My Reefing Journey/Build (Plenty of Pics)

[kev apsley]

I'm loving your sump! great set-up!

[will16]

Originally posted by kev apsley
I'm loving your sump! great set-up!

Thanks. Here is another shot of the tank and sump. The thing in front is my buddy's new msx 300 skimmer. That thing is just ridiculous.

[will16]

... back to the build process...

Test fiitting the doors

[kev apsley]

Just an Awesome looking system! exactly how I would want mine to look if I were to upgrade... I love that you have two vortechs on it too!

that skimmer does look ridiculous WOW!!!!!

awesome job

[will16]

Thanks! Stay tuned for a video of some vortech wave action

[footbagger311]

I don't know if I missed it but how old is your tank?

[will16]

Originally posted by footbagger311
I don't know if I missed it but how old is your tank?

Well my original 45 gallon tank was started about 9 months ago. I then transferred all of that into this 90 gal build. That was done about 4 months ago. So this 90 is about 4 months old.

[footbagger311]

Awesome. I hope my tank looks that good after four months. When I get back home, I'll be starting up again and then I'll start the clock.

[IFbettas]

I really like your sump. Does the water flow from the skimmer section into the refugium? If so, do you know if this has impacted the chaeto growth at all?

Unfortunately, my radiant wrasse died. The last time I saw him was on Friday. I thought he was in the sand, and he probably was, but today I found him dead in one of the overflow boxes. I know he died today because I was checking all around the tank (including the overflow boxes) for him everyday. Oh well, I'll get a new one when one comes in.

[J.R.L.]

wow speachless lol youve def. come a long way! im absolutely in LOVE with your setup, especially the stand and canopy as i also have a black setup....your tank looks great!

[marino420td]

Awesome job on this build. It turned out great. The finished product looks amazing!

[will16]

Originally posted by footbagger311
Awesome. I hope my tank looks that good after four months. When I get back home, I'll be starting up again and then I'll start the clock.

Definitely let us know when you're ready to start up again. I just posted on your other thread. God speed and come home safe.

Thank you!

[will16]

Originally posted by IFbettas
I really like your sump. Does the water flow from the skimmer section into the refugium? If so, do you know if this has impacted the chaeto growth at all?

Unfortunately, my radiant wrasse died. The last time I saw him was on Friday. I thought he was in the sand, and he probably was, but today I found him dead in one of the overflow boxes. I know he died today because I was checking all around the tank (including the overflow boxes) for him everyday. Oh well, I'll get a new one when one comes in.

Oh man, I'm sorry to hear about your radiant. That really sucks. I love that fish so I hope you do give another one a try.

I don't have my skimmer output going to the refugium. It dumps back in the same section and then flows over the baffle to the refugium section. My cheato has grown very fast. I started with a baseball size donation from my friend. Now it almost fills the entire section. I have been trimming but apparently not enough.

[Tswifty]

Did you custom make the doors also, or buy them premanufactured?

[will16]

Originally posted by J.R.L.
wow speachless lol youve def. come a long way! im absolutely in LOVE with your setup, especially the stand and canopy as i also have a black setup....your tank looks great!

Thank you!

[will16]

Originally posted by marino420td
Awesome job on this build. It turned out great. The finished product looks amazing!

Thank you. So glad you stopped by!

Ladies and Gentlemen... it was marino420td's build thread that inspired mine. If you really want to see an amazing build thread, you should check his out...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=787189

Hope you don't mind

[will16]

Originally posted by Tswifty8
Did you custom make the doors also, or buy them premanufactured?

heh.. this is the one part I cheezed out on (thanks for pointing it out ). I had the doors made for me . Honestly at that point the build was taking its toll on me. I had priced out what it would cost to buy all the tools I would need to make raised panel doors and it was actually a little cheaper to just order them. It was too easy and I did.

I do regret it now since I have a few friends that I am helping them to build their stands and could have used the tools to make doors for them too.

[OwNeD162]

Do you find that the two vortech's give you enough flow/enough variety in flow? Cause I would just be worried about getting flow into all the little places with only a power head at either end?
Cheers,
OwNed

[will16]

Originally posted by OwNeD162
Do you find that the two vortech's give you enough flow/enough variety in flow? Cause I would just be worried about getting flow into all the little places with only a power head at either end?
Cheers,
OwNed

When I first set up this tank I only had 1 vortech as the only power head. It did kind of work. Got flow througout the tank but in order to do that, I really had to crank it. That meant blasting everything on the near side. Now that I have 2, I have no problems with flow and dead spots. There may be some spots that don't get as much flow as others but everything moves. It's not only the flow coming out of the vortechs but also the undertow of it sucking the water in to push out.

That plus all the wave modes and synch/anti synch modes, you have a lot of flexibility. I normally change modes throughout the day to mix it up and each time I do, generate different flow pattersn that kick up differnt parts of the tank.

I really like them.

[will16]

First test with water.... gulp









Thank god it was uneventful.

[IFbettas]

I've been thinking about getting vortechs for a long time but they are really expensive. I have been getting really good flow with koralias in my tank. Sure, they don't have the cool features like no power cord in the tank, and various wave modes, but they get the job done.

That tank looks awesome!

[OwNeD162]

Ok, so what I've been wondering is how do you get the test water out, lol... I assume most people hook up the return pump in the display and pump it back out but what about when you get right to the bottom?

[tomtoothdoc]

Monti Cap
Start


2 months later


hmmm...that looks kinda familiar there...lol. i don't suppose i'll be getting that back. nice build wil. we should take pictures of my build.....actually your build.

wil is helping me build the equipment room which will include a 75 gal. sump, 56 gal. show refugium (this will be really cool once it's finished), ro/di water and salt mixing room, plus the stand and canopy for the 200 gal. 48x36 deep 3 sided starphire tank. this boy got skilllz!!! thanks wil.

[tomtoothdoc]

Originally posted by OwNeD162
Ok, so what I've been wondering is how do you get the test water out, lol... I assume most people hook up the return pump in the display and pump it back out but what about when you get right to the bottom?

i'll answer that for him.....ancient chinese secret......chinese take out soup container and lots of towels.

[OwNeD162]

Originally posted by tomtoothdoc
i'll answer that for him.....ancient chinese secret......chinese take out soup container and lots of towels.

Very good !
That is what I shall resort to after testing mine, lol...
Cheers