Two Cats and Two tanks build up Meow! - Page 6

Mudbeaver · 12/18/2013, 02:47 PM

The earlier videos

This one is just an intro on all the sculpting projects with different materials using different techniques start to finish.

This explain the concept behind the first sculpture with Marco's rock and how to achieve your goal in sculpting using drilling and rods and cement.

The actual drilling of rocks with special equipment and a quick and safe way to do it.

How to build your sculpture with the nylon threads and shape your rocks work before securing with cement. Experimenting with shapes and forms.

Several side projects; how to build a support for your piece to spread the weight, repair Tonga branch , foam your piece to a support.

Tonga branch aquascape sculpture concept

Using cement for your aquascapes

Mudbeaver · 12/18/2013, 10:14 PM

Do not panic, i've done that already; as i was cleaning my new sump; its in 2 pieces, a 32"x19"x16"high for the drains, sock and skimmer and the second part for the reactors and return pumps. 18"x19"x16"high , the skimmer section had a piece of hair near the hole for the bulkhead. Well i though it was a hair, as i wipped it with paper towel and vinegar, thats when i heard it the craking noise . From the bulkhead hole to the top of the panel a crack and my yelling NOOOOOooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. YEP brand new sump. So i contacted Concept Aquariums which i sent pictures of the crack by now i had smeared on a thick coating of silicone on both side of the exterior panel. They were very calm and had immediate solutions. One was to contact one of their friends here in Ottawa who could repair the panels at their cost and within a few days. So thats the best solution to get this wet party on track as i have a 30 gallons drum to empty in the main tank. So thats the plan . Tomorrow i'm taking the sump to that store who happens to be a member of my local aquarist club, a buddy of mine lol , small world.

Mudbeaver · 12/20/2013, 05:10 PM

After the sump now this !!Part of my main sculpture collapsed. The base of the arm supporting the stalactite broke OFF from the main body. Very brittle rock this is. I'm not shocked actually i had my doubts and it was a gamble from the start. i knew it could happen. I'm not at all down i got a solution, not perfect, life goes on. I've drained the big tank into the fuge and made repairs with the cement today and filled up the fuge instead for the next 24 hours.

So glad its didn't hit the glass

I had my eye on this one from the beginning i had a doubt, the break is on your left side, i know hard to see i'll point next pict lol.

Very brittle rock , and the water didn't help it added to the weight of the arm, i was watching it.

Broke right OFF.Didn't make a big sound just a small swoosh.

You can clearly see the big gap between the arm (right) and the shelf (Left), something to be aware when you sculpt with these.

Right now on this picture its resting on the stalactite and not touching the glass because of the angle.....thank GOD!!!!!

.

This is my solution ; I've built the supports before the actual repairs.

I'm using the stalactite as a counter weight to stabilise the arm.

Mudbeaver · 12/20/2013, 05:10 PM

One good thing about this repair is that my whole arm now will be under water and will useful now lol.

The new position of the stalactite is where the nylon support is perfect in the corner we'll see the fish swimming from both side now, not bad.

The dam cats are out of my fuge for good tabarnac!!!

've spread the cement even more than this by now to make as bigger hand on the arm, lol as possible its held on 3 sides. I'm letting cure for 24H.

Second side, the third is underneath the rock.

In my excitement i cut the support a few milimeters short, hey i'm allowed i was in distress, beside that what shims are for lol.

Always usefull to cover and blend aquasculpting.

Under the arm their's a gap even with the cement which was too soft to stay , so i'll foam the dam thing!

Vinny Kreyling · 12/20/2013, 05:26 PM

Read the label on that stuff.
I was told it is NOT waterproof.
Not sure but better off to make sure first.

Mudbeaver · 12/29/2013, 05:53 AM

Got a shot of my new panel. Concept whent cheap on me, thats why it crack; 1/4 " instead of 3/8" like the last time.

Just the hole to be done and i'm back on track , noting to show for Christmas of course that train left the station .

Mudbeaver · 12/29/2013, 05:55 AM

WE HAVE LIFT OFF , WE HAVE A GO;

Temperature is 74 and rising, all system go.

The external Wavebox is on and functioning within parameters and quiet, not bad for a $20 add on + the tunze $ 295 pump instead of the $ 639 Tunze wavebox.

Measuring the currents and direction to better position my powerheads.

Checking different spots ,wavebox influence and dead spots.

The cats loved the wavebox and where very intrigued by it.

