150 Gallon Custom Build

[pcfish]

Update on the build

Update on the build

So I sent the Dart pump in to have the bearings replaced so I should hopefully get it back next.

I was able to work on the aquascape today here are a few pictures.

<a href="http://s207.photobucket.com/user/cazarez2/media/Aquascape%20front_zpsu0kjo1cc.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb95/cazarez2/Aquascape%20front_zpsu0kjo1cc.jpg" border="0" alt="Front photo Aquascape front_zpsu0kjo1cc.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s207.photobucket.com/user/cazarez2/media/Aquascape%20RAngle_zpsquhha9nr.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb95/cazarez2/Aquascape%20RAngle_zpsquhha9nr.jpg" border="0" alt="R Angle photo Aquascape RAngle_zpsquhha9nr.jpg"/></a>

I am using a thin layer of sand about one inch. My old sand that I was saving got mixed in with some carbon pellets and it turned black tried cleaning it but not after 4 rinses with ro water still black and so are my hands now.
I've decided that it was not worth it going to buy new sand tomorrow.

 

[maddhugan]

Like the 3/4" Starphire Glass

Like the 3/4" Starphire Glass

All sides are 3/4 inch thick.

Nice hybrid tank.

Once I installed a check valve to prevent backflow in case of power failure and it didn't work at all. It backflowed and leaked on my floor and luckily I entered the house and caught. It is possible the calcium build up might have prevented a tight seal.

 

[maddhugan]

Fantastic Rockwork

Fantastic Rockwork

So I sent the Dart pump in to have the bearings replaced so I should hopefully get it back next.

I was able to work on the aquascape today here are a few pictures.

<a href="http://s207.photobucket.com/user/cazarez2/media/Aquascape%20front_zpsu0kjo1cc.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb95/cazarez2/Aquascape%20front_zpsu0kjo1cc.jpg" border="0" alt="Front photo Aquascape front_zpsu0kjo1cc.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s207.photobucket.com/user/cazarez2/media/Aquascape%20RAngle_zpsquhha9nr.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb95/cazarez2/Aquascape%20RAngle_zpsquhha9nr.jpg" border="0" alt="R Angle photo Aquascape RAngle_zpsquhha9nr.jpg"/></a>

I am using a thin layer of sand about one inch. My old sand that I was saving got mixed in with some carbon pellets and it turned black tried cleaning it but not after 4 rinses with ro water still black and so are my hands now.
I've decided that it was not worth it going to buy new sand tomorrow.

Nice sudden angle changes, and abrupt flat plates inbetween the pukanies. An awesome rockwork. Seems like the BULKREEFSUPPLY ones. Hope your fingertips aren't burning. I did my rockwork for more than 9 hrs and then the next day the fingers were sore from the abrasive rocks. kind of took 3 or 4 days to heal.

 

[maddhugan]

Reefflakes from premium aquatics would be awesome

Reefflakes from premium aquatics would be awesome

You should look into reefflakes (I think it is made by tropic of eden) from premiumaquatics.com. Try it, and you won't regret it. I have a sampler pack with me which shows all different grain sizes, and let me know if you would like to look at it. I also have may be 5 of the unopened brand new bags as my reserve.

BTW did you acid wash or do anything to the rocks to remove the surface nutrition of the rocks? just curious to know. I did the acid wash (rock reincarnation for BRS Dry rocks) but still went through algae, and now it cleared up. I guess all new dry rocks go through hell in the beginning and then later they clear up and get pretty.

Anyway cool setup.

 

[pcfish]

Nice sudden angle changes, and abrupt flat plates inbetween the pukanies. An awesome rockwork. Seems like the BULKREEFSUPPLY ones. Hope your fingertips aren't burning. I did my rockwork for more than 9 hrs and then the next day the fingers were sore from the abrasive rocks. kind of took 3 or 4 days to heal.

Thanks maddhugan. Yes it is pukanie and some plante it is rock I have bought over the years from local reefers that have sold on RC.
My fingertips feel like they have been sanded down along with cuts from the rock.
I cleaned a couple pieces with muriatic acid that needed to be cleaned.
The Aquascape is four main structures fused together with E marco 400 with a couple floating pieces a the bottom.

I have never used reef flakes I have always bought 2 mm aggregate from Neptunes but now that they moved to San Jose just don't feel like making the drive.

 

[fastrd400]

Nice work Pedro.

 

[pcfish]

Thanks Wade getting closer

 

[fastrd400]

I have a couple big mag drive pumps if you wanna start your cycle.

 

[pcfish]

Thanks Wade I already have my return pump hooked up its just the closed pump that I'm waiting on.
Once I get my sand in I will use Dr. Tim's bacteria to get the cycle going. I still need to hang my lights taking my time at this point no need to hurry.

