Dave's 150G Starphire Zeo Reef~

[Dave's Reef]

Well, I've been holding out until I had some of my new equipment show up and I just can't wait any more to start. Thankfully a few things finally came and I've at least got a couple pics to share to keep it interesting.

I've been wanting a new tank since pretty much over 10 or 11 years ago when I got the last one. Finally, the wait is over and here I am with a very exciting opportunity to start over and new!

Before I get too far along here I'd like to say a big THANKS to those of you who've been so very helpful along the way here. Chris(gadgets143), Brad(yeldarbj), Bigred(your build, very inspirational), Steve(Jar*head), ToddMarch, Bogg, SunnyX (your tank is AWEOME), Olddude (your tank is the BOMB) and on and on... So many nice tanks out there!

A lot has changed since I first started in this hobby and there are many new "methods" in reefkeeping mostly fads but a few tried and true. Which led me to chose the Zeovit method as the cornerstone of this tanks biological filtration. I've dabbled a bit with Prodibio and select few Zeo products with good results so far and have decided to go full Zeo for this new one. The results in so many examples SPEAK for themselves!

So, like I was saying this tank will be a 150 gallon 48x30x24 Lee Mar tank in flat polish with Euro-bracing and Starphire on the front panel and two sides. One half trapezoid overflow box towards the inside back right corner with a SSB and a wide open aquascape, possible peninsula style, not sure yet? Lighting will be 2x 250watt Radiums in Lumenmax Elite reflectors with 4x 54watt t5's as supplemental. I chose two UVL Actinic Plus and two Fiji Purples as my t5 combo. Lighting is such a hot button topic and one that's very personal on a lot of levels as far as tastes go and of course with the types of corals to be kept, etc. I was VERY torn between going with the 250's or a pair of 400's and still kind of am. In fact depending how it turns out I just may trade the 250's for a pair of 400's, we'll see...

For openers I'll include a few pics of the "goodies" that came today and will follow up with more pics as more stuff comes in. The tank looks like it just may be ready this week! I was originally told a delivery date of March 4th but got word today it may be Wednesday! I must say this is all very exciting... I feel like a kid at X-mas all over again and I can't wait for every little part of the experience

I hate to tell you this but I don't have a bunch of "colonies" that I will be transferring over. Unfortunately, I was the victim of a TOTAL crash last year about October or so. A power head failed unbeknown to me and killed ALL of my coral with the exception of a few zoanthids and the fish. So, if you only see my 30 or so different frags and wonder why that's all I have in my tank after 11 years or so, that's why:mixed:

Out with the old:

Hmm, what's this?

Ooh, goodies!

Zeo Start Kit2

Radium's, DC4, DC8 and something to watch(don't want to be too close minded now)

Anyway, I'll try to keep this thread up with new pics as soon as I get stuff to photograph? Thanks for stoppin in!

 

[Todd March]

Cool, Dave, the start of a great build thread...! Can't wait to see more...!

 

[SunnyX]

Looks like you are off to a good start and have all the bases covered.

I wouldn't worry too much about the 250vs400W issue. You should be fine with the 250W, but if it really bothers you mixture of 1 Aquablue Special and 3 Blue+ T5 bulbs will more then make up for the difference.

Good luck, keep the pictures coming, and let us know if you need anything. :thumbsup:

 

[Dave's Reef]

Thanks guys!

Welcome to my madness... I'm sure I'll have many more questions and I encourage your input!

Hopefully I can keep it interesting and HOPEFULLY my photo skills will improve soon, LOL~

 

[crab0000]

This looks like a really nice build! Can't wait to see you progress.

 

[Dave's Reef]

Hey Sonny,

I know you use the Eheim 1260 as your return pump. I've been thinking of the 1260 or possibly the 1262 and was curious why you went with the 1260? Was heat from the larger pump an influencing factor? Circulation in my DT will be provided by 2x Tunze 6055's a modded 6025 and ultimately another pair of 6105's once cash permits so, I guess I could go either way.

I notice that the 1260 runs at 65 watts vs. the 1262's 80 watts. I take it the 1260 would run a bit cooler then, eh?

Please let me know...

Thanks

 

[yeldarbj]

Dave,

Great thread. I look forward to following along. Have you seen the new Tunze Silence 1073.040 return pump? It compares to the Eheim 1260 as far as output, but uses only 42w. I'm probably going to be using one when I build my next tank. It looks to be just about the most efficient return pump out there.

