Eric's 120G build

[E_reefer]

Thanks, yea that was my thinking regarding equipment, and on that note I recently found a vectra on the buying forum right here on R2R which rounds out all the essential equipment. All I need now is the reeflink which I hope to snag on here as well- just have to be quicker when one goes up as they go quick. I am also about 80% on getting an apex controller- I’ve never had any type of controller and always felt I just really don’t need one but every reefer I have talked to who added one says they would never go without it. I can’t tell what the difference is between the apex classic and the other more expensive one other than the energy bar and salinity probe. Hopefully someone could chime in on that. I guess what I am wondering is if it is worth the extra $250?

There are 3 fish remaining in the cube- clown, green Coris Wrasse, and a PJ cardinal. All of the acros have died or are near death but the euphylias, montis, Zoas, Duncan, green bta, and war coral rock are doing well.

I was informed by crystal dynamics the tank should be finished by the end of July so I still have some time to figure out rocks. I am most likely to go with all dry rock or try a mix of dry rock and some of the Caribsea “life rock” either way I don’t think I will be getting any LR from another reefer or the LFS this time.

 

[E_reefer]

Well we have a few things happening here. Got 40 lbs of dry rock from chewy- it was $1 per lb so I figured I would see what it’s like.

It’s base rock alright! The entire 40 lbs came as two rocks- one is about 30 pounds itself.

It is very porous and there is a lot of level surface area to stack rock or hold frags.

I did also keep one decent size rock from the last tank.

I am planning on also getting some real reef, Walt smith pukani or stax to round it out.

Fts of the cube

 

[Lilmatty5dimes]

I like that little cave. Should turn out nicely.

 

[Slodoc07]

I just ordered the same rock, it was listed as Pukani. I should have know $1 per pound was too good to be true. :mad:

 

[sawdonkey]

Chop that rock up with a hammer/chisel and you’ll have much more flexibility with your scape.

 

[E_reefer]

Getting excited as CD told me the tank should be done by the end of July so hopefully they are on track and I get my tank soon. In the meantime it is still the waiting game.

I ordered some more rock from macro rocks- once here I plan to begin curing all of the dry rock.

 

[E_reefer]

Lol... not sure why the deer picture is there, still figuring things out on here I guess.

I received some great news yesterday- the tank will be done by the end of next week! They said I will receive photos which I review, then upon my approval and final payment, they ship the tank which takes 4-6 days.

The process with Crystal Dynamics has been great so far, they truly offer full customization for the tank and stand and communication has been on point.

I still haven’t pulled the trigger on the apex- I am thinking waiting on that as it can always be added, plus my neighbor has decided to break down his reef and he has offered his apex so hopefully I can go that route and save a few pennies.

 

[E_reefer]

Exciting news! I received the email that my tank is done and she sure looks beautiful!



I can’t wait to see it in person- should be in 7-10 days!

Also, while I was researching apex controllers and waiting for a used one to pop up, Neptune came out with the EL version for $300 less than the main unit, so I decided to go that route and added the echotech module. I understand the Vectra is not supported but I figured I would just run it with the normal return pump setting which basically just leaves it running 24 hrs and will turn it off for a feed mode. I don’t really see a need for it to be synced with the vortechs or radions, but perhaps someone can enlighten me because I am a total noob with these high end components.

 

[Just_Pete]

Great build and congrats on getting your new tank soon!

 

[E_reefer]

Great build and congrats on getting your new tank soon!

Thanks! I cannot wait, it’s like Christmas in August!;Joyful

 

[NY_Caveman]

Exciting news! I received the email that my tank is done and she sure looks beautiful!



I can’t wait to see it in person- should be in 7-10 days!

Also, while I was researching apex controllers and waiting for a used one to pop up, Neptune came out with the EL version for $300 less than the main unit, so I decided to go that route and added the echotech module. I understand the Vectra is not supported but I figured I would just run it with the normal return pump setting which basically just leaves it running 24 hrs and will turn it off for a feed mode. I don’t really see a need for it to be synced with the vortechs or radions, but perhaps someone can enlighten me because I am a total noob with these high end components.

Wow. Nice. I know what you will be doing Labor Day weekend now, LOL!

 

[E_reefer]

Wow. Nice. I know what you will be doing Labor Day weekend now, LOL!

