Neonrabbits DIY Automated Evo Rebuild

[NeonRabbit221B]

I have never done a dedicated build thread for my Evo that is approaching the 2 year mark. I will give a brief current state vs future state and go over my plans.

Lighting: Stock Light
Pump: Sicce 1.0 with dual 1/4" RFG
Heater: Cobalt Neotherm
Controller: Reef-pi (details to follow)
Filtration: 3D printed Media Basket with flow director, polyfil and sometimes some biomedia
Dosing: 2 part and 2 spare dosers
Fish List: YWG and Firefish
Invert List: 3 sexy shrimp, emerald crab, pistol shrimp and a cleaner shrimp. Bunch of mixed CUC
Coral List: Leathers/Toadstools, 2 Montis, a torch, frogspawn and Acan

This tank hasn't skipped a beat and runs like a champ. I change my rockwork about 1 year in so the right structure is new rock that is currently covered in bubble algae but starting to mature. My reef-pi setup covers 2 temperature sensors, ph, 4 dosers, ATO and an 8 channel relay. The tank is upstairs in my main living space so water changes require bucket lugging. The stand itself is a cheap Ikea cube setup and is fairly ugly which detracts from the tank. Because the tank is against the wall I lose 2 viewing angles. I really feel like I would enjoy this tank more with a few changes.

Here it is as of about a few weeks ago

Here are some rough plans and ideas for improvements. Custom made stand that sits perpendicular to the wall that can hide cords/ tubing and wires. Upgrade lights to Reef Brite Lumi and integrate into my reef-pi setup. Change up scape so I have a good view from all 3 sides. Setup and refine an AWC system and integrate into reef pi. I just want this thing to look as good outside as it does inside so follow along on my upgrade adventure!

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Messing with time here a bit because I actually had already replaced the lights about a week before the first post and Reef Brite lights are perfect. I went with the 15" LumiLight and got 1 50/50 and 1 blue which I have running at 75% and 50% respectively. Shout out to @LardLad for recommendation and @Tom Bishop for the wiring advice in reef pi! Using a MOSFET to control the Reef Brites should work out but oddly it uses a 2.5 mm plug which isn't standard. Tomorrow should be the day as my new connectors arrive. Looking to dose Phyto, Alk and Cal but if my AWC keep my levels up I have several dosing heads to use for anything I want.

The next step is the new stand which I call using my dad's advanced knowledge of woodworking to help me build. The idea is no cords and no tubing visible and I kinda wanted to play around with a "floating" look at the skirt the tank sits on is recessed.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Brief update

Ended up using a A150 on top of my reef brite strips. The firefish ended up passing due to a hungry/angry pistol shrimp so he was replaced by a cleaner goby which is much more active. Redid some rock scaping and moved the corals and rock from the left side down to my 40B and got a few newbies (blasto, psamacora, favia and bowerbanki) to take place of the leathers. Tank never skipped a beat!