FINALLY MY TURN!....225g build thread...(Lots of pics)

[Tangwich]

I'm ectatic to be writing this thread because it means that I accomplished something that has meant a lot to me for the last 5 years. You see, five years ago when I was 23yrs old, I had a 12 gallon nano reef tank in my first apartment with very little success. I couldn't keep fish or coral alive for more than a week and didn't have a computer so I had no access to the very knowledgeable and helpful people on this forum and others alike. The several LFS wouldn't give me much info because they wanted to keep selling me livestock. I decided for the sake of the fish and corals to exit the hobby and vowed that when I bought my 1st house, that I would set up a reef tank in my living room and do it the right way

I was fortunate to buy my 1st house 02/2007, but since I did it on my own, I wasn't able to set up a tank (financial reasons) until 08/2007. Albeit a 28gallon nano, it has been a great tank and all corals and fish have thrived in that tank (still running today). 2 weeks ago (01/2008) I came upon a great opportunity which was to buy a 225gallon complete setup from a reefer that my friend knew. And now the journey begins...

After moving the tank to my house, it sits in my living room next to my 28 gallon nano reef tank..

Tank Specs:
225 gallon glass tank that measures 72" X 24" X 30" tall. Center overflow with black back.

And here is all the crap, err-uh equipment, LS, LR and water in my garage with my baby in the background..

 

[Tangwich]

Here are the 3 ballast as I will be running 3-250watt MH...please excuse the innocent beverages in the background

And here is the canopy with the lights..

A shot of the 1/2 chiller

 

[Tangwich]

Getting the plumbing set up...

Me adding the LS..

After I did the rockwork with plenty of caves and overhangs for future residents...

Finally water time..Can you tell I'm real happy?

And then there were bumps in the road....3 separate leaks

 

[Tangwich]

And after 4 trips to home depot, got everything fixed and up and running...

Finally FTS with canopy and lights up. Me cleaning the glass with MagFloat..

Cloudy water, 2nd day of water being in tank and everything running well..

So now I sit and wait because my levels are all too high still. Will do a 30% water change in next couple of days and test water to see where I am in the cycling process...

This thread will be filled with many pictures to come so stay tuned.:rollface:

Lastly I would like to dedicate this thread to my best friend LOLA (and no, she isn't a showgirl) :lol: Her and I set up the entire thing and messed up but then fixed it as well :lol:

Thanks and sorry for making you read my entire lifestory ..hope you didn't knock out more than once
Any questions or suggestions are appreciated as all advice is taken into consideration

 

[pipper]

NICE VETTE! errr fish tank hahah...

Great build! keep the pics coming!

 

[yaktop]

you'll not like the chiller in the stand. it will expel to much heat and be working against you. you'd be better off venting outdoors or into your garage if you are able.

 

[Tangwich]

Thanks Pipper, my friends don't understand why I spent what I did on the tank when I could have spent that on a supercharger or twin turbos on the car...I tried to explain that the car is plenty fast as it is and the tank is for my enjoyment and satisfaction..

Yaktop, I thought about that exact same thing. I might reconfigure it so that the chiller is outside, next to the stand..thanks for your input.

 

[Kannin]

Very nice... I like the rock work.

 

[adammreef]

i would deffinitly move the chiller. its just gonna blow hot air into the stand and have to work twice as hard.

 

[Tremelle]

Congrats. I know the feeling when you first step into the "large tank world". Just wait until the tank gets too small. I am convinced there is something in a man's mind that we must have bigger toys. Just think of the tv you watch. It was big enough when you bought it. Now it is too small.

 

[mcliffy2]

Looking good. The one piece of constructive criticism might be that you'll definitely want to upgrade the skimmer at some point.

 

[Tangwich]

Thanks everyone for the kind words and I sure hope that the day my tank seems too small isn't for at least another 2 or 3 years.

McLiffy2, thanks for the contructive criticism...I completely agree with you. But not sure what make and model..any ideas besides a Deltec?

