Reef tank upgrade after 25 years. 75g to 120g for now..

Orion9 · Aug 4, 2023

In 1997, on my 25th birthday, I scheduled a week of vacation to automate my reef tank using a PLC, float switches, medical dosers, and a temp controller. This provided ATO, wave maker, lighting schedules, water level monitoring, ALK/CAL dose scheduling, and controls for abnormal conditions.

Last year I was forced to move the aquarium for wood floor refinishing, which provided an opportunity to upgrade and relocate.

I found the ProClear 150 suitable for my needs, and in my price range. I budgeted $2-3k for the upgrade, reusing as much equipment as I could from the old tank.

Tank arrived safely.

Got it moved into my office with help from a few friends, Added 2 Kessil A360x lights and Various 6 pump.

Found Reef Saver rock on craigslist and added sound proofing inside the stand.

After watching a few BRS videos I built these structures from the same rock using superglue and plumbers putty.

A few days prior to my 50th birthday, the move was complete. This was taken in September 2022.

The PLC controller was replaced with an Apex system.

It grew a few times.

I began adding some new corals and fish.

Learned a valuable lesson in QT protocols after dealing with a parasite trifecta of ich, prazi resistant flukes, and intestinal parasites.

After a 6 month follow period, the fish were returned to their new home in July 2023.

I plan to add more information and pictures of the water mixing station later today.
Thanks for reading!

blaxsun · Aug 4, 2023

Wow - quite the upgrade! Are those acoustic tiles? If so, smart idea (something I should've done!)

Orion9 · Aug 4, 2023

Thanks for the compliment! I installed acoustic tiles inside the stand since its right next to my desk. I was concerned about the noise level but its much quieter than I expected.

Orion9 · Aug 4, 2023

I setup two 35 gallon water storage tanks,

The first stores RO water after it is extracted from our well, and allows it do degas / remove CO2. It has an air stone, float switch, water control solenoid, and diaphragm pump connected to Apex. Its programmed to automatically maintain its water level, supply a mixing station, and refill ATO storage tank. This water is pushed through DI resin to its destination storage tanks after being degassed.

The second is a mixing station that includes a float switch, heater, small mixing pump, large pump going through an air vent, with a barbed fitting on the other end so water can be pumped quickly upstairs when needed. Water changes are normally completed using one of the DOS units.