Vernon's 220 Gallon Reef

[Vermon's reef]

I set up my first aquarium in 80's. It was a 29 gal saltwater reef tank, that was the beginning of a long love for reef aquariums. In 1999 I had a 180 gal saltwater reef tank in my bedroom. A few years later, I downsized the 180 gal to a 120 gal due to the center brace falling out the 180 gal. Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005 and the tank was lost. I been pondering on doing it again, well here it is I bought a 125 gallon reef tank used from another reefer. A couple months later I found a 220 gallon from another reefer. So I'm taking down the 125 gal and starting the 220 gal reef tank.

A friend of mine built the custom stand with facade
302 Aquatics Custom 60" sump with algae scrubber and a Custom ATO box
Jebao DC return pump

It's 7'x2'x2' 220 gallon Oceanic tank with a center brace. This upgrade reminding me how old I'm getting. ;Facepalmlol

Aquascaping test

The 3 Chinese led boxes are from the 125 setup. I'm still doing research on lighting and will be upgrading the lights soon. When I stepped out the hobby 12 years ago I had metal halide and VHO for lighting. I asked a friend of mine to put a temporary canopy together to cut the eye sore of the pipes.

This algae scrubber is a workhorse, It's cleaned once a month.
The calcium reactor is a Aquamaxx Star S-3 Calcium Reactor. It will be replaced with a doser soon.
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Skimmer is a Super reef octopus space saver 5000 sss

 

[Vermon's reef]

chocolate mimic tang mandarinfish


Harlequin tuskfish

 

[Tahoe61]

The tank looks fantastic, congrats.

 

[Vermon's reef]

The tank looks fantastic, congrats.

Thank You!

 

[chamjack]

Looking good! Your Naso looks great!

 

[Vermon's reef]

Looking good! Your Naso looks great!

Thank You!

 

[Vermon's reef]

Guess I will be busy on vacation this week. :) The calcium reactor in the pic came is used from another reefer. After I bought ARM media for it a friend told me since you getting a Apex controller go with Neptune dosers.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Nice!

 

[Vermon's reef]

Nice!

Thanks!

 

[nursedude]

Tank looks great! I am curious to hear how you like the AP700s. I have a single AP 700 over my 66 gallon cube and really like it. I can't wait to see how it lights a larger tank. All those boxes cost more than my first car, lol. Have fun!

 

[Vermon's reef]

Tank looks great! I am curious to hear how you like the AP700s. I have a single AP 700 over my 66 gallon cube and really like it. I can't wait to see how it lights a larger tank. All those boxes cost more than my first car, lol. Have fun!

Thank You! With all the new equipment this setup is much different and confusing on the ability to control standpoint. As far as cost it looks like this setup cost more than all my older setups put together, lol.

 

[Vermon's reef]

Had to put three AP700's because that center brace not my friend.

I see It's going to take time setting up and programming the Kessil AP 700 ,the Apex and the DOS dosers ;Facepalm

 

[Vermon's reef]

Had to take a trip over to the my local fish stores to pick up a few corals.


I said no impulse buy this time around then saw this Achilles Tang. Well you know what happened next. Thanks Matt!

Still playing around with color and the par with the AP 700's.

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[dbraun15]

Looking great...love the fish selections. Are you still in NOLA? Plenty of nice LFS options if you are.

 

[Vermon's reef]

Looking great...love the fish selections. Are you still in NOLA? Plenty of nice LFS options if you are.

Thank You! I'm not still in New Orleans but I have two friends that own fish stores there. Now since this 220 I may visit my family more often, lol.

 

[Vermon's reef]

Dropping 25 lbs. of Miracle Mud in my sump.

Still playing with the lights.

 

[MarineMalecki]

Thank You! I'm not still in New Orleans but I have two friends that own fish stores there. Now since this 220 I may visit my family more often, lol.

I have a good friend in NOLA who is just getting started with reefing. Would you mind sharing the names of the LFS? I’d like to send him some recommendations on locals who would be good resources.

Thanks!

 

[Vermon's reef]

I have a good friend in NOLA who is just getting started with reefing. Would you mind sharing the names of the LFS? I’d like to send him some recommendations on locals who would be good resources.

Thanks!

These are the two places I visit, Coral Connection 2637 Delaware Ave # B, Kenner, LA 70062 and Aquatic Specialties  
2109 33rd St, Kenner, LA 70065.

 

[Vermon's reef]

Stopped by my LFS. Aussie Acros 3 coming home with me

 

[Vermon's reef]

On vacation so it's tank time again