DSA 65g SPS build

[Ross33]

After having my current set up going for about 3 years now, I am looking to upgrade to my first all out sps system. Currently I am running a picoaquariums 15in cube:



Here is my current plan on equpiment

Tank: 65g DSA 36x20x20

Sump: Trigger systems CRYS30S

Stand: will be custom made with a custom hanging canopy

Pumps: 2x MP10 with Mag 7 return. May throw in a tunze nanostream as well

Rock: I am going to move my current rock structure from my nano as one side of the tank. I will build another structure for the opposite side using reefrocks.net rock.

Substrate: BB all the way! I plan on going starboard and silicone-ing it in this time.

Reactors: Unsure just yet. I may run GFO in a BRS reactor. I do plan on running Zeovit. I would love to hear recommendations for reactors.

Lighting: Currently the biggest question mark. I have an AI sol over my nano and I do like it, but I know I want to go back to metal halide for the absolute best growth and color.

I am not sure if I can get away with one 250w or 400w metal halide over a 3ft tank. I would love to hear opinions on this. I plan on making a low profile hanging canopy so one of the low profile reflectors will be my only option. Hamilton has a nice 12.75x12.75x5 inch reflector that I was looking at. I plan on supplementing with either T5 or LED, still not sure. I would like to hear any opinons on this. I'm going for absolute best growth and color. I could keep my AI sol and add another one, or go with T5's.

Livestock: Will keep my 2 true percs and royal gramma. I plan on adding a flame angel and possibly a mandarin.

Thats it for now. I am driving to Dallas tomorrow to pick up the tank, sump, and skimmer. I will update with some pics when I get it all.

 

[franklypre]

I would suggest LEDs and T5s, probably will be fine with 2 mp10s, wait on the madarin until you have tons of pods. I love my flame in my 58, sounds like a good start to me.

 

[Andyf30]

For MH and T5 mix, check out the reefbrite pedants. 2 Actinic blue strips attached to a 150 or 250 (dont remember if they have a 400) watt MH. 2 250's would give you great coverage over that tank.

 

[biggles]

Your plans look good to me I run a single 250W radium with 4 x 39W T5's over my 40x24x18 and can keep colorful SPS top to bottom, side to side in my system. :thumbsup:

 

[Ross33]

Thanks for the input so far guys. Biggles, what reflector are you running? Can you post a pic so I can see the light spread?

 

[biggles]

This is just the radium bulb running so you can see the light coverage.

Reflector i use.

 

[Ross33]

Couple updates. I have figured out my lighting with the help from Dave at reef geek. I am gonna go with a single 250w radium in a cabo sun mini reflector along 2x39w t5's. I am thinkign ATI aquablues, but I will probably get a few different bulbs and see what I like.

I have been seriously debating and researching a full zeovit system. I love the colors but I just don't want to commit to a full zeo system. Just too expensive and time consuming for me. During hunting season I am gone for most weekends and I don't want to have to worry about adding a drop of this and that and stirring the reactor. I am almost positive I am goin to go with a bio pellet and GFO system. Id love to hear other ideas on this as well. There may be other options I haven't looked at.

I plan to start the stand in a couple weeks and ill update when I get plans drawn up.

 

[Ross33]

Update. Got lots of things from BRS today. New RO system, 2 part dosing stuff with dosing pumps, and biopellet reactor.




Question about the biopellet reactor: If I go with a mag 9.5 as my return, will it give me enough flow to T off for the reactor and my return?

I also ordered a Lumatek ballast and radium bulb today. Should be in late this week.

 

[Ross33]

Ordered a mag 9, gonna order my apex lite this week, and I also got started on the stand.

Designed it to maximize the inside space.

 

[Andyf30]

For the 2 supplemental t5's go blue+ instead of aquablue's. The blue plus still put out crazy par, but will have more actinic pop than the aquablue. The halide will take care of growth, use the t5's to add color

 

[gtmow00]

I run a mag Drive 9.5 on my 65g and it does great, but I do have a bit of an overhead due to the fact that my tank is in the wall and the fuge is in a Room on the other side of the wall. You can always add a T with a return valve back to the fuge, if you feel that the flow in your DT is too high.

 

[Ross33]

Few updates

Got 75lbs of rock from reefrock. I'm gonna use 40lbs or so and build a nice structure, and use the existing structure from my nano as well. The rock will cycle for the next few weeks or so to minamize my cycle.

I have been working hard on the stand. I am priming the entire frame and inside with kilz, and it is all being painted a semi gloss white. I am still undecided on the stain for the wood. I'm Minwax English Chestnut. I'm gonna go get some samples tonight and try them out.

 

[Arkayology]

If you are planning on running zeovit and want a save a few bucks, the Vertex 1.5L zeoreactor is a good choice. It doesn't have all the fancy magnets that the KZ reactors have, but it gets the job done well and has a small footprint.

Looks like you have a great build here. Great job on the stand.

 

[Ross33]

Couple of big updates. Got the stand finished and overall I am happy with it, just not quite the stain color I thought it was going to be.

Got my starboard from cutting board.com. Got it cut for the overflow and sanded down the bottom edges so it lays flush with the bottom glass. I am goin to silicone it all in today as well.

Also got my apex and break out box in.

I went a completely different route with my lighting than the original plan, but I think it is going to work out well. Ill update that soon. I also plan on doing the plumbing today so I will update with a picture when I get it done.

 

[Ross33]

Here is what I have so far. I would love to hear what y'all think. Any flaws or things I need to change?

 

[cwagner122]

Nice Progress! I really like how you plumbed the reactor in to the return line please let me know how it works out. Any Pictures of the tank? I just ordered the same one from DSA.

 

[Ross33]

Nice Progress! I really like how you plumbed the reactor in to the return line please let me know how it works out. Any Pictures of the tank? I just ordered the same one from DSA.

Thanks! I re did the plumbing again. Are you getting the brs reactor? If so, I found a very easy way to plumb it in. It's just a 90 elbow in whatever size you need with a 1/2" threaded female end in it. Worked perfect.

Here is a pic of the tank and one of how I siliconed the starboard in.

 

[cwagner122]

Yea i got the BRS reactor, thanks for the tip. Tank looks great i'm pretty stoked about it. What thickness starboard did you end up going with?

 

[Ross33]

I did 1/2" which I think will be plenty thick to not curl. If you want it to be flush with the rim on the bottom go with 3/4"

 

[milsaltnewbie07]

Looking good. Outstanding organization and planning