MY 180 gallon build

[Michael Yager]

So, I got the itch to upgrade my reef system. I am currently running a 90 gallon system with a Marineland Reef Ready tank. My plan is to have a reef system that is fully automated. After months of research, I ordered my tank from Planet Aquariums (and it is a masterpiece) and started to build my aquarium stand. I want my stand to be able to support this tank WITHOUT center supports on the front. To be able to accomplish this, I framed it out of 2" X 8" solid red oak. I then laminated a 2X4 piece of oak to that to support the cross braces. I can say that it should hold a ton.
I have been collecting components for the last 2 months also. I still need 75-100 pounds of rock and aquascape the tank before I can add any water.

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[Michael Yager]

Well, I have never been good at recording progress as that breaks the rhythm. I have the new tank filled with water, sand and some rock. I do not plan on adding more than 20 pounds of rock as I will depend on MarinePure Block to handle the bio-load. I currently have 3 shrimp in some nylon trying to jump start the cycling process. I an running 1.33 cups of Rox .08 active carbon. I am going to convert my other reactor into a recurculating bio carbon reactor. So, now for the wait. At least it gives me time to skin the tank

By the way, the Kessil AP-700 is awesome

 

[Michael Yager]

Started to work on finishing the stand.

 

[jbm421]

Looks real nice!

 

[Michael Yager]

Thank you

 

[Michael Yager]

So, waiting, waiting and more waiting. What should I do with my free time while waiting for the tank to cycle? I know, let's check out some YouTube videos of other tanks. Not such a good idea as I saw a reefer with a "display" refugium. I wanted one also. Back to the lfs to get a tank to use as a "display" refugium. Picked up a tank, ghost overflow, stand, light, 80 pounds of sand and a lid. First step, get home and drill the tank. Long story short, two days later and here is what I have.

Refugium on the left, 74 gallon cube, DT on right. I wanted to go this route because I want the DT to be an SPS tank. I will have around 20 fish in the tank but wanted to keep the aquascape minimalistic (less is more) so with the refugium, I have about 100 pounds of cured live rock with an additional 100 pounds in the DT. I also have a large 8x8x4 marine pure block in the sand bed of the refugium along with a DSB. BioFilter should not be a problem. Next step hooking up my ATO and figure out AWC using the Apex DOS.

 

[Michael Yager]

Because the under the tank needs to look as good as the tank does!!!!

 

[Michael Yager]

New additions to refugium. Two Banded Pipefish. Will post picture with lights on later.

 

[Michael Yager]

The Banded Pipefish with lights on.

 

[Michael Yager]

Did a little work on Wednesday. Trying to clean up the power supply mess behind the display tank as well as hide the pipes going from the display refugium to the sump.

I still need to build and install the door that goes in front of the power supply's. I do run a full Apex system as well as have a Kessil AP 700 in use with my 3 Kessil A360W's so I sacrificed my older IPad for use with the aquarium.

 

[booth2010]

Looks great!

 

[Busa1340]

So, waiting, waiting and more waiting. What should I do with my free time while waiting for the tank to cycle? I know, let's check out some YouTube videos of other tanks. Not such a good idea as I saw a reefer with a "display" refugium. I wanted one also. Back to the lfs to get a tank to use as a "display" refugium. Picked up a tank, ghost overflow, stand, light, 80 pounds of sand and a lid. First step, get home and drill the tank. Long story short, two days later and here is what I have.

Refugium on the left, 74 gallon cube, DT on right. I wanted to go this route because I want the DT to be an SPS tank. I will have around 20 fish in the tank but wanted to keep the aquascape minimalistic (less is more) so with the refugium, I have about 100 pounds of cured live rock with an additional 100 pounds in the DT. I also have a large 8x8x4 marine pure block in the sand bed of the refugium along with a DSB. BioFilter should not be a problem. Next step hooking up my ATO and figure out AWC using the Apex DOS.

Nice setup! Are you running the marinpure block alone? Or with cheato also?

 

[revhtree]

That's looking great!

 

[Michael Yager]

Busa1340, I put the MarinePure block in the back corner of the display refugium and put 3" of sand over it. I currently have cheato in my sump but do not expect it to last to long. I am running a GAC reactor, a GFO reactor and dosing vinegar to the system. Hopefully in the next 4-6 weeks there will not be enough to nutrients to support the cheato. I also plan on setting up a automatic water change (3 gal per day) system tomorrow using a Apex DOS.

Revhtree, thank you.

 

[Michael Yager]

Booth2010, thank you also.