Reef_Engineer's 300G System Build

[Ortizdrz]

In theory, if the armor seam completely protects the aquarium seam from our tank water then the aquarium seam will act as if it has been sitting in storage the entire time besides the stable temperature and humidity from the aquarium which will prolomg the degration of the seam, comparing to the unstable nature of it in storage. My expertise on this is next to zero. I just want to educate myself.

I'm a little confused with this conception , if I'm understanding this correctly is that there's a belief that silicone in the tank should always be wet or ut degrades? But then what about the silicone portions on the outside of the tank and between the glass , won't that degrade as it isn't wet ? Also just trying to understand this as it's now got me very confused as well.

 

[NeverlosT]

I'm a little confused with this conception , if I'm understanding this correctly is that there's a belief that silicone in the tank should always be wet or ut degrades? But then what about the silicone portions on the outside of the tank and between the glass , won't that degrade as it isn't wet ? Also just trying to understand this as it's now got me very confused as well.

I think it is a non issue. I would not worry about it unless your tank is 15 years old, and came from Petco, and even then...

The time to consider this is if you are buying a tank from someone who has had it sitting unused for a long time. It could have been exposed to elements during that time or extensive UV which accelerate aging of Silicone. (Silicone is a very long lasting substance!)

I think TPhan was just wondering if there were environmental concerns with the silicone from armoring the seams, and I do not believe there are any.


Anywhoo back to the progress, I hope to get plumbed this week, then a delicate balance of building a reef structure using E-Marco on Live rock while keeping it "live" will begin! It is going to involve spray bottles of saltwater, wet paper towels, and lots of patience.

The water test with hose water may begin as early as next week

 

[NeverlosT]

Test fill with hose water. Tank and floor both holding just fine. I’ll finish returns this week then drain it, and start to fill with salt water. Mixing station will be done this week too. Then just need to build more structures with live rock and move the thruster over.

Cycle starts soon!

 

[TPhan]

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Test fill with hose water. Tank and floor both holding just fine. I’ll finish returns this week then drain it, and start to fill with salt water. Mixing station will be done this week too. Then just need to build more structures with live rock and move the thruster over.

Cycle starts soon!

Epic! What will u use to cycle? Whats your goal for this tank?

 

[afboundguy]

@NeverlosT this continues to make my small 35'ish gallon tank build have jealousy issues ‍

 

[NeverlosT]

Epic! What will u use to cycle? Whats your goal for this tank?

Thanks! I will put in the live rock that has been cycling in my basement for a few months, then hopefully add a rock or two of wild liverock for biodiversity.

The goal of the tank is high energy mixed reef. 85% sps and 15% lps with a bunch of fish. I plan to use mixed substrate. First putting aragonite sand and letting it blow around then filling the gaps with reborn.

I hope that I wont suffer too much by starting primarily with dry rock, but we shall see. I hope that the cycled rock in my tub that will fill the tank and sump will help.

 

[NeverlosT]

@NeverlosT this continues to make my small 35'ish gallon tank build have jealousy issues ‍

Lol dont be jealous yet! I guess that anyone can build a bigger tank but it takes vision, talent, patience, and an artists touch to make it a masterpiece. Time will tell if i can grow a reef worthy of the tank! I am excited to try.

 

[NeverlosT]

Custom bent pvc return lines? Don’t mind if i do!

This my siphon break, there is one for each return. It’s a swing check valve. When the return starts, it pressurizes the line, closing the check valve. When it stops, suction opens the valve and breaks the siphon. It sits dry most of the time so no issues with fouling.

I finished the plumbing! Did a leak test with both returns. One true union ball valve leaked but was fixed, the only other leaks were at each return where the union threads into the bulkhead at the sump. So i just need to re-do those threaded connections with some pipe dope.

Should be able to run leak free tomorrow.

Reborn substrate came today, WC station pump and last EB832 come tomorrow.

Hope to be running with salt-water this weekend. Might order some liverock from the coral farm tomorrow to seed.

 

[garyl]

Amazing!

Planning and building is always the best part of this hobby - because nothing ever dies on you for no reason....

 

[NeverlosT]

I love the planning and building but also the growing once things are dialed in!

I fixed 4 leaks yesterday, two threaded junctions that just needed re-doing and two of the 1.5" PVC drains where to bonehead plumber (me) didn't PVC glue two unions and they leaked a little, but hey, easy fix with all the unions I used, you just pop parts of the plumbing out and work on them.

The tank is all good to go now, and honestly is almost silent running. The Varios 8 pumps are at 2/3 power each and only have a quiet hum. The skimmer is also quiet. So the real challenge will be powerheads as far as noise goes.

All I need now to finish the WC station is some PVC pipe that I will scoop up today. Then I can mix 100g at a time and pump straight into the tank.

