ReeferRoo's Custom 125 (My First Tank)

[ReeferRoo]

Finally did my intro and now starting my build thread. This project will take a while. Not expecting to get water in the tank until January so please be patient. I will post photos of things as the project progresses.

As stated in my intro when i get into a hobby I go all in. This one will be no different. Going for a 125G Mixed Reef that will be enclosed with in wall cabinetry and also accessible from the back from a temp and humidity controlled crawl space area.

First...every tank needs a home, this is it...

Freshly gutted, still have to pull the nails in the room and well everything else, electrical, rock, plumbing, you name it it needs to be done, and i am doing most of it myself.

Second...every home reef needs a Tank. My reef will be housed in a Custom Built 125g, 42" L x 30" D x 24" T, Precision Series Tank made by Coast To Coast Aquariums. Back and Right Panels painted black, with back right corner overflow and returns. Front and left Panels are low iron glass for better viewing. Full glass canopy.

Tank Production Photos -

Tank Completion Photos (Still at Coast to Coast) -

Third...Everything i have so far...
1 Ecotech Radian XR30Pro
1 Ecotech Vectra M1 Pump
2 Hydor Koralia 3G Powerhead (won at Reefapalooza, ny)
1 Hydor Smartwave Maker Kit (won at Reefapalooza, ny)
1 Spectrapure 180 gpd RODI with Automatic Flush and float switch.
2 Snyder 100 Gallon Water Tanks for RO water and Mix.
1 Reef Octopus 150int SSS, used, more than good enough to get me started.
Proclear Aquatics RS-300 sump (won at Reefapalooza, NY)
1 Apex DOS
A couple of stand alone apex modules and sensors picked up on sale or used.

What i need...
Sand
Salt
Rock (having a tough time deciding between live rock or dry rock (marco rocks is where i am leaning)), will need to make this decision soon especially if i go with dry rock since curing can take a long time if theres a lot of phosphate leeching.
More DOS and canisters. Plan to use for Dosing and water change.
ATO system
New Apex System (will be hardwired and it seems like the kinks are getting worked out)
1 Ecotech Radian XR30Pro (although i am excited to see the new G4's)
1 Carbon / GFO Reactor
1 external circulation pump for mixing station.
Digital Refractometer and Test Kits
5 heaters, looking at finnex titanium heaters, 1 for RO mix, 1 for SW mix, 3 for DT (2 to cover and 1 backup)
Materials to setup a permanent QT

What I want...
Either Ecotech MP40's or the Apex WAV.
Sump with Refugium, thinking custom to get maximum water volume under the tank.
Instead of buying a midgrade circulation pump for the mixing station i am thinking of buying a red dragon 80w for the DT and using the vectra for the mixing.
Ecotech Battery Backups.
Apex modules to compliment.

As setting up the tank is a while away my first focus is the room. After i remove all of the old sheet rock nails I need to do the following jist to to set the tanks steel stand and tank...

1. Remove existing Electrical (self perform)
2. Move some ductwork, not in photo.(contractor is coming Tuesday)
3. Add new circuits, adding 3, 20 Amp circuits with WR and TR outlets which will allow for significant expansion in the future. Run new electrical for the rest of the room and recessed lighting off existing circuits.
4. Insulate room
5. Set sheet rock the entire room, use mold resistant around tank and set access panels for access behind the tank from crawl space.
6. Tape, Mud, Sand, and prime the room.
7. Bring in the frame/stand and tank.
8. Then finish work...details later.

Any questions, comments or advice is welcome!

 

[bknapp]

I used some Marco rocks and liked it, I really like a mixture of Real Reef Tonga and shelf rock, it makes some killer scapes.

 

[CastAway]

Coast-to-Coast fanboy here!!!

They rock!

 

[revhtree]

Following!

 

[Matze]

Subscribed !
That is going to be awesome

 

[Arkayology]

This looks like an awesome build! Following.

 

[ReeferRoo]

Hopefully...a lot of work to get there.

Contractor was in today to replace the ductwork in the room and give us more headroom. I also got all of the nails, screws and staples out of all of the studs and started to remove old electrical.

I have to do some framing in an area not in the photo. I will be very lucky to get the electrical done this weekend, lots of old intertwining circuits and nearly the whole house passes through this space one way or another.

 

[ReeferRoo]

For haha's i ordered a Vertex Cerebra today...planning on going apex but it seems like the beta users have had success so...figured why not, BRS and premium aquatics are still offering the intro price on the final hardware from open beta..figured i could at least play with it.

 

[ReeferRoo]

Another Purchase...

Bought a GHL Doser 2, 4 pump unit using the 15% off coupon that is being offered

 

[ReeferRoo]

Here

https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/Our-way-of-saying-thank-you:-GHL-Doser-2-Offer.261098/

 

[ReeferRoo]

Vinny was very helpful working through the details with me as i want to use the system as a stand along ATO/AWC.

 

[ReeferRoo]

Big Day Today...picked up the tank and stand from Coast 2 Coast Aquariums!

Loaded...

 

[ReeferRoo]

Working on building out the corner for the stand. Ran into some existing electrical issues. Working on the rewiring. I did set an energize the tank outlets so thats a plus. Trying to complete the electrical for the rest of the room by the end of the weekend. Then i will go back to working on the tank area.

Also pulled the trigger on a Trigger 39 Sapphire Sump today. Marine Depot 10% off labor day sale!!!
Also ordered Ecotech 40.5" RMS Track and the RMS hanging kit so i can tinker with how i want to set the lights as the overhead area is stairs and will need to do some form of framing.

 

[ReeferRoo]

Electrical is almost done, Received the sump and light mounting hardware. This weekend I plan on completing electrical and finish framing out for the tank canopy, if i am lucky i will also get the mold defense rock up in the tank corner. Will add some before and after photos when complete. Photo attached is the room overall tank stand is in bottom right corner.

 

[ReeferRoo]

Update time...overall in the room i have buttoned electrical and a few data chases. But the tank corner has come a very long way. Structural and trim framing is done, need to install some minor framing for some back and side access panels so i can set and move power heads and have access for maintenance.

If all goes well the room will be rocked and painted with the tank set by the weekend of the 15th!

 

[ReeferRoo]

Some closer pics of the fit

Front alignment -

Right side fit when stand is leveled -

Left hand side alignment -

And back -

 

[ReeferRoo]

So i am not sure of anyone is even watching this but here is a big update.

Set the tank this weekend!!! Photos below...

Overall very exciting weekend. Now we are picking out tile and some other things and will start to close everything else up. Probably a month or so away from water but will leak test between now and then.

 

[revhtree]

Nice job!

 

[ReeferRoo]

Big Buys between yesterday and today...

2 ea - G4 Pros
Apex System with Wave Package
Additional New Style EB8
Finnex TH Deluxe Heaters
Ecotech Battery Backups, 2 ea.

 

[ReeferRoo]

Received a while bunch of stuff past couple of days...lots of equipment but some of the best things were the pukani, tonga shelf (which looks like it may be too big for my build, and sand!!!

x 2

x 2

Pukani photos this weekend when i lay everything out on the floor in the garage.

I will also get a full list of equipment together and a group photo...as i pretty much have everything i wanted to start the build now.

This weekend i will probably try to leak test the tank and double check level. I really want to also grout the stand in place with some non shrink grout once level is confirmed.