My official 150 gal Build Thread

[Steve Jewell]

Hello everyone. New to saltwater and reefing. Have been freshwater since I was 8 and always have wanted to have a saltwater aquarium. Purchased a 75 gal undrilled from Petsmart for Christmas, then found a 90gal drilled so took the 75 back. After getting the 90 home and cleaning it up, realized the glass wasn't flush. Appeared resealed and not done very well.

I don't want an aquarium fail and I found the 150 so, bigger is better, RIGHT?? LOL
48" X 24" by 30"
It has dual overflows with dursos in both. I have remove the dursos (had to saw them from the inside as the previous owner dumped flex seal down both overflows for a small leak) UGGGGGG
Am now running herbie overflows on both.

I have decided to not only list step by step my build, but also post links to what I purchased and the cost in case someone browses and decides this is too good of a deal to pass up!! Or to razz me for paying way too much!!

I purchased the 150 gallon with dual overflows for $600. It also came with:
Coralife 150g Skimmer
Eshopps R200 sump
Coralife Turbo Twist UV filter
3 different pumps, 3 different heaters

All in all I think I got a great deal for this!!

My purchased items:
Finnex Titanium 500w heater$43.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0199W7368/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dual CoralBox QP-9's $89.99 each
https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/coralbox-qp-9/

Jecod DCT-8000 $83.86
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jecod-Jeba...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Current Orbit Marine 48" LED $120.86
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GFTSV24/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Jebao DC4 auto dosing pump $65.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014KKCILE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Coral Box A100 ATO $69.99
https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/coral-box-a100-ato/

RO/ Dual DI unit $240 altogether 5 stage under sink with faucet, 2 years of filters with separate dual DI unit and TDS monitor
https://www.ebay.com/itm/142676621889?ViewItem=&item=142676621889&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073DHYWTF/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

120# Base Rock $48.28 for 40#
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002DI7F0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

120# Nature's Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite Saltwater Aquarium Sand, Natural White #1
$38 for 40#
https://www.chewy.com/natures-ocean-bio-activ-live/dp/162733
Use $15 off for new customer coupon to make it $33 for 40#

Plus plumbing supplies:
Received my bulkheads from BRS 3/4" for $5.99 each
Ordered my 1" spears gate valves from PVC Fittings Online $29.05
https://www.pvcfittingsonline.com/1-pvc-socket-gate-valve-spears-2022-010.html

3/4" True union ball valves $8.67
https://www.pvcfittingsonline.com/3-4-flui-pro-pvc-true-union-ball-valve-fp-pro-tubv-st-007.html

 

[dbl]

Looking good. Signing up to follow along.

 

[Steve Jewell]

Checked all my parameters:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
KH: 11
PH: 8.0
Phosphates: 0

Starting the cycle. Dosing Ammonia Day 1 LETS GOOOO!!

 

[AquaART]

Following along! Love to see new people entering the hobby...

 

[Steve Jewell]

Woohoo. Signs of life. Diatoms.

 

[Steve Jewell]

Cycle complete.

 

[Steve Jewell]

I purchased two 40 gal Ace Roto Mold Vertical Dome tanks for my mixing station. $153.94 with Free shipping from Rural King.

https://www.ruralking.com/ace-roto-mold-40-gallon-vertical-dome-top-tank-vt0040-18

 

[ReefWithCare]

I purchased two 40 gal Ace Roto Mold Vertical Dome tanks for my mixing station. $153.94 with Free shipping from Rural King.

https://www.ruralking.com/ace-roto-mold-40-gallon-vertical-dome-top-tank-vt0040-18

How did you order this? They keep saying it’s out of stock

 

[Steve Jewell]

I ordered it. Haven’t received. Been 4 weeks. We will see. Lol.

 

[Steve Jewell]

I have coralline seeding on my rocks and the skimmer is finely tuned. When I get back from Jamaica it’s time to add livestock.

 

[Steve Jewell]

How did you order this? They keep saying it’s out of stock

Received both and love them!!

 

[dbl]

Well, let's see a picture of your new mixing station.

 

[Steve Jewell]

Love the pump. Runs cool and as quiet as a pump can be!

 

[Steve Jewell]

QT area set up. Clownfish treated with General cure x 2. Now using tank transfer method for 21 days. Clown is happy healthy and eating well.

 

[Lilmatty5dimes]

Awesome build love those mixing station containers. Following along.

 

[Steve Jewell]

Haven't updated in a while so here I go. First, I went to my LFS X 2. Both stated QT is a death trap and I tend to agree. So, I have started stocking without QT paying close attention to the stores before purchasing. I know I'm taking a huge risk but the first fish I purchased I lost 2 of 3 and the third looked like he was swirling the drain before I QT'd him. He made it through the 30 days but after reading all the conflicting information here and all over the net, I've decided my initial stocking is going to be non QT...then when established, I will QT everything!!
So far so good!!
Current Tank inhabitants: 5 peppermint shrimp, 1 Fire Shrimp, 5 Emerald Crabs (Lost 4 of 9 , tested params..all is good), a bunch of hermits and snails , 2 clowns, 1 Scooter Blenny, 1 Mandaran Dragonet, 1 Damsel (Had 2, not sure where 1 is), 1 Flame Angel, 1 Coral Beauty Angel, 1 Sailfin Tang.7

Params: SG 1.025 T: 77.6-78.4 PH 8.2, Ammonia 0, Nitrate 0, Ca++ 430 Mg 1600 KH 8.1

 

[Steve Jewell]

Here are a few photos. Just did a 25 gal water change in 10 minutes

 

[dbl]

Here are a few photos. Just did a 25 gal water change in 10 minutes

Looking good.

 

[Steve Jewell]

Thought I’d update. I upgraded my lights for the famous mars aqua black box lights. I purchased 2 and decided that a third was necessary so it’s on the way. I also created a support for the lights with 1” square tubing and connectors. It works amazing and I can easily adjust the height with chains and can slide the lights exactly where I need them.
I added a diamond goby to my tank and he has created havoc. Just now starting to settle down.

I also added a red knobby starfish. My favorite star by far!!

 

[Steve Jewell]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MarsAqua-D...-Spectrum-Reef-Marine-Coral-Lamp/251495773757

https://www.zoro.com/faztek-framing...edCart_Triggered_SHQ_01hr_1&smtrctid=49573301