I need to buy an ATO (dont have one yet) but need to find one that can sense upstairs, and turn on a pump at the reservoir in the basement. So likely a neptune unit since the extender wires for the Tunze osmolator are impossible to find...

 

[Countryreefer]

I run a Tunze Osmolator and added one of the new pumps (https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/turbelle-high-jet-pump-tunze.html) to pump fresh RO water from my reservoir in the basement (about 16ft. of vertical). I just used some small wire to make the connection as long as needed and it works great.

 

[Cooper2]

Be sure to have a spare PMUP pump if you run the Apex. I'm sure you'll need it if pumping from the basement. I agree 100% on the Tunze mentioned above. I'll go further and say you will never regret buying anything of German design for aquariums. They don't cut any corners and reliable as a hammer. I love my Apex stuff but it seems every redesign just cheapens it with poor quality. I'll never run anything other than an EB8 and the brick style controllers. The new stuff always seems to get hate mail about the 832, and I think the power circuit for the newer controls (A3 Jr anyway) is about to become a popular topic. The Apex is a 24v pump and the Tunze is a 12v pump. Extending the wire for either is a simple task and actually not really even an extension with the Tunze. The wires from the Tunze are like speaker connections, a spring loaded clamping type deal you simply press to release or attach where Apex wants you to buy for the plug.

 

[NeverlosT]

Thank you for the input, I am leaning towards Tunze. Going to do a bit more research today. Freshwater drained from tank last night, saltwater first batch goes in today!

 

[NeverlosT]

 

[Cooper2]

I can hear the theme to Jaws......

 

[Reefried]

I love your build. Looking great so far. I cannot wait to see you start stocking that beast. Nice work.

 

[NeverlosT]

I love your build. Looking great so far. I cannot wait to see you start stocking that beast. Nice work.

Thanks! Hopefully soon.

Got a bit of rock from @eddie pr yesterday, if everything works out, might pick up a small QT tank tomorrow, then time to start fish shopping. I know folks say "introduce all of your tangs at once" but that just isn't financially in the cards, so I will have to do one here or there and just rely on all of the old tricks to minimize aggression.

 

[Spaceman]

Thanks! Hopefully soon.

Got a bit of rock from @eddie pr yesterday, if everything works out, might pick up a small QT tank tomorrow, then time to start fish shopping. I know folks say "introduce all of your tangs at once" but that just isn't financially in the cards, so I will have to do one here or there and just rely on all of the old tricks to minimize aggression.

There definitely is still a order to add tangs if your not gonna add them all at once. My tank is 80% tangs and I still wanna add 1 or 2 more. Achilles and a sohal will probably be my last 2 tangs.

 

[NeverlosT]

I had three in my last 150 cube and the Achilles was the least aggressive I had. I have the worst luck with zebrasoma being brutal, like purples. My favorite was a Bariene who ate any and all nuisance algae and was a gentle giant.

I am considering (for tangs):
Blonde Naso
Trio of biota yellows
Achilles
Mimic Lemon Peel
Bariene Tang

Then for other fish:
Potters Wrasse (male and female)
Two Stripe Red Sea Clowns
as many lyretail anthias as I can afford/find
maybe some clown gobies for the kids
some more wrasses like radiant or coris

 

[NeverlosT]

well, my tank had its first macroscopic animal.... an aptasia. lol followed closely by a bristleworm. They stowed away on some live rock, but hey, all good.

Killed the aptasia out of spite although I know they will make it in, the bristleworm can stay as long as they dont get out of hand someday.

Ordered some pods from ReefsbySteele as well as some phyto, just poured it all in. so now I have a variety of pods, who will hopefully breed, some phyto to get them started, and little feather dusters.

I was going to order some actual aussie liverock but the place isnt getting any until sometime in august, so I'll wait on that. Man that is expensive. $25-30 per pound. That is crazy. But, I do want some wild biodiversity, I just wish I could order 1 pound. It stinks most places have a 10lb minimum.

I'll be away on a little trip shortly, but the tank only evaporates 1 gallon/day and my wife knows how to refill the reservoir, so should be fine. It is self sufficient other than that. Then when I get back... fish. I might get buck wild and get a small harem of clowns from @Kens Bees and a colorado sunburst to host em. That would give us a nice splash of color.

I picked up a 29g biocube to act as fish and coral QT. Initially it will QT all the fish coming in and treat them if need be. Is it still considered impossible to ever put fish in a tank that onetime had copper treatment in it, even if all the rock/obstacles are removed and water changed? So could I use it to QT fish and then down the road use it as coral QT? What do people think of that?

Then again, I am not going to QT all of my snails for 7 weeks so maybe it isn't worth sweating copper treating the fish prophylactically. All my previous tanks had ich and I just fed a lot of live foods and the fish got fat and never had issues with it.