Brando's 180 Gallon in Wall in NJ!

[Brando457]

Hey everyone I am new to reef2reef and figured I would start off my very first post with my build thread. I have been in the hobby for around 3 year I'd say. I was never big in to fish and always thought of them as weird (famous last words). Well back in 2008 my cousin setup a 14g biocube, I thought it was neat, but never paid it much attention. Come 2009 my cousin upgraded to a larger tank and gave me his 14g biocube to get my feet wet. Well that was the start of the addiction, I mean hobby. Since then I have been through a multiple of tanks.

I started in 2009 with the 14g biocube, I quickly outgrew that as I am 6ft 280 lbs of largeness and trying to fit my paws in there was not working well. Not knowing any better I found a 135g oceanic tank that was 72 x 18 x 25, it was a nice tank, but I had a crappy metal stand and the tank wasn't setup how I would've liked. I then found a sweet deal on a 180g setup and set that up. That tank was gorgeous and doing really well when my dog got sick. I ended up selling that entire setup to cover his $5k+ vet bills. After losing my dog and my large tank I went to a RSM 130D. As far as AIO tanks go it was great with the layout and such. Only gripe was similar to the biocube it was difficult for this big guy to work in. Ended up selling the 130D and upgrading to a sweet 75g tank drilled with 2 gl*******s overflows and a 75g sump. That tank was great, except one day I noticed that there was water on my floor hmm odd. I check and it was leaking from a seam! I rushed out and bought a 60g deep blue tank (awesome tank btw).

Well with my love of tangs I quickly realized the deep blue would not be big enough to house them and I set off to upgrade. I found a great deal on a 180g custom peninsula style tank with a single overflow literally 5 minutes from my home. And that boys and girls is the story of how I met your mother, I mean how I got my tank. Here we are today and enjoy!

This build started back on August 15, 2012 I will copy some of the text and information from my other thread to categorize the build process.

Enjoy & feedback is welcomed!

 

[Brando457]

Found a good deal on a tank and stand and wanted to do a tank to keep angels and tangs.

Here is a picture of the tank and stand. It is a 72 x 24 x 24 with a single overflow on the left side wall centered.

Plan is a bunch of angels and tangs with a few wrasses and smaller fish.

Equipment List:

Lights: 2 x AI sol blues 16" above water
Return: Eheim 1262
Skimmer: ATB 840 V2
Powerheads: 2 x Koralia EVO 1400s
Controller: Apex Lite w/ 2 EB8s
ATO: JBJ
Heaters: Ehieim Jagers 250 watts x 2
Reactors: BRS Single Reactor x 2 - 1 GFO, 1 Carbon
Fuge: Fathom Led Par 30 bulb
UV: SOON WiLL ADD Emperor Emperor Smart UV Lite 40 watt w/ 1.5" Union - open to suggestions on other models/brands.
RO Container: 33g brute can
Salt Container: 33g brute can
Rock: 100 lbs of dry rock from reefrocks
Sand: 120 lbs of sand from reefrocks
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Quarantine: 20g long w/ hob filter & koralia 1200 gph powerhead & eheim jager 150 watt heater.

Album of the construction phase of my basement to make the in wall tank a reality:

<iframe class="imgur-album" width="100%" height="550" frameborder="0" src="http://imgur.com/a/DWy4p/embed"></iframe>

 

[Brando457]

Not sure why the album link didn't work, but it can be found here: Photo Album - Imgur

Protein skimmer - ATB 840 V2

I got this skimmer BNIB from a member on RC and this thing is awesome!

 

[Brando457]

Setup almost complete

Album of the room almost complete: 180 build - Imgur


Album of rockscape, sump, 20g qt under my display: 180 cycling - Imgur


I picked up two AI sol blues from a NJRC/MR member on 1/13/13 and got them hung. I must say two 16" over the water surface centered between my center brace lights the tank very very well.

