Atomic's 800g In-Wall with fish room.

[Daniel@R2R]

That is BEAUTIFUL!! I'm normally not a big fan of rock walls, but MAN, you made that one NICE!! I may even try that route at some point.

 

[atomic081]

Any Updates? this is an epic tank!

Thank you

Awesome build!

Thank you

Man this is awesome! I love the rockwork. I’ve been wanting to do a plywood tank for a very long time.

Thanks!

Very Very Very Nice! Great Idea and what a commitment in many ways!

Took over a year to build and well worth it!

Yes, need update,please!

Nicely done sir! Love the video, things are looking great! Thanks for updates!

That is BEAUTIFUL!! I'm normally not a big fan of rock walls, but MAN, you made that one NICE!! I may even try that route at some point.

The wall was easy, finding all the rock used was the hard part. 1200lbs is alot to buy at a LFS, so I saved up for a while and bought the rock dry from local reefers!



Finally a FTS.
I just found out the app has been down for a few months. It was how I checked R2R. I'll be on more now.

 

[atomic081]

Hey folks, wanted to give a update on the tank.

My big tunze powerhead went out in September and had replaced it with a tiny one temporarily. Last week I finally got around to emailing tunze about it and even though the "born on date" was January 17, they replaced the entire westside motor free of charge. I'm 100% sold on tunze. Best value for the money IMHO.

Went to a frag swap last weekend in Louisville. It was kinda small and despite only having 3 hobbyist tanks selling, it was really nice. Walked out with 12 drags for under 200. Also picked up a diamond goby at a LFS on the way home. Will post pictures of frags soon.


Lastely I want to make a confession. I DON'T TEST MY TANK! Literally didnt test a single parameter for the first 10 month until now. And everything was within range.

Mag 1480
Calcium 420
All 3.5. Dlh 9.8
Nitrates 0


Also here are a few coral probes pictures from July 25th to November 28th

 

[puffdragon]

Looking great! Will you be hosting any of the INDMAS meetings in 2020? I want to see this in person.

 

[MrsBugmaster]

Looking great! Will you be hosting any of the INDMAS meetings in 2020? I want to see this in person.

I agree, you should host a meeting! Sign ups are going on right now. Still a few months left that need a host!

 

[SledHead]

Awesome build!
Would you mind providing more details on your light rack. What materials you used and how Did you hang it?

 

[hubcap]

Man, I'd get myself some pizza from Don's Pizza King and stare at that tank for hours!
That's one of the nicer "rock walls" I've seen!

Thanks for taking the time to share pics!

-hubcap

 

[McPuff]

I agree about Tunze. Had a problem with a stream 3 and they replaced the whole thing (except the power supply). So now I also have extra parts should I need them. To top it all, it's a fantastic pump.

 

[atomic081]

Looking great! Will you be hosting any of the INDMAS meetings in 2020? I want to see this in person.

I agree, you should host a meeting! Sign ups are going on right now. Still a few months left that need a host!

I have really considered signing up for the august meeting. Having a 1 year old and a 3 year old and living a hour from indy, makes it impossible to take a Saturday to go to a INDMAS meeting. I would feel bad hosting one and not being able to attend others myself. Ill let you all kinda sway me though.

Awesome build!
Would you mind providing more details on your light rack. What materials you used and how Did you hang it?

www.Eztube.com
Its Ironic you ask about this cause im in the middle of ordering more for the frag tank and reworking the display tanks light rack (more updates in the next 24hours)

Man, I'd get myself some pizza from Don's Pizza King and stare at that tank for hours!
That's one of the nicer "rock walls" I've seen!

Thanks for taking the time to share pics!

-hubcap

Thanks!!! I gotta admit ive eaten a pizza alone at 11pm sitting in front of it!

I agree about Tunze. Had a problem with a stream 3 and they replaced the whole thing (except the power supply). So now I also have extra parts should I need them. To top it all, it's a fantastic pump.

I love my Tunze!!!








More updates tonight after a few photos upload! New fish and lots of drygoods updates!

 

[atomic081]

A few updates and thoughts!!!

Ill start with livestock

First i got 2 new fish. Went to Modern aquatics on Thursday on a whim (big shout out to Jeremy!!). I didnt plan on purchasing anything, but he had a Moorish Idol that was eating mysis shrimp and looked healthy. He also had a big 7" Naso tang that was from a customer teardown. Im not sure why, but the Naso has been my nemisis fish. Ive tried them many times over the last 15 years but never has had one live more than a month. This one being from a captive tank for so long, i had to pull the trigger.

Finally got a decent picture of all my Tangs!!!

Also my sand sifting starfish made a appearance near the glass and I got this one.

