HTX 375g SPS Dominate Build

[Ostentum]

So here it goes. I purchased the tank used back on the Saturday before Easter and it has been sitting pretty much dormant since. I said all along I was going to take my time with this build but now I am actually starting to get things rolling here are the specs and equipment so far.

96x32x28 3/4" Acrylic Aquarium, manufacturer unknown, overflow box made by Modular Marine (36" low profile box)
42" tall steel stand, currently have a wrap and canopy being made
48" PM Pro Sump
20g PM top off tank
Vectra L1 Return Pump
Vectra L1 Closed Loop Pump
2x Waveline Wave Pucks for the back of the tank
2x Gyre 250 Pumps for the sides of the Tank
Vertex Alpha 250 Skimmer
2x36" Aquatic Life Hybrid units with ATI blue+
4x Hydra 52HDs
2x Hydra 26HDs

I know a thread is useless without pictures so more to come this evening.

 

[Ostentum]

Couple of things I am currently working on. I hope to finish the polishing after Thanksgiving and then I will need to pressure wash the rock and bring it inside.
Polishing the tank:

And rockwork:

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[Sisterlimonpot]

You're off to a good start! I agree that taking it slow is the key to success, the hard part is following through with that idea...

 

[Ostentum]

Update: got the rock in the tank this weekend.

Looking from top right

Top Left

Front Views

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[McPuff]

Coming along nicely. Some constructive criticism on the rock scape... I would remove some of the rocks on the right edge of the left side. Make the space between the pile larger. This will effectively shift the left pile over a bit and make the whole more aesthetically pleasing (closer to 2:3 ratio). After that consider making one pile taller than the other. You want to avoid symmetry.

Anyway, don't take those as negatives, just ways in which I think you can make it even better. Looking forward to more updates!

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I like that you have a lot of horizontal space for coral placement. I can envision the established tank already!

 

[Ostentum]

Coming along nicely. Some constructive criticism on the rock scape... I would remove some of the rocks on the right edge of the left side. Make the space between the pile larger. This will effectively shift the left pile over a bit and make the whole more aesthetically pleasing (closer to 2:3 ratio). After that consider making one pile taller than the other. You want to avoid symmetry.

Anyway, don't take those as negatives, just ways in which I think you can make it even better. Looking forward to more updates!

Thanks for the Feedback. I will try to shift some of that around alittle. Problem is that the right side of the left stack is cover 1 of the inlets and 1 output of the closed loop. and the Same with the left side of the right stack. Tried to make the channel between the to inlets. One of the local LFS is having their anniversary sale this weekend so I might try to pick up another 20 pounds or so to go a little higher on the left side.

 

[Ostentum]

Update: added a couple more pounds of rock. Filled tank with rodi(took 5 days) and added a canopy and stand wrap for the steel stand. I did notice that the back left corner is about a 1/4-1/2" out of level with the bubble touching the right side of center line. Tank is 3/4" acrylic do you think I need to drain and try to relevel it or will it be ok?

Close up of the wood

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[sfsuphysics]

Very interesting grain pattern, why kind of wood is that?

 

[Ostentum]

Very interesting grain pattern, why kind of wood is that?

Its an Cabinet Ebony Formica. Went with an veneer as opposed to solid hardwood. The Macassar Ebony I wanted was $157 a board foot and probably would have cost me $20-30k in wood just for the stand, hard pass lol.

 

[Ostentum]

Lights up on the tank now. Rock scape changed up a bit also. Ended up having to replace 2 bulkheads on the closed loop and drain the whole tank. Both of my vectra L1 went out within 24hrs of each other. Took the closed loop pump off no issues. Put the new on on and the bulkheads started a slow drip so drained it and redid the closed loop

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[Sisterlimonpot]

Wow, What happened with the Vectras?

 

[Ostentum]

Wow, What happened with the Vectras?

Both Seized up and they were the newer black impellers. Ecotech did replace the pumps only. I bought in addition a backup pump which i am glad I did, since ecotech only replaced the pumps and not the controllers. Looks like I also have a bad controller. Everything is running though, i will just need to contact ecotech again to see what to do with the controller, maybe its just a reset on the controller and I am good, just havent had time to mess with it.