New reefer build thread

Jekyl

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So here it is. The day has finally come where I can begin my build thread. It feels like Christmas and Thanksgiving rolled into 1. I will be doing an in wall display underneath my wall mounted TV in the living room. All equipment will be installed in the closet in the joining room. Tank will be mixed reef system ran with an under gravel filtration system. Here are the photos I have for now. Basically just showing where the tank will end up and the stand that I just finished building for it. Base rock will arrive in the mail tomorrow and i will be posting more after i get my aquascape designed.
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stand still needs to have the plywood added. I have to cut the hole through the wall to know the size I need. Plan is the have the in place 2x4s support the overhang of the plywood so that my display will be flush with the wall.
 

Mastiffsrule

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That looks like an awesome build.

Just be careful with it being under the tv. Doesn’t see like it, but evaporation from the tank could start caking up inside the tv.
 
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Jekyl

Jekyl

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The wall under the TV will be sealed off. I'll be putting trim around the opening and adding silicone on both sides. Probably also going to add an in wall fan to the closet to give additional air circulation
 

Dom

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I see you are using an Aqueon tank. Big fan here; I've never had a problem with them.

Be careful with the 90 gallon! The tank bottom is tempered and will shatter if you try to drill it. I believe you can drill for bulkheads on the back of the tank for installing overflows.

This link lists their tanks and if the bottoms are tempered. No indication if the other panels are tempered.
https://www.aqueon.com/-/media/files/aqueon-na/us/set-up-guides/criticaldimensions-pdf.pdf?la=en
 
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Jekyl

Jekyl

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Not planning any drilling of the tank. For now I will be running without a sump. Tried for weeks to find a used 120 gallon but ended with a new 90 instead. For peace of mind I would rather go with a proven seal than learn the hard way. 120 new was a little more than I wanted to spend
 
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Jekyl

Jekyl

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80lbs of natures ocean base rock arrived today. Not as porous as I'd hoped but for $1.40 per pound I can't complain. Once I get water in the tank I'll be adding another 10 lbs wet rock from 2 different LFS to get some coraline and hitchhikers.
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Had to edit this post. That picture was sent from my wife. On further inspection once I got home this base rock is everything I could have hoped for. Same ones LFS' are selling for 3 to 7 per pound
 
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Jekyl

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No turning back now.
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You might want to consider changing that outlet to a gfci like a bathroom has.
Where did you order the rock from?
 
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Jekyl

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Hit an information wall as to what to do next. Originally planned on just running a regular ugf. Now I'm enamored with the idea of reverse flow. Trying to figure out the plumbing of it is a pain. I'm a research kind of guy and there is very little on the topic. Before anyone mentions I've already been bothering Paul B about it way too much lol. If anyone has experience on how the manifold should be designed I'd appreciate a point in the right direction. That being said everything needed to add water was finished ordering today. Tomorrow will be installing the tank in its place in my wall and designing my aquascape. Should have more pics then. Guessing I'm still a week or 2 from getting things wet though
 
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Jekyl

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Tank finally in the wall. Exhausted lol. Just a test fit for now. Still have to clean everything and add the trim and a barrier so the evaporation isn't between the walls
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Jekyl

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Tank in place. Aquascape and RUGF system in place. Giving it a day for the glue to dry on the rocks and will be putting in the crushed coral tomorrow. Also have to pick up a shelf to hang my lights from
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Jekyl

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Added most of the substrate and threw a light on top just so I could take a peek. Getting closer...
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Jekyl

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Tank is done (for now). Cycle completed, 2 black clowns a small clean up crew and a couple different kinds of macroalgae. Still a few odds and ends to wrap up. Put the TV cords in the wall and get a new shelf for in front of it. Clean up the absolute mess of cords behind my tank.
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Also installed my inkbird heater controller today for some additional peace of mind.
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Rjukan

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Nice work @Jekyl

How's things been going since April? I had a in wall setup similar to yours in that there was no access from the front, turned out to be a real pain to work on. But at least your tank is a manageable depth and the stand isn't high off the ground. The stand looks great btw.

Did you end up adding a background? I really like how you did the aquascape. Any recent pics?
 
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Jekyl

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Things are great. Upgraded lighting to 2 kessil a360we. Added a reef octo 100 HOB protein skimmer. I'm up to 6 or 7 fish depending on if my tiger pistol killed my watchman goby or just holding it hostage. Probably around 20+ different softie and lps coral. Only 1 livestock loss so far which was 1 of the 3 yellow tail damsels. However I'm pretty sure it was fighting between them. I'll get some pics on here soon. Getting ready to leave for Salmon fishing. Tank is very stable though. I do maybe a 15% water change a month. Mostly out of boredom. Next month I think I'm adding a HOB overflow and trigger systems sump. Winter project is turning this 90 gallon into a basement sump and putting a 120g in its place.
 

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Nice! That's good to hear!

That's some awesome progress for only 6 months, can't wait to see pics. You can shoehorn a 120 into that spot?? How has maintenance been from behind the tank? I actually went back to a Kessil A360 after switching to T5 for 8 months or so. Glad I did, it's such a beautiful light.

Enjoy the fishing trip, are you able to harvest fresh roe (caviar) while out there? Man that would be amazing, I've been meaning to go to the Russian supermarket near me and hit their caviar bar for some Peter Pan lol.
 
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Jekyl

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120 will only be deeper than the 90. I built that stand to accommodate it already.
 

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Tank is done (for now). Cycle completed, 2 black clowns a small clean up crew and a couple different kinds of macroalgae. Still a few odds and ends to wrap up. Put the TV cords in the wall and get a new shelf for in front of it. Clean up the absolute mess of cords behind my tank.
20190421_130706.jpg
Also installed my inkbird heater controller today for some additional peace of mind.
20190421_130142.jpg


Nice!
That's pretty slick :)
 
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Jekyl

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