With a build in progress for quite a while now, I thought I would quit lurking and start a tank thread.
I have almost no practical experience. I read, and have for years. I am hoping for, and welcome any and all advice and direction from the community here. This is my first build. I've made a lot of mistakes already, erroneous assumptions and so on, but press on. Please, feel free to comment. Be gentle.
My goal was a larger than normal refugium, but, since designing and procuring my sump I've learned that what I thought was "large" is not really so large by comparison to most DT/Fuge ratios I see. I's all subjective I guess. Different items were procured at different times throughout overall conception, and, some things were procured with little to no research. Unfortunate, but par I think.
I love the minimalist rimless look, with no hood. I like the minimalist look with respect to live rock as well. I hope to keep the whole tank framed proportionately, adhering to the rule-of-thirds as if it were a photo. I'd like two or three SPS show pieces in the end. I personally think that too often there's a start with no end in mind when it comes to marine tanks. I'm planning on a simple contemporary looking composite facade for the stand. Stained wood just seems so overdone, no offence.
Regarding size, I've always liked the analogy formed by the question; which is dirtier, puking in a one gallon bucket of water, or puking in a 20 gallon bucket of water? The price curve is steeper with increased size, but it's not linear. I'd rather have stability as a result of total volume and effective systems rather than stability via new water. Actually, I'll take both.
Here are the basic specs:
I like miscellaneous LPS & SPS, and want to focus on bright pastel specimens. Again, another thread perhaps.
I’m still debating dry or live rock. I like the look of Pukani, but also like the reef saver stackability. Not sure if I’m patient enough for dry rock after so long a wait and prolonged build.
Anyway, I'll post some initial images in somewhat chronological order....
I have almost no practical experience. I read, and have for years. I am hoping for, and welcome any and all advice and direction from the community here. This is my first build. I've made a lot of mistakes already, erroneous assumptions and so on, but press on. Please, feel free to comment. Be gentle.
My goal was a larger than normal refugium, but, since designing and procuring my sump I've learned that what I thought was "large" is not really so large by comparison to most DT/Fuge ratios I see. I's all subjective I guess. Different items were procured at different times throughout overall conception, and, some things were procured with little to no research. Unfortunate, but par I think.
I love the minimalist rimless look, with no hood. I like the minimalist look with respect to live rock as well. I hope to keep the whole tank framed proportionately, adhering to the rule-of-thirds as if it were a photo. I'd like two or three SPS show pieces in the end. I personally think that too often there's a start with no end in mind when it comes to marine tanks. I'm planning on a simple contemporary looking composite facade for the stand. Stained wood just seems so overdone, no offence.
Regarding size, I've always liked the analogy formed by the question; which is dirtier, puking in a one gallon bucket of water, or puking in a 20 gallon bucket of water? The price curve is steeper with increased size, but it's not linear. I'd rather have stability as a result of total volume and effective systems rather than stability via new water. Actually, I'll take both.
Here are the basic specs:
- Total system volume 210 gallon.
- Main circulation pump - Iwaki MD70 RLT, rated 1500gph.
- Display tank - 150g Rimless, by Coast to Coast Custom Aquariums, 3/4" glass, 62" x 28" x 24" tall, center/back overflow; StarFire x3, black silicone.
- Single 1-1/2" durso style drain, two 1"returns, each with LocLine, valve and 3" flared nozzle.
- Sump/Refugium – by Coast to Coast Custom Aquariums, ½†glass, 56â€x18â€x24†tall, volume is ±60g w/plenty of overflow capacity. Center refugium area is ±25g flow-through design. Planning a 5†sand bed w/ macro.
- Single Vortech MP40W ES, intent on buying an additional MP40, if not MP60.
- Refugium light – WavePoint 24â€, 96 watt, two white & two actinic HO bulbs.
- Protein skimmer – Aqua-C EV240 in sump, w/ Iwaki MD55 RLT.
- Main DT lighting - single Orphek Nilus LED fixture (planning to supplement with two Kessil A360W’s).
- All 1-1/2†sch 80 plumbing, Cepex ball valves (95% welded, no Teflon tape on threads, non-hardening thread sealant only)
- PinPoint Temp controller and single 300w Finnex titanium heater (may need another)
- No cooling or chiller as yet.
- Korrallin c1502 calcium reactor package w/ PinPoint pH controller.
- Red Sea test kits
- Red Sea Pro Coral salt mix
- SpectraPure MaxCap 90 RO/DI
- Considering a clear mesh top (I hate the idea of that on a rimless, but I like the idea of a wrasse one day.)
I like miscellaneous LPS & SPS, and want to focus on bright pastel specimens. Again, another thread perhaps.
I’m still debating dry or live rock. I like the look of Pukani, but also like the reef saver stackability. Not sure if I’m patient enough for dry rock after so long a wait and prolonged build.
Anyway, I'll post some initial images in somewhat chronological order....
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