WarDog's Tank Thread : Episodic Trial And Error

[WarDog]

Episode I : The Phantom Valonia

Stand
Stand and Sump
Plumbing
DIY ATO
Electrical
Bleaching Rock and LED Utility Light
Leak Test
Wire Management
Libra Doser and OCD Sump
Dry Rock Structures
Final Rockscape
Cycle and Diatoms
First Coral
Failed First W/C
DIY a Real Water Change Station!
Frag Additions
Skimmer Swap
ICK!
6 Months Old & Mount Frags
Start Of Bubble Algae Epidemic
Coral Illuminati Frag Deal
Switch To T5's
Screen Top, Monti Eating Nudi's, Possibly The Best Pictures
End Of Tank

Episode II : Attack Of The Aiptasia

A New Hope
I Will Build A Grand Army
Floating Aquascape
Cycling & First Livestock
Cruising Along
Ive Got A Really Bad Feeling About This

Episode III : Revenge Of The Upgrade

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Time to start a build journal!

This will be my first dip into Salt Water after about 30 years of having freshwater set-ups of all types. After purchashing my first house 5 years ago and being financially 'stable' I am finally able to take the leap into salt!

Sheldon (Texas Cichlid) is gunna be pretty upset when he gets moved to make way for my new reef!



So I've decided to go with a 65 gal, 36x18x24. Didn't want to go too big, as the display tank will be on the 2nd floor and I didn't want to put thousands of pounds of stress on the joists. Too bad I didn't think ahead and sister up the joists when I finished the basement 5 years ago... oh well.



Got myself the Vertek RO/DI 100gpd unit and mounted it under the sink (with the permission of the boss of course)! Unfortunately I will still have to do buckets, but I do plan to have a top-up tank next to the sump in the stand, so hopefully just 1 bucket trip per week! As you can see our kids, Sophie and Winston are checking my work. Sophie inspecting and Winston wondering why it doesn't dispence treats



That's all I have for now. This is going to be a slow journal. I'm only allowed to pay cash for stuff. That's the deal I made with the wife and it's not a bad one really. I have budgeted around $3000 for everything not including livestock. Ordered some adjustable feet online last week and hoping they arrive this week so as I can get on with the stand build. The stand will be a little different from anything I have seen here on CanReef and I'm sure you will be interested and surprised by it. Thanks for viewing and I hope to hear input from you all!

[monkE]

love reading these builds from the start! I've done a 60 as my first reef as well and love it so far! i'm sure you'll have something real nice set up.

Nice job on the slider system for your ro/di, sure will make canister changing easy.

What is your plan with the tank? Reef? Fish only?

[WarDog]

Originally Posted by monkE

love reading these builds from the start! I've done a 60 as my first reef as well and love it so far! i'm sure you'll have something real nice set up.

Nice job on the slider system for your ro/di, sure will make canister changing easy.

What is your plan with the tank? Reef? Fish only?

Thanks! As for the slider, I saw it on someones build journal here a few months ago and just thought it was a great space-saving idea! Greg's 75gal, I think.

Yeah, I'm gunna go for broke on the tank... full reef for sure! I've been tempted by salt for years and years! SPS, LPS and softies. Want zoa and rico gardens as well. Not sure if it will all fit in a 65 but I might have to get creative in designing different levels of shelves with live rock. Deep sand bed also. Probably going to be fish light. A pair of clowns and perhaps just 1 or 2 smaller fish and thats it.

[WarDog]

]

[monkE]

going all out with this one eh? what are you going to do for lights????

[WarDog]

Not 100% on the lights yet. Maybe AquaMedic 6x39W T5HO, Evergrow IT2080, or 2 of the new AI Hydra's.

[lockrookie]

Don't forget to pee in the tank helps with cycle lol looks awesome glad to see it wetish

[lockrookie]

Originally Posted by WarDog

Don't give me misinformation like that, I might have just done it. Lol!

Well it's not entirely mis information lol a lot of ppl have done it to start the cycle process personally I wouldn't but it's still funny would rather see you use prodibio or microbacter 7... But search the forum the other method has been discussed lol

[WarDog]

Originally Posted by lockrookie

Well it's not entirely mis information lol a lot of ppl have done it to start the cycle process personally I wouldn't but it's still funny would rather see you use prodibio or microbacter 7... But search the forum the other method has been discussed lol

Yes I know, lol. I plan on using Prodibio.

Just a flurry of activity around the house today! Sump is full, ATO filling now. Going to fill the tank overnight.

[CM125]

In fop updates, very curious how the red pvc holds up as its not rated for plumbing. But if it does im totally copying you!!!