I've removed the supports from the repaired sculpture but put those crates for insurance for a few days, in case the water has an influence on the rocks weight and structure, also the water movement may also play into it. So to avoid a scratch if it fall. I'm not worried about a break the glass is thick enough and their's not enough innertia to propel the rock hard enough againts the glass to break it.

Mudbeaver · 12/29/2013, 05:56 AM

The fuge was a sleep at 5;30 this morning i wasn't lol.

At 5;30 i had a Circus freak doing an act on the edge....

Taking a sip.Accidents happens you know...........hehe....lol.

Mudbeaver · 12/29/2013, 05:57 AM

I cleaned up the place ready to receive my QT tanks, I've put my salt in today tomorrow will take my readings and ajust my salinity, and will proceed to seed my tank with "Start Up" from Prodibio . Its a quick start cycle to populate a tank quickly, and it works. A store has started its business with it. No kidding all his tanks are ok and its very popular. www.prodibio.com check it out.
I'll follow it with " Bioptim" from the same company which are nutients for the bacteria, and then "BioDigest" which are living bacteria for biological filtration.

Waiting that that everything is pluged and functioning before organising where and to which circuit i'm sending which wire.

Cleaned up the shelf for the QT tanks and controllers. The bottom will contain an Auto feeding fridge.(futur project)

Since i have that behind me i want to **** every 5 minutes.

Calibrating my heaters. i may need 3, not sure yet.

Still have another green light strip to put in for the Borg identity, lol.

The water still cloudy from the salt.

JB63 · 12/29/2013, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudbeaver

[SIZE="2"][FONT="Book Antiqua"] ... Very brittle rock this is ...

Not sure this is 'Borg' ... more like StarWars Yoda ...

Mudbeaver · 12/29/2013, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB63

Not sure this is 'Borg' ... more like StarWars Yoda ...

LOL its a mix my Dagoba is showing isn't,lol.

Mudbeaver · 12/30/2013, 06:12 AM

This is across my refugium front back to front. What do you think, too much?? I'm wondering ; i did some shimming, because the stand was wableling a bit...

Thats the reading from left to right thats perfect.Refugium .

This on the shelf of the refugium same data, again

This is the refugium right side back to front

Same better angle.

This is the left side from front to back , its 1/8 of an inch OFF , its too much i have to shim the dam thing today.

This means i have to drain my 75 G refugium into my 30G drum which is now full of RO water , and some into my sump as well. So first i'll drain my RO water...so lets go grrrrrrrr.

Mudbeaver · 12/30/2013, 06:18 AM

Filling my drum from the fuge

This is my sump after filling it up, testing its seems to the fullest....

Empty fuge

My shimming experience starting now...

Alright this is my shiming experience, never done it before, hope never have to do it again, this is what i got after.I did the sides the back and the front.

Thats the front left to right about 1/32 inch.

left side of rfugium front to back 1/32 inch

Right side of refugium same 1/32 inch

Mudbeaver · 12/30/2013, 10:38 AM

EXPRESS START UP a Prodibio product ; got it from my LFT started is whole business on its so if its not a sign of confidence on the product i don't know what is. Seeded my tank with just now and in 12 hours your suppose to be able to put your fish in it. I'll be dipping a snail or two in first and look around. Then tomorrow night i'll put the rest of my fishes and critters in . This is the stuff

http://www.prodibio.com/

The bristle worms under the live rocks i've put last night are still alive , this morning . I chose those rocks intentionally to see if they would survive the process, just so you know.

Twelve hours later......

I've put the nassarius snails and two hermiths , they seem fine.They're easy to spot nothing else in there lol. The snails buried themselves right away, one stayed on the sand.

Thats the box Get it at GOT FISH , You'll be able to put your fish in 12 hours for $55 thats pretty cool. With my tank size i had to put all 30 viles in this box good for a 250 US Gallons .

Those are the follow up boxes you have to implement to keep the bacteria and cycle active until the system finds its balance and can sustain itself.

Took about 20 min. for those 30 vials.

Wash your hads after you don't want to start a cycle in your bed do you , nasty bacteria.....

Thats little thing saves your hands beleive me.

Mudbeaver · 12/30/2013, 10:38 AM

Break both ends and the liquid flows out.

My work is done time to eat.

JB63 · 12/30/2013, 02:30 PM

Those shims are truly meant to support the weight (or mass) of dry wall ... you sure they won't sag/break-off under the weight of a heavy tank? .. especially that they're made of some sort of wood powder, that will become 'mud' if exposed to a lot of water ...

