The story of Flippers reef started long ago..........
In a time before a thing called "The Internet"existed. Land locked Missouri, mid western U.S.A. back in 1993. I had just got out of the army in 1992 and got busy starting a family.
See, I had fresh water tanks off and on since I was very young and one summer night back in 93, while out to dinner with my wife and daughter, we had to wait for a table at a restaurant. We decided to take a walk down the strip mall near by to burn some time and unknown to me, there before me was a "saltwater fish store"! Looking in windows with eyes wide and mouth open, like a kid on Christmas Day! I had to go in! The rest is history and a "True Aquatic Addiction" permanently took hold.
Since then, a couple houses and numerous saltwater tanks later, our journey brings us to March 2015.......
This is Flippers current build thread.....
Tank: Marineland standard 6', 125 gallon RR
Stand: DIY
Canopy: DIY, 2, 120mm computer case fans
Sump tank: 6', 125 gallon, basement. DIY sump stand
Water changing station: 2, 33 gallon grey Brute trash cans connected via recirculation manifold. Danner mag 5
Skimmer: Reef Octopus classic nwb150
Heaters: 3, 150w, controlled by Inkbird Itc 308.
Return pump: Panworld 150ps
DT Wave pumps: 2, Jebao RW 15's on JB wave controller
ATO: autotopoff.com redundant float switch controlled, 16 gallon Ace rotomold conical tank. Jebao pump, internal
DT lights: 3, modified 165w Mars Aqua units. LED layout mod to SB reef lights diode layout
RO/DI: BRS 6 stage
View attachment 794094
New house = New tank! Planing stage was at least a 6' tank, but not too big due to funds. A new 6' 125 at $350 was to good to pass up. Knowing I was going to to do a basement sump on this one, I found a used 6' 125 that's was scratched up for $100.
Stand build was based on "Rocket engineers" design. 2x4's and 2x6's design. Wood screws and wood glue. 1/4" plywood skinned. No top. Doors hand built.
Interior and exterior painted semi gloss:
