NeveSSL's 180g Mixed Reef

Haha! At least it was an "almost dropped it on my toe"... that "almost" means a lot. :)

So, good news and bad news today. I got my parts in to put the Bubble Blaster 5000 on my skimmer body. Sweet! The bad news... my clown fish got too close to the pump and, well, she didn't make it. :( I'm kinda bummed, but such is reefing. I may wait until I get the tank up and going before I add any more fish. That may be in just a week or two, though, so shouldn't be a huge deal. Depends on whether I can afford to buy salt after Christmas or not. Haha!

We also moved the sump from its temporary position into what should be its permanent position. My wife and I are also planning on adding our utility sink in the garage, which is going to be awesome! I've also decided to take that challenge on myself, so I'm stoked. Hardest part should be soldering the copper pipes, and I'll be practicing that ahead of time.

Here's a pic of the new sump in place:

IMG_20131221_223106696_zpsronh2ysk.jpg


The master plan at the moment has the utility sink going where the brute is in this picture with the shelf to the left of that being removed and a water mixing station being installed there. I am also planning on building a platform above the sump and a shelf above the utility sink for various things. Thinking about putting a remote deep sandbed on the platform, along with possibly a dedicated refugium, algae scrubber, pellet reactor (which may actually go in the sump), etc. Not entirely sure just yet, but essentially space and room to experiment. I will also be plumbing a drain from the tank directly into the sink for water changes. I am also considering a way to use relays to do automatic water changes. Should be pretty simple. We'll see, though. many things to figure out along the way.

Tomorrow I will be plumbing my RO/DI in and getting it going so I don't have to use the water hose any more... its generally too cold for that now (although today has been an exception).

Anyway, enough rambling for tonight. I feel like I'm getting some momentum, which is awesome! Hopefully an Apex and lights will be in my future.

Brandon
 
Your going to love that bb5000. Are but using it on the skimmer that came with the tank?
 
I already do! That pump is RIDICULOUSLY quiet! It hardly makes any sound, especially coming from those PSK2500s. Yeah, it was the recommended replacement pump for this skimmer body... and I can certainly see why. :) I will need to tweak it over time, but probably not until I get my tank up and running fully. Right now it is currently mixing a ridiculous amount of air and seawater and skimming great.

Brandon
 
Thanks, Matt!

Brandon
 
Lots of work going into this. Looking good so far. I am right there with you on my 130g build. Hoping to get it all set up with water in it a few weeks after Christmas. Keep up the updates!
 
This one looks like it will be fun to follow. One man's trash is another man's treasure. Can't beat free!
 
I'm hoping and believing all of the work I'm putting into this build is worth it, Dave. :) Thanks for tagging along. I'll be sure to check out your build, also!

Its very hard to beat free, Fin! :)

I got my RO/DI unit plumbed in and running today. I need to replace the filters on it, but they're still doing fairly well for now.

Here's now it looks in our "crawl space". I put it in quotes because I can walk through it everywhere without ducking... no crawling necessary, fortunately. :) I used some low voltage wire hangers from Lowes that were perfect for 2 RO/DI lines. They hold them snug, but you can pull them through with relative ease, so I know they're not pinching or anything. Worked out great.

IMG_20131222_153418575_zpsigblfc8h.jpg


I ran the drain to our half-bath and the water supply I split off of our fridge's ice maker water supply. These made the most sense and will probably stay this way. I had thought about tapping my water line before the water pressure regulator for the house and getting an adjustable regulator to increase my PSI, but I'm getting 45PSI from splitting off the fridge, and I think I'm happy enough with that to not spend $100 to get 60PSI.

Final pic of today's work... not to different from last night, really, but it feels great to have one more step completed.

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If I'm lucky, by this time next week, I'll have this thing running! I've gotta sell my PSK2500s to be able to buy salt, though. Haha!

Brandon
 
Hey. Don't forget pet solutions usually has free shipping over $50 and most 200 gallon buckets are right there.
 
I've not. Things are just tight with Christmas, so I may have to wait. :)

Brandon
 
Just found your thread and read the whole thing. Looks like you're ahead of schedule!!! Hopefully Santa brings you some salt!
 
I already do! That pump is RIDICULOUSLY quiet! It hardly makes any sound, especially coming from those PSK2500s. Yeah, it was the recommended replacement pump for this skimmer body... and I can certainly see why. :) I will need to tweak it over time, but probably not until I get my tank up and running fully. Right now it is currently mixing a ridiculous amount of air and seawater and skimming great.

Brandon

That is just RIDICULOUSLY awesome.
 
Just found your thread and read the whole thing. Looks like you're ahead of schedule!!! Hopefully Santa brings you some salt!

Thanks, Ryan! I'm trying to sell my Sicce PSK2500 to get some salt. :) The big challenge for me may be getting my lights by April, but hopefully not. I'm planning on getting an Apex first as I don't think I want to run this tank without one, but I may spring for lights first... not 100% sure.

That is just RIDICULOUSLY awesome.

I'm glad you understand. :whoo:

Brandon
 
A little bit of progress...

Got the glass purchased today and the holes covered.

IMG_20131226_175650140_zpswpaugs5e.jpg


IMG_20131226_175643654_zps8fpvqgkc.jpg


Drilled the return line holes with the tank standing up. I just duck taped a garbage bag underneath where I drilled to catch the water... worked perfect. Also notice how excited my brother is to be drilling these holes out. Ha!

IMG_20131226_181430650_zpsvmma4czz.jpg


And now I have return lines! At least in the tank...

IMG_20131226_192544063_zpspl6laiwc.jpg


My two boxes of Reef Crystals and my new sediment filter for my RO/DI came in today, also.

Tomorrow, the plumbing party begins! :)

Brandon
 
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Thanks, man! I'm a little nervous about putting a hole in my wall, but it should all be good!

Brandon
 
Drywall is easy to patch.... LOL

You'll be fine. Just make sure you don't drill into any electrical wires.
 
Haha! Exactly! Electrical wires are definitely my biggest concern. I will be doing a lot of poking, prodding, and investigating before I cut out the hole!

Brandon
 
I always say, "Sometimes, you just have to make a CYG move."

:ooh:

Brandon
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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