Pgr11 & Shiftygirl's TRFS/ AA 265 UPGRADE

pgr11

Member
Supporter
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
11,011
Likes
92
Points
48
Location
Hesperia
#1
Well the journey has started as my wife and I have begun our upgrade. We initially started with a 45 gal tank we bought off cl got it home and before it even got wet we decided it was just too small, so off to look for another. We extremes on a 55 gal with a nice stand & canopy, got some live rock and began the cycle. After a few weeks the cycle was complete and we started to think about getting some livestock but my wife gave me a little hint that she could consider going even bigger. Well I posted the question here and the overall consensus was do it. So off again to find a bigger tank. I found a 125 with a stand and snatched it up. Transfered it all over from the 55 and waited. The cycle didn't take long and we were ready to go. This all started back in june of last year. The tank has come a long way in that time and we have loved having it but it has now become too small. My wife loves the tank so persuading her to go as big as possible was not an issue. So out came the tape measure to see how big we could fit. She told me if were gonna do it were going BIG. The wall we have for our tank was a little over 100" long but it we went the max it would crowd the walking spa e from the hallway and coming from the kitchen so 84" was decided. Next came the height. Our current tank is 24"t and since my wife is in the tank all the time she said no taller, not a problem. Now depth. I love a deep tank and after more measurements 30" was what we wanted. So our tank was going to be 84x30dx24t. Now who to build it. We have had a awesome relationship with jason at Tropical Reef Fish Store since he opened and he has been a world of help so naturally I talked to him about it. Acrylic was the way to go and John at Advanced Acrylic was the man to build it. So jason called him up and worked out a amazing deal with him for the tank. I can't say this enough without jason this would have been a little tougher journey. After multiple discussions on overflow size overall tank design drain setup return set up we went with a 48" external overflow with 3 drain holes and 4 return holes. John also designed a matching sump/fuge with 2 sock holders,skimmer section, and return. The tank would be 3/4 all the way around and 1/2 top. 3/4 allowed us to have 2 very large openings on top to allow large rocks to be added and plenty of space for my wife to get in the tank. John also would hand polish the tank along with the front corners. Needless to say we were super excited. That was three weeks ago. Tonight we went to pick up the tank. John was going to deliver it to trfs but was still polishing it all up so we decided to go to him and pick it up at his shop. What we saw blew us away. The tank is gorgeous, stunning, exceeds my expectations. Johns work is top notch this cannot be stressed enough. I've heard all the stories about him but forget all that noise john builds some gangster tanks. So without further ado here are the pics. Sorry for the cell phone pics tomorrow I will try for better pics and bigger ones as well.



My catfish







And of course my 2 dog face puffers and my angel fish


More to come tomorrow.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Joined
Jun 1, 2011
Messages
2,426
Likes
17
Points
38
Location
Bellflower, Ca
#2
Very nice tank! Maybe this year i'll have a tank upgrade coming up along with my new job but for sure it won't be as big and pretty like yours hehe. Looking forward to see the tank build.
 

Molli

New member
Joined
Oct 8, 2011
Messages
398
Likes
16
Points
0
Location
Crestline
#3
Yay congrats on getting the tank of your dreams! Nice family pic, shoulda put the camera on timer though and got in there too :)
 

RexBrown

Premium Member
Supporter
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
287
Likes
7
Points
0
Location
Redlands
#5
Congratulations on the new tank!!!! That's going to be a lot of fun getting set up. I hope to see a lot of pictures of it!

It's also great that you are able to share the hobby with your wife. This hobby seems to be dominated by guys. That is something I'm going to look out for in the next girlfriend.

It looks like John did an outstanding job on the tank. I know it's nowhere near as exciting as your tank, but coincidentally 5 minutes ago I sent a paypal payment to John for a frag tank. I've heard nothing but good things about him.
 
Joined
Dec 12, 2011
Messages
6,692
Likes
25
Points
48
Location
Long Beach
#10
That is an awesome tank! Congrats on getting this going.

Now you gotta share what kind of voodoo you're using on the wife...I need to use some on mine!
 
Joined
May 10, 2011
Messages
13,586
Likes
104
Points
48
Location
Eastvale, Ca (Corona)
#11
That is sweet! John does awesome work! ..and he's a really nice guy...that is a HUGE tank. What are ur plans for equipment? Skimmer,pump,lights, etc etc. good luck and congrats!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Jan 23, 2010
Messages
2,503
Likes
81
Points
48
Location
rancho cucamonga
#12
sweet...
don't forget the part where you and my dumb a$$ had to carry that thing in last night @ 10.30 all by our self!!!!!
i thing i dropped a nut at yr front door lol....
now we wait for the stand and then it is go time.
 

pgr11

Member
Supporter
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
11,011
Likes
92
Points
48
Location
Hesperia
#14
Ok now for some more. Since we were getting a lg tank and didn't want to worry about too much heat being put in the tank from MH lights we went with led's. 4 AI units were ordered to light this bad boy. Depending on the coverage once the tank is up we will decide if a couple more are required and let the pocket book recover a little as well.




