View Full Version : phoenix from the flames
this was my 8 x 4 x 3 tank aprrox 4 months ago,
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i114/funkrat/600gSPSReef.jpg
and now its gone.:mad:
shortly after marc took this pic disaster stuck and i lost 99% of all my acro's all param's were spot and stayed completely stable but no mater what i did or try'd or tested made no difference and believe me i tested for anything and everything ,
3 years of hard work and loads of £'s down the drain. all my lps and my anenome and fish remained unaffected.so i decided to temp strip the tank i have set up a couple of temp tanks to house the remaining live stock while i checked for further prob's.
i was never happy with the build quality of the tank and on stripping it i found a lot of big chips a bits of glass missing from the base edges i had also scratched the tank very badly.
so and new plan was hatched
and it was hammer time .
all my concerns were justified there was hardly any silicone on the straps and the the base was one piece of 12 mm and one of 10mm glass and they were very very brittle(the tank was 3 foot deep remember) and ive lost count of the amount of times ive dropped massive bits of live rock onto it, the slightest tap and the whole base went bang :eek:
but its not all bad news ive started plan B.:D
Sorry to hear that Andy, that really is a stunner of a set-up in the pic. Still, sounds as if you know exactly how to come back bigger and better. And what pray tell is plan B?;)
Does 'B' stand for bigger ??
Sorry to hear about your problems too, your old tank was stunning
Plan B
new stand just been built and awaiting collection ,
its ready for shot blasting and powder coating.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i114/funkrat/stand001.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i114/funkrat/stand003.jpg
Andy
That stand looks massive. What size tank are you planning?
G
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i114/funkrat/stand002.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i114/funkrat/stand001.jpg
opp's at first the pics were way to big,now i seem to have shunk the down to nothing on photo bucket and cant make them bigger again with out making them blured:confused:
sorry forgot to add paul the b does stand for bigger
its going to be 11 x 4 x 3 :D
Ye gods, Andy. Do you enjoy being poor?
Im looking forward to seeing this develop....
Sorry about your previous tank.:( Popped into Watford for the first time the other day and was amazed by the 'blown up' pic on the wall of this tank. Good luck with the new one.
Must have more money than sense!!
Shame about that tank though mate.
Scott
Must have more money than sense!!
No, just more money than me !!
Great potential - watching this with interest!! If anything like your last one before the disaster we're in for a treat!
John
Reef bloke
07-05-06, 01:16
What a whopper,by the way did you check your lighting ballasts on your last tank Andy?Just wondered if your probs had anything to do with them as im sure you had read that SiG had loses of Acros due to his ballasts being Mecury vapour.I only mention this as i dont know if you will be re using any for the next set up.
Im probably over reaching just thought id ask.
Ye gods, Andy. Do you enjoy being poor?
yep just got used to it over the years:)
Must have more money than sense!!
yep got a £1 :D
What a whopper,by the way did you check your lighting ballasts on your last tank Andy?Just wondered if your probs had anything to do with them as im sure you had read that SiG had loses of Acros due to his ballasts being Mecury vapour.I only mention this as i dont know if you will be re using any for the next set up.
Im probably over reaching just thought id ask.
thanks reefbloke, i had this problem when the tank was first set up and had to change all my ballasts then(now using maxibrights)and im slowly swapping them to icecap's electronic's.i even swapped all 6 400w lamps in the end incase they were the problem all to no aval im afraid :mad: .
apart from the cost of tank and stand il be using most of the equipment from the old tank plus a few extra,s:D ,
Reef bloke
07-05-06, 11:51
Nice one mate,this looks like its going to be a killer set up.
hell that stand makes my 7.5 * 3 * 2.5 look like a puddle.
11x4x3 ?!?!?!?!? that is going to look incredible!!!!
why the change in size? another 8x4x3 not big enough?
bunglehaze
08-05-06, 13:31
Christ, do you want to borrow my tank as an RO reservoir :D
cheers
leigh :D
why the change in size? another 8x4x3 not big enough?
apart from the damage and build quality problems i found when the tank was stripped .................. NO:D
when then original 8x4x3 was set up my 2 skimmers sat along side it at each end and it was as big as i could go.but i alway regreted not filling the whole space with tank, ive since moved my skimmers to an outside shed(why i didnt think of this back then il never know:confused: ).
after all the wipe out problems and when i found the issues with the tanks build quality, it was a good excuse to get the biggest tank i possibly could, this will be my last ever tank:p .i hope.
Andy.
Hi Andy
I Heard a rumble on the old grape vine you were going bigger but no one said you were loosing corals.What a bummer you have some gorgeous ones in you tank.
No good looking back and crying over lost money though is there.???
Onward and bigger thats the way to go.
Looking forward to seeing this one.
