Righteous’s dream 100g SPS build

[Righteous]

FTS 7/9/21

FTS 11/14/21

FTS 08/06/22

Hi everyone. It’s been awhile since I’ve been posting on R2R after a move across country. I had to tear down my nano and I have been itching for a new reef tank since. I decided this time I would get exactly the tank I wanted... so here’s my new dream tank. With the nano I had a few SPS, but had focused on LPS mostly... however I’ve got the colorful fuzzy stick bug and am going to do a predominately SPS focused build this time around.

I ordered a 100G easy reef advanced from Crystal Dynamics at the end of May, and it finally arrived just last week. Crystal Dynamics has been great to work with, and Zoya has been super responsive the whole time. The build took a while, but they travelled to MACNA in between, and I know they reconfigured the electrical door because they weren’t happy with it. The end result is a tank and stand that’s gorgeous and also really well built.

Here’s the tank, sump, stand as they arrived. The driver brought the crates into my garage easily.

Everything was also well packed and nothing broke in transit.

Took me quite a while to unpack everything. Luckily my wife is a tough cookie and helped me carry the stand and tank in, and I didn’t have to wrangle up any friends to help.

 

[Righteous]

So here’s the list of equipment

Synergy TS-34 sump
Modular marine 1800 overflow
2x Radion XR30w G4 pros
2x Vortech MP40s
Vectra L1 return pump
Nyos Quntum 160 skimmer
Apex
2x DOS and DDR
Apex leak detection kit
Kessil h380 refugium light
Tunze osmolator

I ordered a bunch of stuff thru Crystal Dynmics and the rest thru BRS. Here was a fun mail day... (I like the R2R on the boxes from BRS!)

And here’s the tank and sump setup and plumbing all connected

Crystal dynamics did a great job with the plumbing. Schedule 80 fittings, and threaded unions in all the right spots. Made assembly very quick.

 

[Righteous]

The only tricky part in setup was the Modular Marine overflow. It’s a super well built overflow, but the drain outlets are all centered on the outside box pretty close together. On top of that, the thread for the bulkheads stuck way out into the box. So pretty much the only way to plumb a beananimal was to have the emergency pipe in the middle and then cut off the extra bulkhead threads where the siphon and open siphon would be. Luckily they were pretty easy to cut with a hand saw.

Crystal dynamics put a gate valve on the left drain for the full siphon, and put a ball valve on the center pipe... I’m guessing assuming that would be the open siphon. Luckily the open siphon doesn’t really need the ball valve, but it does mean with the synergy sump, the open siphon is going into the skimmer area.

Here’s the bean animal plumbed in the modular marine. Im running the L1 vectra at 75% and the system is just about silent.

More to come soon....

 

[Righteous]

So here’s my electrical compartment at the moment. I’m considering getting some cable channels. With the two DOS it’s a little tight in there. Anyone have experience with the cable channels? My only concern is they make maintenance, swapping out equipment, etc more difficult.

 

[Miles Williams]

Beautiful! About to order the same sump but in fushion green.

 

[Righteous]

Removed double post

 

[Righteous]

I was torn between the fusion green and this color... almost went fusion green.

The build quality is exceptional. Very happy with it so far.

 

[Righteous]

So here’s my Kessil refugium light mounted. This almost ended in disaster...

Two days ago I started to test out mounting locations for the Kessil. I had it mounted in what I thought was a secure spot, but as I went to put the cover on the fuge section, I hit the gooseneck and... plunge... right into the sump while it was powered on. Luckily the Kessil’s got a plug close to the light itself, so I quickly pulled it, but it was in the water for a good 2 seconds while still powered.

My immediate reaction was I had just destroyed my new light, but I hoped there might be a chance it would survive. I shook as much water out and left it to dry. I also started researching because I figured I wasn’t the first person who’s Kessil took a dive. Apparently people have opened them up to discover the electronics are fully coated inside, and so they’re fairly water proof. That knowledge gave me even greater hope it would be okay.

Well it turns out Kessil makes a pretty hardy light. Plugged it in this morning and it turned on like a champ, none the worse for wear. Phew! Thanks Kessil for making a great light!

 

[Righteous]

Here’s the tank with the radions on. I’m still undecided if I want to add pulls to the cabinets or stay with the clean look

 

[Scubafrog]

Looks Great!

 

[Righteous]

@Scubafrog Thanks! I’m really itching to get some rocks in it now.

 

[Jason Jordan]

Nice

 

[Righteous]

Literally just ordered “the package” from TBS!

 

[jdpeters]

Here’s the tank with the radions on. I’m still undecided if I want to add pulls to the cabinets or stay with the clean look

Pulls all the way. My Cadlights has no knobs and it's annoying as hell

 

[Righteous]

Pulls all the way. My Cadlights has no knobs and it's annoying as hell

Yeah... I’m leaning that way. I’m guessing pulling the doors open is going to get old fast.

 

[Oneforone]

Super nice looking tank! I can't wait to see it with some sticks in it. I'm limited to a small cube where I currently live, however once I buy a house in the next few years I definitely plan on upgrading to a larger tank. Following along the build.

 

[Righteous]

Super nice looking tank! I can't wait to see it with some sticks in it. I'm limited to a small cube where I currently live, however once I buy a house in the next few years I definitely plan on upgrading to a larger tank. Following along the build.

Thanks! I know how it feels with the small tank... I immediately wanted more space in my 10 gallon. I’m also looking forward to the added stability. Small was rewarding but really hard.

 

[Righteous]

So I’ve started a precycle in preparation for the live rock. Looks like the live rock might also be delayed due to hurricane Michael.

So i’ve added some ammonium cloride and 80 ounces of Fritzyme 9



Here’s the tank after the addition... looks a little cloudy!

 

[jp_75]

Following!

 

[Righteous]

Thanks! If anyone has questions on any areas I may have glossed over don’t be afraid to ask. Build threads were always my favorite way to learn about the hobby. And of course, I’m still learning myself every day so feel free to provide suggestions or feedback!

 

[mrcole76]

Sharp setup. For cabling, I like to use these from amazon, they’re easy to pull off and redo.
http://a.co/d/ay4rPw0