Also, all you need to do is shim the 4 corners under the legs as it those 4 legs that are truly supporting the weight. Supporting a cross member in the middle (on the floor) will only force such member to bend.

Those glass vials remind me of a medication often given to kids to increase their appetite and sleep needs (about 30-40 years ago). It was supposed to help 'them 'grow', and was called Periactine (French trade name) if I recall ...

Mudbeaver · 12/30/2013, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB63

Those shims are truly meant to support the weight (or mass) of dry wall ... you sure they won't sag/break-off under the weight of a heavy tank? .. especially that they're made of some sort of wood powder, that will become 'mud' if exposed to a lot of water ...

I've asked for an aquarium with salt water they gave me this plastic kind resistant to water and salt and oils. They were also recommended to me by a LFS who has used them for his whole store. What about the tank did you see it ?

Bilk · 12/30/2013, 02:46 PM

Welcome to the 50s and semi-retirement

Free time is a wonderful thing. Gives us more time to stress about our tanks LOL

I have three cats - an 18lb Siamese who are big fish lovers - a +30lb Tabby junkyard cat whose vertical leap range is the bed and a small one that was a feral two years ago that is maybe 5 lbs at this point - she is the only one with claws

None of them pay any mind to the tank in the least bit. The little girl is probably the only one that could jump up to anyplace meaningful that would give her access to the tank, but have never witnessed her doing anything of the sort. The fish room is generally open to allow for good air exchanged (only closed when company is here) and none of them mess with the sump - not even my "getting rather large" 11mo old, German Shepherd.

You'll be fine. The cat with it's paws in the fishbowl is only in cartoons

Mudbeaver · 12/30/2013, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilk

Welcome to the 50s and semi-retirement

Free time is a wonderful thing. Gives us more time to stress about our tanks LOL

I have three cats - an 18lb Siamese who are big fish lovers - a +30lb Tabby junkyard cat whose vertical leap range is the bed and a small one that was a feral two years ago that is maybe 5 lbs at this point - she is the only one with claws

None of them pay any mind to the tank in the least bit. The little girl is probably the only one that could jump up to anyplace meaningful that would give her access to the tank, but have never witnessed her doing anything of the sort. The fish room is generally open to allow for good air exchanged (only closed when company is here) and none of them mess with the sump - not even my "getting rather large" 11mo old, German Shepherd.

You'll be fine. The cat with it's paws in the fishbowl is only in cartoons

Thanks for sharing your experiences with your cats. At least you haven't criticize my every move, lol . What ever's in this site is wierd. I post in 7 site for different reasons and to different crowds. And i get some times different answers but here ; they chop you down for anything or everything. Your the first to either stay on topic or don't make fun of what i've done. I post here last , i do it i guess by curiousity to see what they'll chope me for. The last one was criticizing my choice of shim, Blahhhh , from a "picture" doom and gloom" and if i say anything well the mods usually chastise me of course lol its the most syndicated forum i've seen if your not from a certain kind, lol your ideas are aliens and not welcome. On other site i get great comments not here, its all doom, lol. Thanks again for your kind words. First ones at least you red the thread, lol.

Bilk · 12/30/2013, 07:38 PM

NP. Sometimes it can be a rough crowd, but for the most part, there's lots of good people and info here

I only skimmed the thread before and planned on reading it later as your build looks phenomenal, but I didn't see any negative comments.

Well anyway, the thought and skill you put into this build are great! I really like the coast to coast and which I had done the same. Maybe next tank - already thinking of an upgrade after only just completing the build LOL

I'll continue to follow along. Great work so far

Love seeing the kitties too.

Mudbeaver · 12/30/2013, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilk

NP. Sometimes it can be a rough crowd, but for the most part, there's lots of good people and info here

I only skimmed the thread before and planned on reading it later as your build looks phenomenal, but I didn't see any negative comments.

Well anyway, the thought and skill you put into this build are great! I really like the coast to coast and which I had done the same. Maybe next tank - already thinking of an upgrade after only just completing the build LOL

I'll continue to follow along. Great work so far

Love seeing the kitties too.

Thanks , yes not on this build they earase me somewhere else lol and i actually can do without some of this crowd lol. Thanks to follow, Show me your tank FTS if you please and of course the cats got to see the cats lol.