Happy Reefkeeping
Andy
well if you need a hand with anything andy just gis a bell, i'll happily make tea all day to see something of that size getting built :)
hope you take lots of photos and keep this thread updated, certainly going to be something special to see.
thanks guys il keep you posted
stand should be finished in the next few days ,im tiling at the moment,and have still got to re-level the concrete floor,so it may be a week or so before the stand is delivered .
oh and have mentioned the fact that the stand is to big to though my houses side gate (has to go that way to get into the conservatory).so the only way in is over an 8 foot high wall,
oh and the stand weights just under 800 lbs.:eek:
so ive got to have a small forklift truck picked up from my factory by a lorry with hiab,and delivered to my house so i can use the forklift to can lift it over with out knocking the wall down or damaging the powder coating.:D
THUNDER BIRDS ARE GO
the new stand arrives:D
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i114/funkrat/stand020.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i114/funkrat/stand026.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i114/funkrat/stand021.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i114/funkrat/stand041.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i114/funkrat/stand042.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i114/funkrat/stand043.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i114/funkrat/stand044.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i114/funkrat/stand046.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i114/funkrat/stand045.jpg
thats me with the big ears on the back of the lorry by the way:D
MaidstoneMarine
18-05-06, 13:24
holy cow... that is a big stand! if this tank looks anything like your last one in its heyday then it is going to be awesome!
keep the pics coming.
chris
damned works computer blocking pics :(
Reef bloke
18-05-06, 14:19
For the benefit of Scoob,be afraid,be very afraid.ITS A BIG BOY!
thats me with the big ears on the back of the lorry by the way:D
You forgot 'going bald and looking gormless':D
Very nice all the same (the stand that is, not you) :p
You forgot 'going bald and looking gormless':D
sorry biscuits i forgot you were an adonis,
youve never heard the saying
people in glass houses shouldnt throw stones
then. :D
now get back to cleaning the shop tanks fat boy.:)
keith hellyar
18-05-06, 15:14
Geeeeeeeez
I'm speechless.
So will it be Acrylic or Glass?
Dont forget the hosepipe ban. That will empty the local Reservoir
Keith
instantsquid
18-05-06, 15:45
Crikey.
can see pics now, holy crap, you really get a perspective looking at you stand next to it on its end. can't wait to see this one develop. :)
Geeeeeeeez
I'm speechless.
So will it be Acrylic or Glass?
thanks prob going to be glass with starfire front but im not rushing at the mo,still got time to change my mind,;)
its been along time but we have some progress ,big glass type progress :D hopefully a few pics to follow later.
(if my photographer gets his finger out ,please marc;) )
Andy.
LOL...I just got home.
Will sort out some pics later boss ;)
LOL...I just got home.
Will sort out some pics later boss ;)
__________________
you make sure you have a good rest first ,youve had a hard day.:D
thanks mate
ooh i can't wait to see this!!!!!!!!
mean of you to tease us tho!!!
:D Tank Build started yesterday ,
First of all a Big Big thanks to Danny and Marc at WATFORD Aquarium, .:)
and not forgeting my Dad who help with the lifting.
The tank is 11' x 4' x 3' built with 19mm glass and a Diamant front panel and floating base.
the right hand end has had water jetcut slot and an external weir fitted to take 4 x 50mm tank connectors.
it not quite finnished yet as danny comming back to fit the straps tonight.
but just to give you an idea of how heavy this thing will be when finished the front pane of glass weighed 167kg on its own ,and thats f***ing heavy to lift out of the back of a van and up 3 foot high on edge,in fact if any one looks close enough you can see 3 of marcs fingers still siliconed into one of the joints. :D
the back panel ready to be lifted into place
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2077_web.jpg
end panel on an the first part of the base going in
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2079_web.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2098_web.jpg
Danny watching while i do the important technical stuff :D
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2085_web.jpg
the second base ready to go on
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2094_web.jpg
me thinkingf oh my god what have i done
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2101_web.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2100_web.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2103_web.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2102_web.jpg
holy cow!!!!!! wow kep these updates coming, that's mahoosive!!!!!!
the front panels on and im getting ready for the final inspection:D
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2104_web.jpg
this is not what i had in mind for the mermaid shot but oh well
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2106_web.jpg
not much i can say about this one:p
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2115_web.jpg
So thats where my camera was yesterday!!!!
Looking good Andy:D , if you want a few big blue spots or huge bits of rock give me a call.
You just need to add water. :) silicone must be dry now, fill it! :eek:
dan-the-man
27-09-06, 12:42
Nice one fella, helluva tank!
not much i can say about this one:p
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2115_web.jpg
Why have you got Billy Mitchell in there? :D
This is gonna be amazing by the way.....good luck with the rest of the build!!!:p
Peter
thanks guys ,
afew pics of the waterjet cut slot and the external wier:)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2087_web.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2088_web.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2089_web.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/_M4U2095_web.jpg
So thats where my camera was yesterday!!!!
any chance you can show him how to use it properly:D
Why have you got Billy Mitchell in there? :D
lol :D :p
Fantastic mate!
Dont you need a steel frame for a tank that size?
Hi Sorry To Hear About Your Reef Tank. But I Would Still Like To Know How A Tank Of That Standard Came To An End
Dont you need a steel frame for a tank that size?
hi Tristan,
it does have a steel frame, the supports you can see on the front are temp and were only there so we could lift the front panel up in stages,and take alittle rest after each lift, they have now been removed,
if you take a look back at the first few pages you can see how big the stand is:)
But I Would Still Like To Know How A Tank Of That Standard Came To An End
me too ,it still hurts :(
Andy.
I mean a frame around the tank.
I mean a frame around the tank.
sorry misunderstood you.
no, the tank will have heavy duty glass staps fitted to the top tonight. At 3 foot deep it will not be a problem , 3 foot is about as deep as most tank builders will do with out a steel frame.
Cool, What are you gonna light this beast with?
i will be using the six 400w lumenarc III refectors i had on my last tank, but i have upgraded the ballasts to icecap eletronics:) ,i may add another couple at a later date ,but il play it by ear to start with.
plus 3 x 5 foot 140w vho actinics, run on a icecap 660 electronic ballast i already have.
