Custom build 250

[Pankney72]

Hey I'm working on upgrading my 125 gallon mixed reef I got used about 9 nine years ago to a shiny new custom build 250 when I move to Colorado in about a month. Tank is in from Glass Cages, getting drilled for closed loop circulation. Current equipment list is as follows. Some of this is being transferred from my old system

250 gal 96"x24"x25"
40" stand and piano hinge canopy - finished black
Ocean View 70 gal sump
Iwaki 100 pump (2 count)
AI hydra 32 (4 count) + Mounting Rail
100 lbs live sand
~100 lbs live seasoned rock + 80lbs dry base rock
200w Marine land heater (4 count)
ATO
RedSea Protein Skimmer
Lifegaurd UV 90w
Geo 624 Ca reactor
+ misc plumbing and fail safe accoutrements

Mixing Station with RO setup

Pictures will be added as things are plumbed and set up once I get into my new place

 

[blaxsun]

Sounds interesting - good luck with the relocation!

 

[Pankney72]

Got my boxes all ready to go!

 

[Crabby48]

Following along

 

[NeveSSL]

Nice! I take it the holes in the middle are for closed loops?

Brandon

 

[Pankney72]

Nice! I take it the holes in the middle are for closed loops?

Brandon

Yup yup, handles to adjust nozzles will be inside the stand.

 

[Pankney72]

Saying goodbye to this bad boy… it’s been 10 years since I got used. FOWLR community, then predator for 5 years, now my tiny reef.

 

[Pankney72]

Alright guys it’s time! First of all I want to thank Kyle from Aquatec in Chicago and Dave Madson from Aquaventures in OKC for coming and helping me set up. Dave also helped me with the design process and I couldn’t have done it without them. Call them! Hire them! Give them your money! They’ll do you right.

 

[Pankney72]

Starting off with the mixing station and RO unit. Tied in next to my washer/dryer. Please reference my first post for specific equipment. It’s close enough to the tank I can just run a hose for water changes.

 

[Pankney72]

Fish are here and in a temporary tub overnight with my rock and coral. It couldn’t be avoided with the distance of the move, but we’re temp controlled and keeping the water moving. Unfortunately my Naso didn’t make it. Everyone else is still ticked off and alive.

 

[Pankney72]

Alright tank is on the stand, UV is hooked up and both pumps are waiting for plumbing. Had a minor issue with the sump but that should be rectified by tomorrow.

plan for today is to get things mostly plumbed filled with water and livestock transferred. The tank will then run solely on closed loop-UV for a day while we wait for the new sump.

 

[Adam Houston]

Ready for an update my dude!

 

[Pankney72]

Ready for an update my dude!

alright alright! It's coming. I did promise. gotta pick up some salt, take some pictures. It'll happen starting today.

 

[Adam Houston]

That’s what I’m talking about! I’ve been reading through all these big tank builds and I felt like something was missing…I was like, we gotta have more cowbell, we gotta have the 250 update haha

 

[dstockwell]

Very nice setup

 

[Pankney72]

Alright guys cue dissolve and voice-over: "Ten Months Later"

So before I upload a couple pictures I want to discuss some of the things I've dealt with since my last post. These will be in brief and I'll expound on them if people request. I had forgotten getting over the hump of a new tank, and thought that I was maybe so experienced I'd be immune to most problems. I was incorrect.

First.... going way back to setup. Let talk equipment and ordering things custom. I had a heck of a time getting this tank actually running as it needed. Part of this was due to the sump. We ordered from Glass Cages and the first sump didn't show up according to specs. So it couldn't fit under the stand. Joe from Glass Cages was immediately available... and he sent me and my friends helping me set this tank up a new sump overnight... which, through no fault of Glass Cages, came in broken. Joe was again immediately available and even made the offer to hop on a plane and bring the sump in personally. We politely declined and the next sump came in exactly as requested and there have been no other issues. All that is to say: Problems happen, and when they do you want to work with someone who will make it right, like Glass Cages.

After that, things were up and running pretty well for the first few months. However, although in my old 125 I occasionally found a flasher wrasse in the overflow, with this new system, My fish were CONSTANTLY jumping out of the tank! I lost a few beautiful wrasse and a blenny before I could fully proof the system. I did this with an old fashioned mesh top and a Styrofoam baffle to block off my overflow. I decided the issue was the large open water area I had created on the right side of my tank. It gave my fish (that seem to love the area) ample room to chase and interact. This area also gave who ever was being chased lots of room to really build up speed and launch themselves. Overall, I love the open water area. I think the fish do too. It just requires a bit of extra planning.

Third and finally for conquered problems: Dinos. Specificaly Large Cell Amphidinium. These guys came in like a wrecking ball and took months to overcome. I lost some expensive coral that had been doing great previously. I tried many different tricks. Some better than others. Basically, Patience, Light management, and pH control were how I defeated the monsters. Happy to share more if others are interested.

That takes us to about November. Since then the tank has been slowly chugging along. Corals are recovering and finally starting to really take off. I've had to start using more Kalk as my corals absorb more. (Kalk is also amazing for killing pests) It's a good problem to have and I'll be getting a reactor as soon as I get some more time off. Steady maintanence and regular water changes are the key for me. I run a very low cost system overall. I'm very happy with my tank and still love the hobby. Any other questions about feeding, compatibility, chemistry, fish, inverts I'm happy to answer if I can. I'm an open book.

Pictures to be posted below. It's a big tank so if anyone wants a better shot of anyone/thing just let me know and I'll do my best.

 

[Pankney72]

 

[Pankney72]

Other things I've been working on include cracking the goni code to make those finicky corals thrive, and the best feeding schedule that works for a mixed reef like the one I run, that is also usually inhabited by baby fish of some finicky species.

 

[Adam Houston]

It’s lookin’ wicked good bro!! You definitely have a solid mixed reef for sure and the tank looks massive. Love the purple tang and fish you have as well. Upload pics of that sump when you get a chance, I bet it’s a beast!