lou dogs first reef build

lou dog420 · Apr 20, 2016

Okay guys, I wanted to start this thread to document the progress of my 100 gallon build. This being my first saltwater system, lets just say its less than perfect. What I am shooting for here is a system that is very easy to maintain. As with a lot of new people in this hobby I've made some mistakes, have some things I wish I would have done differiently, and bought some equipment that I wish I didn't. But anyway, here's what I have so far.
100 gallon custom acrylic, 48x24x22, built by @artfullyacrylic
2 kessill 360 wides
2 MP 40s
Ecosystem sump
Reef octopus sump
Reef octopus biopellet reactor
BRS dual carbon and GFO reactor
CPR filter sock dual connection
Syncra silent 5.0 return pump
Kessill halo refugium light
Neptune apex gold package
Tunze osmolator ATO
Vertex omega 130 skimmer.

lou dog420 · Apr 20, 2016

drilling holes for the plumbing, acrylic is a little harder to drill than I thought. Took my time and got them done without any problems.

lou dog420 · Apr 20, 2016

lou dog420 · Apr 20, 2016

schedule 80 bulkheads in. These fittings are a little pricey, but I am happy with the quality. They are pretty heavy duty!!

lou dog420 · Apr 20, 2016

plumbing was a tight fit, but I managed to get a primary and a backup in each side.

lou dog420 · Apr 20, 2016

I picked up these spinners to try out because I really like the idea of the random flow.

lou dog420 · Apr 20, 2016

decided to paint the back and bottom black.

lou dog420 · Apr 20, 2016

I like the way it turned out.

lou dog420 · Apr 20, 2016

lou dog420 · Apr 20, 2016

I was originally planning to have all of the equipment under the tank when I built the room, but decided to go ahead and just make the space behind the tank into a fish room.