Returning to reefkeeping 250g build

[Orr2003]

I just couldn't stay away....It all started in 1999 with a 55g saltwater tank and seaclone skimmer and that lead to a 400g SPS tank which I sold several years ago. A few pics of the old 400g

[Orr2003]

[Orr2003]

Alot has changed since then but I have always wanted another tank. So what do you do? Build a room for a new 250g 60x36x27 tank. I dont really have the room at the house I am at now for the tank so I am in the process of building a room for it.













The new tank will set flush with the wall with the main viewing panel from this room. The other sides can be viewed from the new room.





I am going with all new equipment but I am still working on putting it all together. Feel free to make suggestions as I have been out of the hobby for many years and I am not up to date on some of the newer stuff. But so far this is what I have come up with.

Lights - radion xr30w pro gen 4 How many though? I can add T5 too.
Flow - MP40wQD I was thinking 4 of these
Return - Ecotech Vectra M1 Not really sure about this? Suggestions
Controller - New Neptune Apex with Wifi
Skimmer - Vertex Alpha 250
Dosing -Neptune Systems DOS Dosing Pump + DDR Dual Reservoir
Top off - ?
RO/DI - Vertex PuraTek DELUXE 100 GPD RO/DI Unit

That just about covers the main components. I have a 75g sump and a rubbermaid stock tank that I might use for a large liverock refugium.

I will post some more pics as I get farther along. Black Friday seems like a good time to buy all the equipment. So hopefully this system is up and running soon.

[Orr2003]

Finally was able to get some work done on the room and built the rough framing of the stand. Tank is in and will be picked up this weekend. A bunch of equipment has been ordered and packages should be arriving daily. Still have a few things left to do but I am pleased with the progress so far. I went with the Alpha 250 skimmer so my sump will not sit under the tank due to skimmer height. I am going to add a large refugium under the tank and the sump will sit in the corner. Still need to build the stand for the sump. Sump is 48 x 18 x 20

[Orr2003]

[Orr2003]

Tank came in broken so I have ordered a custom tank that should be ready in about 10 weeks. Most of the equipment has been delivered so I have some work to do setting everything up. I put a 50g rubbermaid stock tank under the stand that will then flow into the 75g sump. The sump has only two compartments first one for the Alpha 250 then a set of baffles and last the return/heater section. One drain from the display will go into the 50g stock tank which will house live rock and macros and the other drain will dump straight into the skimmer section. Probably will go ahead and plumb the return and fug together and get some live rock curing while I am waiting on the display. Main display is 60x36x30 one 36" side is blacked out. I am installing the new 16" shadow overflow from synergy but not sure when it will ship out. Flow will be 4 MP40QD and the return is the Vectra L1 which will be feed the BRS dual reactor and the main return. I went with 2 300w Jager heaters. 2 radion gen4 will be across the front with a 4 bulb 54w T5 fixture across the back that will have ATI coral plus or purple plus bulbs. All controlled by the new apex with the WXM. Two BRS dosers for cal and alk and tunze osmolator for ATO. Added another float switch to the apex that will control the outlet the osmolator is plugged into for another fail safe on the ATO. Also added a float switch to the skimmer lid that will shut off the skimmer (no overflows). Still have a lot of work to do but have plenty of time before the tank is ready.

I am wanting to hear from you guys what kind of fail safes do you use on your systems? What can I add to make sure I dont have a disaster someday?

[Orr2003]

Little update......tank should be finished in a few weeks but I have the fuge and sump plumbed and I have 300lbs of live rock curing. The new Shadow overflow came but it didnt come if the extra weir so had to email them and they sent me another one....but after watching some of the new shadow overflow unboxing videos on youtube I didnt get a t shirt either LOL wth LOL...no biggie the overflow looks awesome....cant wait to get it installed and all up and running. Wont be long

[Bdial]

Found it. I'm in man.

[Orr2003]

My daughter and I have decided we want to see if we can get some clownfish to spawn. So while we are waiting for the display to be built we set up a little broodstock tank. The tank is a 45g RR frag tank that we have divided into 4 section. Each section will house a piar. So far we have a Phantom/Phantom Bullethole bonded pair, Black Ice bonded pair, 2 juvenile ORA Lightning Maroons, 1 large (female?) Lightning Maroon and we have one more large Lightning Maroon coming this week. If we cant get the 2 large Lightnings to pair up we will just pair the 2 very small ORA juvenile Lightnings with the 2 large Lightnings and hope for the best.

The main display tank is being made by Acrylic Creations out of Bulter, PA. Tank is supposed to be ready for pickup on Feb 10. Counting the days!

[kirky88]

Such a nice set up so far.... if only I could convince my wife to let me build a fish room like yours

[Orr2003]

Probably should give an update since its been awhile. Had to make some changes again mainly because the new acrylic display was a mess and I refused it. But on a positive note a new tank was built and the complete system is finally up and running. I changed the main display to a 150g 60x36x16 glass rimless peninsula style tank. My first shallow reef and so far I really like it. All current livestock was moved into the DT and I added 32 new fish from blue zoo aquatics. Total system is probably 275 to 300g with 40 fish and about 50 frags currently. I also sold the Gen4 Radion Pro's and went with the ATI 48" 8 bulb sunpower. Its a nice fixture but the fans are a little loud to be honest. The 8 bulb fixture seems to be plenty of coverage for the 36" front to back depth and it allows for very easy access and viewing into the top of the tank. I have it hanging 12" off the water surface. Other than that everything stayed the same....75g sump, 50g fuge, 45g RR clownfish breeding/frag tank. Now to the good part....pics and videos.

[Orr2003]

[Orr2003]

[Orr2003]

[Orr2003]

[Orr2003]

[Orr2003]

[Orr2003]

And a couple videos from today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJvLtQRSgcU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC6sj5tH4yQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQdi4GCyzEA

[Orr2003]

I am thinking I need to move some rock from the right side and make another arch/cove to match the left.....and maybe open the middle by taking a couple pieces of rock out of the front center at the bottom? Suggestions?
Here is what it looks like now....coming along nicely but still not exactly how I invisioned the aquascaping......maybe to much rock?

Iphone pics best I can do for now

[Orr2003]

[Chris_S]

Originally Posted by Orr2003

I am thinking I need to move some rock from the right side and make another arch/cove to match the left.....and maybe open the middle by taking a couple pieces of rock out of the front center at the bottom? Suggestions?
Here is what it looks like now....coming along nicely but still not exactly how I invisioned the aquascaping......maybe to much rock?

I think your ideas would work out great. If you haven't read this thread already about the rule of thirds, be sure to check it out. Your ideas are already in line with the rule of thirds so go for it!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...rule+of+thirds