Yet Another of Bob's Build Threads / 150g
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Main
Forum Name: Tank Threads
Forum Description: A place to show off your tank build.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74861
Printed Date: April 24 2024 at 2:14pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Yet Another of Bob's Build Threads / 150g
Posted By: BobC63
Subject: Yet Another of Bob's Build Threads / 150g
Date Posted: February 14 2015 at 11:39pm
|
So... I've already done Builds on a 225 acrylic; a 37 Hex; a 93 Cube; and a 90 standard. Now it's time for yet another rockin' reef system This time let's do a 150 Gyre System
|
Replies:
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: February 15 2015 at 6:58am
|
Is that going to be a see-through tank by the entry way? Great picture of you too. You are doing great! -------------  |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 15 2015 at 7:30am
|
Looks awesome already. " a 225 acrylic; a 37 Hex; a 93 Cube; and a 90 standard." I believe I can see the 90 in the background, but I'm just curious, any of the others still running and is this 150 going to be a replacement or additional? Aloha
 ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: February 15 2015 at 7:56am
|
The 225 / 37 Hex / 93 Cube are all long gone The 90 is still up and running However, the 150 will be replacing the 90... one tank at a time is enough for me Right now, most likely that I am going to put the 150 in the same space where the 90 is now It is just in the middle of my Front Room temporarily I am going to fabricate an outer skin for the stand, but I want it to be removable. I am also going to set up the plumbing / wiring / sump 'pretty' enough that I can leave the skin off if I want to. Water movement will be handled by 2 Maxxspect Gyres; one on either end off the tank. Only 1 will be on at a time; they will alternate every hour to somewhat imitate ocean tidal flow... Right now I am thinking that I want to go light on fish load, with a pair of Moorish Idols as the 'centerpiece' fish ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: February 15 2015 at 8:20am
|
This will be fun to follow Bob. I always enjoy your threads. What are your coral plans? ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 15 2015 at 8:30am
|
Oh, I wondered if your house was being overtaken by salt water.    Looking straight down in that same spot, these coral grow thicker because the water is too close to shore/too shallow for Idols to spend much time here eating it.  Those blue cloves almost look like Xenia. As a matter of fact I have available a lot of Xenia covered LR and some growths of blue clove polyps and sponge encrusted rock. The Sponge repertoire includes blue, pink, yellow, black and white. I'll hold it for your consideration. Aloha, Mark ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
Posted By: jdinchak
Date Posted: February 15 2015 at 8:31am
|
I like it! Can't wait to watch the build. ------------- 180G Mixed Reef Tank 170G Dart Frog Tank |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 15 2015 at 9:04am
And more to drool over...   ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
Posted By: Hogie
Date Posted: February 15 2015 at 12:28pm
|
Uh Mark, that's was random... I have a couple questions about the gyre. From what I've seen, they will flow in a circular pattern. But I've only seen it flow in an empty tank, how does it handle with having rock in the way? Also, does it leave a dead spot right in the middle? Kind of the eye of a hurricane? |
Posted By: rastareefer
Date Posted: February 15 2015 at 2:02pm
nice pics mark idols will always be one of my favorites 
|
Posted By: Molli
Date Posted: February 15 2015 at 3:04pm
Hey Mark .. this is BOb's new tank build thread and I know a lot of us look forward to his tank build threads. Will you post your pictures and other stuff to a different thread. I didn't want to trash this thread with my post so someone who can please delete it at some point. |
Mark Peterson wrote:Posted By: love2skiutah
Date Posted: February 15 2015 at 5:59pm
| Looking forward to watching this build go down! Tagging along... |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 15 2015 at 6:21pm
|
Hey Molli, that's okay. I'm not offended. I asked Bob and he said he liked my posts; said it gave him ideas and that my pics are cool. This is a public forum of public threads/discussions where we should try to live in harmony with and tolerance of differences in viewpoints and opinions, like yours and mine. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
Posted By: relethg
Date Posted: February 15 2015 at 7:42pm
Molli it would be helpful if you would learn to edit a quoted post so we don't get all the pictures again. It is easy, just edit out the extra information from the quote. You can see what it looks like by clicking preview at the bottom. Following this build. Glenn
------------- 210 G Filled 18 Mar 15 120 G Filled 11 Jun 16 |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: February 24 2015 at 11:41am
|
Alright, so it is time to get started...
