Briney Dave said :

I am getting very nervous because, I know that something will go off plan but with help I am sure that we will over come

All the best laid plans still seem to have a snag or two along the way. I'm sure it will all come together, so try to get some sleep tonight with out over thinking the whole thing.  

I'm not sure if I will be able to make it tomorrow. I've been sick pretty much all day today. Gonna wait an see how I feel in the morning and go from there.

I'll be there late morning sometime.  My hubby and one of my boys are coming along so they can go to the Railroad Museum.  Do you need me to bring anything?

Nope, I can't think of anything to bring, 

Andy, sorry to hear about the cold.  My son and I have mild ones (at least for now LOL)

if you feel better stop on by

     So it was a busy day. Fish Tales and I got there about 9:45 this morning. and jumped in to help with moving the old tank out of the way.

     Then a harry time moving the new BEAST of a tank and stand into position.

Dave and I started the "dry fit" of the return lines. Then onto the closed loop. Once everything was dry fit we started cleaning and gluing everything together.

I think once we positioned the sump in place and called it a day it was about 6 PM.

Thanks Dave for letting us help with this very impressive build. Fish Tales took many photo's of the plumbing I will be sure to post a link to a photo album @ photo bucket in the up coming week.

I stopped by for a couple hours.  That is an awesome awesome tank!  I can't wait to see it when it is all set up and matured. 

Rob is far to modest,  He took my cave drawings and did the lion's share of cutting and fitting of all the plumbing. It is a professional grade job.  No wasted turns or slopply looking work.  I have just a small amount of pipe work to do then a leak test.

Once done then the fun stuff of aquascaping.  I  have a vision of what I want the final rock work to look like.  I am not sure if that will speed or slow that process down.

What I would like the finished rock to look like is three seperate mounds each with twin peaks but each mounts peaks are off set from the others

I also want one of each of the two mound peak to be somewhat taller than the other

My wife's much better sense of space will be a big help as I need to create a few small planes for the bird's nest types. Once anchored, they can be trained to grow out into space

what is hard to see the developed growth of even corals we don't have yet but I beleive I can account for those too.  I have spend a ton of time studying other tanks to see what I want and don't want with the final look. 

I the mounts will feature repeating species, colors. and growth patterns to have a somewhat more natural growth appearance (although no real reef looks anything at all like our mini versions.  

well its off to work.  I will be sure to photo document the rest of the project.  Kimerbly took tons of pics to post on TRAC and as reference for her build.  I think her pics will end up on a cd and I will add my pics to one as well.  Anyone interested can borrow the cds to either examine or copy when planning their own build.  Not that I would ever consider myself a master builder but there is at least as much to say thats not how I want my system to work or look like as there is good practics to emulate 

OK, here's my version.  I didn't really take a "ton of pics", just about 150 and some short video clips of the actual move.  I'm happy to report that I have successfully burned them to CD which I will take to RJ tonight.  He's good at that Photo Bucket thing.  Dave, I'll burn one for you and Susan too.  If anyone else wants one, just send me your request.  It's not hard to do and I think it will be an excellent reference tool.  Since I've never plumbed a tank, there are a lot of step by step shots. 

I agree with Dave, RJ is far to modest.  You should have seen him go to work... jumped right in... he's a plumbing machine.  Just stay out of the way.  Well... not something I was very successful at.  At one point in the day, a friend of mine (we were talking on the phone) told me I was just like a 10 year old "What's this?", "Why are you doing that?", "How does this work?"  Dave and RJ officially receive the patience award.

Only 4 trips to Ace Hardware.  Thanks Dave for an awesome pizza lunch at the local establishment.  It was great to see Susan, Glen and their son.  He even helped and I have a picture to prove it!  Nice to meet Dave's wife, Deb.  She brought 2 L and ice... even made one of the trips to the hardware store.  The guys did the lionshare of the work, but it was a team effort. 

It was difficult leaving the scene without seeing water in the tank.  The build continues...

Kimber, I'd really appreciate a CD!  Would you give it to RJ to give his wife?  Then she can give it to Glenn at work!  Thanks!

I have the goods, and I'm uploading to Photo-Bucket while I type. I'll have a link to a photo album soon.     Although they are in no particular order.

Click-able link to album. Once again in no particular order. Enjoy

Well done everyone! That tank is going to be spectacular.

Still bummed I wasn't able to make it out, but glad to see you were able to make some good headway!

my cold got the best of me and so I took yesterday off.  Went and saw my dad for his birthday over in Angola. 

But I am back at it today.  I have about four or five more joints to glue up and I will be ready for a leak test .  Then drain the freshwater out and start adding the real water and rock and live stock. 

Its going to be a long day but should be fun

Sounds good Dave! Good luck.

I noticed that you put insulation styro under the tank, as many people do. I fully planned on doing the same until I did some research and found mixed reviews. Some manufacturers, mine included, even go as far as saying they won't warantee any issues if you place something between the stand and tank.

What are you thoughts in regards to that? It seems like a pretty divided pool among aquarists. Obviously we know what side you're on, but I'm curious as to your reasoning. I'm still undecided...

miracles strongly suggested it, as did most builders of large tanks that I spoke with.  I used 3/4 pressure treated plywood as the decking and its very irregular until its fully dried out (years from now)

Sitting on the bare wood I noticed that one corner was not even touching the deck by a 1/4" amount.  I replaced that panel but still consumed by fears of the tank not settling on the stand propperly I went ahead with the foam

smaller tanks may not need this I am not sure they could be harmed by the use of foam but it just may not be needed

I had a ton of errands to run so I am actually still working on the plumbing yet but almost there.  I spilled water leak testing the connection between the sump and main return pump so I am taking a short break to let it all dry before crawling back under to finish the down spouts of the drain lines to the sump

Wish I could have made it out there to help but I had a nasty stomach bug, today is the first day I have felt good since Thursday. Looks like it was really coming together there. When you get it all together Dave maybe you can host an informal meeting or something to show it off. I would definitely want to come check it out and I am sure there are others that would as well.

I wish you could have made it too,  it was a hoot to make build with Rob's expert help.  Lots of learning and mutual idea swapping.

Had to take my son to 4-h shooting so I waited to make the livestock move until tomorrow.  The tank is all plumbed expect for the calcium and kalk reactors and the ozone generator.  Oh and the auto top off.  I will put the old light hood back up with new bulbs and a good cleaning of the reflectors after all the live rock and stock have made it back in.  I am sure I am forgetting something 

The skimmer takes nearly six gallons to fill and I forgot that the air intake is also a port to the recirculation pump which is below the drain and thus spilled water all over the floor when I was pre-filling the skimmer.  

Although its not the best plan, I have to wait until its all filled and running to go back and paint the walls where the old tank was covering the wall so it all matches. 

If there is any interest I will gladly open the doors to a finished (well there in not really a finished tank) but you know what I mean finished tank.  I will gladly leave the cover off the sump area so all of Rob's handy work can be seen and you (all) can see some pretty neat ideas.  I am thinking sometime in late September on a Saturday

Thanks for the pictures Kimber!  And thanks RJ for helping get them to me!