South Alabama 425 gal sps and house build

[mfarris]

So, I entered this hobby/obsession back in 2002 when I was at Auburn in vet school. I kept a 75 gallon sps dominated tank while in school. As luck would have it, I had to dismantle it when I graduated. Fast-forward 13 years, 3 moves, a job change, a daughter, a divorce, a second wife (I know) a boy due June 30, and construction on my dream house, I have decided to go with an in-wall DT separating my office and the dining room. My office will serve as a fish room also. (My goal is to keep things streamlined and hidden as much as possible. I plan on a remote ro/mixing station in the utility room)Of course since I jump in with both feet when I do things, I am going with a 96"x36"x30 all glass. Thankfully my second wife is on board with all of this and the expense associated with it (yay- for now). I am still in the concept phase and am considering a couple options with lighting. Kessils are alluring (yet $$$ up front) yet mh's are the good ol standby (more $ down the road). Since I want to keep an sps dominated reef, what are some opinions on lighting here? (30 inches of depth being but one factor, also how many of what kind to get good color with adequate growth) Thanks!

 

[benihana]

Sounds like a fun build! As far as lights go, I would bite the bullet on LED's in the build phase...worts case scenario you sell them and go to MH's

Have you planned out your other equipment or stock list yet?

 

[mfarris]

Yeah, I have been checking out a lot of other larger tanks and their construction and lighting. Seems a lot of folks are having really good luck with LEDs now. 13 years ago MHs were the cat's meow and T5s were in their infancy. Wow time flies and things change!

 

[mfarris]

Dang. Amazing how time flies. I didn't realize I started this thread a year ago. we finally completed the house and the tank is in and trimmed around and cabinetry on the office side completed. once I figure out how to post pics I will. I still have to set up my RODI and plumb the tank but all equipment I am using for the moment is on hand. decided to go old school with 4- 400w MH with Hamilton electronic ballasts and 14k ushio moguls complemented with 8- 4ft T5s and blue led strip for moon light. one gyre for each end of the tank. 75 gal sump with 20 gal fuge. Return is jabeo. Went with a Skimz octa SC255i. as far as stocking I am ordering 400 pounds of live rock- a mixture of branch, slab and tutoka.

 

[mfarris]

 

[mfarris]

 

[CrayolaViolence]

Very nice

 

[nezw0001]

following with interest as I will be building the exact same tank hopefully later this year. Planning on the same lighting. My sump will be in the basement though and I will be moving the contents of my current 220 to it once up and running.

 

[karsco]

Looks great, I was thinking of a similar trim detail for my tank since most of the doors throughout my house look like your fish room door trim. I hear you on the lighting I think the shimmer of MH can not be replicated with any other light. I am going with a combo of MH & led on my 300g build.

 

[IvanTheTerrible]

Wow, that looks really nice. It's amazing how time flies with a project like this.

- Ivan

 

[NEPTHEA]

nice start. following Not to far from you destin fl

 

[mfarris]

karsco and crayola- Thanks for the compliment! I built the fish room cabinetry myself using sinker cypress for the frames and pecky cypress for the door panels. Even my builder was impressed with how it all turned out.

nepthea- Awesome! I would like to get to know some of my fellow reefers in the area! When I was at Auburn in veterinary school, I had an instructor's husband that got me started and later we would swap frags and such.

The tank at the moment is on a very brief hold until I get our closets organized. (The fun of moving into a new house lol) hopefully in a couple weeks I can start plumbing and order my rock so I can get it cured.