First Attempt Mixed Reef 280 Build!

yoboyjdizz · #1 08/31/2006, 08:31 PM

I've finally decided that im ready to start my own thread on my build of my new 280 gallon tank that has been sitting in my garage for the past few months now.. I wanted to wait until i own my own house to get a nice big tank but the temptation to upgrade from my 72, i just couldn't wait any longer.. So i settled for the biggest i could probably do in this house that im renting now a 72x30x30 acrylic built from socalcreations.. In about two years i will own my own house and already planning on my "hopefully" final tank a 96-120x48x30 tank.

In the past couple of years i've only own FOWLR tank so this will be my first attempt with some corals. I more of a fish guy so this tank will be center around lots of fish with few corals to color it up. Start with soft corals and few lps then work my way towards sps corals.

Equipment list:
Tank:72x30x30 External Overflow
Sump: 50x22x18 Skimmer - return - refuge
RO/DI: Thyphoon III
Skimmer: Asm G4x recric/gate valve mod
Lighting: Three 250w 14k pheonix bulbs in the new SLS Lumen Max 3 Reflectors
Flow: Mag 18 return"want slow flow through might sump but it might be not enough" Two Tunze stream 6100's on multicontroller might add a 6200 or two if needed.. "will saved if not needed for the newer tank"
Reactors: Kalk/Calicum reactors added on later when corals come into play.. phosphan reactors for phosphan and carbon.

yoboyjdizz · #2 08/31/2006, 08:32 PM

Here are some pictures of the tank itself:

I will start posting more pictures this coming sunday once i give my girlfriend her new camera for her b-day, then use it to take pictures of my tank progress... