Soulpatch's 150 SC build
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soulpatch
New member
Yes rocks are off of back glass though some do touch the overflow box. There is enough room behind the rocks for the fish to swim and such but still provide a sense of security.
I needed to have enough swimming room for the tangs while also having enough rock for my acans and such.
I think this weekend I am going to turn my return pump. Right now it pulls from the side of the baffle and I think this impacts my microbubble issue. I think if I flip it around it should give the bubbles a bit more space and time to diffuse before going back into the tank.
I tried some floss last night instead of the foam and that ended with an alarm this morning as the water level rose. The floss stopped water flow for a period of time and my ATO kicked on. The kink in the floss worked free I guess and I got high level alarm from ATO. Nothing better to be woken up to at 3:30 in the morning then a fish alarm going off.
My only other sump update is that I put the sock back on. I want to see what that does. Finally I think this weekend will be my first refugium cleanout. It is packed in there and I need to trim it down some so I can continue to have great export. Still no algae in the tank even with some heavier feedings.
Coral updates: All of the corals moved are doing great. They are extending for food nightly way more then they did in the nano but then again the tank is less mature so less things floating around for them to eat. I am spot feeding at this time to try to solve for that.
I have an oregon tort being hunted for me as there is a reefer locally who grows them for my lfs. I also have my guy with an eye out for some stellar SSC and a larger bonsai. Finally I have decided I will try a nem in this tank. Going to bring in a rainbow RBTA and see how it does. I might decide to get rid of it later but the wife wants one and I have always toyed with the idea.
Fish update: All other fish are doing great. I wish I could move my tail spot to the big tank but the bugger is impossible to catch without removing all the rock in the nano. My wrasse should be done QT this weekend or next (I need to look) so he will be coming home shortly. I might TTM him when I get home but it depends on what my LFS has done for his methods. I need to talk to him first. I have the screen top made and ready for his arrival as well.
Now if I could just get my blonde naso, powder blue, harlequin tusk, second black ice clown, and maybe a handful or other fish (either a few more cardinals or some fire fish for movement) I would be set.
I needed to have enough swimming room for the tangs while also having enough rock for my acans and such.
I think this weekend I am going to turn my return pump. Right now it pulls from the side of the baffle and I think this impacts my microbubble issue. I think if I flip it around it should give the bubbles a bit more space and time to diffuse before going back into the tank.
I tried some floss last night instead of the foam and that ended with an alarm this morning as the water level rose. The floss stopped water flow for a period of time and my ATO kicked on. The kink in the floss worked free I guess and I got high level alarm from ATO. Nothing better to be woken up to at 3:30 in the morning then a fish alarm going off.
My only other sump update is that I put the sock back on. I want to see what that does. Finally I think this weekend will be my first refugium cleanout. It is packed in there and I need to trim it down some so I can continue to have great export. Still no algae in the tank even with some heavier feedings.
Coral updates: All of the corals moved are doing great. They are extending for food nightly way more then they did in the nano but then again the tank is less mature so less things floating around for them to eat. I am spot feeding at this time to try to solve for that.
I have an oregon tort being hunted for me as there is a reefer locally who grows them for my lfs. I also have my guy with an eye out for some stellar SSC and a larger bonsai. Finally I have decided I will try a nem in this tank. Going to bring in a rainbow RBTA and see how it does. I might decide to get rid of it later but the wife wants one and I have always toyed with the idea.
Fish update: All other fish are doing great. I wish I could move my tail spot to the big tank but the bugger is impossible to catch without removing all the rock in the nano. My wrasse should be done QT this weekend or next (I need to look) so he will be coming home shortly. I might TTM him when I get home but it depends on what my LFS has done for his methods. I need to talk to him first. I have the screen top made and ready for his arrival as well.
Now if I could just get my blonde naso, powder blue, harlequin tusk, second black ice clown, and maybe a handful or other fish (either a few more cardinals or some fire fish for movement) I would be set.
soulpatch
New member
Here are some pics of my corals. I do have my fish in the tank finally though they are still being shy as they discover the areas they want to go.
First up is the new addition of a star:
THis is a new frog I got that is crazy looking. I saw the larger colony and the new heads carpeted the branches in a very weird way. It was awesome.
Existing Hammer:
New acro:
New stylo:
First up is the new addition of a star:
THis is a new frog I got that is crazy looking. I saw the larger colony and the new heads carpeted the branches in a very weird way. It was awesome.
