Kord's 130gal

[KorD]

This should be an interesting adventure. This is by far the largest tanks I have ever had. Typically they all ranged from 3 gal to 30 gal over the last 13 years.

Equipment list:
130gal Crystaline tank SW setup made by Planet Aquariums
Trigger Sys 30 sump
SC 302 Skimmer
DIY stand for skimmer
40% pool filter sand and 60% Crushed coral substrate
(2) AI hydra Hd 52 lights
DIY ATO with 5 gal container
DIY electric bank with 12 outlets
500x heater
DIY screen top and DIY acrylic top holders
DIY screen holder
DIY magnet/acrylic two color frag rack
(2) powerheads
Hydro pump (1350 gal hour)



DIY acrylic ledge holder for DIY screen. LOVE having a laser cutter at my disposal!!!


Also here is the stand I DIY'ed for the skimmer. (Kind of have a thing for angler fish!)


Not a bad setup for a sump, but it came with the cost of the tank, so I will not complain too much. I would have rather have had it a few inches longer with another chamber.
I was going to add my skimmer into the first chamber, but decided it was way too hard to get the socks removed when needed. Once the tank hits a few months old, They will be removed to run an open system and the skimmer will be thrown into the first chamber and the second chamber will become a fuge.


LET IT FLOW YO!
Always hate these pictures and the first 8 hours of a new tank.
And yes... I have the RODI filter outlet long enough to reach the container next to the tank.. no more pulling a 44gal filledBrute can through the house.
It was a simple thing, but made me feel like a genius!
Water changes will also be simple! Going to just use a hose and right out that window. Nothing is there except a wood deck.


Aquascaping at it's finest.. wife was laughing because I was on a step ladder.


Someone found a cozy spot watch me work on her new friends tank.



FTS for now as it cycles. The GSP is the size of a youth football that came out of the tank I tore down. IT was the only thing I kept from the other tank minus the two lightning maroon clownfish.

 

[KorD]

First 10% water change done, Ammonia levels were higher than I like.
Also I love taking my time on tanks, but had a couple frags and an anemone thrown at me this weekend. Good thing I know anemone care and have had them for years on and off.
Also not the first time an anemone went into my tank before week two of setup.

 

[KorD]

The LTA is doing splendid. It took a few days, but it’s on the move trying to find its rightful home.

 

[Scubasteve11]

How do you like the tank?? I've been looking at these and really like the gray cabinet.

 

[KorD]

How do you like the tank?? I've been looking at these and really like the gray cabinet.

So far I'm really happy with this setup. This is the first time I didn't have to drill my own tank.
The only downfall I see to this tank is the noise in the sump from the water hitting the socks. I will be adding (DIY) a silencer onto the pipes like I had for my old sump. Should quite it down a little more.

All in all. The cabinet had a lot of room, the openings are not too small like other tanks I have seen. Lots of head room for working around and in.

 

[revhtree]

Congrats on the new reef!

 

[KorD]

All I got to say is GHA sucks!
I hate the ugly stages of the tank. Seems like nothing I added for the cuc is touching the stuff.. next plan of action is to cut it back and hope the blenny, snails and hermits take care of the rest.

I did start up a chaeto section in my sump. I’m hoping to starve the gha out sooner or later.

 

[KorD]

So it’s been a bit, and the Cheeto is doing its job nicely. The GHA is starting to disappear (either being robbed of nitrates from the GHA or the lawnmower Blenny is doing its job).

picked up a “frag” of birdsnest the other day. Can’t wait to see who’s in trouble for putting this colony on the $20 frag rack..
And yes.. that’s some of the GHA in the pic I hate!

 

[KorD]

Built myself a new RODI top off tank. (If math is right, it’s 13.5 gallons)
Cut the acrylic I had laying around to correct sizes, sanded until everything was smooth with 120 grit, sanded again with 800 grit, again with 1200grit and then polished the edges for a clean bond.

Weldon 4 glued the acrylic, and then did a thin 100% silicone caulk work to make sure it all sealed properly.

Flow tested the little guy and let sit for 1 hour.
No leaks so all was good!

Now I got to slap this bad boy in its rightful home

 

[MERKEY]

Great build and thank you for sharing!

 

[KorD]

14 days in since I added the cheato, and I’m seeing two things. Growth of the cheato, and a reduction of growth from the GHA in the display.
this makes me happy, plus always watching the lawnmower blenny pull at the GHA is also fun to watch.