Build Thread - Working on turning a 150 gallon tall tank in a predator tank

[Mpratt1990]

So I currently have a 90 gallon drilled reef tank which is my first saltwater set up. I just bought a 150 gallon tall drilled tank that I am going to turn into my predator tank that I been wanting to do forever.

So follow along with me as I get things moving along and getting this set up ready for some awesome predators

Day 1. Pressure washed the tank cuz it was dirty and also cleaned up the stand and hood. Water leak tested today also. And then purchased a new sump and pump for it.

Next is to get my R.O. water ready to start mixing and add to my tank.

 

[Mpratt1990]

So I currently have a 90 gallon drilled reef tank which is my first saltwater set up. I just bought a 150 gallon tall drilled tank that I am going to turn into my predator tank that I been wanting to do forever.

So follow along with me as I get things moving along and getting this set up ready for some awesome predators

Day 1. Pressure washed the tank cuz it was dirty and also cleaned up the stand and hood. Water leak tested today also. And then purchased a new sump and pump for it.

Next is to get my R.O. water ready to start mixing and add to my tank.

What does everyone think I should add to make a killer predator tank? What fish would you suggest?

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Awesome. That will be a great build. Following along..

 

[Mpratt1990]

Awesome. That will be a great build. Following along..

Thank you. Today I'm gonna set everything up and get half the water in the tank cuz I have 70 gallons made currently between 2 brute cans and then by tomorrow I'll have it filled and ready to get started cycling

 

[JasonK84]

Thank you. Today I'm gonna set everything up and get half the water in the tank cuz I have 70 gallons made currently between 2 brute cans and then by tomorrow I'll have it filled and ready to get started cycling

Nice! I’ll follow along. I’ve got a 120 fish only and love it! I have other tanks out in my newly built fish room that are just getting started but my 120 is my favorite. Easy to maintain with only fish.

I think a huge Stars and Stripes puffer would be cool in there. Any tang except from the Naso family. Harlequin Tusk, a trigger of choice, zebra Moray eel, butterfly fish! Tons of choices with no inverts or coral.

What is your plan for new inhabitants? QT-treat, QT-observe, no QT?

 

[Mpratt1990]

Nice! I’ll follow along. I’ve got a 120 fish only and love it! I have other tanks out in my newly built fish room that are just getting started but my 120 is my favorite. Easy to maintain with only fish.

I think a huge Stars and Stripes puffer would be cool in there. Any tang except from the Naso family. Harlequin Tusk, a trigger of choice, zebra Moray eel, butterfly fish! Tons of choices with no inverts or coral.

What is your plan for new inhabitants? QT-treat, QT-observe, no QT?

I have a 30 gallon QT tank for the occasion I don't go to my couple of local shops near me that all qt their fish. As long as I get it from them I don't qt and all has been good, however if I go somewhere unfamiliar I qt first before adding.

I have a zebra in my reef tank so I think I'm gonna get a different one for this build but I definitely am going to do more research while I'm getting the tank cycled to get the best idea of what I want to add

 

[Mpratt1990]

So today was a slow day when it comes to the tank lol I got this heavy freaking tank from my garage to at least in front of my stand where I need to get it picked up into the stand lol now I just need to find help getting it from the ground onto the stand.
This is what it currently looks like so far

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Where you live ? I may can pass by and help you.

 

[Mpratt1990]

Where you live ? I may can pass by and help you.

Largo fl, by largo mall

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Largo fl, by largo mall

I don’t know if I can make it today because I’m going to Lakeland and New Port Richie this afternoon. Any change I let you know.

 

[Mpratt1990]

I don’t know if I can make it today because I’m going to Lakeland and New Port Richie this afternoon. Any change I let you know.

Alright cool thank you

 

[Mpratt1990]

Well I have crappy news :/ I plugged in the current lights that I was going to use for the tank and it sparked while plugging in the lights and boom now the current dual lights are no longer working this sucks. I didn’t have the extra money to spend on more lights. Great

 

[Mpratt1990]

Even tho my lights aren’t working anymore, I still put some work into getting my tank up and running.
Finished plumbing and started adding water to the tank. So far have 70 gal of water in the tank and currently making another 70 now. Just gotta be patient while the R.O. Does its job.
Here some more pics of the process so far.

 

[Mpratt1990]

So today I finally finished making enough R.O. Water to fill the rest of the tank. I purchased 140lbs of live sand, someone gave me about 50-75lbs of live rock for free which was awesome and will be getting more rock soon and I added the salt today also.

Downfall tho, I went to do a test run and found a leak in the plumbing. Thankfully it’s a really easy fix. Glad I’m good with pvc pipe lol

So tomorrow I’ll be going to Home Depot to get what I need to fix it. And then I’ll be able to get my water clear and running so the full cycle starts

Tomorrow I’ll add the bacteria in the tank to seed it to help boost the cycle.

What does everyone think so far?

 

[Mpratt1990]

So fixed the plumbing today and everything is up and running now. Going to let the water clear up a little first and then I’ll be adding Dr.Tims one and only bacteria into the tank later tonight to help seed some more bacteria into the tank

Even with the one snag which was a easy fix, I am very pleased how things are going. This is definitely different to start from scratch rather then having a already going tank. I like I get to experience something new in the hobby by starting from scratch

Here are some pics for you to enjoy

 

[Mpratt1990]

Got some awesome news. I took apart the power pack for the light and put it back together and I fixed my light it works again. Yay

 

[JasonK84]

Got some awesome news. I took apart the power pack for the light and put it back together and I fixed my light it works again. Yay

Nice! Awesome not to have to purchase lights. What will be the first inhabitant?

 

[Mpratt1990]

Nice! Awesome not to have to purchase lights. What will be the first inhabitant?

I’m thinking a lionfish or the banana eel. Possibly a angel of some sort. Honestly it will all depend what is available once I’m ready lol

any ideas for a Predator tank?

 

[JasonK84]

I’m thinking a lionfish or the banana eel. Possibly a angel of some sort. Honestly it will all depend what is available once I’m ready lol

any ideas for a Predator tank?

Thalassoma wrasse of your choice.

 

[Mpratt1990]

Thalassoma wrasse of your choice.

Yeah I’ll definitely get a wrasse. Those are one of my favorite fishes.