225 Gallon in Mass.

[customclimates]

First I will introduce myself. My name is Scott and I am from Massachusetts. I am a member of the Boston Reefers Society. My wife and I are finally starting our 225 build thread. We actually started it a few weeks ago so I will post all the pictures thus far and then update as the build continues. As of today the tank is actually only running bare bones. Only the skimmer & return pump are online at this point. I am pretty excited as I have been trolling the large reef tank forum for quite some time. The tank is a 72X30X24 starfire all around. It is meant to be viewed from both sides but its location limits that. The sump is a custom built 3/8 - 48X24X18 that a friend of mine helped me build. ( Thanks Dave! ) I have had a few friends help me along so far on this and as the pictures get posted of their efforts I will be sure to mention them all. Here are the pictures ...

 

[customclimates]

Managed to get the tank sides and back blacked out today. I also wrangled up a few buddies to help get this thing in the house & on the stand. The stand is just the rough skeleton for now. I am a little bummed as I noticed a small scratch about a 1 ½ up from the bottom of the tank. It was under the shrink wrap so I never noticed it until it was on the stand. I am hoping the sand covers it. If it does not at least it is on the outside. Barley can feel it with your finger nail so I am hoping it can polish out!

 

[customclimates]

Next came the 250 lbs of Southdown & another 80lbs of Ocean direct.

 

[customclimates]

And finally checking for leaks!

 

[triggerjay]

Great start!

Jason

 

[customclimates]

 

[Acan Lord]

Looks like you'll have alot of lighting. Awsome start.

 

[customclimates]

 

[customclimates]

 

[customclimates]

So should probably give a little more detail as the pictures went up rather quick. I would have liked to put up the pictures of the support stand it is sitting on now being built and also the first shot of the tank in the truck for pick up. The reason being we did not is that we started this thread on our local BRS forums and we wanted to get caught up so to speak here on RC. Carolyn and I understand the huge members list on RC and would like to share our build with a much wider group of opinions as well as those in our local reef club.
We are running most of the equipment from our previous 120 gallon reef. We knew we would eventually upgrade so most of the equipment was purchased as overkill for a 120. Obviously from the above pictures the only new equipment we had to purchase thus far is the lighting. They are the Lumen Bright 250W with their own Coralvue dimmable electronic ballast. The skimmer we are running is a Precision Marine Bullet XL1 skimmer with a Blue line HD70 driving. Our reactor is not online yet but it is a Geo818. This thing is just massive! For flow other than the Dart return pump we have 2 EcoTech MP40w vortech pumps. We have been trying to get the new wet side upgrades with no luck so far. I guess there back order is pretty long as I am sure there are quite a few including myself that have waited a while for this products correction upgrade. The LiterMeter III with a Precision Marine Kalk Reactor for top off is a great addition IMO all controlled by the ACJr. W DC8’s.
As we get everything back online I will be sure to add more detailed step by step build pictures. Any recommendations or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[mad23]

thats waaaaaaaaaaay beautifull......nice setup

 

[Ed Reef]

Nice.....looking good. Can't wait for updates

 

[customclimates]

Ok, I was going to try and wait to post pictures of the stand until the stand was complete. After fitting it in place this morning I was way too excited not to put them up. We still need to trim it out with the crown & base molding but you get the idea. I had a ton of help on this stand. Actually I was in fact the one helping while a good friend designed & built the stand. A huge thanks Jim! I will update with more pictures once the doors go on.
:dance:

 

[Rickey]

Very Very Nice!. I love the all in one skin idea for your stand tank and canopy. It has me thinking for sure.

 

[customclimates]

The tank is in a basement and has three acrylic covers for the top sections. Do you think if & leave these on it will retain too much heat? They sure do quiet things down a whole lot. It also eliminates salt creep on the top & jumpers will not be an issue …

 

[customclimates]

„Ï Return pump on
„Ï Skimmer running
„Ï Calcium reactor inline & monitored/controlled by AC Jr.
„Ï Ph probe on tanks monitor
„Ï Vortecs synced & running
„Ï Kalk reactor filled for top off
„Ï Lights on programmed timers
„Ï Temperature probe installed
„Ï Salinity set

Just going to let it run for now and monitor the parameters. I hope to avoid a huge cycle where I had the Marco rocks cooking for quite some time.

 

[customclimates]

Just a few updates as the stand was completed today. Calciumbuf came over today and we got to finish the stand. I really want to say THANK YOU JIM for all the help. Also a big THANKS to Dave (Smithcreek) for all the help with the sump. Here are a few pictures …

 

[corivus]

wow I love the idea of the skinning of that stand its looks really unique!

 

[SteveOhh]

I'm all over that all in one skin..................Wifeys been saying the new 225 HAS to look like a piece of furniture......................ding, ding...problem solved

 

[customclimates]

I am very happy with the way it came out if I do say so myself. We are going to look at some small black knobs today to break up some of the oak and I think we can call it done. Now the fun begins … The tank has cycled so we just put 30 Nassarius Snails and 4 turbo’s to start as a bit of green algae has just begun. A friend of mine has been housing our fish & corals for quite some time so we also put our Purple & Hippo tang in their new home along with a few cardinals.