay a fowlr, I am going to make my 55 a coral tank. Yes I realize how much time and money I am going to spend. I have horses so I work at home everyday and I have enough in my budget for what I am doing. I have thought this out for some time now and have the room plus resources so hopefully things go well but i know it's not easy and it's going to take a lot of time so that's why I'm going to the apex and maybe some more systems to help monitor the tank

[BrianD]

Post removed. Some people have no common courtesy. I am sorry, marcahading. Congratulations on your new tank.

[indyjaco]

Congrats on the pickup. What are the dimensions?

[Dozer1one]

[
It's easier to keep larger systems stable than smaller. I started in this hobby around 8 years ago with a 70 gal oceanic tank and went from that to a 220 within 6 months now I keep upwards of 1000 gal total in systems big and small tanks, fish, mixed reef, propagation tanks, fuges and build custom tanks on the side. So you would be correct in saying his build can get very expensive but once he fills this giant with liverock and saltwater, ( which I think will be the most difficult part) it's just a waiting game as his smaller tank once was. Do your research and plan ahead and you'll be just fine, if I can get this tapatalk sh!!to work correctly I'll post some pics and hopefully you'll get some ideas for your own large system. Good luck and happy reefing

[marcaharding]

The complete stand/tank is 8.5 long 9 high and 3 deep, the tank is 8 long 3 high and 2.5 deep

[marcaharding]

Thanks Brian D, everyone always has an opinion and we are all lucky to live in a country where we can all have an opinion but I do agree, use it where it is warranted.

[marcaharding]

I am transferring everything including the water and a local lfs is going to houses the critters for about a week until the levels are ok.

[ken6217]

Great upgrade. I wish I was down that way. Would love to help and play along.

Honestly though you should be able to get the help you need on RC. Just ask the questions. Some of them you may want to post in Lighting and Equipment forum.

Don't be overwhelmed by the size. The process and equipment is the same as on a 55 gallon. Just bigger.

Ken

[marcaharding]

I have around six guys helping and the lfs is gonna come and get the fish and take them, I have two new 275 gallon tanks to move the water and two big uhaul tralors along with a 16ft trailer the water totes will be on. The stand come part easy and it's just a matter of taking it all down. When I get to the house, it is goin in the garage that I am turning into a man cave den this week and I'm gonna back up to and unload and put it back together and fill it up. I am only using 50% of the original water and am in the process of making water now so that I can finish filling it up. I have already spoken with the lfs that installed the tank and all the equipment is good so I should be fine there. If something breaks then I will just have to replace it lol

[marcaharding]

It's like they say with pets, if you can't afford to care for them don't get them, I lucky that I can afford this and if in anyway shape or form I could not afford it I certainly would not be getting it

[slowjazz]

Originally Posted by BrianD

Post removed. Some people have no common courtesy. I am sorry, marcahading. Congratulations on your new tank.

Really? So are you going to remove all the posts from people who come down hard on new people who put too many tangs in a tank? Or jump into fish and coral too fast? (example - they put fish in before a cycle)

I didn't come down on him. I even told him good luck. We are all in this to enjoy the field.

[marcaharding]

Just so you know slow jazz, the tangs have been together for 2 years and I seen for myself that they do very well together. It's just like people, some people do not mix well and others do. Maybe these guys are great together. I do respect your opinion and don't pass judgement. There is always a better way to do something, but it's not like I'm going out and starting with this. I will always protect the fish, this is why my local lfs is going to take the fish and I'm not throwing them straight in the tank.

[slowjazz]

Originally Posted by marcaharding

Just so you know slow jazz, the tangs have been together for 2 years and I seen for myself that they do very well together. It's just like people, some people do not mix well and others do. Maybe these guys are great together. I do respect your opinion and don't pass judgement. There is always a better way to do something, but it's not like I'm going out and starting with this. I will always protect the fish, this is why my local lfs is going to take the fish and I'm not throwing them straight in the tank.

I was not talking about your fish. The tank you have is more then enough for your fish. I was talking about posts from other people. Just look around reef and new forums and you will see alot of negitive to down right ulgy posts from people who come down on 'new' people for not reading up before buying things or moving too fast.

[albano]

Originally Posted by marcaharding

I am transferring everything including the water

If you're planning to take as much water as possible, then you must drain it out before you 'disturb' the rocks or sand...
I'd guess that you should be prepared to make over 100g of new saltwater to fill the system once you have moved it.

[erickcooper]

Originally Posted by Lostinthedark

Now that's an upgrade!

[slowjazz]

Originally Posted by albano

If you're planning to take as much water as possible, then you must drain it out before you 'disturb' the rocks or sand...
I'd guess that you should be prepared to make over 100g of new saltwater to fill the system once you have moved it.

+1

Lots of buckets and make sure you bring a few heaters. The move will cool the water. You want to try to bring the temp up as best you can. It is a little easier to bring smaller groups of water up to the correct them then one big tank.

[marcaharding]

I am making 275 gallons of saltwater now, I have two 275 containers that I am going to use to drain the system with after I remove the fish but prior to removing the 1000 pounds of live rock and sand bed.

[EllieSuz]

Congratulations on this great buy! A lot of us are envious, so we'll want to see your progress. Gorgeous stand, by the way.