I actually started my build earlier this year before I was really active here but I thought I'd go ahead and list what I have done in case it can help others avoid my mistakes and I'll update this as things progress as it is not quite done yet.
Tank dimensions are 84.5" x 30" x 24" with dual overflows offset about 1 foot from the edge of the tank. 3/4" Starphire on the front and sides, regular 3/4" glass on the back. PVC bottom with an additional 1/2" glass on the bottom for bracing and support. No trim on the bottom either. Drains are 1.5" in each overflow with 1" returns. Black silicone for the seams and black vinyl backing. This will basically be a massive Solana
The stand is custom made and then painted black with no visible hinges and a small lip that is flush with the walls of the stand. Clean and simple.
Lighting consists of 5 AI Vega Colors using 5 of their EXT supports bolted to the back of the stand.
Return pumps are dual Mag 12s. I decided on the Mags as they are cost effective workhorses and the heat doesn't bother me as I'll be running all LEDs anyway. I will also have a pair of 300w heaters in addition to the Mag 12's
I plan on adding a battery back-up system for the pumps that I will DIY using some marine deep cycle batteries. Right now, I'm thinking about 4 of them but I will have to see how things go.
Existing equipment from my 70 gallon transferred over including:
Apex with dual EB-8's and socket expansion module to run a JBJ 1/3 hp chiller. I/O breakout box that is used to connect backup switches for my ATO. The ATO is a JBJ tied to an aqualifter pump. I've added a PM2 module for extra redundancy on the ATO portion and, an extra Breakout box to automatically switch and turn on/off my stand lighting, and a WXM for the MP40's
Supplementation will be via standard 2-part solution and a Bubble Magus auto doser that I already had. I had Marc Levenson build a some custom container for the 2-part solution (5 gallons each on Alk and Ca and 2.5 gallons on Mg).
I also have a pair of Vortech MP-40W-ES pumps that made the move over.
I also had Marc build a custom sump with a large refugium section. I am a firm believer in using macro for phosphate control and other goodness. I started with a TS-300 skimmer powered by a Mag 12 but upgraded to a ATI PowerCone 200iS.
I went with Tropic Eden Reeflakes for the sand bed.
Rock work consisted of about 270lbs of rock from tank breakdowns. Some was live, some dry and dead, and some in a funkified decaying state. I used some Marco Rock mortar to pre-form one large structure that I wanted. I aquascaped with an eye toward keeping things open by using a lot of negative space
One other note on the pumps. I like redundancy and backups. I keep a spare 12 around as my mixing pump as a backup and also keep an additional spare impeller around. I also built my QT system with an eye toward redundancy and have a Bubble Magus doser and JBJ ATO for that as well. I also plan on using AI Vega fixtures for the QT so I have spares and so I can use them for coral acclimation.
Tank dimensions are 84.5" x 30" x 24" with dual overflows offset about 1 foot from the edge of the tank. 3/4" Starphire on the front and sides, regular 3/4" glass on the back. PVC bottom with an additional 1/2" glass on the bottom for bracing and support. No trim on the bottom either. Drains are 1.5" in each overflow with 1" returns. Black silicone for the seams and black vinyl backing. This will basically be a massive Solana
The stand is custom made and then painted black with no visible hinges and a small lip that is flush with the walls of the stand. Clean and simple.
Lighting consists of 5 AI Vega Colors using 5 of their EXT supports bolted to the back of the stand.
Return pumps are dual Mag 12s. I decided on the Mags as they are cost effective workhorses and the heat doesn't bother me as I'll be running all LEDs anyway. I will also have a pair of 300w heaters in addition to the Mag 12's
I plan on adding a battery back-up system for the pumps that I will DIY using some marine deep cycle batteries. Right now, I'm thinking about 4 of them but I will have to see how things go.
Existing equipment from my 70 gallon transferred over including:
Apex with dual EB-8's and socket expansion module to run a JBJ 1/3 hp chiller. I/O breakout box that is used to connect backup switches for my ATO. The ATO is a JBJ tied to an aqualifter pump. I've added a PM2 module for extra redundancy on the ATO portion and, an extra Breakout box to automatically switch and turn on/off my stand lighting, and a WXM for the MP40's
Supplementation will be via standard 2-part solution and a Bubble Magus auto doser that I already had. I had Marc Levenson build a some custom container for the 2-part solution (5 gallons each on Alk and Ca and 2.5 gallons on Mg).
I also have a pair of Vortech MP-40W-ES pumps that made the move over.
I also had Marc build a custom sump with a large refugium section. I am a firm believer in using macro for phosphate control and other goodness. I started with a TS-300 skimmer powered by a Mag 12 but upgraded to a ATI PowerCone 200iS.
I went with Tropic Eden Reeflakes for the sand bed.
Rock work consisted of about 270lbs of rock from tank breakdowns. Some was live, some dry and dead, and some in a funkified decaying state. I used some Marco Rock mortar to pre-form one large structure that I wanted. I aquascaped with an eye toward keeping things open by using a lot of negative space
One other note on the pumps. I like redundancy and backups. I keep a spare 12 around as my mixing pump as a backup and also keep an additional spare impeller around. I also built my QT system with an eye toward redundancy and have a Bubble Magus doser and JBJ ATO for that as well. I also plan on using AI Vega fixtures for the QT so I have spares and so I can use them for coral acclimation.