AF OceanGuard 605 Build

[MB1227]

I also did not use their sand, I used dry Agronite

@gmoney243 how do you like the AF Bio sand?

 

[gmoney243]

would you mind posting more pics of the sump from above and the panel in between the filter socks and skimmer chamber

not really good room for pics like that. anything you need to know? as i recall BRS website has above sump pics for the tanks.

 

[gmoney243]

Anything equipment wise you would do different if you started over ? I am starting a 605 and been going back and forth on the equipment but thinkin mpw 40 for sure and sicce sd6 pump possibly the elite octo 150 skimmer. Going to run apex to control everything.

i recently added the hybrid t5 fixture to add spread and help shadows a bit more. the SKy is very good at shadows but T5 still adds some good spectrum and fills in just a bit better. I also went from the INT150 to the Regal 150, which puts out a much better foam with the Various DC pump. other than that i think i would Do the lights a bit different. i think i would do 2 xr 15s and this 4bulb t5 ixture, or like 2 xr 15s and some strip LED. or just do 3 AI Blades when they come out with the mounts for them. I would be really interested to see this tank with 3 AI Blades.

 

[gmoney243]

@gmoney243 how do you like the AF Bio sand?

im took it out of the DT and went bare bottom for more flow and easier cleanup. I do use it in MY QT Observation tanks and i think its good sand, ive used Carib seas over the years also and i like both just fine for sand. both seem really close to me and probably couldnt tell a difference personally. What do you like or not like about it?

 

[gmoney243]

Some unfiltered pics . forgive the algae spots that need scraping lol.

I Added T5 Hybrid with 4 blue+ bulbs and Upgraded from skimmers from INT150 to the Regal 150 with Varios DC pump. Working on a new Aquascape also but curing the rocks for few months in another tank before i make the swap in the DT. Switching to Marco Rocks as i like the looks of the rock better. Aquaforest Rock is more solid like live Caribbean rocks elthough it is very lightweight and porous, it just has a different look then Marcos rocks and IMO Marco rocks are easier to break up and scape. I think both are good rocks just depends on your scape wants. Aquaforest rock has some nice big shelf pieces. Almost all frags and corals are from WWC. picked up the JF Homewrecker frag last flash sale for like $150.

 

[gmoney243]

That shelf with the 10G QT tanks on it makes me so nervous...

Shelves are still holding up just fine still 10 months later. They are in the garage now so if something does happen not to big a deal lol

 

[gmoney243]

Heres a few with Orange Filter on

 

[gmoney243]

Garage QT , Water Station ETC. bit messy in here

 

[iiluisii]

Garage QT , Water Station ETC. bit messy in here

Nice set up bro. Love that sump. I should be starting mine here soon.

 

[gmoney243]

 

[Shawshank]

Hi All,

I have been in and out of the hobby for around 10 years now, check my posts for some previous builds. I Just moved and have been itching to get back into the hobby so I bought a new setup. I went with the AF OceanGuard 605 as it had really good reviews and all build quality looks top notch. I should have gotten some pictures of it crated but this was definitely the way to ship a tank. The freight delivery guy noticed from the pictures on the sides that it was a fish tank and he was shocked and said he delivers to the local LFS and has never seen a fish tank shipped that well.

I ordered the tank from BRS on June 24th and this tank arrived on July 1st. Pretty quick IMO. Everything was excellently wrapped and covered in plastic and flawless. No chips or scratches
I also went with this tank because all the stuff that came with it. Rocks, sand , sump, salt, plumbing etc... was basically everything but a skimmer , return pump and heater.
So far its only been setup with just saltwater and rocks for a couple weeks now cycling and fish are in QT before going into the DT. I also just added a bottle of pods from Algae Barn to seed the tank today.

So far this tank is the best built ones I have owned and this is basically a dream build where I'm buying all the goodies I want. Ended up going with Neptune Sky LED over the Radion Gen6 Pros due to reviews about shadowing effect is better on Neptune Sky and easy of setup to Apex. I wanted a 2 source solution that could replace T5 LED combo. If i had to do a combo it would be T5 and Kessil A360x since i had a similar combo previously with T5+AP700.

This will probably end up being mostly SPS and Clams with a few Zoas, Chalices and LPS added in. Really just depends on what catches my eye and glows under blues and isn't to crazy priced, although looking around corals have definitely gone up since I had a tank last in 2020.

Equipment list so far
AF OceanGuard 605
AF Reactor with Carbon and GFO
ApexEL Controller with Trident and Salinity Probe
Neptune COR return pump
Reef Octopus INT150 Skimmer
Tunze ATO
2x MP40w Quiet Drive
2x Neptune Sky LED with Radion Mounts
Milwaukee Digital Refractometer
Hannah Po4 and Copper Checker( will add others as needed )
5 stage RO/DI with Brute cans for Fresh and Mixed Saltwater
once I add corals I will be using either Neptune DOS with AF 2 part or doing a Calcium Reactor

Salt Mix: AF Reef Salt Currently since it came with 264g worth in this kit. Normally in past I used Red Sea Blue Bucket.
80lbs AF Rock
40lbs AF Bio Sand
CoralCrete to hold some rocks in place

The boxes of rocks came with a lot of shelf pieces so came up with one I am happy with given the pieces I had to work with and how bad I am at scaping. Normally I think all my past Aquascapes took a lot longer to get right and many many times of redoing the rocks and still didn't look as good as I was able to get with these rocks in just a couple hours. I've used all the normal Marco and Pukani etc rocks in past and these to me seemed easier to come up with a good scape. It must look good because even my wife said hey the rocks look good, in past her response when asked was always "it looks like rocks".


Current Fish in QT (Ordered from LiveAquaria)
3 Banggai Cardinals
2 Clarki Clowns
Blue Tang
Firefish
Royal Gramma

Fish are being treated with Ruby Reef Rally Pro, Copper Power , Prazi and Metro

Its a rats nest right now, need to clean the wires up.

How did you fit your Tunze ATO level sensor to the sump? I'm finding that the magnets are nowhere near powerful enough to hold it in place?

 

[fishski13]

How did you fit your Tunze ATO level sensor to the sump? I'm finding that the magnets are nowhere near powerful enough to hold it in place?

With Tunze ATO do you have. I have the Tunze 3155 and it hold strong in the the Aquaforest sump

 

[Shawshank]

With Tunze ATO do you have. I have the Tunze 3155 and it hold strong in the the Aquaforest sump

I believe the 7015 is the controller part number and the 3155 is the Osmolato, but I may be mistaken. Anyway, I have sorted it out now thanks for your reply.