Rock-n-Reef's 500 Gallon build

[rock-n-reef]

I have been planning this build for ages. Excited to finally get this started. With the move to our new home in early 2023, my wife and I decided to consolidate all our previous tanks into one system. So decided to go a bit bigger.

For anyone interested here are the links to my previous tank builds.

Rock-n-Reef’s 200 Gallon build

I have been thinking of replacing my Red Sea Max S-650 for a while now due to variety of reason. At last decided to take the plunge. With my recent build I used Innovative Marine tank and I’m very happy with the build quality. Decided to go in the same direction for this rebuild. Order the tank...

bostonreefers.org

Rock-n-Reef’s IM 112 Gallon Lagoon style build (or rather the 2020 Corona build!)

Tank builds are always the exciting part of this hobby. With each build we make mistakes, we learn, and when it’s time to upgrade, we try not to make the mistakes again. So here I’m upgrading my grow-out tank. The current one is an Innovative Marine Nuvo 40 gallon drilled with a modified stand...

bostonreefers.org

New Build Specs:
Tank Manufacturer: Planet Aquariums
Dimension: 96" L x 48" W x 24" H Peninsula

Stand: Powder coated steel stand also manufactured by Planet Aquariums
Dimension: 96" L x 48" W x 36" H

Overflow: Tideline 20" external overflow with bean-animal drains

Sump: Advanced Acrylics
Dimension: 72"L x 36"W x 16.5"H

Return Pump: 2x Reef Octopus VarioS-8

Lights: 10x Radion XR30 G5 (5 Pros + 5 Blue)

In-tank Flow: 4x MP60s + 2x Tunze 6255 mounted on Sea-Sweep oscillators

Skimmer: Reef Octopus Regal 300EXT

 

[rock-n-reef]

Tank order was placed beginning of June 2023. Build time 10 to 12 weeks.

Tank Location Prep - Fall 2023

This tank is going to be located in one of the garages that is getting renovated to an entertainment room.

With the flooring all prepped, the slab on which the tank goes was epoxied...

With that we were ready to receive the tank!

 

[rock-n-reef]

Tank delivery - 1st Trial!!!

Week after Thanks Giving, the tank is here! or so I thought...

Oh bummer... one of the panel was shattered in the shipping!
Now more wait for the rebuild

 

[rock-n-reef]

February 14th 2024
Fast forward 2 months and the tank is here!!!

 

[rock-n-reef]

Sump is from Advanced Acrylics. 72x36x16.5

The filter sock chamber is fully removable as one section, if I were to convert this to a automated filter roller in the future. Those are six 7 inch filter socks.

The center chamber is a 36x36 section. To be potentially used as frag tank. Since the skimmer is going to be external recirculating, there is not much equipment that will sit in the sump.

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

Dayuuum, definitely following along. Looks great so far

 

[FishieBusiness]

Awesome looking set-up. I'm going with Planet for my new build also! 60x24x24

 

[rock-n-reef]

Awesome looking set-up. I'm going with Planet for my new build also! 60x24x24

Nice! The tank is built sturdy. Good craftsmanship. Their crate and shipping not that much. This is how the crate arrived (this is after the first one broke in shipping). You would hope they paid extra attention to the packaging after the first disaster. The tank was barely hanging on to the crate. That said, they were happy add armored braces, and double the warranty period at no cost when they rebuilt the tank. Which I appreciate.

 

[NeverlosT]

A. Holy crap this build will be awesome. I have to see it!
B. For such a nice tank they need to pack it WAAAY better. Thrilled it made it the 2nd time.
C. That removable sock panel is an awesome idea.
D. Do you already have the other bits? Are you doing dry rock or have rock already good to go?
E. gotta have a letter E.

 

[rock-n-reef]

A. Holy crap this build will be awesome. I have to see it!
B. For such a nice tank they need to pack it WAAAY better. Thrilled it made it the 2nd time.
C. That removable sock panel is an awesome idea.
D. Do you already have the other bits? Are you doing dry rock or have rock already good to go?
E. gotta have a letter E.

Thank you! Have most of the stuff. Rock from my previous system are still there. Need to give it a nice scrub. It was infested with aiptasia and i was thinking of ditching it. Added a bunch of berghias and they took care of it. Will probably need a 50 to 100 pounds of additional rock maybe.

 

[this is me]

Epic!

 

[PSU4ME]

Saw this bad boy in person today - going to be awesome when up and running - can’t wait!

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

@rock-n-reef any new updates, besides the aptasia?

 

[properbbq]

@rock-n-reef any new updates, besides the aptasia?

I'm curious for an update as well.

 

[rock-n-reef]

@rock-n-reef any new updates, besides the aptasia?

Hi - What's up, bud! Tank has been up and running for about 6 months now with basic stuff. No corals yet, except for couple of lps. Did not pay attention to the tank for a few months with travel and other life stuff! Was full of algae and aiptasia. Cleaning it up over the last few weeks and trying to get it ready to load up with corals!

Will start posting updates here soon!

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

Hi - What's up, bud! Tank has been up and running for about 6 months now with basic stuff. No corals yet, except for couple of lps. Did not pay attention to the tank for a few months with travel and other life stuff! Was full of algae and aiptasia. Cleaning it up over the last few weeks and trying to get it ready to load up with corals!

Will start posting updates here soon!

Good to hear, can't wait for the tour.

 

[NeverlosT]

I cant wait to see how the tank is looking! Maybe a tour of your water change system and the tub and the whole setup! Hope life is good, when I was there last there were a lot of renovations happening. exciting!

 

[bobbravo2]

Can’t wait to see an update. Epic build!

 

[rock-n-reef]

Water change system installation (Summer 2024)

With the large system, I wanted to get a water filtration, storage, and sink/counter space close by to the tank to make tank cleaning work a bit easy.

Repurposed a countertop from old kitchen that was gutted during the home renovations. Cut that to dimension, polished, and installed. There was hot/cold line already in the room, but I need to move the line to below the counter to attach the faucet.

Two 50 Gallon containers for saltwater storage.

200 Gallons per day 7 stage RODI installed and plumbed in.

 

[rock-n-reef]

Sump stand build (Summer/Fall 2024)

I originally thought of keeping the sump inside the stand under the tank, and the stand was designed that way with no center legs and removable foot on the long end to slide the sump in. But once the sump was in place, I felt it might be a pain in the long run to crawl down under the stand for cleaning and maintenance. So decided to build a separate stand by the side on the tank on which the sump will go.

The raised left hand section will have the external skimmer that will directly return to the sump.

Very happy with the sump build quality (from Advanced Acrylics). Its 72"x36"x16.5". The center chamber is 36"x36" which will eventually be a frag section.

Also added a shelf to this section to house all the pump controllers, GHL, and other devices in the future.