265g Reef Build

[FrozenOcean]

After a 5 year hiatus from the aquarium world, I'm dipping my toes back in with a 265g (7 x 2 x 2.5) reef aquarium. We are hoping to have water in the tank by later this month.

My equipment list (so far):

Marineland 265g display
Marineland 120g custom built sump
Orphek Atlantik V3+ (3 units)
LET Lighting 39w T5 (4 units)
Red Dragon ED3 80w Pump (2 units)
Reef Octopus Super Space Saver 200 w/Apex controllable pump
Reef Octopus 200 neck cleaner
Apex Gold Controller
75g Reservoir tanks (2 units)

***Still undecided on powerheads, media reactors, and rock work (live vs dry).

 

[FrozenOcean]

 

[FrozenOcean]

Top of the stand will have granite by next week and the stand will be covered by a custom cherry cabinet with wide door access to the sump and equipment.

The lighting will have a custom cherry canopy (directly above the tank) and the lights will be moveable up and down by a pneumatic aluminum rail system.

Once the granite gets installed next week we will cover the inside of the stand with black acrylic 3/8" sheeting and finally set the aquarium and sump in place. Hoping to get the plumbing measured up late next week and have water in the tank by the following week.

 

[TUSI]

Welcome to the best forum on earth. Thank you for doing a thread on your build. It looks like you are on the right track, everything looks awsome. It's going to be an awesome tank and can't wait to see more progress. Any idea what type corals you want to keep?

 

[FrozenOcean]

My QT system. It's been running better part of 2 months now. I will use it for fish and coral before they hit the main system. I plan to QT everything minimum of 4 weeks before transferring.

 

[TUSI]

My QT system. It's been running better part of 2 months now. I will use it for fish and coral before they hit the main system. I plan to QT everything minimum of 4 weeks before transferring.

Wish I have the room to do what you did. It's definetly the right thing to do

 

[FrozenOcean]

Welcome to the best forum on earth. Thank you for doing a thread on your build. It looks like you are on the right track, everything looks awsome. It's going to be an awesome tank and can't wait to see more progress. Any idea what type corals you want to keep?

Thank you! I appreciate the nice comments! I learned a lot from my last 600g reef aquarium. I learned that you must take every precaution when setting up any aquarium (especially a reef) and it must be well thought out and you MUST pay attention to the small details (those are what makes a thriving vs barely surviving system).

 

[FrozenOcean]

We are not sure on livestock or corals yet. I love so many different kinds of fish and coral I fear I will run out of room before I run out of ideas! Lol!!

 

[TUSI]

Very nice tank you had and I'm sure this new one will be even better. Every precaution is better than any cute for sure.

 

[FrozenOcean]

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Glad you're just "dipping" in! HA! Looks like it's going to be awesome!

 

[All Delight]

nice way to come back! love those angels!

 

[FrozenOcean]

Tank is set and sump is set.

 

[FrozenOcean]

 

[FrozenOcean]

Electrical is run and finalized. USB and Ethernet cables run and finalized. Auto topoff RODI line run and finalized.

 

[FrozenOcean]

Stand "blacked out" with 3/8" acrylic, Reef Octopus Elite 220 sss protein skimmer installed at 8 1/2" water depth, and Red Dragon RD3 80W pumps placed. Waiting on plumbing parts and a few more gadgets for the Apex and we will be pretty dang close to having this bad boy ready for water.

 

[nitro]

Man, when. You make a comeback you don't mess around.. Very nice

 

[FrozenOcean]

Playing around with rock structure. I like it so far. I think the far right structure I will make into a 3D cave. I've never seen one before in an aquarium, but I think it would be unique and create a sanctuary and hiding spots for fish and inverts.

The sand will come in Monday and the plumbing Wednesday, and lower cabinet skin Friday so we should have a water sometime the following week and put the aquarium online by May 1st.

 

[FrozenOcean]

 

[FrozenOcean]

Rock work is 75% complete and glued in place. Orphek V3+ LEDs came in today. Fired them up and played with the channels. Very big, well constructed, and professionally looking lights!! 300lbs of fine grain sand comes tomorrow. Cabinet bottom will be installed Thursday. Plumbing will be installed this weekend. Water next week?!?