My 215g SPS reef build!

[5280Reefer]

Hey all, it has been almost 2 years since I took down my 90g reef and moved out here to Oklahoma for work. I am happy to say that I am now getting back into the hobby. With this build I went bigger for sure I want more room for fish and coral, Though I ordered the tank about 2 weeks ago I still have to wait 6-10 weeks for it to come in. I have ordered a Planet Aquarium mega matrix 72.5x24.5x29.5 with crystal front, black silicone, external overflow, and black background, this beast will also come with their 36" tall stand but no canopy. I am soooo excited to get back into reefing and macro photos of the sps and corals, hope time flies by. I will be making a list of equipment I have ordered for the setup, fish stock list and plans.

 

[Savo]

Sounds awesome, what kind of aquascape are you going to do?

 

[5280Reefer]

Tank, stand , sump

• Planet Aquariums 72.5x24.5x29.5​
• Tideline 48​
• 36" stand from Planet Aquariums​

Lights

• Radion xr30 G5 blue x3, this will just be the start as the tank matures I will add another
• Aquatic life 61" T5 hybrid 2x coral plus ATI 2x True Actinic

Control, Dosing

• Apex full with 2 eb832
• Apex DOS
• Varios CR220 9" DC Calcium Reactor
• Kamoer FX-STP 2 WiFi
• Apex flow monitoring kit for UV
• Reef Fanatic deluxe CO2 Regulator
• Neptune ATK ATO
• American DJ power strip for simple on off

Filtration

• Reef Octo 200INT elite
• Aqua Ultraviolet 40watt classic UV
• Seachem Matrix 5 liters
• 100ish pounds of Marcos rock shelf and foundation
• 2 Filter socks

Flow

• MP40QD x3 will get more as tank matures
• MP60QD x2
• Varios 6 return pump x2

 

[5280Reefer]

Sounds awesome, what kind of aquascape are you going to do?

Just a simple low maybe 3 island type not sure yet, I never plan it out I just got with what i come up with at that time!

 

[5280Reefer]

Fish List

• Purple Tang
• Snowflake Clown fish
• Scarus quoyi
• Scopas Tang
• Blond naso tang
• Male bird wrasse
• Female bird wrasse
• Leopard Wrasse
• Sixline Wrasse
• Yellow Coris Wrasse
• Midas Blenny
• Algae Blenny

 

[5280Reefer]

Got 55 pounds cooking will add 100 more dry, this should help the cycle go by faster.

 

[5280Reefer]

Had 4 gfi outlets installed on a 30amp circuit for preparation of the tank. The two outlets on the right will not be used.

 

[Adrift]

Very nice set up and equipment list! Can’t wait to see more. Following.

 

[5280Reefer]

So as a little update the tank was delayed due to the manufacturer not having glass and the issues at the ports.... The tank will be here the 1st or 2nd week of November, so with that said I decided it was time to start getting in all the parts!

I am going a little different route with my lights as I will no longer be using the rail kit but rather the Aquatic Life T5 hybrid v2 fixture. The fixture will be here next week along with 2 Varios 6 pumps and my Calcium reactor. I have 55 pounds of rock cooking and 100 more that will be here next week also,the 3 bags of sand are in the closet waiting for the tank. It's getting so close to the build time I'm getting the bad case of itch....

 

[5280Reefer]

The sump is in!!

 

[5280Reefer]

This is the plumbing plan for the build let me know if I missed something any and all opinions are welcome!

 

[5280Reefer]

Well more parts in today! Getting soooo close I can't wait!! I will be getting the skimmer but that will be later maybe in a few months when the tank is a little more stable. For now I will be doing 20% WC biweekly as my nutrient control maybe with a little GFO in the reactor once phosphates build up to about .2 . This will be a SPS dominant tank as was my last tank but with more thought behind it and more planning. Once the tank is up and cycling I will make a WC station with 2 100 gallon holding tanks one for fresh and one for saltwater. This time around I want to try and run the tank with no refugium, just water changes, GFO, Skimmer and filter roller.

 

[5280Reefer]

Going to my LFS and loitering around and staring at his frag tanks and displays is the only way I have been able to calm my thirst for a reef! Once the tank is up and running it will satiate my thirst and allow me to think about other things then just corals....

 

[5280Reefer]

Stopped by my LFS to get my FIX, during that loitering session I ended up picking up 3 Hanna checkers the ALK, ULR Phosphate, HR Nitrate and an MP60QD thought that would be good for flow for a long time. I also got 4 of the large Marco foundation rocks and 2 of the medium rocks, I think this will be good for the scape. sheeesh im sooo excited just two weeks left !!!!!!!

 

[5280Reefer]

Now next week I will be getting 2 100 gallon tanks for a mixing station, I want to be able to do my biweekly 40gal WC very easy and if needed always have extra fresh and saltwater on hand!

 

[Jd120988]

This is going to be an awesome setup! Good luck

 

[5280Reefer]

well unfortunate update...... the manufacturer does not have the low iron glass yet so it may be another few weeks before the tank comes in. So that being the case I need something now, so I ordered a JBJ 45 Aio for the time being haha. I will be getting that in by the end of the week, so today I made the scape for it.

 

[5280Reefer]

Once the big tank is up and running I will turn the JBJ into a coral QT or frag tank we shall see what happens. But here is a little brake down of equipment for the JBJ

Tank JBJ 45
Stand JBJ
Light XR15 Blue G5
Flow MP10 QD
Apex classic
Duetto ato
Tunze 9004 skimmer
300watt Finnex heater
Inkbird wifi

 

[5280Reefer]

The JBJ is in and the cycle has started!

 

[5280Reefer]

I will be keeping the light off until the tank cycles, once it does I will turn on the light to 25% intensity with all channels at 100%. I have 500ml of matrix in my lfs tank and it has been there for about 2 months now so that will help with the cycle.