Future upgrades include skimmer, bigger sump, calcium reactor and nitrate reactor...

By the way, does everyone agree that a nitrate reactor AND a phosphate reactor is needed for a reef tank this size?

Thanks

 

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11714755#post11714755 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tangwich
Thanks everyone for the kind words and I sure hope that the day my tank seems too small isn't for at least another 2 or 3 years.

McLiffy2, thanks for the contructive criticism...I completely agree with you. But not sure what make and model..any ideas besides a Deltec?

Future upgrades include skimmer, bigger sump, calcium reactor and nitrate reactor...

By the way, does everyone agree that a nitrate reactor AND a phosphate reactor is needed for a reef tank this size?

Thanks

Lets see, on the more budget end of the scale, the MSX 250 from marine solutions ($500) is getting good reviews, if you dont mind a bit of tinkering. Premium Aquatics will have a coralvue Octo Pro series 200 coming out soon that will also run about $500. On my 238g I'm going with the Reeflo 250, but it is probably a bit overkill, you could probably do a Reeflo 200 ($850). On the higher end brands, obviously, H&S and Bubbleking are also good, but cost a hefty penny ($1200 plus). I guess I should also ask if you want internal or external? The Reeflo is external only. btw, no hurry on the skimmer while you are cycling. I ran my current tank skimmerless for a month and only got the skimmer once I started adding livestock.

On the reactors, definitely recommend a phosphate reactor, but I dont see any need for a nitrate reactor.

Also, one other area you could upgrade would be those reflectors. Those flat reflectors are loosing a ton of light (see all the light spilling into your room), even simple spider reflectors would be an improvement and direct a lot more light to your corals:
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop...d=566&osCsid=6cba7f49859e542efc9f8698c18a2a7e
The best in your case would probably be lumenarc 3 minis, they run $100 or so each new, but you can often find them used on the selling board here for less.
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop...d=539&osCsid=6cba7f49859e542efc9f8698c18a2a7e

 

[Tangwich]

Thanks, those are all good options. I think since I'm planning on doing a semi heavy bioload (approx 20 fish including 3 tangs and 1 blueface) the bigger the better. Also I will be upgrading my sump in the near future to a bigger one with refugium so probably in sump/internal would work best. Thanks

 

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11716195#post11716195 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tangwich
Thanks, those are all good options. I think since I'm planning on doing a semi heavy bioload (approx 20 fish including 3 tangs and 1 blueface) the bigger the better. Also I will be upgrading my sump in the near future to a bigger one with refugium so probably in sump/internal would work best. Thanks

If you are going to have a fuge in your sump, its probably easiest to have your skimmer outside of it/external. You could build a little cabinet for it. Something like done in this thread:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1274301&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

 

[spongebobby]

I'm starting a 210 and will be running the new Octo Pro also.It is a in-sump skimmer with a very nice pump. Pulls 50scfh at a very low wattage.Should easily handle your tank. Check them out at Premium Aquatics. I believe they are pre-ordering now.What size return pump are you using?Tank looks great... subscribing now..

I will be starting my "official" build thread when I recieve the skimmer.

 

[Tangwich]

Spongebobby, I too have narrowed it down to either Octo Pro, Asm or Euroreef for my upgrade after tax return ; ) .....as for the pump, upgraded to Iwaki.......can't wait to see your build thread and new skimmer.....so now onto some updates...the tank is doing really great and all levels have stabilized so here are the updated pics of coral as I have transfered some pieces from my nano into it and bought some new pieces this week.

 

[Tangwich]

First new inhabitants included blue leg and scarlet hermit crabs..

And this is why I call it my "Thumbs Up Tank" lol

Will take more pictures of the new additions tonight and post them..

 

[wachuko]

Looking good. Keep us posted on the progress.

I am also setting up a 210. Put the LR in today.

 

[MonkeeFish]

that tank looks like a monster next to you : ] beautiful tank though. you need a bigger skimmer buddy : ]