180G Zeovit Tank

MAXreefer · Jan 12, 2009

Hello to all.
I started this hobby about 3 years ago and started with a 34G Red Sea Max, followed by a 95 G Wave tank and upgraded to a 180 end August.
I run the full Zeovit system from Day 1.
I posted a detailed build thread on our local forum but will give you here the shorter version.
Tank:

180 gallon AGA Tank with Mission stand and canopy
50 gallon custom made sump
2 Overflows. One for drain & return. I use the other one as an emergency drain and return from the chiller
150lbs LR (Fiji, Marshall Island and Tonga)

Lights:

72 inch AquaIlluminations LED system

Skimmer:

Octopus Extreme 250

Reactor:

Zeovit reactor

Pumps and Powerheads:

Tunze Wavebox with Single Controller
2 x Tunze 6110 with Multicontroller 7095
2 x Korallia 3 & 4
Several Korallia 1 behind the LR
OceanRunner 3500 as main return pump
QuietOne 3000 to feed the chiller

Heaters:

2 x 500 Watt Finnex heating tubes controled by the AC pro

Top- Off:

Aqua Medic Niveaumat

2 Part dosing:

Aqua Medic triple reef doser

Controllers:

AquaController III pro with DC8 outlet

Chiller:

Current USA 1/3HP Prime Tower Chiller is hooked up but doesn't run at all since I have the LED lights)

Power Backup:

Smaller PC power backup to keep the main return pump running for about 1 hour in case the power goes out

RO/DI unit:

Coralife Pure-Flo II 75 GPD

Some pictures from the build:
Tank illustration:

LED fixture mounted in the Canopy:

Sump: I kept the design simple. One big chamber for skimmer and Reactor, bubble trap and one chamber for the return. The front of the sump has a fresh water reservoir.

Triple dosing pump and Aquacontroller 3 Pro

Plumbing: Everything is Schedule 80 with true Union Valves for easier maintenance

RO/DI water station

MAXreefer · Jan 12, 2009

Here are a few pics. Those pictures were taken about a month after the setup. A lot changed in the mean time.

MAXreefer · Jan 12, 2009

Those are more recent

Corals Mania · Jan 12, 2009

Sweet lookin!

MAXreefer · Jan 12, 2009

I made a quick video last week trying out my new Camcorder.
The colors look better in real but you get an idea.
Has some nice background music:

VIDEO

Spiderwoman · Jan 12, 2009

Impressive colors! I absolutely love your tank :)

ahayes13 · Jan 12, 2009

georgeous tank !!!!!

ecotoxlady · Jan 12, 2009

Very nice!

joefish · Jan 12, 2009

If its not too much to ask what does the zeo and additive cost a month?

MAXreefer · Jan 13, 2009

joefish said:
If its not too much to ask what does the zeo and additive cost a month?

The cost will depend on the size of your tank. For my 180gallon I would say I spent about $20-25 a month. Besides the Zeovit additives I don't have to use any other supplements like Iodine, strontium, phosphate remover etc.

The additives are not that cheap at first look but they go a long way.
Of course you have to include your startup cost. There is an online store that sells a "starter kit" which includes the Zeovit Reactor, media and the basic 4 supplements between $199 and $250 depending the reactor size.
When you purchase this kit of course your cost for the first couple months will be much lower as you have the basic additives.

revhtree · Jan 13, 2009

Sweet tank with a primo set up!

slipondajimmy · Jan 13, 2009

Good lord sweet baby and jesus that's a nice Tank :) . All kidding aside. Where did you get that water tank for your RO/DI?

MAXreefer · Jan 13, 2009

slipondajimmy said:
Good lord sweet baby and jesus that's a nice Tank :) . All kidding aside. Where did you get that water tank for your RO/DI?

I got it at a store called "Fleet Farm" here in Minnesota. I don't think they have stores in Florida I'm affraid.

slipondajimmy · Jan 13, 2009

Thanks a bunch. There is a Tractor Supply Co. a few miles from me and they one hat looks like yours . Its 89 bucks and is a 35 gallon tank.

MAXreefer · Jan 13, 2009

slipondajimmy said:
Thanks a bunch. There is a Tractor Supply Co. a few miles from me and they one hat looks like yours . Its 89 bucks and is a 35 gallon tank.

I got mine for $69 but was on sale and yes it is 35 gallon.

I drilled a small hole in the back/top and used one of those quick connect adapters to hold the tubing that comes from the RO/DI unit.

rarelyseriousb · Jan 14, 2009

nice video. Im glad there are some softies in there. I think tanks always look better with movement. especially noticeable on the video.

TROYREEFER · Jan 15, 2009

Love your tank. Great job. I'm working on my 180gal.

MAXreefer · Feb 10, 2009

ZEO FRAG TANK SETUP

After getting 2 smaller acrylic tanks I decided to set them up as frag tanks and planning on running Zeo on them also.

Each tank holds 18.5 gallons (24x15x12) and the sump can hold 20 gallons.
I used 1 1/4 bulkheads for the drain. The drain pipes are supported by pipe holders to minimize the weight on the bulkheads and I used unions in case I have to take things apart.
For the return I used flexible tubing.

I am going to use the bottom tank for softies and LPS and will have less flow.
The top tank will keep SPS and high flow.

Equipment:
Return pump: OceanRunner 2500
Skimmer: Tunze Nano
Powerheads: For the SPS tank I will use a Tunze 6060 or 6080 which I had already and not in use. For the LPS/softie probably Koralia 4.
Controller: AC2 with PH and temp probe
Lights: For the SPS I might use my older Current USA Outer Orbit with 1x150W MH and 2 actinics for a start. For the other one 2 or 4 T5's.
Reactor: Considering the small amount of Zeolites I need I am going to start with a Canister filter I still had to function as a Reactor.
LR: Will use about 20 to 25 lbs of LR in the sump.

We plumbed everything together this evening and did a test run. No leaks so far.
Will update this thread once everything is installed and running.
Here are a few pics from the plumbing:

underwaterfirefighter · Feb 10, 2009

MAXreefer, I am interested in the ZEO system and have some questions if you don't mind. Do you need a calcium reactor or anything other than the ZEO reactor? Do you need a dosing pump to go with it ? Thanks for any help as no one locally sells this system.
Dave

stunreefer · Feb 10, 2009

Awesome system Max!!! Are you not tying your frag system into your DT?

Dave, you still use a CA reactor (or other means of CA/ALK supplementation) with ZEOvit. You do not need a dosing pump. Some of the ZEO products can be used through a dosing pump, but most people do not. FWIW, ZEOvit is another means of filtration... it replaces things like GFO reactors, refugiums (with caulerpa), sulphur reactors, etc.