Planet Aquarium 150 Gallon Build

[liquidPentium]

Hey Guys, I wanted to start a new thread to document my new tank build. Currently, I have the most over-built 57 gallon Oceanic Illuminata ever - but its time for a change. Planet Aquarium is building my new tank and I can't say enough good things about them. The tank is a 150 gallon. Below is all the equipment I already have, just waiting for the tank and stand. Should be a couple of weeks. Once it arrives I will post some photos. I am gathering more rock for this build and am on the fence about switching to fine sand. I currently use the caribsea aragonite. Opinions or suggestions are welcome.

Tank Details
60.5 x 24.5 x 25.5 Rimless - One Piece Eurobrace
Costal Aquatics Stand: Classic Oak 36" Traditional Mahogany
Center Back Overflow - 2 drains / 2 returns
Custom black acrylic overflow box
Black Silicone
Black Vinyl Backing
Glass Tops (not sure if I will use these or screen tops)

Equipment
Neptune Apex
3 x Ecotech Radion XR30 Pro Gen 3
2 x Vortech MP40w es
2 x Vortech MP10w es (probably wont be able to use these)
Reeflink
Reef Octopus XP1000SSS (probably will need a bigger skimmer)
Trigger Systems Ruby 36S Sump
2 x Sicce Syncra Silent 5 returns
2 x Fluval 300watt heatters
BRS Biopellet reactor and Two LF GFO Reactor on a Rio 1100
3 x BRS 1.1Ml dosing pumps

Current stock (some in the tank and some in a 40 gallon breeder - QT)
Chevron Tang
Melanarus Wrasse
2 X Lyretail Anthias
Flame Hawk
Pair of Ocellaris - black and orange
Coral Beauty
Blue Green Chromis
Blue Devil Damsel (was gonna get rid of him but has never been a problem)

Once the build is done. Proboably going to add a couple blennies, gobies, copperband butterfly, purple tang, and a bluejaw trigger.

I already have lots of coral mix of (SPS, LPS, and softies) but will of course add to that as well.

I do need to pick up bulk heads and other plumbing parts so is anyone has recommendations - I am all ears.

 

[phenom5]

Sweet, can't wait to see this start to come together!

Love the look of the finer grain sand, but it'd be a nightmare with a pair of vortechs. I'd stick with Seaflor Special or Reefflakes for high flow.

I had a XP1000SSS on my 75g. Great skimmer, but too small for a 150.

Hear good stuff about Planet Aquariums, can't wait to see some pictures.

 

[hoooop54]

I agree on the fine sand. I had fine sand on my 160 when I first got going. I had way too much sand blowing around and the water was filled with particulate. I removed most of it and replaced with Caribsea aragaonite. I am much happier now.

 

[liquidPentium]

Yeah, I think I will stick with the CaribSea Aragonite. I already have 80 pounds of it - will just need another 80 or so. What do you guys like for skimmers on a 150? I love my Octopus xp1000sss but ultimately it is too small. I have been looking at Octopus, Vertex, and MRC skimmers but probably leaning towards another Octopus - just good experience with them. Any recommendations? I think I can use the xp1000sss in the beginning since the bio load wont be too large but would like to get a new skimmer in a month or two.

 

[phenom5]

I was planning on a Prime 200INT for my 155g. I ended up finding a used ATB 840 V2 (obviously from my sig), which I highly recommend.

 

[JoelA7]

I have mixed substrate. Some is pink bimini and some very fine. Overall the range is .2mm to 2-3mm. Very natural and nice color.

 

[liquidPentium]

Bought a new skimmer. Figured I would save a few $$ by purchasing during the black friday sales. I picked up a Super Reef Octopus 3000sss. I have read alot of good reviews of that skimmer and if it skims as good as my SRO xp1000sss I'll be happy. Anyone else out there running a SRO 3000sss? Also picked up about 35 lbs of dry pukani. I didn't plan on it but the LFS had some at $2.50 a pound. Nice pieces with good shape. I will probably need some suggestions / guidance on the overflow plumbing. The tank has 2 drains (1") and two returns (3/4").

