Choss' 96 Gallon Reef Savvy Tank Build
- Thread starter choss
- Start date
choss
New member
Yes felix recommended 3/8" to 1/4" neoprene under the tank which is pretty thin but I have the phantom bottom, which is super solid. I'm really glad I went that route. I haven't had a chance to test the MP10s yet because I have them on my 40 gallon reef tank which is running in the basement. It will be broken down soon. I think I will need them on the back wall because of the rock work I'm considering. Speaking of....
Scape 2: For this scape and the next I turned the large low island rock on the left 180 degrees. This resulted in the main chasm facing the corner I will be viewing the tank from most (corner shot). I then tried the smaller rock on the right in a more upright position giving the tank a second small tower and a second canyon. I like it but it will really make flow a bit of an issue and I'm torn between loving it and worrying its too much wall. Let me know.
Front View
Scape 2 Tall Front by choerenz, on FlickrView from Chair
Scape 2 Tall Corner View by choerenz, on FlickrView from Right Side
Scape 2 side view by choerenz, on FlickrView of main channel
Scape 2 main channel by choerenz, on FlickrScape 3: Similar to my first scape but with the left island rotated. Not as "tall" of a look. Probably slightly better for the flow but the second chasm between the tall tower and the rock on the right isn't quite as interesting.
Front
Scape 3 corner view by choerenz, on FlickrView from chair
Scape 3 corner view by choerenz, on FlickrLet me know what you think
choss
New member
Update
Update
So today I took matters into my own hands and "made" the scape more suitable to the tank dimensions.
trimming rock by choerenz, on Flickr
Its amazing how easy it is to shape Pukani rock. I took 30%-40% off the smaller rock on the right side and now I'm really pleased with the Island on the right. I was able to create slightly more room in the main chasm and with the help of a few MP10s, I should be able to maintain a healthy flow in some of the back areas of the tank.
Next.....
rinsing sand by choerenz, on Flickr
and.....
rinsing sand 2 by choerenz, on Flickr
I was amazed at how clean the mesoflakes are. I am really happy with this choice of sand. Its really white with interesting flecks of green, purple, and red.
Here are a few pictures of the sand under lights and with a flash. I apologize for the crappy iPhone quality. This weekend I will get out the real camera..
wet sand in tank by choerenz, on Flickr
Those darker areas are wet from the rinsing
sand under lights by choerenz, on Flickr
And while I don't think this picture really shows how great this looks in real life - I will take some more once water is in the tank.
Update
So today I took matters into my own hands and "made" the scape more suitable to the tank dimensions.
trimming rock by choerenz, on FlickrIts amazing how easy it is to shape Pukani rock. I took 30%-40% off the smaller rock on the right side and now I'm really pleased with the Island on the right. I was able to create slightly more room in the main chasm and with the help of a few MP10s, I should be able to maintain a healthy flow in some of the back areas of the tank.
Next.....
rinsing sand by choerenz, on Flickrand.....
rinsing sand 2 by choerenz, on FlickrI was amazed at how clean the mesoflakes are. I am really happy with this choice of sand. Its really white with interesting flecks of green, purple, and red.
Here are a few pictures of the sand under lights and with a flash. I apologize for the crappy iPhone quality. This weekend I will get out the real camera..
wet sand in tank by choerenz, on FlickrThose darker areas are wet from the rinsing
sand under lights by choerenz, on FlickrAnd while I don't think this picture really shows how great this looks in real life - I will take some more once water is in the tank.
wrxreefer823
New member
Very nice! I'm excited to see how the rock turns out, not that it looked bad before, by any means. Good call on rinsing the sand, I've always rinsed crushed coral but never tried rinsing sand. I guess I'll have to start another tank to try it out... lol
I had a MP10 on the back of my 12, so between that and the Jeabos on either side, there really wasn't a dead spot to speak of in the tank. I just added a MP10 to my set up, and it's making a world of difference!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I had a MP10 on the back of my 12, so between that and the Jeabos on either side, there really wasn't a dead spot to speak of in the tank. I just added a MP10 to my set up, and it's making a world of difference!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
choss
New member
Update
Update
Ok - things are really moving along now. Two updates in one day means water in the tank is on the horizon. Today was early (or should we say late) Christmas for Choss - check out what arrived today....