Got the messiest part out of the way first; tore down the 90g and put all the fish into a 55g barrel, and the rock / coral into (2) 18g Rubbermaid totes. Everybody has heat and a circ pump going to keep things stable for another day or 2.
Once that chore was done, I started the fun part - setting up the new tank.
Here is a listing of the equipment I will be using:
Display: Aqueon 150 Gallon Standard w/ Dual "Megaflow" Overflow System
 Sump : Elite Aquatics 45 Gallon 3 - Chamber System
 Skimmer: Bubble Magus Curve 7
 Return Pump: Jebao DC9000
 Circulation / Flow: Maxxspect Gyre System X 2
 Controller: Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper Lite
 Filtration: BRS Dual Reactor (Carbon & GFO)
 Korallin Bio - Denitrator 1500
 Lighting: Kessil A350W LED Pendant X 2
 Hamilton Reefstar 250w Metal Halide X 1
 |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: February 24 2015 at 1:57pm
And here is a quick shot of the progress so far:
 - Tank has been set up in the final location (space formerly occupied by the 90g)
- Tank has been cleaned out; although overflows still need more work
- Tank has been leveled and shims installed under the stand
- All plumbing has been dry - fitted and then hard installed
- Sump has been cleaned and installed
- Return pump, skimmer, Media Reactors installed
- Biodenitrator will remain off-line until tank is active
- Tank filling with RO water is in progress
Left to do:
- Sandbed install
- Salt addition
- Gyre pump installs
- Controller install
- Lighting installs
- Set water parameters
- Add in Live Rock, corals fish
|
Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: February 24 2015 at 3:38pm
You make it sound so simple Bob.  But then again, you have set up many tanks in the past. I'm sure this one will be very nice once again. ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: February 24 2015 at 7:03pm
|
I agree! ------------- |
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: February 24 2015 at 10:07pm
|
Nice set up, looking forward to seeing it running ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: February 24 2015 at 10:27pm
|
Tonight's progress: - Approx. 200 lbs. of new sand washed and added. Should be about a 3"layer of oolitic aragonite granules - Gyres installed - Kessil LEDs installed
I also installed a heater and a Koralia pump in the display to heat / circulate the RO water going in I will try and snap a phone shot when I get up for work in the morning; right now it is too cloudy Looks like it should be full within next 18 hrs or so ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: 80cent
Date Posted: February 25 2015 at 10:54am
| As a person with no experience with halides, what made you decide to use them over LEDs? |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: February 25 2015 at 11:28am
|
I am using 1 halide and 2 LED fixtures
I want to see 2 things:
1) If there is any noticeable difference in coral growth / health between the 2 types;
2) Visually, if the 2 types of lighting will "blend" well ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: February 25 2015 at 11:29am
|
BTW, here are a couple of progress shots from 5 AM this morning:
Still cloudy, may have to wait until I run a filter sock to really clear things up
  |
Posted By: backwards32
Date Posted: February 25 2015 at 12:33pm
|
Looks really good bob. Can't wait to see it up and running ------------- Fish Food Direct Great Food for half the price 801-721-0671 call or text me anytime |
Posted By: ksmart
Date Posted: February 25 2015 at 6:02pm
|
Looks great Bob. your tanks always impress! ------------- |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: February 27 2015 at 4:46am
OK, filling is complete 
- Salt has been added
- Temp is about 77 F
- Started up the return pump and skimmer to hopefully remove some of the ultrafine particulates clouding the water.
- No major leaks in the plumbing
 However, I do have 2 small 'drips'... can I use some epoxy putty to seal those joints up?
