atlorange's Planet Aquarium upgrade

atlorange · Mar 22, 2017

Upgrading from:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/my-cadlights-68g-versa.245153/#post-3259890

Equipment:
Planet Aquariums customer rimless 48X24X22
Stand built by Planet
Synergy Reef Shadow overflow
Elite-Aqautics rrs-33 sump
Ecotech Vectra L1 for return
Deltec 1456SC skimmer
2 x MP40WQD
Bubble Magus doser
2 x Aquamaxx media reactors
2 x Ecotech Radion G3 pro
2 x Giessmman Razor T5
DIY floating canopy for lights

Custom ceramic scape:

Almost all of the equipment, including the tank/stand has arrived.

I have put in an additional order to Planet to build me a 24X24X40 matching stand for my existing frag tank that will be plumbed into this system.

Existing SPS and fish will be moved into this system after cycle.
More pics and progress to come.

Scubafrog · Mar 22, 2017

Can't wait for pictures of the tank and stand.

Did you order the aquarium through a local fish store? I have been thinking about Planet Aquariums but their website really doesn't show all their product offerings. I would really like to see more pictures from them before placing an order. I am also thinking of CADLights (Versa & Artisan) and Red Sea Reefer. I like the Versa 68G, like your previous aquarium, for the price but really would like an emergency drain. I know they can drill a third hole but I was told that it is a tight fit.

Good luck with the build. Will be following.

atlorange · Mar 22, 2017

Scubafrog said:
Can't wait for pictures of the tank and stand.

Did you order the aquarium through a local fish store? I have been thinking about Planet Aquariums but their website really doesn't show all their product offerings. I would really like to see more pictures from them before placing an order. I am also thinking of CADLights (Versa & Artisan) and Red Sea Reefer. I like the Versa 68G, like your previous aquarium, for the price but really would like an emergency drain. I know they can drill a third hole but I was told that it is a tight fit.

Good luck with the build. Will be following.

Yes, I ordered from a LFS. The tank and stand look good. One of the deciding factors to go custom for me was the Shadow overflow. I hate all the real estate bottom drilled overflows take up. I did strongly consider one of the Red Sea Reefer XL models.

Scubafrog · Mar 22, 2017

atlorange said:
Yes, I ordered from a LFS. The tank and stand look good. One of the deciding factors to go custom for me was the Shadow overflow. I hate all the real estate bottom drilled overflows take up. I did strongly consider one of the Red Sea Reefer XL models.

My LFS that will order from PA only has one of the older Crystaline models on display. I haven't seen the shadow overflow or any newer cabinets. I like the idea of the shadow overflow freeing up display area but I really don't like how bulky some are in the back. How far away from the wall will the tank have to be?

One reason I like the Versa is the corner overflow instead of the huge center overflow of the Artisan for the exact reason you mention. I just wish it came standard with an emergency drain.

Maddlesrain · Mar 22, 2017

I really like the ceramic scape! Are you attaching any rock to it at all or leaving it as is? Very unique!

atlorange · Mar 22, 2017

Scubafrog said:
My LFS that will order from PA only has one of the older Crystaline models on display. I haven't seen the shadow overflow or any newer cabinets. I like the idea of the shadow overflow freeing up display area but I really don't like how bulky some are in the back. How far away from the wall will the tank have to be?

One reason I like the Versa is the corner overflow instead of the huge center overflow of the Artisan for the exact reason you mention. I just wish it came standard with an emergency drain.

PA only drilled the holes for the Synergy Shadow overflow. I got the actual overflow from Synergy. The rear box is 3.75" wide.

atlorange · Mar 22, 2017

Maddlesrain said:
I really like the ceramic scape! Are you attaching any rock to it at all or leaving it as is? Very unique!

Thanks. I may add flat pieces to sit on the bottom glass (will be going BB as I have in my last several tanks), but probably not. One of the main reasons I went this route is because all the plates are removable and interchangeable. It will make fragging a breeze.

atlorange · Mar 22, 2017

Sump ready to ship from vendor...

Maddlesrain · Mar 22, 2017

atlorange said:
Thanks. I may add flat pieces to sit on the bottom glass (will be going BB as I have in my last several tanks), but probably not. One of the main reasons I went this route is because all the plates are removable and interchangeable. It will make fragging a breeze.

That's pretty cool! The removable plates would really make changing things up and fragging stress free! I'm excited to see how this turns out.

atlorange · Mar 28, 2017

Sump arrived.

Canopy almost done.

atlorange · Apr 2, 2017

Starting to dryfit plumbing.

atlorange · Apr 2, 2017

Canopy hung

Jrhunter0000 · Apr 2, 2017

Who made that frag tree I like that!

atlorange · Apr 2, 2017

Jrhunter0000 said:
Who made that frag tree I like that!

West Mariculture.

atlorange · Apr 10, 2017

Finished plumbing on the display. 2 drains and a return for frag tank are next.

atlorange · Apr 22, 2017

Tank in place

Saltwater and aquascape in

atlorange · Apr 26, 2017

I added ammonium chloride and Fritz Turbostart 900 on Sunday. Brought ammonia up to 8ppm, Monday it was 4ppm, and 1ppm yesterday. Turbostart seems to work as advertised. Will probably start transferring fish today or tomorrow.

atlorange · Apr 29, 2017

Matching ATO reservoir.

atlorange · May 1, 2017

Busy day yesterday. Got the light lowered to about 10" above water. Got the doser set up for Alk and Ca, just 10mls a day since no corals yet.

I set up the skimmer, got a email to Battle Corals on this. It seems to me that the DC pump is too powerful. Foam/water line is very turbulant in 10" of water at the lowest setting. Might be switching to the nonDC pump if this keeps up.

I added my new Icecap ATO after several tests. So far it seems to a really solid product.

Should have my frag tank stand this week from Premier Aquatics. Jakub has been instrumental in working with Planet on a few issues with stands. Once I get that I will get my dry area figured out. I have a lot of equipment to try to stuff in a 24x24x40 stand.