The story of Flippers reef started long ago..........
In a time before a thing called "The Internet"existed. Land locked Missouri, mid western U.S.A. back in 1993. I had just got out of the army in 1992 and got busy starting a family.
See, I had fresh water tanks off and on since I was very young and one summer night back in 93, while out to dinner with my wife and daughter, we had to wait for a table at a restaurant. We decided to take a walk down the strip mall near by to burn some time and unknown to me, there before me was a "saltwater fish store"! Looking in windows with eyes wide and mouth open, like a kid on Christmas Day! I had to go in! The rest is history and a "True Aquatic Addiction" permanently took hold.
Since then, a couple houses and numerous saltwater tanks later, our journey brings us to March 2015.......
This is Flippers current build thread.....
Tank: Marineland standard 6', 125 gallon RR
Stand: DIY
Canopy: DIY, 2, 120mm computer case fans
Sump tank: 6', 125 gallon, basement. DIY sump stand
Water changing station: 2, 33 gallon grey Brute trash cans connected via recirculation manifold. Danner mag 5
Skimmer: Reef Octopus classic nwb150
Heaters: 3, 150w, controlled by Inkbird Itc 308.
Return pump: Panworld 150ps
DT Wave pumps: 2, Jebao RW 15's on JB wave controller
ATO: autotopoff.com redundant float switch controlled, 16 gallon Ace rotomold conical tank. Jebao pump, internal
DT lights: 3, modified 165w Mars Aqua units. LED layout mod to SB reef lights diode layout
RO/DI: BRS 6 stage
Where can I buy the 14k and 20k 3W LED diodes to upgrade my Mars Aqua LEDs? I've searched for Bridgelux and Epistar with no luck finding the 14k and 20k LEDs.
New house = New tank! Planing stage was at least a 6' tank, but not too big due to funds. A new 6' 125 at $350 was to good to pass up. Knowing I was going to to do a basement sump on this one, I found a used 6' 125 that's was scratched up for $100.
Stand build was based on "Rocket engineers" design. 2x4's and 2x6's design. Wood screws and wood glue. 1/4" plywood skinned. No top. Doors hand built.
Interior and exterior painted semi gloss: