My First Build / SPS dominant 150 Build

De Michieli · Dec 30, 2015

So I figured it was time to create one of the build threads. This will be my second Salt Water tank and at the time of writing this I have been in the hobby now about 1 year 9 months. My first is a 30 gal that is a SPS tank (is recovering from a full crash and only thing that survived was GSP). This 150 is going to be my first build. I plan to make the 150 a SPS dominant mixed reef (GF loves LPS). I plan to fully get this tank up and running over the course of about 4 months.

When we picked up the tank you could say it was a little dirty.

De Michieli · Dec 30, 2015

I plan to paint the side and back of the tank black or a dark blue.

I also plan to do the Herbie style overflow and will drill another hole.

De Michieli · Dec 30, 2015

I already got my Trigger Systems Emerald 39 sump

De Michieli · Dec 30, 2015

I am going to be doing 3 MP40s, One on each side wall and one on the back. I am also planning on going with the Vertex Omega 200i protein skimmer and am debating between the ATI 4 Bulb PowerModule or the 8 Bulb. With the 8 Bulb I worry about it sticking out past the edge of the tank.

If you guys have any tips they are greatly appreciated.

De Michieli · Jan 1, 2016

Cleaning the tank today

FL_Reefer · Jan 1, 2016

How did you get in there, lol best pic I've seen in a while!

De Michieli · Jan 1, 2016

Lol it was a tuff squeeze and I couldn't turn around haha

FL_Reefer · Jan 1, 2016

That's great, I actually laughed out loud. Looks like it's getting there though.

De Michieli · Jan 1, 2016

Yeah it's been a long slow build but I finally said ok 3 months have water and live rock in it i plan to by the light at the end of jan. I figured I would get a few likes from the pic haha.

FL_Reefer · Jan 1, 2016

Good things take time

De Michieli · Jan 1, 2016

Yeah I rushed my 30 and put it up in a day this one I'm redoing everything and doing it right the first time

De Michieli · Jan 3, 2016

Started working on the stand today. Sanded it and restained it darker. Going to put a second coat on tmro when I get home from work.

De Michieli · Jan 8, 2016

So mad some of the Plumbing supplies came to run the return piping inside the overflow and I ordered the wrong BulkHead fittings

Yesterday I was all excited to come home and do the plumbing only to be let down.

De Michieli · Jan 9, 2016

It's getting there. Now I have to figure out how to do the drains. I don't want to have to run a 90° and run it horizontally but a 45 won't work and I can't find gray fittings in any other angles. Anyone have any sugestions?

De Michieli · Jan 11, 2016

I have decided to do a Durso Style Overflow. I ordered the piping I need as well as the fittings. I went with 1 1/4" red pvc pipe and will get it down to 1' right at the bulkhead. I read that alot of people were saying to go with 1 size bigger then your bulkhead fitting on the pipe size (something to do with silencing the pipe???). Tonight I was planning on cutting the liner for the sump section but the girlfriend wants to watch Labyrinth in honor of David Bowie. My goal is to have this tank up and running by April. (for some reason April is my saltwater tank month. I bought my 30 gal in April I bought this 150 In April and for those keeping score yes the tank sat for a while before I got to setting it up.)

De Michieli · Apr 29, 2016

Just ordered my 60 Inch ATI Powermodule 4 bulb t4 hybrid yesterday and expect it in a week. I went with Purple plus 2 blue plus and a coral plus. Now all I need is my return and to finish the rest of the plumbing.