Andy.
Wow thats gonna be expensive!
Thats nearly 4kw! about 28p per hour!
Its worth it though!
Whitetrash
27-09-06, 15:40
F*cking speachless!!!!!!
The sort of thing my dreams are made of....:cool: :) :cool:
....and what happened in your last tank are the things my nightmares are made of, sorry to hear about that :(
What are you going to do for water movement? What's your list of equipment so far?
You're a lucky dude, please keep us posted.....
hi tony,
my equipment list so far,most of which came from my last tank and a few new bits.
4 x 6100 tunze streams
2 x 6200 tunze streams
1 x 13000 sequence pump for sump return only
1 x 15000 sequence pump for running skimmers,chiller etc this returns staight to the sump
3 x aquamedic twin 5000 skimmers
1 x schuran jet stream 2 calcium reactor
1 x modified schuran media reactor used as a degassing chamber
1 x ratz kalc reactor
1 x aquamedic 4000 chiller
2 x watson marlow peri pumps
3 x deltec fluidised reactors for carbon etc
1 x 6 stage ro man ro unit
1 x Iks pro unit with 2 ph probes,redox probe etc
may also be adding a deltec eco chiller at a later date to lessen the load on the aquamedic chiller as it uses 2000w:eek: on its own and may also add to more streams but ill see how it goes.:D
awesome project! How much noise do you reckon a beast like that is going to make?
Have you ever worked out how much its going to cost to run?
How much noise do you reckon a beast like that is going to make?
hopefully not much,my last tank was quite noisy,but with the way im going to be doing the wier and now im running sequence pumps should be alot quieter:)
Have you ever worked out how much its going to cost to run?
shhhhhhhh we dont talk about thing like that
women may be listening:D :D :D
shhhhhhhh we dont talk about thing like that
women may be listening:D :D :D
I wouldn't want to mess with her :D
I wouldn't want to mess with her :D
im going to tell her that,no more chocolate biscys for you:D :D :D
be afraid
be very afraid:eek:
if your not careful she might make you eat one of her dinners
and that i wouldnt wish on my worse enemy:p
Incredible stuff. Did you ever fugure out what happened with the old tank?
That Danny's a busy chap isn't he, doesn't anyone else build tanks???
Prometheus
28-09-06, 00:06
and who gets the first swim :D that thing is a monster :rolleyes: .
how much rock you think you gonna need to fill that ??????? :eek:
Prometheus
28-09-06, 00:07
Oh and do you have some pics of the sump, that gotta be huge as well
Danny was back late last night to fit all the straps,and its all looking great at the moment :) ,
now the problem is waiting 2 weks for the silicone to dry:( .
but ive still got plenty to do ,
Oh and do you have some pics of the sump, that gotta be huge as well
although ive got the sump in already (and running )theres still a bit of finishing off to do yet ,il take some pics when its nearly finished.
sump is 5 X 3 X 2 glass tank.
and who gets the first swim :D that thing is a monster :rolleyes: .
both of my kids wont to have ago, but il guess it'll be me when the rock all goes in.
More pics please - fantastic looking project! Can't wait to see the finished article.
Are you going to put the rock in with a snorkel and mask?
Are you going to put the rock in with a snorkel and mask?
im probley going to fill it half way salt it up and put a couple of pumps and heaters into the main tank temp,then get into the tank and put most of the rock in ,
then il get the old snorkle out when its full to finish off the rock work :D
Silverback
28-09-06, 21:28
These "supertanks" really do get the juices going..... Sorry to hear about your losses before!!
Can't wait to see the thing filled and fired up for action..... Good luck and keep em coming!! :D
Karl
mikeadams1985
28-09-06, 22:22
i dont get how people are brave enough to get INSIDE there tank.
id be soo scared of putting too much pressure on one spot (or am i just a heavy bas**rd?)
id never dream of climbing into a glass tank :S
Thats the NUTS mate!
I thought you said the tank was good, it's frigging unbelieving mate:eek:
Well impressed with the external weir, I think you're gonna start a new trend.:D
DannyG
cheers dan,you got that car fixed yet:p
i think you and baros need a road trip:D
i should have the car fixed this week, i'll have a word with baros, hope to be down asap.:)
dannyg
WOW, somehow I missed this thread! Crickey....that really is something else! The construction pictures are fantastic!
Awesome work mate!
Tom http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif
imense, i cant wait to see more of this bad boy!
Amazing! Makes ours look like a puddle! This is one to watch if your last tank is anything to go by.
Jay n Tilly:)
any updates yet this is going to be a big one we need pics pls
Reef bloke
26-10-06, 01:13
Come on Andy lets see a few more shots of this beast!
i should be able to up date this weekend, :D
Andy.
Hi Andy
Looking Good.:D :D :D :D :D :D
Why didn't you go the Closed Loop way instead of the streams?
Speak later
Happy Reef Keeping :D
Andy
I'm gagging to see more pics....more info.... this tank is awesome:)
i should be able to up date this weekend, :D
Andy.
that's just teasing :D :D
hi andy,
im going with the streams mainly because ive already got them from the last tank ,
i also dont like having loads of holes in the bottom of the tank:p ,
i could add a closed loop at a later date as i have a i have a spare outlet in the external wier.
ive got 4 x 6100
and 2 x 6200 already ,i might add more ill see how it goes.
Andy,
Andy, we're all drooling and salivating over the thought of more pics:o .... any chance you can ease our suffering?:)
Reefer Madness
03-11-06, 20:37
Sorry to hear about the old tank, it looked stunning.
