New 150g reef build

[RickSanford]

First Steps:
Top Fin 150 gallon Tank (48x30x24) & Stand
Trigger Systems Triton 34v2 Sump
Reef Octopus VarioS-6 (DC) Return Pump
Aqua Excel AE-601C Cone Protein Skimmer
Cobalt 300W Heater (2 ea.)
Ultralife 40W Ultra-V VHO UV Sterilizer
ESHOPPS PF 1200 Overflow Box (realize this is a vulnerability - hoping with multiple wye check valves - I can mitigate the risk)
Maxant RazorX 48" 300W LED light

Tank is located on 2nd floor over garage. Placed over central beam of house (3x bonded 2x10s - running perpendicular to tank) supported centrally by 3 jack posts and two 2x10 joists either side of the beam. First steps equipment weight in at ~400lbs before anything is added to the tank. Expect final weight to be ~2100lbs.

Plumbing is next step followed by freshwater cleaning/circulation test.

[Light that came with tank will not be used - but is useful to keep dust out of the tank in the interim.]

 

[eric.battani]

That’s a big tank!!! Can’t wait to see it filled.

 

[eric.battani]

I like the check valve on the pump

 

[JumboShrimp]

Nothing like that 'New Car smell' (lol) -- congratulations!

 

[RickSanford]

I like the check valve on the pump

A decent holding place for it while the rest of the plumbing supplies come in. 1” barb fitting off the pump into a 5” long section of silicone and then into the check valve and remainder of hard plumbing is the plan. I’ll have wye check valves on each of the return pipes out of the manifold so this one will function in reserve. Trying to burn down risk.

 

[RickSanford]

Slow progress - initial water test next week. Added GHL controller/doser, Kessil H80 - installed the RazorX - plumbing, save the Tunze 3155 & high pressure side hose clamps, is now complete.

 

[RickSanford]

An aquascape party followed by tank insertion, sand, two days to make RO/DI & mix salt, fill tank, two days to seed bacteria/stabilize and come up to temperature prior to first inhabitants taking residence.

 

[JumboShrimp]

It all looks fantastic— thanks for sharing!

Are you going to have any of your ‘dream’ fish?

 

[PacoPetty]

Looks great!

 

[RickSanford]

It all looks fantastic— thanks for sharing!

Are you going to have any of your ‘dream’ fish?

Thank you! After everything is stabilized and corals are in place, I’d really like to add a Hybrid Black Tang (zebrasoma rostratum). That is still many months away.

 

[RickSanford]

Quarantine residents as of 04/40/2020: Majestic Foxface, Pink-headed Wrasse, Flame Angel

 

[RickSanford]

Updated shots including the now non-QT inhabitants as well as the Xenia & Clove Polyp colonies.

 

[Anchor]

That is my dream tank size and shape.. And that all looks so good I may have to come and get it from you.. But I don't have a trailer hitch and I am not the Hulk so no worries there.

 

[RickSanford]

Thank you @Anchor. Whew - happy I don't have to worry about a break-in!

 

[RickSanford]

Quick update video (dogs had to be heard in the video).

Parameters are stable & have been confirmed via ICP-ANALYSIS test.
Salinity: 1.0255
pH: 8.31
REDOX: 385-420
Temp: 78.5
Calcium: 422.5
Nitrate: .22
Phosphate: .026
Alkalinity: 8.9
Magnesium: 1361.8


Current Fish:
Majestic Foxface
Powder Brown Tang
Yellow Tang
Squareback Anthias (male)
Indigo Hamlet
Pinkheaded Wrasse
Saddleback Clowns (2ea.)
Flame Angel
Seaweed Blenny
Spotted Mandarin

Have requested 3-5 female Squareback Anthias from my LFS to round out the fish compliment.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Oh, I thought you had a pair of barking fish?! Lol! Congrats on the Powder Brown Tang. Right at the very end I saw the Yellow Tang give him a ‘body-check into the boards,’ but I bet they will become good friends. Lots of nice caves in your rock work. Best wishes!

 

[RickSanford]

07/15/2020 Update:
Tank is gradually maturing - 5.5 months post-startup now. Parameters are generally rock-solid and backed up by ICP testing. Water changes (12% every ~10 days) are serving the tank well. Overflow tubes have to be cleaned of algae once every 45 days (have added second set of U-shaped tubes to facilitate quicker return to normal). Have also had to focus on cleaning overflow box pre-filters as water level in tank increases with however clogged the overflow pre-filters become.

Parameters:
Salinity: 1.0256
pH: 8.36
REDOX: 408-440
Temp: 78.5
Calcium: 464
Nitrate: .085
Phosphate: .038
Alkalinity: 8.10
Magnesium: 1420


Current Fish:
Majestic Foxface
Powder Brown Tang
Yellow Tang
Squareback Anthias (male)
Indigo Hamlet
Pinkheaded Wrasse
Saddleback Clowns (2ea.)
Flame Angel
Seaweed Blenny
Spotted Mandarin
Arc Eye Hawkfish


In Quarantine:
5 ea. Medium-large Female Squareback Anthias (super excited!)

Corals Added:
Blue Birds Nest
Ricordea Mushroom
Gorgonian Eunlcea
Plate Coral
Platygyra
Montipora

Misc:
Spiny brittle star
Sally Lightfoot crab

 

[JumboShrimp]

Looking good. I didn’t see the two Saddleback Clowns (?)— usually they are hard to miss.

 

[Arabyps]

The Anthias will be an amazing addition. I have a group of 5 Threadfin in my Waterbox peninsula. Beautiful fish. Active, out and about.

 

[RickSanford]

Looking good. I didn’t see the two Saddleback Clowns (?)— usually they are hard to miss.

Thanks for the compliment - it is odd they didn’t show themselves in the latest video..... They usually hang out in the back right corner of the tank as shown in this video: