MarkoD 180 Gallon Build (New Light Fixture)

[MarkoD]

so finally getting this thing started

couple weeks ago my dad and I built this stand. Wild cherry with black doors.

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-18at94629AM.png

after waiting 3 weeks the tank was finally done and we brought it into the house (4 large men carried it and it was still crazy heavy)

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-18at94620AM.png

also mailman paid me a visit yesterday and brought me a koralia wavemaker 4 and 4 koralia 4 pumps

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-18at94612AM.png

for the past month and a half i've been seeding about 100 pounds of baserock in my 55 gallon tank that had already 60 pounds of liverock

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-01at31528PM.png

up next will be the plumbing.....

[MarkoD]

Canopy is on.

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-19at64346PM.png

door is going to be black and will be coming on monday
the opening is like this because if i ever want to add metal halides that need to be raised of the water surface, i can take the door off and create another box that sits on top of the canopy and holds the MH lights

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-19at64402PM.png

to avoid lifting the whole heavy canopy everytime i need to do something in the tank.... only the front half comes off. back half and door will stay on the tank.

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-19at64353PM.png

this is how the 2 halves are joined

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-19at64417PM.png

[ensquire]

Nice steup on the canopy

[hillegom]

real professional woodworking skills there.
Like it

[outacontrol]

Looks really good, thats what I need for my new tank build, a nice stand.

feel like building another one?

[MarkoD]

yeah my dad can build one... he says for something like this... about 1200 bucks

[MarkoD]

the slow filling process has begun

[hound96]

lookin good man , cant wait to see the aquascape

[fishytime]

stand looks great man(Im a finishing carpenter by trade):biggrin:......people suffer a little sticker shock when they hear numbers like that for a stand.....material alone was probably $400- $500 bucks

[MarkoD]

stand looks great man(Im a finishing carpenter by trade):biggrin:......people suffer a little sticker shock when they hear numbers like that for a stand.....material alone was probably $400- $500 bucks

exactly... took about 12 hours of work to build both the stand and canopy

[Wannabe]

Looks great, cant wait to see it wet.

[MarkoD]

thanks, it got wet last night.... being filled as we speak.... about 50 gallons in it so far.

my ro/di only does 50 GPD

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

Slow waiting period :biggrin:
It will eventually payoff.Take it slow.

[Youngster Dan]

Very nice stand, will be tagging along for sure.

[MarkoD]

plumbing is all done. tank is still filling up

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-22at93008PM.png

water comes in on the far right of the sump. have a euro reef skimmer in there and will probably have rock rubble in there.

have a Rio hyperflow 32 return pump (1920GPH) which is split(both sides have ball valves). one side goes back to the tank and the other side feeds into the 30 gallon refugium (on the far left of the stand)..... refugium is drilled and will overflow back into the sump.

[steve fedyk]

Very nice clean set up.

[abcha0s]

Very nice

[Wannabe]

Super clean, amazing stand.

[MarkoD]

thanks guys...

tank is half full, so i added half aragonite and half crushed coral. (dont want sand blowing all over the place from the wavemaker)

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-23at93019PM.png

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-23at92931PM.png

[MarkoD]

tank is finally full and running.
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-26at112857AM.png

still adding a little more water to increase the level in the last chamber. but all is working great
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-26at112905AM.png

have a 200 micron sock in there to help polish the water from the sand. so should be a couple days

the refugium isnt filled yet.... once i add the rock the water will start to rise..... so ill open the valve to the refugium and start filling it with the water that gets displaced by the rock

[MarkoD]

started some of the aquascape.... used some of the dry rock that i had.

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-26at123430PM.png


live rock will probably be added when the tank is cleared up

[MarkoD]

this is the lighting combination im probably gonna use

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-26at43418PM.png

[abcha0s]

I really lle your aquascape. Much nicer than what I came up with. My only concern would be shadows?

- Brad

[MarkoD]

yeah theres shadows underneath the over hang.... but thats not a big deal. i can still see in there

[hound96]

the cool part about the shadows is its a good spot to put some deep water zoas

[fishytime]

the cool part about the shadows is its a good spot to put some deep water zoas

or rics, or dendros,or sun corals, or duncans,.............let there be shade:wink::lol:

[fishoholic]

Looks good, I like the aquascape and the the stand and canopy are beautifully done.