I hope it will get here before the long weekend but I doubt it.

 

[E_reefer]

OK more things happening... I spoke to CD and the tank is packed up and shipping out tomorrow on its journey from southern CA to SE FL so it may make it before next weekend!

I also received the order from BRS with 30 lbs of reef saver, the apex el, and a tds meter since I figured I’m going with all this fancy stuff I might as well make sure we’re starting out with good h20.



Pretty crazy I didn’t realize before, this table is the same footprint as the tank. Here is the reefsaver with the chewy rock- about 65 lbs total. I will say the BRS reef saver was packed very well and was 4 good medium sized and 1 med- lg very pourous and cool shapes.





Started curing the rock.



The TDS meter is so easy to setup- 2 snips and push sensors and tubes into the provided Ts.



City water coming in is at 167 ppm



....
But as we would all suspect from a BRS 4 stage RODI





Here we go!

 

[jason.kennedy.98478]

Looking good so far, just got my 120 up and going

 

[NY_Caveman]

OK more things happening... I spoke to CD and the tank is packed up and shipping out tomorrow on its journey from southern CA to SE FL so it may make it before next weekend!

I also received the order from BRS with 30 lbs of reef saver, the apex el, and a tds meter since I figured I’m going with all this fancy stuff I might as well make sure we’re starting out with good h20.



Pretty crazy I didn’t realize before, this table is the same footprint as the tank. Here is the reefsaver with the chewy rock- about 65 lbs total. I will say the BRS reef saver was packed very well and was 4 good medium sized and 1 med- lg very pourous and cool shapes.





Started curing the rock.



The TDS meter is so easy to setup- 2 snips and push sensors and tubes into the provided Ts.



City water coming in is at 167 ppm



....
But as we would all suspect from a BRS 4 stage RODI





Here we go!

The rock looks great! Funny about the table dimensions.

 

[E_reefer]

I have seen a lot of people using acrylic rods to keep their rocks in place and to be able to create some pretty cool rocks capes so I thought I would give it a shot.

Picked up some 3/8” acrylic rods.



Found a bit and gave it a go.


It went through the rock rather easily.



I’m excited to get creative with this to make cool shelves and arches.

I am also thinking of adding retrofit T5s to supplement the leds, which I am learning if I decide to go with dimmable, they will require a 0-10 V control port which is one of the things the apex el doesn’t include. Of course it can be added via module, but I don’t feel that I will need to be able to dim the T5s anyway so it’s not a big deal at this time, just a little annoying since I convinced myself I wouldn’t need all the bells and whistles of the full apex.

 

[E_reefer]

I guess the tank is en route, but I am not certain, the last person I spoke to said it was shipping out on Thursday but I haven’t heard anything since so I plan to follow up tomorrow.

We returned today from camping at Disney for our daughter’s third birthday, and we had a great site!




Stopped by the reef tanks in “the seas” area of Epcot.



And a massive frogspawn in its own column tank!


Also while back at the site I watched a special about a coral restoration program that Disney has been working for a few years now in the Carribean- Very cool stuff- I turned it on halfway through the program but I intend on looking it up to watch the whole thing.

 

[Surfside74]

I guess the tank is en route, but I am not certain, the last person I spoke to said it was shipping out on Thursday but I haven’t heard anything since so I plan to follow up tomorrow.

We returned today from camping at Disney for our daughter’s third birthday, and we had a great site!




Stopped by the reef tanks in “the seas” area of Epcot.



And a massive frogspawn in its own column tank!


Also while back at the site I watched a special about a coral restoration program that Disney has been working for a few years now in the Carribean- Very cool stuff- I turned it on halfway through the program but I intend on looking it up to watch the whole thing.

I had the same exact camper. I just sold it last week to upgrade to a bigger one. I am a Disney fan and am going in 3 weeks back to ft wilderness to try out the new camper.

 

[E_reefer]

Nice! This is our first camper and it has been great- perfect size for us and light/ easy to pull with our tow vehicle. Rockwood makes great trailers for sure. Have fun on your trip!

 

[Surfside74]

Nice! This is our first camper and it has been great- perfect size for us and light/ easy to pull with our tow vehicle. Rockwood makes great trailers for sure. Have fun on your trip!

Thank you