270 gallon reef / basement remodel has begun

[skippyreef]

tommorow we should get most of the plumbing done. I will then add salt and start teh main pump and add some live rock to seed this tank for a bit before I add any live stock. I would not be suprised with myself if I keep the tank bio load to a minimum until after Mid-July.

I want to allow sufficient time for the bio-filtration portion of the tank to take hold along with the pod population before I introduce and predators or added stres to the system. This is how I think I can make a good design function greatly

 

[skippyreef]

getting close. Had to get a new bulkhead ordered because of a bad one. Other than that no major problems with the plumbing.

 

[Bax]

Looks like it's time to start mixing SW!!!

 

[skippyreef]

Watch the video link

the tank is cycling right now with live rock adn salt water

 

[Spiffyguy]

do you have the sump hooked up yet? in the video it looks disconnected. I am interested to see how your wave box plays with the overflow. Looks great so far. When I do a big tank I may have to do a wavebox. looks really cool.

 

[skippyreef]

Sump was connected but not full. I leak tested the last chamber and found a bad bulkhead that would not seal so I ordered anew one. I also have to place a union above the return pump and need to put some thin foam under the sump.

I am looking at being done this weekend though. The lighting rack is my next hurdle. I order three sets of the sun lifts to suspend that. I figure one every 22 inches to support the two LAIII and tmy T5's and LED cans

 

[skippyreef]

The Sump is filling and looks like the main pump start up is tonight!!!

 

[juststartingout]

subscribed and lurking for awhile. I'm happy for ya, congratulations! :beer:

 

[skippyreef]

A few pics to enjoy.

 

[skippyreef]

here is a cool link to the Skimmer Video

will be on line Mnday with full power and at that time the heaters and the other equipment will be going.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v...ction=view&current=Maderiabeach2005304mov.flv

 

[binaryterror]

Haha, great vid! "ok... into the darkness..." lol

 

[skippyreef]

Thanks that is just me thinking and talking out loud

 

[binaryterror]

Hey, how do you like the Reef Ceramics? I am thinking of buying some for my 240. An outcropping and a pillar or 2.

 

[skippyreef]

so far I like them. We took PO4 reading after a two month soak and the readings were 0.01 witha HAnna so they are not leaching anythig really into the water. Cool shapes and the wall plates I love.

 

[skippyreef]

her eis the start of the lighting rack. I have to do an identicla one for the bottom then join then with C channel. I got the idea from www.melevsreef.com a while back. The aluminum is ultralight material but pretty strong. I went with 1 inch because i have the luminarcs over the tank. I also top mounted them on hte rack because I need to be able to remove them for maintenece and coral placement.

 

[elvictre]

That Reefceramics is just out of this world...Your tank really looks great.

Vic

 

[skippyreef]

Thanks

With the water heating up now I should be moving over my pair of clowns, leopard wrasse, and Royale Gramma soon.

here is my fathers day gift kinda fishy!!

 

[AngeloM3]

::clicked subscribe to this thread::

i saw in previous posts that you had the lights sitting right on top of the tank...

then i saw a structure you made for the lights.... you will be hanging those lights right?

 

[thor32766]

keep the post coming.

 

[jeffreylam1132]

Looking good.