70 gallon Artisan II tank build in Long Island

[Mal11224]

It has been an adventure starting a reef tank. I started this tank in Jan 2017. I have a 70 gal Cadlights Artisan II tank build with a refugium sump. I love it. I was skeptical with getting a tank from cadlights as I have heard not so good things regarding their customer service. Thankfully, I have not had any issues and could not be happier.

I chose to use black sand for my tank since it was different from the norm. I like the way it looks and it makes many of the corals that rest in it pop. I have a total of 10 fish. You might notice a trigger in the tank. He has been good thus far. Will watch him as he grows.
Niger trigger
Yello tang
2 mandarins
Fox face
6 line wrasse
4 clowns

I have a mixed tank when it comes to corals. I have been paying very close attention to the water parameters. I have had a coral bleach on me and I believe it was due to the lighting change. Was not happy about that.

I love the soft corals. They are great to watch and are captivating. It is amazing what can thrive in a reef tank. My little cove of gorgeous marine nature.

Thanks for checking it out and I hope you enjoy. Will add to this thread as I progress and continue to learn.

One of my mandarins looking no for pods to eat.

Elegance coral. What a beautiful creature. One of my favorites in the tanks.

Scoly catching some rays.

The trigger

Acan and chalice hanging out.

Started this tank in January 2017. The tank, overall, is a good one. The stand and glass are great.

 

[jsker]

Wow, the tank looks great and corals are nice and healthy.

 

[dbl]

Beautiful tank!

 

[KJ]

Nice job on the tank

 

[Mal11224]

A little video of my tank mid day.

 

[Mal11224]

Couple of shots from today. Polyps looking good.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Everything is looking happy!

 

[Scubafrog]

Does the 70G Artisan have one or two drain pipes?

 

[Mal11224]

Does the 70G Artisan have one or two drain pipes?

Hi. There is a main drain into the sump and an emergency overflow as well. Will take a pic of my messy sump and post it.

 

[Scubafrog]

Hi. There is a main drain into the sump and an emergency overflow as well. Will take a pic of my messy sump and post it.

Thanks! Was thinking of going with the cheaper 68G Versa but really like the idea of an emergency drain.

 

[Mal11224]

Pic of the messy sump. It is a 4 stage/chamber sump. 1st chamber is where the water comes in and the skimmer is in it with my heater. 2nd is where I have marine pure and will be adding more rock to it. 3rd chamber is the fuge. Miracle mud and chaeto. Works great. Last is return where I have my dosing, apex probes and fluval sp4 return pure, which is and excellent pump and very quiet.

Notice in the far left chamber, the horizontal gray pipe is the main drain, the green hose is the overflow drain. Was not difficult puttin this tank together, despite some review you might read. It is a great tank.

The over flow is important. The sump should be able to hold any liquid that flows from the emergency overflow in case the main drain gets clogged.

 

[Scubafrog]

Thanks!

 

[Mal11224]

Close ups.

 

[Sabellafella]

Nice! Where about in long island?

 

[Mal11224]

Nice! Where about in long island?

Thanks man! I'm in Lindenhurst. More here from Brooklyn about 8 years ago.

 

[Sabellafella]

Thanks man! I'm in Lindenhurst. More here from Brooklyn about 8 years ago.

Nice, in staten island. Nice build, keep it up!

 

[Mal11224]

Nice, in staten island. Nice build, keep it up!

Okay. Cool. Wasn't too far when I lived in BK. Now Staten Island feels like a few states away.
Thanks man. Wondering if I have too many corals. Ha ha. We'll see.

 

[Mal11224]

My open brain coral!

 

[Mal11224]

 

[revhtree]

Looking good!