57 starphire rimless sps dominated build of a century!

[danschargers21]

The build is finally here. After months of planning I think I have everything exactly as I want. I had just finished an 80 gallon build but problems with the tank, stand, and diy LED light are driving me insane.
I had been looking at this tank at the LFS for months, almost pulling the trigger every time. The other day I was given an offer I couldn't refuse, so I pulled the trigger.

I tried to take a picture of the back and side to show you the difference in clarity in the glass. I am not sure how well it shows but in person you can really see it.

Now, the only thing I wish this had was black silicone, but if you knew what price I got on this you wouldn't care either.

For this tank I will not be building a wood stand but rather steel. I am tired of bad access to my sump, this is the build that that's going to change!!!!! The steel will not have a skirt, but rather doors that attach to the stand via magnet. Me and a friend will be welding the stand ( I don't know how but he does I will also be powder coating the stand( not sure what color black or white most likely).

1.For lighting I am on the fence. I am either going to go with 2 ecotech raidion, or 2 ai Sol, or rework my DIY led with the rapidled drivers and controller. This kinda depends on the cash situation.

2. I am also on the fence about the rock situation. I would like to start fresh and not use the live rock I currently have in my 80gal. I am either going to go with liveaquaria "real reef" live rock, or BRS Pukani Live Rock. Thoughts and opinions on this?

3. I will be going with a mag 7 return pump.
4. SWC 160 cone skimmer
5. Trigger systems 30" CRYSTAL sump
6. Tropic Eden Reeflakes Aragonite
7. 2 ecotech mp10's ( currently only have one)
8. Bubble Magus dosing pumps for alk mag and cal ( Have always dosed by hand never automated pump)
9. Reef Keeper controler (already own)

10. Lifestock
Lawnmower bleeny
5 blue green chromis
yellow tang (will most likely have to sell when adult due to tank size)
Maybe some dart, warsse, or something.

11. Corals will be mostly all SPS with some acans, zoas, sponges etc.


So as for things that I am going to try to get to this weekend.

1. Paint back of tank black.
2. Order steel.

Let me know what you guys thing! Thanks for reading!

 

[natedogg]

Looks great!

 

[collie man]

i would think twice on the LMB. im removing mine along with my bicolor blenny because they both have been seen nipping my SPS. wish my luck catching this little bastrads.

 

[danschargers21]

i would think twice on the LMB. im removing mine along with my bicolor blenny because they both have been seen nipping my SPS. wish my luck catching this little bastrads.

I will consider that but I have never once seen my LMB nip at a coral. He does "perch" on them which is annoying, however he does eat GHA if there is any pretty quickly.

I just picked up 40 feet of 1.5 inch 1/8th inch thick steel today. Will be starting the welding tonight and into tomorrow and hopefully done by Sunday. After that I will be dropping it off to powder coat.

Will update tonight or tomorrow morning with progress pictures of the stand build.

 

[danschargers21]

So we got a lot done tonight. Finished a lot of the welding, still need to do more, but a good amount for a couple hours worth of work.

 

[blakers82]

Cool. It might help your decision if you can play with the AI and Ecotechs in person. It sounds like you already have enough LEDs from previous build. Is that right?? But need some more controllers?? That could save you serious scratch.

Oh. What are the dimensions of tank and who makes it? I hear good things on the "real reef" live rock but I haven't used any.

 

[madkeenreefer]

Since you've already said stands not finnished I am asuming that you just need to add some braces to prevent it from racking right? if not I would sugest you realy consider it.

Ps I like the tank size you should be able to do some nice things with it
Good luck

 

[danschargers21]

Since you've already said stands not finnished I am asuming that you just need to add some braces to prevent it from racking right? if not I would sugest you realy consider it.

Ps I like the tank size you should be able to do some nice things with it
Good luck

Yeah we are definitely not done. We had to stop last night due to noise. We still need to add the cross bracing and some side bracing.

 

[danschargers21]

Finished the tank today! Got all the welds done and bracing and grinding. Going to call on Monday for powder coat. Hoping its no more then 100 dollars for that but well see.

 

[ek9vboi]

Subscribed, your set up is almost like mine. I would suggest getting a Eheim pump as the Mags are loud IMO. Also, MP40 x2, the MP10s just don't cut it. I've got a MP40 & MP10 and the MP10 is at full power (more whining noise and heat transfer) compared to the MP40 @1/3 if not less.

 

[sahin]

Subscribed. :spin1:

 

[danschargers21]

Subscribed, your set up is almost like mine. I would suggest getting a Eheim pump as the Mags are loud IMO. Also, MP40 x2, the MP10s just don't cut it. I've got a MP40 & MP10 and the MP10 is at full power (more whining noise and heat transfer) compared to the MP40 @1/3 if not less.

