Rip's 65g Build

[Rip2131]

It's about time! I made my mind. I have a 65 gallon tank in my living room ready to begin the process. I am starting my build thread today! It's been a process, and I am so eager to get moving now that I have FINALLY made my mind! Pics to come soon!

 

[Rip2131]

I am upgrading tanks from a 24 gallon Nano Cube Deluxe to a 65g. I have battled PH almost daily. Just when I think I figure it out, I get a 7.7 ph reading. In the end, my corals are HAPPY and growing (what few I have) and my fish .... not so much.

I recently redid my hardwood floor in my living room. It was my Rona project. I downsized tanks through that process. I had a 32 Biocube Led and the 24g. going before that. After I finished my floors, and they cured ... I immediately put this back together.

Here is a pic of my 24g and a few of my residents ... These will all be moving to the 65.

 

[Rip2131]

Rip to the white clown. It jumped into the back chamber with the heater the other night. Not to happy about it, but hey at least I'm not getting bit every 3 seconds any more. I'm gonna miss that one! She was very pretty.

Bought a 36 bowfront. I brought that thing home. Decided it was not any where near big enough. So, I took that back and all the filtration. I did at least keep the sand!

 

[Rip2131]

Then I found this tank that was very well maintained by a local Reef store. It was owned by a older couple that had to move. It was a beast to move with gravel and live plants from the 3rd floor. It was such a pretty tank. It almost broke my heart to tear it down.

Good news is, we have a STEM lab at our school and we have been working to grow that into an awesome program. So, Sunday night we took everything from the 65 gallon and placed it inside a 55g at the school. The kids LOVE it. I'll have to get a pic, even though it isn't salt water ...

 

[Rip2131]

Now, here we go. The 65g has it's back glass painted and ready to go. I just put it in place tonight after moving the 24 to another spot in my living room. I'll keep it going until I get the 65 set up and stable. I painted the back with Satin Krylon. I think it's going to look pretty good. It looks like the fireplace is behind the tank, it's not it's reflecting off the black. Nice! I hope that means when the light hits it, I did a superb job.

 

[Rip2131]

Update:

Last night I got my sand, rocks and water in. Pump running.
I had the rock cycling in a tote for 3 weeks. Added some more Seed ... looks good.

Today I got my light.
Reefbreeders Photon V2

So far I like it. Time will tell. I'll be researching what setting to put them on and height. I like the lower height where I have it in the picture it lessens the shadow somewhat.