88g Planet Crystaline New Build

sderise · Sep 15, 2019

After several years of being out of the hobby, I'm ready to do a new build. I thought I'd share my journey with you guys.

So far I've made a list of all the gear I'm going with:

48x20x21 Reef Crystaline rimless tank stand and sump from Planet Aquariums (trigger 36 sump comes with this package)
Neptune COR-15 return pump
Two Ecotech MP40's
Reef Octo Classic 152-SS protein skimmer
Two Ecotech Radion XR15W Pro Gen4's
Neptune ATK
Neptune Apex controller with WXM module and DOS for 2 part dosing

Got 40lbs of Caribsea life rock shapes coming and going with Arag-alive special grade sand.

Picked a spot (which caused a chain reaction of rearranging the entire house....totally worth it and the wife is happy)

Next up, I'll post some pics of the RO/DI auto top off setup.

sderise · Sep 15, 2019

So, since there's a half bath on the other side of the wall where the tank's going, I thought I'd take advantage of the water supply and drain. There's also plenty of space in the cabinet under the sink, so I found the largest plastic tank I could to fit under there and planned on putting the RO/DI unit in there as well.

I went with a 16 gallon polyethylene tank and bought a second one to use for water changes. They're prefitted with 5/16" threaded inserts, so I'm going to install some casters to be able to roll it around easily. I also bought some plumbing and a pump to outfit that second tank for transferring and mixing saltwater. I'll have a post on that project once all the parts are in.

I did a quick drawing to plan out the connections and order all the parts.

I went with a popular and cheap RO/DI unit off of Amazon; might replace with a spectrapure or BRS unit later on. To control the unit, I went with a Spectrapure level controller. I had this controller on my previous tank years ago and it worked quite well. Also added a TDS meter.

The initial hook up and testing in the garage.

Everything tested out great overnight, so I started on the inside install.

Still waiting on drain saddles to be able to connect the waste water and the tank over flow, then it's done.

The power and Neptune ATK topoff pump tubing will pass through to the other side of the wall and straight into the back of the tank stand. 16 gallons will give me about 15% water change capacity, which should be fine most of the time. I put a garden hose spigot at the bottom, which I'll use to transfer water into my water change tank. Pretty happy with the way it all turned out.

Thanks for looking!

sderise · Sep 23, 2019

Got the water change/mixing tank set up and tested.

Pan World 30PX pump from BRS
Plumbing includes 3/4" fittings for pump suction with ball valves to select either garden hose connection for transfer from the RO/DI topoff tank or internal recirculation within the mixing tank.
Discharge is 1/2" with ball valves to select transfer to display/sump or recirculation within the mixing tank.

I still had ~44g and ~34g Brute garbage cans from my previous setup, which have been cleaned and are ready for saltwater mixing for the initial tank setup.

All Neptune Apex pieces have been purchased. Some received, some awaiting arrival. I ended up going with the COR15 return pump.

Purchased a side cabinet to install most of the electronics. I'll post pics of that once I have everything mounted.

Tank/Stand/Sump and other assorted gear scheduled for delivery Wed. afternoon!

Devaji · Sep 24, 2019

cool WC station! I am excited to see how you like the tank.
post pic of it when you can

sderise · Sep 26, 2019

Got a lot done today!

Pretty happy with the tank and stand so far. The overflow kit came with Maggie Mufflers, so it's pretty quiet. Had to run to the LFS for more sand and a return pump. I have everything but the actual APEX controller and power bar and the COR15 has to be hooked up to the APEX to run. It's lost in USPS land somewhere. Shoulda been here 4 days ago. So I bought a very overpriced Sicce that I can use as a backup just so I could get things up and running.

The small cabinet to the left has all my electronics and test kits except for the DOS and DDRs which I'll mount under the stand. I'll have pics of that after I get the APEX and clean everything up.

Dumped some bio-spira and a few cubes of mysis in.

sderise · Sep 27, 2019

Set up the ATK today. I think i have a siphon from the topoff container to the sump. The pump kicks on at the lower sensor, and I think it's shutting off when it's supposed to, but a while later the alarm on the FMM module trips and I noticed that the water level in the sump ends up being too high. Not sure how to fix it except to run a solenoid in series with the pump. Any thoughts?

sderise · Sep 29, 2019

Went back and RTFM and the ATK came with a siphon breaker. All good now.

;Bored

Anyways... the apex is now on the move again. Should be delivered tomorrow.

MuffinMonster · Oct 3, 2019

Beautiful tank and scape. Looking forward to seeing this build come along- I’m in the market for a new tank right now. I have been thinking about the Red Sea 250, but I just contacted my LFS, this morning actually, to get me a quote on a planet aquariums 36x20x21. I might end up going the planet aquariums route over the RSR250 depending on the price point.

sderise · Oct 3, 2019

MuffinMonster said:
Beautiful tank and scape. Looking forward to seeing this build come along- I’m in the market for a new tank right now. I have been thinking about the Red Sea 250, but I just contacted my LFS, this morning actually, to get me a quote on a planet aquariums 36x20x21. I might end up going the planet aquariums route over the RSR250 depending on the price point.

Thanks! Good luck with your build.

