Tuffloud1's 262 Gallon In-Wall Reef Build Thread

[Jmblec2]

Great build. How did you decide on your light choice? What were you considering?

 

[Tuffloud1]

Great build. How did you decide on your light choice? What were you considering?

Thanks!

I was debating between the ATI Powermodule, Aquatic Life hybrid and the Orphek.

I ended up going with the Orphek Atlantik fixtures because of all the good feedback and I like not having to change out T5 fixtures every year as well as power efficiency.

Since my new tank is not up and running yet, I took down my 2 Hydra Fifty Two’s over my 90 and put up 1 of the Orphek Atlantik’s to test it out.

Here are a few pictures using the Orphek lens kit on my iPhone. 1 fixture doesn’t quite cover a 4 ft 90 in my opinion but very close. A little shadowing on the sides. For this reason I may end up getting 1 Compact to run in the middle of the 2 full size above the 262.

 

[samson78945]

Beautiful build!

 

[Tuffloud1]

I found a good deal on two Vortech MP60s.

I also placed my order with @premiumaquatics for 3 bags of Tropic Eden Reef Flakes and 2 bags of Meso Flakes.

I couldn’t decide on which sand to go with so I’m going with a mix!

 

[Tuffloud1]

I got my rock in. Some “large foundation” rocks and flat rock from Bulk Reef Supply. I also ordered some “Nature’s Ocean” rock off Amazon (cheapest). It looks like the same exact rock as the rock from BRS.

Blasted it with the hose for a long time until no more residue came off. Lots of dust came off.

I put together a platform with the same size footprint of the tank to start aquascaping. I’ve learned it is much better to do this outside of the tank, especially outside an in wall tank. Take a picture and then carefully piece back together in the tank.

I’m leaving the right side of the tank open so I can eventually transfer over all the mature rock from my 6 year old 90 gallon tank.

Here’s what I came up with so far. My goal is to maximize depth perception as well as giving ample surface area for corals to grow in the light. It is difficult to tell if this is a good base.

I am totally open to suggestions.

 

[Tuffloud1]

I finally finished aquascaping.

I used E Marco 400 on a few rocks and it worked great.

 

[Octane13]

Wow, super clean. Following

 

[Tuffloud1]

I ended up using three 30 lb bags of Tropic Eden sand. Two Reef Flakes and one Meso Flakes.

I ordered 5 bags, oops!

 

[samson78945]

Love the aquascape

 

[Tuffloud1]

Been filling since Monday, lol!

I’ll be ready to kick on the return pumps, power heads and dump some salt in this bad boy this weekend!

 

[ScottB]

I saw your other post about "connecting two tanks" and was about to comment there. Then thought I should probably check out your Build Thread first. I am sure glad I did. This is awesome! You really did some fine and ingenious work here.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Awesome build @Tuffloud1. Following.

 

[Tuffloud1]

I got the plumbing for the future frag tank completed.

For now, this will be used to connect my current 90 gallon established reef to the new system.

I added “under cabinet” lighting strips above sump. Glad I did, makes it so much easier to see things.

I also added a center brace for peace of mind.

 

[chizerbunoi]

Very clean and nice piping work. Good job as usual.

 

[Tuffloud1]

Very clean and nice piping work. Good job as usual.

Thank you very much. Precision plumbing is no joke. It takes me a long time to do!

 

[Tuffloud1]

The CL60 by Synergy Reef is absolutely awesome!

Shipping/packaging was perfect.

I love the way it flows and it was the perfect size for my system. Excellent quality and craftsmanship @mixer911

 

[Tuffloud1]

I finally got ahold of one!

At last.......

 

[Tuffloud1]

I got my sump area cleaned up and a little more organized.

 

[samson78945]

That sump looks great!

 

[Tuffloud1]

That sump looks great!

Thanks, the plumbing took forever!