Money Pit

Krull · Dec 20, 2014

Hello R2R community! I wanted to share with everyone my journey through this hobby and my latest build, my 375g Mixed Reef.

To give you a little background about me - I've been the hobby for 20+ years. My first saltwater tank was in 1991. It was a 30 long with a Skilter-Filter hanging on the back and I used decolrinzed tap water for top-off... yea, the prehistoric era of the hobby. Like most, I slowly graduated up in tank sizes and became more knowledge about the hobby. My first successful reef tank was in a Oceanic 40 tall - one leather and one mushroom alive for 30 days and counting, SUCCESS! I was hooked from that point forward. Graduating into a 55 long, then onto a 75g Bow Front (successfully keeping lps and some sps.

Then I came across my first large tank in early 2005. It was an Oceanic 210 (84x24x24). 80 gallon refugium with a PM Bullet 2 Skimmer, 1/2 HP Chiller, Iwaki 70/55/20 returns, 3 250watt 14K HM and 4 6ft VHO Actinics, PM Cal Reactor.

I'm no carpenter, but I'm rather proud at how the cabinets turned out. This is the only pic I have of it...

(Approximately 3 years old)

When I sold my house in 2008, the tank was dismantled and I stepped out of the hobby for a couple of years. Then a friend of mine gave me a JBJ 12g Nano and my love for hobby returned.

Krull · Dec 20, 2014

I then upgraded to a JBJ 30g Rimless - AI Vega LEDS, Zeovit system, Bubble Magus dosing system, Reef Octopus HOB skimmer, Auto top-off.

This tank was setup while I lived in LA for 2 years, when I returned to Houston about 6-7 months ago, I drove home and needless to say the tank did not do as well as I hoped. Even preforming waters changes twice during the 3 day drive I still lost about 75% of my livestock. It was a sad day..

After moving into the new house first things first was to build a large tank, I made the choice to go BIG and had the perfect wall in the living room, so I turned my 30g into a frag tank to seed the new 375g custom build.

(1 month ago)

Krull · Dec 20, 2014

The arrival...

Just barely... whew...

Now that is a stand!

Step back boys, I got this!

Aquarium Design Group custom 375g (96x30x30) with custom 97g sump with built in refugium.

(Now thats an awesome sump!)

Krull · Dec 20, 2014

More toys!

(Reef Octopus 12" Regel 300 - INT w/ DC Pump)

Preformance Pro Cascade return pump.

(Starting to look like a tank!)

This is where I'm at currently. Still a long ways to go, but that's the best way imo... Once it's done, then what? I'm like every other reef junkie out there - always tinkering. I'm thinking about adding an additional tank in the stand to the right side; a sea horse tank with softies and macro algae. Maybe showcase it in the cabinetry that I'll start after the first of the year. I plan on suspending the light canopy above it - still very undecided on what lights I will go with. I want to make sure I have adequate coverage, so I'm leaning towards a combinations of LEDS, maybe one HM, and T5's. I might place 4 Radion Gen 3 and line the outer perimeter with less expensive led boxes - hard to say right now..

I plan on molding the wall around the stand to help with the aesthetics of tank and adding a 6" boarder around the top of the tank to hide the trim work and return pipes that will run the back of the tank to the opposite side with 1" Sea Swirls. I'm debating opening up the tank on both ends, minus the pre-filter box, to allow the tank to be viewable from 3 sides. The front viewing panel is Starfire Glass, but the sides are not. Hopefully it will not be that big of difference once I get water in it.

For now, I will continue to day dream...

Rob.D · Dec 20, 2014

Very appropriate thread title lol, following along!

Tom Blevins · Dec 20, 2014

I had to read your post because after the crash and a boat load of money for the redo on our 300
that has been my word for it (money pit) but love of this hobby keeps luring me back in!

Nice start for sure, we currently run all MH /T5 but am converting to LED next week with VHO
supplement lighting,the new sticks are still on frag racks so this is a good time to change out.

Keep us posted on any new additions & great job!

SantaMonicaHelp · Dec 23, 2014

I love all your tanks! the corals grew amazingly beautiful. It's so professional looking. I know I said this already but I love them!

Can't wait to see the progress on the big tank!!

JMSKI333 · Dec 23, 2014

Tagging along. Love the Tank dimensions!

erictorres0311 · Dec 23, 2014

Tagging along looking really clean , was looking into getting a steel stand also

ohio reefer · Dec 26, 2014

Following. Looks like it's going to be a great tank!

Chris-tico · Dec 26, 2014

look really good! cant wait for another update

Krull · Dec 29, 2014

It's a waiting game at the moment. Waiting on plumbing parts to arrive - most of it should be here tomorrow. I'm hoping to be able to hard pipe the sump in and run temp returns this upcoming weekend (more pics - cause we all love pictures!) . I'd like to dry scape by mid January and starting cycling within that same week. I ordered a Kessil A360W-E to tested drive over my 30g. I'm little nervous as to how well my acros will respond. I've seen them in the lfs and I really like the color and shimmer, but I haven't seen anyone use them over a well established tank, so I can't say that they work well for sps. Fingers crossed...

FrankAbagnale · Dec 29, 2014

Following!

erictorres0311 · Dec 29, 2014

What is the small acrylic box gonna be used for ? To the right of the sump

Krull · Dec 30, 2014

It was originally designed to be the top-off reservoir for the tank, but I'm not sure if that is what I'm going to use it for. I might make it into a nano tank or a frag tank.

Scubafrog · Dec 30, 2014

WOW, great looking start. I think my 29G Biocube is a money pit. I can't even imagine something this big and nice. Congrats! Can't wait to see progress pictures.

Krull · Dec 31, 2014

Finally started the plumbing. This is a mock fit of the return; I still have to plumb, level, and glue everything. Still waiting on some fittings - hopefully they'll arrive by the weekend. I am exchanging the 1.5" elbow on the far left return to an Elbow w/side outlet.

I need a supply line to the 3/4" refugium bulkhead located next to the two 1.5" bulkheads in the sump. I'll add a 3/4" PVC Ball valve with hose barbs and 3/4" flexible tubing to make the connection. I should have more of the plumbing completed over the next few days.

Diesel · Dec 31, 2014

Houston sure has some nice builds.
Not sure if I missed it but what kind of overflow you using?
I have a CTC but lately a lot of new builds in Houston going with a Ghost overflow.
Where in Houston are you located?
I see you used ADG to build your tank, they are great to work with, I know Mike for a while now.
If you need any help or some input or for that matter you want to see another large tank running your welcome to stop by.
In this phase you can use all the advise possible.
Looking forward to your progress.

Krull · Dec 31, 2014

I'm in Deer Park. I've know Mike for years. Actually worked for him about 8 - 10 years ago. Not familiar with a Ghost overflow - similar to durso overflow design? That is the style I'm currently going with. I'll take all the advise I can!! Thats what I love about R2R - awesome community!