1point025’s latest acro packed build thread

[Justin Aretz]

Hello everyone,

this is the first time I’ve bought a “stock” aquarium with stand. I usually have built my systems from the ground up, incorporating unique building materials to my stands etc. I decided I was too busy for that this time around.

i will, for my own documentation, keep this as updated as I can. I am somewhat Treating this like i am talking to myself, so pardon any tangents ! Hope it is pleasurable for all who view.

couple of notes here at the start:

I just remodeled this house. I had everything down to the studs, including underground plumbing and new electric. I did most of the work myself and was focused on that... hadn’t thought much through some important logistics of this peninsula that surely could’ve enhanced this build. I was planning to plumb this tank through the walls and into a central sump which will, at a later date, run my frag system. I did not. I did however make it a point to run RO line under the slab, directly from my reservoir in my island. Still debating on ripping open walls to tie this into the “fish room”, as it would eliminate an extra tank to test daily, and free up the peninsula stand for wiring/equipment. I will be automating trace dosing and going sans water changes, so need to consider how much space this will consume.

just slapped the canopy mock up together and got it hung. the Wires will be routed through the wall, and I’m thinking I’ll paint the canopy white. the objective was to make it look as weightless and effortless as possible. I spent a few hours reinforcing a frame system above the ceiling to allow a nice petite hanging system. I’m happy with it so far.

biggest concern at the moment is how bright and broad the light of the black boxes are. I swear by viparspectra in the farm/commercial realm, but underestimated how intrusive they would be in my living room. Rethinking this at the moment. Considering running 8 AI primes but weary that ill be able to get close to
the ~650 par Im looking for at the top shelves.

I haven’t taken many meaningful photos to date, but will post a few below

 

[Justin Aretz]

She’s wet! Cycled in 3 days by means of ghost feeding and Brightwell XLM dosing. Will probably run for about 6 weeks before lights on. Will begin to establish a microfauna population in about two weeks from now.

 

[Justin Aretz]

next up, siporax pond media and biodigest. Fish in about 5 weeks

 

[Justin Aretz]

Was putzing around with some scrap veneers from when I did my kitchen. Relieved with how well this cable management worked out. On the off chance I try to squeeze a calrx in here, I might just be able to fit it

 

[Justin Aretz]

Been breaking in a new DCQ-2 skimmer from Aquamaxx for a few days. Need to run all the wiring in the chases this weekend. Hands down the most efficient, precise, and quiet skimmer I’ve ever owned. And for not much $ more than some of the bigger brand names.

Also running an old school power filter. Unbelievable how effective these are at providing absolutely crystal clear water. Just when you think there’s nothing left to skim, you can add an entire new level of clarity to your tank.

bum out of the week - realizing how tick poor this system is at surface skimming. It’s either quiet, or surface skimming. Will work on a modification to the overflow/solution to this.

 

[Justin Aretz]

Nothing too exciting. Really avoided any significant uglies so far. About the 70 day mark now. Pods are thriving (I added a chunk of indo live rock to seed, which had a small population on board). The indo rock has some low grade mushrooms on them. It’s been interesting to see how well they have adapted to an extremely high flow environment. The mushrooms are huge, right to the rock work, and colorful. The tank has about a 15x turnover rate. It’s common sense, but intriguing to observe how our “high flow” tanks are really far more moderate than the immense energy that the ocean produces.

Nutrients are falling into a comfortable range.

I’ve got approx. 15 acro colonies in quarantine, as well as a gem and purple tang which are undergoing an 8 week prophylactic treatment system. Should be about 6 more weeks until everyone is ready to get the plop and this becomes a reef tank.