Custom Reef Build

StevenT1613

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Hi everyone!

Im new to the forums, but have been creeping here for the past year while I plan my new build. This forum is awesome!

I want to document and share my new build. Your welcome to share any advice that might help me along the way.

My wife and I are expecting our second child in October. Wife says this needs to all be done before the baby arrives haha!

Tank: 187 gallon (60.5x25.5x28) perimeter bracing built by Planet Aquariums.

Stand: 38" Elegance series Mocha

Sump: Synergy Reef CL44 with matching 10 gallon ATO
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All plumbing to match sump/filtration equipment.

Skimmer: Reef Octopus Elite 220INT

Uv Sterilizer: Pentair 80w HO

Lighting: Ecotech Radion XR30 Pro

Control: Neptune Apex Fusion w/ DOS

Sand: Tropic eden Meso Flakes

It's been like Christmas morning for me for the past couple weeks with shipments arriving almost daily! :)

The only thing I'm waiting for now is the tank and stand. Should be here by this weekend!

I will continue to document the build as things progress. Thanks for following along, I look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts and seeing it complete!

Steven
 
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StevenT1613

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Thank you! I purchased 120lbs of BRS Reef Saver. It has been curing in a 55gal Brute trash can since April!

I've been tearing down my 65gal tank since then. I've taken all the coral out, placed some in a separate tank for quarantine and the rest has been in a friends tank.

I've left the fish in the 65 till the new tank gets here. My wife and I will be happy when the transition is over and not taking over multiple rooms in our house!! Haha

65gallon before tear down. Tank has been up for 1 year.
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Here is the temporary frag tank.

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Playing around with rock scape before rinsing and curing.

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Installed new outlet on its own 20amp breaker for the new tank. You can also see how the 65 has looked since April. Most of the rock and all coral removed.

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StevenT1613

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I do have a BRS 6 stage RO/DI system. Will need to get a head start on filling containers for when the big fill up begins.
 

Daniel@R2R

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Definitely an excellent start!
 
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StevenT1613

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Got the cabinet today! Hard to see the wood grain and color in the picture, but it's beautiful.

Unfortunately the tank drains and returns were not drilled correctly so it's going back to the builder to fix. ☹️ should be fixed and back to me by next Friday!

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StevenT1613

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Completely sealed interior of the cabinet. Should hold water in the event of a leak.

I've ordered LED strip lighting that I will wire/ install with magnetic door switches. When any of the 3 doors open the LEDs will turn on.
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StevenT1613

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Got the sump in and some plumbing done yesterday. I will need to make some adjustments to the plumbing.

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StevenT1613

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Next project is a false wall to hide cords and the ugly stuff. I'm also building a door hinged control panel with and iPad mount.
 
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StevenT1613

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Starting a YouTube channel to document the build for people who prefer videos. I would love people's feedback! I thought OCD Reef would be a good name [emoji12] I'm not diagnosed, but extremely obsessive compulsive over this new hobby!
 
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StevenT1613

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10:24pm and I just realized I had this outside waiting for me [emoji23]haha
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StevenT1613

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Well it's a good day! Finally moved the tank in. Looking forward to the next couple days!
 
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