FF337 180 gallon SPS build

[FF337]

First off, This has taken a little while and is still in progress.

Second, I want to pre-apologize for bad pictures. I used my Thunderbolt phone and my wife's cheap camera. So, here goes.

I started with a 120 gallon Mixed reef which I inherited from a friend. I have great friends who I consider family. Here is a picture of it.

I wanted to upgrade to mainly all sps. So I began collecting sps, over 100 different types. Since I had so many, I decided to upgrade to a 180 gallon with a custom stand, sump, etc etc.

*****EDIT****

Equipment list:
180 gallon Marineland Perfecto dual corner overflows
Custom Stand
Custom Sump
3- Lumenmax Elite Reflectors w/ 400 watt metal halides
3- Coralvue 400 watt ballast
2 - KZ 60" T5HO Bulbs (1 Superblue/1 fiji purple)xwith clip on reflectors
1 - Fulham Workhorse 7 Ballast
Apex w/ 2 EB8's, Temp, PH Probes, Breakout Box for ATO,
Reef Octopus SRO-3000int
2- TLF 550 Reactors (1 GFO, 1 Carbon)
Reef Octopus CR140 Calcium reactor with Apex to control PH, Milwaukee Regulator (Might upgrade to a larger reactor)
Reeflo Dart Pump with custom manifold using Cepex True Union Ball valves
2 - MP40wes
JBJ Arctica 1/3 hp chiller

 

[FF337]

This sump we added a built in ato reservoir. Because I could not run any pipes or hoses through the wall due to a low pitch on my roof and no adjoining rooms.

For plumbing I went with schedule 80 pipe, fittings, and valves. I used Buy PVC Fittings & Pipes on Sale at the Best Prices Online and Saltwater and Reef Aquarium Supplies - Bulk Reef Supply

I used lace rock in place for live rock. I like the look much better. It creates great cliffs and flat surfaces for SPS.

 

[FF337]

I am using metal halides and t-5's. I made a fixture out of 3/4" Aluminum Tubing, cut to 5' long. I mounted the metal halide pendants using self taping screws using their mounting plate. I use 2" wide x 1/4" thick aluminum and made mounting plates for the T5 standoff's. I attached the mounting plates to the far left and the far right reflectors using nuts and bolts. I can remove this entire fixture quickly by using 4 disconnects from the T5 power cord, and metal halide ballast.

I mounted the metal halide ballast to a wooden panel I attached to the wall behind the canopy. It is easily accessible through access panels behind the tank. ( The tank is 6" from the wall, The stand is hugging the wall. The gap allows great access)

Behind tank access.

Looking at the front of the tank, the compartment is behind the front left door. Pure Genius. The only problem I have found is most equipment power cords are not long enough to hide in the top of the stand. So being extremely anal retentive I bought wire and connectors to lengthen them all, or used small extension cords. Most if not all of them are black.

If you look closely, I labeled each cord and outlet. In the event I need to disconnect multiple things, I will no longer play trial and error to mate the plug with its socket. Also, I work 24 hour shifts, every third day. If there is a problem, I can tell my wife to unplug what needs to be unplugged. I foresee this being a marriage saver.

 

[FF337]

Oct 31, 2012. I added my first coral. Garf Bonsai was the first added. Several more were added shortly after. I was sure to dip every single coral atleast once, some twice. A few went back into my 120 because I wanted to make sure 1000% I did not transfer pest, if any. Plus its a great habit.

Right side sump view

Front sump view

Left side sump view

Full tank shots and Coral shots

 

[FF337]

These photos are about 6 months old now. Stay tuned for updated coral pictures.

Very soon I am replacing the MH/T5 fixture with 3 p47 LED fixtures from Reefledlights.com

 

[Edds Coral Cave]

wow! looks awesome!

i love the cabinet aswell.. cant wait to see new pics

 

[FF337]

Thank you.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Love the build! Beautiful tank!

 

[revsgirl]

Wow! Looks great!


Chasing the Dream Giver, not the dream! Tonya

 

[FF337]

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

WOW what a great build! Excellent work on the stand and canopy!

 

[FF337]

Stand and canopy were built by a friend of mine. He is an avid sps guy as well.

MONTHS of planning went into this puddle of water. I'm pretty happy about it.

 

[montethemoster]

Looks great. Very impressive build, looks like the planning paid off.