MuralReef 360 Classroom Tank

[halmus]

I would be worried about exposed PVC pipes being occupied by mega-worms. I suppose the eal would probably take care of any critters but I’m thinking of Steve Weast’s tank in Oregon:

http://oregonreef.com/sub_worm.htm

 

[MuralReef]

Funny you should mention that. I had one of those in a tank years ago. It was really cool and probably about the same size that was described. I could never catch it but it never ate corals that I noticed.

 

[MuralReef]

Shaquille O'Eel View attachment 11144 View attachment 11145 View attachment 11145

 

[Bdk1786]

Beautiful eel Mike!

Good to see the tank doing well too.

 

[MuralReef]

Beautiful eel Mike!

Good to see the tank doing well too.

Thanks!

Just as everything has started to come back and thrive again it looks like I will be replacing the tank at the beginning of summer break. It looks like either way I go it will be a glass tank which after having not one but two acrylic tanks fail in various ways, I am ready for the change.

 

[halmus]

Replacing a tank that size....you’re going to have to give a lot of kids detentions to stock up on forced labor!

Is the tank swap going to be a club meeting? Any thoughts on whether this will be a marathon effort to swap out the old for the new in one day? Or a prolonged effort so that you can optimize the layout, sump, reconfigure some things?

 

[Dr.DiSilicate]

Mike, this move is going to take some time. I agree that’s it’s going to need to be a full hands on deck multi person effort! You may want to organize teams of us with specific jobs. (Livestock, equipment, tank, plumbing) Maybe take 2 days and have livestock in stock tanks? I’ll help this time!

 

[MuralReef]

I have not done a tank swap with a mature tank this huge. Last time there was far less coral and fish. I really need a solid plan moving forward! This is assuming that I can even get a tank built in time! What is the average wait time on a new tank?

 

[SynDen]

I have a 150g rubbermaid you can use. Transfer most of it to that. Setup new tank, and then transfer back. I can help as needed

 

[zombie]

If you have an apex on that tank, you can sign me up to program it to use every last muscle in the apex. Might even be a good learning experience for some of the older kids interested in STEM to learn some basic programming skills.

 

[CRW Reef]

Mike let me know when you want to do the swap bro, I am def game for the cause!!! If we need to buy some 50gal rubbermaids to store water, mix water or whatever, I can help buy some as I always need rash cans for some reason .

We def can call a MASC gathering to make it happen. I def would pick JDA, Capp and Mikes brains on what the steps would/should be before hand but lets get it done!

If we need to reach out to Dave Marriot we can do that and pidaz to see if we can get a mega deal. Also maybe CORAL/Rob who could maybe pull strings with Marineland.

 

[MuralReef]

CORAL and Rob is already helping out. I am so grateful that he has been there for me. I am also grateful for all of your offers to help out. I will definitely be calling in the troops when the time comes! I am constantly impressed by the generosity! I am currently waiting on a quote from Planet Aquariums and I have been in touch with Custom Aquariums. Custom has offered a discount. This time around it will be glass so that will make things slightly more challenging due to the added weight.

 

[MuralReef]

Here is my list of things that I want to have established prior making the move:
-Get new sand
-Get/Build a welded steel platform that has removable grates to put behind the tank to make it easy to access more of the tank
-Build an aluminum frame for the lights and keep but clean up the panels for the hood and base
-Build an acrylic insert for sand and mangroves for the sump
-Build an acrylic insert for the sump to hold filter socks and other media like polyfilters
-Build a water mixing station preferable to be placed under the tank for rodi and freshly mixed salt water

 

[whyamisofly]

CORAL and Rob is already helping out. I am so grateful that he has been there for me. I am also grateful for all of your offers to help out. I will definitely be calling in the troops when the time comes! I am constantly impressed by the generosity! I am currently waiting on a quote from Planet Aquariums and I have been in touch with Custom Aquariums. Custom has offered a discount. This time around it will be glass so that will make things slightly more challenging due to the added weight.

Custom Aquariums was phenomenal when I used them in the past!

 

[MuralReef]

Custom Aquariums was phenomenal when I used them in the past!

Thanks for the info. It's always good to hear positive reviews.

 

[jda123]

If go and get a tank, it can be a fast process. Trucking is the slow part, IME. I have used Custom as well... nice company... I have no idea where they are located.

 

[whyamisofly]

If go and get a tank, it can be a fast process. Trucking is the slow part, IME. I have used Custom as well... nice company... I have no idea where they are located.

Wisconsin. I had them build me a tank when I lived there

 

[MuralReef]

So a few updates on this tank. All is well, the seam that began separating in January has not progressed since I filled it with Weldon. The replacement has been ordered and is due in now at about 5-6 weeks. That will have it being delivered about June 22nd at the latest. New tank dimensions will be 48"x72"x30" deep. I plan on repositioning the tank further out from the wall so that I can get behind it. It will be heavy so I will need all hands on deck once I get the old system out and give the custodian an opportunity to clean the area.

I was also asked recently about where I got my sump. While it was not ordered new I was able to find a source for them. Here is the link to what seems to be the identical product. That is a lot more than I paid, but I got it used.
https://www.globalindustrial.com/g/...bulk/smooth-wall-bulk-containers-fda-approved

 

[whyamisofly]

Who did you end up ordering through?

 

[MuralReef]

We decided upon Planet Aquariums because of the glass thickness and the 1" PVC bottom. I really liked the customer service over at Custom, but Planet has a proven product.