Finn Reef Custom Tank Build

reefer_06374 · Aug 17, 2020

Hello everyone! So after taking a WaterBox 130.4 and plumbing it to the basement, life changed and the system came down. Now I can legitimately say that I am building my dream system (on a relative budget). There are lots of parts and pieces coming in to make this become a reality. I will do my best to keep this build thread up to date. Currently the tanks are on order from Steve Chow. The tanks are going all be SCA tanks internally plumbed to the same sump. Main display is a 48”x30”x20”. There will be two cubes, one on each side, 24”x24”x20”. One of the cubes will be a nem tank, the other a frag/grow out.

Luckily I have most of my equipment from the last system and its barely broken in.

Skimmer-Bubble Magus Curve 9 Elite
UV- AquaUV 57W
MacroReactor- Skimz MBR157
Return Pump(s)- EcoTech Vectra L2
Tank Pumps- AI Nero 5 (probably 3-4 in the display and one in each cube)
Lighting- Two AI Hydra 64s and Two AI Hydra 32s on the main display, a AI Hydra 32 on each cube
Heaters- BRS Titanium

Have lots of shipments coming in this week that I will update once I receive them. For now, just working on the stands....

reefer_06374 · Aug 19, 2020

Nice little delivery today!!! Should have the cabinets in over the next few days and then can get everything mounted and finish off the trim work on the center cabinet.

Maxx · Aug 20, 2020

Following along from your other thread...

Janci · Aug 20, 2020

This will be interesting.
Following along.

reefer_06374 · Aug 21, 2020

Got the stands moved in. Need to get the light mounts up and then level the stand out and do the finish work on the center cabinet. Long ways to go, but making some progress...

Maxx · Aug 22, 2020

Love the Neptune organization panels!

Off topic....did you do the American Flag over the tank, or did you buy it somewhere?

Looks great man!

reefer_06374 · Aug 22, 2020

Maxx said:
Love the Neptune organization panels!

Off topic....did you do the American Flag over the tank, or did you buy it somewhere?

Looks great man!

Rustic Flag Company I think is where my wife ordered it for me. Great quality, have to move it though...

reefer_06374 · Aug 22, 2020

Doesn’t look like much progress, but it was! Got the light mounts built and the lights up. Level it out tomorrow and go from there!

reefer_06374 · Aug 26, 2020

Got everything leveled, got the 1x on the center stand, and put the flooring in the bottom of the cabinet. A little progress!!

Janci · Aug 28, 2020

Nice and clean

reefer_06374 · Sep 5, 2020

With not having the remote sump in the basement anymore, I wanted a way to still have a bucket less water change. Unfortunately, it isn’t hands free with just a couple valve turns, but I will be able to hook one hose up to drain water down to the basement sink(which is plumbed out to a separate dry well) and then run another hose to fill it back up. Still need to plumb in the hose hook ups.

Also got the cabinet light mounted and working.

Janci · Sep 6, 2020

A fan of Tropic Marine salt as well.
It is the best i have used.

Maxx · Sep 6, 2020

How do you plan to control the fill pump downstairs from upstairs?

If you havent thought about it, (and I doubt you havent...everything you've done is pretty detailed and forward thinking), you might want to consider how to shut the pump off while your upstairs.
Having to run downstairs to prevent an overflow isnt ideal.

Sump and stand lighting look good!

reefer_06374 · Sep 7, 2020

Thank you!!

I’ve thought about it. I’m debating on plugging it in to a WiFi controlled outlet. I will have a valve on the end of the hose, however, I would like to be able to kill the pump quickly so it’s not running to a closed valve for long. Still not sure, but that’s what I’m leaning towards!!

Maxx said:
How do you plan to control the fill pump downstairs from upstairs?

If you havent thought about it, (and I doubt you havent...everything you've done is pretty detailed and forward thinking), you might want to consider how to shut the pump off while your upstairs.
Having to run downstairs to prevent an overflow isnt ideal.

Sump and stand lighting look good!

Maxx · Sep 10, 2020

Can you wire a switch up to be able to turn the pump on/off from upstairs?

reefer_06374 · Sep 11, 2020

Maxx said:
Can you wire a switch up to be able to turn the pump on/off from upstairs?

Yes, I’ve also thought about that. Would be pretty easy to do, and probably the best option.

reefer_06374 · Sep 19, 2020

Haven’t posted any updates in awhile, but been tackling a few things here and there. Pretty much have everything wired up and ready to go. Once the tanks get here, should just be able to focus on the plumbing and get it wet!!!