Getting back into reef keeping: 120 Gal

[teambutterfield]

Well, after not having a saltwater fish tank for over 4 years. I finally decided to jump back into the game.

It went from getting a 30 gal (original plan) to this 120 gal tank.

The tank is 48x 24x 24. It is from the aquaruim shop where I used to work when I was going to the college. I got a sweet deal that I can't pass.

So far this is what I got:
Quiet 1 4000 return pump
2 x Luminarc Reflector Mini
jbj 1/4 chiller
Euro-Reef RS-180 Protein Skimmer
Tunze Turbelle NanoStream Pump 6045
Hydor Koralia 3 Circulation Pump
Hydor Koralia 4 Circulation Pump
PFO 400W Pulse Start Dual Ballast
400 Watt 15000K Metal Halide Bulb - XM x 2
Reef Keeper 2 Controller
I am still curing the rock, got about 160 lb worth of fiji live rocks from Walt Smith

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/0418-001.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/0418-002.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/0418-434.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/0418-435.jpg

[teambutterfield]

Let me know what you guys think of the set it. It will be a SPS tank. I think I might need a bigger return pump. Don't know if Quiet 1 4000 will be enough.

[teambutterfield]

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-002.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-007.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-008.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-009.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/echo1-032.jpg

[teambutterfield]

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/echo1-021.jpg http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/zoogarden.jpg

[drummereef]

Awesome. The pics looks great! Where's the full tank shot? :D

[LarryW]

nice rics.....

FTS is now a must! :D

[teambutterfield]

I will take a FTS after I solved this problem.

Just tonight, the water level in the sump was a bit low. So, I added 2 gal of the "Crystal Geyser" natural alpine spring water. I went to take a nap. When I woke up, I saw that my tank was cloudy. Opened up the stand and found my RS 180 went crazy. All the gunk went into the sump.

Lucky me, I had 10 gal of the nature saltwater left from changing the water. After the water change, the RS is still going crazy.

The micro bubbles are coming out the skimmer so fast that I to turned it off.

Any one has inputs on this current situation? Thanks in advance.

[teambutterfield]

After changing the water, I still can't get the RS 180 function correctly. It is still pushings out a lot of micro bubbles

[ScubaDiver93]

great tank. love the corals.

[teambutterfield]

Got a few new corals, will take pics soon.

[Nano Chris]

Nice, would like to see some FTS!

[teambutterfield]

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-012.jpg

[teambutterfield]

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/04fish.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/05fish.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/03fish.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/01fish.jpg

[teambutterfield]

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/0fish.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-018.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-020.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-021.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-022.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-027.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-028.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-029.jpg

[Peter Eichler]

The tank looks nice but you're really rushing things. All those corals and especially SPS aren't such a good idea in a tank that hasn't even been set up a month. Also, Twinspot Wrasses can grow to be over 3 feet long... :eek:

[McCrary]

I love the aquascaping, nice job.

[Reefghoul]

You have some very nice stuff and you take some great photos...

[teambutterfield]

http://airsoftgi.com/images/fish-030.jpg
http://airsoftgi.com/images/fish-031.jpg
http://airsoftgi.com/images/fish-032.jpg
http://airsoftgi.com/images/fish-034.jpg
http://airsoftgi.com/images/fish-036.jpg

[teambutterfield]

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-2006.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-2007.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-2008.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-2009.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-2011.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-2012.jpg

[teambutterfield]

2 months now.

[teambutterfield]

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/frag1.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/frag2.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/frag3.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/frag4.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/frag5.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/bluetang1.jpg

[nanoguy]

The tank and rock work looks great......great dimensions for a tank too. I am just getting back into the hobby after 2 years.......still waiting for my tank to come in :o. I am curious to see how your SPS will do over the next few months though. How's your water chemistry holding up? Are they stable?

[reefing102]

wow very nice tank

[Sheol]

Wow! But shouldn't you go just a bit slower? I'd worry about the tank having new tank syndrome or crashing or something. Of course, I'd have to go slower, since I lack the funds anyway :-)!

Matthew
Or I'm just jealous! LOL.

[teambutterfield]

just added an additional 40 gal prop tank. One benefit that I can see by adding a prop tank is adding additional water volume to the whole system. As for worrying about new tank syndrome, not really. I normally have about 30 gal of fresh saltwater prep for any problem. Also, you can judge your system by looking at your coral and see if they are happy or not =)

[teambutterfield]

Just added my prop tank to the system.
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/40galtank.jpg

[DrBegalke]

Is that Quiet 1 4000 able to power those two penductors on those loc-lines? Or did you upgrade?

[teambutterfield]

yea got a bigger pump. Quiet 1 was so noise, only used for 1/2 day.

