My first reef - 90 gallon

[kilnakorr]

Hello.

After a few notifications on the forum on 'start your own build thread', I thought "why not?".
Being completely new to saltwater, I might not be able to answer questions, but my thoughts and errors might be useful.

I've had aqauriums on and off for several years, and the last couple of years doing high tech planted tanks, with lots of light, CO2, fertilizers etc. and doing really well (after a year of so failing and learning)
About two month ago, I decided to try out saltwater.
Turning my current planted tank into saltwater, took some time and I spend way to much time calculating and planning my sump. It isn't that difficult to do, but better safe than sorry.

Info:

Tank: 90-ish gl / 360 L (51"x 20" x 22") / (130cm x 50cm x 55cm)
Sump: 42 gl / 160 L
Skimmer: Skimz monster sm163, with 1000 gl/ 4000 l per hour Jeboa pump.
Return: 2000 gl/ 8000 l per hour Jeboa pump.
Flow: 2 x Maxpect Gyre XF250
UV: 25W
Light: Maxpect RX5 200W
Computer: GHL Profilux 3.1ex with doser.

I spend around 2½ months of planning and building/converting, and tank is now cycling on day 7, using Microbacter7.

I originally planned to have my mixing 'bucket' in a closed close by, but when trying it out I found it to be to small for my needs.
I then noticed the network cable I added for my sons gaming needs upstairs, and figured I could do the same with some hoses:

I got water to/from the RO unit and hose from the mixing tank straight to my sump. Easy water changes!
However, this also means that my ATO chamber isn't really needed as I could just run one more line staright to the sump. Oh well.
I also added some simple lamp 'rollies', to raise and lower the lights.

I learned a little to late that changing filter socks is a pain, and a roller filter would be a very nice thing to have.
Sadly I haven't made a very large skimmer section, but added a pretty large skimmer.

Gotta find a smaller skimmer in the future to make room for a Clarisea sk3000 roller filter.
Also, need to find a small pump, as the doser is currently doing my ATO and it is REALLY slow.

I did try to cover most of the wires, but with a large sump and all those dang power adapters, it quickly looks messy.
I added all the controllers to the cabinet door (added with magnets for removal, replacement) and made a cover for the wires. (also held by magnets for easy removal)

The NSA scape is made from dry rocks and plenty of sand/gravel and superglue.

Not much else to say at this point, just waiting for the water to be ready for the first fish and corals.
Planning on plenty of zoas, some euphyllia and few fish.

 

[Zach B]

Looking good!

 

[kilnakorr]

I guess having a build thread means you should update it when you make changes.
Being honest with myself, I know that after a few months filter sock changing would be neglected. So, as many others, I just installed a filter roller (Clarisea SK5000).

I hadn't thought of this when building the sump, so had to find a smaller skimmer, to allow room for the filter roller.

I've replaced the big skimz sm 163, with a skimmate gjost 7205, which I got really cheap.
Not sure if or how much I will pull out, as my water level is a bit low.

For now I just wait for cycle to get going, so I can add my first inhabitants.

 

[ShepherdReefer]

Looks great. following.

 

[kilnakorr]

Got the first two inhabitants last night.
Seems very active today, so guess they feel 'at home'.
Did waterchange last night, and found that my sump holds just a bit more than 100L, when return is off.

 

[kilnakorr]

Well, not really much of a build thread without updates.

10 months since the first drop of water when in.
Learned a lot, most of it from R2R, and some the hard and expensive way.
New equipment several times, skimmers, light etc.
Had a long battle with growing chaeto in the fuge, so currently trying a macro algae reactor.

Only had minor issues, with some white bugs, but got rid of them without much trouble.

Killed a few corals, but most seem to thrive.

Not much else really, so just going to add few pictures.

 

[kilnakorr]

It's Sunday and I'm a bit bored, so a little update.

Time really goes by fast, and I the changes to my tank is neverending.

Last summer I had a malfunctioning auto feeder, dumping the entire content in the tank, while I was away. Cyano hell, dying corals and parameters going left and right.
With a new job and a crappy tank, I was thinking of shutting it down.

I did however, refind the joy of having a reef tank and finally started to getting it back on track.
I also made the decision to focus on torches (expensive, but I do like these corals), so a lot of corals have been replaced.

Keeping things simple, just dosing AFR and a little GFO and GAC, while maintaing equipment.
Things are running pretty smoothly these days, and for now I just enjoy my tank, trying to figure out how and where to add more torches (is a reef-shoe horn a thing?)

Pictures - with lens filter for the 'oh look at the colors' - effect:

 

[Gumbies R Us]

It's Sunday and I'm a bit bored, so a little update.

Time really goes by fast, and I the changes to my tank is neverending.

Last summer I had a malfunctioning auto feeder, dumping the entire content in the tank, while I was away. Cyano hell, dying corals and parameters going left and right.
With a new job and a crappy tank, I was thinking of shutting it down.

I did however, refind the joy of having a reef tank and finally started to getting it back on track.
I also made the decision to focus on torches (expensive, but I do like these corals), so a lot of corals have been replaced.

Keeping things simple, just dosing AFR and a little GFO and GAC, while maintaing equipment.
Things are running pretty smoothly these days, and for now I just enjoy my tank, trying to figure out how and where to add more torches (is a reef-shoe horn a thing?)

Pictures - with lens filter for the 'oh look at the colors' - effect:

Those are some incredible torches in your tank!