Wahoos 200 IM

[MegabiteOG]

Yesterday was almost 80 degrees here in southwest Virginia. Now we have snow and ice accumulation. Was really hopeful to get the tank in today, but here we are ... Wanted to give some detail on what this process has looked like for us since Mother Nature had other plans.

We bought our home in October of 24. Our basement was absolutely massive, and a major selling point. Admittedly, I was having a hard time visualizing everything coming together with such a massive open space. I knew I wanted a wet bar and that became first priority. We host a ton! I also wanted a theater room, but ended up installing a 98" Sony flanked by two 65" on either side. Big college sporting fans - Go Hoos! We painted the walls a darker color to shrink the space to make it feel more cozy. These past few months was a matter of getting the RODI system setup, removing a wall for easier access to the storage/fish room area, as well as removing carpet to replace with tile. The video was prior to the carpet removal but gives a good feel for the space now. Very happy so far, now for the exclamation that brings it all together - The Big Tank!

Cheers!

Very nice! My basement is huge as well, but split in 2. One side is open like yours and the other is a full 2 bedroom house. It's tough to fill those huge open areas.

 

[RoanokeReef]

Nice build, what part of VA you in ?

 

[stupidfishguy]

I want to wall mount my Kessil's with a similar style, I've been looking for something clean like this and also want no wires showing. Any recommendations?

Also how are you going about cycling your tank?

It’s two swing out TV stands that I modified and made a cross brace between them. There is a bundle of wires for the lighting it’s just not very noticeable.
For the cycle I used a chunk of live rock from my current tank, mysis shrimp and ammonium. I just came home from a work trip and the cycle is complete.

 

[spongebobby]

I'm going to put mine on the stand also. Did you push yours back flush to the wall? That was my entire reason for getting the INT over the EXT - but now I'm wondering if space behind is necessary?

I have mine 3 inches out from the wall. Today I started working on the control panel. Once the tank is in place I will start a build thread.

 

[WahooTJ]

Nice build, what part of VA you in ?

Botetourt!

 

[WahooTJ]

She’s in!

 

[smitten with ocean life]

very nice! and your basement is beautiful!

 

[stupidfishguy]

Looks awesome. Congratulations

 

[RoanokeReef]

Botetourt!

I'm just down the road. Let me know if you need help or frags when you're ready!

 

[2ndtimereefer81]

Nice tank! Following along

 

[spongebobby]

Were you able to slide the tank and stand as one into position. I think it may be a pain to plumb without getting behind it.

 

[WahooTJ]

Slowly but surely getting water in! Also started the pink and purple live coralline algae. The main structure still needs a few finishing touches but will have it placed in the coming days.

 

[WahooTJ]

Were you able to slide the tank and stand as one into position. I think it may be a pain to plumb without getting behind it.

Yeah had my 12 year old hop in the tank to tighten everything inside the reservoir.

 

[WahooTJ]

View attachment 20260318_114449_0D550F29-E319-4D50-B846-9D218249C4E1.mov

Finally up and running. I will say, it’s been quite the challenge keeping the water level correct between the primary drain and the emergency drains. Seems like such a small window for error. I’ve been constantly adjusting the gate valve. Any suggestions?

 

[WahooTJ]

Mounted the Reef Brite 60” X Series Quad Strip LEDs today. Have to work on wiring and cable management. Thinking about a wall cut out and dropping everything in wall. Or possibly doing an in wall watt box. Massive upgrade visually though and just burning the receipts at this point

-Cheers and Go Hoos

 

[spongebobby]

Finally up and running. I will say, it’s been quite the challenge keeping the water level correct between the primary drain and the emergency drains. Seems like such a small window for error. I’ve been constantly adjusting the gate valve. Any suggestions?

I am having the same issues. I am running a Sicce 7.0 wide open with the gate turned down to get the level above the main drain pipe to get it from making tons of noise but not getting much flow through the sump. Any thoughts or ideas??

 

[WahooTJ]

Finally up and running. I will say, it’s been quite the challenge keeping the water level correct between the primary drain and the emergency drains. Seems like such a small window for error. I’ve been constantly adjusting the gate valve. Any suggestions?

I am having the same issues. I am running a Sicce 7.0 wide open with the gate turned down to get the level above the main drain pipe to get it from making tons of noise but not getting much flow through the sump. Any thoughts or ideas??

I got desperate and called IM. Brian was super helpful. I was doing maybe quarter turns and even that was too much. Make VERY small adjustments on the gate valve. Wait a few minutes then adjust again. Finally got it dialed in. Less is certainly more!

 

[WahooTJ]

View attachment 20260411_090200_CF627B65-038B-4207-9237-E0E966B14E74.mov


Been awhile since I’ve posted an update. What a fun and rewarding hobby. Slow and steady!

Don’t mind K-Pop in the background. My daughter’s millionth time watching.

 

[WahooTJ]

I’m dealing with what I believe is an early dino outbreak in my 200g (6 ft) mixed reef that’s still maturing. The issue is mostly on the sandbed, where I’m getting a brown film that turns stringy with bubbles during the day and comes back quickly after being blown off. It looks worse under lights. I initially thought diatoms, but the stringy texture and bubbles have me thinking dinos, possibly Ostreopsis or Amphidinium.

Current parameters are nitrate 4.5 ppm (I’ve been dosing sodium nitrate but am starting to taper), phosphate recently dropped from around 0.3 to 0.16, and pH sits around 7.8. The tank recently had a temp swing of about 4 degrees due to a pump issue, which may have contributed. Stocking is still relatively light for the system size, with a small fish load and a moderate cleanup crew.

Right now I’m manually removing it daily, feeding heavier to bring nitrate up naturally, dosing bacteria, and slowly backing off nitrate dosing. I’ve also started increasing the cleanup crew and plan to add more fish to help stabilize nutrients.

I’m trying to get ahead of this without overcorrecting. Does this sound like dinos, and would you recommend adding UV at this stage or continuing to focus on nutrient balance and biodiversity while the tank matures?

 

[WahooTJ]

Tank update: Thankful it was not dinos or if it was at least it was manageable! Turns out my parameters were just off. What a frustrating yet rewarding hobby. Thankful for this forum. Meet some great people locally and my fish buddies have certainly kept me going with their knowledge and advice!

We are however leaving for a week to visit FL and I’m extremely nervous! Thankful for apex and cameras though! Any good recommendations for shops near cocoa beach or Orlando? I plan to visit WWC and TSA.

Cheers all!