Off with the old on with the new

I've decided to upgrade from my 75 Acrylic to a 150 Glass. I'm sooo disappointed in how easily the acrylic scratches (Clear for Life tank). I've encountered scratches:

• From my finger nail (on outside of tank) when cleaning with the Magnetic Cleaner
• Using the Kent Marine Pro Scraper
• From the Magnetic Cleaner
• From the Algae Scrubber

And yes they were for acrylic tanks.

Back to the replacement. I ordered from FosterAndSmithAquatics.com their Marineland Monterey Deep Dimension Super Systems 150 Gallon Standard. It comes with:Starphire Glass Aquarium with Corner-Flo Filtration, 36" x 36" Glass Canopy, Monterey Stand, Monterey Canopy, 36" Double Strip Light, 2-250 watt Stealth Heaters, Stick-on Digital Thermometer, Maxi-Jet 5500 Pump, Model 2 Acrylic Sump Filtration System, Plumbing Accessory Kit, and Instructional DVD. Some of this won't be used, but it came as a package.

It was to have shipped today, but it didn't make it to the dock in time for the pick up, so they tell me it will ship on Monday - not sure how long it will take to arrive. Interesting that Foster & Smith charged my credit card the day after I ordered it, and told me that it had shipped (Friday). I followed up the next Monday and they had no shipping information. They said it would take 48 hours to get the tracking information after the shipment. Followed up again on Tuesday - same story. Followed up with Marineland on Wednesday and they tracked down the order and told me that it had not shipped, and would not be ready until Friday (today). Followed up again today with Marineland and received the news about not making to the shipping dock on time. But it is sitting there now for a Monday pickup. By the way the system is made by Perfecto. The customer service people at Marineland were acting as a go between for me.

I have yet to hear from either of my follow up phone calls with Foster & Smith. Guess once they get your money, they forget you.

I plan on moving to a T5 lighting system as the amount of space for the Electronic Ballasts for the MH retro is beyond what I have available. I have already started ordering parts for a custom refugium and a new ATO storage tank. I also plan on moving to the BRS 2 Part Dosing System. Received the Marineland Marine Pro 300 skimmer yesterday - What a clean compact arrangement it is.

My first tank for the fuge came from PETCO.com and was broken - I took a pic and emailed them, they have yet to respond. Would have liked to picked up the item at my local store, but it was only available on line.

I have ordered and received an additional 60lbs of BRS Fiji Dry Aquarium Eco rock from Bulk Reef Supply - Very good stuff. I'll be rinsing and starting to age it tomorrow.

I have an idea of how I'm going to split the return from the single pump through the chiller, but don't have all the parts yet. The chiller is only 5/8" which would be too restrictive of the flow for the new tank.

I don't know if my single MP40 will be enough for the new tank either. Guess I'll have to wait and see on that.

Ordered and received an additional Direct Connect 8 Module for my AquaController Jr.

Don't have any pics yet - unless you count the one of the broken acrylic from PETCO.

Below is a layout in the stand:

 

Congrats on the new tank, hope all goes well with shipping. A little bit of news starfire glass scratches much easier than regular glass but it almost colorless so your colors will show the same as your acrylic tank sans scratches.

 

CONGRATS !! that tank is awsome cant wait to see this running

 

PETCO responds

PETCO responded to my email about the damaged tank. Interesting that they responded on a Saturday morning. Offered to ship me a new one or refund my money.

 

Another little know fact

WOW - This is a bit of news I was not aware of. The scratches on my acrylic were very pronounced and very visible. I knew you could scratch glass (but it took a lot of work to do it). Should I be using the same cleaning tools that I am using on my acrylic?

Thanks for the info Rose!

 

Cleaning tools...you should be fine to use the same for glass. They just won't damage the surface you're cleaning!.

 

Ordered lights today

Ordered my lights today:

• 2 ea. IceCap PRE WIRED 36" 4 Lamp Complete T5 Retrofit Kit. Bulbs are IceCap - Midwater 12k, Deepwater 14k, Actinic, and Twilight.

• Ecoxotic Panorama 12W 8000K/453nm Blue LED Module w/ Transformer.

Also ordered the plumbing for the fuge and the additional sand (another 45lbs) plus more Seachem Reef Salt for the big fill.

I rinsed and cleaned the additional 60lbs of Fiji dry rock today and put it in the bins to cure - dry rock or not, there are things that need to break down. I plan on adding from my water changes to help it along.

Also ordered my ATO refill tank today. And picked up 3 additional 37Gallon Rubbermaid and four 5 Gallon buckets.

Guess all I can do for now is sit back and wait for deliveries.

Is it here yet????

 

Thanks for the info Seano

 

Foster & Smith responds

I am happy to report that Foster & Smith came through with their tracking information. On the up side of the delivery is the fact that the final delivery to my home is made through Beltman Home Express. They will unpack and install everything, and take the packing material away. By install, I mean they will place items in their place. Since I won't be putting anything in the Living Room until it is leak tested, they will be setting it up in the garage. Very nice touch - especially if you don't have anyone to help you at the time of delivery. Also provides the opportunity to review all items in the shipment with someone on hand who can contact the mfg if there is a problem.

 

How exciting!! Can't wait to see pics of it when it gets there.