ultimate125's FOWLR build thread...Finally!!!

[ultimate125]

Ok, I'm finally beginning to set up my new tank!
I did almost all of the plumbing today...
Will add more pictures as things progress...

Here's my equipment list:

Tank: the aquarium is a TruVu Acrylic w/black back. It's 72x20x20 made of 5/8" acrylic. I have 2 corner overflows with 1" drains and a 3/4" return.
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/IMG_0018.jpg

Sump: GC Acrylic 40g 36x13x17
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/cid_6B7A731A-5424-4F49-A307-F774335.jpg

Lights: Aquatinics Constellation 72" 14x39w fixture

Skimmer: DAS BX-2 in sump.

Rock: 150#'s of base and live rock.

Return pump: OceanRunner 3500. Should be returning about 650 or so gallons after head loss. Two 1" drains should be able to handle this.

Powerheads: 2 Koralia 4's

Substrate: Mix of Live and Dry Sand.

RO/DI: H2O Science. 75gpd

Controller: Reef Keeper 2 from Digital Aquatics. I'm a geek for technology, plus this looks like it has everything I need...

Algae cleaner: Still unsure about this, I'm a bit nervous about scratching the acrylic. Seems to be no real agreement on what's the best way to do this. Maybe a Hammerhead or Magnavore float?

Water storage: 44g Brute trash can.

Heaters: 2X 250W Visi-therm Stealth.

Chiller: No, we'll see how this works out.

Auto top off: JBJ ATO RO/DI H2O(evap)

Auto water change: Reef-Filler 2000-2 30 GPD Per Head pumps


A bunch of misc stuff: fans, ADJ power strip, salt, test kit, airline tube w/backup pump, etc.

Feedback welcome!:dance:

[RyanMcLaughlin]

Looks good. What fish are you planning on keeping.

[ultimate125]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12930817#post12930817 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RyanMcLaughlin
Looks good. What fish are you planning on keeping.

group of anthias
Golden Dwarf moray
Purple tang+blue tang
Aussie tusk
Imperator angel
Sargassum or blue jaw trigger
blue spot puffer
Hawaiian Black or niger trigger

[ultimate125]

do you guys recommend a filter sock?

[sandsurfsd]

yes I do, the reason being is because detritus and debris will settle in you sump if you do not have a filter sock to catch it.

[WinnipegDragon]

Wow, that's a *TON* of lighting for a FOWLR!

[Nano Chris]

Wow, i like the stand and tank, if only i could fit one that big in my room.

[ultimate125]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12940950#post12940950 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nano Chris
Wow, i like the stand and tank, if only i could fit one that big in my room.

thanks! it's 30" tall...

[mray]

Nice tank and stand.

[ultimate125]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12940724#post12940724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sandsurfsd
yes I do, the reason being is because detritus and debris will settle in you sump if you do not have a filter sock to catch it.

but what if I have prefilters in the overflows...do I still need a filter sock?

[ultimate125]

bump

[ultimate125]

well, we finished the rest of the plumbing today...
We also drilled a 1" hole in the top of the tank for the return.

We mounted the Reefkeeper2 display, DC-8, and American DJ Power strip. See pics below:

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/cid_9943F67C-0CE6-4523-A6DA-A278391.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/cid_0D30F791-E05C-4E4B-9C93-6BFBDC0.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/cid_726514AE-A199-460A-8F6F-142D40D.jpg

whatcha think??:bounce1:

[jriechel]

You might want to rethink that fish list. Way too many and some significant incompatibility problems. That tank would be excellent for that angel, alone.

[ultimate125]

plumbing's done!
added my fuge light and skimmer stand
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/IMG_0099.jpg

mounted my JBJ ATO controller
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/IMG_0102copy.jpg

I also got my sand rinsed...now I'm just waiting for my base rock so I can build a sculpture and/or islands!
getting there...slowly :fun4:

[vader88]

looks real good, lots of time and effort. I'd hide the RK2, really takes away form the nice lines of the stand and tank. Not to mention, wait to you power it up and the room is dark and your looking at your tank, it's worse than watching a VCR flash 12:00

It's really nothing you have to look at constantly, I mounted mine to the inside of my door, open to check temp and PH.

[ultimate125]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13042470#post13042470 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vader88
looks real good, lots of time and effort. I'd hide the RK2, really takes away form the nice lines of the stand and tank. Not to mention, wait to you power it up and the room is dark and your looking at your tank, it's worse than watching a VCR flash 12:00

It's really nothing you have to look at constantly, I mounted mine to the inside of my door, open to check temp and PH.

ok, thanks I'll keep that in mind...

[jadeguppy]

Is the inside of the stand and canopy coated with poly? One of the pictures looked like bare wood. If it is bare, you really need to put something on it to waterproof it. Not only will spills damage the wood, but it will mildew from the humidity.

[jadeguppy]

Check this out for a mounting idea for the DJ strip.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1391757&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

[ultimate125]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13091353#post13091353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jadeguppy
Is the inside of the stand and canopy coated with poly? One of the pictures looked like bare wood. If it is bare, you really need to put something on it to waterproof it. Not only will spills damage the wood, but it will mildew from the humidity.

thanks, I dunno why I didn't catch that myself :hmm6:

time to get the brush out again... :uzi:

[ultimate125]

finally! just added my base rock and sand...
now I'm makin water! :dance: I'm stoked

pics coming soon...!

[ultimate125]

wow! after many long hours my tank is cycling!
I bought 40lbs of Carib Sea Look Alive Base Rock, 25lbs of BRS Eco Shelf Rock, and 45lbs of Drs. Foster & Smith Select Fiji Premium Live Rock...
here's some updated pics:

base rock
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/IMG_0154copy.jpg


an arch we made
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/IMG_0156copy.jpg

FTS base rock only
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/IMG_0173copy.jpg

my DAS BX-2 in sump skimmer up and running, this thing ROCKS! :frog:
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/IMG_0181copy.jpg

[ultimate125]

Tank with LR, taken today!

Shelf:
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/IMG_0182copy.jpg

Arch:
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/IMG_0185copy.jpg

FTS today:
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/IMG_0189copy.jpg

[Galleri3090]

Setup looks great. Love that power controller. Looking forward to more updates ... well done.

[ultimate125]

calibrated and hooked up my pinpoint ph probe to my RK2 today...everything is running smoothly at this point! :beer:

whatcha think? :rollface:

[raen]

All I have to say is.....I am so jealous!!!!! Nicely done!!!

[Don Z]

Very nice ultimate125, congratulations. I was pretty happy also when my cycle finally started.

FYI - I put similar pvc valves in as you (the sump picture) and found these things are pretty hard to fine adjust after awhile. They tend to stick in place and when they do break loose typically jump further than you want when tuning the flow..:) Especially when you're reaching way underneath with both hands without much leverage. I used vinyl tubing not PVC pipe and have to brace the valve with one hand and turn it with another. Fortunately the only one I have to adjust now is for my skimmer to lower the level when I empty the cup and it's in front so pretty easy get to.

Best of luck on your tank. You have a great start.

[ultimate125]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13273313#post13273313 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Don Z

FYI - I put similar pvc valves in as you (the sump picture) and found these things are pretty hard to fine adjust after awhile. They tend to stick in place and when they do break loose typically jump further than you want when tuning the flow..:) Especially when you're reaching way underneath with both hands without much leverage. I used vinyl tubing not PVC pipe and have to brace the valve with one hand and turn it with another. Fortunately the only one I have to adjust now is for my skimmer to lower the level when I empty the cup and it's in front so pretty easy get to.

yea, I totally agree...actually I removed my ball valve on my return yesterday. I don't need to throttle back my flow on my return and using vinyl tubing with a PVC valve isn't very fun!

[ultimate125]

here's a pic of my BB fuge, gonna add chaeto in a few days...

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/IMG_0195copy.jpg

[ultimate125]

I got my lights going, I only have 4 39w bulbs in my 72" Constellation right now!


http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/cid_35FC7261-2002-41DC-9B2B-171A44B.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/cid_93236D59-127D-45C7-9D73-227E185.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/cid_A7F438F4-3D67-42FD-9051-0FDCD57.jpg

[ultimate125]

my fuge with 2 different macros

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/IMG_0238copy.jpg

my new True Falcula butterfly from DD, and my clown and blue reef chromis...

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r382/blown454ss/IMG_0246copy.jpg

[jlaurence32]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12940864#post12940864 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WinnipegDragon
Wow, that's a *TON* of lighting for a FOWLR!

I agree. You should sell the constellation and just use some PC lighting. Less watts and plenty for a FOWLR.