My little Piece of the Ocean

[skiwez]

Hi,

Finally got to the point that I feel I can start showing my build.

Tank and equip specs as follows
225 DSA tank dimensions are 72x27x27
3 Radion Gen 2's
2 MP40's
Reef Octopus NWB 200
Waveline DC10000
75 gallon sump


My intention is for this to be a mixed reef. I really enjoy the diversity that the ocean provides so I will have soft corals, some LPS and maybe some easier to maintain SPS

I know that a thread is worthless without pictures so here is where I currently stand


Looking forward to the fish and invertebrates that can inhabit the tank
This first photo is the tank going in the wall

At bit of the plumbing, not quite finished

Water starting to come in

And it beginning to cycle


Behind the tank is the basement workroom/fish closet about an area 10 feet by 12 feet.

 

[ThatGuy961]

I like the sump setup... are you looking to do rock on one side and cheeto on the other with low flow?

 

[skiwez]

That't the idea...I'll see how it works out I. practice.

 

[lluv24]

Looking good;-)

 

[dh7922]

Looks like an awesome start

 

[ravenzme]

Looking really nice. Is that a beananimal style overflow you are using?

 

[skiwez]

I'm not currently, I thought I would start with the stock dursos that came with it. I'm not overly concerned about the noise because the plumbing is in a closed room and it that bad. I might switch it over though if I get along of salt creep from the splashing.

 

[leveldrummer]

awesome tank, Thats what I wish to get later this year. Such awesome dimensions for aquascaping.

 

[RJT]

You used your off work snow days well.

Great setup. You will have many happy years with this tank.

You don't have a tank now? Do you have a qt setup while the tank cycles?

 

[skiwez]

Luckily the live rock was almost completely cycled when I bought from the LFS, so I put it in and monitored the ammonia. Because the tank is so large, at least for me I plan on QT'ing everything. QT is running, but I also put some ceramic beads in the sump to pick the nitrifying bacteria.

 

[rpjaws74]

looking good

 

[skiwez]

Thanks for following folks.

Just a quick update tank has been stable and ammonia and nitrite free for 5 days. Going put in a bit of a cleanup crew. Also found a couple of Aptasia that I've nuked with lemon juice, because I didn't have Aptasia-X on hand.

Will get a few more pictures up tonight.

 

[KSU_WILDCAT]

Really looking forward to this build. I have same tank on order and should be here next Thursday. How long did it take to cycle? Do you know off the top of your head how many pounds of sand did you use?

 

[skiwez]

I want to say it was is was 160 lbs of Caribsea Aragalive Seafloor more than enough. The shop ordered me 200 lbs and I still have a few bags unopened. I was looking for maybe 2-3 inches max. I really like the sand not too fine that the power heads kick it up, but small enough that if I get any sand sifting fish it won't cause any problems.

Cycling was quick just under 2 weeks, but that was only because the live rock was cured by LFS. After I did my aquascape I got a slight ammonia bump, that quickly went down.

KSU not sure what your prior experience is, but I'm quickly learning that getting anything done on a tank this size takes a lot longer than expected. My prior experience was a 55 gallon tank.

Very happy I had the room to have a fish room behind the tank. Couldn't imagine how frustrating it would be to do water changes and manage all the equipment underneath

 

[KSU_WILDCAT]

Thanks for the response. Sand is about the only thing I have to get yet. I was guessing a pound per gallon but it looks like I can get away with a little less. I opted out of the plumbing kit and am going to try the BeanAnimal. I got a reeflo pump supplying 2000 gal/hr and am hoping the 3 1.5" beanAnimal drains can keep up (crossing my fingers). Its going to be free standing so noise is a concern for me.
I had a 125, 7 years ago but when we moved, the tank stayed with the house (built into the wall). Now I'm getting back into it and everything has changed. Not going to hijack your thread. Looks good man.

 

[skiwez]

I have the waveline 10000 running probably about half speed. I'm going to be running water through the sump a bit slower than you. I kinda believe in the philosophy that the return pump should more or less match the turnover of the protein skimmer. The only reason I'm even running the pump that fast it because I T'd off the return to control the flow into the refugium.

 

[ravenzme]

Thanks for the response. Sand is about the only thing I have to get yet. I was guessing a pound per gallon but it looks like I can get away with a little less. I opted out of the plumbing kit and am going to try the BeanAnimal. I got a reeflo pump supplying 2000 gal/hr and am hoping the 3 1.5" beanAnimal drains can keep up (crossing my fingers). Its going to be free standing so noise is a concern for me.
I had a 125, 7 years ago but when we moved, the tank stayed with the house (built into the wall). Now I'm getting back into it and everything has changed. Not going to hijack your thread. Looks good man.

I have a little over 2700 gph running on my tank, BeanAnimal keeping up with ease. You will be fine

 

[skiwez]

Found my first hitchhiker. Found him hanging out in my birdsnest frag. I'm pretty sure he will get flushed, but is currently residing in my sump until I put more live rock in it.



I also updated the rockwork abit.

I believe I need some more live rock for the center island. Anyone have suggestions?



Over the weekend did some maintenance, tried getting some more Aptaisa.