LPS157's 85g build

[Lps157]

Hi all.
I wanted to share the progress of my 85g sps build. Contrary to my name I love sps and want this tank to be primarily sps.

My current and first tank is 55 mixed reef. I've been really happy with results from my 55 over the past two years. However, my primary goal in this build is to eliminate some of the problems I've had with my 55. Hope to eliminate any unwanted critters or pests. Additional stand and tank room and just a overall cleaner layout.

DT is 48"x18"x22.5" Bottom is tempered so back was drilled for a overflow and closed loop.

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Sump is a 40 breeder, divided into a 14"x18"x17" sump and 19"x18"x17" fuge. Incorporated holder for heater, CA, ALK and ATO lines.

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Went with a Glass holes dart overflow. Large for this tank I know but really liking it so far. The overflow is really quiet for how much water it handles.

Two waterway 2700gph external pumps. One for overflow and one for CL.
I'm really lovin these pumps, only a slight hum from them witch I think I can still approve upon.

The return pump is split into four 3/4" loc line return across the center brace. Two for each side. The CL pump has a over the back intake next to the overflow and returns through two drilled holes in the back bottom wall. These then also split into two loc line returns. I'll be covering the CL returns with rubble to hide them as best I can.

In this pick you can see the returns and one of the pumps under the tank.
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Lights will be seven T5's powered by Icecap 660's. Skimmer will probably be a PM RL100.

Everything will be controlled from a ACIII. Dosing via two BRS dosers.

I got 50lbs of the BRS reef saver rock. This stuff is great, have the design mostly laid out but still have to put rods through things for stability. Should be a nice open look with two islands. Also decided on a 2" special grade sand bed.

I'll be putting all my current sps into QT for a couple weeks while this tank cycles to make sure nothing unwanted gets transferred.

Hopefully by the end of the week I will have some aquascaping pics to share.

Thanks for lookin!
Dan

 

[xmenx2dad]

Love the new build. Its going to be awesome

 

[Lps157]

Thanks. Heading out to paint the back of the tank now. Should be moving it out of the garage and into the house in the next day or two.

 

[Lps157]

Well just a small update. I got the back of the tank painted yesterday and moved it into its new place today. I'll be adding sand and starting on the rock work tomorrow hopefully. :thumbsup:

Then I have to extend the canopy and to fit the deeper tank. Hopefully will be swimmin this weekened.

<a href="http://s1091.photobucket.com/albums/i390/lps157/?action=view&current=GEDC0077.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i390/lps157/GEDC0077.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Lps157]

Got my rock work done tonight. Not exactly what I wanted but pretty close. Hard to tell the the depth with my horrible picture taking but there's a lot of open room for growth.

I was able to hide the CL returns pretty well also. Gonna need a little more rubble for the back ones still.

<a href="http://s1091.photobucket.com/albums/i390/lps157/?action=view&current=GEDC0089.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i390/lps157/GEDC0089.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Lps157]

Was able to stop home from work today and start the tank filling. My RODI only does 100g a day, so hopefully by late tomorrow the tank will be full!

 

[xmenx2dad]

This is the best part for me. Doing all of the equipment setup and the initial rock setup. You have a very efficient and well thought out setup. It is motivating me to update my system.

 

[Eel-byte]

Looking good.

 

[Lps157]

This is the best part for me. Doing all of the equipment setup and the initial rock setup. You have a very efficient and well thought out setup. It is motivating me to update my system.

Looking good.

Thanks.

Tank is now full and salt is mixed. I really can't be happier with the flow. There's not a dead spot to be found. The flow is nice and broad all across the tank and very quiet, considering the 5500 gph of flow. Very happy to not have and cables or powerheads sticking out. I'll try to get some pics or vid tomorrow.

 

[Lps157]

Well good news today. Found a great price on this guy and couldn't pass it up.

BM-NAC7
<a href="http://s1091.photobucket.com/albums/i390/lps157/?action=view&current=GEDC0105.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i390/lps157/GEDC0105.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Also got my dosers mounted, and my 2LF's reactor. Just running carbon now, will probably start running half with GFO later.

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Still waiting on ATO and pump. Hopefully will be here in the next day or two.

 

[Lps157]

Just a couple of tank shots.

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Old tank is just about broken down. Some corals will start to get transferred by the end of the week.

 

[Lps157]

Well everything that was to be transferred from the other tank is now in.

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Getting a little bit of the cabinet work done now. Added a section to hide the sand bed.

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Now working on the framing for the back of the tank. Making hinged doors to be able to access valves in the back. Will be extending the canopy to match this back section. Still a lot to do but here's a start:

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[project-roc]

Looks great man, how many lbs of sand did you use?

 

[sgallant04]

Very Nice!

 

[Lps157]

Very Nice!

Looks great man, how many lbs of sand did you use?

Thank you!

Used 100lbs of Special Grade sand, very pleased with this sand also. Wound up being about 3" deep.

 

[Lps157]

Got the canopy done, expect for minor details. Still waiting on new lighting. So put the old ones in.

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The four cutouts are for 92mm fans. I was thinking of doing four blowing in, and then 3 blowing out the top of the hood. Or two blowing in and two out.
Any thoughts from anyone else? Would four in and three out be way overkill?

 

[zmckenzie]

looking good

 

[Lps157]

New Lights!

Wound up ditching the Ice Cap setup and went with reefgeeks LET retro. 6x 54w.
The color did not come out exactly like I expected but will change later.

Very please with the intensity however, polyps seem to already be really stretching out for light.

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Also got in the 50mL doser from BRS for top off. Have a line running to a 20G reservoir on the other side of the wall in the garage. Hauling water in everyday was getting old fast.