Been meaning to do this since joining. Here's my build thread for my reef tank that sits at 10,200 feet high in the Rocky Mountains in Leadville, Colorado. My tank is actually about 12 months old and it sit's in my home office looking out at Mount Elbert (left in the picture) and Mount Massive (right) the two highest peaks in all of the Rockies. I wanted to consolidate my pictures and document my reef tank. Prior to this tank I had always had fresh water tanks.
Living at 10,200 feet has some definite advantages such as the water, while not completely pure, I do not have many of the challenges that a lot of folks have with metals, chemicals and such in our water. Our water is from a well 500 feet beneath us. I do use an RODI system; however, just in case something were ever to be introduced.
Another advantage (or maybe disadvantage to some) is that our average summer high temperature here in Leadville is around 71F. That does mean my heaters do run; however we have sunshine on average 310 days a year (one of the best kept secrets of Colorado) so the solar warming for the house keeps it relatively consistent. I spend about ~$7 on average/month on electricity for my heaters with an overall monthly spend on power at around $12/month.
I welcome any suggestions, comments, thoughts on my build. Thanks for checking it out!
Here are the stats for my tank:
175 Gallon total volume - 135 gallon tank (72.5x18x24) and 40 gallon custom Trigger Systems Sump w/Refugium
Controller: Neptune Apex with Neptune ATK
Dosing: BRS Dosers, Ca and Alk
RODI: Kent Marine 4-stage
Skimmer: Reef Octopus 150int
Return Pump: Reef Octopus Various S-8 (2700gph)
Sand: DSB 5-6" on average
Rock: BRS Pukani ~140lbs (between tank and sump)
Lights: Sbreeflights sBox Extreme 32 (x2)
Salt: HW Marine
Overflow: H2overflow (tank was not reef ready, I drilled the tank, replaced the bottom glass with 1/2" tempered glass. H2overflow and return can be seen in the pics)
Powerhead: 2x XF250 Gyre's
Heaters: 2x 500W Finnex TH Deluxe Titanium with Plastic Guard
Living at 10,200 feet has some definite advantages such as the water, while not completely pure, I do not have many of the challenges that a lot of folks have with metals, chemicals and such in our water. Our water is from a well 500 feet beneath us. I do use an RODI system; however, just in case something were ever to be introduced.
Another advantage (or maybe disadvantage to some) is that our average summer high temperature here in Leadville is around 71F. That does mean my heaters do run; however we have sunshine on average 310 days a year (one of the best kept secrets of Colorado) so the solar warming for the house keeps it relatively consistent. I spend about ~$7 on average/month on electricity for my heaters with an overall monthly spend on power at around $12/month.
I welcome any suggestions, comments, thoughts on my build. Thanks for checking it out!
Here are the stats for my tank:
175 Gallon total volume - 135 gallon tank (72.5x18x24) and 40 gallon custom Trigger Systems Sump w/Refugium
Controller: Neptune Apex with Neptune ATK
Dosing: BRS Dosers, Ca and Alk
RODI: Kent Marine 4-stage
Skimmer: Reef Octopus 150int
Return Pump: Reef Octopus Various S-8 (2700gph)
Sand: DSB 5-6" on average
Rock: BRS Pukani ~140lbs (between tank and sump)
Lights: Sbreeflights sBox Extreme 32 (x2)
Salt: HW Marine
Overflow: H2overflow (tank was not reef ready, I drilled the tank, replaced the bottom glass with 1/2" tempered glass. H2overflow and return can be seen in the pics)
Powerhead: 2x XF250 Gyre's
Heaters: 2x 500W Finnex TH Deluxe Titanium with Plastic Guard
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Think I am done for now on fish, I might add a blenny at some point.