Existing Hammer:
New acro:
New stylo:
Last edited:
soulpatch
New member
New clown pair has been ordered. Going with a pair of ice mocha clowns which are already bonded from sustainable aquatics.
Still on the hunt for a quality Hawaiian blonde naso and powder blue as well as an Australian harlequin tusk. At that point the fish purchasing will be done for some time. Only final 2 fish will be a mandarin and a jawfish eventually.
Still on the hunt for a quality Hawaiian blonde naso and powder blue as well as an Australian harlequin tusk. At that point the fish purchasing will be done for some time. Only final 2 fish will be a mandarin and a jawfish eventually.
soulpatch
New member
OK so starting thinking about the upgrade for the upgrade. HA HA.
Slow your horses though as I am not talking about tank but rather sump. I would like to have a larger sump. As it stands now I am really pushing it when I kill the power. I fill the sump to the top of the rim and have had some water trickle out if I overfilled slightly. So I have pinged a few places for a replacement option. I need to contact a few more.
I have a few demands with the new sump from my current trigger ruby elite. I want the sock area in its own chamber, holes for dosing/ato, prefer holes for reactor plumbing, and a refugium/socks not located in the back as it is currently a PITA to handle either in current sump. Cost is a concern though I do not have a set budget so everything is currently on the table. I do have all the parts save for the tub currently so that saves some coin. I imagine I will need to redo my plumbing so whatever I decide will add roughly $100 or so in new valves and parts. As it stands here are my current options:
Stock Trigger Emerald sump 39. (530 roughly though I can get 15% off bringing that to 450)
Pros:
Ability to use foam instead of socks
chambers laid out as I would want though I would have refugium in larger part
probe holder and dosing lin holes
Cons:
no holes for reactor
sounds stupid but it is green...
Synergy Reef CL-44 (around 950)
Pros:
Has all of my needs in terms of layout and and holes for equipment
Again stupid but it is white so would match other equipment
Holds a ton of water so would fit my needs better when power is killed
Cons:
Cost
Size - My stand is roughly 54 inches of useable space as the bracing and such eats a couple inches for the sump. If I went with this sump I would need to move some equipment outside the stand. The likely result would be that my ATO would need to be moved outside and I would keep the sump, dosing containers, and apex gear in the stand. I could gain a slight bit of space should I mount apex to stand as opposed to my flip out panel.
Building an Obsession custom sump (1100+shipping so I figure 1400)
Pros:
All of my specs met including exactly where I want holes and bulkheads
Would make it roughly 40 inches so I should be able to squeeze ato and dosing containers in stand still though would be extremely tight and still might need to put ato outside stand
Again would match color of current BAO gear
Cons:
Cost
Timing - Since this is custom it would be a month or more post order to recieve. Sure I dont NEED it right now but when you drop over a grand I want it NOW...
Lifereef (cost TBD as I have to ping Jeff)
Pros
His systems are set up to be sockless
Can be made to my needs
He actually does a seperate refugium plumbed in which is cool
Cons:
Cost as I would be looking at roughly 1400 with shipping (though need to see what he takes off since I have pumps and skimmer)
With the refugium seperate it eats into space sump can be which impacts the water I can hold in power outage.
I do NOT want to make my own sump from a stock tank as quite frankly it looks bad. I like my stands to look good as well as the tank. I cant spend the type of money to get into the dream boxes or such so those are ruled out as well. I would say 1400 is probably my ceiling and that is pushing it.
If I had to say right now I am leaning Synergy or Trigger due to everything above. Trigger would get me by and I like the build of my current trigger but the synergy would have everything I need as well as the looks. I am just not sure if that is worth double the price basically. So help me spend my money...
Slow your horses though as I am not talking about tank but rather sump. I would like to have a larger sump. As it stands now I am really pushing it when I kill the power. I fill the sump to the top of the rim and have had some water trickle out if I overfilled slightly. So I have pinged a few places for a replacement option. I need to contact a few more.
I have a few demands with the new sump from my current trigger ruby elite. I want the sock area in its own chamber, holes for dosing/ato, prefer holes for reactor plumbing, and a refugium/socks not located in the back as it is currently a PITA to handle either in current sump. Cost is a concern though I do not have a set budget so everything is currently on the table. I do have all the parts save for the tub currently so that saves some coin. I imagine I will need to redo my plumbing so whatever I decide will add roughly $100 or so in new valves and parts. As it stands here are my current options:
Stock Trigger Emerald sump 39. (530 roughly though I can get 15% off bringing that to 450)
Pros:
Ability to use foam instead of socks
chambers laid out as I would want though I would have refugium in larger part
probe holder and dosing lin holes
Cons:
no holes for reactor
sounds stupid but it is green...
