In the beginning let there be a 425 Gallon Reef

[Jots]

Tank just arrived and uncreated it enough to make sure it came in undamaged. The logistical planning needed for the arrival of tank is tremendous and much more difficult and more expensive than expected. The last couple pics are the exterior pieces of the crate, extremely well packaged. After 1 hr, got the stand fully exposed .

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

And soo it begins... looking really good so far!

 

[KWT]

Off to a great start, will follow this. If I ever move again it would be to a custom build with some larger tanks. Good luck

 

[jeffrey750750]

oh my thats going to be one awsome build. Very nice house by the way, wow

 

[Jots]

Next week will be the planned tank move to put in its final resting place. I had 12 suction cups sent with tank to help with the move. Lots to do with a new home, unpack, buy filtration for home ...on well water(2100 TDS) yikes, buy sod , etc oh and life! Lots to do before engaging with reef tank. I have yet to purchase the filtration for my main display...so it’ll be some time for my finances to upright itself lol. I’m extremely blessed and need to take a step back and not rush this process. Hard to keep things into perspective if I just dive into the reef tank. I have my 90 still up and running. Suffered some coral casualties but nothing too major. Will update as things progress

 

[ethridge78]

Any new updates?

 

[Jots]

FINALLY!!! Here is the crew that made it happen....lifting the tank into place....can be seen in the background.

 

[Jots]

 

[Jots]

 

[Jots]

Success!!!!!

 

[Jots]

Sorry for the long delay- lots going on as with everyone I’m sure....Covid, holidays and recovering from moving lol. Hope everyone out there is being safe. During my absence, I took down the overhead cabinet to make room for not only the stand and tank install but also getting prep’d for the aquascape which I will post soon. I constructed the rock work negative space to allow for a lot of flow, space for fish to swim and hide and last was appearance as that changes as corals grow. I went with a sump that will last forever, adds tremendous water volume and very modular....seamless sump by custom aquatics.

 

[Jots]

 

[Jots]

Here are some updated pics as of this morning. The main rock structures are in, which was a very nervous endeavor for sure. Next is filling tank with RODI and then mixing in the salt. Since I’m on a well, I have a whole house RO system and produces 55 ppm water so all I’m doing is running a 3 stage DI system from BRS to get 0 PPM

 

[Jots]

Good morning everyone, just wanted to update folks on the plumbing aspect of build. It’s been a slow and methodical process but here are some pics

 

[Jots]

Good morning everyone, just wanted to update folks on the plumbing aspect of build. It’s been a slow and methodical process but here are some pics. Not sure how that first picture got in there with the sun set but a beautiful sight nevertheless

 

[Jots]

Fish have been in the aquarium for several weeks without filtration or lights . Mollies went in first a 2 weeks prior to Xmas. The small clutch of clowns went in 4 Jan. Fish break down:

4x Rose Mollies
3x Dalmatian Mollies
5x Spotcintus Clowns captive bred from Oceans Garden

 

[Jots]

Been dosing Microbacter dry rock starter kit prior to any introduction of fish for almost a week. Went through 2 boxes before the introduction with the Mollies. So far every is happy and getting along. Within a week of having the mollies we seen several live birth babies but they hide in the rock work and haven’t seen them since.
Plan is to get the plumbing on the large tank finished this weekend(hope). Keep in mind that I will be plumbing the smaller 90 to the 400 eventually so keeping the plumbing closed with either a gate valve or ball valve is key so I can momentarily just have the 400 fully operational.

 

[Ashish Patel]

Looks great. Love the aquascape and plumbing.

 

[Jots]

Thanks Ashish, it’s a long time coming. The powder coated steel stand isn’t the best when it comes to attaching equipment or plumbing so have to be creative. Nevertheless it’s coming along and look to make some headway today on completing majority of the plumbing

 

[Ashish Patel]

Thanks Ashish, it’s a long time coming. The powder coated steel stand isn’t the best when it comes to attaching equipment or plumbing so have to be creative. Nevertheless it’s coming along and look to make some headway today on completing majority of the plumbing

Nice, how many hours did it take for that scape and will this be a SPS dominant tank?