 

[GSMguy]

Dave the 1260 and 1262 are the same pump just different impellars, the dump only needs as much flow as your skimmer requires if it processes 200gph the you go with a 350gph or so pump. I use a 1050 and I wish I had gone 1260.
If I was buying today I would get the tunze mentioned above.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14493459#post14493459 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dave's Reef
Hey Sonny,

I know you use the Eheim 1260 as your return pump. I've been thinking of the 1260 or possibly the 1262 and was curious why you went with the 1260? Was heat from the larger pump an influencing factor? Circulation in my DT will be provided by 2x Tunze 6055's a modded 6025 and ultimately another pair of 6105's once cash permits so, I guess I could go either way.

I notice that the 1260 runs at 65 watts vs. the 1262's 80 watts. I take it the 1260 would run a bit cooler then, eh?

Please let me know...

Thanks

I went with the 1260 because I wanted the lowest possible return flow I could get away with. The new tank was all about efficiency so I need low wattage and low heat transfer. After doing some research and checking out many European reefs I set upon getting the 1260.

I am very happy with the pump. It puts out an ample amount of flow for my setup and run ultra quiet and cool.

 

[Dave's Reef]

Sonny- Thanks, I had efficiency and "silence" in mind with the Eheim. I think the flow rate of the 1260 should be just fine for me too. My drain will only be 1" anyway and I'll have more than enough flow in the DT with the Tunze Streams.

Brad- Thanks for the tip, I will definitely look into the Tunze return pump. I've been so very satisfied with my streams... I held off too long on biting the bullet to get them but couldn't be happier now that I finally have them, worth every penny! Oh and THANKS for all the nice frags, they're doing great and I can't wait to get them into their new digs!~

Nick- I'm not sure how much sump flow my skimmer will require, I won't get it till mid March or the 1st part of April? I've decided to go with the SWC-250a but I'll have to look into the flow through required for the sump. I originally thought to go with an ATB but the cost was just too great and the SWC is pretty much an ATB medium or large even for less than the price of the ATB small, too good a deal to pass up!

I need to make sure this tank runs as quiet as I can manage also. It will be in the living room of our Adult Care Home that I own which serves as sleeping quarters for my brother and I when we're here overnight with our residents. All my equipment choices have been made carefully with silence and efficiency in mind. Additionally, I'd like to keep heat to a minimum where I can. I only have a 1/4HP chiller and am hoping this will do fine with this new tank. I decided to try a floating style canopy that's open on the top to help out with this. Also, I just like how the suspended canopies look, very "sheik" and sexy, LOL!

Also, to update everyone looks like the tank will be here March 4th after all. I got a call that it was gonna come early but I guess not? My Halide ballasts and reflectors should arrive today and I'll be able to begin work on my light rack this weekend.

I ended up deciding on the Galaxy ballast and the Lumenmaxe Elite reflector combo. I was in a bit of a wrestling match on the ballast choices. I know the 250 watt Radiums are best run on the Blue Wave 3 but I think the Galaxy's support them pretty well too. I made my final decision after seeing this tank: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1440580&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Taylor is running the same ballasts, bulbs, reflectors and his tank is the same size as mine minus 6 inches of height. I think his tank and corals look phenomenal and he's not even running any actinic supplemental lighting!

Also, if for some reason I decide I want to try a "non HQI" bulb, I'll have the option to do so! However, I think with the Galaxy's, Lumenmax Elite's, Radium's and the t5's on the Icecap 660, it's gonna really POP!!! Just my opinion though....

Anyway, thanks for the input and I'll try to post up some pics of the light rack project and anything else that comes up soon!

Dave

 

[rkaires]

I’ve been using Eheims (1048,1250 &1260) for years and love them. I have to admit the new Tunze silence pumps look real good. Same performance less watts.

Good luck on your build.

 

[stunreefer]

This is gonna be an awesome build Dave, congrats man!

 

[Dave's Reef]

Well,

Thanks everybody for your kind words, I appreciate it!

Not too much to report at this point but thought I'd try to keep you all up to speed on things.

Found out my Lumenmaxe Elite's are on back order(bummer!) and that my tank won't be here until Wednesday. At least Earl at Aqua Touch, where I ordered the tank, swears this anyway??? He's a good guy so, I'll cut him some slack all though I am quite anxious!

