Footie SPS 120g

[Msleckro]

Hello All!
I've recently bought a 120gal reef ready tank from a follow forum follower. I want to start a thread from the beginning and keep everyone updated on my build. It will take some time but input is ALWAYS welcome.

I had a 65gal SPS tank last year, which was my first tank. I ended up setting my entire set up because i thought i was moving to Cali. Long story short, i didn't go. Now i'm back to square one. I'm planning on making a set up in my basement for the 120 gal.

I will keep this updated as much as possible. Any comments or suggests are greatly appreciated!

These are my plans for the tank so far. I made this on Google Sketch Up.

 

[Msleckro]

This is the wall I removed to make room for the new tank!



This is after i did some framing. I Still need to do the upper section of the framing. I'm making a small change to my original plans. I'm not keeping the right side of the tank open so i can have a side view.



This is the back side of the tank. I will have my "sump room" back here. I'm still trying to figure out how to set up everything but i have a couple ideas.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. ALL SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME!

 

[Msleckro]

The tank is in just need to get the pumping and all the fun parts set up.


I recently picked up an entire set-up from a local reefer getting out of the hobby. I had to set up a 45 gallon bow front right away for a couple of fish and coral he gave me. Live rock, heater, and circulation is all i have in the tank. Everything is doing great.


ITS LIKE CHRISTMAS!! I'm very excited to set the 120gal up!

 

[Msleckro]

Still moving along. Cleaning the sump room up. Hopefully I have more time to work on it this weekend.


The breaker is in.. It's official the house is a reef junkie house.

I now have this breaker only for the electric needed for tank. Safety first.

 

[Msleckro]

I finally have everything plumbed in and did my first leak test this weekend. As usual there we some adjustments that needed to be done.

All the plumbing is 1" PVC with spears gate values.

The have the EV 240 skimmer hooked up with the mag 18.



The wiring / control panel is the next big step. I started by mounting the radion ballast and apex controller. There will be a lot of organizing to do.



I have most of it set up and ready to go. I'm waiting for a few extra pieces. The automatic water change has been set-up. I used a small pump to pump the water out into a drain that i installed right behind the tank.



There is a float switch which shuts the pump up once it lowers the water level. Then the pump from the saltwater barrel is pumped back into the tank until the high level float switch is reached.

 

[Msleckro]

I also did an acid wash for my dry rock. I soaked the rocks in an acid wash for about 3 hours then did a vinegar soak for 24 hours.

 

[Msleckro]

I made a DIY floating Algae Surf Scrubber. I used Red Led's, a project box from radiostack, closed cell foam, two part bar top epoxy, and string.

 

[Msleckro]

Fast Forward a few months....

I have fishless cycled my tank and starting stocking it..

Everything has been good thus far. I just starting using the calcium reactor and i think i have it dialed in. The control mixed with the aquariumplant reactor made it real easy.

Here's an up to date pic of the sump room


AND here the tank...


Fish list:

(1) carpenter wrasee
(1) Yellow eyed Kole tang
(1) Powder Blue Tang
(1) Midas Blenny
(5) Lyretail Anthias
(2) Snowflake clowns

Inverts
(1) Coral banded shrimp
(1) Fire Shrimp

 

[Nanighan]

great start and perfect choice of fish. Two of my favorite tangs! The Kole tang is a must have for a reef setup as they will spit shine those rocks and keep it algae free.

 

[Arkayology]

Nice setup! The fish list is awesome too! Now you just need more SPS

 

[Msleckro]

great start and perfect choice of fish. Two of my favorite tangs! The Kole tang is a must have for a reef setup as they will spit shine those rocks and keep it algae free.

Yea I love both the tangs. I want one more fish but I'm not sure which one I'm going to get. I figure I'll take my time

Nice setup! The fish list is awesome too! Now you just need more SPS

Thanks! I can't wait to get more sps. Just taking my time though.

 

[Msleckro]

Hey All!,

Just wanted to update the thread a little, its been a while.

Here's what has happened.... In the beginning of the summer my powder blue got stressed and got a disease (ick). The ick ended up killing all my fish quickly! I WAS MAD, upset and lost motivation.. I let the tank go without any feeding or water changes for about 3-4 months.

In the beginning of September I took a trip Cali and visited the San Francisco Academy of Sciences where they had a HUGE reef tank. Well... to say the least.. I was hooked again.

I've re-stocked my tank with fish and have the been slow getting the colors back in the corals.

Stock List:
4x Blue Green Chromis
3x Female Yellow Anthias
1x Male Square Side Anthias
1x Longfin fairy Wrasse
1x Starry Blenny
1x Yellow Eye Kole Tang
1x One Spot Foxface









Most of my corals were very pale and some were even bleached. I have been feeding 4 times a day and have lowered my Radions from 75% at peak daylight to 55%. This had made a huge difference in colors in a very short period of time.

PS. Iphone photos = suck.

 

[jdm1114]

Good work Mike! Your corals have grown a lot. Your teal stag, and limeade jump out as far as growth. And your Setosa fully encrusted that 2 inch diameter plug! I wish my Setosa grew that fast.

Very nice square spot

 

[Msleckro]

Good work Mike! Your corals have grown a lot. Your teal stag, and limeade jump out as far as growth. And your Setosa fully encrusted that 2 inch diameter plug! I wish my Setosa grew that fast.

Very nice square spot

Thanks man! Everything seems to be going great lately. All the algae is gone, and the corals are really starting to color up. I've increase my feeding from 1 time a day to 4 times a day.

I have also noticed a huge difference in color since i lowered my Radions to 60%

 

[sahin]

Looking good! What did you do to reduce the algae that appeared?

 

[Msleckro]

I added fish. The tang, foxface, and blenny have been doing a great job at keeping the rocks clean. I also started doing more water changes. I have been doing 5 Gallon water changes 4-5 times a week. All this has helped a lot. I've been trying to raise my magnesium levels slowly from 1200 to 1400.

 

[sahin]

How is your DIY scrubber performing? I am thinking of incorporating something like that in my new build. Would be grateful if you could post a photo of the algae growth? Trying to gauge if its worth buying one online or build one myself. Many thanks.

 

[jdm1114]

Mike made a killer algae scrubber! If I had the room in my sump, I would ask him to build me one.

 

[CausticGuy]

That's a heck of a tank room you've created!

 

[Msleckro]

How is your DIY scrubber performing? I am thinking of incorporating something like that in my new build. Would be grateful if you could post a photo of the algae growth? Trying to gauge if its worth buying one online or build one myself. Many thanks.

The Scrubber is working. It is definitely competing against my skimmer for nutrients to grow the algae. I have been feeding a lot more lately so the scrubber has been working more. It's still a work in progress but it seems to be doing its job. I will take a picture of the algae sometime tonight if I have a chance.

He's a link to the scrubber build I made:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2365652