Will that work, even though there is some moisture present? I'd really rather not have to disassemble anything and try to reglue / rebuild any leaking pipe connections
Here is a shot from 2 AM this morning; had to get up for work early
 at least the cloudiness appears to be getting better, now that I have turned on some of the filtration |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: March 02 2015 at 1:43pm
|
A couple of quick "middle of the night" tank shots - came out heavy blue with the iPhone
Left to do:
- Install the controller
- Hard plumb the pump and control valves for the refugium, ATO, and media reactors
- Install the center halide light
- Tidy up all the wiring
  |
Posted By: LaRue
Date Posted: March 02 2015 at 1:56pm
|
Looks nice |
Posted By: Marcoss
Date Posted: March 02 2015 at 1:57pm
|
Those Kessil's look tiny on your tank but so massive on mine. I am starting to realize I should have gone with a bigger tank... ------------- RedSea Max S400 - 90G Rimless Frag Tanks x2 - 185 Lookdown Bin |
Posted By: proskier101
Date Posted: March 02 2015 at 2:17pm
| i was wondering what you were doing with that ccenter black hole.... then I saw you still had to install the center halide.looks good! |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: March 07 2015 at 12:02am
|
First coral is in - A nice rainbow Trachy from Dynasty Corals
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: March 07 2015 at 7:33am
|
Beautiful piece! ------------- |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 12:16am
|
Here is a little update. Finally have some livestock to show
Ended up going with halides instead of LEDs... in my case, I would have had to pick up 2 more Kessils - at a cost of close to $800 - to fully light this tank. I was able to get a (3) 250w halide setup for less than $200... with LumenMax Elite3 reflectors, and Icecap eballasts. So that is the direction I went. Running (2) Maxxspect Gyre 150s for flow. They run 1 hour than alternate to the other side of the tank. I have to keep them running @ 60% or less, otherwise they blow the sandbed all over the place. Skimmer is the Bubble Magus Curve 7. Return is a Jebao DC9000.Running a BRS dual reactor, and the sump is a 39g unit from Elite Aquatics. ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: ksmart
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 12:48am
Looking good!!  ------------- |
Posted By: Reefboy4life
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 12:49am
|
Nice! ------------- 90 gallon mixed reef |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 1:21am
|
Love it Bob it looks great! Hope the anemone made it home well:) ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 6:28am
|
Awesome tank and I love the lighting! ------------- |
Posted By: Jeremyw
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 8:33am
|
Awesome!!!! ------------- Next meeting: |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 9:10am
|
Here are a few more shots I took with the iPhone last night: Sunny D's
Lakers Scroll
Tri Color Acropora
Blastomussa
Bam Bam's
Green Birdsnest
Orange Digitata
RBTA
Looking down into the sump
I used Kessil goosenecks to hang the lights - gives a nice, clean look
|
Posted By: jdinchak
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 10:00am
|
Going to start a new tank with the Kessils? ------------- 180G Mixed Reef Tank 170G Dart Frog Tank |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 10:35am
|
Great job on the photos and the tank is looking great too! ------------- |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 10:36am
|
Are you running fishless so far? ------------- |
Posted By: LaRue
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 1:12pm
| I see a yellow tang in one of the shots. |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: March 22 2015 at 9:26pm
|
I actually have a half - dozen fish in there: The afore - mentioned 4" Yellow Tang and a Cleaner Wrasse
A 4.5" Naso Tang
An Orange Shouldered Pygmy Angel
And a pair of juvi Tomato Clowns (Jackie, your anemone has already made a couple of friends
|
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 4:23pm
|
Very nice. ------------- |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 6:49pm
|
Awesome glad it is doing well. I really like those tomato clowns:) ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: phys
Date Posted: March 23 2015 at 8:12pm
| Looks great Bob!!! Did you get those leaks fixed? |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 05 2015 at 12:12am
|
Yes, Paul, sealed the 2 leaks just fine ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 05 2015 at 12:14am
|
Here's an update shot. Took it w/ the iPhone right before lights out tonight. First livestock went in on March 7th As of today (April 4th) have 6 fish and over 40 corals in there:
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: April 05 2015 at 6:04pm
|
Looks awesome! I love the look of halides! ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: lskurys
Date Posted: April 06 2015 at 12:06pm
|
Stuff looks good in your tank. I am glad you picked some stuff up ------------- 220g , large elite aquatics sump. 3 Radion Pro Gen 3 lights 3 Mp 40's |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 06 2015 at 12:40pm
|
Shelby -
Everything I got from you is doing real well.
