LGangway 55Gal Mixed Reef

LGangway · Jul 9, 2012

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[TD="class: alt1, bgcolor: #F1F1F1"]So... after reading a ton on reef2reef, 3reef, reef central, and doing some research, I started some work on my 55gal setup. I started with a standard 55gal tank 48"L x 12"D x 19"H, Proclear Wet/Dry Bio-ball filter, Proclear Protein Skimmer w/ Rio800 pump, and a Mag5 for return.

I sold my bio-ball and invested in a 29gal for a sump/fuge. I also drilled the back of my tank for drain and return plumbing and created a internal overflow for the tank (already created one that is clear, then realized I should just order some black plexi to create one I can install to hide the plumbing).
Here is the one I made that's clear.

Here are some pics of my beginning...
Drilling the tank - Plumbers putty then filled with water to keep the drill bit cool.

Holes completed

Bulk heads installed and tank painted.

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[TD="class: alt1, bgcolor: #F1F1F1"]Now onto the Sump/Fuge.
Installing Baffles

Baffles installed, def. have to clean up some excess silicone...

I then started construction of the stand so I could get my sump/fuge in and begin plumbing...

It was def. starting to come together...

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huuta · Jul 9, 2012

great start so far.I also have a 55.Most people don't like the 55 but i have no complaint with mine.

LGangway · Jul 9, 2012

Continued...

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[TD="class: alt1, bgcolor: #F1F1F1"]Pictures of my stand...

Picked up some plumbing materials, started the plumbing work...[/TD]
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[TD="class: alt1, bgcolor: #F1F1F1"]My wife decided to paint the cabinet the same color as the island we have in our kitchen. I also made my black plexi internal overflow, dryfit everything for the plumbing, and added a light to my arsenal...

Cabinet after my wife added some color to it

The internal overflow I made

My plumbing work

My new Aquatic Life Light

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LGangway · Jul 9, 2012

Continued... again

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[TD="class: alt1, bgcolor: #F1F1F1"]Finally got some water in the tank. RO/DI is was working hard for me. Got some coral rock as well as some lace rock at the LFS and 'scaped...

Left

Right

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[TD="class: alt1, bgcolor: #F1F1F1"]After adding my CUC, I added my first items to the tank.

My LFS had a torch coral they sold me, along with a long tenicle anemone, and maroon clown (RIP)... Pics below, sorry about the low phone camera quality.

Under led moonlights

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[TD="class: alt1, bgcolor: #F1F1F1"]Long Tentacle Anemone -

Random Green Polyps

Purple Mushroom

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***7/23/11***
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[TD="class: alt1, bgcolor: #F1F1F1"]I have added a couple more coral and some fish... below are some updated pictures on growth of older corals as well.

New pair of true perculas clowns

Metallic Green Open Brain

Toadstool Leather

Pom Pom Pulsating Xenia

Miami Hurricane Zoos

Cleaner Shrimp

Torch Coral Growth...

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LGangway · Jul 9, 2012

***01/09/12***

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[TD="class: alt1, bgcolor: #F1F1F1"]I have fought the urge to constantly add things, so I've really been able to enjoy watching a lot of growth. Below are some photos...

Full tank shot

Toadstool Leather

My clowns

Cleaner Shrimp

Miami Hurricane Zoos

Black and Green Zoos

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LGangway · Jul 9, 2012

****7/7/12****

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[TD="class: alt1, bgcolor: #F1F1F1"]I have def. experienced some AWESOME growth and I have added a couple things as well. Even took a crack at fragging some corals because they were overgrowing there spaces.

Livestock I've added:
Orange Montipora
Staghorn Acropora
Pink Birds Nest
Blue/Green Sympodium Polyps
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[TD="class: alt1, bgcolor: #F1F1F1"]Full Tank Shot

Monti, Leather, Zoos...

Middle of the tank.

Right side, Sympodium, Birds Nest...

Good growth on my birds nest

Sympodium

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Thanks for looking!!!