CodyReef29's SPS Build

[codyreef29]

I have been messing with tanks for a couple years now, and am ready to plung into a dedicated and advanced build. This is the build thread to my Sps dominated reef tank.

I am open to all suggestions and remarks

A little information about what I have done so far and were progress is.
I will keep progression photos and updates.

So far i have built the tank It's actually drying as I type. the tank is 47.5 long 9.5 wide and 10 inches high. I didn't like the first way I had the overflows and am going to buy a kit from glass-holes for 700gph and 1/2 return. I' think of painting the back white.

I have built the frame of my stand and it's going to be 40.5 tall 54 wide and 21 inces wide. I plan to paint it white with a door on the front for access.

I have the sump done due to there not being alot of room below in the stand I put a 18inch baffle to hold top-off water.

I have also collected alot of stuff thru the years such as additives pumpes test kits. I'm going to be purchasing alot of stuff throught the build.

Here are some pictures of stuff. Were the tank will be and somethings I'll be using.

 

[justhaag]

what did you make the tank from? I'm excited to see this tank come along!

 

[codyreef29]

I found the glass at a resale place they gave it to me for free. The ends are from a glass store as well as the center brace. It's still drying I will test it tomorrow.

 

[tripdad]

Welcome to the hobby. I read your other post, Scrap the skimmer and get a decent one to start. Read around in the filtration section, there is plenty of discussion and advice. I find a lot of help looking at others build threads as their tanks age. Kind of helps me see what works and what doesn't.

 

[codyreef29]

thnks for the advice.

 

[codyreef29]

progress pics

progress pics

I decided to save myself 100$ bucks and drill and use what i have for overflow and return. I got some stuff done here is the tank done with the light hung above it. Here is pics with 2 actinics on i have 3 actinic 1 10k for now till ati bulbs are ordered I will go with 2 aquablue 1 blue+ 1 Purple+.

tank is a 17.4 gallon. The sump will hold a 5.5 gallon with miracle mud and DSP i will keep cheap seaclone skimmer during cycle untill funds for a sc180 as well as a BRS 3 part doser. Gonna buy a rodi unit soon. I going to pack in about 50-70 lbs or rock in the tank and sump I'm thinking about 3lbs per gallon and about 60 lbs of sand and 5-10 pounds of miracle mud for my filtration at first then a sc180 and maybe a mp10.

I am going to make this tank completly Fiji. I'm going to get a figi barbelli clownfish a dracula goby plus all corals and inverts from figi well maybe not Cuc but definatly the live rock and corals.

 

[zwalk1839]

looks good man like the huge sump. wouldnt worry about the 3 part doser for awhile. i have a 30g with 3 small colonies of sps and numerous other sps frags and lps colonies and i have kept all params high with just 5g wc a week with rs coral pro salt. id put that $ into livestock and good salt just my .02

 

[codyreef29]

Yeah that will be a ways down the road till I decided if I really need it. For now I've got rodi unit mag 7 and a magnesium test on my wishlist with brs I will be getting this beggining of next month. Which I will then have all the equipment needed to start the tank.

I'm also waiting for liveaquaria to get the live rock that I want back in stock. I guess that's what I'll ask for christmas or I'll just buy it begining of december.

I bought epoxy resin, plywood and trim and set my false sandbed last night. It looks pretty good I have to finish the stand today and will post pics of the progress. Time to use the saw..