The stand is currently being built by a forum member travisw30. This stand should be sweet. Travis is having it powder coated and is also building a custom light rack that will pivot to allow the lights to be moved for Maint of the tank. Stand will be made from 2x2x120 steel. I will let him explain more on this later. As stated before sump was an AA sump that john set up for this tank. Skim duties will belong to the new cadlight skimmer model tia-1350. The duty of returning water from the sump will be performed by a reeflo dart gold pump. This will also power the brs dual reactor and anything else that comes along. A new apex controller with 12 total outlets ph and temp probe will control it all. As far as fuge light im thinking about mounting a par 38 bulb from like costco or HD. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I also picked up some awesome shelf rock from kyle or bluerocket as well


Picked up this one from jason.

Once the stand is here I will start laying out the plumbing.
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
 

pgr11

Member
Supporter
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
11,011
Likes
92
Points
48
Location
Hesperia
#15
Congratulations on the new tank!!!! That's going to be a lot of fun getting set up. I hope to see a lot of pictures of it!

It's also great that you are able to share the hobby with your wife. This hobby seems to be dominated by guys. That is something I'm going to look out for in the next girlfriend.

It looks like John did an outstanding job on the tank. I know it's nowhere near as exciting as your tank, but coincidentally 5 minutes ago I sent a paypal payment to John for a frag tank. I've heard nothing but good things about him.
Thanks and congrats on the frag tank.
Very cool! It's nice that you include your cat and dogs in you guy's hobby.
You know. I think I heard you include your cat in the hobby as well

That is an awesome tank! Congrats on getting this going.

Now you gotta share what kind of voodoo you're using on the wife...I need to use some on mine!
Hit me up and Ill givr you the seceret. But you have to make a deal with the devil hahaha

Yay congrats on getting the tank of your dreams! Nice family pic, shoulda put the camera on timer though and got in there too :)
Thanks but you dont want to see my ugly mug

Very nice tank! Maybe this year i'll have a tank upgrade coming up along with my new job but for sure it won't be as big and pretty like yours hehe. Looking forward to see the tank build.
Thanks and congrats on the new job. Any upgrade is a good one

why is the cat's paw coral outside the tank?

i know lame joke lol
Not as bad as my catfish one

Very nice!

Great dimensions -- I'm jealous! Beautiful workmanship by A.
I really like the dims as well

Nice tank John is the man! he built mine last year and I'm very happy with it as well:) Congrats
Johns work as awesome this tank is so nice
 

pgr11

Member
Supporter
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
11,011
Likes
92
Points
48
Location
Hesperia
#17
That is sweet! John does awesome work! ..and he's a really nice guy...that is a HUGE tank. What are ur plans for equipment? Skimmer,pump,lights, etc etc. good luck and congrats!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Equipment Lisstttt!!
Ask and you shall recive boys

sweet...
don't forget the part where you and my dumb a$$ had to carry that thing in last night @ 10.30 all by our self!!!!!
i thing i dropped a nut at yr front door lol....
now we wait for the stand and then it is go time.
Ya thanks for the help man. This morning my neighbor says IDK what happened i was awake guess i just missed you. WTH. Your right now the wait for the stand
 
Joined
Sep 11, 2010
Messages
20,540
Likes
67
Points
0
Location
Gardena
#19
Top notch. Start gathering up the $$$ cause it goes quick on a tank that big.

"luckyyyyyyy!" you got me by 12", pause for chuckle.....84" is nice Tang swimming space!

Now I wish I would have gone side to side at 96" long. I hate you now!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

pgr11

Member
Supporter
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
11,011
Likes
92
Points
48
Location
Hesperia
#20
Top notch. Start gathering up the $$$ cause it goes quick on a tank that big.

"luckyyyyyyy!" you got me by 12", pause for chuckle.....84" is nice Tang swimming space!

Now I wish I would have gone side to side at 96" long. I hate you now!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
HAHAHA!!!! Don't hate though. Just watch me spend all my money. Its a good thing I have an awesome Tax lady. She gets me back a ton of the money uncle sam steals from me. I was thinking the same thing about the tang swim room. We almost went 96" but it was just a little big for the space its in.
 

Latest posts

Top