Brando's 180 Gallon in Wall!!!

[Brando457]

This build started back on August 15, 2012, I never made a build thread so I figured I'd start one now. I will copy some of the text and information from my other thread to categorize the build process.

Enjoy & feedback is welcomed!

Found a good deal on a tank and stand and wanted to do a tank to keep angels and tangs.

Here is a picture of the tank and stand. It is a 72 x 24 x 24 with a single overflow on the left side wall centered.

Plan is a bunch of angels and tangs with a few wrasses and smaller fish.

Equipment List:

Lights: 2 x AI sol blues 16" above water
Return: Eheim 1262
Skimmer: ATB 840 V2
Powerheads: 2 x Koralia EVO 1400s
Controller: Apex Lite w/ 2 EB8s
ATO: JBJ
Heaters: Ehieim Jagers 250 watts x 2
Reactors: BRS Single Reactor x 2 - 1 GFO, 1 Carbon
Fuge: will be running a Fathom Led Par 30 bulb
UV: will be running a Emperor Emperor Smart UV Lite 40 watt w/ 1.5" Union - open to suggestions on other models/brands.
RO Container: 33g brute can
Salt Container: 33g brute can
Rock: 100 lbs of dry rock from reefrocks
Sand: 120 lbs of sand from reefrocks
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Quarantine: 20g long w/ hob filter & koralia 1200 gph powerhead & eheim jager 150 watt heater.

 

[Brando457]

Album of the construction phase of my basement to make the in wall a reality:

<iframe class="imgur-album" width="100%" height="550" frameborder="0" src="http://imgur.com/a/DWy4p/embed"></iframe>

 

[Brando457]

Protein skimmer - ATB 840 V2

I got this skimmer BNIB from a member on RC and this thing is awesome! More about that to follow!

 

[Brando457]

Room almost completed
<iframe class="imgur-album" width="100%" height="550" frameborder="0" src="http://imgur.com/a/1iaKd/embed"></iframe>

 

[Brando457]

Album of rockscape, sump, 20g qt under my display

<iframe class="imgur-album" width="100%" height="550" frameborder="0" src="http://imgur.com/a/4DOPC/embed"></iframe>

 

[Brando457]

I picked up two AI sol blues from a NJRC/MR member on 1/13/13 and got them hung. I must say two 16" over the water surface centered between my center brace lights the tank very very well.

 

[Brando457]

1/11/13 - added 2 bottles of biospira to cycle tank
1/12/13 - added 2 clownfish from Clown Aquatics - recommended to add livestock right after adding the biospira

1/20/13 post

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, children of all ages! I am excited to announce my tank is almost completely finished!

Things to be done:

1. get a UV sterilizer (idk which yet)
2. program my apex so its 100% functional on the network and outlet settings
3. add sand to fuge? should I place it in a rubbermaid type container with holes punched in it or just pour it right in the sump?
4. end of February I want to add anthias from Diamonds of the Reef

Here is a video of the tank and equipment setup as it stands .

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yUaVc04eQMM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Brando457]

1/20/13 post
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Custom Mounting Bracket for AI SOL - less than $20 to make both from HD

Water Change Drain - All I need is a clamp for the barb. Basically I have a hose that is there and sits behind the sump. When I am ready to do a water change I take the hose, place my maxijet 1200 on the end of it and place it in the sump. I have the sump measured out to remove 15 gallons of water. Once I remove the 15gs I disconnect the maxijet from the hose and place it in my mixing container. Attach another hose to that and refill the sump with 15gs of freshly mixed saltwater.

Cover - I built a nice screen cover for the tank with netting I got from amazon. A 14 ft x 7 ft 1/4" square pond net was only around $14.99. I then went to HD and purchased the window frame, spline, and spline tool. Make sure you get the proper sized spline :x, I got one a bit too big, but fortunately was able to get it in with some muscle.

My tank came with 2 glass covers as you can see I have on the other side since I hadn't finished making that side's frame. With the glass covers my temperatures were high and they blocked a lot of light/got dirty quickly. With the screen netting there is no light blockage and they look great. Also to account for the wires from my koralia all I did was cut a 2 x 2 section of the net on the left side and run the wires through them. The cut is so minimal that it would be difficult for a fish to get out. I also made it so that if I do need to remove the net for whatever reason I can simply swing it out and let it hang without having to remove the wires .

