Scott’s 255g CTC build

Swoody · Apr 17, 2018

Wall hanging arrived today....

Centerline · Apr 17, 2018

Great build Man!

1WildBill · Apr 17, 2018

Love the wall hanging.

Picesduh · Apr 26, 2018

If you took the pictures the same that you posted them is it right that you had your tank up and running within two weeks of setting it up, including fish and corals?

Swoody · Apr 27, 2018

Picesduh said:
If you took the pictures the same that you posted them is it right that you had your tank up and running within two weeks of setting it up, including fish and corals?

Yes that is correct.... actually 6 days in I started transferring livestock from my 135g over to this tank. I used 50-60g of water from that tank as well. 2 weeks in everyone is doing great and are loving all the new real estate. Pic from yesterday ( white balanced with Snapseed). Yesterday I started setting up the GHL profilux and the doser...still running heaters on RKL but will get them on GHL by tomorrow ( hopefully) ....

Picesduh · Apr 28, 2018

Good work. What’s you plans for wrapping the stand?

Swoody · Apr 29, 2018

We are going to have cabinets on either side out to the walls and use cabinet face panels held on with magnets to wrap the stand.... thinking something Walnut for the wood color. Actually went to IKEA for ideas today..... lots to think about but should have it nailed down in a few days....

Swoody · May 4, 2018

Still a work in progress!!!! But getting there.

Picesduh · May 4, 2018

How do you like the Gyre places vertically? Is that flow pointing toward the front or the side?

Swoody · May 4, 2018

Picesduh said:
How do you like the Gyre places vertically? Is that flow pointing toward the front or the side?

I have the bottom one flowing along the side towards the front, and the top one flowing at like 45* across the tank....I had it vertically in my other tank as well and it works for me as far as not letting junk accumulate along the sides....

Swoody · May 8, 2018

Things are shaping up.... I think I have the dosing set to a point that it will not need adjusting for a few months.... and if it does I’ll be able to make adjustments from my boat in Alaska through GHL Control Center. In a month I’ll be away for almost 3 months fishing in the Bering sea and my sweet wife will pretty much only tolerate feeding, water top off filling and a few other minor tasks..... so this GHL will work great for me in that regard.
The ATI Essentials seems to be having a positive effect so far.... it’s early but certainly zero negative effects have been noted. Tops for the cabinets are on order and should be here in a week... went with Carrara White Quartz. Not cheap but pre cut, mounted to 3/4” plywood etc... fit the bill perfectly. Couple pics from last night.

Zack33 · May 8, 2018

Looks great!

Swoody · May 10, 2018

Little photographic update.....I still have some wire management to do, some trimwork around the bottom edges of the tank, and securing the Quartz tops to the cabinets.... this pic update is kind of just for show right now but it is about how the finished product is going to look like. It’s been a ton of work, but I’m very satisfied with it as is the wife, and that’s the most important part !!! LOL . Couple of pics.....

1WildBill · May 11, 2018

Looks fantastic.

Chrisfish · May 11, 2018

Looks really nice, enjoyed going through your thread

Swoody · May 13, 2018

Yesterday I finally got the GHL controller and doser along with the doser reservoirs in place. There is light at the end of the tunnel! I still have some cable management to take care of and I’m still trying to figure out how to get a larger top off tank hidden behind there, but other than that I am pretty much where I can sit back and just maintain it and enjoy it instead of build it. I have 2 1/2 weeks left before I take off to Alaska for three months which is racking my nerves. I have to tell myself that I am confident that my wife will take loving care of it and I also have a friend who runs a company called SeaTech who comes and looks in on it every couple of weeks and will take care of any water changes and cleaning etc. that is necessary, although with the ATI essentials dosing system, kind of the point of it is no water changes. So, I am going to try and go that route and thus far in one month I’ve only changed out 20 gallons of water ( and that was just because I had 20 gallons already mixed up and aerated and I wanted to use it. ) phosphates are about .015 and nitrates are about 1.5, so everything is looking pretty good at this point. Couple of pics of the happy inhabitants and one of the GHL/doser set up.

Swoody · May 21, 2018

Coral additions update.....

Swoody · May 21, 2018

Couple more.... the orange does not really show properly in these pics....??

Swoody · May 30, 2018

Well I knew this day was coming. I am leaving the tank in the hands of my wife for about 90 days as I am off to work in Dutch Harbor AK. to pay for this!! ... I cannot wait to see the growth on my corals when I get back!! Few pics from recent days....last thing I did which was greeted with loving arms, was install a Tunze ATO.... great addition!! Also I have to say I am falling in love with my new plate coral. It most definitely will not be my last fungia in this tank.