Jay's 225 Gallon

JasonKlink · Oct 9, 2018

It is time to finally start a build thread! I've had several tanks, but never documented them on R2R in a build thread. Currently I have a 120 Gallon SPS dominant and 80 Gallon frag tank setup. The new tank will also be SPS dominant and will be located where the 80 frag tank is now. Here's what I have planned for the new tank so far...

Tank: 225 gallon (72"l x 30"d x 24"h) Planet Aquarium custom tank with PVC bottom. It has an external overflow with 3 - 1.5" drains and 2 - 3/4" returns on the back wall.

Lighting: (3) Radion Gen 4 Pro's mounted in a 61" Aquatic Life Hybrid fixture. I realize the fixture will be 6" short on either end. However, I plan on keeping the rock work ~6" from the ends, so it shouldn't matter too much.

Sump: Tideline 48” sump

Return Pump: Reef Octopus Varios 6

Flow: 2 - MP 60 QD & 2 MP 40 QD

Skimmer: Reef Octopus Elite 220

Dsnakes · Oct 9, 2018

Looking forward to some pictures and seeing this progress. Definitely jealous of the 30” depth!

Shabalaba · Oct 9, 2018

Sounds pretty awesome!

I think you'll be just fine with the 48" model, especially if you are mounting the light higher up. I've always wanted to get one of the Aquatic Life Hybrids, but decided to do a DIY setup in the canopy. I truly believe LED/T5 combo is the way to go though.

As for flow, i have 2 XF230s on my 125g mixed reef and although I really like them, I agree that i need to clean them every 1-2 months or they get quite loud and have reduced output. Vortech's are pretty amazing too though.

JasonKlink · Oct 10, 2018

Dsnakes said:
Looking forward to some pictures and seeing this progress. Definitely jealous of the 30” depth!

In my last house I had a 300DD. It was too tall and deep! If something was in the back corner it basically meant going for a swim. I bought an Elos 120XL and fell in love with the depth. I just wanted a bit taller and longer tank. My current 120 has an external overflow and makes it nice to be able to use the entire footprint. This tank will have the best of all those features! I’m definitely looking forward to this build.

JasonKlink · Oct 10, 2018

Shabalaba said:
Sounds pretty awesome!

I think you'll be just fine with the 48" model, especially if you are mounting the light higher up. I've always wanted to get one of the Aquatic Life Hybrids, but decided to do a DIY setup in the canopy. I truly believe LED/T5 combo is the way to go though.

As for flow, i have 2 XF230s on my 125g mixed reef and although I really like them, I agree that i need to clean them every 1-2 months or they get quite loud and have reduced output. Vortech's are pretty amazing too though.

Thanks! So far I really like the LED/T5 combo on my other tanks. I wanted a more modern look so I opted not to use the canopy on my 120. It’s sitting in the basement collecting dust.

JasonKlink · Nov 13, 2018

I picked up a 75 gallon tank today to use as a sump.

JasonKlink · Mar 16, 2019

I’ve edited my original post as the build has completely changed.

JasonKlink · Jul 7, 2019

Here’s the tank and stand at my LFS prior to being delivered.

Once they delivered the tank and stand. I lined the stand with shower liner. I’ve done this with all my stands over the past years and would definitely recommend it to others!

Unfortunately the 75 gallon I bought and converted into a sump wouldn’t fit in the stand. The LFS worked with me and a 48” Tideline Sump slid in with only hairs to spare!

JasonKlink · Jul 7, 2019

I plumbed the drains and returns on the back of the tank. The main drain line is so close to the bulkhead as I decided to redo the plumbing. Initially I had it coming straight down and running inside the stand. It took up more room in the stand than I wanted. I decided to redo it, so the majority of the plumbing runs behind the stand and keeps the stand more open. I still have a bit of plumbing to complete, but I’m getting closer!