DSA 175g Peninsula build

Making slow progress... Picked up the 90g on Saturday and working to get it cleaned up so I can get everything moved. Picking up a Gyre 150 from a local club member tonight!!! He'd bought a 2nd one but changed his mind. I'm excited to get that thing in the tank and see how it works. Was hoping to have the 90 ready this weekend but found out today UPS "lost" my return pump I ordered. They left the package somewhere but we don't know where. :-(
 
Can't wait to get the tank going and put this in!

IMG_1001.JPG
 
Well, I'm slowly making progress. Spent the last two weeks getting the new planted tank set up and cleaning up the 175. Today I pulled the sump (40b), cut the baffles out, cleaned it up and reconfigured with new baffles to create a bubble trap on the drain area and a skimmer section to hold a consistent water level. I forgot to buy pieces of glass to do a bubble trap just before the return section...but...I had ordered one of the marine pure blocks which is 8"x8" and that just happens to be the same size of the transition from the skimmer to the return section so I figured I could just put it on one side or the other and stop any micro bubbles. Hoping to do the final cleaning on the tank tomorrow and get the plumbing back in. I bought new bulkheads Thursday and this afternoon realized I bought the wrong ones!!!! At least I'll have an excuse to head back to the LFS tomorrow. :-) Also got the holes cut in the canopy for the lights. Just need to put some paint on it and it's good to go.

Finally opened the skimmer...this thing is huge compared to the 170 I had on my 75g tank.

IMG_1007.JPG
IMG_1008.JPG


I finally bought a booster pump for my RO unit...so glad I did. I was averaging about 48 psi...now it's consistently 82 and literally takes me 1/3 the time to make water.

IMG_1004.JPG
IMG_1005.JPG
 
time for water!!! Once there's an inch or two fo water I'll add the rest of the sand.

IMG_1010.JPG
IMG_1011.JPG
 
Almost there!!! I can't believe I've only gone through about 2/3 of a canister of DI resin. I double checked to make sure I was still getting 0 TDS coming out. Plumbing is back in and ready for testing. Got the two MP40's in place and running. Can't wait to get the gyre running and see what it does.

IMG_1012.JPG

IMG_1014.JPG
 
Let there be LIGHT!!!! Have I ever mentioned how much I love my apex? Had the light installed and configured in less than 10 min. Just had to copy the program from my XR15.

Probably adding the salt tomorrow. I had a pinpoint leak in one of my return lines...took 3 times and finally siliconing every thread to get it right! Got the return pump running and water lever figured out.

 
Today I moved the bio block into the cube and moved two rocks from the cube into the big tank along with a large bottle of bio spira. I have a large plastic bag from an LFS and fill it at least half full with cube water and moved the clowns. They've been in about an hour now and seem pretty content. They're loving swimming into the strong current of the return outlets.
 
Got lots done today!!! Corals and rock are moved. Ice Cap has been installed and programmed and the gyre is purring along!
dribble.gif
Got my 29g QT set up. It's got a Penguin 350 bio-wheel filter on it. I filled the cartridge filter areas with rubble from the cube sump. Most of the corals seem very happy and are already opened. I'll try to get some pics later. Skimmer has been running about 24 hrs to break it in. Next thing I need to finish is the new cabinet for the apex and get the cube cleaned up.
 
Excellent looking setup. Looks like the gyre is perfect for a long peninsula-style build!
 
Excellent looking setup. Looks like the gyre is perfect for a long peninsula-style build!

Thanks, yes the gyre is perfect for this kind of set up.

Tank is 72"L x 27"W x 20"H

Going to try to get some updated pics on Tues.
 
Quick update. Corals are settling in nicely. Picked up a purple firefish and some blue green chromis which are in the QT tank.

FTS
IMG_1038.JPG

Corals I picked up this weekend at the club frag swap and Austin Aqua Farms
IMG_1019.JPG

IMG_1022.JPG

IMG_1023.JPG

IMG_1024.JPG

IMG_1025.JPG

IMG_1026.JPG

IMG_1027.JPG

IMG_1028.JPG

IMG_1029.JPG

IMG_1030.JPG
 
Quick video update. I got my Aqua SD order in today. Will get some pics once everything has settled in. Anyone know how to convert the video file type? I've searched but always come up with "free" programs that try to install other crap. I can't upload HD videos using the .mvi format.

 
Almost done!!!! I bought two cabinets from Ikea and some pre-cut 6"x24" pieces of wood and attached to the back. The top cabinet will house all the different apex modules and the bottom will have the EB-8s and transformers for the Radions.

IMG_1041.JPG

IMG_1042.JPG

IMG_1046.JPG
 
Great setup. I'm a sucker for a peninsula, but then I'm biased. :p
 
I think I'm finally done!!!

IMG_1049.JPG

IMG_1050.JPG

I decided not to mount the radion ps in the cabinet since they didn't have to be plugged in to an EB. So I just attached them to a board and leaned it against the wall on the other side of the tank.
IMG_1051.JPG
 

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

  • Yes!

    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%
Back
Top