I have a mag 12 right now in my 80 and I don't find them to be loud at all. But I am not opposed to trying a new brand. Keeping this quite is a goal.

2 MP 40's seemed like overkill to me. Maybe I will order the mp 40 instead of the mp10. This tank is only 3 feet long and 57 gal... I guess mp 40 would be nice for possible future upgrades... and it seems resale value is still very high.

 

[ek9vboi]

I have a mag 12 right now in my 80 and I don't find them to be loud at all. But I am not opposed to trying a new brand. Keeping this quite is a goal.

2 MP 40's seemed like overkill to me. Maybe I will order the mp 40 instead of the mp10. This tank is only 3 feet long and 57 gal... I guess mp 40 would be nice for possible future upgrades... and it seems resale value is still very high.

1 MP40 and a MP10 is pretty good, if you every need more flow then the MP40 will take care of it. You'll see the difference between the two, day and night! If you look at it, resale on one is about $350-375 used, that's about 100 less then new. The MP10s go for about $200-220 used, about 60-80 difference... not much more of a loss. It's just the upfront money, I was really in a toss when it came to buying another MP40 or MP10 but if I could do it again, MP40 for sure.

As for a return pump, the 1262 is a bit strong. I have it running my fuge and a reactor, still plenty of flow for other things. Maybe a 1260 would have been better as you don't want too much flow going through your sump. If you read a lot of the reviews, everyone recommends them for quietness.

Good luck on this build, hopefully you won't run into problems. I'll be watching, if you have any questions feel free to PM. I can get a few images of my set up of you want as well.

 

[danschargers21]

1 MP40 and a MP10 is pretty good, if you every need more flow then the MP40 will take care of it. You'll see the difference between the two, day and night! If you look at it, resale on one is about $350-375 used, that's about 100 less then new. The MP10s go for about $200-220 used, about 60-80 difference... not much more of a loss. It's just the upfront money, I was really in a toss when it came to buying another MP40 or MP10 but if I could do it again, MP40 for sure.

As for a return pump, the 1262 is a bit strong. I have it running my fuge and a reactor, still plenty of flow for other things. Maybe a 1260 would have been better as you don't want too much flow going through your sump. If you read a lot of the reviews, everyone recommends them for quietness.

Good luck on this build, hopefully you won't run into problems. I'll be watching, if you have any questions feel free to PM. I can get a few images of my set up of you want as well.

Thanks for the advise guys! I will end up getting an mp40 I think thats a smarter choice.
As for the pump, damn those eheims are twice as much as the mags.

My delema right now is the LED lighting. I really want to get 2 radions... but dont know if I want to drop almost 2 grand for that. I have a DIY led that I would redo for this build ( new rapidled drivers and controllers for sunrise/sunset option)

I was thinking getting two of the black 6x9 heatsinks from rapidled and placing one on each side of my overflow.

 

[coopj]

Subscribed

 

[ek9vboi]

Yeah, those Eheims are expensive but worth every penny. The guy I bought my used MP10 from sold it because he said the MP40 provided plenty of flow and that was with the power setting at a little over the 1/3 mark.

As for the LEDs, skip the Radion. Get what is needed to correct your LED set up and spend money on making it look better. lol, sorry I couldn't help it. Look around for someone who does acrylic work and have them build a box for it. New hanging kit and your set. I believe in it! As for the drivers, as long as they work (looks to be dimmable units as well) then I would leave them. Spend the money in other areas like the Eheim or make your way up to two MP40s Just planting the seed...

 

[MBIETZ]

Sweet build and definitely go for the mp-40 my tank is similar in size it was great and as far as the LEDs i would use your diy setup the radion and aquailluminations are sweet but if you get your current LEDs were you want them then it costs less plus you can customize it as new better LEDs come out instead of having to by new fixture or keeping out dated fixtures.

 

[ReefyReef]

Nice build. Radions would look better and cleaner with that tank, but the price is high.

 

[danschargers21]

Yeah I am considering building a fixture box to hang my DIY led. It would be about 6 inches tall and house all the drivers and controllers inside. Then finish the outside of the fixture with the same stain I am using for my door panels.

 

[danschargers21]

Just spend A LOT of money haha. I ordered -

1. Bubble Magnus dosing pump
2. Trigger system crystal 30" sump
3. Ecotech MP40w es
4. BRS Pukani Dry Rock
5. All my LED upgrades for my DIY LED
6. Bunch of other crap.