[MarkoD]

tank is complete for now

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-29at65029PM.png

aquascape

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-29at65228PM.png

[AquaticFinatic]

Nice looking stand and setup there but you might regret that sweet lips purchase! :lol:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+33+180&pcatid=180

[MarkoD]

Nice looking stand and setup there but you might regret that sweet lips purchase! :lol:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+33+180&pcatid=180

i've had it for over a month.... i know the size gets big but it wont outgrow my tank for at least 5 years... when that happens, ill donate it to a fish store

[AquaticFinatic]

i've had it for over a month.... i know the size gets big but it wont outgrow my tank for at least 5 years... when that happens, ill donate it to a fish store
OH you might regret them words lol those clowns better start looking at where they can hide quick. I had one and not for long a few years back and I think it goes down as one of the worst buys!! Hope I'm wrong :biggrin:

[MarkoD]

I dunno. Mine doesn't even eat live food anymore. Just nls and formula 2

[lastlight]

Very nice stand! Instantly reminded me of JBNY's original design which was an old favorite of mine on RC.

http://www.cnidarianreef.com/G270/images/dscn/DSCN2386.jpg

[MarkoD]

bought a copperband butterfly (eating frozen from the store) and a coral beauty today

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-03-30at61850PM.png

[matinbc]

Job well done.. I just wanna say that it is amazing how crazy we all get about coral... and it truly controls the reasons we do things... but a sexy stand just screams attention to detail. And that alone makes the tank that much more beautiful. So nice job and cant wait to see the final product.

[Dez]

This is a nice clean looking setup here. It'll just get nicer as your selection of livestock goes into the tank. Thanks for sharing.

[MarkoD]

This is a nice clean looking setup here. It'll just get nicer as your selection of livestock goes into the tank. Thanks for sharing.

thanks.... neil built the tank..... im pretty sure i saw your frag tank in his shop a couple weeks ago

[Dez]

Yup, I just installed that tank yesterday. What are you planning for corals? Mixed? Softies, LPS? I heard your set up looks incredible in person. Mike from Yellowknife saw it. Looking forward to seeing your tank grow out long term.

[MarkoD]

not sure what i wanna do for corals yet.... i'd really like to do sps if im able to sustain them with just the t5 lights i've got

[doch]

How many t5 bulbs are you running?

[Wilioli]

wow! amazing rockwork! I agree -- the shadows will definitely play in your advantage. Very clean look. Following for sure

[MarkoD]

How many t5 bulbs are you running?

4x 60" 14000k

4x 36" actinic

[MarkoD]

anything other than chaeto that i should keep in my refugium?

[Dez]

With your lighting I think that you can do sps in certain places in your tank. Quite a few people are running gorgeous sps tanks with just T5s. You can always come grab some cheap sps frags from me and test them out.

[MarkoD]

With your lighting I think that you can do sps in certain places in your tank. Quite a few people are running gorgeous sps tanks with just T5s. You can always come grab some cheap sps frags from me and test them out.

thats exactly what i was thinking.... but you live sooooooo far from me. i live on 161 Ave :(

[ensquire]

I was at both of your places and it's not to far in my opinion .. LOL

[MarkoD]

I really want a monti pora. But how would I attach it to my rock so it grows out from a ledge?

[MarkoD]

update:

fish have ich :( treating with herbtana for a week now, seems to be helping

also hooked up a UV sterilizer

and today i got an MP40 :) can never have enough flow (now have koralia 4 wavemaker with 4 koralia 4s, a koralia 5 in the back and now the MP40 pushing across the front)

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-04-17at64940PM.png

[MarkoD]

heres a video at the 2 month point

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNr4uQ4SZOQ&feature=channel_video_title

[ensquire]

Nice job Marlo, awesome tank.
My Regal is my favorite fish, yours looks like its pretty cool too.

[viperfish]

I really want a monti pora. But how would I attach it to my rock so it grows out from a ledge?

You can wedge a piece in your rock and over time it will encrust itself. If it's a frag on a plug it's easy, just glue the plug anywhere you like and watch it grow.

[MarkoD]

Heres my newest edition

72" aquamedic fixture.

4x 250 watt metal halide
4x 39 watt t5ho

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/264487_10150647599820567_676325566_19029298_591401 0_n.jpg

[MarkoD]

heres a full tank shot with the lights installed

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-06-27at85301PM.png

[Cugio]

That is beautiful. I love the rock arrangement and the new light.

Did you have to lose the canopy for the new fixture to fit?

[MarkoD]

Nope I opened the canopy and the fixture sits on top

[MarkoD]

so i was having problems with the lights heating the water to about 84F

so i installed 2 large computer fans to the back of the canopy and have decreased the temp to 80F while the halides are on.

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-07-17at95633AM.png

i will be adding fans to the stand too and hopefully it'll bring the temp down a couple more degrees.

i also re plumbed the return to the opposite side of the overflow as i was finding that i had film forming on my water.

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-07-17at95647AM.png

[Boomboy]

absolutely awesome. this tank after many years will definatly be one worth visiting. keep up the awesome work.

