375 SPS Reef Build

[httorihanzo]

7/28/2018 Update - 375 is BACK ON. Some exciting new changes coming and actually going to arrive in a few minutes. I said I was getting the itch....well something fell into my lap. Check back later tonight to see.

Later that night.....New tank starts on page 3! comment and follow along for the fun.

7/26/2108 Update. This is not longer a 375g build. I moved. Sorry about the clickbait. Not sure what to do with this thread. I want to keep it a part of my journey. New tank updates at the end of the thread.

Want to move my build thread to Reef2Reef so I will start tonight.

July 30th:

Hello, I am excited to annouce this bad boy will be in place this weekend! its been a long time coming. I have been in the hobby a while and have had many tanks but now am changing my focus to SPS and upgrading.

My goal will be to use top of the line equipment and eventually have a most impressive SPS reef. Of course $$ is an issue so things will be upgraded over time.

This will be primarlity an high end SPS focused tank. I will also be into high end chalices, acans and other colorful goodies.

Dimensions: 84X32X32
Planned lighting - 3, 400W halide with blue LED supplements
Bare bottom? Maybe
Everthing else TBD


Probably going to be a slow build ($$$$) but promises to be a great one. This is basically my dream tank.

 

[httorihanzo]

Aug 3rd

100 lbs of rock from my old setup. Going to need more!

 

[eliramos]

following

 

[httorihanzo]

Lumen Bright Pendant with 250K Reeflux 12k

 

[httorihanzo]

Aug 5th, laying out 200lbs dry rock + 100lbs of prvs used rock

 

[httorihanzo]

In the tank attempt #1

 

[httorihanzo]

#2

 

[httorihanzo]

You can see here on attempt [HASHTAG]#3756[/HASHTAG] that I've used some cinder blocks in the back. I say these really really helped the stability of the structure and the easy of creating space inside the rock "stack". I am a big fan of the minimal style but in this tank I am going for a wall of SPS and tons of space for colonies to grow so I've decided to go old school wall with caves.

 

[httorihanzo]

 

[httorihanzo]

Excuse the old bald guy reflection in these pics...

 

[httorihanzo]

Aug 10th
Did a very short water test before I found a good size leak. Thankfully the leak was between the overflow and tank and the water was coming out the drain holes. I don't have plumbing or bulk heads in yet. Ugh...

Starting to get worried about the construction of this tank. I don't much like it at all. Left panel is most definately not perfectly lined up with the front. I've seen to many horror stories about cracked tanks lately and it is starting to cause anxiety.

Aug 25th
Not many updates recently because i am going to remove the tank, cut the wood floor and re-level the stand as well as add in pink sytro under the tank. I've become paranoid about leaks and cracks in the tank so I am going to be overly cautious.
Sep 2nd
Floor has been cut, tank put back in place with styro and rock work done (again)

 

[httorihanzo]

Sept 14th

Picking out my sump at Dallas North Aquarium.... Tideline 48'. Wanted a 60" sump but just didnt end up going that route.

An a skimmer from Elos.... I got it on super duper sale but its only rated for a light bi load to 400 gallons. Basically I got it because it was cheap and looked nice with all my plumbing plans. Still debating. it is a Diable DCRS 200. I could go with a Octopus 5000 in sump which wouldnt look as nice but be rated much higher.

Weekend of plumbing starting with waiting, waiting, waiting on the UPS guy.....
Finally at 6 pm on Friday....

A few trips to Home Depot...

I had to go sideways with the ball valve to get the check value in under the height I had to work with.... which means the return lines drop a few inches before gonig back up.

No matter how much space ya got, you always could use more.

I have a T under the check value to feed the skimmer and other reactors later on. I also have a T above it that I will add a valve I can open to create a siphon and drain water for manual water changes.

Sep 18th

Think my plumbing is finally (almost) complete. I say almost because is it ever really done? I've left of places for additions down the road. Starting to fill her up...

 

[httorihanzo]

 

[httorihanzo]

Ah ah ah ah ahhhhhhh

 

[httorihanzo]

Alrighty, not to move on to the electrical panel. I plan on mounting the ballast, apex system, dosers, router...etc to this one panel for easy of access. My goal is to keep it as organized as I can but to have it all out in the open. I want hobbiest to be able to see the working of the system as I view it part of the "art" in creating a system. I have a dedicated room for this tank where my wife is letting me set it up how I want so I am very lucky.

Of course the outlets are not Apex controlled but will be available for additional plugs that don't need control until I can get 2 or 3 eb8's

 

[httorihanzo]

Sep 30
Apex installed! Wooooh Cords be going all over the place. (I hate linking up the apex to a router....frustrating)

 

[httorihanzo]

That basically gets me current up to today. Sorry about so many posts guys/gals.

Future plans:
Neptune DOS system
Flow rate module
Modules modules modules
Zeovit? possible
Vertex reactors for GFO/Carbon
Hydra 26's for LED supplementation
Hang fixture with 1" conduit mounted to the wall
New bigger, much bigger skimmer

 

[Tango2]

Good looking build so far. What lights are those over your fuge?

 

[adam87]

Nice setup. I don't think you need a new skimmer, just add neck extension or two.

 

[Stoube26]

Following