Any chance of an update on the new one?
yeah, come on dude, we're in a whole different weekend now :D
Good grief. Thats's massive :eek:
Any more progress?? Pics??:)
No updates????????????????
i promise they are coming :)
Valley Boy
15-11-06, 09:28
Wow ! Wow ! and another Wow !-------------:D
steve@ cambridge coral tech
15-11-06, 20:07
very very very impressive andy:) :)
Andy,
We've all been waiting, no doubt a few of us have been talking and wondering what to expect :) .....
Any chance of an update? :D
bristlebasher
27-11-06, 12:04
i promise they are coming :)
So is christmas:rolleyes:
Some updates pleeze................
sorry for the delay,
ive now transfered over all my live stock,
plus the anemome,
ive only got crappy pictures at the momement ,ill post some proper ones when i get time,
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/20.11.06 004.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/20.11.06 005.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/20.11.06 042.jpg
i dont know where all the fish are in these pics but believe it or not,
i now have got over 50 fish in there.
i been busy doing the electrics ,its like painting the forth bridge , but im determined to make it all neat and tidy.
plenty still to do ,ive still not got all the skimmers running (only one at themo sitting in front of the tank temp) plus the chiller as ive got to build a new bigger shed to house it in.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/20.11.06 010.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/20.11.06 037.jpg
At last!:cool:
Thanks Andy, nice aquascaping......
When you going to add some sps :)
awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thanks guys.
the idea with the scaping is to leave it very open so there is plenty of swimming space for fish and room to grow some very big corals ,
that why ive left the rock quiet low ,
i want to use acros to create the structure i want ,the live rock is just a base to grow it on :D ,
When you going to add some sps :)
there's a few very small frags in there already:D
i going to try and use frags if possible ,(plus a few bigger pieces if there special ) so its going to be a long time before it looks how i want it, but im in no hurry,
Ive got a clear picture of how i want the tank to look in my head so Ive just got to be patient, acro wise again im after very particular species
to create what im after,
the tank does look better than the pics in real life (honest)i just cant get all of it into one picture at the moment.
acro wise again im after very particular species
to create what im after,
Oooh.... do tell..... what are you after???? If I see any that you want I'll drop you a PM ;)
designsonline.co.uk
27-11-06, 14:01
Thats not a fishtank thats a swimming pool......
Sweet. Nice to see lots of fish...Gonna take sum filling with corals :eek:
Mark.
Hells bells, that looks good. I love the anthias....
Please keep the updates coming....
ATB Tomhttp://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif
Great, Andy. I also like your thinking on stocking with frags - how much more pleasure you get from watching them develop than just buying a big colony and chucking it in? ;)
Reef bloke
28-11-06, 01:33
Top notch Andy,when we getting an invite down to have a butchers in the flesh then.;) :D
Top notch Andy,when we getting an invite down to have a butchers in the flesh then.;) :D
Soon ,soon you wouldnt want to come down and see it half finished would you :)
its still a complete mess under the stand and the moment, a bit more tidying up and your all be more than welcome,
im already making change to system and its no even finished yet,:p
im problely going to remove the jetstream calcium reactor and kalc reactor and start using the balling method,so i can have a bit more control.
bristlebasher
28-11-06, 09:44
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/20.11.06%20010.jpg
Absobloodylutely awesome:D .
Wow! that anenome is huuugge!!
the anemone is getting back to its former glory and open right up, hes about 18 inchs at the moment ,he was over 2 foot in my last tank but has been a bit stressed in its temp tank ,so with a bit of luck he will start growing again,
ive had it for over 10 years now,:)
it was bought as a malu but ive always thought he was a heteractis crispa anyone got a positive ID.:confused:
Reef bloke
10-01-07, 01:45
Any update Andy,i cant wait to see this monster lol.
I don't know how I missed this one :o :D
What a tank :D
As above, any more pics?? ;)
Holy **** that is awesome! I bet you could go snorkeling in there
Wow!! thats all i can say!!! Oh and MORE PICS PLEASE!!!!!!!!:) :p
bristlebasher
19-01-07, 13:07
Almost 2 months on now - gotta have some new pics for us;)
awesome,
ive been reading this through my lunch break, and cant believe ive missed this thread.
the tank of dreams, well thought out and time taken with it.
i take my hat of to you sir.
kind regards
Rupert.
awesome,
ive been reading this through my lunch break, and cant believe ive missed this thread.
Ha-Haa!! Me too!!
One word:
Amazing...
Reef bloke
19-01-07, 13:59
Come on Andy! Why are you keeping us in suspenders!
sorry guys i will get round to it just been very busy at the moment,
not been a great last 48 hours ,
as now Ive been with out power to my house or tank for 28 hours,:mad: :eek:
and no sign of it coming back yet either:mad: ,
Ive been working away from home all week, i rushed back from the midlands in the middle of the night( haven't had any sleep for 36 hours) just to make sure every things OK and touch wood so far so good ,
Ive just been out to buy a generator and fitted that to get some of the basics going ,like heaters(the tank was 60 degrees this morning:eek: ) so hopefully every thing should be OK now. the fish cant be to bad they still follow me about wanting feeding .its whether they or the corals react when the temp climbs back up .
this will teach me to keep on putting off fitting a emergency back up power system that Ive been thinking about for 3 years,
oh well you live and learn :)
but at a glance the tank looks all ok:D
sorry guys i will get round to it just been very busy at the moment,
not been a great last 48 hours ,
as now Ive been with out power to my house or tank for 28 hours,:mad: :eek:
and no sign of it coming back yet either:mad: ,
That's a b1tch mate, fingers crossed all will be ok:) . I have a UPS running a Stream 6060 for when the power goes. Yesterday was out for 3.5 hours....
