220 Gallon In Wall Build

[Saltine]

I've been in the hobby for just over three years now, here's a progression of my tanks over that time. I really miss my 180 which I had to sell due to moving out of state, it was my favorite tank of all time and my "perfect" tank where everything just worked.

Tank History:
36g Bow front-Added a sump/external overflow
Reefer 250-Won my Fantasy Football League, what better way to spend the proceeds :D
220 Gallon tank-Got it as a package deal for next to nothing ($400?), but it ended up leaking.
180 Gallon tank-Bought this after the 220 started a leak.
Reefer 450-Purchased this after I moved across country, rushed it to try to mimic my 180 and then sold it after a few months.
Current: 25g Nuvo Lagoon
Plan: 220g in wall

Plan to have a 100g Rubbermaid Trough for my sump. I'm really taking my time here to make sure I do it right this time, I have an APEX 2016 that I'll be setting up automated water changes etc.

 

[Saltine]

 

[Saltine]

The wall (front and behind)

 

[Saltine]

Bought first 100lbs of rock from EBay, it’s from Texas have a few giant pieces...

 

[Saltine]

Picked up this skimmer locally it’s pretty big I ha e no idea what brand.

 

[Saltine]

Skimmer is doing work on the cycling eBay/old rock I had. So far I have about 125lbs of rock going with at least another 100lbs. Added the new EBay rock to my old rock to get it going again. One thing I noticed was that the eBay rock didn’t bubble (wasn’t porous) but my old rock bubbles like crazy when submerged.

 

[Saltine]

I’ve bought a marineland 220g brand new, looked at 4 used tanks and just couldn’t risk it after my previous 220 that leaked, I’m also anal about scratches.

Haven’t had a chance to pick it up from the warehouse yet, checking out more rock this weekend might pickup the tank sometime next week.

Still have to take out the wall dry wall etc do not in a rush.

Salt

 

[Saltine]

Things I've learned over my brief 3 yrs in the hobby.

Quarantine
Quarantine
Quarantine

I've had 3 bouts of Velvet, and it's a terrible thing to go through.

Don't rush anything.

Vinegar/Vodka dosing for nutrient control works well.

Radions
Radions
Radions

Jebao pumps work great, better than ecotech from my experience. Plan to run a Jebao Return and 4 RW or PP15's on the new tank.

Tunze EZ Care Magnet, doesn't scratch the glass.

 

[SPR1968]

Beautiful tanks and great write up and thanks for sharing all the pictures with us, very nice indeed!

Looking forward to seeing the new one

 

[Saltine]

It’s here not out of the suv yet, making the move into the basement tomorrow hopefully.

Bonus feeding shots from the 25g

 

[Saltine]

Rinsing out about 80lb of rubble I picked up for free, but it spent some time outside...

 

[Aceone]

following

 

[LBReefer]

Looks like a fascinating build. Following along.

 

[Thaxxx]

Following.
I have a question. If the 180 was the perfect tank for you. And you ended up getting new. What made you decide to get the 220? I was looking at both. I liked the 24" height of the 180 for maintaining it.

 

[Jmblec2]

Following