240 Half Cube Journey

[CAd2Coral]

All, I am upgrading from a Red Sea Reefer 40 gallon AIO to a 4ft x 4 ft x 2 ft acrylic 240 gallon tank. I purchased it used and I plan to polish it prior to filling. I want to document the build here, but also get a lot of advice.


I want to build an 80/20 stand. I also need to add a big container for the Refugium. I am planning on running triton, do you have any thoughts on Triton Method?

1. Rocks
I have purchased rocks from 2 tank break downs. It is currently sitting in a bleach solution.
1.1 is this enough rock? It fills a 40 gallon bucket.

1.2 Any ideas for aquascape? I want an lps/ softy tank with tangs and smaller fish.
1.3 Do you know what type of rock this is?

1.4 what is the pink stuff that won’t come off this rock in the bleach?

Onto fish, here is my current desired stocking list, is it enough?
2. Thoughts on stocking list:
Rabbit fish
File fish
Mandarin
Tang of some sort (yellow and powder blue)
Copperband butterfly
Pair of clowns (long fin)
Small wrasse
Marine beta (with caution)
Other small perching fish
Multiple shrimp
Cardinal
Gold Midas blenny

3.0 are these lights worth keeping? They are the orbit IC pro lights, I have 2 hydra 32s. I think I might just use 4 hydra 32s, thoughts?

 

[PPBlimpy]

very nice setup. Can''t help with the lights but I am sure to get going they are fine. adding the 2 more hydras may be a good idea and keep the bars as supplemental lighting.

looks like enough rock to build a nice big island in the middle. at least that is how i would probably scape it

 

[DarthRaiderBob]

I have a set of those lights. I'm currently running one as a supplement to my popbloom setup. I've never had an issue with them. Not the best but not terrible either. Easy enough to program with the remote.

 

[CAd2Coral]

very nice setup. Can''t help with the lights but I am sure to get going they are fine. adding the 2 more hydras may be a good idea and keep the bars as supplemental lighting.

looks like enough rock to build a nice big island in the middle. at least that is how i would probably scape it

Thanks for the input, I’m also planing on 2 closed loops on the rear, I’m terrible about cleaning power heads, have you done anything like that before?

 

[CAd2Coral]

I have a set of those lights. I'm currently running one as a supplement to my popbloom setup. I've never had an issue with them. Not the best but not terrible either. Easy enough to program with the remote.

Thanks for the inputs on the lights, I guess I’ll keep the for supplemental. What size is your tank? Curious of your stocking list, looks like a good sized system.

 

[PPBlimpy]

Thanks for the input, I’m also planing on 2 closed loops on the rear, I’m terrible about cleaning power heads, have you done anything like that before?

I have 2 closed loops running in my 300G

One internal and one external. All have RFG nozzles on the outputs.

My tank is 96x30 and 24 tall. I still have to run two gyro wavemaker.

 

[Pntbll687]

Nice upgrade!!

1. Rock, is it enough? Can't tell or say, that's a judgement call and only you can say it's enough after building the aquascape.
2. Lights - those lights are weak, but could make nice accent lights. I'd plan to go with the 4 hydras to start.
3. the pink things on the rocks - looks like it could be old vermetid snail tubes that were forming, nothing to worry about after you have bleached the rock
4. Triton Method - it works, just make sure you follow it and do the what the icp says to do. @Ryan - Serious Reefs has talked multiple times about how the BRS160 was at it's best when FOLLOWING what the ICP testing said to do while following the triton method.

Stand - Everyone loves 80/20, but if you know the manufacturer of the tank, contact them and see what they recommend.

Keep us updated on the progress!

 

[CAd2Coral]

Thanks guys! I just got my rocks out of the bleach bath and put them into the tank to get an idea of how much I had, plopped it in and it looks like it will be more than enough! Next goal is to build stands so I can build my scape in the stand that came with the tank, then figure out exactly what I want to do with the sump.