Reef bloke
19-01-07, 15:56
Let me know if the genny gives you trouble,ive got a spare 1000 watter here.Only 2 stroke so a bit noisy though.
If your ever stuck away from home and theres someone in just PM me or one of the other Kent lot like Scoob/Maidstone marine/course its reef safe/MJ32 etc etc and one of us will do our best to nip round and see if we can sort something.
Hope everything goes o.k tony
thanks tony b,
and thanks tony ,
ill let you know if i have any probs,
and thanks again for the offer.:)
see?!?!? no good can come from being in the midlands!!!
see?!?!? no good can come from being in the midlands!!!
Oi watch it.......all good stuff comes from being in the midlands :p
MaidstoneMarine
19-01-07, 18:59
see?!?!? no good can come from being in the midlands!!!
:D :D :D :D
Oi watch it.......all good stuff comes from being in the midlands :p
after this week i beg to differ :D
Also just found this for first time, the mutts nuts just doesn't cover it - not even close:eek: :eek:
Let me know if the genny gives you trouble,ive got a spare 1000 watter here.Only 2 stroke so a bit noisy though.
If your ever stuck away from home and theres someone in just PM me or one of the other Kent lot like Scoob/Maidstone marine/course its reef safe/MJ32 etc etc and one of us will do our best to nip round and see if we can sort something.
Hope everything goes o.k tony
Absolutely ;) :D
TBH, even if you just need your skimmer cup emptied or the glass cleaned, I'd do anything for a nose :D :D
Hope everythings OK :)
gareth4778
20-01-07, 20:44
Just read this from start to finish, and WOW how do you finance such a thing?
I admire your determination and hard work, i best get rubbing a geenie and all my wishers may come true
just a qiuck reply to say after 72 hours the powers just come back on:D :D :D
tank temps been down to 65 degrees again last night, will just have to see what happens now. got to go loads to do.:)
will update when things are all sorted.
72 hours, flippin eck!!!!!
glad it's all sorted now and you don't apear to have lost any live stock, still sucks tho eh?
How are things going andy?
Happy Reef keeping
Andy
absolute great read mate, stunning tank to:applause: :thumbsup: :worship:
I remember the start of this, but seemed to have not read the updates.
Absolutely awesome tank :thumbsup:
Any recent pics? :worship::worship::worship:
Dave
Awesome tank. Sorry to hear about your old one. Was it the ballasts that caused your sps wipe out as I am thinking of lighting mine with the maxibrights.
Anyone else using these....
.....any thoughts from anyone???
how the feck did i miss this one??!!?? great read thanks :D
dan-the-man
22-04-07, 16:42
Stunning tank, any updates? Things any better?
thanks guys,
sorry no up dates yet :o ,
things are going very slowly because of work commitments
the tank is settling down now but still looks empty on the coral front as ive been stocking with small mariculture pieces ,
its going to be a long long time before these grow out a fill the space .
ive got a new equipment shed being built as i type ,for my chiller ,water change tanks, another sump and poss my skimmers.
but hope to give some more pic updates soon :)
:thanks: Andy
Looking forward to the next update - totally stunning tank.
Hi Andy,
What an incredible set up! :worship:
We need an update!!! :D
:thanks:
i concure
this is an excellent system, and its been a while, so are you going to be putting up any updates
showing some of the new gear and lighting aswell if poss
regards
rupert
hi guys,
sorry its been a while:o
no pics yet but theres been a few changes,
a couple of weeks ago i had to strip the tank to remove my 4 spawning flame angel's which had suddenly taken to eating my sps:mad: ,so i had to remove all the rock, transfered all rock and fish into vats,
while i was catching the flames decided to reduce my fish numbers as well as having a change around,so out came
4 flame angels
8 yellow tangs
1 purple tang
1 regal tang
1 powder blue
1 cleaner wrasse
and a couple i cant remember:confused: (now all re housed in a mates tank:) )
i been stuggling with my nitrates recently and they had crept up to 100ppm , got them down to 25ppm,so reducing the fish load for a while should help,
i also carried out a 1000 ltr water change at the same time,
big thanks to my mate mad garry and thanks to robert(roblee) for the help,all done in 8 hours:D ,
the tanks been rescaped is is just settling down,
ive fitted a massive zeovit reactor a month ago that can hold up to 20 ltrs if needed, also now added a h & s 300 x 3 skimmer( i think),to go with my 2 x ati bubble master 250's.which have all been moved out to a new filter room (shed)
im only running 4 of the 6 ,400w halides at the moment the other 2 should go on soon.
the tank still looks a mess ,ive to much going on at work at the moment to finish it off, il hope to take some pics soon.
:thanks: Andy
Love this tank, good luck with things Andy, I'm sure things will be fine in no time.
fair one andy.
rome wasnt built in a day,................teething probs thats all
all the best
rupert
Reef bloke
22-07-07, 01:54
Got chatting about skimmers with Andy via pm he very kindly invited me down to ogle this beast.At last a chance to view this small land locked sea in the flesh! I got on the blower at the last minute to Maidstone Mary,he screamed like a girl,canceled his cross stitch class and was scratching at my front door like a hungry cat before i could hang up.
