Pastey's 200DD

[goma]

More good than bad!! Woohoo!

 

[Badkarma88]

Nice build so far. The more I look at you tank the more I wish I had gone with that size.

 

[Pastey]

I think that's the way it always goes. I went with a 200 and wish I had gone with a 250 or 300!

 

[Pastey]

A couple more things off the check list today.

Picked up 220lbs. of Fiji pink sand:

Switch Panel:

After I was done....he wasn't going to fit in my QT:

 

[SaltwaterSensei]

glad to see some progress....



P.S. that bettter have been caught on a fly rod

 

[Pastey]

Actually, it was! Love some top-water, light-tackle action.

 

[Pastey]

Picked up a Tunze Osmolator from a local reefer yesterday. It wasn't a huge important part (yet) but I had to jump on the deal. Rock purchase is next.

I've been going back and forth between man-made rock and BRS's pukani. I really like the structures that man-made rock can offer but you pay for that and you wind up with much less surface area. On the other hand, pukani has to be nuked/soaked and creating intresting structures requires some elbow.

In the long run, I think I'm going to be happier with some man-made rock and I've finally decided to go with Vidarock. Going to put my ducks aside for a few weeks and pick up a couple of centerpiece items. After that, it'll just be powerheads and light upgrades. I'm holding off on the lights until the very last so I can see what Reefbreeders unveils (referring to the Photon 48 and the Supernova units).

 

[Pastey]

Small puzzle piece I ordered also so I don't have to hand test for TDS anymore:

 

[Pastey]

This isn't all the in-tank flow I'll be getting but it's a good start....
(2)Vortech MP40

 

[kpk]

Nice setup man! You look like a planner like myself. I want it to be done the first time! Good luck.

 

[Pastey]

This is my first real step into large tank reef-keeping and I want to do it as properly as possible. Thanks for the good wishes. Looking forward for the payoff when this thing is in the house and filled up. At this point, I'd be excited for the cycling process!

 

[kpk]

I hear that! I started on mine a month or so ago and finally got it in place and water filling up in the mixing tanks. I've got a thread somewhere in this forum too. I had a 220 but couldn't handle it with the kids etc.

Keep up with pics!

 

[SaltwaterSensei]

keep tthe update coming, I've been periodically checking your thread as I plan on building around the same or similar shaped tank.

 

[Pastey]

The updates will keep coming so long as the tank keeps going!

End of month is near so that usually means a little extra money so I'm hoping to get the last of the stuff ordered and get this thing in the house next month.

 

[Pastey]

Not a whole lot to report. I won an Apex Jr. from our local forum raffle that I'm going to pick up today. I'm going to go ahead and incorporate that into the basic setup and then add on to it as I go. I'd have this thing up and running if it weren't for the wedding we're having to budget and save for.

 

[Pastey]

 

[worm5406]

Nice wedding gift!!

Make sure your friends know where you are registered... A few fish stores and a few online sites.

 

[bcfd144]

I have that exact same tank. Love it. We decided to pull the over flows out though and drill the back. A closed loop system was put in as well as larger drain and return holes. My tank was bought used and the guy that had it before me had it build into a wall so to speak, so the stand it came with was one he had made. I also went with a trigger sump, but I picked the crystal.
I posted a thread of my entire build. I finally finished it a week or so ago. Im happy with the outcome. Can check out the build here if you want... Also posted a video at the end to show it off with completed rock work and corals added.
http://jhmcbridescv1.blogspot.com/

Look forward to seeing your build as you go along. I know you will love that tank, I know I sure do.

 

[Pastey]

Ordered my first batch of rock from Aqua-tecture this morning. Once it arrives, I'm moving the tank in the house and beignning the cycle. While it's cycling, I'll be putting money aside to upgrade the lights and add either 2 more MP40s or 1 MP60. I wanted to go ahead and get it up and running before Sept. since I've got an expensive weekend of racing that last weekend at Sebring and that'll set me back from ordering much until after the holidays.

Anyway, here is the centerpeice(s) I ordered:
[img=http://aqua-tecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/for-web-e1373521830384-1024x1024.jpg]

I plan on adding another centerpiece or 2 to it later but this will let me get started.

 

[Pastey]

Stupid link.