Quite a few updates:
I built about a 7ft x 5ft base/ platform to raise the tank up 12 inches which I feel was a great idea. The tank is in perfect view, no need to squat down to see everything.
The platform is built out of Qty. (2) 2x10's sandwiched, glued and screwed in together. 3/4 plywood on the bottom and on the top. Spaced and secured 16 inches apart. This helped with not only providing a better view of the tank but also helped spread out the weight of roughly 3,850 lbs. across the floor.
I prepped and sprayed the stand and base with 2 layers of Flex Seal, black for the stand and white for the canopy to help with light deflection. I also did this to help with salt residue and moisture.
Installed my 75 gallon DIY sump, I had a Regal 250sss skimmer, but had to return it and go with a Skimz Monzter 253DC skimmer due to clearance. I am very pleased with the new skimmer, after 72hrs its preforming very well.
Lighting has been set up and configured, the 5x Radion G3 lights have been mounted inside of the canopy along with the 8x T5 lights. 4x ATI 39w coral plus, 4x ATI 39W Blue Plus. Lighting is now plugged into and controlled by my Apex Neptune system. I love the Apex system.
Pulled out all of the 5 year old live rock and sand out of my 100 Gallon and put it in the new tank. Plumbed the tank, started it up and 3 weeks later all is well.
Next Steps, at least the ones I can remember.
• Install and set up a new breaker box 2x 20 amps.
• Order the new Red Dragon 230W pump as soon as it is available, hopefully soon.
• Make another DIY sump, one made out of Acrylic and one that will give me more clearance and a bit more volume
• Wire maintenance, wire maintenance, and more wire maintenance.
• Build and install a box for all of the Apex components.
• Completely re plumb the sump tank, now that it’s up and running and have a clearer understanding of what I want and what works best for the tank, I will take the time and properly plumb the new sump and I believe I have a few slick ideas.
• Install and plumb the emperor Aquatics UV 80watt sterilizer. Have a few slick ideas for this as well.
• Make a special DIY filter for any media, it will be a quick disconnect type and will probably make it out of an empty 10gallon salt bucket,
• Add 2x 10 Gallon DSB buckets with quick disconnects as well, they will be plumbed off to the side of the tank
• Design and install a R/O salt mix station… A summer project.
Lastly tank is up and running, everything looks good, all fish are healthy and doing well. Need to read up this weekend on Anemones and a few soft corals that I have, they are doing ok, but not looking great where as others are and thriving????
I built about a 7ft x 5ft base/ platform to raise the tank up 12 inches which I feel was a great idea. The tank is in perfect view, no need to squat down to see everything.
The platform is built out of Qty. (2) 2x10's sandwiched, glued and screwed in together. 3/4 plywood on the bottom and on the top. Spaced and secured 16 inches apart. This helped with not only providing a better view of the tank but also helped spread out the weight of roughly 3,850 lbs. across the floor.
I prepped and sprayed the stand and base with 2 layers of Flex Seal, black for the stand and white for the canopy to help with light deflection. I also did this to help with salt residue and moisture.
Installed my 75 gallon DIY sump, I had a Regal 250sss skimmer, but had to return it and go with a Skimz Monzter 253DC skimmer due to clearance. I am very pleased with the new skimmer, after 72hrs its preforming very well.
Lighting has been set up and configured, the 5x Radion G3 lights have been mounted inside of the canopy along with the 8x T5 lights. 4x ATI 39w coral plus, 4x ATI 39W Blue Plus. Lighting is now plugged into and controlled by my Apex Neptune system. I love the Apex system.
Pulled out all of the 5 year old live rock and sand out of my 100 Gallon and put it in the new tank. Plumbed the tank, started it up and 3 weeks later all is well.
Next Steps, at least the ones I can remember.
• Install and set up a new breaker box 2x 20 amps.
• Order the new Red Dragon 230W pump as soon as it is available, hopefully soon.
• Make another DIY sump, one made out of Acrylic and one that will give me more clearance and a bit more volume
• Wire maintenance, wire maintenance, and more wire maintenance.
• Build and install a box for all of the Apex components.
• Completely re plumb the sump tank, now that it’s up and running and have a clearer understanding of what I want and what works best for the tank, I will take the time and properly plumb the new sump and I believe I have a few slick ideas.
• Install and plumb the emperor Aquatics UV 80watt sterilizer. Have a few slick ideas for this as well.
• Make a special DIY filter for any media, it will be a quick disconnect type and will probably make it out of an empty 10gallon salt bucket,
• Add 2x 10 Gallon DSB buckets with quick disconnects as well, they will be plumbed off to the side of the tank
• Design and install a R/O salt mix station… A summer project.
Lastly tank is up and running, everything looks good, all fish are healthy and doing well. Need to read up this weekend on Anemones and a few soft corals that I have, they are doing ok, but not looking great where as others are and thriving????
