Higher Thinking Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 It's been a while since the last update and it's been a busy time. Dino's broke out in the frag tank (but not much in the connected display tank). Been fighting these. I made a mistake, spiked the Alk to 14, and all corals reacted badly. Lost a number of colonies. (Alk normally runs 10) I bought a new Display Tank, picked it up last night! Update on my suction cup thread. Bought two, borrowed four. Planned to bring six people, ended up bringing eight. Needed them ALL. Thank you @Kshack for sharing this beautiful tank. He and his wife are gracious hosts and helped every step of the way. Check out Ken's thread selling the rest of his equipment. Tank is 68" long, 36" front to back, and 24" Tall. ~250 gallons, Peninsula overflow location, which is what I need.[/url] Tank in original location Prepping for the tank move. Have to lift the tank, rotate 90 degrees to fit through the door. Carry down the outside stairs. All Covid Masked-up. Back the trailer downhill through the back yard. Tank was on lower level, daylight basement. Crate for transporting the tank, with sides removed. Plan was carry the tank out of the house, put on crate bottom, rebuild crate. Carry the crate to the trailer. The Crew! Getting tank out of the house was stressful lifting, HEAVY. Crated up. (Covid masks are not comfortable when grunting, groaning, and sweating.) Tank unloaded into my garage. Time to finalize measurements for stand design, and get that started. Good to see you got yourself a new tank! How much depth did you gain? 12"?Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obrien.david.j Posted August 29, 2020 Author Share Posted August 29, 2020 9 hours ago, Higher Thinking said: Good to see you got yourself a new tank! How much depth did you gain? 12"? New Tank is 68" long, 36" front to back, and 25" Tall (was 24", but took new measurement - found an inch). ~250 gallons. Old Tank is 48" long, 22" front to back, and 23.5" Tall. ~110 gallons So gain is ~1.5ft in length and ~1ft front to back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Higher Thinking Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 New Tank is 68" long, 36" front to back, and 25" Tall (was 24", but took new measurement - found an inch). ~250 gallons. Old Tank is 48" long, 22" front to back, and 23.5" Tall. ~110 gallons So gain is ~1.5ft in length and ~1ft front to back.Nice! I thought your tank area couldn't allow any additional length? Wasn't it between the fireplace or something? Either way, congrats!Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obrien.david.j Posted August 29, 2020 Author Share Posted August 29, 2020 3 minutes ago, Higher Thinking said: Nice! I thought your tank area couldn't allow any additional length? Wasn't it between the fireplace or something? Either way, congrats! What a memory! I'm rotating the tank 90 degrees. It's not the first choice, but better than removing the fireplace. I think the 36" end will still make it look nice in the room. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obrien.david.j Posted August 31, 2020 Author Share Posted August 31, 2020 It's an Infinity Tank! Step 1 complete - Acid Soak one day, scrub, drain, rinse, Refill Step 2 started - Bleach Soak in process Rock Archive Vault opened - let the Aquascaping Brainstorm begin... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obrien.david.j Posted September 1, 2020 Author Share Posted September 1, 2020 Last night I experimented making my own "Foundation" rock. (super flat on one side to sit on tank bottom. Key learning, using a cement slab like a giant sand paper work... But Slowly, and take a Lot of muscle. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obrien.david.j Posted September 1, 2020 Author Share Posted September 1, 2020 While I was working (from home) this morning, the Rock Fairy paid me a visit. Look what showed up outside to support the new tank build. They're much better than my rock archives. These are clearly going in the tank. Tonight they'll get a scrub, and then a bleach water soak. These have been outside. Little bit of Dirt and stuff - nothing Bleach can't handle. Thanks Steve! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obrien.david.j Posted September 2, 2020 Author Share Posted September 2, 2020 One 50 gallon barrel, two bottles of bleach, one power head, and a bunch of rock! The goal is to dissolve latent organics on the rock, especially a bit of dirt from being stored outside for multiple years. What's group think - one week, two weeks, three weeks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knuckledragger Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 3 hours ago, obrien.david.j said: One 50 gallon barrel, two bottles of bleach, one power head, and a bunch of rock! The goal is to dissolve latent organics on the rock, especially a bit of dirt from being stored outside for multiple years. What's group think - one week, two weeks, three weeks? I would do two or three weeks. I did one week in a ten-to-one bleach soak and wished after that I had done at least another week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obrien.david.j Posted September 2, 2020 Author Share Posted September 2, 2020 3 minutes ago, Knuckledragger said: I would do two or three weeks. I did one week in a ten-to-one bleach soak and wished after that I had done at least another week. You're bringing up a good point, two gallons of bleach in ~40 gallons of water - Not enough. I think I'll try and top off with fresh bleach, multiple times. thanks for the inputs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdxmonkeyboy Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 belt sander and 40 grit paper is your friend for flattening rock. Looking good though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Depending on the rock I soaked Pukani in vinegar for 2 days and it took a good amount off the rock..