 

[Brando457]

1/11/13 - added 2 bottles of biospira to cycle tank
1/12/13 - added 2 clownfish from Clown Aquatics - it was recommended to add livestock right after adding the biospira

1/20/13 post

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, children of all ages! I am excited to announce my tank is almost completely finished!

Things to be done:

1. get UV sterilizer
2. program my apex so its 100% functional on the network and outlet settings
3. add sand to fuge? should I place it in a rubbermaid type container with holes punched in it or just pour it right in the sump?

Here is a video of the tank and equipment setup as it stands .

[video=youtube_share;yUaVc04eQMM]http://youtu.be/yUaVc04eQMM[/video]

 

[Brando457]

1/20/13 post
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Custom Mounting Bracket for AI SOL - less than $20 to make both from HD

Water Change Drain - All I need is a clamp for the barb. Basically I have a hose that is there and sits behind the sump. When I am ready to do a water change I take the hose, place my maxijet 1200 on the end of it and place it in the sump. I have the sump measured out to remove 15 gallons of water. Once I remove the 15gs I disconnect the maxijet from the hose and place it in my mixing container. Attach another hose to that and refill the sump with 15gs of freshly mixed saltwater.

Cover - I built a nice screen cover for the tank with netting I got from amazon. A 14 ft x 7 ft 1/4" square pond net was only around $14.99. I then went to HD and purchased the window frame, spline, and spline tool. Make sure you get the proper sized spline :x, I got one a bit too big, but fortunately was able to get it in with some muscle.

My tank came with 2 glass covers as you can see I have on the other side since I hadn't finished making that side's frame. With the glass covers my temperatures were high and they blocked a lot of light/got dirty quickly. With the screen netting there is no light blockage and they look great. Also to account for the wires from my koralia all I did was cut a 2 x 2 section of the net on the left side and run the wires through them. The cut is so minimal that it would be difficult for a fish to get out. I also made it so that if I do need to remove the net for whatever reason I can simply swing it out and let it hang without having to remove the wires .

The brains of my system - Apex Lite w/ 2 EB8s controlling everything. I would never run a tank without a controller, they are a must have piece of equipment IMO.

Skimmer/ATO/Drain - You can see my ATB 840 v2, it seems to be almost broken in as it is not overflowing nearly as much. Also you can see my ATO hose. I had to place the end of the hose into the pvc pipe angled because otherwise it would create a siphon and empty completely into my tank. The hose is cut and probably extends only 2" or so inside the pvc pipe.

The barb fitting, which is also pictured above is my water change drain. The hose connected to it sits behind the sump. When I want to do a water change I just unravel it and connect a maxijet 1200. I open the valve at the drain and turn the pump on. The sump is measured so I know at what level is 15 gallons with the return and skimmer of. Once the 15 gallons empties I then disconnect the maxijet 1200 and place it in a brute container to the left of the sump. I refill the 15g and everything is perfect in the world.

I am using the JBJ for ATO at this time, but am considering maybe changing it for a different model. I am considering either an apex breakout box to control my ATO or maybe a tunze. Not sure at this time though.

Lights - both AI sol blues hung and configured w/ wire management + both covers assembled. I put some tape on the left side cover as I do not forsee having to remove it too often and to help straighten out the framing to help it sit as flat as possible.

 

[Brando457]

2/2/13 post

Now for some updates:

1. Current stocking list as of today 2/2/13
Sustainable Aquatics Snow Onyx Clownfish from Clown Aquatics
Sustainable Aquatics Snow Onyx Clownfish from Clown Aquatics
Blue Hippo Tang - forget from where
Melnarus Wrasse - NJRC member
Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse from Coral Theory
Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse from Coral Theory
Carpenter's wrasse from Coral Theory
OPE Blasto coral from Coral Theory

2. Added a fuge bulb - fathom led par 30 bulb w/ red led

3. Carbon + GFO on line as of 1/20/13

4. changed RO filters on 1/20/13

5. ordered CUC from reefcleaners, should be here end of week.

6. I have nice diatoms going on the rocks, hopefully the fuge + cuc can take care of that.

Now some photos for all you more visual folks.