Im about ready to put in a order for my next batch of Fish
15 Lyretail Anthias
1 Powder blue tang
1 Convict Tang
1 Achilles Tang
3 Purple firefish
1 Mandarin Goby
1 Foxface
2 Black Clownfish


Considering a Butterfly fish, Gem Tang, Niger Trigger, and a Unicorn tang. All of them are up in the air at this point

 

[atomic081]

Drygoods update


Im upgrading my MH lights from 250w to 400w and Sticking with Radium 20k. Ill be raising the light rack up 6 inching ( to 18" off water) and hoping that will get better spread as i dont think the sides of the tank are getting enough light.

Im also going to get rid of the VHO lighting i have on the 800g. Its not noticeable at all when they are on with the MHs. Im going to replace them with (4) 48" Reefbright XHO blue lights. I hope this really makes the tank have the pop of the blue LEDs but the shimmer and growth of the MHs.

Finally the last project with the 800g lighting is to finally make a sliding rail for it. I tried mounting frags a few weeks back and it was impossible without moving the light. So im still trying to figure out something, but it will come soon.





The frag tank will be up and running soon (already full of water since day 1). Im ordering a light rack for it this week.


I also got a Ph monitor this week from premium aquatics and hope to get the calcium reactor up and running soon. Still need to get a regulator also. I dont have a huge reactor, but at this point i dont have that many corals, if i need to get a 2nd chamber later on its still cheaper than a new bigger system.




The breeder system is up and cycled. I need to look into that more in the next few months on how the process is. My clowns lay eggs consistently and i wanna try to hatch some. If that goes well then im gonna invest in a few other species and give them a try.

 

[puffdragon]

You need to host. I understand the drive part. I'm in Seymour. Looking good though. Very good.

 

[samson78945]

This is unreal. Great work!

In the very early stages of planning my new tank. This is giving me lots of ideas.

 

[atomic081]

You need to host. I understand the drive part. I'm in Seymour. Looking good though. Very good.

Looks like you got your wish.....August 8th ill be hosting the INDMAS meeting!!!

This is unreal. Great work!

In the very early stages of planning my new tank. This is giving me lots of ideas.

The hours of planning was half the fun for me! I enjoy the build more than i actually enjoy the tank setup. Lemme know if I can answer any questions you may have!

 

[atomic081]

Let me start by stating that my UPS, Fedex, and Mail men have to hate me.

The last 2 days have looked like Christmas on my front porch.


I started the sliding rails for the display tank, but learned fast that it will be easier with a 2nd person. Ill be working on it all friday afternoon with AdamH300.

Next I got an additional 80lbs of liverock for the display tank. The fish all stay on the right side where there is the most structure. Now ill have a island on the left side also.

Recently Ive been staying up really late doing research on breeding fish. Gonna start small with clowns and bangai cardinals. So i got my breeding system setup and fully functional.

New return pump
New lights
New canister filter w/ bioballs and carbon
Added clay pots for fish to lay eggs

Lastly I got everything to setup my calcium reactor. It might be a few days before i get the guts to set it up......for some reason they scare me!!!

 

[aquavista99]

Looks fantastic, Ross! Please let me know where I can purchase sliding rails as well.

 

[atomic081]

Looks fantastic, Ross! Please let me know where I can purchase sliding rails as well.

Thanks Tim!

I actually got my from Curtain-Tracks.com
I think they hold 600lbs each (dont quote me on this). WAY cheaper than anything else i could find. So far so good also!!

 

[puffdragon]

Come on over the rock melting side. Start slowly and build up. Are you going to use Apex or another controller for the solenoid? Simply set the controller to shut it down if the reactor reaches a certain pH. Remember you have my phone number.

 

[atomic081]

Come on over the rock melting side. Start slowly and build up. Are you going to use Apex or another controller for the solenoid? Simply set the controller to shut it down if the reactor reaches a certain pH. Remember you have my phone number.

I appreciate the support! I'm gonna mess with it this weekend. I'll text you if I run into problems!

I don't run a apex. Bought a Milwaukee controller that should do the trick. I also have a ph monitor for the tank I'll be setting up.

 

[atomic081]

Busy Friday and Saturday in my fish room!


I finished my light rack FINALLY!!!

(4) 48" reefbrite XHO Actinic replaced the VHO.
Sliding Light rail complete
New 400w Radium Bulbs (old 250w Radiums)


I can see a very noticeable difference. I was extremely nervous after wasting my money on the VHO, that the Leds would see very little change when the Halides are on. Im 80% happy with them.....still wish it was a little more, but overall im glad I went with them.


Newest FTS with old bulbs and VHOs

New Bulbs and LEDs

Just Leds (no Metal Halide)

I also got 15 Anthias on Thursday! One tried to carpet surf, but landed in my sump to the side of my tank. That fish is like a cat with 9 lives!!! (feeding time during this picture)




AdamH300 and I bought a 180g worth of SPS on Friday from a buddy. Its all in my frag tank for now. Im putting up my light on the frag tank tomorrow, so expect pictures in 24 hours!!!