 

[phenom5]

I haven't used the 3000sss, but I liked the 1000sss, so I imagine the 3000 will be a good skimmer.

With 2 drains and 2 returns I would go with a Herbie drain set up.

 

[d2mini]

Don't use glass tops.
You'll trap heat and they will get covered in salt creep, blocking your light.
Make your own screens.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sumps-tanks-refugiums/diy-screen-tops.html

 

[wildman926]

If your sump is open, then you are not trapping heat. You will also have gas exchange with your sump open.

Salt creep is a non issue, if you don't mind wiping the glass once in awhile.

There is only a 6% loss of light difference between glass and no glass.

Glass tops also help with evaporation. You will have less loss using them.

I have used glass tops for years with no issues.

 

[liquidPentium]

Wildman, I agree about the glasstops, especially about the evaporation. I have them on my illuminata for years with no issues. The sump is open and have never come close to a heat issue. Do you have any pics of your PA 150? If so, please share.

 

[kgk]

I have a Planet 120. The back is 1/2" and an mp10 on it stays and works. The dry side makes an awful racket that it doesn't make on thinner glass. I expect you won't be happy with them.

 

[d2mini]

Even on my 8g nano i can't stand the glass tops and only use half just to keep fish from jumping.
Screens are the better way to go.
ATO takes care of evaporation.
There is zero advantage to using glass in SW over other options.

 

[wildman926]

Wildman, I agree about the glasstops, especially about the evaporation. I have them on my illuminata for years with no issues. The sump is open and have never come close to a heat issue. Do you have any pics of your PA 150? If so, please share.

Hello LP...

I forgot to mention about evaporation, controlling it is also a plus for the home. No dehumidifiers needed. I believe that counts as an advantage, huh?

Over the years, I have found that there are no absolutes in this hobby. What works for some, may not work for others.

I run a more traditional tank setup, due to the stand that I have had since 1992. It is a stand a family member made for me, so I am partial to it. I had dual braces up top installed instead of one to address the shadowing that is normally associated with running a single, wide center brace. I also have a pvc bottom. My 90g also has a pvc bottom, but that is all that is custom about both of them. Here are some pics of the 150g -

I don't have a current fts, but here is one from it not long ago. Just a simple LPS tank. Last pic is sump setup. Very simple, and effective.

 

[d2mini]

I forgot to mention about evaporation, controlling it is also a plus for the home. No dehumidifiers needed. I believe that counts as an advantage, huh?

I have never needed a dehumidifier for my house due to an open top tank.
But maybe that's because my house has an HVAC system.

 

[phenom5]

I tend to side with Dennis on this one. My sump is open, as is the top of my canopy. I encourage evap on my tank, and have never needed a dehumidifier...granted, I live in Arizona, so take the FWIW.

I agree though, no absolutes in this hobby, that's just what has worked for me.

 

[liquidPentium]

Just received the SRO 3000sss int today and holy hell, it is huge... I knew it was gonna be big but.. It fits in the first chamber of the sump so all good. Guess I will have to buy more fish and make sure I have a heavier bioload - For the skimmer to work properly of course.. Thanks for all the feedback so far guys, very helpful and always good to hear how others are running their systems.

 

[PCygni]

Don't use glass tops.
You'll trap heat and they will get covered in salt creep, blocking your light.
Make your own screens.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sumps-tanks-refugiums/diy-screen-tops.html

Yeah, mon, let the water 'breath'.:beachbum:

 

[liquidPentium]

Build Pics!

Build Pics!

Hey Guys, recieved some photos taken from Planet Aquarium of my new tank.
The dimensions are 60.5 x 24.5 x 25.5. They did put in their new black acrylic overflow box which I thinks looks pretty darn good. Excited!

 

[wildman926]

Very nice. You are going to really like their work. Here is some more samples of their work -

And a few have asked what is their number.
Armando: 214-275-3958 at Planet Aquariums

planetaquariums@aol.com

Here are som tanks from them.