Stage 1: Construction of StandWhilst the foundations for our extension were being poured we had additional foundations put in to cope with the weight of the tank. We knew putting in a tank this size would be very difficult in an existing building so when we decided to have an extension put on to the back of our house it seemed the perfect opportunity to fulfill my dream of having a marine tank built into the wall. The stand was then constructed of concrete blocks (as breeze blocks may not have held the weight) with a solid concrete table top. The table top was poured in situ. Holes were left at either end in the block pillars to allow pipes for the overflows and returns to be passed through. 
Once the sump tank had been put in under the table, the wall was plastered so that only the face of the main tank would be visible. 
Stage 2: Positioning Tank
It took 5 people to get the tank into position. A frame was then built around the tank to hide the edges. This was done to make this look like a picture frame. Stage 3: Equipment setup Main Tank 96" x 30" x 24" (WxHxD) fitted with two wier boxes one to take water down to sump and the other to house the circulation pumps Sump Tank 2 x Arcadia Series 3 Dual 250W with 2 Blue Actnic T5s 2 Circulations pumps Deltec Protein Skimmer AP851 Deltec Calcium Reactor Deltec Rowaphos Reactor Sock Filter BioBalls 2 Oceanrunner 6500lph Return pumps Aquatronica control unit (PH, Redox, Water Level and Temperature probes) Top up pump Water change tank 176Kg of Live Rock Live Sand Egg Crates
This is the layout of our sump tank  | 2 x Arcadia Series 3 (2 x 250W Metal Halides with 2 x Blue Actnic T5s) We also have 3 moonlights that run on timer through the night. |
Circulation Pumps 2 x Eheim pumps one fitted with spray bar underneath eggcrates to give circulation under the live rock the second to an outlet just above the live rock. |  |
 | Deltec AP851 Skimmer |
Stage 4: Sand and Live Rock
176Kg of Fiji Live Rock Live Sand
Stocking The TankOnce the ammonia level had fallen to zero and the nitrite level had also begun to fall we felt it was time to begin stocking our tank with some of the hardier inhabitants. You can find details of what was stocked and when on the fish and inverts pages. We acclimated the new inhabitants to the tank by suspending their bags in the tank/sump water and then adding water to their bags a little at a time - in the case of the more fragile creatures, this was done via a syphon through a drip valve over a period of about 90 minutes. When the bags got too full, some water was syphoned out and discarded.  |  |  | | Drip Acclimating | Suspension In Sump | Suspension In Main Tank |
Once the creatures were ready to be placed into the tank they were transferred from their bag into the main tank - ensuring as little water went into the tank from the bag as possible. They were then closely monitored for a couple of hours for any signs of distress. | 