The brains of my system - Apex Lite w/ 2 EB8s controlling everything. I would never run a tank without a controller, they are a must have piece of equipment IMO.

Skimmer/ATO/Drain - You can see my ATB 840 v2, it seems to be almost broken in as it is not overflowing nearly as much. Also you can see my ATO hose. I had to place the end of the hose into the pvc pipe angled because otherwise it would create a siphon and empty completely into my tank. The hose is cut and probably extends only 2" or so inside the pvc pipe.

The barb fitting, which is also pictured above is my water change drain. The hose connected to it sits behind the sump. When I want to do a water change I just unravel it and connect a maxijet 1200. I open the valve at the drain and turn the pump on. The sump is measured so I know at what level is 15 gallons with the return and skimmer of. Once the 15 gallons empties I then disconnect the maxijet 1200 and place it in a brute container to the left of the sump. I refill the 15g and everything is perfect in the world.

I am using the JBJ for ATO at this time, but am considering maybe changing it for a different model. I am considering either an apex breakout box to control my ATO or maybe a different model. Not sure at this time though.

Lights - both AI sol blues hung and configured w/ wire management + both covers assembled. I put some tape on the left side cover as I do not forsee having to remove it too often and to help straighten out the framing to help it sit as flat as possible.

 

[Brando457]

1/26/13 post
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I stopped by coral theory today and picked up 3 more fish and a frag :x. I couldn't resist this blasto it was just too nice.

Btw the ATB 840 is a kickbutt skimmer! This is what it pulled in around 4/5 days.

 

[Brando457]

Today:

Some exciting updates to the Brando adventure. Since my ATI light doesn't seem to want to sell I am going to hang on to it and eventually when I start keeping more corals I plan on hanging it either behind or in front of my 2 AI sol blues :X.

Now for some updates:

1. Current stocking list as of today 2/2/13
Sustainable Aquatics Snow Onyx Clownfish from Clown Aquatics
Sustainable Aquatics Snow Onyx Clownfish from Clown Aquatics
Blue Hippo Tang - forget from where
Melnarus Wrasse - NJRC member
Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse from Coral Theory
Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse from Coral Theory
Carpenter's wrasse from Coral Theory
OPE Blasto coral from Coral Theory

2. Added a fuge bulb - fathom led par 30 bulb w/ red led

3. Carbon + GFO on line as of 1/20/13

4. changed RO filters on 1/20/13

5. ordered CUC from reefcleaners, should be here end of week.

6. I have nice diatoms going on the rocks, hopefully the fuge + cuc can take care of that.

Now some photos for all you more visual folks.

 

[Brando457]

These are photographs of the items in my tank as taken by Coral Theory. Since I bought them from them, these photographs actually capture the true beauty of the livestock! And well quite frankly I suck at taking pictures .

 

[Brando457]

So back to the skimmer, I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS ATB 840 V2 thus far! It took about 2/3 weeks to break in completely, but ever since it has been a skimmate machine.

This is after 5 days w/ the above currentstocking list.

I can't say enough about this skimmer, it is seriously destroying every skimmer I've ever owned.

I've ran an ASM G3 - yuck
I've ran a Reef Octopus Hurricone Cat 2 - meh
I've ran a XP1000SSS - great
My buddy runs a XP2000 cone - okay/somewhat great
My cousin runs a Buble Magnus 180 - meh
I run the ATB 840 and WOOOOWEEE boy step back

 

[Brando457]

Stocking list plan:

This is my livestock list for my tank of what I hope to have living in my tank once it matures more .

