The Great Bowman Reef

[Diddle]

So I'm going to start this off with my current tank that will be broken down when we find our new house. We are in the process of selling our house and buying a new house. So with the equity that means TANK UPGRADE!! I currently have a 72g bow front. It was my first saltwater tank well my first tank ever. I started with a budget build and quickly learned over 2years what works and what doesn't.
To start with I bought a used tank and thought the bow front was a cool design feature. I got the tank and stand, did my own DIY sump. Bought a cheap return pump and then I didn't see it necessary to spend 300-400 Per LED light so I went the cheap route and got the Current USA lights. They worked for a while but when I really got into coral everything was just ... brown and dull. So my first real upgrade was AI 26HDs and within a month of having them everything in my tank was so much happier. Then I got sick of hauling water every week or every other week so I set up a full water change station in the basement.

My next big upgrade was getting a full Apex system. I never wanted to spend the money on an Apex but once I got one and saw the alerts and everything that it could do I was hooked. Then of course the Trident is a great edition as well.

My Current setup is 72g Bow Front, 2 – AI 26HD, Apex, Trident, Clearwater Scrubber, Lifereef Skimmer, Water Change Station 105g Capacity.

 

[Peace River]

It sounds like you are in for quite an adventure! Please know that we are cheering for you as you look to transition with your house and your tank! I look forward to watching your adventure unfold!

 

[Diddle]

So the first part of my build is ready.

 

[Diddle]

Now my next step is going to be the stand. I was going to have Planet Aquariums build the stand but I can probably save 800ish dollars if I get it made locally. I just need to find the right builder and a design I like. The sump will have to be under the tank since the tank will most likely be in the basement. So I saw an idea online for a drip pan that was on rollers and I really like that idea for servicing the sump. I've also been thinking about some wood panels for the front that are on clips or magnets. But then again it covers up my beautiful sump so I may not do that.

The new tank will be a Planet Aquariums 72 x 30 x 25 and it will be dual corner overflow with 2 - 1" Drains and then the back will be drilled with 2 - 3/4 holes for the return line. Thinking the stand will be 36" to the bottom of the tank. Which makes the top of the tank just over 5'

Well that's the thoughts for now... Next is to close on my house so I can order the tank

 

[jaxredsoxfan]

Sounds awesome. Hope everything transitions well. I would think about the tank height- im 6'4" and I had a 240g FOWLR once that was on a 34" stand and the tank was 30" tall. I liked the way it looked nut it was a chore to get in the tank and service stuff- always needing a ladder.

 

[Diddle]

Sounds awesome. Hope everything transitions well. I would think about the tank height- im 6'4" and I had a 240g FOWLR once that was on a 34" stand and the tank was 30" tall. I liked the way it looked nut it was a chore to get in the tank and service stuff- always needing a ladder.

Yeah I mean I was looking at it last night and I'd definitely need a small step ladder available at all times. My current tank is like 55" to the top which is nice I can just walk up and get my arm in all the way to the bottom which makes quick frag moves easy. But I also dont have a ton of room under the stand to do the plumbing. I guess it will just have to be one or the other ... choices. Good thing I got a couple weeks to think about it all

 

[Diddle]

So everything with the existing tank is good. Getting ready to take all my corals to get housed elsewhere for a couple months. But excited to get one step closer. Closing on my house and then we have a month before my new house move in. So tank break down needs to start. I keep putting it off because I don't want to be without a tank. I will have to setup a smaller tank for all the Fish for a bit. But all that being said lets talk about fish selection.
Current tank has:
Purple Tang
2 Pajama Cardinals
2 Clowns
Black Cap Basslet
Six Line
Bi-Color Blenny

New Tank Im Thinking:
Purple Tang
3 Yellow Tangs
Magnificent FoxFace
2 Pajama Cardinals
2 Clowns
Black Cap Basslet
Bi Color Blenny
a couple Wrasse im thinking Leopards but not sure. Also not sure one what wrasses can live together
Also would like some smaller schooling fish maybe
Thinking about a Blue Jaw Trigger just because I love the way they look
Maybe a Naso
Also considering a Snowflake eel

Recommendations or things you would stay away from based on experience ?

 

[Diddle]

Well old tank is completely broke down. New tank is ordered ... now to wait. Oh and plan plan plan

 

[Diddle]

So new tank is a Planet Aquariums 72 x 30.5 x 25 and it will have a neptune orange powdercoat stand. I also got a Vertex Calcium reactor to go with the tank. Looking forward to setting that up.

But I have decided that the Main fish of the tank will be a Scopas Koi Tang might be the last fish I end up getting but i will get one.

So that is it for now. We move in next weekend so then I will start updating with pictures ... can't wait to share this journey...

 

[JuanGutz]

Following along

 

[Diddle]

So I guess it’s time for a few updates. We moved into our new house. I already had the spot for the tank picked out. The house had 3 little girls so first thing was painting the downstairs area. We did a darker grey wall for the wall the tank sits on. Then a brown accent wall and another grey wall. The final wall is still undecided. Ill post the pictures of the ugly teal it was before.

