James404’s 280g SPS Tank

[Ultra Aquatics]

The time has come for a new build thread! I’m super excited to get this going and sharing my build with this wonderful community!

Bit of background I guess... first reef tank was a 75g about 12 years ago. After I bought my house I had upgraded to a 225g Reef Savvy (Build Thread) but at that point in my life I just couldn’t keep up with it. I ended up selling everything and getting out of the hobby for a few years.

Fast forward to today....I have had my 80g rimless for about 2 years now (Build Thread)and have had a really rough year to say the least. I’ve decided it’s time to move on to better days and build my dream tank!

Tank Details:
Display will be custom made by Miracles:
72”x36x25 - Starphire Front and Sides - Reef Savvy Ghost Overflow - Eurobraced - Armored Seams - Black Vinyl Back. Should arrive end of April.

Sump and all other equipment are located in my unfinished basement.

Sump - Will be my existing Tideline 48

Skimmer - Super Reef Octopus 6000EXT. I’ve decided to go external recirculating on this build.

Calcium Reactor - Using my existing GEO612...will probably add a second chamber to this eventually. Carbon Doser regulator.

Return Pump - Currently using a Reeflo Swordtail...with the amount of head pressure I may need to switch to the Barracuda/Hammerhead.

Flow - 2x MP60’s - 4 MP40’s

Lighting - Going old school - 3 x 400w MH’s - Luxcore ballasts - 3 x Hamilton Cozumel Sun reflectors. Will supplement with reefbrite LED strips.

Controller - Existing 2016 Apex - Existing Alkatronic.

ATO - Existing ATK

Sand - 300lbs of Tropic Eden Reef Flakes Grand Select

Rock - Marco Rocks


That should be it for equipment for now but I will update this as necessary.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

First off let’s talk about the display location. It’s going to be in my living room...but problem...there’s a closet where it will sit...will need to demo the whole thing...

Below is my dryer vent...going to have to relocate this to the other side of the wall behind...

 

[ReeferSteve]

I’m definitely following along with this one

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

I’m definitely following along with this one

Thanks I appreciate that!

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Some of the current equipment. I will be redoing the whole equipment area to maximize/increase space and make things a little neater.

Love my Alkatronic...

 

[vetteguy53081]

This tank will work out well. You have the right tools to be successful with coral

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

This tank will work out well. You have the right tools to be successful with coral

Thank you! This will be a slow transition, I’ve learned stability is the most important thing in this hobby.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Some of the inhabitants that will be moving over...

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Here’s a current FTS from my 80g rimless.

 

[Bigbadfishy]

What’s that blue tipped acro it looks amazing! Also sounds amazing and the closet could be a fish room????? I think the sump seems small but that depends on what your running for export but after adding all the equipment you would be limited on refugium space. You could always run other options just something to think about.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

What’s that blue tipped acro it looks amazing! Also sounds amazing and the closet could be a fish room????? I think the sump seems small but that depends on what your running for export but after adding all the equipment you would be limited on refugium space. You could always run other options just something to think about.

Thanks! The blue tipped acro is a Boomberry from @BoomCorals I grew it out from a small frag.

The sump is a decent size but you could be right. One good thing is since I will be switching to an external skimmer that frees up a whole second chamber in the sump for more LR or chaeto. I will see how it goes and probably will upgrade to a bigger sump eventually.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

This is what the sump looks like (old pic)

 

[Bigbadfishy]

Thanks! The blue tipped acro is a Boomberry from @BoomCorals I grew it out from a small frag.

The sump is a decent size but you could be right. One good thing is since I will be switching to an external skimmer that frees up a whole second chamber in the sump for more LR or chaeto. I will see how it goes and probably will upgrade to a bigger sump eventually.

That’s a clean sump and looks amazing you really could run so many options.

 

[PirateMonkeyReefer]

Cant wait to keep watching the progress! These dimensions are my dream tank!

 

[reef80]

Really nice so far. I have a miracles tank with similar size also 72x36x22 and its built like a tank for sure. You will love yours!

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Cant wait to keep watching the progress! These dimensions are my dream tank!

Thank you for following along!

Really nice so far. I have a miracles tank with similar size also 72x36x22 and its built like a tank for sure. You will love yours!

That’s awesome, do you have a build thread on here? Would love to see it. What lighting did you end up with?

 

[Gablami]

Following! It’s fun watching so many people start tanks that are similar size to the one I’m waiting for. Waiting on a 74x34x24”. I might have missed it, but you’ve got a separate “fish room?” I would be interested in an external skimmer but without a fish room, seems too difficult.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Following! It’s fun watching so many people start tanks that are similar size to the one I’m waiting for. Waiting on a 74x34x24”. I might have missed it, but you’ve got a separate “fish room?” I would be interested in an external skimmer but without a fish room, seems too difficult.

Agreed, I’ve been searching through here for builds of similar size for inspiration. Thanks for following along!

All equipment is located in my unfinished basement. I think there was a little confusion in the thread about the closet I posted. That closet is actually getting completely torn down. The display will then be located where it was.

 

[reef80]

Thank you for following along!



That’s awesome, do you have a build thread on here? Would love to see it. What lighting did you end up with?

No. I dont. Maybe I'll start one. I have like 4 tanks plumb to it. I'm using ATI hybrid with 2 reefbrite over the miracles...looking more to your build.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

No. I dont. Maybe I'll start one. I have like 4 tanks plumb to it. I'm using ATI hybrid with 2 reefbrite over the miracles...looking more to your build.

That looks really great! I love ATI fixtures. Let me know if you start a build thread, I definitely want to see it!