Director in box by choerenz, on Flickr
doser in box by choerenz, on Flickr
director by choerenz, on Flickr
doser by choerenz, on Flickr
Doser and Director by choerenz, on Flickr
Now if only I had a few corals and water in the tank...:lolspin:
Update
Ok - things are really moving along now. Two updates in one day means water in the tank is on the horizon. Today was early (or should we say late) Christmas for Choss - check out what arrived today....
Director in box by choerenz, on Flickrdoser in box by choerenz, on Flickrdirector by choerenz, on Flickrdoser by choerenz, on FlickrDoser and Director by choerenz, on FlickrNow if only I had a few corals and water in the tank...:lolspin:
choss
New member
And so it begins
And so it begins
Tank being filled by choerenz, on Flickr
After today it gets serious. :fish2: Hooked up my RODI and am leveraging the line I set up for auto water changes to fill the tank. The tank should be full by tomorrow evening.
And so it begins
Tank being filled by choerenz, on FlickrAfter today it gets serious. :fish2: Hooked up my RODI and am leveraging the line I set up for auto water changes to fill the tank. The tank should be full by tomorrow evening.
FernandesReef
New member
Great to finally see to water in this amazing project...keep it up!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
choss
New member
Thanks Fernandes. About 1/2 full.....should be done tomorrow night.
choss
New member
We are all on our way to an upgrade.:lolspin: Then we will probably downgrade a few years later.
choss
New member
Update
Update
Quick update:
Over the last few days I have added RO water by running a tube up from my RODI directly to the tank. Its a slow process but there was no way around it and at least I didn't have to lug buckets upstairs. Then I added salt - very slowly over time. I didn't want to add it all at once as I have read this can sometimes cause some issues with equipment.
Next step was programming my GHL Profilux 4. I can't say I have mastered much but so far I have connected the temperature probe, and hooked up 3 switches:
1. 2 heaters which will be controlled by the probe
2. My Tunze ATO, which is pumping water up from a holding tank in the room below
3. My Varios 6 pump which I am running at 100%
I have to say that the tank looks spectacular. The Reef Savvy looks substantial. The 24" depth is really amazing - gives the tank volume I haven't had in previous tanks. The glass is extremely clear. I'm glad I went low iron on three sides. The Ghost overflow is spectacular. Its just sleek and barely takes up any space in the tank.
So far, the tunze ATO is filling the tank without issue. I have noticed that with a tank this size, I can take out a decent amount of water before it comes on. On my 40 gallon tank, I take out a cup of water for feeding and the ATO comes on.
One thing I noticed about the bean animal overflow, is that it is very sensitive to the volume of water in the sump. I had it running dead silent but then added another 2.5 gallons to the sump. I then switched off the pump by accident and on restart I had the same issue as a few weeks ago, which was the primary siphon wasn't firing. So removing a bit of water fixed the issue and I now have it tuned perfectly with the gate valve and the ATO keeping the water at just the right level.
Finally, I can't say enough about how happy I am with the lighting for this tank. I have the 24" giesemann running a 250 Watt radium bulb, two blue plus T5s, one coral plus T5, and one fiji purple. but the addition of the Kessil's is where the lighting goes over the top. The shimmer of the combined fixtures is perfect. Right now I only have one 360WE angled in from the right but it's am amazing effect. Once I add the second one (currently on my 40 gallon tank) I think I will have the perfect combination of growth, shimmer, and LED pop for those late evening tank viewing sessions.
I need to get a good camera but for now here is a short iphone video - doesn't do the tank justice but its the best I could do for now.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ebU7Woz3jmU" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Update
Quick update:
Over the last few days I have added RO water by running a tube up from my RODI directly to the tank. Its a slow process but there was no way around it and at least I didn't have to lug buckets upstairs. Then I added salt - very slowly over time. I didn't want to add it all at once as I have read this can sometimes cause some issues with equipment.