JB63 · 12/30/2013, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudbeaver

I've asked for an aquarium with salt water they gave me this plastic kind resistant to water and salt and oils. They were also recommended to me by a LFS who has used them for his whole store. What about the tank did you see it ?

My mistake then ... If they are made of water resistant plastic, you should be fine. They look exactly like those I got from home-depot few months back and that is why I thought/assumed they were the same ... All is good then.

JB63 · 12/30/2013, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudbeaver

... The last one was criticizing my choice of shim, Blahhhh , from a "picture" doom and gloom" ...

Waow ... I really never intended to criticize, but more like offer feedback based on what 'I' know ... I'll move on and ignore this thread then ... As now it seems more about bragging than anything else ... Smooth sailing.

Mudbeaver · 12/31/2013, 08:45 AM

Ok well i've begone the transfer of the seeding fuge, the little critters have been drpped acclimated and now one of the chromis is now in transit, next stop the big system.

-----------------------------------------

Here we have the firs hermith on the moon ; With his jetpack testing the waters for future generation of crabs and other species to come. And here at Tank center we are watching very nervously as he climb this boulder, in the middle of this wasteland.

The copilot!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

End of report
Tank Center.

Mudbeaver · 01/02/2014, 06:35 AM

Thanks but their's a few flaws and bumps as usuall lol. I miscalculate the seperation in the fuge i have to pu an extra gutter guard payer on top the hermiths are climbing on the other sides,lol. If they do that when i have an Angler...bye bye birdy lol. My Tunze ATO sensor is fried have to return it i guess. How ever the system is water tight no drip that was my biggest concern. I tryed the emergency system twice a day for the past 3 days, flawless. emergency powerloss too. my cat ate one of my green LED strip cord , can't be fixed, don't wich one too cook in a paté i'll have to assimilate that one i suppose. Now they're licking each others butt and looking at me, hope they don't think i'm going to join in.... they're roarly mistaken.....i pick up a very nice branch with different kinds of zoos on it yesterday . Superb colors , i've put them in the bottom of the tank for now letting them acclimate to the light in the position they'll be put and fixed on one of the tonga sculpture; that will start that spreading of zoos on that particular sculpture which will host only zoos of different colors and keep the shape of those branch , that should make a very cool look in the tank.. The other tonga sculpture will be GSP. With the wave box ; the motion should be a feast to the eyes. Just noticed i don't have a picture of that one. Thats a first for me i always take pictures lol , must of been a cat moment, when i'm distracted by one of them lol., bad, bad pudy cat!!! lol. Here some of the pictureof the fuge while emptying it some very nasty customers in there, 5 months it ran instead of 6 weeks lol In it was some stuff i was keeping for a friend who lost his tank to a crash, so now its in mine. we've decided that i'll keep them after all and i'll buy him the new stuff, so these guys don't suffer another transfer for nothing.

This is the fuge just before the transfer; its cloudy because it needed to be shut down , remember i have no skimmer it was only suppose to run 6 weeks not 5 months. it begged for closure.

The hand of A professional, anyone saying he got stung by a bristle worm, amateur... i have a box of these never work in your tank without them, A scrape with some corals and you can find yourself with a blood infection which is the worst or a local infection ,can result in amputation if not treated. Some nasty bacteria resides in those tanks. We encouraged them for are filtration process and its alive. One guy i know almost lost his jaw bone after swalowing abit of water after a syphon . he had a tooth pulled the day before the bacteria lodged its self in the cavity and ate is bone .... no s kidding. TALK TO THE HAND LOL

Hermiths in one bucket

Snails

Rocks

Natural selection if i find them they're dead since we know they're lots more . If they stick like a soar thumb,.......

Extra cheato for the club member who need it

The old 20g fuge has become the cleaned 20 G QT soon to be fitted with a hangon skimmer. I'll also have a mini 10 g QT with a mini skimmer

View Poll Results: What do you think of the cats in that room
They'll be fine	66	44.00%
They'll be trouble	10	6.67%
They're gona fall in	15	10.00%
Your gona loose things in there	3	2.00%
Its going to be messy	6	4.00%
They won't be any trouble	20	13.33%
Does the term Octokitty mean anything to you	18	12.00%
They're going to pull on everything in there	9	6.00%
They'll a great help!	18	12.00%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 150. You may not vote on this poll

