Pgr11's 265 upgrade

[pgr11]

Well thought since I just joined you I would start a build thread on my new tank. As I stated in my welcome thread we went from a 40 to 60 to 120 to our new lovely 265. When we decided we wanted to go big we wanted to go as big as our space would allow. After measuring and walking the area we decided on a 84x30wx24t tank. We didn't want a taller tank so that Maint wouldn't be too bad. The job of building the tank and sump went to John from Advanced Acrylic. Thanks goes also to Jason from tropical reef fish store for helping and arranging all of this for me. He has been a huge huge help in all our success. Back to the tank. Once the size was decided on to the overflow. An external overflow was what we went with giving us max space in the tank with no obstruction. Also 4 return holes and 3 drain holes would be drilled. 3/4 acrylic used all around and the 2 of the largest opening.gs possible on top. A custom 3 chamber sump was made for the tank as well. Here are some pics of it the day we got it. Johns work was awesome and I could not have asked for anything better

http://img.tapatalk.com/aefe5082-9226-aa5f.jpg[/

IMG][IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/aefe5082-9235-136a.jpg

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[pgr11]

Now what to do about lighting. We didn't want MH and t5 would cost a ton in replacement bulbs for a tank this size so leds was for us. We got AI Sol blue. The initial cost is alot but well worth it I believe in the long run. Now what will hold this monster. A member from another forum builds stands a.d we worked out a price and design that would include a light rack for the AI'S. They would need to swing out of the way for Maint on the tank.once we got it home we placed it in her rightful position with plywood and foam under the tank and sump. Then also place ed foam under the stand to take up any high spots in the tile. She is dead level. HERE she is.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[pgr11]

Now what to skim with. I have seen the new cadlight skillets in action and love how well they work and how quiet they are so we got the biggest one haha. The return needed to be quiet as well and be able to handle the tank and anything extra like reactors so or ats things that might come along later. Reflo super dart gold was the way to go. I love this pump.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[pgr11]

Now that things were in place it was time to plumb the tank. I wanted to have lots of control and ease of use. So ball valves were added and unions used to isolate all equipment and remove for Maint and left three open slots to run future equipment. Four lines running the return lines off the manifold and one running the dual reactor with the open ones available. As stared before a bean animal overflow design was used and I will tell you it dead quiet. Love it. Mounted the lights also.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[pgr11]

So since it was all plumbed and in place added the sand and filled here up. Boy we're things cloudy. But it cleared up quickly. We added the rock and some rock from the established tank and waited. The aquascape would wait until we were ready to add more rock from the established tank.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[Russellaqua]

Very nice clean looking setup! Did you do the plumbing yourself? It looks like a great job.

 

[pgr11]

So after testing and testing the tank cycled and it was on to the scape. This is what we went with and we really like it. Now before we transfred our livestock we wanted to make sure the tank was indeed ready so we got a few chromis and waited. All was well so the transfer began. All the fish and coral settled In the tank quickly and loved the new diggs. Tested again after the transfer and no change parameters were and are great.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[BarbH]

Looking good

 

[pgr11]

Now my kids were getting jealous so here are some pics of them

Bailey

Rocco

So the tank is doing super good and I decided to add a couple fish. So what to add well I added a purple tang and a sohal tang. These fish are in amazing condition and were immediately eating o.ce they went into the tank. Now my red sea salifin was not too happy with the new additions but I fed them heavy and shut the lights of for a day. They are all now best buds. The blue purple sohal and salifin all vet along great. All.g with all the other fish. Well that's it for now. The apex is on the tank and im running all the wires nice and clean so I don't ha e a rats nest lime before. Pics of all that later. Lmk what you all think. We have worked real hard making this our dream tank and boy is it.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[revhtree]

Fantastic build! Nice!

 

[pgr11]

Very nice clean looking setup! Did you do the plumbing yourself? It looks like a great job.

Thanks. Yes all the plumbing was done by me. I must have changed the design 10 times in my head before I put it together. It was fun

Looking good

Thank you we try

Fantastic build! Nice!

Thanks for the kind words. We have worked hard on it

 

[uall8up]

great build, very pretty!!!

 

[Thatgrimguy]

Outstanding! Great fish selection! I'm a tang junky too! Looks very well planned out, the lighting mount system was very creative! I love see people get the chance to go big!

 

[pgr11]

Outstanding! Great fish selection! I'm a tang junky too! Looks very well planned out, the lighting mount system was very creative! I love see people get the chance to go big!

Thank you very much. The light set up is a great feature. Something I failed to mention as well as swinging side to side I can also have 1" rings that allow me to raise or lower the lights as needed. It makes getting in the tank so much easier. We do love the tangs.

 

[pgr11]

Today I got the Dual reactor hooked up. Added my Gfo and carbon and let her rip. I'm in the process of now cleaning up all the wires under the stand. It's looking so much better with the wires oranized. I'm going to get one more mp 40 and am thinking about a marine magic doser, but the pocket book needs to recover a bit. no pics today but when I get all the wires all clean I will post more up

 

[Mike&Terry]

Very nice, clean setup. Those are some cute "kids" you've got there and congrats on the upgrade! :bigsmile:

M&T

 

[pgr11]

Very nice, clean setup. Those are some cute "kids" you've got there and congrats on the upgrade! :bigsmile:

M&T

HAHAHA They are spoiled rotten as well. Thanks for the kind words on the tank. I like your setup as well. As you know a larger tank comes with its own special issues so we have tried to see in the future and make addressing things as easy as possible

 

[Alkamist]

nice upgrade, those sols are awesome!! i love AI

 

[pgr11]

Yeah I love the AI'S. I like watching it storm at night. cool feature. does nothing for the tank, just looks cool

 

[pgr11]

Got the cover for the stand on today. Its just an outdoor type of material. Its cloth on the outside but with a waterproof backing on the inside. Looks pretty good a.d allows me to just lift it up in any spot to access anything under the tank. Things are coming alone nicely.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2


Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2