Next was setting up the 40g tank and getting my fish out of the 20g tank they had been in for over a month. So got that setup in the “water” room and started to get that all figured out for plumbing etc. Then I started watching BRS and the Fish Room live stream and they started talking about having FRP or something on the walls. Since this is a 5-10year tank I decided thats a great idea. So I got some FRP to put behind the tank and frag tank. Id love to remove the carpet but I think we will just deal with it. I have a drain pan under the tank / sump so that will catch anything major and then I will put down heavy duty outside style rugs etc to catch anything spilled outside of the tank.

So along with the “water room” I got a 165g storage tank from my work for free and had a line on another 160g one so my plan was 2 - 160g tanks. One RO and one Salt. Well I clean out the tank and go to take it downstairs… to find out it doesnt fit. It would fit in the laundry room but the wife was not about to have that. So the tank was 32” wide and my door at max is 29” so needless to say time to figure out a new plan.

Fast forward a few days and theres a tank company here in town with 100g tanks that are 28” wide so I decided it was an unplanned expense but its one that is needed. So I went there today and they happened to have a 160g tank that is 28” wide so I got one for now. Trying to sell my old 35g tanks and the 165g to pay for the second 160g tank.

So all in all thats about everything that is new for the build. The tank is here at the LFS and looks amazing. Planning on moving it in next Saturday (10-19-19) So as you can see in some pictures I put tape on the wall where the tank and frag tank will be. Frag tank is off to the right. it is 24” wide 48” Long the 24” side will be to the wall so the display and frag tank will make an L shape. Im debating on if i should drop the frag tank legs down to match the display tank bottom, that way when sitting on the couch we could look over and see frag tank with a side panel on the display.

So thats about it for now sorry for the slow updates. But moving in and getting the house setup and the tank area, painting etc has been a lot of work especially with everything else and a 2.5yr old. But now the next step is to get the tank moved in that is the plan for Saturday (10-19-19) Wish us luck 600lb tank down 12 stairs...

 

[Diddle]

So Saturday went good. Wish I had more time to take pictures but it was just super busy getting the stand and tank downstairs. Had about 6-7 people here to help and was glad to have the help. But here are some pictures of the tank and stand in place. Threw the Lifereef sump under along with some other equipment.

One thing that someone brought up in a post on FB was to put black vinyl on that glass on the left side of the tank so tomorrow I think ill go by a sign shop and get some vinyl to throw on there because ill never be able to clean that and that was a good point he made.

Other than that its coming together. Getting stuff for the plumbing to start that this week and then hanging the lights. Then time to cycle. So im going to plumb the tank to the sump first then figure out how i want to plumb the manifold etc.

 

[Diddle]

So newest update time. Got water in and water flowing from the display to the sump. Which is nice. That was the first part. Then my L1 pump failed so I had to use my COR15 pump for a while. Got some turbo start in and the cycle starts.

Had about 3-400lbs of rock total so I picked the best stuff and started my aquascape. Ended up going with a mainly shelf style scape. I had a few ideas but the final scape just kinda felt good. I may change a few things but It has lots of space and tunnels/swim throughs and caves etc. So I think the fish will like it. So next is the manifold plumbing and the control cabinet which will be the next update ... it is turning out very nice.

 

[Diddle]

The control cabinet the main thing is the front face. So I did the coral design and used the router to cut that out. It turned out amazing. Then with the stain it looks great. Now it is at another friends house getting some epoxy put in the cut out to make it look like coral. Was going to do all blueish but someone convinced me to do colored. So it will be purple green and orange. Its turning out sweet can't wait to update when the epoxy is fully done.

 

[Peace River]

So newest update time. Got water in and water flowing from the display to the sump. Which is nice. That was the first part. Then my L1 pump failed so I had to use my COR15 pump for a while. Got some turbo start in and the cycle starts.

Had about 3-400lbs of rock total so I picked the best stuff and started my aquascape. Ended up going with a mainly shelf style scape. I had a few ideas but the final scape just kinda felt good. I may change a few things but It has lots of space and tunnels/swim throughs and caves etc. So I think the fish will like it. So next is the manifold plumbing and the control cabinet which will be the next update ... it is turning out very nice.

I agree! It looks good!!!

 

[Peace River]

The control cabinet the main thing is the front face. So I did the coral design and used the router to cut that out. It turned out amazing. Then with the stain it looks great. Now it is at another friends house getting some epoxy put in the cut out to make it look like coral. Was going to do all blueish but someone convinced me to do colored. So it will be purple green and orange. Its turning out sweet can't wait to update when the epoxy is fully done.

Wow!!! Those doors are absolutely gorgeous!!!

 

[TexAgReefer]

Been waiting for an update. Good to see water moving!

 

[CasaReefer]

Very Nice Build... looking forward to some great updates...

 

[Diddle]

I agree! It looks good!!!

Thank you. Its finally all coming together

 

[Diddle]

Wow!!! Those doors are absolutely gorgeous!!!

Thank You

Just wait till you see the finished product. I think it will be something that gets copied for sure