12/18/2013, 02:47 PM	#126
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	Earlier videos The earlier videos This one is just an intro on all the sculpting projects with different materials using different techniques start to finish. This explain the concept behind the first sculpture with Marco's rock and how to achieve your goal in sculpting using drilling and rods and cement. The actual drilling of rocks with special equipment and a quick and safe way to do it. How to build your sculpture with the nylon threads and shape your rocks work before securing with cement. Experimenting with shapes and forms. Several side projects; how to build a support for your piece to spread the weight, repair Tonga branch , foam your piece to a support. Tonga branch aquascape sculpture concept Using cement for your aquascapes

12/18/2013, 10:14 PM	#127
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	Do not panic, i've done that already Do not panic, i've done that already; as i was cleaning my new sump; its in 2 pieces, a 32"x19"x16"high for the drains, sock and skimmer and the second part for the reactors and return pumps. 18"x19"x16"high , the skimmer section had a piece of hair near the hole for the bulkhead. Well i though it was a hair, as i wipped it with paper towel and vinegar, thats when i heard it the craking noise . From the bulkhead hole to the top of the panel a crack and my yelling NOOOOOooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. YEP brand new sump. So i contacted Concept Aquariums which i sent pictures of the crack by now i had smeared on a thick coating of silicone on both side of the exterior panel. They were very calm and had immediate solutions. One was to contact one of their friends here in Ottawa who could repair the panels at their cost and within a few days. So thats the best solution to get this wet party on track as i have a 30 gallons drum to empty in the main tank. So thats the plan . Tomorrow i'm taking the sump to that store who happens to be a member of my local aquarist club, a buddy of mine lol , small world.

12/20/2013, 05:10 PM	#128
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	String of bad luck After the sump now this !!Part of my main sculpture collapsed. The base of the arm supporting the stalactite broke OFF from the main body. Very brittle rock this is. I'm not shocked actually i had my doubts and it was a gamble from the start. i knew it could happen. I'm not at all down i got a solution, not perfect, life goes on. I've drained the big tank into the fuge and made repairs with the cement today and filled up the fuge instead for the next 24 hours. So glad its didn't hit the glass I had my eye on this one from the beginning i had a doubt, the break is on your left side, i know hard to see i'll point next pict lol. Very brittle rock , and the water didn't help it added to the weight of the arm, i was watching it. Broke right OFF.Didn't make a big sound just a small swoosh. You can clearly see the big gap between the arm (right) and the shelf (Left), something to be aware when you sculpt with these. Right now on this picture its resting on the stalactite and not touching the glass because of the angle.....thank GOD!!!!! . This is my solution ; I've built the supports before the actual repairs. I'm using the stalactite as a counter weight to stabilise the arm.

12/20/2013, 05:10 PM	#129
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	String of bad luck One good thing about this repair is that my whole arm now will be under water and will useful now lol. The new position of the stalactite is where the nylon support is perfect in the corner we'll see the fish swimming from both side now, not bad. The dam cats are out of my fuge for good tabarnac!!! 've spread the cement even more than this by now to make as bigger hand on the arm, lol as possible its held on 3 sides. I'm letting cure for 24H. Second side, the third is underneath the rock. In my excitement i cut the support a few milimeters short, hey i'm allowed i was in distress, beside that what shims are for lol. Always usefull to cover and blend aquasculpting. Under the arm their's a gap even with the cement which was too soft to stay , so i'll foam the dam thing!

12/20/2013, 05:26 PM	#130
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Read the label on that stuff. I was told it is NOT waterproof. Not sure but better off to make sure first.

12/29/2013, 05:53 AM	#131
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	My new panel Got a shot of my new panel. Concept whent cheap on me, thats why it crack; 1/4 " instead of 3/8" like the last time. Just the hole to be done and i'm back on track , noting to show for Christmas of course that train left the station .

12/29/2013, 05:55 AM	#132
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	We have lift off, we have a go WE HAVE LIFT OFF , WE HAVE A GO; Temperature is 74 and rising, all system go. The external Wavebox is on and functioning within parameters and quiet, not bad for a $20 add on + the tunze $ 295 pump instead of the $ 639 Tunze wavebox. Measuring the currents and direction to better position my powerheads. Checking different spots ,wavebox influence and dead spots. The cats loved the wavebox and where very intrigued by it. I've removed the supports from the repaired sculpture but put those crates for insurance for a few days, in case the water has an influence on the rocks weight and structure, also the water movement may also play into it. So to avoid a scratch if it fall. I'm not worried about a break the glass is thick enough and their's not enough innertia to propel the rock hard enough againts the glass to break it.

