The Start of a Monster build!!!

BigG10905 · May 2, 2013

Well here starts my first post of my monster build. First off I am a newbie to the saltwater area but have been keeping freshwater fish for years. Now I'm not the guy who had guppies or plates that saw a cool saltwater fish or finding nemo and wanted a saltwater tank. I have been keeping Discus Angels Chiclids and other high maintenance freshwater fish. A friend of mine who has keeped saltwater convinced me that I have nothing more to do in freshwater so move on to saltwater to get a challenge. So not being one to back down from a challenge I jumped in.

So first got some reading material and joined this amazing forum. Then I know that most starters get a smaller tank but in my experince I know that more water in the water colum is better. Using this I bought a 220 gallon pre-drilled glass tank (72"X24"X30") with a 125 sump under the DT.

Now here is where I am looking for advice or pointers. So I am going to build my stand out of wood (being a former Contractor) and going to hard plumb the pipes with ball valves as many places as possible. Now here is the equipment I have decided to use on this monster build. For skimmer I will be using a Reef Octupus Diablo XS 350 skimmer. For my pump I think I am going Iwaki external pump don't know which one but that will come later. For my pumps I will being using 3 hydor pumps two on sides and 1 on back. Hopefully moving up to scotech vortechs. Also using tunzee ATF. using a UV coralife twist. Using black sand and reef saver rock. Now I will be setting up this and letting it run for 3 months. I will be using one of the bottle bacteria and purple up go get it going but I will let it set for a few months just to let it mature. Any pointers will be helpful and appreciated.

Gregg

Kheebl · May 2, 2013

Take it slow and let the tank fully cycle before you add any livestock.

mike007 · May 2, 2013

What size is this monster tank going to be?

justgotwet · May 2, 2013

It sounds like you are off to a great start!

larangcon · May 2, 2013

I was in the same situation, moved up and went salt, never looked back. This is a challenge that you will truly enjoy whether for the good or bad this hobby has taken off the stress from work. Also...Welcome.

j3st3r · May 2, 2013

mike007 said:
What size is this monster tank going to be?

220 gal DT, 125 gal sump

revhtree · May 2, 2013

Looking forward to it!

Savant · May 3, 2013

LOL the "challenge" will be keeping your wallet full...:wink:

AsphaltPays · May 3, 2013

Looks like you are off to a good start the only thing is forget the purple up I would just get a small piece of live rock with coraline already on it from your buddy. Looking forward to seeing your build come together

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cdness · May 3, 2013

First off I see the location as Fargo... Great to see another person from my area on Reef2Reef. Be sure to check out the local forums as well.

Sounds like a great build. Only thing I would change is the Purple-Up. It is really snake oil and won't do you any good. It would be much better to get a seasoned piece of liverock from another member to start the corraline and critter cultures. If you would like a piece let me know. All I ask is a dry piece be brought over to trade for the live piece.

Fatmike92 · May 3, 2013

AsphaltPays said:
Looks like you are off to a good start the only thing is forget the purple up I would just get a small piece of live rock with coraline already on it from your buddy. Looking forward to seeing your build come together

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Agreed!

Diver86 · May 3, 2013

I'm following along

redfishbluefish · May 3, 2013

Here is the general plan for a tank stand using dimensional lumber. For a six foot tank you want that top frame to be 2 x 6’s. All other boards are 2 x 4’s. You may skin this stand in whatever you wish. I would also recommend topping the stand with Â¾ ply.

BigG10905 · May 3, 2013

Thanks everyone. The build will be starting later this month once I have to weather to get out into my shop with some silicone and not worry about it getting to cold. Once the sump is done I will build the stand around it. Also once all of the equipment, water, sand, and rock all in I will wait 3 months til putting in my first fish. I am doing this for a couple reasons that I was told so I thought I would try it. First, I was told that with wait longer it allows my copepods levels to become stable along with my nitro bacteria. Don't know if this is a great idea but it sounds like good logic. Second and most important, this will allow me to save up some money for some sweet fish. I have a list I will be putting up later to see if they will be compatible and some good fish to have. So I'm kinda nervous and excited for all of this and I will be putting up pics on progress.

Gregg