My 150 gallon build.

[JohannesFTL]

After having to break down and get rid of my 65 gallon for a cross country move (Florida to California) in September, I am finally getting to set up my new aquarium here in California.

I scoured craigslist a lot until I came across a deal too good to pass up. A 60x24x24 acrylic tank with stand for $100.

With my better half's blessing, I went on a shopping spree online for equipment on our tight budget.

3x 165w Chinese box LEDs

2x Jebao RW-15

3x canister filters rated at 100gallon each (I know, not the best thing for a reef tank, but can be successful if maintained correctly)

Coralife "Super skimmer" rated for 220gal aquarium.

Finished up all my plumbing (using 1 drain and 1 return for each of the canister filters.)

And now I'm just waiting for the 5 stage 100GPD RO/DI to do its job and get this filled so I can add my 120lbs of sand and 100 lbs of dry rock for cycling. I will be adding more rock and more sand before too long. Just trying to find a good source around here that has rock not covered by bryopsis, green hair algae and cyano.

 

[marvelousone]

Great start

 

[JohannesFTL]

Thanks. In a year or so I will be converting this to a sump/refugium system with closed loop system for the bottom 3 bulkheads thus plumbing with the unions for a quick easy change over.

 

[stingeragent]

Wow. For under 100 bucks that is a H#$* of a deal.

 

[JohannesFTL]

Thanks. I agree. I rented a uhaul trailer and drove almost 4 hours round trip for that deal. Lol.

 

[sporazoa]

Sweet setup, looking forward to how the Coralife "Super skimmer" works.

 

[Bent]

Why can't I ever find deals like that?

:thumbsup:

 

[DavidGraves]

Why not do a sump now? Cost? Not doubting just curious

 

[JohannesFTL]

Due to cost and availability. I didn't find any sumps that fit well enough for me. I am still unemployed right now.

I will be scouring craigslist until a deal and if I don't find one, will be building a custom one this coming year.

 

[Bent]

You don't have an old tank laying around?

 

[JohannesFTL]

Nope. Got rid of all of mine when I moved. But that is only part of the cost. I also would need to make/install an overflow, buy a pump, either plug some of the bulkheads or build closed loop for some (tank has 6 bulkheads, 3 upper and 3 lower)

 

[JohannesFTL]

 

[JohannesFTL]

Sweet setup, looking forward to how the Coralife "Super skimmer" works.

I'll let you know.

I chose this skimmer because it can be run as either in sump or hang on back so I do not need to ditch skimmers when I go sump.

 

[JohannesFTL]

Well, starting on phase 2 of my tank now.

Did a bit of shopping and next week will be changing up the tank a bit.

I now have a RKE w/Net. I ordered a return pump, have a sump on the way, and will be hanging the lights while hooking everything up.

 

[lpsouth1978]

Well, starting on phase 2 of my tank now.

Did a bit of shopping and next week will be changing up the tank a bit.

I now have a RKE w/Net. I ordered a return pump, have a sump on the way, and will be hanging the lights while hooking everything up.

You are probably going to get some Jebao haters on here, but I have been VERY happy with all of mine. I have 2x RW-20's, a DCT-12000, DCT-6000, and a DCT-15000 as my return pump. They have all been working without issue for almost a year so far. We have yet to clean the DCT-15000, and only clean the RW-20's every 3-4 months.

Also, I think you will be very happy with your decision to get a sump instead of using those canisters. We had those same filters on our QT tanks, and quickly realized they are not ANY good. They could not effectively handle a 40g tank, so I doubt they would be any good on a 150g.

I look forward to seeing the tank progress.

 

[MidwestReefa]

Nice find on the tank! Keep us updated

 

[JohannesFTL]

You are probably going to get some Jebao haters on here, but I have been VERY happy with all of mine. I have 2x RW-20's, a DCT-12000, DCT-6000, and a DCT-15000 as my return pump. They have all been working without issue for almost a year so far. We have yet to clean the DCT-15000, and only clean the RW-20's every 3-4 months.



Also, I think you will be very happy with your decision to get a sump instead of using those canisters. We had those same filters on our QT tanks, and quickly realized they are not ANY good. They could not effectively handle a 40g tank, so I doubt they would be any good on a 150g.



I look forward to seeing the tank progress.

Thanks. Have been using Jebao since they came out with the wp-25. I also have 2 rw15 running right now.

I have 3 of the canister filters right now and will probably use 1 on my 20g QT and sell off the other 2 or load them up with carbon and something else.

I ended up ordering a dct8000, so hope that will be enough for my 150g.

 

[JohannesFTL]

Nice find on the tank! Keep us updated

Thanks. I'll keep it updated.

 

[uncleL]

Wow nice price for the tank! Please take those canister filters back LOL

 

[JohannesFTL]

Canister filters are now GONE. Have sump in, return pump running, ReefKeeper programmed (mostly), hung my lights, and finally enjoying looking at my tank. Now to add more (larger) live stock and some coral.

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