So I'm a little farther into the "build" than I anticipated for starting this thread. I was always looking into the hobby and finally got the go ahead. I thought "how hard can it be right, buy a tank, get a filter, get some fish and voila!". Well needless to say I've learned a TON in the last month and still have so much more to learn. I started by getting the tank and assembling the stand. It was honestly very simple, love the APS aluminum. Strong but light weight. Here is a list of my gear.
Innovative Marine 100g ext tank
Trigger Sapphire 39 Sump
Reef Octopus eSsence S-130 Protein Skimmer
Current USA IC Pro 48" x2 lights
Current USA eflux 1900gph DC Pump
Current USA eflux 2100gph wave pump
BRS 600w heater w Inkbird wifi controller
Tunze ATO with 15 gallon IM reservoir
Tunze Eccochic Refugium light
Then I got 2 Kasa Power Strips which have load sensing which I can integrate into my home automation that if a device stops drawing power I can have a notification sent to me.
Saw another thread that said to use some clamps to get the top to sit still so you can secure it. Worked great!
Tank looks great!
Next I had to teach myself how to plumb a tank. I thought it would be fairly easy but getting three pipes to all end right next to each other to go into the Trigger Sapphire 39 drains was not as easy as I thought. Took a few iterations but finally got it all plumbed in.
Now that the tank was plumbed it was time to leak test. Had 2 couplers, 2 bulk heads, and 1 junction near the return that was leaking. Was able to just tighten them all up and got it fixed. After that it was time to work on electrical and trying to get it as well run as possible.
I know it looks like a rats nest but it's actually not. All those are wires that are individually coiled and then held together. After electrical it was time to work on my aquascape.
I originally set it up in my garage then started to PaleoBond in chunks then move to the tank and PaleoBond more together. 24 hrs later I added water, prime, red seas coral pro salt, 60lbs live fiji pink and 60lbs carib-sea dry sand fiji pink. I added a LED light strip under the tank for aesthetics and to use as a work light when under the tank. I'll try to get a pic when the water clears up tomorrow. I plan to start the cycle with Tim's Ammonia and Bacteria Starter. I will put the ATO to the left of the tank and got a large wooden laundry hamper to hide it in as I originally was going to get a Sapphire 26 sump which would have left room under the tank for the ATO reservoir.
Innovative Marine 100g ext tank
Trigger Sapphire 39 Sump
Reef Octopus eSsence S-130 Protein Skimmer
Current USA IC Pro 48" x2 lights
Current USA eflux 1900gph DC Pump
Current USA eflux 2100gph wave pump
BRS 600w heater w Inkbird wifi controller
Tunze ATO with 15 gallon IM reservoir
Tunze Eccochic Refugium light
Then I got 2 Kasa Power Strips which have load sensing which I can integrate into my home automation that if a device stops drawing power I can have a notification sent to me.
Saw another thread that said to use some clamps to get the top to sit still so you can secure it. Worked great!
Tank looks great!
Next I had to teach myself how to plumb a tank. I thought it would be fairly easy but getting three pipes to all end right next to each other to go into the Trigger Sapphire 39 drains was not as easy as I thought. Took a few iterations but finally got it all plumbed in.
Now that the tank was plumbed it was time to leak test. Had 2 couplers, 2 bulk heads, and 1 junction near the return that was leaking. Was able to just tighten them all up and got it fixed. After that it was time to work on electrical and trying to get it as well run as possible.
I know it looks like a rats nest but it's actually not. All those are wires that are individually coiled and then held together. After electrical it was time to work on my aquascape.
I originally set it up in my garage then started to PaleoBond in chunks then move to the tank and PaleoBond more together. 24 hrs later I added water, prime, red seas coral pro salt, 60lbs live fiji pink and 60lbs carib-sea dry sand fiji pink. I added a LED light strip under the tank for aesthetics and to use as a work light when under the tank. I'll try to get a pic when the water clears up tomorrow. I plan to start the cycle with Tim's Ammonia and Bacteria Starter. I will put the ATO to the left of the tank and got a large wooden laundry hamper to hide it in as I originally was going to get a Sapphire 26 sump which would have left room under the tank for the ATO reservoir.
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