*d2mini's new 200g Reeftastic Build*

[d2mini]

MORE GOODIES!

More plumbing bits arrived. BRS is killing me!
And what you don't see is 10 1.5" unions that I ordered threaded instead of slip by mistake so those have to go back. Ugh.




Another project before the tank can get wet.




Vertex Alpha 250 Protein Skimmer with Red Dragon Pump




Reeflo Barracuda Gold to run the whole system

[sirreal63]

It is coming together nicely Dennis! The tank looks like a great size to have fun in and the TBS rock will look fantastic.

[MX175]

tagging along

[sseaner]

If you don't mind, what is the width of the mixing tanks and where did you find them?

[shiladitya1991]

Nice going Dennis. Did you sketchup any aquascaping plans ??

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by sseaner

If you don't mind, what is the width of the mixing tanks and where did you find them?

I don't have exact measurements but the shelves are 2' x 5' and the tanks pretty much span the whole width.

Originally Posted by shiladitya1991

Nice going Dennis. Did you sketchup any aquascaping plans ??

Thanks. Nah... i usually just wing it, especially using live rock from TBS. And I'll be moving over my rock from my old tank which is up and running in a different location, waiting for me to finish this one.
But I have begun laying out some eggcrate for a foam rock wall.


Here's the plumbing I was able to get done this weekend.
Need to add some support brackets and tidy up the holes in the wall, but for the most part the drains are done. Next up is the return plumbing.

[shiladitya1991]

The plumbing is unique and neat. Those foam rock walls look great, looking forward to it.

[freeswimmingfis]

Originally Posted by d2mini

The tank has arrived!
Big thanks to the guys at TnT Fish & Reef here in Houston.
The support stand (built by DSA and extends the tank warranty) will eventually be encased in built-ins, so it will look a bit "raw" for a while till I have the cash for that. Right now I need to get the tank plumbed and running!


















And here's the manifold I've been piecing together.
The cepex ball valves are from BRS and the rest is from Sprinkler Warehouse.
Two valves will be running the BRS Jumbo Reactors for carbon and gfo.
Not sure what I'll use the other two for yet.

I saw your tank at T&T last time I was there about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I was talking to Paul about it. I got my 156 (and many other tanks and stuff). I been shopping there for over 20 years now. Good place for sure.
Your tank is a true work of art!
What part of Fulshire do you live in? I am in Katy, we ride bikes (road bikes) through Fulshire every weekend.

[d2mini]

Thanks!
I'm in Cross Creek Ranch (the neighborhood with the big red silo looking tower). I ride too but the tank has been taking up all my free time lately.
Who do you ride with?

This is my ride.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7094/7...5ca8fb9c_o.jpg

And then I mountain bike during the week in Memorial Park.

[freeswimmingfis]

We ride thru Cross Creek Ranch on our way back to Cinco Ranch. I ride with a small group most of the time, but sometimes I ride with Bike Barn Triathlon Club.
I work near Memoria Park, I run there and sometimes ride the Picnic Loop. I have a decent mountain bike but dont ride it very much.
Here is mine:

[Chrisrush]

Nice Qroo.

Looking good Dennis. I got my water station up and running. I need to do a water change so I had to hurry. I ran into some road blocks along the way, but it all worked out in the end.

[MX175]

I noticed you mentioned that you will be running BRS Jumbo Reactors for carbon and gfo. What are your thoughts on the Reef Dynamics Bio-Pellet Reactor for 135 gallon systems instead?

These new style reactors allow you to dial in how much water they turn over while still keeping the media independantly suspended. Seems like a great idea for carbon, GFO, or BP. Other than being more expensive, do you see a downside to using these reactors? Only reason I ask is because I value your opinion as I'm thinking about buying three of these units to manage NP, carbon, and GFO.

http://www.reefdynamics.com/Reef-Dyn...s-p/bpr135.htm

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by freeswimmingfis

We ride thru Cross Creek Ranch on our way back to Cinco Ranch. I ride with a small group most of the time, but sometimes I ride with Bike Barn Triathlon Club.
I work near Memoria Park, I run there and sometimes ride the Picnic Loop. I have a decent mountain bike but dont ride it very much.