[Sheol]

OK. I couldn't do it due to being a budget reefer though.
BTW, that is a really cool Favid. Where did you find one that color?

Sincerely,
Matthew

[gabe3d]

Very nice tank!

[edwing206]

Damn, that's a nice tank! That thing got stocked FAST.

[teambutterfield]

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-008.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-005.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-010.jpg

[teambutterfield]

https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-058.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-055.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-060.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-062.jpg

[teambutterfield]

https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-068.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-065.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-067.jpg

[teambutterfield]

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-078.jpg

[teambutterfield]

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-064.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-051.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-007.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish-047.jpg

[msn711]

Sweet tank. How has the flame angel been?

Have you had any problems? If so, how did you fix them? I just ask, because you haven't posted anything about algae or the other usual aquarium hazards. I'm wondering how you managed to skip that stuff.

[teambutterfield]

nothing so far, flame angel is doing great. He is a picker tho.

[teambutterfield]

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish40d-126.jpg

[teambutterfield]

https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish40d-027.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish40d-030.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish40d-031.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish40d-019.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish40d-013.jpg

[teambutterfield]

https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish40d-021.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish40d-023.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish40d-022.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish40d-005.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fish40d-024.jpg

[nu2reefva]

is that beautiful little yellowish tang in there a lemon peel mimic tang cause i just fell in love with one at my lfs.

[teambutterfield]

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/iphonetank.jpg
From friend's Iphone.

[melev]

I really like your macro shots. Lots of pretty images in this thread. Your tank seems to be doing quite well. :thumbsup:

[IridescentLily]

Oh is that a mimic tang? I love them. Your reef aquarium is really beautiful.
Do you have the same kind of bulbs as you did initially?

[imsuperjp]

what brand stand and canopy is that or did you make them?

[teambutterfield]

It was just a local custom made. Once I get more time, I will shoot more pics.

[teambutterfield]

https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/newfrag2.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/newfrag3.jpg

[teambutterfield]

https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/newfrag7.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/newfrag8.jpg

[teambutterfield]

https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/newfrag9.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/newfrag10.jpg

[teambutterfield]

https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/newfrag11.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/newfrag12.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/newfrag13.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/newfrag14.jpg
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/newfrag15.jpg

[teambutterfield]

I don't have the correct lens to shoot the FS. But, here you go:
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fulltank1.jpg

and another shot:
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/newfrag20.jpg

[teambutterfield]

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/newfrag23.jpg
ORA Cali Tort.
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/newfrag24.jpg
ORA Oregon Tort

[mille239]

Very nice tank, one you should be proud of. Maybe you answered this before, butt did you switch lighting from when you set it up? What type of bulbs are you using? Thanks

[teambutterfield]

Thanks. I m using 20,000k XM bulb x 2 400w each.

[teambutterfield]

https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/newfrag25.jpg

and the frag tank

https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/fragtank.jpg

[goochesfish]

I like how you use the magnet cleaners to hold up the eggcrate. I did have a mag float rust once so keep and eye on them.

[teambutterfield]

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/38fs1.jpg
New FTS 3/8/2009

[rendogg]

Your tank is maturing nicely, you've got some sweet coral!!

[IridescentLily]

Neat.

[melev]

Hang on... we waited for months for a single picture? You can do better than that. Let's see a dozen macro shots of your favorite corals. http://www.melevsreef.com/g/fotog.gif

[teambutterfield]

http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/38mother2.jpg
http://www.airsoftgi.com/images/38mother4.jpg

[melev]

Looks good. What is your current nitrate level?

[teambutterfield]

hmm, maybe i should check it. i do 15% water change every 2 weeks. and I only feed my fish once a day.

[melev]

If you get a chance, I'd love to see a macro shot of that (garf?) tricolor in the foreground of that green birdsnest shot.

[Rickyrooz1]

Nice recent pics, what is your bulb combo? Are you using ZEOvit?

[robot2222]

wow that wrass is a beautty................................and some really nice live rock whitch i don't usually compliment on . keep up the good work.

[RoWall]

Great FTS, we want more!!!

[Scungili]

great tank and amazing progress. I noticed some necrosis on the purple birdnest? in the top center of the display in an earlier shot. How did you handle that? Did you break off the dead area or just let it be?

[Ra1n]

Didn't realize an acrylic tank can look this good, great tank keep up the good work.

[bnicholson]

Great looking tank!

[teambutterfield]

Thanks for the kind words. The tank is no longer. However, version 2 is here

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1703142
https://www.airsoftgi.com/images/nt041602.jpg

[lluv24]

U must have big pockets ,,,lol,,,,, Looks really nice!!!!!!!!!

[dh350twin]

how about some details on version 2???

[teambutterfield]

man, missed the tank. Got a new hobby. Tank is no longer looking like that.