Bubblehead's 135gal Upgrade Adventure

[Bubblehead]

After about a year of reading and lurking, I got my first tank as a complete setup from a friend. It was a standard 55gal and was perfect to get my feet wet in the hobby. I joined as a Premium Member around March and the fun began. I caught the fever immediately, but my wife who was reluctant at first caught a bit of it too.

Along the way, I've met a number of the people on this board and bought and sold a bunch of frags and equipment.

In October, I jumped on a killer deal and started the upgrade to a 135gal with 40gal sump. I figured I was way overdue to post some pics of tank. Since I'm thinking about and doing this at work, I only have 1 pic to post for now, but more to come...

[Bubblehead]

Here's a pic of the display tank with only the white lights on (apparently my timers need to be adjusted and that's why the actinics aren't on yet). And my photo skills leave much to be desired.

[slicktoppomp]

Really cool tank man. I love that stand.

[Bubblehead]

Thanks man. I'll try to get better pics soon, but we were really happy with how it came out. We used doors from Ikea and cut them to size. Came out looking like a piece of furniture with minimal woodworking.

[fishamigo]

Look at all that space. So liberating.... I recently did the same size upgrade and each empty rock face calls out to me to fill it while I sleep. Haunting.

[bbandu]

Using those doors was a very good idea, look really nice. Now fill that thing.

[Bubblehead]

Right side of the tank:
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w426/Bubblehead_SD/4f70a68b.jpg
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w426/Bubblehead_SD/f9a9ab59.jpg

Looking left:
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w426/Bubblehead_SD/5605479f.jpg

Looking down the tank from the left end:
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w426/Bubblehead_SD/ef5d9494.jpg

Sailfin tang (aka Zeb) courtesy of Ron "XO Presents"
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w426/Bubblehead_SD/6ec3c312.jpg

Devil's hand frag courtesy of JohnnyAirtime growing in nicely:
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w426/Bubblehead_SD/7fd3f4d3.jpg

[Bubblehead]

A special thanks to all those I've traded with or bought from on this forum to make this tank possible so far. I'd like my build thread to reflect the contributions of all those here and not just what I've done.

Tank, stand, return pump, alien eye chalice, neon green candy canes, various leathers, banded goby: SDFISHMAN
LED Lights: Dom_Michael
Blue hippo tang, yellow tang, firefish, foxface rabbit fish, Chromis: SDAquariumRock
Birdsnest & Miami Orchid: bpro32
Neon green singularia, clove polyps, branching GSP, Devil's hand leather, yellow polyp pink leather, pulsing Xenia: JohnnyAirtime
Neon green monti, green pocillopora, Idaho grape monti: Jason142
Red/orange & Pink zoas, cleaner shrimp: AquaSD
Frogspawn: s2kfan
Melanarus wrasse: Pinoyreef
Sump: Korl
Skimmer: coraladdict
Aussie deep water tri-color acro: bogg
Sailfin tang: xopresents

[Bubblehead]

FTS
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w426/Bubblehead_SD/d02491a9.jpg

This is what the rock from a 55gal looks like when "crammed" into a 135gal. :-)

Still looking for about 50 - 100 lbs more live rock.

[Bubblehead]

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w426/Bubblehead_SD/723bd015.jpg

[Bubblehead]

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w426/Bubblehead_SD/f1abfa4b.jpg

My wife's favorite because "he keeps the sand clean". We call him Kirby, like the vacuum.
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w426/Bubblehead_SD/f4c78282.jpg

Clove polyps from JAT. Started out as 3 polyps about 2 months ago, now about 20 or more.
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w426/Bubblehead_SD/1f972e6b.jpg

Close up of the neon green acro, pocci, and monti. I dont do any dosing yet, just water changes weekly, buthese guys seem to be doing fine. The monti grows like crazy!
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w426/Bubblehead_SD/c1da6ecf.jpg

My Miami orchid colony. Had a little spot die, but now there is new growth to either side. iPhone doesn't do the color justice.
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w426/Bubblehead_SD/6f8b4b0b.jpg

Neon green singularia picked up from JAT 3 days ago and already looking amazing under the LEDs.
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w426/Bubblehead_SD/5c84ca9e.jpg

[Bubblehead]

Mel, the Melanarus wrasse (yes, very original I know...)
http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w426/Bubblehead_SD/756d0481.jpg

[blazzent]

I would like to take a moment and take credit for such a wonderful tank.....
Ok on a serious note, you have an awesome tank. Thanks for the frag its doing fine.