Essence of Love Photography Studio Reef Build

[Essencereef]

I've been in reef keeping for 5 years now and have to admit, it's addicting

Since the beginnings I've been through a lot of different systems, but I am really excited about my latest build at my photography studio.

Starting this build there was no budget for such a huge tank, but as time went on, budget expended. Since I couldn't afford an Elos rimless system and starphire tanks of this size would run me a fortune, I had to go with good old used Aqueon tank picked up from craigslist.

Here is the system profile:

- 180 gallon corner overflow tank by Aqueon
- 30 gallon acrylic sump
- 14 gallon frag tank attached to main system
- 15 gallon refugium/anemone tank
- Neptune Systems Apex controller
- Super Reef Octopus 3000 skimmer
- 2x Radion xr30W fixtures by Ecotech and one 250W Radium metal halide in the middle (soon has to be replaced with third Radion module)
- 2x Tunze 6095 pumps controlled by apex
- MP40WS in main tank
- mp10 in the frag tank
- Mag 18 return pump
- Two little fishes reactors x 3 for Biopellets, carbon, and GFO
- Eheim heaters
- 120W Chinese LED fixture from eBay (which I absolutely love) over the frag tank.
- GHL Profilux 4-pump stand alone doser for dosing ESV B-Ionic
- LiterMeterIII for kalkwasser addition
- GEO Kalkwasser reactor (in top 5 purchases of past 5 years

There's also a lot of additional equipment which I will describe later.

I will jump right into the photos from the beginning and on.

 

[Essencereef]

beginnings...

beginnings...

I didn't actively photograph the progress, so there is a truncated version of what happened. These two pics show my build. Since I didn't have the money and skills to build a stand and wall for the tank, I put the tank on it's original stand boosted 4.5 inches and decided to build a wall around the tank

 

[urbaneks]

Good luck with the new build. I'm sure once you get the tank up and running that your photography skills will really highlight the tank.

I would suggest a different option for your wire management, it looks like a fire hazard to the right of your tank.