[MarkoD]

thanks man.

today i spent almost 2 hours scraping the glass.... hopefully i can find a way to never have to do this again :(

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-07-18at91136PM.png

[viperfish]

Awesome! I love the aquascaping.

[Parker]

I really like the rock work and stand!

[HaZRaTTy]

Mark

UPDATE :) ??

[MarkoD]

I'll take a photo when I get home

[Hustler]

awesome looking tank bro, cant wait to see an update :)

[MarkoD]

heres a current FTS

Corals and frags are growing like crazy. everything has encrusted itself to the rock

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-09-21at72352PM.png

heres the sump. have some LR in there, mangroves and a euro reef skimmer
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-09-21at72416PM.png

and heres my cheato refugium. keeps the nitrates at 0. havent done waterchange in about 4 months
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2011-09-21at72406PM.png

[Hustler]

Hey..... you sold me an albino pleco a long time ago..... Should have invited me in lol
Woulda loved to see it :)

[MarkoD]

Hey..... you sold me an albino pleco a long time ago..... Should have invited me in lol
Woulda loved to see it :)

Oh yeah. I didn't have this tank back then

[Reefie]

Marko, very VERY nice setup!!!

I only have 1 word for you.................

U
P
D
A
T
E
?

Love the pics too, reminds me that I have to play with my SLR a little more. Haha!

[MarkoD]

Totally forgot about this. Will have an update tomorrow. Lots of changes

[MarkoD]

heres an update:

FTS: redid the left side of the scape to give more room for corals
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at24327PM.png

got rid of the MH lights and got AI Sol Blues
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at32005PM.png

new skimmer in the sump: vertex in250
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at31953PM.png

refugium still going strong : harvest cheato about every 2 weeks
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at31931PM.png

and here are some pics of corals

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at25334PM.png
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at25402PM.png

this one started with one branch 2 months ago
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at25424PM.png

this also started as one branch about 3 months ago
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at25457PM.png

put this in about a month and half ago. started encrusting
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at25530PM.png

couple months in the tank. started encrusting and spreading
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at25556PM.png

lps on sand bed
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at102641AM.png
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at102555AM.png
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at102819AM.png[/QUOTE]

[Coralgurl]

Your tank looks awesome and definitely like the rescaping! So jealous of your photography skills!

[soaptray]

This is looking FANTASTIC! Subscribed!

I don't think I saw it in the thread, but what are the final dimensions of this tank? Thanks!

[MarkoD]

This is looking FANTASTIC! Subscribed!

I don't think I saw it in the thread, but what are the final dimensions of this tank? Thanks!

thanks.

the tank is a standard 180 gallon. 72x24x24

[Doc_Polit]

Gorgeous tank Marko. The new scape on the left looks really good.

Those Sols cast a nice light too, heh?

[Nano]

that looks awesome Marko, am I seeing correctly that you are only using 3 AI? how strong are you running them? BTW once I get the hang of sps, would you sell any frags and what would you want for $$?

take it easy mang.

[MarkoD]

that looks awesome Marko, am I seeing correctly that you are only using 3 AI? how strong are you running them? BTW once I get the hang of sps, would you sell any frags and what would you want for $$?

take it easy mang.

Yeah 3 sols.

75 white
100 blue
100 royal blue.

I don't really have much that I can frag, most of my sps are frags still

[MarkoD]

Heres a progress update. Taking pictures is really the best way to notice growth. its been just under 6 months

March 5th
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at25424PM.png


Today
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-09-02at43443PM.png


March 5th
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at25530PM.png


Today
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-09-02at43413PM.png


March 5th
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at25556PM.png


Today
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-09-02at43527PM.png


These space monster zoas went from 1 head to 8 heads in about 6 weeks
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-09-02at43507PM.png

[MarkoD]

sump area has changed with the addition of a new skimmer. and subtraction of a bunch of crap


March 5th
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-03-05at31953PM.png


Today
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/DSCF1007.jpg

[reefwars]

looking good man nice job on the space monsters;P

[MarkoD]

FTS taken with fish eye

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-09-13at42606PM.png

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss232/IvankaD/Screenshot2012-09-13at42759PM.png

[fishyfishster]

very neat tank. what kind of coral is that in the middle on the sand? its looks hard on the sides and fleshy on top

[lastlight]

very neat tank. what kind of coral is that in the middle on the sand? its looks hard on the sides and fleshy on top

I suspect you mean one of the clams?

[fishoholic]

very neat tank. what kind of coral is that in the middle on the sand? its looks hard on the sides and fleshy on top

If you don't mean the clams, the bright orange coral between the clams looks like a suncoral or dendro.

[fishyfishster]

Yes I suppose it's a clam. Pardon my ignorance