My High Energy Rainbow Garden - Niji No Niwa

[naterealbig]

Got wall painted. This was the color I wanted to show behind the tank, and ended up painting the entire wall - it adds some much needed color to the apt [emoji4]

Got lights mounted, and began installing panduit....

Had the brothers over to help the heavy lifting. Got the sump and display in place. Going to finish cleaning up the light wiring and plan out the electronics cabinet. After that, I'll install the remaining panduit and mount the Apex, peristaltic pump, etc.... Here it is now:

 

[Jacked Reefer]

This is spectacular, following. sorry if I missed but what’s the volume of the system?

 

[naterealbig]

This is spectacular, following. sorry if I missed but what’s the volume of the system?

Hi Kayden !. Thank you for such a nice compliment!. The display is 180 gallons, and the sump is 100 gallons. Total 280 gallons.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Stay tuned - a lot of really cool stuff to come!

 

[ikolbaba06]

Following. I love your attention to detail. Something I lack quite a bit! I also really like the dimensions on the tank looks awesome so far.

 

[naterealbig]

Following. I love your attention to detail. Something I lack quite a bit! I also really like the dimensions on the tank looks awesome so far.

Hi @ikolbaba06 - Merry Christmas and welcome to the show!. I've had a lot of time to plan!. I started curing the rock in July LOL .

Also this system has a lot of neat features such as external plumbing that is integrated into the stand that required a level of planning that I don't usually do for a perfect finished product.

Finally, one of my lessons learned from my last 7-8 systems is that a full QT for ALL life coming into the system is non negotiable. This waiting period is nice, as it helps with taking my time.

Enjoy, and if you have any questions let me know!

 

[Ponraj A]

Interesting and Following !!!!

 

[GlassMunky]

Thank you!. Yes, everything that goes in this tank will be 100% quarantined, from corals to sand. If I could QT the water I would . I've had too many tanks with too many problems to not take the time to do it... This round will be headache free.

Fish get a 30 day copper, Prazi, and medicated food treatment. Anything without a backbone gets a minimum 76 day quarantine, with medication if necessary, and a rigorous inspection with a microscope. [emoji40]

Mind if i ask what brand and model microscope you're going to go with? Ive been looking into getting one myself for similar reasons, but haven't found one that i like. Ive tried the old school science lab ones that just have a backlight and a slide, but i didn't like blinding myself to get a mediocre view.

 

[naterealbig]

Interesting and Following !!!!

Hi @Ponraj A, thanks for stopping in! I'll post more pics as I make progress...

 

[naterealbig]

Mind if i ask what brand and model microscope you're going to go with? Ive been looking into getting one myself for similar reasons, but haven't found one that i like. Ive tried the old school science lab ones that just have a backlight and a slide, but i didn't like blinding myself to get a mediocre view.

Hey @GlassMunky!. Great question - and my thoughts are similar to yours. I'm looking at a couple models that have LED lighting built in, and will connect to a monitor for easy viewing.

Here is the one I'm looking at right now - although I need to do some research to see if it can be connected to a monitor for real-time viewing. It seems to be on the lower price point for a more professional model. The monitor feature will be a must for me. Do you have any thoughts or recommendations?

The price point might seem a little high, but I imagine most people spend this on fish and coral within a couple months. Long term sustainability is imperative for me, and anyone that has dealt with the pain and heartbreak of flatworms or nudibrachs in a mature system would understand the money can be worth tens of thousands down the road.

 

[naterealbig]

Just got the electrical recess layout complete... Time for some electrical equipment installation.

 

[naterealbig]

Ok back up..... I got started on some cutting and realized I was missing some components. Ran back through all of the equipment, and which would be powered by the Apex, and which would come off the switchable (simple on/off power strip).

Added the necessary components and added panduit to the right side of the recess. This will conceal the hole I'm making at the top of the stand to run the iPad, powerhead, and lighting wires through. Whew, glad I caught it!. Here's the new layout:

 

[naterealbig]

Drilling holes for cable routing....

 

[naterealbig]

Man, being OCD is hard work!! [emoji851]

 

[naterealbig]

More goodies in the mail!

 

[naterealbig]

Couldn't find a mount for the Kamoer peristaltic pump, so improvised....

Holes for mounting screws....

New hole for power supply connector....

Some sound-proofing and done....

 

[naterealbig]

Update on electrical panel - here it is all buttoned up, with all equipment routed...

 

[naterealbig]

Wanted to get the plumbing started, but a couple setbacks.....

1. Realized the piping mounts I bought do not sit flush against the mounting surface if a schedule 80 union is attached to it. Sourced the spacers (of course the supplier who I bought the unions, pipe, and mounts from don't carry the spacers) but they are like two bucks a piece, and the supplier could not guarantee a transit time and did not keep them in stock. With some slight redesigning off the plumbing I will make it work without the spacers.

2. Realized I did not have in 2 x male adapters that I need for the drain bulkheads.

3. Realized I did not buy a 1 1/4" bulkhead for the return piping.

So, basically can't start on any plumbing projects until I get this stuff in.... I need everything for a dry fit.

Oh well, next project......

 

[naterealbig]

The CO2 tank for my calcium reactor will be on display, so I need to make it pretty....

Here is the tank mount I'm going to use. It's for Nitrous Oxide, but it fits and it looks super cool.

Disassembled, washed, sanded.

Not perfect, but I can see the "writing" now...

Off to paint the tank handle.....

 

[naterealbig]

Was going for gangster-level on the CO2 install.... Let me know my score [emoji41]

 

[naterealbig]

Apex interface mounted and installed.