kirkaz
Jade
Six years ago my wife and I purchased a lot with intentions to build a custom home. I knew I wanted a very large reef tank, however I realized I didn't want to give up the Angels and Triggers that drew me into the hobby, the natural conclusion"¦"¦2 big tanks!! The build got delayed, moved, and pretty slow all around, but the finish line is near. Hope to be moving in at the end of June, tanks being delivered tomorrow.
Originally had the reef planned for 10x4x2.5, however when my wife and our architect decided it would be great to have the game room/fish room on the second floor:headwallblue:"¦..well, I decided I better scale it down a little bit for my own comfort.
I had ATM and Titan price them out, ATM was a bit spendy and delivery kills you. Titan is local and better priced and builds a very nice tank, but in the end I went with SouthWest Seas, for a project like this, I was happy that Mark Parks (owner) will be overseeing everything, and has worked very closely with my builder.
Challenges-A. Being on the second floor. I don't even want to know the dollar amount we spent to get the needed support for these! I know they are safe, but still wish they would've been downstairs. B Split second story. This was done to allow taller ceilings in the living room below. The aquarium service room is 2 feet lower than where the tanks are. We compensated by building a platform for the sumps.
Tank 1
5x5x2.5 FOWLR roughly 465 gallon. 3 visible sides, peninsula you could say. Will be viewable as you walk up the stairs.
I'm really excited about the dimensions of this tank, fairly uncommon, though I hope won't be too challenging to work on. Certainly thought it was better as a swim tank than a reef tank. All my current 240 inhabitants will go to this tank, several I've had for 7 years now.
Planned equipment (nothing ordered, subject to change).
I know it's out of style, but we are doing a good old fashioned Trickle Down Wet/Dry sump on this. I really like the simplicity of this, I'm not horribly worried about nitrates in a FOWLR, I have 14 years worth of nitrates.
Skimmer-LifeReef VS3-48 I wanted to do in-sump, I don't think there is more bang for your buck on the market
Lights-Leaning toward 5 Kessill A360 W, 1 at each corner, and one in the middle
2 Vortech MP 60's
Ozone-definitely doing, not sure which model.
Return-Mag 24
Apex controller of some sort.
Auto Top Off
At this point, no reactors or other exciting stuff. I will likely dose vodka.
Tank 2
8x3x2.5 (roughly 450 gallon) Mixed Reef. Only one visible panel sitting behind the bar. Plan to keep the fish bio load light in here. Maybe a few Tangs for algae control, in general a bunch of Anthia, reef safe Wrasses, Gobies, Blennies and so on. My must have fish (down the road), are Leopard Wrasses, and Mandarins.
72 inch, 3 chamber sump with refugium.
Lights-AI Hydra 52, 8 total. Lined up 4x2. Again, not ordered yet, so I'm open to suggestions and change
Skimmer-LifeReef VS3-48
1 Vortech MP 60. I wish I could do 2, but one end of the tank is really not accessible. Would love to do a couple MP 40's at the back, but won't work with the 1 inch acrylic.
Return-Probably doing a Reeflo Hammerhead, and then do a closed loop with another Hammerhead
Ozone-Yes, model TBD
Apex Controller
Auto Top Off
Not really sure what I'm doing for reactors and whatnot. Calcium? Dosing pump? Hoping for some thoughts here.
A few pictures up next
Originally had the reef planned for 10x4x2.5, however when my wife and our architect decided it would be great to have the game room/fish room on the second floor:headwallblue:"¦..well, I decided I better scale it down a little bit for my own comfort.
I had ATM and Titan price them out, ATM was a bit spendy and delivery kills you. Titan is local and better priced and builds a very nice tank, but in the end I went with SouthWest Seas, for a project like this, I was happy that Mark Parks (owner) will be overseeing everything, and has worked very closely with my builder.
Challenges-A. Being on the second floor. I don't even want to know the dollar amount we spent to get the needed support for these! I know they are safe, but still wish they would've been downstairs. B Split second story. This was done to allow taller ceilings in the living room below. The aquarium service room is 2 feet lower than where the tanks are. We compensated by building a platform for the sumps.
Tank 1
5x5x2.5 FOWLR roughly 465 gallon. 3 visible sides, peninsula you could say. Will be viewable as you walk up the stairs.
I'm really excited about the dimensions of this tank, fairly uncommon, though I hope won't be too challenging to work on. Certainly thought it was better as a swim tank than a reef tank. All my current 240 inhabitants will go to this tank, several I've had for 7 years now.
Planned equipment (nothing ordered, subject to change).
I know it's out of style, but we are doing a good old fashioned Trickle Down Wet/Dry sump on this. I really like the simplicity of this, I'm not horribly worried about nitrates in a FOWLR, I have 14 years worth of nitrates.
Skimmer-LifeReef VS3-48 I wanted to do in-sump, I don't think there is more bang for your buck on the market
Lights-Leaning toward 5 Kessill A360 W, 1 at each corner, and one in the middle
2 Vortech MP 60's
Ozone-definitely doing, not sure which model.
Return-Mag 24
Apex controller of some sort.
Auto Top Off
At this point, no reactors or other exciting stuff. I will likely dose vodka.
Tank 2
8x3x2.5 (roughly 450 gallon) Mixed Reef. Only one visible panel sitting behind the bar. Plan to keep the fish bio load light in here. Maybe a few Tangs for algae control, in general a bunch of Anthia, reef safe Wrasses, Gobies, Blennies and so on. My must have fish (down the road), are Leopard Wrasses, and Mandarins.
72 inch, 3 chamber sump with refugium.
Lights-AI Hydra 52, 8 total. Lined up 4x2. Again, not ordered yet, so I'm open to suggestions and change
Skimmer-LifeReef VS3-48
1 Vortech MP 60. I wish I could do 2, but one end of the tank is really not accessible. Would love to do a couple MP 40's at the back, but won't work with the 1 inch acrylic.
Return-Probably doing a Reeflo Hammerhead, and then do a closed loop with another Hammerhead
Ozone-Yes, model TBD
Apex Controller
Auto Top Off
Not really sure what I'm doing for reactors and whatnot. Calcium? Dosing pump? Hoping for some thoughts here.
A few pictures up next