 

[pcfish]

I just ordered 80 lbs. of CaribSea Aragonite special grade sand from Petsmart online for $34.99 for 40 lbs. I found a 10 dollar off coupon also got free shipping came to $65.08.
I should have sand in the tank this coming weekend getting closer.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

That is some crazy cool looking plumbing you have there. I'm not daring enough for closed loop. I'm sure it's safe, I'm just way too cautious.

Don't bother with the check valve, they don't work. I ignored all the naysayers with my tank and installed one (true union, best quality from BRS). It didn't work from day 1...

 

[mpoletti]

Looks great. Can't wait to watch the progress.

 

[scuzy]

if it's a close look why need a check valve ?

 

[maddhugan]

check valve

check valve

if it's a close look why need a check valve ?

First when I didn't know that it was closed loop I asked about check valve, but if it is closed loop then I don't think check valve is needed.

 

[pcfish]

Quick update I added sand to my tank on 3/9 and added water on 3/12. Added dr. Tim's bacteria about a week ago nitrite levels are still at .50 ppm and ammonia is at .25 ppm.
I was going to put some fish in the tank but decided to do a fish less cycle.
The tank is finally crystal clear so I will try to get some pictures this coming weekend.
If I can the nitrites and ammonia come down in the next couple days, I plan on adding a pair of bicinctus clown fish I had to have when I saw them at Diablo Corals. Jess has been holding for me until my tank is cycled. Thank you Jess for your patients.
The reef bug never seems to go away. Jess sent me a picture of the clowns and they have already hosted in a bubble tip anemone too bad because I would have bought the anemone too.
Way too soon for that it’s tough being patient but it is tank took me over a year just to get it setup.

 

[scuzy]

hope you do a proper quarantine before letting them into the new tank.

 

[maddhugan]

+1 on this

+1 on this

Not just quarantine it, but a treatment such as TTM followed by quarantine is a must. Treatment is done to remove ich/diseases, and quarantine is done after that to make sure your treatment was successful. Treatment and quarantine are two different things and both are a must.
I'm sure you have put a lot of hard work, blood and sweat on this build, so it is good to protect the investment.

I like this though"

hope you do a proper quarantine before letting them into the new tank.

"

 

[pcfish]

Progress, tank is still cycling but levels are starting to come down almost ready to add some fish. Apex controller and Auto top off have been installed.

<a href="http://s207.photobucket.com/user/cazarez2/media/DSCN1460_zpshfkijlfx.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb95/cazarez2/DSCN1460_zpshfkijlfx.jpg" border="0" alt="PTS photo DSCN1460_zpshfkijlfx.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s207.photobucket.com/user/cazarez2/media/DSCN1462_zpshllhtnsd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb95/cazarez2/DSCN1462_zpshllhtnsd.jpg" border="0" alt="Equipment photo DSCN1462_zpshllhtnsd.jpg"/></a>

 

[pcfish]

Progress

Progress

It's been a while since I have posted any updates on my build. I finally have things under control. I battled Ick lost most of my fish. Have been battling bubble algae.
I added a doser so I have finally started adding SPS coral. Here is a couple pictures.

<a href="http://s207.photobucket.com/user/cazarez2/media/FTS-1113_zpswfzt65a8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb95/cazarez2/FTS-1113_zpswfzt65a8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FTS-1113_zpswfzt65a8.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s207.photobucket.com/user/cazarez2/media/FTS-2_zpspvnnrr5e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb95/cazarez2/FTS-2_zpspvnnrr5e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FTS-2_zpspvnnrr5e.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s207.photobucket.com/user/cazarez2/media/FTS-3_zps7ndok0a6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb95/cazarez2/FTS-3_zps7ndok0a6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FTS-3_zps7ndok0a6.jpg"/></a>

 

[pcfish]

some new frags Including the Palmer's Milli that I was looking for.
<a href="http://s207.photobucket.com/user/cazarez2/media/new%20corals_zpsw93ayvql.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb95/cazarez2/new%20corals_zpsw93ayvql.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo new corals_zpsw93ayvql.jpg"/></a>

Also got a few more additions PC Superman, Oregon Tort, JKR Rainbow, PM, Deep water unk, PC Rainbow the last on is a tiny frag of Orange Passion. If anyone can ID the mushrooms in the background I would appreciate it. I got them from a local reefer that broke down his tank last summer. He said he got them from Legendary Corals.

<a href="http://s207.photobucket.com/user/cazarez2/media/new%20frags_zpsulmarwgx.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb95/cazarez2/new%20frags_zpsulmarwgx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo new frags_zpsulmarwgx.jpg"/></a>