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obrien.david.j Posted September 3, 2020 Author Share Posted September 3, 2020 1 hour ago, pdxmonkeyboy said: belt sander and 40 grit paper is your friend for flattening rock. Looking good though! You're reading my mind. Let some other equipment do the work. 52 minutes ago, spectra said: Depending on the rock I soaked Pukani in vinegar for 2 days and it took a good amount off the rock..... Makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuncrestReef Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 1 hour ago, pdxmonkeyboy said: belt sander and 40 grit paper is your friend for flattening rock. Looking good though! That was my first thought. Or perhaps a grinder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuncrestReef Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 I've also heard a lot of people mention a muriatic acid bath for rock. Just curious what people's opinions are on this vs. bleach or vinegar? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Higher Thinking Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 I've also heard a lot of people mention a muriatic acid bath for rock. Just curious what people's opinions are on this vs. bleach or vinegar?I went muriatic acid. It's relatively cheap and works very quickly. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 If soft rock a hacksaw will go right through it.......... I have a grinder with a tile blade on it..........ran it around the rock and finished it off with a hacksaw.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 I did muriatic and bleach on my last batch but its been a few years. Looks like BRS confirmed its the best... See the chart at the end... FWIW https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/how-to-cure-live-rock-with-acid-for-a-saltwater-aquarium-reef-faqs/#:~:text=Based on our experiments%2C we,every 15 pounds of rock.&text=Step %235- Wait 15 minutes,dissolving more of the rock. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuncrestReef Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 31 minutes ago, TheClark said: I did muriatic and bleach on my last batch but its been a few years. Looks like BRS confirmed its the best... See the chart at the end... FWIW https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/how-to-cure-live-rock-with-acid-for-a-saltwater-aquarium-reef-faqs/#:~:text=Based on our experiments%2C we,every 15 pounds of rock.&text=Step %235- Wait 15 minutes,dissolving more of the rock. That chart definitely explains why I had such high phosphates the first several months after I started my tank since I did not use any bleach or acid. I managed to reduce phosphates over time with GFO and eventually with just basic skimming and water changes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdxmonkeyboy Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 I just use acid.. because it is kind of dangerous, and therefore fun. Bleach is never fun. Melting things with acid... yeah baby! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuncrestReef Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 1 hour ago, pdxmonkeyboy said: I just use acid.. because it is kind of dangerous, and therefore fun. Bleach is never fun. Melting things with acid... yeah baby! This is your brain. This is your brain on acid...🤣 (maybe just substitute the word "brain" with "Brian" and it makes more sense) EDIT: Sorry @obrien.david.j for hijacking your thread with random sophomorish humor... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilmca Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 i've also done the muriatic acid bath and was really happy how the rock turned out. rock seemed to get more porous after the bath. be careful! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdxmonkeyboy Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 Don't be careful. And remember, always add water to acid not the other way around. Or maybe it is add acid to water? Bottom line, if you didn't pay attention in school then you deserve a little flesh burning. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obrien.david.j Posted September 3, 2020 Author Share Posted September 3, 2020 (edited) 8 minutes ago, pdxmonkeyboy said: Don't be careful. And remember, always add water to acid not the other way around. Or maybe it is add acid to water? Bottom line, if you didn't pay attention in school then you deserve a little flesh burning. NO NO NO - And remember, always add water to acid ALWAYS pour the acid INTO the water. (Add Acid TO water) [Edit} - I love Sarcasm, but not on this topic. Edited September 3, 2020 by obrien.david.j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obrien.david.j Posted September 9, 2020 Author Share Posted September 9, 2020 The Overflow has been tested. Directed dual overflows into 5 gallon bucket with big Eheim pump in it to see the water flow in action. Ken had this nice black plexi plate in the overflow box to increase the water level. Great design, it's needed. Looks like water surface will be ~7/8" from bottom of eurobrace on the sides, and ~5/8" from bottom of eurobrace on the short viewing end. (Double braced there) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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