Dustin’s Sobering Sunshine Build

[hdsoftail1065]

Update
So I sold the hydras to fund some more stuff needed for the build. Bought a ecotech vectra s1 return pump for the reefer 250. I now have everything to fill tank and start cycle. While its cycling I will be saving to purchase everything else needed to finish project. Still need mp10 and lights...

I'm not a light guy, but curious, why didn't you use the hydras?

 

[PerplexyHexy]

I'm not a light guy, but curious, why didn't you use the hydras?

Im really OCD when it comes to matching things. It REALLY bothered me that they were Not going to match with the 625 I will be getting soon. Hahahahah!

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Im really OCD when it comes to matching things. It REALLY bothered me that they were Not going to match with the 625 I will be getting soon. Hahahahah!

Good enough reason for me, I have the same OCD type problem! Lol

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Good enough reason for me, I have the same OCD type problem! Lol

I want the 250 and 621 to match exactly..... Or its going to bother me... hahahahha

 

[PerplexyHexy]

How is it possible that i have 0 nitrate... 0 ammonia... 0 phosphate and 0 nitrite after a week of curing dry rock???

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Update
Sand showed up today... Got 60 lbs of caribsea flamingo reef aragonite

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Stopped by @Livinlocals pad today to check out his goods. Super cool dude and amazing coral. Hooked me up with a nice pack of stuff. Check him out!!!

 

[Livinlocal]

Nice meeting you today, Dustin! I’m glad you like the pack!

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Also some stuff from @tonyespinoza1 in there as well. Another very humble reefer in the SoCal area with alot of cool coral.

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Update
So pumped right now... Cassidy @GillsMarineAquatics in Temecula, CA just texted me and said that his rep offered to upgrade me to the 350 for a small fee. Im so stoked right now!!!!

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Im gonna need more sand... LOL!!!

 

[PerplexyHexy]

So I have a question for everyone? Was thinking of cycling tank with filtered Scripps water down by the pier. Were going to Birch aquarium with the boys this weekend and thought about filling up two of my 55 gallon drums up with Scripps water to cycle tank... Any thoughts on this?

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Update
So box was damaged during shipping... So.... Im not making this up... upgraded to the 450 now... hope this is the final hiccup... would like to get busy on some projects... Now I really need more sand!!!

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Update
So I picked up this calcium reactor today from another cool dude in Mission Viejo... yes, I know! Im nowhere close to needing this, but I couldnt pass up on the price... Cant wait for tomorrow... Its Finally Here!!! Went with the Reefer XL 425... I like that its 4ft and you have that extra 3” from front to back... Not gonna be able to sleep tonight!!! Still need lights and powerheads... LOL!!! Also need some advice if you guys have any with rockscaping... Bought some jbweld and gonna start mocking up my scape... Just worried that the rock is already wet... not sure how well the epoxy will work... any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Update
Its finally arrived!!! Im beyond excited... Thanks again Cassidy @GillsMarineAquatics in Temecula, CA... Just waiting to get off work and start assembling... very good day today!!!

 

[PerplexyHexy]

And so my journey begins!!! Picked up another ro/di system as well because Im not going to be able to run water lines from my current ro/di system to this tank... The other will strictly be for the XXL 750 and this one dedicated to the XL 425...

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Did not realize how big this badboy was!!! Hahahahaha

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Just finished up the stand... took about 2 hours... not bad... Have a buddy coming tomorrow to lift tank onto stand...

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Got about 5 hours of sleep lastnight... up at 6 this morning to get the tank off the back of my truck and into the house... also prepping for rockscaping today... so I pulled most of the rock out of the 55 gallon drum that I have been curing for the past 3 weeks to dry a little so the epoxy sticks... Should I do the mocking up in the tank? I have plenty of cardboard and styrofoam to protect the sides of the glass. Or should I do it in the garage and give it a day to dry? Really dont think Im going to be filling this thing this weekend... I want to do this the right way!!! I also have to work on setting up the rodi ststem in the barhroom which is dirrectly behind the tank... the problem I am going to have is that I have to drill through my stairs... Has anyone had experience with this? Not too sure how well thats gonna work... and input would be greatly appreciated...

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Holy cow am I tired... Just finished up setting up the rodi under the sink... drilling under the stairs to run the ato power and water line. That took up most of my day... was really a pain in the butt... Power line was too short for the ato so I had to cut a hole in the wall and connect it from under the stairs. Then I had to patch the wall... hahahahhaha!!! Did my rockscape and also laid out about 85 lbs of sand and 185 lbs of rock... finally just finished. Goin to bed, gotta be up at the buttcrack of dawn to go to the beach. Gonna pick up some water from Scripps in La Jolla and cycle tank with that water...