20 Min's later we arrived at Andy's,i had big expectations of this tank and i wasn't to be disappointed.This thing is huuuuggggeeee!,800 or so gallons of reefy heaven.Andy had already warned me via pm that he had recently had problems and the tank wasn't at its best.Now this Andy bloke is a bit of a perfectionist, to my and Chris's eyes it was fine ,fine ,fine.Andy admitted that he is in no rush to stock with anymore sps at the moment as he has just got his water quality back on track and his colours are just starting to return.
The sps that are in the tank are what most of us would consider to be medium/large sized colonies,they looked a little lost in this huge system lol.
Once Andy starts to add more coral and he gets a decent amount of growth this is going to be one impressive system!
Andy is a very forward thinking reef keeper and is very much into the latest technology and techniques.If it grows out as well as his previous tank this really will be one of the finest home aquariums in the U.K.
Anyway ill let the pictures do the talking although i must admit they don't do it justice,i couldnt even squeeze it all into the shot at wide angle lol..The sun was flooding in through the blinds and really cocked the pictures up.That Vlamingi tang is easily 14" to give you some idea of tank size,a few bits of the plating live rock are as large as paving slabs and weigh over 20kg each lol
Thanks for the hospitality Andy and letting us view this monster.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/tank1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/tank6662.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/clown0000.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/nas0000o.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/tangy000.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/tangy200.jpg
disco_dave
22-07-07, 08:28
Absolutely stunning tank and great thread to read from start to finish, cheers ;)
Do you know what, just read this from start to finish and two things made me chuckle:
1. Seeing Danny posing as some kind of mermaid in your tank...
2. Realising that your system is quite significantly bigger than the one I am building - thats reassuring (mine is about 550 gallons) to know somebody else is as COMPLETELY BARMY as I am!
Marvellous. Looking fantastic too, really really like the aquascaping, love the Vlamingi tang!
Cheers
Rich
Awesome tank :worship:
Cracking pics too Tony :thumbsup:
Cracking pictures Tony, superb as ever Andy:)
Great tank and pictures! :thumbsup:
Dave
most excellent update!!!
I hope you two were well behaved there, no peeing in the corner or raiding the fridge, any chance you get for a return visit and i'm quitting my job if it clashes again!!!
excellent write up tony
and good to see andys tank, ive only met him the once, breif skimmer exchange:whistling:
but i had him down as a perfectionist from the start
lovely tank andy:thumbsup:
all the best
rupert
:thanks: for all the comments guys,
Big thanks to tony and Chris great to meet you both again,
Thanks for the pics too, been a bit to long since the last ones .hopfully next time the tank will be a bit more settled down.:)
im bit bit worried by the reflection in the first one my ears seem to be getting bigger and bigger.:D
I hope you two were well behaved there, no peeing in the corner or raiding the fridge, any chance you get for a return visit and i'm quitting my job if it clashes again!!!
your be happy to know scott that they were both very well behaved:p no chance of raiding the beer fridge as i had managed to empty it the night before :) had to stick to the coffee im afraid,
they told me you didnt want to see the tank ,so there be coming on there own again next time;)
im just trying to leave the tank alone at the mo,no more stock (fish or corals)until i get my nitrate down a bit more,it does looks a bit empty at the mo, but in a few months it should start looking a bit better.like my last tank i want to grow on large corals,so no rush,
:thanks: Andy.
while im at it, any chance a mod can correct the spelling of phoenix in the title of this thread , its been bugging me ever since ive started it:D
Reef bloke
22-07-07, 21:17
tis done Andy.
cheers Tony, my ocd is little more under control:D
dan-the-man
23-07-07, 11:41
Wow, awsome looking tank, love the aquascaping. :)
WOW speechless.............
its amazing
good job
Bloody hell, if i could have that in my house i would be a very very happy man, just seeing the stand made me go a little funny but seeing the size of your nem and some of those fishes made me go out and buy a couple of lotto tickets, all I can say is that it is something i can only aspire to, good luck and keep us posted!
Reef bloke
03-09-07, 01:13
I had the pleasure of re visiting Andys tank and things really are hotting up,the colours on the sps are starting to pop and the massive tank is slowly filling with corals.
Andy never seems happy with his rock layout though and its different every time i turn up lol.
Anywho here a few pics of his tank,coral and superb fish!,reflection was still a prob but the sun was lower so better pics this time.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/full tank33.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/acro2.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/acro.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/black trig.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/blasto.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/duncan22.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/moby.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/monto.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/naso44.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/tableacro.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/tangy2.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/yellow acro.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/tangy.jpg
Many thanks for inviting me around mate,Tony
love the photos you've got some amazing naso's
Lovely tank, that is coming along very nicely indeed - Andy you must be pleased. High quality pictures too :)
Tone, you and Scoob should start your own "sticky thread", like a newspaper - UR AT YOUR HOUSE.... Every quarter do a visit, not like tank of the month, just a visit to a nice tank, it could get published on UR and in the magazines (Ultramarine, Marine World or PFK). I'm sure one of these publications would be able to pay for your work.
With your superb pictures and his funny woffle, it could be a winning combination ;)
Reef bloke
03-09-07, 13:10
Might have to speak to Scoob,with my dodgy pictures and his gibberish we might be able to cobble something together.
Andy looking superb, cracking pictures as ever Tone:)
:thanks: for the pics tony great as usual:worship:
im still not happy with the rock,but thats more because the tank looks empty,
it is only after all somewhere to place your corals;) :)
i can see how its going to turn out,but its just going to take a bloody long time getting there, im a great believer in using mainly the the corals to create the reef stucture not just the live rock , its just the mounting base for them.
looking damn nice that Andy, those blastos are multiplying at a fair old rate!
speed things are growing, your coral scaping will be set in no time.
Great pix, superb tank, green with envy.
With your superb pictures and his funny woffle, it could be a winning combination ;)
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Update come on, stop messing about, loads has changed.
Do you look back on this thread with happy memories? All those pics and no grey hairs like you have now;)
Yes update please, your old system was without a doubt the nicest reeftank around at the time, and I'm really looking forward to seeing this one develop. :worship:
Do you look back on this thread with happy memories? All those pics and no grey hairs like you have now;)
i remember those times and look back with fondness,
no grey hairs, only knew scoob ,reef bloke, maidstone,
the happy times before, early 2007
or as i like to call it L B J
Life before Jobby:D
if reefbloke gets his finger out we may see some pics today:D
MaidstoneMarine
31-01-08, 08:57
will somebody please pull whatever it is that needs to pulled out and POST SOME PICTURES!!
we need these piccies!
looking forward to seeing the update,
what a tank!!!!
superb mate
i remember those times and look back with fondness,
no grey hairs, only knew scoob ,reef bloke, maidstone,
the happy times before, early 2007
or as i like to call it L B J
Life before Jobby:D
if reefbloke gets his finger out we may see some pics today:D
pre 2007 must have been a empty period in your life:p
lol L B J
Matt he would be lost without me.
Get some pics up! how are the corals doing?
Matt he would be lost without me.
yep
lost and happy:D
Reef bloke
31-01-08, 12:54
pics will be on a bit later;)
Reef bloke
31-01-08, 12:56
One to be getting on with
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/Big tang.jpg
and another
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/bigblue.jpg
MaidstoneMarine
31-01-08, 13:03
One to be getting on with
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/Big tang.jpg
Absolutely gorgeous fish. Restricted to the bigger tanks but absolutely stunning.
post more... lots more :D
yep
lost and happy:D
Brave for someone who won't be able to run away for 2 weeks:whistling:
Jake the peg :)
Nice pics Tone, did you manage to get one with all the big boys together?
part timer:D
:thanks:
fish only though please:whistling:
Reef bloke
31-01-08, 13:49
o.k a few more
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/full tank9990.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/full tank2.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/left888.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/right0000.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/monti0000.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/bottle brush.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/efflo.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/acro000.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/efflo close.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/anthias888.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/tangy5555.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/urchin99999.jpg
dan-the-man
31-01-08, 13:56
That looks great fella, particularly love the cardinals, they are awsome.
Now I think it needs another 12 months growth and about 6 yellow tangs :D :laugh:
MaidstoneMarine
31-01-08, 13:56
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/tangy5555.jpg
Is that a pair?
No Chris, there are four fishies in the picture:whistling:
Reef bloke
31-01-08, 13:59
This is a pair of pears,nice ones too lol
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Pears.jpg/393px-Pears.jpg
MaidstoneMarine
31-01-08, 14:01
lol
I give up! wee-man... I'll see you later :D
Absolutely Stunning!!!
How big is the Vlamingi Tang? and when did it start to show adult colours I acquired one from Mark at Acropora at the weekend :D
:thanks: guys
a big:worship: to tony again for the pics,
keep um coming if your bored:D
ooooooo i love a nice pair:D
Chris the smaller blochi was ordered by me,i the bigger one was meant to dussi(which its not) but is another blochi,
hopefully they will pair up, theres no aggression at all between the two of them and they get on well together so thats the plan, the smaller one is prob the quickest growing tang Ive had(that includes the vlamingi,)but is holding back its colours at the mo,wont be long at this rate till its as big as the other one
How big is the Vlamingi Tang? and when did it start to show adult colours
hes about 14 inch at the mo but still growing fast, colours have always been very good but adult colours first started at about 8 inch but have only recently got really strong, colour should get better too as hes turned out to be a male, at this rate he could top 18 inch plus by this time next year, but you never know
hes about 14 inch at the mo but still growing fast, colours have always been very good but adult colours first started at about 8 inch but have only recently got really strong, colour should get better too as hes turned out to be a male, at this rate he could top 18 inch plus by this time next year, but you never know
Thanks Andy
How do you know of they are male/female?
the nose becomes very very pronounced and they normally have more colour
not the gentle giant everyone thinks either, mine can be an aggressive bugger too when foods about
I can't belive I've missed this thread, just read the lot:) . The tank is absolutly amazing, a credit to you:worship: .
Jim
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/20.11.06 010.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/20.11.06 037.jpg
OMG this is amazing
Is that a pair of flame angels I see???
Reef bloke
31-01-08, 17:17
more fishy pics
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/blochi2.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/blochi88.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/blochi 999999.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/bluecheek66.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/bluecheek7777.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/subdued colour blochi.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/naso0000.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/spotty.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/tangspotty.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/poccilipora000.jpg
Is that a pair of flame angels I see???
did have 4 (all regularly spawning)but gave them to mate a while ago now,
same goes for all the yellow tangs
MaidstoneMarine
31-01-08, 17:51
They look stunning. Hope they do pair up. I'd love to pop by one day and have a close up inspection of them (and the rest of the tank :D) if I may. Looks superb so far. Got any more pics tony?