These are photographs of the items in my tank as taken by Coral Theory. Since I bought them from them, these photographs actually capture the true beauty of the livestock! And well quite frankly I suck at taking pictures

.

 

[Brando457]

I stopped by Diamonds of the Reef today a nice fish store located in Brooklyn, NY. Diamonds of the Reef has multiple tanks with a wide selection of healthy fish! Brian the owner is a nice guy with an even nicer store.

The reason for my visit was to pick up a flame angel, well Brian was kind enough to also have some anthias and a potter's angel that caught my eye. I ended up leaving with 4 Bartlett's Anthias, a flame angel, and a potter's angel.

After the hour and 15 min drive home and 30 mins of temperature acclimating them I then drip acclimated them. I am happy to announce the fish are now in my display and all seem happy.

There are some photos below of the fish that Brian had posted in his thread. These are of the fish, but I suck at taking photos and well they show the true beauty of them. I will snap a video in a few days once they are fully adjusted.

 

[Brando457]

Current video of my tank:

[video=youtube_share;gZMmwPiZNC0]http://youtu.be/gZMmwPiZNC0[/video]

Current stocking list:

1. Sustainable Aquatics Snow Onyx Clownfish
2. Sustainable Aquatics Snow Onyx Clownfish
3. Blue Hippo Tang
4. Melnarus Wrasse

5. Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse (Yellow Patch Wrasse)
6. Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse
7. Carpenter's wrasse
8. Ope Blasto

9. Bartlett's Anthias
10. Bartlett's Anthias
11. Bartlett's Anthias
12. Bartlett's Anthias
13. Potter's Angel
14. Flame Angel



Thinking of doing:

2 x Purple Firefish (April)
Yellowhead Jawfish (April)
Midas Blenny or tailspot blenny (April)
Macneill's Assessor Basslet (April)
Starcki Damsel (April)
Green Mandarin (after 8 months - year)

Copperband Butterflyfish or Moorish Idol - I'd like one, but not willing to let it die.

Fish I would add together out of QT, all purchased as small as possible probably August I would say:

Blonde Naso Tang
Powder Blue Tang
Yellow Tang
Emperor Angelfish juvi

If I'm feeling dangerous maybe a Lineatus Fairy Wrasse and Blue Throat Triggerfish Male only or Pair as last fishes.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Your tank looks great!!

 

[revsgirl]

Looks great!! Thanks for sharing!! Welcome to R2R!!


Tonya

 

[Brando457]

Thanks everyone. Feedback is always welcomed

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2

 

[reefsandrotts]

Looking good Brandon,
I really like those clowns....

 

[revhtree]

Tank looks good bro!

 

[adam87]

Nice setup!!!

 

[Brando457]

Well today the water is clearing up some so that is good news!

I also got the pleasure of seeing my melnarus wrasse pick up a blue leg hermit, smash it to pieces and devour it. Only thing left were a set of some legs .

I have no idea how I am going to keep a CUC with this monster, any recommendations?

 

[Breakin Newz]

Welcome bro!

 

[NJHC]

Union beach NJ says hello! Great to see ya here let me know if you ever wanna trade or need anything

 

[Mike&Terry]

Well today the water is clearing up some so that is good news!

Congrats on your new tank and we're looking forward to following your progress. :bigsmile:

...I also got the pleasure of seeing my melnarus wrasse pick up a blue leg hermit, smash it to pieces and devour it. Only thing left were a set of some legs .

I have no idea how I am going to keep a CUC with this monster, any recommendations?

Melanurus wrasses are notorious for munching on crabs and ornamental shrimp.

 

[Brando457]

Placed an order for an African Exquisite Wrasse Super Male and Yellow watchman goby both fish will be 1.5 - 2" or so and should be here Saturday!

Also picked up a SA black ocellaris + Sa fancy white for my office tank from clownaquatics.com should be nice. Now if only people would STOP tapping the glass there :smashhead: