My 240 Gallon Build

[mitch91175]

Well I got some more goodies in the mail today thank to BRS. I received the following today for this build:

4 x AI Hydra 52s
Apex AWM for Hydra 52s
Various Salifert Test Kits
Hanna Alkalinity Checker



Now just waiting on the tank/stand/canopy so I can see how big of a sump/refugium that I can fit in the stand and still have room for equipment, etc.

 

[mitch91175]

I have been reading alot about people jumping ship on LEDs and going back to MHs/T5s. If any one reads this that have AI 52s, do you supplement with T5s or is the light enough with the Hydras?

 

[rpjaws74]

good question? Im thinking of the same since Im getting those same lights

 

[mitch91175]

good question? Im thinking of the same since Im getting those same lights

What size aquarium will you have them over? I plugged on in yesterday to see the light and they do put out a lot of light.

 

[Themonsterisme]

I run a jebao DC 12000 with no noticeable heat or noise ...works perfect

 

[mitch91175]

I was going to go with a DC return pump but don't want to wait for the controllability for Apex. I am just going to use my Reeflo Snapper/Dart for now. Sucks but I am ready to get to the meat and potatoes of this build.

 

[h2pvnus]

This is a decent investment on this hobby

 

[mitch91175]

This is a decent investment on this hobby

Tell me about it. But I figured if I am doing it might as well do it the best way that I can.

 

[h2pvnus]

Tell me about it. But I figured if I am doing it might as well do it the best way that I can.

True in this hobby if you have money go with best stuff because it will save you time and messy.

 

[dante411x]

So. I control the pump with my apex already. It's just not perfect. Control it the same way you'd control any other pump. Plug in to the eb8, turn on/off as needed. I don't ever run into the situation where I would need to dial the pump up or down with the controller. It remembers the setting it was on just fine.

As far as MH vs led.. I ended up with led only, but that's because of need rather than want. They do look better, but I'm convinced that MH is better for the corals. I just don't have the ability to ventilate the room the tank is in, so Mh makes it a sauna.

 

[dante411x]

There are diy cables out there that will hook up the apex to the jebao pumps as well.

 

[mitch91175]

Well I should be getting the aquarium this Friday. I cannot wait. Here are a few pics from the builder:

 

[mitch91175]

Doors and overflow are going to be put on today. Now time for some plumbing questions. It has a 1 1/2" drain and 3/4" return. The sump/refugium will be 56x20x18 with a reef lo dart/snapper return pump. What I want to do is definitely have a manifold off the return to feed my Nextreef MR1 reactors as well have a few spare feed for future use. Do you guys think I should plumb the manifold of the return at 1 1/2" with tee fittings off the manifold to 1"?

 

[mitch91175]

Well I finally got the aquarium in today. Here is a pic of it setup where it will be in the house:

 

[snowdude10]

Nice looking aquarium, just found this build, you certainly have lots of gadgets on the build. Definitely tagging along.

 

[dante411x]

Well I finally got the aquarium in today. Here is a pic of it setup where it will be in the house:

That looks great! Now for the fun part! Does it have water in it yet?

 

[mitch91175]

That looks great! Now for the fun part! Does it have water in it yet?

Yes I have it almost completely filled with water. I started my aquascaping prior to getting my sump/refugium. I should have my sump/refugium tomorrow. I was able to plumb some of the PVC without having the sump yet so once I get it some of the plumbing should already be good to go.

I added my Dr. Tim's One-and-Only to it earlier this week and added some ammonia to it last night to keep the bacteria feed until I can get some livestock from Rodney.

 

[mitch91175]

Updated Build Pics

Updated Build Pics

Here are some pics that I took this morning of the tank:

Hydra 52s Mounted


Front Pic of Aquarium

 

[dante411x]

Very nice. Love the room you left on the rock for coral growth. This will be awesome in a year or two. Not that it isn't already!
Stand looks like it's very well done as well. Are you going to be ventilating the inside of stand or canopy at all to prevent molding?

 

[mitch91175]

Very nice. Love the room you left on the rock for coral growth. This will be awesome in a year or two. Not that it isn't already!
Stand looks like it's very well done as well. Are you going to be ventilating the inside of stand or canopy at all to prevent molding?

Hadn't planned on ventilating the canopy yet, but will most likely end up doing so soon. I haven't updated my thread in a while so here is my short update:

Yesterday I finally received my sump/refugium after a mix-up at my LFS. I ordered a 56x20x16 but I ended up with a 46x20x16. Not a big deal and they made it right by giving me 5 bags of Carib Sea sand and some miracle mud. I figure that is fair with the mix-up and all. I also added my cleanup crew that I received this morning from ReefCleaners. So far so good. The Florida Ceriths are still chilling in the same spot from this morning. They are lazy. This go round I only went with snails and will get some hermits in a few weeks. Here are some updated pics:



Left-side Sump


Right-side Sump


Please excuse my cabling mess. I will be working on it tomorrow. I had to order a few pieces of PVC from Amazon because I have two small leaks. I also went ahead and order 2 check valves for my returns just in case of a power outage.

I changed the aquascaping a little after adding the sand. What do you guys think?