There are some amazing build threads on here, don't give your hopes up for this being one of them but I'll do my best. Definitely will be asking for advice and pointers along the way. I apologize ahead of time for formatting, spelling and grammar errors. I am a combination of old school and new school, DIY and store bought, thrifty (aka cheap) at times and to my wife's dismay, other times not so much. I'm always looking for a deal by buying used, but try to support my local LFS's as much as possible as well.
History/Background
I first got into reefing about 15 years ago. I've always had pets growing up, including fish (freshwater). My wife and I were newly married and had a cat for about 6 months our land lady gave us. We were moving and found two potential places, one that allowed a cat and one that didn't. My wife wanted to give the cat to her parents (definitely a better home for an animal at that point), when I objected due to wanting a pet, she told me "Just get a fish tank". Little did she know how expensive that statement would become over the years. I spent about 2 years researching, reading and planning before I set up my first tank. It was a 75 gallon SPS dominate mixed reef with 2 175 Watt Metal Haliade's, closed loop on a Dart and a classic ASM G3 Skimmer. After going a little too heavy on the "Tang Gang" I upgraded to a 125 gallon a couple years later. The move never went well, although I did not have any major losses, the tank never "ran" right. After a career change that increased my hours substantially the tank was neglected, became a burden and after about 2 more years, I broke it down and sold it all away. The hardest thing was letting my Blonde Naso Tang go, without a doubt my favorite fish to this day, would follow me as I walked by, would eat from my hand and even let me stroke it's back. Of everything, I made sure she went to a good home and even years later still followed up on her.
Fiveish years ago, we purchased a house and in the back of my mind was thinking about where I could put a tank. One day, out of the blue my wife commented on a wall in the basement that an inwall fish tank would look great there. Two weeks later I had most of the equipment and we took off running.
Equipment & Plan
New tank is 72wx24dx30t, Starphire front glass, dual corner overflow with 2" drains.
Custom Steel Stand with adjustable legs
DIY 75 gallon sump with Jebao DCP18000 return
55 Watt Lifegard UV Sterilizer
2 x 24" Cebu Sun 250 Watt Metal Haliade with 4 x 24 Watt T5's
1 x 24" 8 x 24 Watt T5 fixture
2 x MP40's (Controlled by Mobius App)
Apex EL with Fire Tablet control
Bubble Magus Curve 9 Skimmer
Jebao Wifi Doser (Aquaforest Component + Acro Power)
JBJ Auto top off
TLF Phosban/Carbon Reactor
5 Stage RODI
That will pretty much be the set up to start, wish list to add is:
2 more MP40's
Trident
3 x DOS (One for auto water change, 2 for dosing)
Neptune AFS
Two FMM modules (ATK, Flow Monitoring and leak detection).
My goal is to make it as automated and safe as possible. I'm still figuring out the Neptune process & system, but am excited about the potential I can do with it.
Where we are today
Old 90 gallon as been moved across the room, "hole" in wall has been made and tank is in place. I need to reseal the front top of the tank, as water was leaking from the top trim. Two dedicated 15 AMP circuits will be installed from the garage Sub Panel on Tuesday. Plumbing has been ordered and will arrive by the end of the week. The goal for this week is to finish the sump, finish framing in the tank, get the tank on plywood & insulation foam and reinstall the door to fish room/laundry room. (Old door was 36", need to install a 30" door so tank will fit.
Pictures!
Last picture of the 90 gallon before the tear down:
How it sits today:
New Tank:
Various pictures along the way:
History/Background
I first got into reefing about 15 years ago. I've always had pets growing up, including fish (freshwater). My wife and I were newly married and had a cat for about 6 months our land lady gave us. We were moving and found two potential places, one that allowed a cat and one that didn't. My wife wanted to give the cat to her parents (definitely a better home for an animal at that point), when I objected due to wanting a pet, she told me "Just get a fish tank". Little did she know how expensive that statement would become over the years. I spent about 2 years researching, reading and planning before I set up my first tank. It was a 75 gallon SPS dominate mixed reef with 2 175 Watt Metal Haliade's, closed loop on a Dart and a classic ASM G3 Skimmer. After going a little too heavy on the "Tang Gang" I upgraded to a 125 gallon a couple years later. The move never went well, although I did not have any major losses, the tank never "ran" right. After a career change that increased my hours substantially the tank was neglected, became a burden and after about 2 more years, I broke it down and sold it all away. The hardest thing was letting my Blonde Naso Tang go, without a doubt my favorite fish to this day, would follow me as I walked by, would eat from my hand and even let me stroke it's back. Of everything, I made sure she went to a good home and even years later still followed up on her.
Fiveish years ago, we purchased a house and in the back of my mind was thinking about where I could put a tank. One day, out of the blue my wife commented on a wall in the basement that an inwall fish tank would look great there. Two weeks later I had most of the equipment and we took off running.
Equipment & Plan
New tank is 72wx24dx30t, Starphire front glass, dual corner overflow with 2" drains.
Custom Steel Stand with adjustable legs
DIY 75 gallon sump with Jebao DCP18000 return
55 Watt Lifegard UV Sterilizer
2 x 24" Cebu Sun 250 Watt Metal Haliade with 4 x 24 Watt T5's
1 x 24" 8 x 24 Watt T5 fixture
2 x MP40's (Controlled by Mobius App)
Apex EL with Fire Tablet control
Bubble Magus Curve 9 Skimmer
Jebao Wifi Doser (Aquaforest Component + Acro Power)
JBJ Auto top off
TLF Phosban/Carbon Reactor
5 Stage RODI
That will pretty much be the set up to start, wish list to add is:
2 more MP40's
Trident
3 x DOS (One for auto water change, 2 for dosing)
Neptune AFS
Two FMM modules (ATK, Flow Monitoring and leak detection).
My goal is to make it as automated and safe as possible. I'm still figuring out the Neptune process & system, but am excited about the potential I can do with it.
Where we are today
Old 90 gallon as been moved across the room, "hole" in wall has been made and tank is in place. I need to reseal the front top of the tank, as water was leaking from the top trim. Two dedicated 15 AMP circuits will be installed from the garage Sub Panel on Tuesday. Plumbing has been ordered and will arrive by the end of the week. The goal for this week is to finish the sump, finish framing in the tank, get the tank on plywood & insulation foam and reinstall the door to fish room/laundry room. (Old door was 36", need to install a 30" door so tank will fit.
Pictures!
Last picture of the 90 gallon before the tear down:
How it sits today:
New Tank:
Various pictures along the way: