Thom's Take 2 187g custom build

thom_smith

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Long story short, I got a big tank and after the fact didn't like the dimensions. I saw some predominantly SPS builds with tanks in the 20-22-24" depth range and eventually came down with buyer's remorse. I really liked the not-too-shallow shallow reef designs. So this is Tank Build Take 2. I ordered the tank and other custom items months ago and they're all starting to arrive. Some of the equipment comes from my other tank. And I've been scouring the internet for sales and open box discounts and the like. I'm kind of late to the game kicking off this thread. Things are quickly coming together for Tank Build Take 2. Thanks for checking out my build thread! Feedback is appreciated.


The basics of my equipment are included below.

Tank: 187g Acrylic Creations, 72"x30"x20", custom coast to coast overflow with dual 1 1/2" drains, dual 1" returns.

Sump: Icecap 36XL Reef Sump w/ Klir DI-7 7" drop in fleece filter x 2.

Return Pump: Neptune COR20 x 2

Filtration: Reef Octo 200SSS, Pax Bellum C30, NYOS TORQ 2.0 with Carbon and GFO, NYOS 2.0 with Aquaforest Zeomix.
* Would be interested to hear others' feedback regarding the Zeomix in particular with Triton.

Lighting: Illumagic Blaze X-180, 2 x Vitamini 72" Super Actonic
* Unique Corals hooked me up with the Vitamini wings during their Black Friday sale. They said they just got them in and weren't even on the web site yet.

Flow: Ecotech Marine MP40wQD x 4.

Controller: Neptune Apex 2016, Focustronic Alkatronic
* I'm a tech junkie! So if it can be automated or monitored, I'm going to do it.

Doser: Focustronic Dosetronic
Channel 1 - Triton Core7(1) diluted at 50%- 5L Space Saver dosing container
Channel 2 - Triton Core7(2) diluted at 50%-- 5L Space Saver dosing container
Channel 3 - Triton Core7(3a/3b) - 5L Space Saver dosing container
Channel 4 - Iron + Manganese
Channel 5 - NO3PO4-X
* If I can keep my nutrients in order by other means, I'll swap out the NO3PO4-X for Amino Acids, EasyReefs EasySPS Gel or some other food that doesn't need to be refrigerated.

ATO: AutoAqua AWC Auto Water Changer Plus ATO w/ 12 gallon reservoir in Icecap sump
* Haven't been happy with Neptune ATO in my current tank and now don't have room in the return chamber with two pumps. Giving this a shot. Currently changing 6 gallons/day until I build sufficient beneficial bacteria and algae reactor is established. Will see how it works out.

AQUASCAPE: I know it's just rock, but this is probably the thing I am most excited about. I have absolutely ZERO creativity. So MY aquascape nothing more than a pile of rock. Shortly after I ordered the tank, I contacted @J6 jestersix https://www.facebook.com/J6-jestersix-148706888627577/ to create a show piece for the new tank. I've got swim throughs and caves and overhangs.

MISC: I've got the Reef Kinetics Reefbot. I'm cautiously neutral regarding its accuracy and have been working with Reef Kinetics support quite a bit recently. They sent me a replacement valve to properly drain the test chamber and motor for the magnetic stirrer. Waiting on the Focustronic Mastertronic availability, price point and user feedback and may still go a different direction. Got some other automation items in mind too if the stars perfectly align.

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thom_smith

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Tank delivered and moved to the kitchen temporarily. Will go around the corner in the living room where my other tank currently sits. Got a coat of poly applied to the oak skirt and attached it to the frame. Doing the doors now. Steel stand has almost 40" clearance so I have plenty of room to work below the tank.
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Chilly here in Upstate NY. Have to varnish indoors. Doors and windows open to vent the varnish odor. Wife not happy, lol. Sides done and attached. Doing front doors now.

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Finish up doors and attach and begin plumbing soon.
 
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thom_smith

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Overflow plumbing almost done short of one fitting. I'd be well served to listen to those that say "Measure twice, cut once." Because I can only glue once! Started the return plumbing. Forgot the COR was 1 1/4" so ordering union and reducing bushings from BRS. Will work on installing controller boards, mounting Apex modules and other items while waiting on shipment.

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Overflows are plumbed. Return plumbing is on hold pending arrival of fittings from BRS. Got my current tank on bare bones apex and starting installation on new tank. Marine Depot controller boards done. Energy Bars, spare Base Unit, break out box, PM1, WXM, FMMs moved over. Everything connected and on temporary power. Door switches, flow sensors, leak sensors, optical sensors, some of the new items installed. Wiring is already starting to get a little out of hand. Trying to keep it dressed as I go along.

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One COR20 return, ATO and AWC pumps, Ecotechs, skimmer outstanding. As is some of the cabinet lighting, refugium lighting, Aklatronic and Dosetronic. Slowly stripping current tank to bare minimum.
 
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Minor setback. One of my EB832s went bad and is out for RMA hindering this build. No spare currently. Tredging forward though. All non-essential equipment has been stripped odf the current display and moved to new tank. Took advantage of Black Friday sales to get my Illumagic Vitamini wings, some Neptune optical sensors and another NYOS. Bit the bullet and got another pair of MP40s and battery backups too. Waiting on the Vitamini and NYOS shipments. Nothing to prevent me from moving forward.

Making rodi water now for large water change during move.Moving day is in sight. Definitely this week. Maybe start as soon as Tuesday.

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Old tank moved. Installed ground fault outlet behind the tank. Power bars run to existing circuits in the basement. Tank set in place. Had to take the cabinet doors off to make it through a tight fit doorway from kitchen to living room. Waiting on additional NYOS and Illumagic Vitamini wings to ship. Moving forward without them for the time being. Fish tucked away in rubbermaid container container with small heater and circulation pump for the night. Moving day is Wednesday!
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Opened up the aquascape. Was a little bummed because one piece cracked in a couple places during transport. Headed to LFS to get adhesive for repairs tomorrow morning. The other two pieces made the trip well and are in in the tank along with 75kg (~165lbs) of Reeflowers Pearl White sand.

It's wet! Filling up slowly but surely. One small leak on a union I didn't properly tighten. Otherwise so far, so good. Only have container and totes to make 180 gallons so I'll fill the tank and make more water for the sump. Water temp currently at 64.7' so I've got heaters and Vortech MP40s going to circulate and get to temp. Will make minor corrections to salinity when up to temp.

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Been slacking off with updates here. Tank is up an running for about two weeks now. Have to go online and get filters for my phone so I can get better photos. Here's what I've got for the time being.

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Got a par meter and tested the Illumagic and Vitaminis at their peak daytime setting. Again, this is PEAK not average over the course of the entire day. Interested to get feedback from some more experienced SPS reef keepers if this may be just a tad too high.

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Mastering the art of locking and unlocking water pathways: What type of valves do you have on your aquarium plumbing?

  • Ball valves.

    Votes: 69 52.7%
  • Gate valves.

    Votes: 68 51.9%
  • Check valves.

    Votes: 34 26.0%
  • None.

    Votes: 29 22.1%
  • Other.

    Votes: 9 6.9%
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