 

[CAd2Coral]

I found a 220 tank online for 500 bucks, just drove 4 hours to pick it up, I think I’m going to make it my sump, dosing container, Refugium, qt tank, and cooldown tank all in 1, its not in great shape, but I think I can make it work out… we shall see. It’s 2x2x8ft. Needs a good bit of TLC.

 

[CAd2Coral]

Nice upgrade!!

1. Rock, is it enough? Can't tell or say, that's a judgement call and only you can say it's enough after building the aquascape.
2. Lights - those lights are weak, but could make nice accent lights. I'd plan to go with the 4 hydras to start.
3. the pink things on the rocks - looks like it could be old vermetid snail tubes that were forming, nothing to worry about after you have bleached the rock
4. Triton Method - it works, just make sure you follow it and do the what the icp says to do. @Ryan - Serious Reefs has talked multiple times about how the BRS160 was at it's best when FOLLOWING what the ICP testing said to do while following the triton method.

Stand - Everyone loves 80/20, but if you know the manufacturer of the tank, contact them and see what they recommend.

Keep us updated on the progress!

With triton, how often do you do ICP? Is it monthly when you first start the tank, then every 3 months after a year? Any recommendations?

 

[PPBlimpy]

yes the amount of rock does look good. do you plan to stack of epoxy together?

I generally stack in a standard tank but if I had a cube like that I think I would epoxy and build some nice deep caves or even hollow out a nice chunk and ad a big tunnel or three thru the island for flow and large fish to dart around in. This would also allow you to build the Island up a bit higher a be stable. You don't want a rock falling from that high

 

[Pntbll687]

With triton, how often do you do ICP? Is it monthly when you first start the tank, then every 3 months after a year? Any recommendations?

I believe it's every month

 

[CAd2Coral]

yes the amount of rock does look good. do you plan to stack of epoxy together?

I generally stack in a standard tank but if I had a cube like that I think I would epoxy and build some nice deep caves or even hollow out a nice chunk and ad a big tunnel or three thru the island for flow and large fish to dart around in. This would also allow you to build the Island up a bit higher a be stable. You don't want a rock falling from that high

You’re absolutely right on the structure, I’m not sure exactly what I want, but I do want a very open scape with lots of caves and swim throughs

 

[CAd2Coral]

I believe it's every month

That seems so excessive, but I’ll try it and see, if it means close to no water changes, it’s probably worth it to me.

 

[Pntbll687]

That seems so excessive, but I’ll try it and see, if it means close to no water changes, it’s probably worth it to me.

This is probably worth a read to see if Triton will fit what you want to do.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/cont...I6I_7kqS5YTeghFhSLeWTMA2FzYGKK9hoCNxcQAvD_BwE

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Ryan - Serious Reefs]

Nice upgrade!!

1. Rock, is it enough? Can't tell or say, that's a judgement call and only you can say it's enough after building the aquascape.
2. Lights - those lights are weak, but could make nice accent lights. I'd plan to go with the 4 hydras to start.
3. the pink things on the rocks - looks like it could be old vermetid snail tubes that were forming, nothing to worry about after you have bleached the rock
4. Triton Method - it works, just make sure you follow it and do the what the icp says to do. @Ryan - Serious Reefs has talked multiple times about how the BRS160 was at it's best when FOLLOWING what the ICP testing said to do while following the triton method.

Stand - Everyone loves 80/20, but if you know the manufacturer of the tank, contact them and see what they recommend.

Keep us updated on the progress!

Aye, Trition method only works if you follow it by testing and doing what the test says. Otherwise just do the water changes :)

 

[CAd2Coral]

I started cutting down the top inch or so off the sump tank tonight. It was slow, but should make for a better experience when I’m done fitting it with all the baffles and a new top. Any recommendations on acrylic dealers in Georgia?

 

[CAd2Coral]

I have 2 closed loops running in my 300G

One internal and one external. All have RFG nozzles on the outputs.

My tank is 96x30 and 24 tall. I still have to run two gyro wavemaker.

What pumps are you using for the closed loops?

 

[CAd2Coral]

Began the design of the sump, I have lots of other feature to add, but here is the notional layout