Willz 120g Monti Lagoon (probably Exhibit A in the future divorce...)

Willz · Sep 10, 2016

I have ordered a 4'x4'x1' TruVu tank to start growing out my monti frag collection. I thought I'd start a build/stocking journal. I'll add pics as the pieces come together. The sump and aquarium are due next week

The stand, just finished today. It will be skinned in oak at some point, but for now just the pine skeleton:

The skimmer. SSS 6000 INT (next to a five gallon bucket for reference):

Willz · Sep 10, 2016

The lights. 2 Hamilton Fiji Sun 48" x 6 T5HO:

If anyone knows how the Hamilton bulbs are please let me know. They sent 453nm and 10k. I had already ordered Geissman and ATI bulbs, but it's always good to have spares.

Willz · Sep 10, 2016

The new doser and storage container:

First time using a doser fingers crossed!

Water movement. 2 x Maxspect 180 Gyres. Jebao haters will hate this, but it's cheap flow 4 x PP15. The return pump is a Simplicity 1600 gph DC pump:

Willz · Sep 10, 2016

Live rock. I was stumped on this one since the tank is so shallow. Any type of rockscape was going to be too tall for anything but the most light loving corals. BRS jumbo Tonga shelf rock x 70lbs. I also got another 20lbs of Pukani for the sump/refugium:

I'm thinking of using egg crate on the tank bottom, preferably black and bare bottom other than the shelf rock. Does anyone know where to source 4' x 2' panels of it? Lowes has the white stuff, but I'd prefer black.

Willz · Sep 10, 2016

I was just kidding with the title; we are happily married

I'll post up more pictures when more items arrive.

Brew12 · Sep 10, 2016

Willz said:
I was just kidding with the title; we are happily married

I'll post up more pictures when more items arrive.

Wife read the post already, huh?

http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/lighting-diffusers/B-EGG-375X2X4

steve&mari · Sep 10, 2016

Looks like it is going to be awesome when completed.

Willz · Sep 10, 2016

Brew12 said:
Wife read the post already, huh?

http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/lighting-diffusers/B-EGG-375X2X4

Haha. Just didn't want to jinx a good thing with a poor joke.

Thanks for the link, just ordered two sheets.

Willz · Sep 10, 2016

steve&mari said:
Looks like it is going to be awesome when completed.

Thanks for the likes and comment! I'm trying to remain calm while I wait!!! I want to get a good cycle before I add anything. Hopefully I can keep that fun by posting up numbers. Only a reefer would pee a little when the test finally shows nitrates, LOL....

Question: I have all that BRS rock that isn't cured, is there some pretreatment I can be doing on it while I wait for everything to come in?

bknapp · Sep 11, 2016

I would consider doing a muriatic acid wash on the rocks to help remove any bound phosphate on the rocks. You could also do a bleach bath. There are numerous threads regarding both. I did an acid wash, followed by a weeks worth of FW soaks (with Prime and vinegar which helps to remove any residual acid) with changing the water daily and then started curing and cycling the rock in saltwater using pure ammonia.

Alfrareef · Sep 11, 2016

Willz said:
I was just kidding with the title; we are happily married

I'll post up more pictures when more items arrive.

When the water hits the floor you're in trouble... ;-)

Willz · Sep 12, 2016

bknapp said:
I would consider doing a muriatic acid wash on the rocks to help remove any bound phosphate on the rocks. You could also do a bleach bath. There are numerous threads regarding both. I did an acid wash, followed by a weeks worth of FW soaks (with Prime and vinegar which helps to remove any residual acid) with changing the water daily and then started curing and cycling the rock in saltwater using pure ammonia.

Thanks, I should get that started now then. Tank and sump are due next week. I can be working on that as I mix and add the saltwater.

Willz · Sep 12, 2016

Alfrareef said:
When the water hits the floor you're in trouble... ;-)

Yeah, that would definitely be no good. It's in the basement, but on carpet

Willz · Sep 13, 2016

The aquarium has shipped. TruVu sent a picture of it before shipping:

reefcollie · Sep 13, 2016

Can't wait to see the tank on the stand!

Willz · Sep 14, 2016

reefcollie said:
Can't wait to see the tank on the stand!

Me too! At the freight warehouse waiting to inspect the sump and ATO resevoir. Pics soon!

Jimbo662 · Sep 14, 2016

This is going to be soooooo cool!!!

reefcollie · Sep 14, 2016

How was working with them for the custom tank

Willz · Sep 14, 2016

Jimbo662 said:
This is going to be soooooo cool!!!

Picked up everything at the terminal and it is crack free. Still has the paper on the glass and I boxed it back up for the trip home. Pictures tonight.

Willz · Sep 14, 2016

reefcollie said:
How was working with them for the custom tank

It wasn't custom, it is one of the options under commercial aquariums:

http://www.truvuaquariums.com/coralflats.html

I just ordered it "as is" to avoid confusion and extra expense. I would have liked to have requested it be 16" tall, but 12" should be plenty. I searched around and couldn't find a better price anywhere. That plus the very reasonable shipping sold me on them.

I really wanted the 8' x 4' x 1', but couldn't sell the wife on it.