260 gal total build - 5x3x2

[Aussiemarine]

FTS 19/08/2020:

FTS 2/6/22:

Hey Guys,

So I am almost ready to pick up my new 5x3x2 tank - it’s being customised with a central weir and 4ft sump. Total volume of the tank is approx 210 gal plus sump will be about 50 gal

I am trying to organise lighting as it’s so deep here’s what I have and thinking of doing but open to some suggestions on how it may best work?

I have two Orphek Atlantic 3ft LEDs plus two Kessil a360s - I was thinking of using the Orpheks as broad lighting to cover the whole tank and use the kessils as supplement lighting over two large bommies for additional lighting for SPS colonies. What’s everyone’s thoughts on this? Surely that will be sufficient lighting to grow SPS?

here are some photos of the tank so far

 

[reefez]

beauty of a tank congrats
keep the updates coming lots of pis and list of equipment
lighting should be sufficient

 

[ShepherdReefer]

Congrats on the new tank, keep up with the pictures of the build

 

[Aussiemarine]

Thanks guys - tank has arrived at the house today currently in the garage so I can start plumbing it and covering the weir. Bit of a strange design being so tall but the space didn’t allow for a larger footprint

Waiting on the floors to go down hopefully over the weekend so we can move it into place- you’ll be able to see it basically anywhere in the main living area and up the hallway - will go right about where the cat is ....

Currently mixing up as much water as I can in preparation only about 650-700 liters there so far

The current tank has been very neglected since we started renovating but will all be worth it in the end!

mill post up equipment and everything else once I am getting closer to getting it in place but first up will be the plumbing!

 

[Aussiemarine]

Plumbing mostly done - pretty simple setup just beam overflow and a dual side of weir return. Put the equipment in just to see what it will look like. I’ve put the skimmer first before the fuge but not sure which way I’ll go - what does everyone else do? Anyone foresee any issues with what’s going on here before I start glueing haha

I’ve started on the large Centre piece bommie - this thing will be almost 3ft when done! Doing it in two pieces and will fix them together in the tank when it’s in place - only thing that concerns me is the top shelf may shadow one side of the bommie but it’s a pretty flat side

 

[Aussiemarine]

Bit if a better picture of the bommie - sitting just over 2.5ft ! Will attached the two halves together once in the tank as it’s too big and heavy to fix outside lol

 

[reefez]

Things are looking good
Nice rock work

 

[Danduhman113]

The rock work is amazing!!

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Sweet!

 

[Aussiemarine]

Thanks guys!

Spent tonight putting the acrylic on the weir. Will finish off the silicone tomorrow - then glue the plumbing and plumb the reactor. Will look to do the mesh lids over the weekend

Spent a little bit longer tweaking the bommie - think I’m getting closer to the look I want! Currently at 78cm tall

 

[reefez]

Wow what a huge difference that made on the overflow!!!
Nice job

 

[Aussiemarine]

Thanks! Yeah I’m pretty stoked with how it turned out - it’s not perfect but it’s close enough! You’ll never notice it anyway.

next job is the mesh lid - not sure if I’m going to do one big piece or break it up...

hopefully only one more week until I can get it wet!

 

[DaneGer21]

I have this same tank size, except mine is 3’ wide and 2’ tall.

5x3x2

I love it! Looking good!

 

[Aussiemarine]

I have this same tank size, except mine is 3’ wide and 2’ tall.

5x3x2

I love it! Looking good!

Nice! I wanted to go wider but the house wouldn’t accommodate it so had to go taller. Definitely has its challenges - I can’t reach the bottom and the lighting is difficult as is trying to get enough height in the rock work but on the plus side I love it being unique and getting to really test my creative side!

Background has been put on and all plumbing secured (will glue the last bit once the tank is in place) - hard to tell in the photos with the reflection

I also found a 1meter sensor led strip today and put it in the middle section on the stand. I love it so will get another two to do the other 1/3s of the stand

I am trying out the jebao cp55 crossflow as well - might get a second one for the other side but I’m told these things move a lot of water so we will see how this one goes first.

Also can’t wait to see this dual pump skimmer in action. Rated up to 500gal so should get some good results.

That’s it for me - I’m off to buy a new refugium grow light!

 

[Aussiemarine]

So whilst the build is plotting away in the background I want to start thinking about what the stock list might look like. Here is what I have and the a bit of a wishlist

Currently:
Barred Rabbitfish
Tomini Tang
Whip fin fairy wrasse
Melanurus Wrasse
3x Barrier Reef Chromis
Pyramid Butterfly
Foxface (will be going into QT soon)

So here are some of the fish I like, I’m not saying I’ll add them all to the tank as it depends on capacity. But a list I can choose from

Wishlist:
Flame Angel
Royal Grammar
Blue Throat Trigger Pair
Purple Tang
Lineatus Fairy Wrasse
Scott’s Fair Wrasse
Cleaner Wrasse
Genicanthus Angel Pair (Watanabei or Bellus)
Ember Blenny
Leopard wrasse

What’s everyone’s thoughts? Anyone have any suggestions of dream fish that might look good in the tank?!

 

[reefez]

I’d start with fish having purpose
Tangs for grazing
Wrasse for pest
IMO

 

[Shaun_in_Cali]

Gday mate,

can’t speak for the Orphek lights but I have 3x A360WE on my 4x2x2. The light they produce looks great and is easy to work on the Kessil controller. I have supplemented with T5 - the orphek will give that effect I guess.

I agree the depth will make it challenging but give a great frontage.

I also have the Jeboa CP, but a CP-120. It easily reaches the other side of the tank with good strength flow still. The CP-55 May be slightly too small, but I suspect if you put one upon each side firing at each other you could get a good result.

 

[Aussiemarine]

I’d start with fish having purpose
Tangs for grazing
Wrasse for pest
IMO

thanks yeah I think that’s a good plan!

Gday mate,

can’t speak for the Orphek lights but I have 3x A360WE on my 4x2x2. The light they produce looks great and is easy to work on the Kessil controller. I have supplemented with T5 - the orphek will give that effect I guess.

I agree the depth will make it challenging but give a great frontage.

I also have the Jeboa CP, but a CP-120. It easily reaches the other side of the tank with good strength flow still. The CP-55 May be slightly too small, but I suspect if you put one upon each side firing at each other you could get a good result.

Hey mate thanks for this - whats the cp120? from what I could see the cp55 is the largest one it pushes 20,500 litres - could only see a cp25/40/55?

Yeah will be a challenge with the lighting but yeah I may end up needing a third kessil in the middle depending on how much light the orpheks will produce

 

[Aussiemarine]

Finished the cabinet lighting and ordered a dual head refugium grow light so that should arrive this week sometime

 

[Aussiemarine]

Decided that instead of hanging lights from the roof (wife wasn’t a fan) I would just build a new hood that was taller and could accommodate the lights to be hung.
First coat of paint done