The tank's been running for about a week now. Been phantom feeding everyday and also added a bottle of Dr. Tim's. I cannot get a non-zero ammonia reading. Nitrite and Nitrate also very low, so I added a pair of clowns and couple softy frags yesterday. I freshwater dipped the clowns and also dipped the corals, which was a first for me. I didn't do that kinda stuff on my last tank and ended up with flatworms, ich, etc... The temp is fairly stable although I still have about a 1 degree swing. That's with 2 150W Eheims running in parallel. I ordered a Cobalt 300W heater, which will be in today. BRS did a video on heaters and the Cobalt did the best for consistency. Also ordered a Milwaukee salinity meter; I had the hardest time get my salinity right. Also learned that the APEX salinity probe is fairly accurate as long as you keep the bubbles out, which is impossible when you're breaking in a new skimmer. Just about have everything dialed in.

Here's newer pic with clear(er) water. Will take some pics of the clowns and corals when my camera filter kit comes in.

Daniel@R2R · Oct 3, 2019

That scape looks great! Following!

sderise · Oct 3, 2019

sderise · Oct 16, 2019

Tank Update!

I added a BRS CO2 scrubber today. My PH has been hovering around 7.8-7.9 and it sits next to an internal wall, so no chance of fresh air. The PH is coming up a little now, so it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. I'd like to get up to 8.2-8.3. I tee'd a motor actuated valve in with the reactor and set the APEX to open it at 8.3 to keep it from going too high (got high hopes...).

The skimmer's broken in and producing a pretty good dry skimmate.

After doing some research, I've decided on dosing All-for-reef and Acropower. So far just dosing 5ml of Acropower and keeping an eye on Alk to see when I need to fire that up.

Added a couple new fish too. A foxface and a yellow tang.

Got a minor diatom bloom on the sand but all parameters are well in check.

I've been steady adding zoas and got a few new corals from WWC in today. Super happy with the way things are going so far.

Here's few new pics.

sderise · Nov 3, 2019

The CO2 scrubber helped a little, but PH never comes close to 8.2. I'm undecided whether I'll keep it going or just use the reactor for carbon dosing.

sderise · Nov 3, 2019

Playing around with a new macro lens. Still learning.

Heezie · Nov 26, 2019

Those photos look great!

sderise · Dec 13, 2019

Almost lost a clownfish just now. Anyone know of a good cover for planet tanks?

CasaReefer · Dec 13, 2019

sderise said:
So, since there's a half bath on the other side of the wall where the tank's going, I thought I'd take advantage of the water supply and drain. There's also plenty of space in the cabinet under the sink, so I found the largest plastic tank I could to fit under there and planned on putting the RO/DI unit in there as well.

I went with a 16 gallon polyethylene tank and bought a second one to use for water changes. They're prefitted with 5/16" threaded inserts, so I'm going to install some casters to be able to roll it around easily. I also bought some plumbing and a pump to outfit that second tank for transferring and mixing saltwater. I'll have a post on that project once all the parts are in.

I did a quick drawing to plan out the connections and order all the parts.

I went with a popular and cheap RO/DI unit off of Amazon; might replace with a spectrapure or BRS unit later on. To control the unit, I went with a Spectrapure level controller. I had this controller on my previous tank years ago and it worked quite well. Also added a TDS meter.

The initial hook up and testing in the garage.

Everything tested out great overnight, so I started on the inside install.

Still waiting on drain saddles to be able to connect the waste water and the tank over flow, then it's done.

The power and Neptune ATK topoff pump tubing will pass through to the other side of the wall and straight into the back of the tank stand. 16 gallons will give me about 15% water change capacity, which should be fine most of the time. I put a garden hose spigot at the bottom, which I'll use to transfer water into my water change tank. Pretty happy with the way it all turned out.

Thanks for looking!

Hey where did you pick that tank up from if you don't mind me asking.

CasaReefer · Dec 13, 2019

sderise said:
Got a lot done today!

Pretty happy with the tank and stand so far. The overflow kit came with Maggie Mufflers, so it's pretty quiet. Had to run to the LFS for more sand and a return pump. I have everything but the actual APEX controller and power bar and the COR15 has to be hooked up to the APEX to run. It's lost in USPS land somewhere. Shoulda been here 4 days ago. So I bought a very overpriced Sicce that I can use as a backup just so I could get things up and running.

The small cabinet to the left has all my electronics and test kits except for the DOS and DDRs which I'll mount under the stand. I'll have pics of that after I get the APEX and clean everything up.

Dumped some bio-spira and a few cubes of mysis in.

Love the Rock Work.

sderise said:
So, since there's a half bath on the other side of the wall where the tank's going, I thought I'd take advantage of the water supply and drain. There's also plenty of space in the cabinet under the sink, so I found the largest plastic tank I could to fit under there and planned on putting the RO/DI unit in there as well.

I went with a 16 gallon polyethylene tank and bought a second one to use for water changes. They're prefitted with 5/16" threaded inserts, so I'm going to install some casters to be able to roll it around easily. I also bought some plumbing and a pump to outfit that second tank for transferring and mixing saltwater. I'll have a post on that project once all the parts are in.

I did a quick drawing to plan out the connections and order all the parts.

I went with a popular and cheap RO/DI unit off of Amazon; might replace with a spectrapure or BRS unit later on. To control the unit, I went with a Spectrapure level controller. I had this controller on my previous tank years ago and it worked quite well. Also added a TDS meter.

The initial hook up and testing in the garage.

Everything tested out great overnight, so I started on the inside install.

Still waiting on drain saddles to be able to connect the waste water and the tank over flow, then it's done.

The power and Neptune ATK topoff pump tubing will pass through to the other side of the wall and straight into the back of the tank stand. 16 gallons will give me about 15% water change capacity, which should be fine most of the time. I put a garden hose spigot at the bottom, which I'll use to transfer water into my water change tank. Pretty happy with the way it all turned out.

Thanks for looking!

Very Creative... Looks Like a Pro did the Job...