12/29/2013, 05:56 AM	#133
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	We have lift off, we have a go The fuge was a sleep at 5;30 this morning i wasn't lol. At 5;30 i had a Circus freak doing an act on the edge.... Taking a sip.Accidents happens you know...........hehe....lol.

12/29/2013, 05:57 AM	#134
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	Unimatrix 0001 I cleaned up the place ready to receive my QT tanks, I've put my salt in today tomorrow will take my readings and ajust my salinity, and will proceed to seed my tank with "Start Up" from Prodibio . Its a quick start cycle to populate a tank quickly, and it works. A store has started its business with it. No kidding all his tanks are ok and its very popular. www.prodibio.com check it out. I'll follow it with " Bioptim" from the same company which are nutients for the bacteria, and then "BioDigest" which are living bacteria for biological filtration. Waiting that that everything is pluged and functioning before organising where and to which circuit i'm sending which wire. Cleaned up the shelf for the QT tanks and controllers. The bottom will contain an Auto feeding fridge.(futur project) Since i have that behind me i want to **** every 5 minutes. Calibrating my heaters. i may need 3, not sure yet. Still have another green light strip to put in for the Borg identity, lol. The water still cloudy from the salt.

12/30/2013, 06:12 AM	#137
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	Level problems This is across my refugium front back to front. What do you think, too much?? I'm wondering ; i did some shimming, because the stand was wableling a bit... Thats the reading from left to right thats perfect.Refugium . This on the shelf of the refugium same data, again This is the refugium right side back to front Same better angle. This is the left side from front to back , its 1/8 of an inch OFF , its too much i have to shim the dam thing today. This means i have to drain my 75 G refugium into my 30G drum which is now full of RO water , and some into my sump as well. So first i'll drain my RO water...so lets go grrrrrrrr.

12/30/2013, 06:18 AM	#138
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	My shiming experience, never done it before. Filling my drum from the fuge This is my sump after filling it up, testing its seems to the fullest.... Empty fuge My shimming experience starting now... Alright this is my shiming experience, never done it before, hope never have to do it again, this is what i got after.I did the sides the back and the front. Thats the front left to right about 1/32 inch. left side of rfugium front to back 1/32 inch Right side of refugium same 1/32 inch

12/30/2013, 10:38 AM	#139
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	EXPRESS START UP a Prodibio product EXPRESS START UP a Prodibio product ; got it from my LFT started is whole business on its so if its not a sign of confidence on the product i don't know what is. Seeded my tank with just now and in 12 hours your suppose to be able to put your fish in it. I'll be dipping a snail or two in first and look around. Then tomorrow night i'll put the rest of my fishes and critters in . This is the stuff http://www.prodibio.com/ The bristle worms under the live rocks i've put last night are still alive , this morning . I chose those rocks intentionally to see if they would survive the process, just so you know. Twelve hours later...... I've put the nassarius snails and two hermiths , they seem fine.They're easy to spot nothing else in there lol. The snails buried themselves right away, one stayed on the sand. Thats the box Get it at GOT FISH , You'll be able to put your fish in 12 hours for $55 thats pretty cool. With my tank size i had to put all 30 viles in this box good for a 250 US Gallons . Those are the follow up boxes you have to implement to keep the bacteria and cycle active until the system finds its balance and can sustain itself. Took about 20 min. for those 30 vials. Wash your hads after you don't want to start a cycle in your bed do you , nasty bacteria..... Thats little thing saves your hands beleive me.

12/30/2013, 10:38 AM	#140
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	EXPRESS START UP a Prodibio product Break both ends and the liquid flows out. My work is done time to eat.

12/30/2013, 02:30 PM	#141
JB63 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicago, USA Posts: 401	Those shims are truly meant to support the weight (or mass) of dry wall ... you sure they won't sag/break-off under the weight of a heavy tank? .. especially that they're made of some sort of wood powder, that will become 'mud' if exposed to a lot of water ... Also, all you need to do is shim the 4 corners under the legs as it those 4 legs that are truly supporting the weight. Supporting a cross member in the middle (on the floor) will only force such member to bend. Those glass vials remind me of a medication often given to kids to increase their appetite and sleep needs (about 30-40 years ago). It was supposed to help 'them 'grow', and was called Periactine (French trade name) if I recall ... Last edited by JB63; 12/30/2013 at 02:42 PM.