Cool, ya i work on Dunlavy/West Dallas so the park is close.
I usually come off the trails and do a fruit loop before heading back to the car. If I see you I'll say hi. And then steel your wheels for my Bacchetta.

Originally Posted by Chrisrush

Nice Qroo.

Looking good Dennis. I got my water station up and running. I need to do a water change so I had to hurry. I ran into some road blocks along the way, but it all worked out in the end.

Nice!

Originally Posted by MX175

I noticed you mentioned that you will be running BRS Jumbo Reactors for carbon and gfo. What are your thoughts on the Reef Dynamics Bio-Pellet Reactor for 135 gallon systems instead?

These new style reactors allow you to dial in how much water they turn over while still keeping the media independantly suspended. Seems like a great idea for carbon, GFO, or BP. Other than being more expensive, do you see a downside to using these reactors? Only reason I ask is because I value your opinion as I'm thinking about buying three of these units to manage NP, carbon, and GFO.

http://www.reefdynamics.com/Reef-Dyn...s-p/bpr135.htm

Interesting. I have no experience with any biopellet reactors.
The little brs canisters worked good for me on the last tank so I figured I'd just go bigger on this tank.

[d2mini]

Started working on the foam rock wall in between plumbing.
Easier project to do when I only have 15 minutes at a clip during the week.
I've got some eco rock from brs sitting here waiting to be broken up and attached.

[sseaner]

What curing process are you using for the BRS rock? I have heard they leach plenty of phosphates.

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by sseaner

What curing process are you using for the BRS rock? I have heard they leach plenty of phosphates.

Did you hear this about their "Reef Saver" eco rock, or the Pukani and Fiji?
I got the reef saver stuff which doesn't come from the ocean.

[sseaner]

I am getting ready to upgrade my system from a 55 gal. to a 120 gal. rimless. I currently have Tampa bay rock in my tank and will use that to seed the new marco rock. I love the Tampa bay rock but you just cant aqua scape it as nicely as dry rock. Ive done a lot of research on the dry rock and the BRS seems to be the worst offender(leeching). The eco rock not as much as their fiji or pukani. The Marco rocks are actually pre-cured but I am still going to cure them with an acid bath.

Your new tank looks awesome!

[shaggss]

nooooooo not a foam wall........hahaha

looking good Dennis. I bet your little one loves to help you. maybe she can help with the foam wall!

[shaggss]

nooooooo not a foam wall........hahaha

looking good Dennis. I bet your little one loves to help you. maybe she can help with the foam wall!

[silentscream]

Originally Posted by d2mini

Did you hear this about their "Reef Saver" eco rock, or the Pukani and Fiji?
I got the reef saver stuff which doesn't come from the ocean.

Generally the Pukani is the one soaked with phosphates. The Reef Saver rocks can have phosphates, but not in the levels of the Pukani. I used Reef Saver rocks, and soaked them in RO/DI water for a month, I think I changed the water a couple of times. Regardless, it is worth a little bit of research to properly prepare these "ancient reef rocks" before use. They don't come straight from the water today, but they did come from the ocean millions of years ago. Just do a quick acid bath, and when you see the junk that comes off them, you'll be glad you took the time. Good luck

[d2mini]

Ok, will pick up some acid, gloves and baking soda today.
Better safe than sorry (says the man with muriatic acid).
Thanks!

[sseaner]

I figure the acid bath is pretty cheap insurance. I am also going to follow your foam wall. I am on the fence with this one. My concern is the buildup of junk behind it over time.

[d2mini]

The *plan* is to not have any room behind it for junk to gather.
It's going to be siliconed to the glass, and I will likely foam the space in the corners.

My only concern right now is long term effects of the foam.

[sseaner]

Dennis, thanks for the inspiration to get my mixing station in order. My old system is 7 years old and while it did a good job it was a poor utilization of space. I was able to knock out the new mixing station in one day. I leak checked it and did a test run. All is good. I am just waiting for the RODI tank to fill and its mix time!

This was my old system. I use the Spectrapure Litre Meter pumps to do a 1 gallon a day water change on my current system. I will be bumping that up on the new build.



Credit goes to Dennis;

]

[kmu]

please stop posting pictures of you garage!!!!!!!








J/K...

It looks amazing, congratulations