I was planning on putting my light rack together this weekend but can't do it without the Lumenmax's so I just cut the pieces to size and picked up my Metal halide ballasts.

Probably going to order my return pump this week and some substrate for the tank. I'm going with the Eheim 1260 for the return and for my substrate I've chosen to go with the Tropic Eden brand. I'll use a combination of the crumbs and flakes for a blend of 2 - 3.5mm size pieces. I've heard real good things about Tropic Eden so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Also, this week I'll try to order the couple of ball valve joints that I need, a Neptune dimmable lunar light kit and Salt. I've already got an AC3 so, the lunar kit will be a nice addition.

The only things left are the few inevitable odds and ends, my protein skimmer (SWC 250a) and a couple of Tunze 6105's. It'll probably be around April for the Tunze's but I've got some old Maxi-mods that will do until then.

Short of that I'll just throw in a couple pics for everyone... not very exciting ones though:lol:

Mock up for light rack

A couple 250watt Galaxy Ballasts

 

[GSMguy]

Good update this is going to be a nice tank.

 

[SunnyX]

Is that a rabbit on top of the ballast boxes in the pic????

 

[Dave's Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14513368#post14513368 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Is that a rabbit on top of the ballast boxes in the pic????

LWOL... No, that's my Nephew's head! He was doing his book report and I just chose to set the ballasts there at the table he was working at to take the picture. That's funny though!

Nick- THANKS man, glad to have you along for the ride!

 

[Dave's Reef]

Update...

Update...

Well,

The tank, sump and reflectors came in today so I thought I'd throw out a couple of teaser shots.

Additionally I've ordered a few more things, bulk heads (Hayward Sch. 80) 3/4" and 1", 2x Heavy Duty Cepex True Union Ball Valve's 1" and 3/4" from Bulk Reef Supply. Also, I ordered the Lunar Light Kit and instead of the Eheim 1260 I took Brad's advice and ordered the new Tunze Silence 1073.040 as my return pump. I LOVE my streams and they run dead silent so, I'm thinking the return pump ought to be the same quality and SILENCE!

Lastly, my buddy who's building my stand and canopy tells me it will be ready next weekend so, looks like things are rolling along! I'll try to get the light canopy together this weekend since the reflector's came in and work on setting up my temporary holding tank for the fish and corals.

Till then here's a few pics:

The new tank

A look inside

The new sump

Finally, the reflectors!
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/36139DSC01774.jpg

 

[Dave's Reef]

Belated update...

Belated update...

Sorry for not keeping up here guys...

B]THE WHOLE STORY[/B]

Had a few things going on lately, I had to send the tank back to LeeMar unfortunately but it's good though. I had two holes cut out in the back left and right corners of the euro-bracing for power cords and such to go up and out of the aquarium through. Initially I requested them to be cut 1" in size which a plug goes through fine however, what I didn't take into account was the little square doo-hickey thing on my Tunze power cords that links the pump to the controller. It comes in at just over 1.75 inches so, guess what??? It doesn't fit through the wholes I had made:mad2: So, off it goes to Lee Mar to get the wholes resized!

THE STAND

Now then there's the matter of my stand, it's coming along very nicely and I'm quite pleased with it's progress! I went to my buddies last night to try out a couple of stains. They looked good in the garage at his house but when I got them home they didn't look quite the same? I have another choice up my sleeve though that I'm pretty sure will come out just right. Once we get the stain choice worked out it should be done by next weekend.

Here's a couple pictures for you to check out...

THE REST OF THE STORY

Other than that I've gotten the light rack together(mostly) and have ordered a bunch of stuff that should all arrive this week. Oh yeah, I'm gonna need to order some more Bak and Sponge Power to have enough for the KZ 14 day start process and other than that I think that catches me up for now!

Thanks for stoppin in!

 

[reefer334]

Awesome Stand!!! That sucks about the holes.

When is the tank coming back?

 

[Dave's Reef]

My local dealer says about a week and two weeks worst case scenario. Not too bad, I just want to get it right the first time. I've paid a fair sum of $$$ and I've waited a bit already, a little while longer to get it "exactly" as I intended doesn't bother me.

Besides, the skimmer I'm looking to get isn't available till the middle of this month first part of next so I've got time.