210 Gallon Build!

Brandon Rush · Mar 21, 2020

So I've decided to try and document my journey of my 210 Gallon Build. This is my biggest tank that I've owned and have planned everything. I used a lot of ideas from Mr Saltwater Tank, and modified some stuff. I'll be using a lot of Neptune Systems gear, and am currently waiting on my GEO Sump (72*20*20) Let me know your thoughts comments. Thanks for looking!

Redfoxtang · Mar 21, 2020

Looking good so far!! Can’t wait to see it full of live!

Brandon Rush · Mar 21, 2020

Here's my SketchUp sketches by the way

Redfoxtang · Mar 21, 2020

Nice designs. In the last sketch picture is that a refugium?

Brandon Rush · Mar 21, 2020

Redfoxtang said:
Nice designs. In the last sketch picture is that a refugium?

Sure is had fun putting some green stuff in there lol

Redfoxtang · Mar 21, 2020

How are you gonna be getting water through the refugium. I don’t see a drain to that section?

Brandon Rush · Mar 21, 2020

Redfoxtang said:
How are you gonna be getting water through the refugium. I don’t see a drain to that section?

Geo did a design to feed it with the return pumps, just don't have it sketched.

Redfoxtang · Mar 21, 2020

Man that is a sweet freaking setup. Love the design of that sump. Can’t wait to see that thing in action!!

Brandon Rush · Mar 21, 2020

Getting outlets for the garage installed this week. More pics coming soon.

Bj’s Reef · Mar 21, 2020

This is going to be a nice build. I’m coming along for the ride.

AJsReef · Mar 22, 2020

Brandon Rush said:
Geo did a design to feed it with the return pumps, just don't have it sketched.

If you’re running roller mats I’d recommend undersizing your skimmer. I have struggled to keep stable foam production with a Nyos 220 on a 200g system with roller mats. Downsizing to a 180mm BK soon

Brandon Rush · Mar 22, 2020

Thanks for the input, I plan on having a heavily stocked tank, so I think I'm gonna need both. Whats your bioload look like

SuncrestReef · Mar 22, 2020

Brandon Rush said:
Here's my SketchUp sketches by the way

Nice looking setup!

For your mixing station, I’d highly recommend elevating it and placing spigot valves at the bottom of each tank. I frequently use mine to dispense small amounts of water to rinse things, mix up 2-part solution, dip corals, bag up frags, etc. It also comes in handy to drain the tanks for periodic cleaning.

I did a big write-up of my mixing station including a full list of parts here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/s...efer-xl-425-build.358990/page-34#post-6173194

Brandon Rush · Mar 22, 2020

Few more pics of the mixing station

SuncrestReef said:
Nice looking setup!

For your mixing station, I’d highly recommend elevating it and placing spigot valves at the bottom of each tank. I frequently use mine to dispense small amounts of water to rinse things, mix up 2-part solution, dip corals, or bag up frags.

I did a big write-up of my mixing station including a full list of parts here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/s...efer-xl-425-build.358990/page-34#post-6173194

Thanks for the input. I planned on using just a 3-ft hose in the middle to get water if needed. Elevating it is a great idea though. Luckily that'll be something I can do after I get everything set up.

Brandon Rush · Mar 22, 2020

SuncrestReef said:
Nice looking setup!

For your mixing station, I’d highly recommend elevating it and placing spigot valves at the bottom of each tank. I frequently use mine to dispense small amounts of water to rinse things, mix up 2-part solution, dip corals, bag up frags, etc. It also comes in handy to drain the tanks for periodic cleaning.

I did a big write-up of my mixing station including a full list of parts here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/s...efer-xl-425-build.358990/page-34#post-6173194

I'm really liking how you attach the salinity probe and temp probe. How's that working for you?

SuncrestReef · Mar 22, 2020

Brandon Rush said:
I'm really liking how you attach the salinity probe and temp probe. How's that working for you?

It works great. While I don't rely on the salinity probe while mixing salt (I still use my refractometer for that), I do use it in my DOS auto water change programming to disable the AWC if the salinity is below 30. This prevents me from accidentally running a water change before I've added salt to a new batch of RO/DI.

SuncrestReef · Mar 22, 2020

Brandon Rush said:
Geo did a design to feed it with the return pumps, just don't have it sketched.

I love this sump! I'll have to look into GEO for my next build.

Brandon Rush · Mar 22, 2020

SuncrestReef said:
It works great. While I don't rely on the salinity probe while mixing salt (I still use my refractometer for that), I do use it in my DOS auto water change programming to disable the AWC if the salinity is below 30. This prevents me from accidentally running a water change before I've added salt to a new batch of RO/DI.

Does it stay pretty accurate? I also like the PVC mixing attachment you have down towards the bottom. I'll be using that.

SuncrestReef · Mar 22, 2020

Brandon Rush said:
Does it stay pretty accurate? I also like the PVC mixing attachment you have down towards the bottom. I'll be using that.

It's fairly accurate. Here's a graph over the past week, including today as I'm refilling the tank with RO/DI. I think the daily dips are a result of the heater running. I have all the cables bundled together, and the salinity probe is known to be sensitive to electromagnetic interference.