Tony's Innovative Marine 200EXT Build

[QuickrdenU]

RO/DI and sink install is finalized and saltwater mixing station is complete! Just have to fill it up and measure out the fill line increments. Hopefully nothing leaks! I went with a Sicce Syncra ADV 9.0 pump for no reason. I kind of guessed based on price, reliability and reviews. It’s in the garage so I figured an AC pump would be best. I also want to put some plywood up on the wall to screw the wifi outlet to and to hang anything else in the future. I made it tall enough to be able to store salt underneath and to easily fill up buckets if the need arises for small tank water changes. I typically overbuild everything as you can see.

In the future I’d like to have a heater and ph/alkalinity monitor in the salt tank as well. Now I just need to wait for my DT stand to get here so I can figure out where to install a pass through in the wall to the Dining Room.

 

[QuickrdenU]

I was gonna remove this vinegar label but thought it added some DIY charm. Haha

 

[nuxx]

One of the best things (that wasn't planned) was that our tank backed up to our laundry room... made making automated water changes so easy with an easy to access drain

 

[QuickrdenU]

Well. Those bottom uniseals leaked the smallest amount. I tried to mount them as high as possible. I don’t think they work very well with multiple curvatures. I pulled everything apart, which was super easy thanks to all the unions and slapped some silicone under them. Hopefully that fixes it! In the process I was able to test out the pump and it worked great! Tons of vortex action inside the salt water barrel. That pump is strong!

 

[QuickrdenU]

One of the best things (that wasn't planned) was that our tank backed up to our laundry room... made making automated water changes so easy with an easy to access drain

Yes! Installing that utility sink by myself, through cinder block and everything was a chore in itself!

 

[w8lifts]

Have two of those lights on your wish list +accessories if you want to PM me before paying full price

 

[QuickrdenU]

Have two of those lights on your wish list +accessories if you want to PM me before paying full price

Sorry. Already got them. I know they’re probably not the best but they will be good enough for me for a few years. Should help me get things up and running slightly quicker.

 

[QuickrdenU]

Sump is here, but the entire family is sick. Once we’re better I’ll play with assembling all the gear for it.

 

[death-by-reef]

Nice I can’t wait

 

[QuickrdenU]

Well peeps. What else should I put in this sump? I could probably mount a UV and algae reactor above the sump, a calc reactor next to it, so I’m left with that big empty compartment and some space in-front of the skimmer. Just pack it full of media for now with a couple manifold ports above it? Seems pretty future proofed that way. I was thinking about a fuge originally but the mess of it will probably drive me nuts.

Well.. thanks for checking in! I’m glad the sump arrived in one piece!

 

[QuickrdenU]

Got the ReefMat 1200 figured out pretty easily actually. I have the main siphon coming in from the back, straight down and into one elbow, and the secondary wrapping around to the front. Whenever I get the tank setup I’ll try it like this before gluing everything to make sure it works!

 

[QuickrdenU]

I got my first tank up and running! Mixed my first batch of salt. Everything is going as planned.

 

[QuickrdenU]

Still waiting on the tank. I think I may just order the rock so I can start work on a big HNSA aquascape. It will probably take me a couple of weeks to finish with the kids.

In the meantime, the 2 deskmates are cycling with Dr. Tim’s One and Only and some ammonium chloride. Ended up grabbing a Nicrew 50watt LED for one of them. It seems like it should do a good job for pretty cheap! Kids are excited about them. They should crap their pants over the large tank…

I’m also wanting to get a couple 10 gallon tanks together and build a rack for them so I can QT and do observation. Maybe a husky trash bin to hold copper water. Gotta think of a nice way to display them in the house. I think I’ve convinced the wife to essentially remove our dining room table and turn the entire space into a lounge/fish room. That thing would just be in the way anyways!

 

[Short Reefer]

Welcome back to hobby. Myself just got back and got EXT200 as well.

 

[QuickrdenU]

I just called IM and had them switch me to a 200EXT. I’ll have to wait longer now and I paid a little extra money but I think it will be worth it in the end. Oh well!

 

[Short Reefer]

I just called IM and had them switch me to a 200EXT. I’ll have to wait longer now and I paid a little extra money but I think it will be worth it in the end. Oh well!

What made you change your mind?

 

[QuickrdenU]

What made you change your mind?

More volume, ability to mount powerheads on the back wall, improved flow within the tank, and most importantly, having 2 returns. It should also be easier to clean the back glass if needed.

It’s probably a good thing. It gives me more time to collect the rest of the gear I need.

 

[QuickrdenU]

TIME TO AQUASCAPE!!!
Any opinions on how far I should keep it from back and side glass for flow and easy cleaning? I plan on having quite a bit of room in the front. 200 pounds of marco rock should be here today.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Still waiting on the tank. I think I may just order the rock so I can start work on a big HNSA aquascape. It will probably take me a couple of weeks to finish with the kids.

In the meantime, the 2 deskmates are cycling with Dr. Tim’s One and Only and some ammonium chloride. Ended up grabbing a Nicrew 50watt LED for one of them. It seems like it should do a good job for pretty cheap! Kids are excited about them. They should crap their pants over the large tank…

I’m also wanting to get a couple 10 gallon tanks together and build a rack for them so I can QT and do observation. Maybe a husky trash bin to hold copper water. Gotta think of a nice way to display them in the house. I think I’ve convinced the wife to essentially remove our dining room table and turn the entire space into a lounge/fish room. That thing would just be in the way anyways!

I like the deskmate tank you have!!

 

[Dburr1014]

TIME TO AQUASCAPE!!!
Any opinions on how far I should keep it from back and side glass for flow and easy cleaning? I plan on having quite a bit of room in the front. 200 pounds of marco rock should be here today.

I keep about 3" between wall and rock. Front, back, sides. I have a tunze mag scraper and it's sizable.
I like to look down the back from the side of the tank sometimes. If you scape it right, there's always something to look at from every angle.