Next step was programming my GHL Profilux 4. I can't say I have mastered much but so far I have connected the temperature probe, and hooked up 3 switches:
1. 2 heaters which will be controlled by the probe
2. My Tunze ATO, which is pumping water up from a holding tank in the room below
3. My Varios 6 pump which I am running at 100%
I have to say that the tank looks spectacular. The Reef Savvy looks substantial. The 24" depth is really amazing - gives the tank volume I haven't had in previous tanks. The glass is extremely clear. I'm glad I went low iron on three sides. The Ghost overflow is spectacular. Its just sleek and barely takes up any space in the tank.
So far, the tunze ATO is filling the tank without issue. I have noticed that with a tank this size, I can take out a decent amount of water before it comes on. On my 40 gallon tank, I take out a cup of water for feeding and the ATO comes on.
One thing I noticed about the bean animal overflow, is that it is very sensitive to the volume of water in the sump. I had it running dead silent but then added another 2.5 gallons to the sump. I then switched off the pump by accident and on restart I had the same issue as a few weeks ago, which was the primary siphon wasn't firing. So removing a bit of water fixed the issue and I now have it tuned perfectly with the gate valve and the ATO keeping the water at just the right level.
Finally, I can't say enough about how happy I am with the lighting for this tank. I have the 24" giesemann running a 250 Watt radium bulb, two blue plus T5s, one coral plus T5, and one fiji purple. but the addition of the Kessil's is where the lighting goes over the top. The shimmer of the combined fixtures is perfect. Right now I only have one 360WE angled in from the right but it's am amazing effect. Once I add the second one (currently on my 40 gallon tank) I think I will have the perfect combination of growth, shimmer, and LED pop for those late evening tank viewing sessions.
I need to get a good camera but for now here is a short iphone video - doesn't do the tank justice but its the best I could do for now.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ebU7Woz3jmU" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Arkayology
Active member
The tank has water!
choss
New member
Right now a single MP40. I am planning on adding a second and two MP10s. I have the return pump at 100% so right now, with no corals, it seems to have pretty decent flow
choss
New member
Arkayology
Active member
Yes it does- thanks for hanging in there with this build!
I'm planning on doing similar, but can't right now. It allows me to reef through you!
choss
New member
I'm planning on doing similar, but can't right now. It allows me to reef through you!
Awesome. Well in that case I'll have to post some updates this weekend. I'm going to test out my son's new camera to hopefully capture how awesome the tank is looking right now. I'm sure I'll have a massive algae issue soon so I want to capture the pristine early stage tank while it lasts.
choss
New member
Update
Update
So having added about 15 lbs of live rock to my sump and display, I started ghost feeding the tank and taking measurements to see if the tank is cycling. I waited about a week and then fired up my skimmer.
RLSS R6i review:
I turned on the skimmer, dialed down the DC pump to the lowest setting, and got perfect foam. No adjustments needed, been running like a champ for about a week. And considering I'm only ghost feeding it has already managed to pull out a bit of gunk. Anyway, it is plug and play and extremely quiet. I'll revisit once the tank is stocked and I'm feeding heavier.
RLSS R6i by choerenz, on Flickr
Next I added Chaeto that I purchased from Algae Barn. They were a bit behind in their supply, so I had to wait about an extra week before I received delivery. It is really nice looking - clean, a very light but healthy looking green, and its now in the sump floating above the live rock which I have on a platform above the heaters.
rock in sump by choerenz, on Flickr
chaeto & rock by choerenz, on Flickr
Early in this build I mentioned a mistake I made in my manifold, and that I had wasted a nice union valve that I'd never use. But, I have found this valve to be really useful. You will see form my readings below, my salinity was a bit high in the first few days of running the tank. It occurred to me that the manifold is a perfect way to do emergency water changes. So I was able to quickly drain about 10 gallons of water and watched with amazement as the little osmolator pump was able to keep up replacing the water as i took out a gallon at a time.