Between you, Nick, and Mark - probably 80% of the coral I have in there came from you three... ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: lskurys
Date Posted: April 06 2015 at 2:15pm
|
I was just looking at your full tank shot. I did not realize how big that LAlaker was ------------- 220g , large elite aquatics sump. 3 Radion Pro Gen 3 lights 3 Mp 40's |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 08 2015 at 9:46am
|
Took some additional shots w/ the iPhone this morning, shortly after 'lights on':
FTS
 Far left
 Center
 Far right
 Spongodes and Jedi Mind Trick - got these corals from Nick801; they had fallen behind some stuff in his frag tank and browned out...
Coloring back up quite nicely
  Red Planet Colony (maybe 5 - 6") from Shelby Kurys
 Gorgonia and Monti Cap from Mark Peterson
 This Purple Birdsnest has really colored up nicely (Shelby)
 Sunny D's (Shelby)
 Open Brain (Reef Insanity / Nick)
 Neon Green Fungia (Reef Insanity)
 Green Mouthed Purple Fungia (Aquatic Evo)
 Another Gorg from Mark - and a nice Acro frag from Kevin (fatman) that came to me dark green,
but has turned a really nice turquiose under the halides
 I have 2 large pieces of rock in the center of the tank that are "Utah Rock" but came from
Southern Utah - so they have a reddish - brown tint to them. Looks pretty cool
 Another of Mark's Gorgonias and some Candycanes, Blastos, etc
 View through left side glass
 View through right side glass
 I have to say I am pretty happy with the way things have turned out so far... I am using 3 different types of rock
(true "live" rock, dry Utah Rock, dry base rock) and so far, no issues.
Here is a shot showing each type of rock. Yellow is "live" rock; Red is Utah Rock; Green is the dry base rock:
 Very happy with the 2 Gyres; great flow, almost dead silent, and look so 'clean' and unobtrusive in the upper corners of the tank...
so nice not to have a bunch of powerheads and wires all over the place.
If I had to do anything over, I would have done a better job getting all the old coralline off of the overflows when the tank was empty;
I am picky, and I hate seeing that dull white dead coralline.
I still need to hook up the controller
 and probably should get the dentrator set up as well...------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 08 2015 at 12:21pm
|
You may have also noticed I have a large amount of snails in there:
- 50 Astrea snails
- 24 Lg (2"+) Mexican Turbo snails
- 24 Margharita snails
- 24 White Nassarius snails
- 1 Queen Conch
____
Tota1 = 123 snails (150 g tank)
I have just 2 crabs in the tank - 2 small Emerald crabs.
I have basically given up on the idea of keeping 'scavenger' hermit crabs; as they either A) kill off the snails trying to get their shells; OR
B) kill off each other, trying to get their shells...
I find that, long term, the snails keep things just about as clean - and they tend to last alot longer.
I would like to get a few sea cucumbers again as well. IMO they do a great job on the sandbed,
keeping the upper portion clean and turned over. Plus, they are kind of interesting to look at.
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: April 08 2015 at 1:40pm
|
Looks great. Lot's of nice coral. I was happy to return that green Hydnophora I got from you last year. The Southern Utah Rock looks awesome. I'm tickled "coral pink" that those two large pieces went to a good home. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
Posted By: Hogie
Date Posted: April 08 2015 at 2:01pm
| It's already full! |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 13 2015 at 8:22pm
|
Funny you should say that, Ed... 'cause now it's really full:
|
Posted By: Nick801
Date Posted: April 14 2015 at 11:07am
|
Dang that filled up fast! looks great =) ------------- http://www.reefinsanity.com" rel="nofollow - www.ReefInsanity.com http://www.facebook.com/ReefInsanity" rel="nofollow - www.Facebook.com/ReefInsanity 801-680-4676 |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 14 2015 at 11:40am
|
Between the teardowns of Shelby's and Preston's 210 gal reefs, I was able to get alot of coral all at once; add in some nice pieces from Nick and Mark and it fills up fast...
