Terry's 180 Peninsula Reef build.

[akmzero]

What is that phone looking thing? Apex?

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[terry4505]

Galaxy tab, subbing as my touch screen Apex control.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Cool clean looking house and aquarium.

[Reeftanks6]

Awesome build! Tagging along

[terry4505]

So... I couple of quick updates tonight.

When I first installed the refugium, I should have T'd off so that I could isolate the fuge, and do water changes without turning off the return pump. I rectified that mistake tonight.

I used flex hose, because the pipes didn't line up perfectly, and I didn't want to mess around with a ton of elbows and what not:







By opening the two valves running vertically, then closing the two valves running horizontally (it has to be in that order, or I run the risk of flooding the living room!) I can isolate the fuge and do a quick water change. I ran a test tonight and it worked perfectly.

And some update shots of the tank:

[akmzero]

Looks nice man, that's also a change I forgot to implement when I built my 125, but something that's easy enough to add in.

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[terry4505]

I was kicking myself for not doing it when I put the refugium in. It was literally like $20 in fittings and valves and 30 minutes of time.

I might incorporate a bulkhead and drain right into sink so I can do bucket-less water changes.

[Capt_Cully]

For the life of me I'll never understand how people can keep their sand so clean. Looks great!

[Neoz]

Cully mine is pearly white as well and its all because of my sand sifting goby! He is like a wrecking ball. I swear he hits every bit of sand in the tank. For about the first 2 months I had one sand storm after another. Was changing my filter socks out daily. But now because of him there is zero sand dust. He piles the sand up really high and I knock it down about every other day LOL. Its a game we play but my sand is so white.

[Capt_Cully]

He doesn't make your water into a dust storm? I had one in my 200 and it was a dusty mess.

[Reeftanks6]

Terry,

I was wondering how the return pump was working for you since the move of plumbing through the basement. I am working on building my 180 and the next step I am going to take is the return pump. I am thinking of plumbing from my basement as well, but I am plumbing about 10-12 FT up. Most likely going to be a dual overflow tank unless I decide to install one myself and do a single overflow.

What do you think would be the best pump or best option/setup for me?

[terry4505]

The return pump is working well enough. It is just barely strong enough for what I need. I am running two reactors off of the manifold. I will probably upgrade to a DC15000 at some point, but for now it works.

I was running an external PanWorld PS-150 on my tank at the old house. I actually think I like the internal pump better. I have been really impressed with the Jebao (Jecod) pump. Running since Nov. with no issues.

[Reeftanks6]

I have heard a lot of good things about them recently. How far are you pumping up roughly?

[terry4505]

Maybe 8 feet? Four from basement to floor, four from floor to tank top..?

Cully, to answer your question... Yes, at first the tank was a holy mess. But I vacuum the sand once a month or so, and the longer he's been in there, the cleaner the tank and water has stayed. I also change out my carbon more often.

After watching some videos that Jake Adams posted with one of the chief chemists from Red Sea, I started using their carbon. My water is absolutely crystal clear right now. Clearer even than when I used ROX .08

[Capt_Cully]

What's your current maintenance regimen?

[terry4505]

Disjointed...

I'm changing 10-ish gallons a week (that's more like an average) now that I can isolate the Fuge I will be more regular. Maybe once a month I'll change 20 gallons by vacuuming the sand with 4-five gallon buckets.

I clean the glass daily with the tunze care magnet (that I wish they made float, because what a pain in the butt that is!) because I am anal about the glass.

I change out my carbon as soon as the reactor starts slowing down. Skimmer maybe once a week or so.

I test Alk daily via Hanna checker. It may be overkill, but for the 1 ml of reagent, and 40 seconds of my time, it is worth it. I test PO4 maybe once every 3 days or so with Hanna ULR Phosphorus. Everything else, maybe once a week using Red Sea kits.

[Dougdog]

I would super glue a piece of hard styrofoam to the tunze that way it will float

[terry4505]

Quick update:

The Fuge is humming along. The macro algae is growing like crazy. I added five mangroves, and a new UFO led grow light from EBay:







And a updated full-tank shot:

[chris_kitedude]

very nice setup :-) thumbsup. i like the little space inder the the tank. perfect hangout for the dog.


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[Gary Majchrzak]

what's the blue acro just behind orange cap?

[Capt_Cully]

Really looks great man!

[MrsReefK]

Looks great! With my luck the dog wouldn't use the bed, how does your dog like it!


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[terry4505]

It's actually more green than blue Gary. I've heard it described as an "Olive stag" but I don't have a scientific name.

the dog very reluctantly uses the bed. Two pugs, they are much happier on the couch.

[Nick James]

Awesome setup, gave me some good ideas for my future 180! I'll be following along.

[jdantunes]

Man... you are a tinker! I been always impress with your build. Everything looks so clean. It's going to be an amazing reef!