forddna
New member
I've been collecting pieces for a while, but it looks like things are rapidly coming together so I thought I'd start a build thread. I bought this setup used, and I'm making some modifications, which is why it's not up and running yet. Here are some specs and info. Please feel free to critique. I've been out of the hobby for over 3 years, so it's very possible I've overlooked things or I'm unaware of new ways of doing things. 
First, the tank on the left was told to me to be 36x36x16. After it got here, I realized it's only 12" high. :angryfire: However, the tank on the right was supposed to be a 24" true cube, but it turned out to be 30x30x24 so I'm not too upset. I may, in the future, purchase a taller 36" tank for the left side and make adjustments to keep the tops of the tanks still sitting at the same height.
Here is a pic from the previous owner. The stand was home built. I'm having someone take the ugly away. lol He came over and took measurements today, had me send a few pics of ideas, and he's getting started asap. You can't tell, but it has 3 drawers built into the right side. I do like that part. He's also building me a canopy.
Here are the parts and pieces I've collected so far (or came with the tank). When I got divorced in 2012, I literally walked away from everything, so I had ZERO reefing equipment to start this build.
Eshopps PSK-200 skimmer (came with setup)
Reef Keeper Lite (came with another setup that I ended up trading for this one...I've never used one before, so this should be fun)
New refractometer and a bottle of calibration fluid
Two light timers, forgetting that I had the Reef Keeper lol
API master test kit, just for the cycle
Spectrapure RO/DI with inline TDS meter and pressure gauge
A few used Mag Drive pumps
I also ordered all new bulkheads, not in the photo.
The two tanks will be plumbed together. They will both drain into a left side, elevated sump, that will flow from a piece of PVC coming out the right side into a floor level other sump with the return pump. I will be keeping a refugium area and skimmer in the first pump. I'm planning to return both tanks with one large Mag Drive. Previous owner used two small ones.
The left side tank will be all SPS. I have no experience. This will be fun.
The right side tank will be some SPS, a few LPS (I looove acans), and a few choice Zoas because I am a Zoa addict.
I will be soon ordering some CaribSea Aragonite Special Grade. I think. I plan a shallow sand bed for both tanks.
I am also trying Red Sea Coral Pro salt for the first time. I used Reef Crystals before. I'm excited to try something new. Once I get some corals in the tank, I'm planning to get the BRS dosing system to maintain steady levels in addition to regular water changes.
Here's a pic of my old tank just for fun. It was a 220g mixed reef and my first ever reef tank. My brother became terminally ill in 2009 and passed away in 2010 and I lost the love for quite some time. My tank went to crap. I never fully recovered it before getting divorced. Also, my ex wasn't at all interested in my hobby, and it was a bother and was always second to his interests. I finally married a good one, and he's extremely interested and supportive and puts my hobbies equal to his, as we consider everything "our" projects. :love1:
:wave::wave::wave:
First, the tank on the left was told to me to be 36x36x16. After it got here, I realized it's only 12" high. :angryfire: However, the tank on the right was supposed to be a 24" true cube, but it turned out to be 30x30x24 so I'm not too upset. I may, in the future, purchase a taller 36" tank for the left side and make adjustments to keep the tops of the tanks still sitting at the same height.
Here is a pic from the previous owner. The stand was home built. I'm having someone take the ugly away. lol He came over and took measurements today, had me send a few pics of ideas, and he's getting started asap. You can't tell, but it has 3 drawers built into the right side. I do like that part. He's also building me a canopy.
Here are the parts and pieces I've collected so far (or came with the tank). When I got divorced in 2012, I literally walked away from everything, so I had ZERO reefing equipment to start this build.
Eshopps PSK-200 skimmer (came with setup)
Reef Keeper Lite (came with another setup that I ended up trading for this one...I've never used one before, so this should be fun)
New refractometer and a bottle of calibration fluid
Two light timers, forgetting that I had the Reef Keeper lol
API master test kit, just for the cycle
Spectrapure RO/DI with inline TDS meter and pressure gauge
A few used Mag Drive pumps
I also ordered all new bulkheads, not in the photo.
The two tanks will be plumbed together. They will both drain into a left side, elevated sump, that will flow from a piece of PVC coming out the right side into a floor level other sump with the return pump. I will be keeping a refugium area and skimmer in the first pump. I'm planning to return both tanks with one large Mag Drive. Previous owner used two small ones.
The left side tank will be all SPS. I have no experience. This will be fun.
The right side tank will be some SPS, a few LPS (I looove acans), and a few choice Zoas because I am a Zoa addict.
I will be soon ordering some CaribSea Aragonite Special Grade. I think. I plan a shallow sand bed for both tanks.
I am also trying Red Sea Coral Pro salt for the first time. I used Reef Crystals before. I'm excited to try something new. Once I get some corals in the tank, I'm planning to get the BRS dosing system to maintain steady levels in addition to regular water changes.
Here's a pic of my old tank just for fun. It was a 220g mixed reef and my first ever reef tank. My brother became terminally ill in 2009 and passed away in 2010 and I lost the love for quite some time. My tank went to crap. I never fully recovered it before getting divorced. Also, my ex wasn't at all interested in my hobby, and it was a bother and was always second to his interests. I finally married a good one, and he's extremely interested and supportive and puts my hobbies equal to his, as we consider everything "our" projects. :love1:
:wave::wave::wave:
