225 gallon CDA build. Whoababy here we go!

[LDog74]

Some updated photos! Tank is running great. Have 3 new corals arriving tomorrow ordered from Tim (therman). Homewrecker, BC Frankenberry V2.0 & BC Aquatic Man, excited

If someone can help me with how to load a video that would be great. I have tried but no success.

 

[mattzang]

just make a youtube account and link that, it's pretty easy

tank looks great!

 

[sdreef]

Everything looks great. Any updates?

Thanks for posting all the great photos of your plumbing. I'm wondering how the flow monitor has worked for you? I was thinking about doing the same thing to help manage the flow through the UV.

I'm looking at the same UV unit as well. I was considering setting it up in the same spot in my stand with the same configuration. Not sure if you have had to access it for maintenance yet, but was wondering if you've liked it in that configuration and your experience with the unit.

 

[LDog74]

Everything looks great. Any updates?

Thanks for posting all the great photos of your plumbing. I'm wondering how the flow monitor has worked for you? I was thinking about doing the same thing to help manage the flow through the UV.

I'm looking at the same UV unit as well. I was considering setting it up in the same spot in my stand with the same configuration. Not sure if you have had to access it for maintenance yet, but was wondering if you've liked it in that configuration and your experience with the unit.

I am very happy with the flow monitors & COR20 pumps. The ability to change flow and actually see what each pump is producing is great. Very easy to increase or decrease flow on phone or IPad. Also helpful dialing in the UV if needed.
I am very please with the UV set up. The bulb they say last for 12 months and has a counter on it which tells you when to replace.

I recently added two MP40s one on each side of the back for more flow and better ability to create water movement.
Only issue I have had is the tank is removing nutrients too well. I am fighting to get PO4 & nitrates up...
Thank you!

 

[Metcho]

LDog77 what’s the thickness of the glass on your tank? Tank looks amazing

 

[Kershaw]

I just ordered a 60x24x20 from CDA with the Brighton stand. How is the stand? Honestly that’s what made me go with them. The stands on their website look amazing? I like your canopy I’ll have to attempt something similar.

 

[LDog74]

LDog77 what’s the thickness of the glass on your tank? Tank looks amazing

Thank you very much! 1/2” glass

 

[LDog74]

I just ordered a 60x24x20 from CDA with the Brighton stand. How is the stand? Honestly that’s what made me go with them. The stands on their website look amazing? I like your canopy I’ll have to attempt something similar.

Congratulations on the purchase!
I agree, that’s another reason we decided to go with CDA. We may move at some point & I wanted stand that would be capable of that. I also was reading about the Red Sea stands having issues when we were shopping, no way we were going to go through that.
The stand is built like a tank!

 

[LDog74]

I thought I would provide a tank update now that’s it’s been a year with the tank up & running. For the most part it’s been a good first year. Unfortunately killed a few expensive corals (5 total, one a Homewreker ) along the way but learned a lot about parameters & nutrients and what works for my tank.
Tank was running zero on PO4 & NO3 for 6 months which based on information 10 years ago I thought was a good thing. Once I lost a few corals & battled Dino‘s I realized time to change my old approach. I tested PO4 & NO3 often, most times daily & still test PO4 at least every other. I have to add PO4 every 2-3 days to keep it in range.

Additional equipment added since start up. 2 MP 40’s in addition to the 3 Red Sea Reefwaves 45 I was running for flow. Also added 2 Reefi Unos for additional light coverage & increase in Par at the top of my aqua scape. Did this after renting a par meter from BRS.
CO2 scrubber. This IMO made a big difference in my coral growth. My PH went from 8.0-8.2 prior to the scrubber to 8.3-8.45 after. Alkalinity & CA consumption significantly increased as did coral growth. Negative is the media needs to be replaced weekly. Like clockwork 7 days and PH drops to 8.2.
Overall I am really happy with the setup. Very thankful for Neptune products, Apex, Trident, COR20. I travel often and the ability to check daily (probably every hour really ) gives me peace of mind and confidence to make adjustments as needed.

Adding: I have on order 6 bimaculatus Anthias 1m & 5f along with a yellow coris wrasse with TSM. They will be out of QT 5/18/21.
Looking to add: Will probably add a calcium reactor in the next 2-3 months if ALK & CA consumption continues. Looking at the Deltec CRTT 1500. Expensive but I like the automated, again with traveling makes my life easier.
Will be attending Reef Palooza in CA & hopefully I win the TSA & Aquashella aquarium festival .

Really thankful for this site. So many helpful people, great insight. Seems I learn some every time I look which is often several times a day...
Also love purchasing corals from fellow members. Bigger frags IMO vs some retailers.

Looking forward to year 2 now that the tank is finally starting to settle in a bit & I learned a few lessons in year one.
I’m sure a curveball or two is coming my way. It seems just when you think you are good, something happens. The challenges make it all worth it !

Thanks!
Lance
PO4 .02-.06
NO3 12-25
ALK 8
CA 420-430
MG 1250-1280

 

[DeniseAndy]

Looking really good. Looks like some good growth on the corals. Assuming they are the normal tiny frags usually seen.

 

[LDog74]

Looking really good. Looks like some good growth on the corals. Assuming they are the normal tiny frags usually seen.

Yes the majority of them started 1"-2" frags. IMO I won't buy 1" single branch frags anymore. I will gladly pay a little more for multibranch or little large frags. They seem to take off faster, again IMO.

 

[Mayacan]

Yes the majority of them started 1"-2" frags. IMO I won't buy 1" single branch frags anymore. I will gladly pay a little more for multibranch or little large frags. They seem to take off faster, again IMO.

Can I ask you a question as I see you did same as I’m doing now, I think. I just finished putting my aquascape together (Marco Dry Rock). You said you cycled it in a 55 gallon bin. Can you explain the process as I would like to start cycle on my rock in this method as well, I’m still waiting for my tank to arrive. Do you jus place built aquascape in bin, saltwater (what salinity?), heater (temperature?) and a pump for flow? Then add beneficial bacteria (microbacter 7?). For how long did you cycle rock? How often did you do water change on bin and how much? When ready, did you just transfer to tank with dry or live sand? Please let me know as I’d like to take advantage of time before my tank is built, thanks.

 

[bobyboy]

What hinges did you use to mount the canopy to the wall?

 

[MRRBW]

Those look like these brackets - https://www.lockandhinge.com/hafele-hebgo-folding-bench-bracket-287-47-917/

ive been researching floating canopy designs for months now and this bracket has renewed my faith I can pull off a clean look. Not sure which actuators he added, would be nice to find those too