VNReef's 200 Gallons

Short Reefer · Jan 7, 2023

Happy New Year Everyone!

My name is Nate Pham

I'm inspired by the work everyone has done in this forum, combining everyone's ideas to build my dream tank. So I will do the same and share my build as well.

I have been out of the hobby since 2017 (when Harvey hit us badly). Recently, visiting an old friend and he has an amazing reef tank; reminded me of the old days, so I asked my wife for her opinion. Of course, her response will be "NO", but I'm going to do it anyway. LOL

After weeks of research on which Aquarium to purchase, left off with 2 options are RedSea G2 1000 or IM EXT200. I decided to pick Innovation Marine because of the size, external overflow box, euro brace, and no reports of leaking on the aquariums.

IM delivered the tank/stand in August 2022, but I'm slowly working on it because of my work schedule. Yes, the tank is still dry.

I will post more details later on but here are a few FTS for now

Devaji · Jan 7, 2023

heck yeah! i have the 200 ext peninsula coming myself. how long did it take from order to delivery? the full 16 weeks?

nice home and Dog too!
did you remove the door for the controller side. more details plz

Short Reefer · Jan 7, 2023

Devaji said:
heck yeah! i have the 200 ext peninsula coming myself. how long did it take from order to delivery? the full 16 weeks?

nice home and Dog too!
did you remove the door for the controller side. more details plz

Took 1 week for delivered. I guess back when they have all bigger tank instock.

Since i have controller box built-in, i decided to remove white plastic sheet on door panel to replace with clear acrylic sheet.

Here some closer pictures.

ShepherdReefer · Jan 7, 2023

Hello there, looks great. like the setup.

Short Reefer · Jan 7, 2023

The spot where i placed my aquarium, the surface level is off. Since the stand from IM doesnt have adjustable legs.

I build a stand as leveler for IM Stand. It turned out to be amazing.

blaxsun · Jan 7, 2023

Really digging the glass panel on the side.

Devaji · Jan 7, 2023

VNReef1 said:
Took 1 week for delivered. I guess back when they have all bigger tank instock.

Since i have controller box built-in, i decided to remove white plastic sheet on door panel to replace with clear acrylic sheet.

Here some closer pictures.

man that looks nice. I was thinking of something similar if I go with a controller board.
I order right around thanksgiving. guessing it will be end of Feb till I get mine. its Ok as i am not in a hurry.

Short Reefer · Jan 7, 2023

Devaji said:
man that looks nice. I was thinking of something similar if I go with a controller board.
I order right around thanksgiving. guessing it will be end of Feb till I get mine. its Ok as i am not in a hurry.

Please check your glass carefully when you have your tank delivered. I have a blemish on side of the tank but IM took of $1000 of the tab so i couldnt complaint lol.

Devaji · Jan 7, 2023

VNReef1 said:
Please check your glass carefully when you have your tank delivered. I have a blemish on side of the tank but IM took of $1000 of the tab so i couldnt complaint lol.

oh wow. I normally do a quick check when it get delivered so the driver can go. then do a long walk through. when did you discover it?

Caleb123 · Jan 8, 2023

VNReef1 said:
The spot where i placed my aquarium, the surface level is off. Since the stand from IM doesnt have adjustable legs.

I build a stand as leveler for IM Stand. It turned out to be amazing.

This is awesome! I’m not a great DIYer though. How did you use the base to get it level? Did you put leveling feet on the base you built? The floor where my new IM 170 EXT is going is very unlevel so I have to figure out something

Short Reefer · Jan 8, 2023

Devaji said:
oh wow. I normally do a quick check when it get delivered so the driver can go. then

I used torpedo level on the floor and mark the differences on the stud. Then precisely cut, it's time consuming but worth it.

Short Reefer · Jan 8, 2023

Devaji said:
oh wow. I normally do a quick check when it get delivered so the driver can go. then do a long walk through. when did you discover it?

Its invisible unless you use a flashlight.

With flash:

Without:

quentin17110 · Jan 8, 2023

VNReef1 said:
Happy New Year Everyone!

My name is Nate Pham

I'm inspired by the work everyone has done in this forum, combining everyone's ideas to build my dream tank. So I will do the same and share my build as well.

I have been out of the hobby since 2017 (when Harvey hit us badly). Recently, visiting an old friend and he has an amazing reef tank; reminded me of the old days, so I asked my wife for her opinion. Of course, her response will be "NO", but I'm going to do it anyway. LOL

After weeks of research on which Aquarium to purchase, left off with 2 options are RedSea G2 1000 or IM EXT200. I decided to pick Innovation Marine because of the size, external overflow box, euro brace, and no reports of leaking on the aquariums.

IM delivered the tank/stand in August 2022, but I'm slowly working on it because of my work schedule. Yes, the tank is still dry.

I will post more details later on but here are a few FTS for now

So sick

Short Reefer · Jan 8, 2023

Spend sometime today to connect all equipments into Apex.

Gumbies R Us · Jan 9, 2023

Tank looks very clean and organized. I like the side panel where you have your Apex at!!

Short Reefer · Jan 9, 2023

Used about 80 lbs of Marco Rocks. Superglue then use Marco cement to bond everything. Oh, Tank is going BB as well.
13" is the highest point.

Short Reefer · Jan 9, 2023

Gumbies R Us said:
Tank looks very clean and organized. I like the side panel where you have your Apex at!!

Thank you. If i didnt have to wait for the custom sump, then it would never be happened. LOL

Short Reefer · Jan 9, 2023

AWC is up.
Total of 75ft away from the Tank. Still look little bit of messy. Will do some cleanup on tubing/wiring later on.

Short Reefer · Jan 10, 2023

After 22 weeks worth of waiting, GEOs delivered a good news that my order will be ship today or tmr.

Sump 40x15x15
Calcium reactor 818

QuickrdenU · Jan 11, 2023

Setup looks killer! Did you make your own controller board or buy it somewhere? And would you use the marco rock mortar again? or do you think epoxy and covering it with dust would have been easier?