TexAgReefer's 235 ZEOvit SPS Dominant Reef

[TexAgReefer]

That’s where I plan on keeping it as well, in the sump. I will cycle it though beforehand to keep any algae from getting in my new tank. The bacteria from the ocean is second to none, and like you, I plan on mainly having SPS, so I want it to have a much of a head start as possible.

You’re going to cycle the live rock or cycle the tank before you put the rock in?

 

[Billldg]

You’re going to cycle the live rock or cycle the tank before you put the rock in?

I will cycle the rock before I set up the new tank. Roughly a month or so before I set up my new tank I will order the rock and start to cycle it. I haven’t decided yet, but I may also place some of the Marco Shelf rock in the container as well to get a head start on seeding it.

 

[TexAgReefer]

I will cycle the rock before I set up the new tank. Roughly a month or so before I set up my new tank I will order the rock and start to cycle it. I haven’t decided yet, but I may also place some of the Marco Shelf rock in the container as well to get a head start on seeding it.

Not a bad idea. I thought about going ahead and cycling my rock as I already have it, but I still have to aquascape and I don’t want to have to do it in the water. So I’d just lose whatever bacteria I was able to get going.

 

[Billldg]

Not a bad idea. I thought about going ahead and cycling my rock as I already have it, but I still have to aquascape and I don’t want to have to do it in the water. So I’d just lose whatever bacteria I was able to get going.

I plan on aquascaping outside the tank. Then, after I glue it all together I will place sections of the aquascape in the container with the live rock. I can’t do it all as I have well over 170 pounds of Marco Shelf rock, but I can possibly do a few sections. It’s just a matter of having enough containers to hold it.

 

[FishDoji]

Fellow Ag here so give me a shout if you ever need anything.

Another Ag here. Who knew so many Aggies reefed?

 

[Hydrored]

Started with dry rock. So if by real live rock you mean from the ocean, then I don't know where I could get that. I'll have to find some. But I will definitely try.

Give Austin Aqua Farms a call, they get live rock from Australia shipped in. I bought 50 pounds of it from them and it’s nice stuff. You do have to watch for aptasia though.

I drove down and picked it out myself, and put it right in the tank after cleaning up a couple nasties and removing a gorilla crab.

You are welcome to swing by and check it out if your up to it

 

[TexAgReefer]

Give Austin Aqua Farms a call, they get live rock from Australia shipped in. I bought 50 pounds of it from them and it’s nice stuff. You do have to watch for aptasia though.

I drove down and picked it out myself, and put it right in the tank after cleaning up a couple nasties and removing a gorilla crab.

You are welcome to swing by and check it out if your up to it

Thanks!

 

[TexAgReefer]

Update:

Some exciting things today as it is starting to get REAL!!

First, my live rock from KP Aquatics arrived. I ordered 15 lbs and got every bit of that. My aquascape in the DT will be dry rock, but I wanted some live rock for that bacterial biodiversity straight from the ocean. I’ve heard so many great things about KP so it was a no brainer for me.

I am going to quarantine everything that goes into this system so I put this live rock in a bucket with a heater and a pump. It will stay there for 76 days, fishless, to ensure I’m not introducing any fish parasites into the new system. At that point it will go into the sump/fuge.

This stuff is full of life. Sponge, coralline, macro algae, etc. I did find a bristle worm, but I’m not worried about that. I’ll be checking the bucket for any hitchhikers I really don’t want, but the risk is far worth the reward of the bacteria.

Second, my stand and skimmer were delivered! Tank will be here tomorrow! Then the plumbing can begin. I want this thing wet ASAP!

 

[TexAgReefer]

It’s here!!! Pretty surreal to have it sitting in my living room. I’ve been dreaming of this for quite some time.

A huge THANK YOU to @PremierLifeAquariums for helping with the purchase and now the delivery of the tank! Dominick has been a HUGE help throughout the process and am super grateful for the work they did getting it in the house. That alone was no small feat!

Time to start plumbing and working to get this thing wet.

 

[TexAgReefer]

Got some lights installed in the sump. I’ll be tying some mag sensors on the doors into the Apex breakout so the lights come on automatically when doors are opened. Wanted to get these in before I put in the sump.

 

[Billldg]

Update:

Some exciting things today as it is starting to get REAL!!

First, my live rock from KP Aquatics arrived. I ordered 15 lbs and got every bit of that. My aquascape in the DT will be dry rock, but I wanted some live rock for that bacterial biodiversity straight from the ocean. I’ve heard so many great things about KP so it was a no brainer for me.

I am going to quarantine everything that goes into this system so I put this live rock in a bucket with a heater and a pump. It will stay there for 76 days, fishless, to ensure I’m not introducing any fish parasites into the new system. At that point it will go into the sump/fuge.

This stuff is full of life. Sponge, coralline, macro algae, etc. I did find a bristle worm, but I’m not worried about that. I’ll be checking the bucket for any hitchhikers I really don’t want, but the risk is far worth the reward of the bacteria.

Second, my stand and skimmer were delivered! Tank will be here tomorrow! Then the plumbing can begin. I want this thing wet ASAP!

That live rock looks great.

 

[Billldg]

It’s here!!! Pretty surreal to have it sitting in my living room. I’ve been dreaming of this for quite some time.

Time to start plumbing and working to get this thing wet.

Tank looks awesome. How come I don't see any rock or water in it yet, LOL!!! ;Hilarious

 

[TexAgReefer]

Tank looks awesome. How come I don't see any rock or water in it yet, LOL!!! ;Hilarious

Made some progress today. Return plumbing complete. My emergency drain line is complete. Need to finish the primary/secondary drains and then I’ll be ready for leak test.

 

[Gablami]

Cool sump and color. I didn’t recognize it, so I had to go back and read. Modular marine! Love his overflows. He made two custom ones for me. I didn’t know he made sumps too.

 

[Dopamine]

Another fellow Ag here, great looking setup. What's your opinion on the quality so far of the planet aquarium tank and stand? Was looking at their crystalline series for my build.

 

[TexAgReefer]

Cool sump and color. I didn’t recognize it, so I had to go back and read. Modular marine! Love his overflows. He made two custom ones for me. I didn’t know he made sumps too.

Thanks! I'm a big fan. Throughout my reading and following on build threads I hadn't seen anything but rave reviews of MM and his work. I knew from the beginning I would be using his overflow. I reached out to him and asked if he could do a sump and I'm glad I did. He did everything that I asked for, the quality is incredible, and the price is unbeatable in my opinion, ESPECIALLY for custom work! Could not recommend more!

Another fellow Ag here, great looking setup. What's your opinion on the quality so far of the planet aquarium tank and stand? Was looking at their crystalline series for my build.

Awesome! Gig 'Em!

Love the PA tank/stand. Quality is outstanding. They have a long history of doing great work and for a tank this size, particularly rimless, I wanted to go with a proven manufacturer.

 

[TexAgReefer]

Update:

Got a lot done the last few days!

Finished the plumbing and am really pleased with how it all turned out.

Filled it up with tap water for a leak test. No leaks initially, but then noticed drips from each side of the Neptune 1” flow meter. I used rectorseal 5 as recommended but may not have used enough. Pulled it back off, put more on, and then screwed them back on. Letting it cure for a couple days while I work on other things so hopefully that will fix it.

Today I got the two dedicated outlets installed. Was a little more difficult than expected getting the wires down the wall because of the position of the wall in the attic and the fact that there’s insulation in the wall, but finally got it. Still have to run the wires to the breaker and install. The main thing though was getting the outlet installed so that I could at least get the tank in its final position.

Need to finish the aquascape then I can fill with water and get this thing going!

 

[Gablami]

Nice work! Having just plumbed my tank, I know the effort that got put into that job. You were smart and plumbed it before you moved it into place. I decided to torture myself and fill the tank up first before my sump arrived ;Dead.

 

[Evaaron]

Where are you planning to put all the electronics, dosing pumps, power bars, etc?

 

[TexAgReefer]

Nice work! Having just plumbed my tank, I know the effort that got put into that job. You were smart and plumbed it before you moved it into place. I decided to torture myself and fill the tank up first before my sump arrived ;Dead.

Definitely a lot of meticulous work but well worth it! Yeah, I’m trying to do as much as possible before I get it in its final resting place.

Where are you planning to put all the electronics, dosing pumps, power bars, etc?

I had them put a door on the left side of the stand. That allowed me to slide the sump in, but its primary purpose is that I’m going to install an electronics board there. It’ll separate them from the sump area and be accessible from that door. I had already cut wood for the area but I really didn’t like the stain/sealant I got so I’m scrapping it and starting over.