The freckled face is my favourite fish in that tank, superb.
Just read through the lot :cool:
Stunning Tank, up there with the best :D Keep those Pics Comming :D
Jake
Whilst these pictures are all very nice what about a proper update once you get in from playing Hong Kong Phooey tonight?
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/imagesHKP.jpg
They look stunning. Hope they do pair up. I'd love to pop by one day and have a close up inspection of them (and the rest of the tank :D) if I may. Looks superb so far. Got any more pics tony?
__________________
:thanks: your welcome anytime chris
i will up date soon, been a few changes but not much rearly
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/tangy5555.jpg
Tanks looking great Andy. :cool:
What kind of tangs/surgeons are these?
I saw loads of the ones on the right in Indonesia last year,they were massive and used to like chilling out under the boat,maybe to hide from the sharks! :D
__________________
:thanks: Ross
Tanks looking great Andy. :cool:
What kind of tangs/surgeons are these?
il have to say it quietly as i can hear the tang police on there way,:whistling:
Ive got,
1 x Naso Vlamingi - approx 14"
1 x Naso Elegans - @ 10 - 12 "(blonde naso)
2 x Acanthurus Blochi - 1 @ 12" and 1 @ 7+" (ring tail surgeon)
1 x Acanthurus Maculiceps- @6 - 7"(freckle faced tang)
3 x Acanthurus triostegus- @ 2 - 3 "(convict tang)
1 x Acanthurus thompsoni -@ 2 - 3"(Thompson's tang)
Cool!
which ones are the two next to the freckled face? on the photo i just posted?
they get upto 45cm long :eek: :D
they get upto 45cm long :eek: :D
Yep I've swam with some that big. :cool:
Gorgeous fish.
i will up date soon, been a few changes but not much rearly
:asleep::asleep::asleep:
You will be sat about for 2 weeks doing nothing soon enough, no excuses Mr Phooey;)
You will be sat about for 2 weeks doing nothing soon enough no excuses
you sit about all the time and you still seem to find enough:D
I've just read through the thread Andy, excellent progress so far, have you got any updates?
I cant imagine a tank twice as deep as my tank is wide. :D
Jeff.
Still no update.
Come on wake up and get on with it.
Show the little boys and girls your new skimmer. You have had it home a long time now, at least 4 hours.
I also hear the sps are now be pushed aside for softies???????
that explains the text i got earlier asking for rhodactis
that explains the text i got earlier asking for rhodactis
Apparently he loves a softie now ;)
Apparently he loves a softie now ;)
Unlike you jon who only goes for 'hard ones' :laugh:
Reef bloke
07-03-08, 17:55
Sounds like someone needs a blue pill.
Bout time some pictures were posted methinks.........
Bout time some pictures were posted methinks.........
I hope you mean of andy's tank and not jon's softie :eek:
Mathew, it is Jonesy who has become a softie lover.
Come on Jonesy get the pics up of the new skimmer or are you ill, did you catch something going that far north to collect it????
:thanks: guys not much to up date at the mo apart from the new skimmer :worship:and loads of cyno:(,
stopped the FM ultralith and moved over to full zeo now, starting to see some improvements already :D
o and for he first time in over ten years ive bought a softy
WOW
i take my hat of to you, that is one AWSOME tank:applause:
keep the pics coming:thumbsup:
BASH
Some fella living close to you Andy, made us aware of your tank. ;-)
All the compliments - this is one HECK of an achievement!
AWESOME tank - and the life-stock is gorgeous! Great fish you have there. Love the naso's!
Was lucky enough to see this tank with many others over the weekend so thought I'd have another read of the build thread - pictures don't do it justice, an amazing tank.
Just thinking of the coral sizes in a couple of years - incredible!
Time for some new pictures, Jonesy
yup - where are the photos? I want a close up of that glass shelf ;)
JOHN & CAM
15-05-08, 15:59
Pics please :applause:
Emperor Angel
11-06-08, 21:11
Hi Andy
Just read through the whole thread - And Jeez that is an awesome tank!!!
Do you do visits - Like Seaworld - I'll pay at the door :)
Congrats - And keep those pictures comming :)
Robbie
sorry for the delay:(
been quite a few changes over the last couple of months,not all good:(
i completely re scaped the tank and removed 2 of the halides,and eased off the zeovit etc while i had no interest,
i sold 95% of my lps off to
siphoned out all the sand to BB for a while so maintenance was easier,
and prob due to the major move around most of the tangs got spot too:(
now for the better news interest is slowly returning,
tank is still BB and will remain so while i baste the rock regularly (big tangs make a lot of mess;))
i put back 1 of the halides (so have 5) and once again have completely re scaped the tank again(one end of the tank still needs finishing but at the mo theres no light over this end so not important )
but this seems to of got the old juices going again:Dand i can honestly say i happy with the rock work and i think it looks better now than it ever has.
the spot seems to be going to:) so hopefully all on the mend
few fish have been moved on to so the tangs have more room,
the Indian trigger, anthius have gone and the blue throat trigger may go too,
i did add another tang a while back that i haven't mentioned on hear yet
too a Acanthurus Leucocheilus:dance:
another big brown tang as i keep being told, but IMO its absolutely stunning,
IL add the full fish /tang list shortly as I'm sure theres more in there i haven't added in this thread yet,
Andy :)
full credit to you andy..very proffessional...enjoy my friend...
blood nora!!!!!that is one big tank were gonna need a bigger boat
you and your big brown fish to infinity and beyond!
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