485G Reef Build

Zhubbell · Aug 2, 2020

So this is the start of my fish room!

I have a 270G 7’ Acrylic Display that I bought from the Toledo Downtown Library when they closed for renovations.
That will be my Mixed Reef, and it will be built into the wall as we finish the basement.

The sump for the system is a 150G Rubbermaid

I also have a 65G tank hooked up, that I keep going Back & Forth on what exactly to do, maybe frags, maybe display fuge.

I have had this running probably 4-6 weeks now.
I got a EcoTech M2 (the mid-sized) return pump for the first return on the 270 to gauge its power. I think that one M2 & one L2 (the biggest) will be ideal for this system. My L2 just came today so I’m starting to figure out how I want to plumb it.

Still need 2 new radions for the display, just have one and a make shift LED, the shallow tank has 2 Ecotechs, a G3 & a G4.

Lots more to come!

Zhubbell · Aug 17, 2020

Updated tank picture.
I’ve got my 3 radions hanging over the tank.
Just hooked up the carbon & gfo reactor.

Zhubbell · Aug 17, 2020

Not sure why it’s sideways but here are my male & female Flame Wrasse pair

Zhubbell · Mar 7, 2021

Alright, so... a lot has happened here.
First, I had a huge crash. My now two year old was with me while doing something quick in the basement, and missed him pulling out the thermostat probe from the tank....
So that cost a lot of live stock as it hit 84 degrees.
But, I have been dissecting the system, figuring some things out, and making improvements.
Most importantly: the macro tank. It’s 6” tall or so, and 36x24 roughly. purchased from TRactor Supply Co. I build a stand from 2x4s, except for the leg in the water, that I got some fittings, and made a pretty cool leg out of PVC. Very sturdy, topped the board with plywood, and drilled a hole. Then I built the hood, and did 2x 36” retrofit T5s with geismann grow lights. In hind site, I would have done 4x24”.

I think the light should be stronger for the macros, but maybe I’m wrong? Time will tell, this has only been running for a few days. Also still have too much light spill.

Zhubbell · Jun 27, 2021

Alright, 3 months later and the tank is going strong. I’ve had some hick up, and my 2 year pulled the thermostat probe a couple months back, but am honing it in well.
My next focus will be adding addition space for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria populations.

Zhubbell · Jul 10, 2021

Alright, so to give you an update, I’m getting really annoyed with how tall my acrylic display is, and with the euro bracing it’s particularly impossible to properly access..
First I’m going to focus on my frag system to get that big enough to provide stability for a big display tank change, and I’m going to order a brand new display. I’ll post more about the design for that as I get closer.
I still want to add a large skimmer, one that can handle a HUGE amount of debris, because I kind of want to eventually replace the 48x24x12 with a 4’x8’ and do some bigger orders.
Fluctuating on what lighting I want to go with because I don’t want to waste a bunch of money on a name - I want to be some what budget conscious but also want the best looking corals I can get.
Looking at a hybrid - if so, what led would you put in there?
I feel like it’s not worth the dimmable function for the added cost, agree?
I made a cool dry erase board where I’m keeping up with all my testing and maitenance. And ideas on other things to put on there!

Zhubbell · Jul 15, 2021

alright, so I’m buying some kessils used, so next week, I will be putting 2 kessils over the frag tank, and having a lot more primo useable space.
Very excited about that.
My nitrates have been fluctuating between 3.9 and 6.5 - higher than I’d like - I don’t plan on running a “low nutrient system”, but my goal is to be consistently below 4.5.
I have added a brightwells Bioblock, that I heavily seeded with MicroBacter7, and I began dosing 10mL of MB7 daily.
Any day now I will also be getting an NItrate block from Brightwells.
Hoping these two things help. The other big goal on the board to address this is the skimmer upgrade. I think I’ve settled on a Bashea external skimmer.
My phosphates have settled in nicely ranging between 0.25-0.40, which I’m happy with.
I dropped my target temp from 80 down to 78.

Looking forward to add some much needed cuc, specifically focusing on sand bed activity, but alittle of everything.

thanks for looking!