Synergy Reef CL-44 (around 950)
Pros:
Has all of my needs in terms of layout and and holes for equipment
Again stupid but it is white so would match other equipment
Holds a ton of water so would fit my needs better when power is killed
Cons:
Cost
Size - My stand is roughly 54 inches of useable space as the bracing and such eats a couple inches for the sump. If I went with this sump I would need to move some equipment outside the stand. The likely result would be that my ATO would need to be moved outside and I would keep the sump, dosing containers, and apex gear in the stand. I could gain a slight bit of space should I mount apex to stand as opposed to my flip out panel.
Building an Obsession custom sump (1100+shipping so I figure 1400)
Pros:
All of my specs met including exactly where I want holes and bulkheads
Would make it roughly 40 inches so I should be able to squeeze ato and dosing containers in stand still though would be extremely tight and still might need to put ato outside stand
Again would match color of current BAO gear
Cons:
Cost
Timing - Since this is custom it would be a month or more post order to recieve. Sure I dont NEED it right now but when you drop over a grand I want it NOW...
Lifereef (cost TBD as I have to ping Jeff)
Pros
His systems are set up to be sockless
Can be made to my needs
He actually does a seperate refugium plumbed in which is cool
Cons:
Cost as I would be looking at roughly 1400 with shipping (though need to see what he takes off since I have pumps and skimmer)
With the refugium seperate it eats into space sump can be which impacts the water I can hold in power outage.
I do NOT want to make my own sump from a stock tank as quite frankly it looks bad. I like my stands to look good as well as the tank. I cant spend the type of money to get into the dream boxes or such so those are ruled out as well. I would say 1400 is probably my ceiling and that is pushing it.
If I had to say right now I am leaning Synergy or Trigger due to everything above. Trigger would get me by and I like the build of my current trigger but the synergy would have everything I need as well as the looks. I am just not sure if that is worth double the price basically. So help me spend my money...
soulpatch
New member
I have an email into Synergy to see about changing the size of sump to 40" & location of bulkheads. The sumps are not stock pieces with them and need to be built anyway so curious if they could move a few things without additional cost. If so Synergy would be way to go to save a few hundred bucks.
soulpatch
New member
UGH I need to make another decision in that I see the Harlequin tusk is available from LA. Though a smaller one is available from Blue Zoo but their warranty is worse as it is really only a 5 day since they count the day shipped as a day of the warranty.
So looks like another 300 or so in fish to be ordered tonight. I need to either get someone's 15% off LA code or wait till I get home to use mine.
So looks like another 300 or so in fish to be ordered tonight. I need to either get someone's 15% off LA code or wait till I get home to use mine.
soulpatch
New member
Well decision on tusk was made as it was ordered tonight.
Also think I made the decision to go with the emerald sump. It meets my needs other then looks and the holes for the reactor tubing and of course it is not the best looking. I think I will worry about looks and such when I ave a fish room and can go a different direction.
As for additions to the tank my wrasse is done QT on Friday so will be in the tank. My clowns, powder blue, blonde naso, and tusk will all start their QT period on Friday and should be in end of April or so.
Fun never ends.
Also think I made the decision to go with the emerald sump. It meets my needs other then looks and the holes for the reactor tubing and of course it is not the best looking. I think I will worry about looks and such when I ave a fish room and can go a different direction.
As for additions to the tank my wrasse is done QT on Friday so will be in the tank. My clowns, powder blue, blonde naso, and tusk will all start their QT period on Friday and should be in end of April or so.
Fun never ends.
soulpatch
New member
Slept on it more and still coming to the solution to go with the green trigger emerald sump. It solves my water containment issues and let me keep things in the stand. I dont have a custom tank or stand so it strikes me as odd to spend so much on something hidden and I know should I get a custom sump I will redo all of my plumbing, change out other things to match, and more just because I am OCD.
Of course I say this all now and will probably regret this decision next year when I buy a custom sump because that is how I operate. HA HA.
Probably order it in the next few weeks. I need to pay for a birthday golf weekend, taxes, and a few other things first this month.
Of course I say this all now and will probably regret this decision next year when I buy a custom sump because that is how I operate. HA HA.
Probably order it in the next few weeks. I need to pay for a birthday golf weekend, taxes, and a few other things first this month.
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