*d2mini's 200g Reeftastic Reef - Part Deux!*

Moving right along...
Got the bottom layer of all my stands/shelving put together and shimmed. :)


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So I can cycle my new tank with just live sand, a couple pieces of live rock and a powerhead, right?
I've always had the complete setup running when cycling a tank in the past.
This time I'd like to get the tank cycle moving while i finish the fish room buildout, and the skimmer will have to stay in the holding tub with all my fish/coral.
 
If you want to speed up the cycle, I would add some Bio Spira bacteria in a bottle made by Instant Ocean.
 
So I can cycle my new tank with just live sand, a couple pieces of live rock and a powerhead, right?
I've always had the complete setup running when cycling a tank in the past.
This time I'd like to get the tank cycle moving while i finish the fish room buildout, and the skimmer will have to stay in the holding tub with all my fish/coral.


You getting sand from Richard again? Tampa Bay Aquatics
If so, yes let it cycle through for a week or longer slowly add rock to it and as last add the rock with corals on it as your desired scape design.
Do it on a weekend so everyday slowly add some rock till by Sunday you got all corals and rock in.
Make sure you have also a bottle of DR Tim ready by hand to spike so now and then the bacteria in your tank.
When you planning to that as I can help you.
 
Yup, sand from TBS. He'll probably send his usual bacteria powder. I don't need use dr tims when starting up with TBS.
Good idea to keep adding rock.
I think I'm going to end up breaking most of my coral off their rocks so I can completely rescape without worrying about existing coral.
 
I don't need use dr tims when starting up with TBS.

You're right but you can add just 10ml per day to keep your bacteria level up.
I just add 5ml every time I do a WC.
 
Picking up my overflow and delivering it to my LFS tomorrow night.
Then holes need to be drilled and black vinyl applied.
Delivery to the d2mini house soon! :target:
 
Picking up my overflow and delivering it to my LFS tomorrow night.
Then holes need to be drilled and black vinyl applied.
Delivery to the d2mini house soon! :target:
Awesome build! This is the build that aqua log has on there home page right? Any reason for black vinyl as opposed to paint?
 
Picking up my overflow and delivering it to my LFS tomorrow night.
Then holes need to be drilled and black vinyl applied.
Delivery to the d2mini house soon! :target:

Take lots of pictures of that overflow!
 
Awesome build! This is the build that aqua log has on there home page right? Any reason for black vinyl as opposed to paint?
Yep, that's my tank. :)
Didn't really matter to me which we used on the back, but my LFS is using vinyl. It's quicker and it won't scratch off during delivery like paint might.
Just need to be careful about air bubbles with the vinyl.
Once the tank is in place, either works fine.

Take lots of pictures of that overflow!
You know it.
 
UPDATE:


So last week I was here....


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And today I am here. :)




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The tall section is pretty tall at 42" to accommodate the sump and skimmer underneath.
This is also the beefiest built section to support the 40g breeder frag tank up top, along with a 30g Mangrove tank.


Those horizontal 2x4's are actually doubled up so the top piece of 3/4" plywood is supported by 4x4's. And then the ones along the wall are screwed into the wall studs. There is also some cross support underneath.


As you can see, I left out a supporting 2x4 where the middle section meets the tall section.
This is to allow full access to the sump and skimmer.
There will be no tanks on this section, and I braced with some metal brackets, too.
And that front horizontal 2x4 goes all the way to the left wall.
I've put all my weight and then some on it and it's not budging... very strong.
And then the section on the left will have a 20g long QT tank and it's built as well as the tall section, minus the 4x4 horizontals... just 2x4 here. Again, more than strong enough.


Next up... lots of caulking and then painting! :D
 
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WOW...................... Almost like HGTV............. Fish Room Crashers!
 
Looks great!!! So clean and fresh... I am jealous, I was working in my outdoor cabinets that I built 10+ years ago to hold all my filtration. They are tired and need to be replaced. Your's looks so nice and clean and unwarped. I hate ripping mine out when everything works just to make it pretty again. Keep posting your project, your helping to motivate me for mine :)

Dave B
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

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    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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