Proteus' Shallow reef build
 

I've been planning this build for about 6 months. I alway like the look down appeal. This will be a slow build as its all from scratch except livestock

I build the stand and skinned in the last couple days and built the tank the other night. Just waiting for overflow glass to be cut. Should be done Monday.

And tips and pointers are very welcome

The tank is 24x24x12 external overflow. Returns are 6" down using directional bulk heads. Plumbing will start next week. And painting and finishing stand. I have a 20x20 cube to use as sump but need to build still

Equipment to be used is
Radion gen 1
Mce 600 (until omega 125 is released)
MR1 reactor
Dc return pump to be bought yet
Check valves and gates for plumbing

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...E76FF3731B.jpg
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looks great so far. what are you doing to deal with 24x24x6 worth of back-siphon assuming those are on your sump returns?

In event of power failer I am installing check valves. I using a George fisher check valve. Also oversize sump with the possibility of external overflow tank. Depending on sump capacity

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/george...k-valve-1.html

Survey says: Backflow valve!?

Subscribed, this reminds me of another tank on here :razz:.

Your current tank has given me a lot of inspiration.


Would like to give thanks to concept who provide and cut the glass

Thank you

i got some trim and paint left if u want it. looks good by the way. and magnets.

Thanks Phil.
I was going to put trim on this weekend and I just finished with a mahogany stain.

I used stove bolts on the two side pannels
The front is on magnets. Figured easy way to go.

:pop2:

U guys are going to get popcorn lung

Picked up 30 lbs or so Marco rock. Put in 15g WC tank

My plan is to cycle the rock in that tank. When done ill tear down current tank put corals in bucket skid tank out move other one in place fill and put coral/clams in new tank. I am seeding new rock from sponges that were in current sump and started prodibio on it.

Does any one forsee a issue of a transfer like this. It should take 4/6 weeks to cycle rock.
Also do I need light on cycling rock

Also picked up glass for over flow box which was cut wrong size. Although it was cut too big so saves from buying more glass. I tried to cut it myself but I'm not that good with 3/8" glass.

U should give me all your sps just to be safe lol. No light on when cycleing rock you'll get algae. The only thing hard about transferring to a new tank is geting the tank fully cycled and stable. My new ones been running now for two months and it's just now looking good and algae's gone. And I think if tried to put any sps in it in that time it wouldn't have made it.

Yeah I'm ok with 2 months to make sure it's all good

You can rent the sps off me but I need a $2000 retainer. Lol

Well I was going to put tile in bottom of tank but Moma bear convinced me to do crush. So I picked up 40 lbs of natures oven gravel. It's about 3/5 mm

Overflow box is done. Stand is done, its stained with Bombay mahogany, looks black in pic but its a dark red. Just have to build sump and plumb. Should start this tomorrow

Here's a pic
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...633237E894.jpg

Well done, last year I built the exact same size tank. It's awesome watching your tank progress from 5 pieces of glass. Looking forward to seeing how yours progresses as well, have fun with it!

^^^. Thank you. This is my first DIY. Honestly though I always second guess myself wondering if I should have just left it up to the pros. I already tore the tank apart and rebuilt. I used black silicone and messed up in some key spots. Took me days to get the glass perfectly clean.
All in all I am very happy with it

Built sump last night ill get plumbing today
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...4F6731F798.jpg

Very clean look.

Are you planning on leaving the back panel clear?

I contemplated putting a piece of acrylic on the back. But not sure yet
I built the tank as a look down tank so not overly concerned about it either

I definitely hear you on second guessing yourself but don't stress too much all that will go away when you leak test and see it actually holds the water :lol:

:popcorn::pop2:

So I picked up plumbing today. Also got tile for the tank. I bought sand and tile so undecided. But I really like how Levi's tank turned out so I stole his idea. Thanks;). Now I'm just waiting on check valve, gate valve, and one more directional bulkhead.

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...8A0C4151FC.jpg
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looks great Nick! how did you treat the tiles?

Glad your on board, mine are already starting to get a coraline coating.

The tiles themselves are travertine marble so they are inert, I washed them off in the sink to remove any dirt/ grime but other than that they went straight into the tank.

Good to know

Man these tiles look slick. So glad I bought them

Pretty sure your going SPS but unlike glass softies will grow directly onto these things.

Coming along nicely - good work
That tile is kinda kool

You guys are makin' me think about a shallow frag tank ...

So nothing will leach out of the tiles then

From my understanding they won't leach. I'm putting my trust in Levi.

The other reason I went woth the tile is I'm sure sps will encrust on them. Giving me a little more room for frags.
Also I like the cleanliness of barebottom but not the look so I hope this is the best of both worlds

The directional bulk heads are to be pointed down to blow directly on the bottom keeping organics suspended.

Are there some kinds of travertine to stay away from ?

It just cal carb from hot springs. Though its a softer stone it will not disolve in tank. So I've read. The whiter the stone the less impurities. I read several threads on reef tank of people using it without issue

Thanks for the info
I want to add it to my BB QT to subdue the lighting some

I did have my frag section covered with them but I used the small ones and they were glued on a sheet. I had to boil them to get the sheet off. I placed them in the tank of my toilet for about a month to make sure they were completely clean and free of any glue residue. I figured it would clean out any impurities as well

As long as no one pulls a upper decker lol

I've had that a couple times at work :censored: if that ever happened at home there would more trouble than poopy tiles :twised:

Hahahaha. Too funny.

Those travertine tiles you have are the tumbled stone. I wonder if the filled and honed travertine would be safe as well?

looking great!

curious tho... why are people choosing the small tiles over something standard like four 12 x 12s or trying to source a larger 24x24 even? fewer seams might look a bit more natural?

I picked the smaller ones because I wanted to grow zoas on them and it made for easy fragging. The coraline will make it a blanket of purple in no time anyway.

I wanted 12". But none to be found. These are 6"x6" and considered wall tiles

I found 12 x 12 at Home Building Center