120 build

[Bkedelis]

I am 2 months into a 120 mixed reef build. Still doing some fine tuning and like most builds got ahead of myself in stocking and didn't quarantine so I now have an ich battle.
I have been documenting the build and thought I might share a little of it.

 

[Bkedelis]

Built my own stand with custom stained glass so light from the fuge shines through. Really adds to the look without taking away from the tank.

 

[Bkedelis]

Began installing the toys, eshopps rs-200 refugium sump and skimmer, vectra m1 return pump, gyre 150, apex controller with ice cap and AWM modules, hydra 52HD lights, brs dual reactor for gfo and carbon. Also using miracle mudd in my fuge and Bimini pink live sand.

 

[Bkedelis]

Hard plumbed the whole tank. The vectra is so smooth I didn't see a need to use any flex in the main plumb. I did change the position of the manifold a little later and moved it up against the bottom of the tank stand.

 

[Bkedelis]

Went with Walt Smith 2.1 reef rock. Highly recommend, it looks so good from the start and it fits together great, a little epoxy and I got water in the tank. Used fritz to start the biological as well at this point.

 

[ScottMyers123]

Nice looking setup. I like your choice in equipment.

 

[Bkedelis]

Thank you there was a lot of back and forth especially on the lights, was thinking about radions, but the HDs seem pretty compatible and little less costly.

 

[Bkedelis]

As I mentioned above I relocated my manifold up against the top of the stand. Added a nitrate reactor, anticipate a heavy stocked tank. The only thing I would've changed so far is I would have gone with separate gfo and carbon reactors instead of a dual for better control. Then was the worst part of a build for me. Waiting dorms the cycling. Ugh

 

[Bkedelis]

Once I felt the cycling was done in was able to start moving in my corals from my frag tank, and add some residents. Naso ND powder blue, along with a few cromis and clowns. At this point all was well. A few great corals I been working on as well.

 

[Bkedelis]

Then came my impatience. My LFS got in a cheveron tang and I had to have it. One of my favorite tangs. This little buddy was freshly caught and flown in and I didn't quarantine. Poor guy quickly infected my tank with ich. Not to mention he didn't make it a week. I also lost my powder. Been treating my remaining fish with seachem metroplex, focus, and garlic, the naso shows signs of ich but seems to be getting better. What a hard lesson to keep learning. Quarantine and patience are expensive mistakes to keep making.

 

[bknapp]

I've been bit by the ich bullet as well and follow strict QT protocols now. You really need to remove the fish from your DT to eradicate ich from the system. Best of luck moving forward.