Here are some photos of the latest additions. Pic quality is not the best - used the iPhone (too tired from all that coral placement and gluing to bother getting out the DSLR
 )SPS
Orange Setosa, about 6" across
 Sunset Pocillopora, 7" across
 Orange - polyped Turaki, 2"
 Deepwater Lokani, 4" across
 Red Robin Stag, 6"
 Pink Birdsnest, about 9" across
 Strawberry Shortcake Acro, 3" tall
 Lime Acro, 3"
 Tri Color, 7" tall
 Neon Hydnopora - this thing is HUGE - 16" tall x 10"across!
 Several other small pieces including a 1" Green Milli, 1" Sunset Milli, some Blue - Tipped Stag...
anda HUGE Idaho Grape and Red Monti Cap that I am just fragging out; because I literally could not fit them in the tank!
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Hogie
Date Posted: April 14 2015 at 11:51am
| Good grief! You need a bigger tank... |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 14 2015 at 12:52pm
|
No Ed, this is plenty big enough, LOL LPS
Dragon Soul Favia, 6" diameter
 Emerald Favia, 3" diameter
 Icy Christmas War Coral, 8" diameter
 Oregon Mummy Eye Chalice, 6 eyes / 2" diameter
 Blood Chalice, approx 25 eyes / 4" diameter
 Alien Eye Chalice, approx 25 eyes / 4" diameter
 Kryptonite Candy Cane, approx 60 heads / 5" diameter
 Blastomussa Merlitti, 120 heads / 4" diameter
 ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 14 2015 at 12:54pm
|
ZOANTHIDS
HUGE colony of Everlasting Gobstoppers - over 100 polyps
 Armor Of God - 16 polyps
 Purple Hornets - 15 polyps
 Also a good sized colony of Ked's Reds - maybe 80 polyps; and some True Spidermans - maybe 50 polyps; and Fruit Loops, 10 polyps ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 16 2015 at 9:50pm
|
TBT = Tank "Bliss" Thursday Happiness is... a big Reef Tank stuffed full of coral! Newest acquisition - male Blue Bird Wrasse
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: April 16 2015 at 11:42pm
|
Awesome love those fish!! ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 20 2015 at 6:45pm
|
Here's a short video I took Sunday night w/ the iPhone: https://youtu.be/b4DuXWj40Kw" rel="nofollow - https://youtu.be/b4DuXWj40Kw . ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Reefer4Ever
Date Posted: April 21 2015 at 8:26am
|
That is gorgeous Bob. Thanks for sharing. ------------- 90 gal reef w/refugium 24 gal softie tank 11 gal nano anemone tank 5 gal fresh water |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: April 21 2015 at 1:36pm
|
Beautiful! I see you got the gold and blue clam;) ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: April 21 2015 at 3:03pm
|
looks amazing Bob, love the rock work, plenty of space behind and throughout for water/fish movement ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 22 2015 at 11:14pm
|
Thanks everyone! I have 2 Gyres which I purchased a while back, before they started coming with the anti-vibration 'silent' mounts. I decided to order 2 replacement mounts from Coralvue. With some people complaining about the customer service at Coralvue, I thought I would share my more positive experience... Placed the order on Monday (04/20). Despite some folks over on Reef Central claiming the free shipping deal on these had been cancelled, I was able to complete my purchase online getting free shipping. Look at what came in the mail today
Oh, and do the new mounts work better than the originals? You be the judge: https://youtu.be/LNez157BTZs" rel="nofollow - https://youtu.be/LNez157BTZs So if you bought a Gyre before February of 2015 (Dion!) go get yourself these new mounts ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Marcoss
Date Posted: April 23 2015 at 8:36am
|
Wow, I'm impressed with the major sound reduction. I will need to replace mine too. Thanks Bob! ------------- RedSea Max S400 - 90G Rimless Frag Tanks x2 - 185 Lookdown Bin |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 23 2015 at 8:40am
|
Yeah, the new mounts are $10 each (I needed 2) and shipping is free
Worth the $$$ IMO ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 26 2015 at 11:05pm
|
Even though the inside of the tank is progressing nicely - stuffed all full of fish & corals which seem to be doing well - the outside if the tank still needs a LOT of work... There are wires and ballasts and extension cords everywhere; my ReefKeeper Elite controller is still sitting in a cardboard box. This is mainly due to the stand still being nothing more than a bare metal frame, with no where to put anything. Well, this weekend I finally got around to changing that I set out to design and build the exterior 'skin' for the stand. I wanted it to be a little more than just a cover for the metal frame; I wanted some functionality as well as looking decent. This was the starting point. Completely exposed, wires and equipment everywhere
