TonyInVa

Painted backround blue. Painted bottom to look like sand incase I later decide to go bare bottom Installed and wired switches. This will help with maintenance. Have to put face plates on switches and outlets. Will also cover with plastic to prevent water from getting in. This is a picture of relief. Actually it is the glass cut out for the bulk head. I was a bit nervous. First time I have drilled a tank. Went with a Glassholes.com overflow. In my past tank, live rock falling over was an issue. So I made rock formations with dead rock I had. I used PVC pipe that I cut in quarter diameter. I then drilled holes in the rock and used the PVC to hold them together. This picture shows the back of the formation, where the PVC is visible. Here you can see the Current Hanging Arms I used to hang the lights. I also added the sand and rock formations IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i305/arburnley/Fishtank%20Build/DSCN1388.jpg[/img] Aqua Medic Light Fixture. Two 250 watt MH and four T5s. You can also see the velcro used to hold the cherry wood used to cover the oak trim. (Originally my wife wanted oak) Started filling with water. Lights on but with old bulbs. I purchased two new Pkoenix 14k bulbs and four new T5 Actinics Now I will have to wait for the tank to cycle.

Too late, she has not been happy several times in this build. I had to change things several times to make her happy.

No but when my wife got up this morning she asked what the %$#* smell was. She said it smelled real Strong.

If I remember correctly when I cycled my first tank years ago, you don't turn on the skimmer initially. Tank has now been running for two days. It has about 50lbs of dead rock. I will be adding some established live rock from my other tank. Not sure when to start skimming.

This is something I used. http://www.marineandreef.com/Current_USA_Hanging_Arm_Kit_p/rcu01092.htm

I am pretty close to you. If you would like, I could hold your coral in my tank, until you are ready for it.

it is common to use a trash can.

Unfortunitly with limited space I can only keep the 5 gal storage tank. Days before I do a water change I will start collecting water in large containers. I have been doing this for years with my older system.

The tank is a 5 gallon storage tank. I want the faucet goose neck faucet to dispense the RO/DI water.

I want the storage tank and faucet to both go through all stages. Can't I just T off the line. One going to the pressurized tank and the other going to a faucet? This will not be used for drinking. It will only be used for my aquarium.

Anyone done this or know how?

Mine ate frozen mysis

Welcome to the club. I might as well give some advise based on my experiences. In my opinion the biggest key to this hobby is patience. You have to have plenty of it. The other thing you have to have plenty, of is money, this hobby is not cheap. As people have eluded to, the membership will save you money. I have been in the process of upgrading from a 55gal to a 110. Buying the lights from a club member has saved me over $700. So it was well worth it. But the best value of your membership will be its members. Good luck!

Anyone have or know about this RO/DI Filter. Is there a better RO/DI for around $250?

This is what I ordered. http://www.petsolutions.com/default.aspx?ItemId=42901092&EID=42901092&SID=FROOGLE

Thanks for all the input. I looked at Home Depot. They do not sell anything for horizontal use. I ended up ordering the Current Fixture Arms.

Anyone have experience with these heavy duty wall anchors?

These lights are pretty darn heavy. It is the Aqua Medic Sunlight NG. I am not sure of the exact weight, I did a search but can't find it. I also want to be sure it will hold. Couldn't imagine the lights falling and breaking the tank.

I have a textured ceiling, which makes things a little more difficult. The other issue I am having is finding the studs. The texture ceiling is throwing my stud finder off.

I was hoping not to have to add any beams put that may be my only option.

I will be hanging a metal halide fixture. Has anyone hung thier fixture where the cables dont run straight down. The hanging holes on the fixture are 36 1/4 inches apart. My ceiling beams are 16 inches on center apart. I would like to avoid altering the ceiling.If anyone has thier cables running at an angle, I would appreciate if you can post a picture.

I used a mag 9.5 on my 55gal. Keep in mind you will loose flow due to head lose. There are many calculators out there that will calclate your flow. Do a search on google for head lose calculator.

You may also want to become a member. This will give you access to the buy and trade forums. That way when you are ready to upgrade, you will be able to view these threads. It is likely you will find what you need there, and save tons of money.

I will have to remember this one.

Thanks. Would have never guessed that.