I've also been using the manifold line to blow water through the refugium section where I am getting build up of detritus from the live rock. It works like a charm. I just turn the water flow on for a minute or two and blow all the gunk up and into the foam block that is separating my fuge chamber from the return pump.
manifold tube by choerenz, on Flickr
I've been testing my water and here are the readings so far:
water testing 3_10 by choerenz, on Flickr
I am not seeing much of a cycle. It could be because I have 2 liters of seasoned siporax in the sump, or maybe it is the live rock, but other than a very small rise in ammonia readings, and one nitrite blip, I'm not seeing any movement indicating a traditional cycle. So later today I will add my first fish, which is likely to be a clown fish that I added a few months back to my 40 gallon AIO tank. This clown has not yet really bonded with my resident clown, but they seem to now get along well enough.
Here is a list of other fish that I have in various tanks and also some wish list fish, that I would love some opinions on as to what order I should add them later. The ones in bold I have already in my holding tanks:
Ocellaris Clown fish
Starry Blenny (Salarias ramosus)
Yellow Watchman Golby
Square Tail Bristletooth Tang
Six Line Wrasse
Wish List
Chromis Damsels
Purple Tang
Flasher Wrasse
Purple & Yellow Wrasse
Fairy Wrasse
One or two smaller gobies
I suppose the real question here is whether I need to add the tangs at once (I plan to limit to two tangs) and whether I can add the six line wrasse at all. Maybe if its the last fish in?
Update
So having added about 15 lbs of live rock to my sump and display, I started ghost feeding the tank and taking measurements to see if the tank is cycling. I waited about a week and then fired up my skimmer.
RLSS R6i review:
I turned on the skimmer, dialed down the DC pump to the lowest setting, and got perfect foam. No adjustments needed, been running like a champ for about a week. And considering I'm only ghost feeding it has already managed to pull out a bit of gunk. Anyway, it is plug and play and extremely quiet. I'll revisit once the tank is stocked and I'm feeding heavier.
RLSS R6i by choerenz, on FlickrNext I added Chaeto that I purchased from Algae Barn. They were a bit behind in their supply, so I had to wait about an extra week before I received delivery. It is really nice looking - clean, a very light but healthy looking green, and its now in the sump floating above the live rock which I have on a platform above the heaters.
rock in sump by choerenz, on Flickrchaeto & rock by choerenz, on FlickrEarly in this build I mentioned a mistake I made in my manifold, and that I had wasted a nice union valve that I'd never use. But, I have found this valve to be really useful. You will see form my readings below, my salinity was a bit high in the first few days of running the tank. It occurred to me that the manifold is a perfect way to do emergency water changes. So I was able to quickly drain about 10 gallons of water and watched with amazement as the little osmolator pump was able to keep up replacing the water as i took out a gallon at a time.
I've also been using the manifold line to blow water through the refugium section where I am getting build up of detritus from the live rock. It works like a charm. I just turn the water flow on for a minute or two and blow all the gunk up and into the foam block that is separating my fuge chamber from the return pump.
manifold tube by choerenz, on FlickrI've been testing my water and here are the readings so far:
water testing 3_10 by choerenz, on FlickrI am not seeing much of a cycle. It could be because I have 2 liters of seasoned siporax in the sump, or maybe it is the live rock, but other than a very small rise in ammonia readings, and one nitrite blip, I'm not seeing any movement indicating a traditional cycle. So later today I will add my first fish, which is likely to be a clown fish that I added a few months back to my 40 gallon AIO tank. This clown has not yet really bonded with my resident clown, but they seem to now get along well enough.
Here is a list of other fish that I have in various tanks and also some wish list fish, that I would love some opinions on as to what order I should add them later. The ones in bold I have already in my holding tanks:
Ocellaris Clown fish
Starry Blenny (Salarias ramosus)
Yellow Watchman Golby
Square Tail Bristletooth Tang
Six Line Wrasse
Wish List
Chromis Damsels
Purple Tang
Flasher Wrasse
Purple & Yellow Wrasse
Fairy Wrasse
One or two smaller gobies
I suppose the real question here is whether I need to add the tangs at once (I plan to limit to two tangs) and whether I can add the six line wrasse at all. Maybe if its the last fish in?