12/30/2013, 02:46 PM	#143
Bilk Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NYC Posts: 1,374	Welcome to the 50s and semi-retirement Free time is a wonderful thing. Gives us more time to stress about our tanks LOL I have three cats - an 18lb Siamese who are big fish lovers - a +30lb Tabby junkyard cat whose vertical leap range is the bed and a small one that was a feral two years ago that is maybe 5 lbs at this point - she is the only one with claws None of them pay any mind to the tank in the least bit. The little girl is probably the only one that could jump up to anyplace meaningful that would give her access to the tank, but have never witnessed her doing anything of the sort. The fish room is generally open to allow for good air exchanged (only closed when company is here) and none of them mess with the sump - not even my "getting rather large" 11mo old, German Shepherd. You'll be fine. The cat with it's paws in the fishbowl is only in cartoons

12/30/2013, 07:38 PM	#145
Bilk Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NYC Posts: 1,374	NP. Sometimes it can be a rough crowd, but for the most part, there's lots of good people and info here I only skimmed the thread before and planned on reading it later as your build looks phenomenal, but I didn't see any negative comments. Well anyway, the thought and skill you put into this build are great! I really like the coast to coast and which I had done the same. Maybe next tank - already thinking of an upgrade after only just completing the build LOL I'll continue to follow along. Great work so far Love seeing the kitties too.

12/31/2013, 08:45 AM	#149
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	The transFuge Ok well i've begone the transfer of the seeding fuge, the little critters have been drpped acclimated and now one of the chromis is now in transit, next stop the big system. ----------------------------------------- Here we have the firs hermith on the moon ; With his jetpack testing the waters for future generation of crabs and other species to come. And here at Tank center we are watching very nervously as he climb this boulder, in the middle of this wasteland. The copilot! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of report Tank Center.

01/02/2014, 06:35 AM	#150
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	What happened after that and before that Thanks but their's a few flaws and bumps as usuall lol. I miscalculate the seperation in the fuge i have to pu an extra gutter guard payer on top the hermiths are climbing on the other sides,lol. If they do that when i have an Angler...bye bye birdy lol. My Tunze ATO sensor is fried have to return it i guess. How ever the system is water tight no drip that was my biggest concern. I tryed the emergency system twice a day for the past 3 days, flawless. emergency powerloss too. my cat ate one of my green LED strip cord , can't be fixed, don't wich one too cook in a paté i'll have to assimilate that one i suppose. Now they're licking each others butt and looking at me, hope they don't think i'm going to join in.... they're roarly mistaken.....i pick up a very nice branch with different kinds of zoos on it yesterday . Superb colors , i've put them in the bottom of the tank for now letting them acclimate to the light in the position they'll be put and fixed on one of the tonga sculpture; that will start that spreading of zoos on that particular sculpture which will host only zoos of different colors and keep the shape of those branch , that should make a very cool look in the tank.. The other tonga sculpture will be GSP. With the wave box ; the motion should be a feast to the eyes. Just noticed i don't have a picture of that one. Thats a first for me i always take pictures lol , must of been a cat moment, when i'm distracted by one of them lol., bad, bad pudy cat!!! lol. Here some of the pictureof the fuge while emptying it some very nasty customers in there, 5 months it ran instead of 6 weeks lol In it was some stuff i was keeping for a friend who lost his tank to a crash, so now its in mine. we've decided that i'll keep them after all and i'll buy him the new stuff, so these guys don't suffer another transfer for nothing. This is the fuge just before the transfer; its cloudy because it needed to be shut down , remember i have no skimmer it was only suppose to run 6 weeks not 5 months. it begged for closure. The hand of A professional, anyone saying he got stung by a bristle worm, amateur... i have a box of these never work in your tank without them, A scrape with some corals and you can find yourself with a blood infection which is the worst or a local infection ,can result in amputation if not treated. Some nasty bacteria resides in those tanks. We encouraged them for are filtration process and its alive. One guy i know almost lost his jaw bone after swalowing abit of water after a syphon . he had a tooth pulled the day before the bacteria lodged its self in the cavity and ate is bone .... no s kidding. TALK TO THE HAND LOL Hermiths in one bucket Snails Rocks Natural selection if i find them they're dead since we know they're lots more . If they stick like a soar thumb,....... Extra cheato for the club member who need it The old 20g fuge has become the cleaned 20 G QT soon to be fitted with a hangon skimmer. I'll also have a mini 10 g QT with a mini skimmer