Sonny's Rimless Shallow Reef.

[SunnyX]

Well it looks like I will starting my new reef alot sooner than I thought....

As some of you may know I recently took down my 225gl reef. I was going to leave the state for a few months and had to sell off the system. I’m sure I could have found someone to watch the tank but I really felt that I needed a fresh start upon returning. I needed something new, fresh and challenging. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it I no longer have to leave the state. Such is life I guess. I was really looking forward to the long trip. Now unlike many of the build threads out there you won’t find too many gadgets in my tank. My tanks have always been run low tech. The new tank will not run UV, CA Reactor, Controller, wave maker, or Kalk stirrer. I have run all of these devices at some point in the past and find them excessive and not needed to achieve great results.(in my case)



Display Tank

48" x 24" x 20" Rimless
100 gallons from http://www.miraclesaquariums.com/
2 Sided Starphire glass( Front and left side)
Right Side Corner Overflow with 1" return and 1.5" drain


Stand

The stand is hand built and tiled. No equipment will be under the tank. The sump and all equipment will be located in the room directly behind the tank.


Sump

Existing 45 gallon AGA tank


Water Movement

Ehiem 1260 for Return pump
2 Modded Tunze 6025 Nano Streams
1 Un-modded Tunze 6025 Nano Stream
2 Un-modded Tunze 6045’s Nano Streams

I may end up modding the rest of the Tunzes. The current 6025’s that are modded put out an amazing amount of flow. The new tank must look as natural as possible so I plan on strategically placing all pump so that they are out of sight. It should be a fun little challenge.


Lighting

Aquactinics Constellation 7x54W T5
The fixture will be hung from the ceiling
The bulbs will consist of the following:

4-ATI Aquablue Special
3- ATI Blue+

I also have an extra bulb, Ati Pro color, That I may run in the future once I see what it looks like over the tank.

After running high powered Metal Halides for years I decided to change things up a bit. After running the fixture over my holding tank I can tell you that the color combo is outstanding. Along with the great color and output the unit runs very cool and quiet.


Skimmer

Existing Deltec AP851

I am hoping that this will not be over kill on a smaller tank such as this. Worst case scenario I can just feed the fish more; I’m sure they won’t mind.


Calcium and Alk Addition

Randy’s Two Part Solution


I ran both a CA reactor and Kalk Stirrer in the past and honestly have had better results will a simple DIY two part solution. I may also look into the Balling Method, but for now I am happy with the two part solution.

Substrate

The bottom of the tank will be covered with a SSB consisting of .
CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand



Filtration and supplements

Carbon in a Phosban reactor
Prodibio Bio Digest
Prodibio Reef Booster
Glassbox-design VSV
Lugol’s Solution
Reef Crystals Salt

I will be picking the tank up Friday in Toronto but here is a pic of it for now:




More pics to follow soon

[chem-e]

wow that's nice. shallow starfire tank... those are my three favorite words. can't wait to see how this one turns out.

[JRaquatics]

Welcome back Sonny. I like the look of the rimless tank top. Is the bottom frame for support?

[kev apsley]

yeah, real nice looking tank!

[Nanook]

Welcome back! Looking forward to your build

[GSMguy]

Cant wait for this

sonny its funny how similar or systems are, i agree with the Keeping it simple, no reactors or closed loops or fuges just simple good husbandry ad a great custom shape .

what are you going to do for scaping it? As you know I cant figure out the sandbed and I am not sure how to go about redoing my rockwork, I need you and Leonardo to aquascape so I can get some ideas.

[SunnyX]

Thanks for the support guys!

I cant wait to get this tank going. I just took some pics of the stand and lighting and will be posting them shortly!

[SunnyX]

Originally posted by JRaquatics
Welcome back Sonny. I like the look of the rimless tank top. Is the bottom frame for support?

Yes, the bottom frame is for support. My prior 225gl from Miracles had the same bracing. If this new tank is built anything like the old one it will be awesome. They really know what they are doing when it comes to tank construction.

[SunnyX]

Originally posted by GSMguy
Cant wait for this

sonny its funny how similar or systems are, i agree with the Keeping it simple, no reactors or closed loops or fuges just simple good husbandry ad a great custom shape .

what are you going to do for scaping it? As you know I cant figure out the sandbed and I am not sure how to go about redoing my rockwork, I need you and Leonardo to aquascape so I can get some ideas.

Yes Nick, great minds do think alike.

If there is one thing I have learned in life is that "Simplicity is Genius".

For aquascaping I plan on using minimal live rock and having a very open layout.

You wont have to wait long to see the tank, if should be up before the end of the weekend.

Instant gratification FTW!!!1

[gasman059]

great going- I'm in the same boat trying to get a 160xl up and going after 3 years of my previous, figured why not a rimless tank.

Mine will have every single toy known to mankind LOL.
Good luck and happy reefing.

[SunnyX]

Ok,

Here is the stand with light fixture:

[Emster]

This is going to be good, going to keep my eye on this one. I like it simple

[cato]

I'm def taggin on this one.

[dvanacker]

instant gratification......you don't get that very often in this hobby.

[SunnyX]

Originally posted by dvanacker
instant gratification......you don't get that very often in this hobby.

Yea, but only because Im moving part of the older setup into the new tank. The water in the tank has been continually in use for over 13 years now.

[wiso reef]

Hi Sunnyx! good luck i cant wait for this

[glassbox-design]

Sonny,

Looking forward to the build. Very nice choice of dimensions

[Mchava]

NICE set up and the same size that I am planning on setting up. I have a few questions, first how much was the tanks(you can pm if you need too), also why did you go with the aquatinic t5 instead of an ATI?

[plyle02]

Nice going, I am sure it will be a hit! Looking forward to seeing another phenomenal tank....

[plyle02]

BTW... Sonny, I ran only t5's on my previous tank, and achieved awesome color and growth.... I am a huge fan of t5's, IMO, the kz bulbs, specifically the "coral life/ red spectrum" bulbs were so positive on my corals coloration, just thought I would throw that out there....

[SunnyX]

Originally posted by Mchava
NICE set up and the same size that I am planning on setting up. I have a few questions, first how much was the tanks(you can pm if you need too), also why did you go with the aquatinic t5 instead of an ATI?

Hello, initially I was looking the the 8x54W ATi fixture but after being on the waiting list forever I began to look at different options. By the time you add the bulbs there really wasn't much of a price difference between the two. I asked around concerning the Constellation fixture and after hearing many great reviews I ended up ordering it. I am very happy with the fixture. It is cool, quiet, and very well built. Not to mention it is ultra bright!!

[SunnyX]

Originally posted by plyle02
BTW... Sonny, I ran only t5's on my previous tank, and achieved awesome color and growth.... I am a huge fan of t5's, IMO, the kz bulbs, specifically the "coral life/ red spectrum" bulbs were so positive on my corals coloration, just thought I would throw that out there....

I have heard great things about the Fiji Puple bulbs. I may give them a try in the future.

[Mchava]

yeah, iam also on a waiting for them to be available. But have also heard great things on the aquatinic. hope fully it will be in next month from what i hear.

[SunnyX]

Well, if it takes too long you cant go wrong with the constellation, especially with the new reflectors in them.

[plyle02]

Originally posted by SunnyX
I have heard great things about the Fiji Puple bulbs. I may give them a try in the future.

The Fiji purples were nice, I used one out of six bulbs, tried 2, the tank seemed too pink for me. I really liked the "red spectrum" bulbs myself, obtained great growth under these lamps.....