This is the inner stand wrap. It is designed to enclose the back and sides of the stand. The side panels are attached to the back panel with stainless steel hinges; this will allow the side panels to open 90 degrees for easy access to the interior. I will mount the metal halide ballasts and Gyre power supplies to the inside of one side panel; the controller and associated hardware will be mounted to the interior of the other side panel
Side and Rear Interior panels installed
For the actual 'skin' I chose a design based on the Red Sea "S" series of aquariums. I really like the clean look of those stands. I was able to get pretty far, but still have some trim work left to do. Still need to install the base moulding, corner moulding. and mock cabinet door handles. The front panel is made to look like a pair of cabinet doors, but will be completely removable as a single piece. This way I easily access everything inside the stand from all 3 sides. Here is what it looks like so far:
The base moulding will match the trim that covers the bottom frame of the tank. I will also be making a trim piece to cover the top tank frame as well. Once the cosmetic work is completed, I will then install the ballasts, power supplies, controller, and all wiring so nothing will be left outside the stand, save for one lone main power cord. Now, I don't think I am going to put Dion out of business with my mad carpentry skills, LOL - but not too bad for an amateur... wouldn't you agree?
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: April 26 2015 at 11:17pm
|
Looks great Bob!! ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: Reefer4Ever
Date Posted: April 27 2015 at 5:52am
|
Very nice and clean. Really give the tank a completed and finished look congrats. ------------- 90 gal reef w/refugium 24 gal softie tank 11 gal nano anemone tank 5 gal fresh water |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 27 2015 at 11:23pm
|
Finished!
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: April 28 2015 at 5:31am
|
That looks great! ------------- |
Posted By: LaRue
Date Posted: April 28 2015 at 5:59am
| Looks really nice. |
Posted By: relethg
Date Posted: April 28 2015 at 7:50am
|
Bob, Now that the cabinet is done I think you are ready to change the tank in your signature block. Looks great. ------------- 210 G Filled 18 Mar 15 120 G Filled 11 Jun 16 |
Posted By: aceofspadeskb
Date Posted: April 28 2015 at 9:08am
| My envy knows no bounds.... Looks great Bob! |
Posted By: 80cent
Date Posted: April 28 2015 at 9:20am
| Bob, it's really something special. Well done. I was wondering if you could talk about your lighting decision some more. I know you tried out some nice LEDs, but ended up preferring the halides. What helped you make that decision? |
Posted By: jdinchak
Date Posted: April 28 2015 at 9:26am
Bob wrote this earlier " Ended up going with halides instead of LEDs... in my case, I would have had to pick up 2 more Kessils - at a cost of close to $800 - to fully light this tank. I was able to get a (3) 250w halide setup for less than $200... with LumenMax Elite3 reflectors, and Icecap eballasts. So that is the direction I went. Running (2) Maxxspect Gyre 150s for flow. They run 1 hour than alternate to the other side of the tank. I have to keep them running @ 60% or less, otherwise they blow the sandbed all over the place. Skimmer is the Bubble Magus Curve 7. Return is a Jebao DC9000.Running a BRS dual reactor, and the sump is a 39g unit from Elite Aquatics. "------------- 180G Mixed Reef Tank 170G Dart Frog Tank |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 28 2015 at 10:11am
Yeah, purely a 'cost' based decision... but, to elaborate a little more:
- If I had stayed with the Kessils, I was looking at buying (4) new A360w'S... So, in reality, closer to a $1600 expense.
I do think that, ultimately, halides grow SPS a little better (faster?) than LEDs... but I do feel that quality LED systems (like Kessil) are certainly capable of growing anything a halide system can ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 28 2015 at 10:20pm
How's that look? Changed the sig, changed the avatar too
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: relethg
Date Posted: April 29 2015 at 7:02am
|
Very nice. I hope I will be as successful. ------------- 210 G Filled 18 Mar 15 120 G Filled 11 Jun 16 |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 29 2015 at 12:24pm
|
Brought this guy home last night. Got him from the Petco up in Sugarhouse; where he was being sold as a "Freshwater Flecked Moray"
No such thing as a 'freshwater' moray - they do start life out in FW, but need to change over to SW as they mature...
