38 gallon tank build (lots of pics)

[Mopar32985]

Well to start off with i hope everyone here has had a nice holiday. I know i did. I figured it was time to post up my tank build. I made out good for the holidays i got just about everything i need to start my build. If any of you guys have any comments or suggestions along the way i would love to hear them.. I guess to start off with i will post up the pics of my equipment i have so far.

38 gallon tank
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0678.jpg

20 long sump
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0676.jpg

Current extreme pro t5 6x39 watt
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0677.jpg

Glass Holes 700gph overflow kit
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0666.jpg

Glass Holes 3/4 return kit
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0667.jpg

Eheim 1260 for return pump
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0673.jpg

Super Reef Octopus RO-PS-1000Int
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0671.jpg
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0672.jpg

Finnex HMO-200 titanium Digital Control Heater
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0674.jpg

Bulk Reef Supply 150gpd RO/DI 5 stage unit
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0668.jpg

[Mopar32985]

Bulk Reef Supply Dual Reactor with carbon and GFO
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0669.jpg

Refractometer
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0675.jpg

The Piranha Float by algae free
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0670.jpg

Last about 100 lbs of dead rock i got for $100 not going to use it all but was such a good price i had to buy it
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0679.jpg

Going out to marrow to buy some wood to build my stand and to get some sand for the tank. Will post updates when i get some stuff done. Thanks

-Chance-

[emkelly09]

Looks like a great start! Keep the updates coming

[OH GOD]

I just love the LR in the bathtub.

[allsps40]

Looking good. I like your skimmer, I have a 2nd gen NW110 and I like it. Reef Octopus makes great skimmers. Keep us posted on the build with more pics of coarse.

[Mopar32985]

Hey thanks guys for the nice comment. I was able to get a good bit done today. Got the stand built enough to get the tank on it and start setting up everything. The one main thing that is slowing me down it waiting for all my RO/DI water to get made up. I will try and post some pics of what i got done today soon. Thanks again.

-Chance-

[iwishtofish]

Looks great so far! You've made certain no panels of your display tank have tempered glass? What are your layout plans for the sump? I hope you post pics of the stand.

[Mopar32985]

Well I didn't know but I decided to drill anyway and I got lucky. It was my first time to drill a tank, so I was a bit nerves. It's late now but I will post up some pics tomorrow. Thanks for the comment.

-Chance-

[Reefahholic]

Very cool, looking forward to more pics!

Hope the build goes smooth and well for you.

[syedjilani]

Looking good.....Subscribed.... ;)

[Mopar32985]

Thanks again guys for the nice comments. Well i got a little further tonight finally got water sand and rock in the tank. I wanted to wait till it cleared up to post pics but i promised tonight. Let me know what you think about the aquascape and if you have any suggestions. One thing i was thinking is to remove the one rock to the far right. I dunno

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_06682.jpg
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0666-1.jpg
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_0668-1.jpg
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv222/Mopar32985/38%20gallon%20Reef/DSC_06662.jpg

I know the stand isnt nice yet not done with it im thinking about making like a sleeve that will cover the three sides and i can just slide it off and on so there will be no doors. Let me know what you all think.

-Chance-

[anbosu]

I would consider removing one or two of the rocks on the right side and putting them in your sump if you have a little extra room. It looks good now, but once your corals start growing out that will probably be too much rock in your display. I have removed probably half of the rock I originally had in my 90 reef for this reason and it would be easier just to have a little less in the display to start.

[Mopar32985]

Thanks that is exactly what I was thinking. Plus the one on the far right is bugging me.

-Chance-

[IDrawFish]

Looking good, clearly Santa was very good to you

[Mopar32985]

Hahaha yea he was.

[zma21]

Too bad you didn't put baffles in the sump. Your skimmer would perform much more consistantly over time, unless I'm not seeing an ATO in the picture.

Other than that, looking great man.

Do you mind taking some more pics of your plumbing/posting supplies? I'm beginning to plumb my 25 cube for the first time, and want to use flex tube like you did.

Was drilling the tank easy?

[Mopar32985]

Sorry it took so long for me to post. The drilling was very easy just make sure to keep that glass cool and go slow. I will try and take a few pics tonight with my plumbing.

[Toomnymods]

how did you plumb the gfo and carbon canister? do you have a special pump to run it? how much did that run you? i was thinking about getting a gfo and carbon canister also and making a manifold and having everything run from that manifold..

[zma21]

Sorry it took so long for me to post. The drilling was very easy just make sure to keep that glass cool and go slow. I will try and take a few pics tonight with my plumbing.

I appreciate it! :dance:

[Mopar32985]

Sry guys its been a while since i posted but been kinda busy with work. I got more done on the tank and its finally ready for fish it did cycle quite fast. Here is a short video i posted on youtube would really like to hear some feed back. Also i did add some baffles to the sump. Though i dont have anything in the refugium section yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5jgw2h4twg

[is350jonny]

i think ur atleast 4 weeks too early for fish.. seems like thats what everyone is gonna say... i waited about 2.5 months before i added anything to the tank.. added a CUC about 1.5 months in.. just added a few small hardy pieces of coral today which is like 2.5 months since the tank was fully running.. on top of that.. i started off with LR and LS. you might want to wait until after ur diatom bloom.

[Mopar32985]

Hey man thanks for your input. I have been testing. The water and I have already went through my ammonia, and nitrite spike. Now my nitrate is only at 10 ppm. I did use bio- spira from instant ocean Wich is supposed to help cycle faster. From my readings shouldn't that mean it's done the cycle.

[Mopar32985]

Here are two new videos i posted up on youtube with my progress on my tank hope you guys like it.


Update 2 and sry links wont work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7yhKdwLct0

Update 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80cCiVuOrGE