SCASTILLO's 120G Reef Tank Build

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Very nice!

 

[scastillo813]

Very nice!

Think you.

Yesterday I was able to get the sand and rock put in. I used some aquarium safe putty/cement to get the rocks locked into place. I didn't want to risk anything falling on the fish or corals.
So far I've put in about 50 gallons or so.

 

[ReeferEric]

Looks awseome! Nice parts

 

[scastillo813]

Looks awseome! Nice parts

Thanks!
I Finallyyyyy started my cycle yesterday. No leaks and everything is going good so far. I also got the wifi for the apex all set up and I'm very pleased with its capabilities.

I'm very happy with the quality of the AquaMaxx rock and am loving this aquascape so far.

 

[scastillo813]

My lights came in and I got them all setup this weekend

Notice the custom install and the extra cooling fans.

Upon installing my lights I found that the plastics frame was breaking and my tank was bowing out. I had to put a clamp on it to keep it together.

Hopefully I'll be getting the replacement from marineland sometime this month. Can't beat a life time warranty!!

 

[scastillo813]

Well upon installing the lights I noticed my center brace was breaking apart. After a month of dealing with my LFS and marine land I got the tank replaced. I had to tear the entire tank down and store all the rock, sand and water while waiting for the new tank.

Pictures of the new setup and all will be coming soon.

 

[mfief]

The way you built that stand is great. Taking notes and following

 

[scastillo813]

New tank installed.

 

[scastillo813]

So it's been 5 weeks. About a week ago I put in some hermit crabs and snails in the sump to see how they did. So far so good.

Tested the:
Nitrates 5ppm
Nitrites 0ppm
Ammonia 0ppm

Thinking of adding a fish tomorrow, then go from there.

 

[scastillo813]

Okay so it's been about 6-8 weeks since I put water in and started running everything. I had a minor setback with having to replace the tank. Now that I have everything how I want it and the nitrites and ammonia at Zero, I decided to pull the trigger earlier this week and add a few fish. After seeing no issues with the fish and still constant parameters I did a 20 gallon wc and waited one more day.

Checked the parameters yesterday (Red Sea test kits)

Salinity 1.025
PH (apex) 8.14
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrites 0 ppm
Nitrates 3 ppm
Phosphates 0 ppm (undetectable with test kit)
Magnesium 1240 ppm
Calcium 400 ppm
Alkalinity 3.5 / 9.8 dKH

Now for the finished results

A little more blue

Hope you enjoyed following so far !

 

[scastillo813]

A few more pictures

 

[skinz78]

Looking good!

 

[iReef86]

You are gonna wish you had a background. I didn't see you using a check valve having the returns so submerged. Hoping that you have a hole drilled to break siphon? using

 

[iReef86]

Sorry: looks great by the way! Keep up the good work!

 

[scastillo813]

Sorry: looks great by the way! Keep up the good work!

Thanks,
I could always add a background later on so I'm giving this a shot. There is a hole a the highest point of both my returns, no worries here.

 

[nitro'sreef]

Nice Build

 

[scastillo813]

Nice Build

Thanks.

Added another fish to the quarantine today. A couple weeks and it'll be ready to join the rest

 

[jason g]

Like the build with the stand, looks good. How's the Powder Blue Tang doing? Buy the way you a Buccaneers fan? Lol I know a non related hobby question. Lol

 

[scastillo813]

Like the build with the stand, looks good. How's the Powder Blue Tang doing? Buy the way you a Buccaneers fan? Lol I know a non related hobby question. Lol

Thanks, it's doing okay so far (It's still in the quarantine tank). Eh somewhat, I'm more into college football....go gators!

Some new acros from Gary at Reef Pets

 

[Chrome84]

I am digging that stand, Great job!