My new build: 100 Gallon in Phoenix, MD

[jam583]

Hello! With my journey underway, I figured I would start a thread for my tank build. Currently, my wife and I have a 16 gallon Nuvo nano tank. We love it. At this point, we are maxed our on Corals, leaving room for growth, and want to go a little bigger into the hobby.

We have decided to put a tank in our main entryway. Going with the DSA Model 100 100 gallon tank. It measures 48" wide, 25" high, and 20" deep. It will be going on a black stand with a black canopy.

Attached is a photo of where the tank will be:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=274466&stc=1&d=1398035576

Equipment thus far is:

Reef Octopus 4" Skimmer
2 Ecoexotic LED fixtures 48"
200 Watt Heater
Berlin sump
Mag drive return pump

Planning to get things initially setup Wednesday.

I have a local guy helping me with this, so I am excited to continue to learn as I grow my skills in the hobby.

[maddmaxx]

Nice place for that size tank. your gonna love the extra length and depth of the new tank... just a helpful hint. i would start planning to upgrade the skimmer. it can handle a 100g "tank" at light bioload. so add a sump, anemone if you get one and feed one, and if your goin to feed corals then your bioload will be well past light bioload. the skimmer you have now will work for about a year. but once you start getting the system really rolling and filled with aquatic life. it would be wise to upgrade the skimmer at that point.. not tryin to be harsh. just tryin to give you good advice. its something to think about and would benefit you and your system in the long run...

[jam583]

Nice place for that size tank. your gonna love the extra length and depth of the new tank... just a helpful hint. i would start planning to upgrade the skimmer. it can handle a 100g "tank" at light bioload. so add a sump, anemone if you get one and feed one, and if your goin to feed corals then your bioload will be well past light bioload. the skimmer you have now will work for about a year. but once you start getting the system really rolling and filled with aquatic life. it would be wise to upgrade the skimmer at that point.. not tryin to be harsh. just tryin to give you good advice. its something to think about and would benefit you and your system in the long run...

Yea, very good point! I was on the fence about this one, given many say it should only be for a 75G tank. But, I plan to cycle it empty for about 2 months, slowing ramping up, and probably upgrade after a year like you mentioned. I will keep this sump as a backup at that point.

[saltyair]

my 2c :)

Is that ceramic tile? If so I would suggest finding a new spot. I made that mistake early on with a 55gal. The grout and tile can crack over time. Also very tough to level out to insure weight displacement

[jam583]

my 2c :)

Is that ceramic tile? If so I would suggest finding a new spot. I made that mistake early on with a 55gal. The grout and tile can crack over time. Also very tough to level out to insure weight displacement

Porcelain tile, been down for about 30 years. On a solid concrete slab under it (first floor entryway). Used my patio brick level and it's spot on .. If it was on ply second level or something, I would be more concerned about grout,

[jam583]

Well, today the tank, stand/canopy, and other equipment was delivered. I purchased it through a local installer and he is helping me getting it all going. Here are a few pics of the progress thus far. Still tweaking a few things (skimmer) and the value at the top that lets air out from the return pump ... making a slight whistle.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=274935&stc=1&d=1398298947

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=274936&stc=1&d=1398298947

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=274937&stc=1&d=1398298947

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=274938&stc=1&d=1398298947

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=274939&stc=1&d=1398298947

[jam583]

Few more pics:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=274940&stc=1&d=1398299079

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=274941&stc=1&d=1398299079

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=274942&stc=1&d=1398299079

[Teenreefer15]

nice looks great!

[jam583]

Sunday is here and I'm off and going to watch the O's game and work on the tank. The past few days I've configured Apex. Now, I need to put in place under the tank and get the wireless bridge going (Not CAT5/6 cable at tank). I also have been doing a lot of power consumption testing. I'm using about 400 watts, at max draw, with everything. Sizing a UPS to keep things going .. load time will give me 15 mins. I've configured the home automation setup I have to call me if power goes, knowing I got 15 mins till tank is offline. More or less a fail safe if we have a mega storm, etc., until I could get the generator online, if needed. Will take pics, etc.

[jam583]

5 days of cycling so far .. got Apex all wired up as well. Spent a lot of time wiring it nicely and keeping things organized.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=275570&stc=1&d=1398736672

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=275572&stc=1&d=1398736761

[peacetypes6]

Any updates?!!?!?1