Fish already in the tank:

1. Sustainable Aquatics Snow Onyx Clownfish
2. Sustainable Aquatics Snow Onyx Clownfish
3. Blue Hippo Tang (2.5")
4. Melnarus Wrasse
5. Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse
6. Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse
7. Carpenter's wrasse
8. Pink spot goby
9. Blood Shrimp
10. Cleaner Shrimp

Fish I would like to add in order:

8. 5 x Bicolor Anthias (add end of April)
9. Flame Angel (add end of May)
10. 2 x Purple Firefish (add end of June)
11. Midas Blenny or tailspot blenny (add end of June)
10. Green Mandarin (8/10 months down the line) (add end of Sept)

Fish I would add together out of QT, all purchased as small as possible:

11. Blonde Naso Tang (add end of October)
12. Powder Blue Tang (add end of October)
13. Kole Yellow Eye Tang or Yellow Tang (add end of October)

In addition if I decide not to go reef:

14. Emperor Angelfish juvi (add end of December)


Corals already in tank:

1. OPE Blasto coral from Coral Theory

I would really like to have a diverse amount of fish and would appreciate some recommendations for smaller fish as I am uncertain of what relatively small/peaceful fish I can include.

Thanks for looking!

 

[nightOwl]

Brando457 - Glad you finally got around to making a build thread! I see you are making great progress. That skimmer seems to be a workhorse! How heavy do you feed / how many times a day? I can never get wet skim unless something dies or something is wrong in the tank.

Are you going to have a lot of SPS more softies? The reason I ask is I see you have an Emperor Angel on your wish list.

Is that drywall exposed that you have your controller on? Is it the mildew resistent drywall?

I am sure you have already did the research on the tangs but the Tang police will be after you for your selection of tangs for this size tank.

Keep up the good work man...

 

[Brando457]

How heavy do you feed / how many times a day?

Are you going to have a lot of SPS more softies?

Is that drywall exposed that you have your controller on? Is it the mildew resistent drywall?

I am sure you have already did the research on the tangs but the Tang police will be after you for your selection of tangs for this size tank.
.

1. I feed typically once a day, sometimes twice a day. I tend to feed on the heavier side of things, but I want my fish to be fat and happy .

2. no sps, well maybe one or two, but I've always been a zoa/lps guy.

3. the drywall is exposed where my controller is, i don't think it is mildew resistant.

I think having those tangs and buying them like 2" in size or such will be fine. I've seen GORGEOUS tanks of similar size with even more tangs than that! It is all about synergy and ensuring they get along prior to placing in the tank. If I did not think it could be done successfully I would not waste my time or money on the endeavor, but after seeing multiple tanks with even more than what I plan I think I can succeed.

As far as feeding I feed freeze dried cyclopeeze, frozen cyclopeeze, hikari marine s, hikari seaweed pellets, new life spectrum small thera pellets, flake, and i just picked up some new era marine grazer. I do not feed all these at once, but cycle through them every few days. I also feed hikari brine shrimp freeze dried(fish GO NUTS) and I have a frozen pack of mysis and brine.

:beer:

 

[TripsterAK]

Nice Build man. I wish I had that much room for my 180. Unfortunately all of my gear has to go under my tank

 

[Jovandfigueroa]

Nice pics. I cant help it but when i visit peoples houses i always in my head visualize spots where an in wall tank would look great lol

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Nice video and nice stock list.

 

[Brando457]

Thanks everyone!

Originslly my sump was going to go under the stand but the height would have made it impossible to work

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

 

[nightOwl]

1. I feed typically once a day, sometimes twice a day. I tend to feed on the heavier side of things, but I want my fish to be fat and happy .

2. no sps, well maybe one or two, but I've always been a zoa/lps guy.

3. the drywall is exposed where my controller is, i don't think it is mildew resistant.

I think having those tangs and buying them like 2" in size or such will be fine. I've seen GORGEOUS tanks of similar size with even more tangs than that! It is all about synergy and ensuring they get along prior to placing in the tank. If I did not think it could be done successfully I would not waste my time or money on the endeavor, but after seeing multiple tanks with even more than what I plan I think I can succeed.

As far as feeding I feed freeze dried cyclopeeze, frozen cyclopeeze, hikari marine s, hikari seaweed pellets, new life spectrum small thera pellets, flake, and i just picked up some new era marine grazer. I do not feed all these at once, but cycle through them every few days. I also feed hikari brine shrimp freeze dried(fish GO NUTS) and I have a frozen pack of mysis and brine.

:beer:

Brando457 - Thanks for the info. Like you I tend to feed heavy but just once a day. I need to find a way to spread it out. What is current lighting schedule? How do you like the new era marine grazer? Does it seem to break down in the water of hold up pretty well?