Derek's Custom 180G SPS Reef Tank

S

spyd

Super Active Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2011
Location
Kitchener, Ontario
Very energy efficient for a return pump and it can be used externally so I can keep the heat in check on this tank. It will be in my basement, which is always nice a cool so I am hoping to avoid any need for a chiller.

I have a built-in air exchanger in my house as well which is great for keeping the moisture from the tank to an absolute minimum.
 
S

spyd

Super Active Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2011
Location
Kitchener, Ontario
So I have decided to sell my Iwaki pump and have ordered my Water Blaster HY10000 (2600GPH) pump today. Also, I have heard back that my tank should be ready to pick-up this saturday!  :D The glass supplier also messed up a little by accidently cutting my one piece Eurobrace out of Starphyre glass.  ;D Excited about that one. Mine will be the first tank made by the manufacturer to have a Starphyre one-piece Eurobrace. No greenish tinge to be found anywhere on this tank!

I also picked up some used acrylic tanks this past weekend to use for my water changes and refugium  . Space is tight where my sump  and these tanks are going so it is going to be a tower stand that is 3 tanks high. A bit of a pain but nothing a step stool won't fix though. I am looking into getting some custom acrylic tanks made that have smaller base dimensions are just taller to make life easier.
 
Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)

Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)

Distinguished Member
Donor
Joined
Aug 29, 2011
Location
Sarnia, Ontario
At the coral reef shop.  They some pumps that have a controller display.  They had them setup to all there tanks and there was like 3 more boxes on display  I forget the name of that pump ..real nice looking controller about the size ofthe apex display
 
S

spyd

Super Active Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2011
Location
Kitchener, Ontario
Probably the Waveline pumps. I am going to run the Water Blaster as I really like the 3 year warranty that comes with them. Vertex will be releasing their line of controlled pumps shortly as well. I just can't wait that long until they arrive. At least with Vertex, I know the quality and R&D will be there.
 
S

spyd

Super Active Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2011
Location
Kitchener, Ontario
You bet! Only 1 real issue with the whole setup... Skimmer is still about 1 month away. Luckily, I think I found one that I can borrow until the new one shows up.
 
S

spyd

Super Active Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2011
Location
Kitchener, Ontario
Atlas Aquariums. They are actually built at Advanced Reef Aquatics in Milton. Flavio is a really good guy to deal with and they have been doing a fantastic job with the build. He ensures all panes fit 100% with no overhangs whatsoever. Also, one piece Eurobrace which I think gives it a nice clean look. All cuts are done using lasers and are very smooth. Also, he trims the silicone and refills the grooves instead of having the little indented grooves at the sides of the tank.

As you can tell, I am a little anal when it comes to what I buy. I was skeptical at first as I was going to go with a Miracles tank originally, but, once he showed me the slight differences in quality, I went with him and couldn't be happier.... So far anyways.

It did take a good 8 weeks for my tank though as they can only build 2 tanks at a time since they have limited space. Miracles still have great tanks. I just really liked the look of the 1 piece Eurobracing and he uses thicker glass as well.
 
P

Phil

New Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2011
Location
Kitchener, Ontario
Hi Derek, I saw your tank just last week as the top was being set on. Looks fantastic. Quite the unique tank. I didn't look at the one piece top but I hear it's quite special  :) PS: you can come by any time and pick up the loaner skimmer.

Phil.
 
S

spyd

Super Active Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2011
Location
Kitchener, Ontario
Tank is officially going to be picked up on Sunday!! I've got a lot of work ahead of me now! New water heater was installed and softener was moved down so I have all the room that I need.... For now... hehe.
 
S

spyd

Super Active Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2011
Location
Kitchener, Ontario
I finally got the tank yesterday and it looks great! I will snap some pictures tonight! Plumbing begins today and I hope to have it running by the end of the week as long as my return pump shows up this week.
 
S

spyd

Super Active Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2011
Location
Kitchener, Ontario
I picked up the tank on Sunday! Now the REAL fun begins. Plumbing will commence this week. I am just waiting on a few major parts that I require before I get going. I have attached some pictures of the tank and my new sump . Sump is 42"L x 22"W x 18"H. The 48" acrylic tank above the sump will be used for water changes. I can mix the water above and will have a bulkhead and valve in the bottom of it to drain the mixed water straight to my sump . I will also be building an additional stand beside my sump to hold my refugium and top-off water tank. The stand will also have plywood on the one side to hold my BRS Dual Reactor and Vertex UF-15 for bio-pellets.

My new Water Blaster HY10000 comes by the end of the week so I should have the majority plumbed in by the end of the week. I am very happy with how my tank and sump turned out. Atlas (Advanced Reef Aquatics) did a fantastic job on both of them and can't wait to get everything up and running.
 
S

spyd

Super Active Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2011
Location
Kitchener, Ontario
The lower baffles are 7" high. I will be running the water level at approx. 10" high. I could have gone a few inches taller but I don't think it would make much of a difference at all. I am running 4 x Tunze 6101's for my flow in the DT.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top