Anyway, $18.99 later he was mine
 Drip - acclimated him for 2.5 hours to get him used to the marine environment.
Seems to be doing fine so far; was out swimming maybe 10 minutes after introduction to the reef...
 ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: April 29 2015 at 1:39pm
|
Very cool! ------------- |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 29 2015 at 5:31pm
|
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: April 29 2015 at 10:34pm
|
When I bought out Pkapps tank, I got a few smaller frags in the process. Most of them I simply sold off; as I figured the small stuff would get 'lost' in a 150 gallon tank. I did keep a couple of things, one of which was a rather small Red Dragon frag. Although the frag plug it was on was partially encrusted, the coral itself was not in good shape - a pale tan instead of the usual vibrant pinks and red hues... Well, after a month of TLC, I was rewarded with some visible improvement- new pink growth tips
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Rex
Date Posted: April 30 2015 at 9:26pm
Your tank looks great Bob!! Great find on the eel. I have a pair of Zebra Morays in my tank and I love them. They are so interesting to watch.   ------------- http://zip-zero.com/wmas/imageUpload.php |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: May 01 2015 at 12:06am
|
I hope mine starts coming out as fully as yours do! Right now, he spends most of time hiding behind a rock ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: May 01 2015 at 12:08am
|
With the coral in the tank about a month or so now; starting to get some real nice PE and coloration coming in... iPhone Pics: SPS Orange Setosa
Golden Stylopora
Yellow Milli
ORA Spongodes
Cali Tort
ORA Pearlberry Acro
This frag I got from Kevin (fatman). It was a normal medium green when I got it. It has colored up so much; all those growth end nodules are a brilliant neon turquoise; this iPhone photo does not do this piece justice at all...
ORA Red Planet Milli
Bird of Paradise Seriotopa (Birdsnest Coral)
Electric Pink Birdsnest
Green Slimer Acro
Sour Apple Birdsnest
Purple Birdsnest
Orange - Polyped Lokani
Tri Color Acropora
Blue Milli
Strawberry Shortcake Milli
Orange Digitata
Neon Hydnopora
Blue - Tipped Tan Acro (foreground); Electric Green Milli (rear)
|
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: May 01 2015 at 8:24am
|
Looking really good!! Let me know when you want to frag that golden stylo and the yellow Millie;) ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: Upload2
Date Posted: May 01 2015 at 9:54am
|
LPS (iPhone pics) LA Lakers Scroll
Icy Christmas War Coral
Aussie Elegance Coral
Blastomussa Merlitti
Blood Chalice
Nice orange rings starting to come in on these Candycanes
Scarlet Pink Fungia
Neon Green Fungia
|
Posted By: Hogie
Date Posted: May 01 2015 at 10:18am
| That pink fungia is still my favorite! It looks better in person which is saying something because it's looks pretty good in the pic! |
Posted By: 80cent
Date Posted: May 02 2015 at 9:30pm
| That eel is so amazing! I love the idea of them, but my wife has threatened our marriage if I pay money for a "swimming snake" as she calls them. |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: May 04 2015 at 12:02am
|
5 - minute tank video I made earlier Sunday evening: https://youtu.be/nM7bXA1e4Nc" rel="nofollow - https://youtu.be/nM7bXA1e4Nc ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Reefer4Ever
Date Posted: May 04 2015 at 8:02am
|
^^^^ I like!!! ------------- 90 gal reef w/refugium 24 gal softie tank 11 gal nano anemone tank 5 gal fresh water |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: May 08 2015 at 10:26pm
|
What's this? A pair of Moorish Idols???
Hmmm... I wonder who has those? Maybe you should click this video link and find out https://youtu.be/B0NOUjfjuc4" rel="nofollow - https://youtu.be/B0NOUjfjuc4 ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: aceofspadeskb
Date Posted: May 11 2015 at 8:38am
|
Bob, I have a new signature line for you: "Sending other reef hobbyists into a state of envious depression since 1977" Looks fantastic!
|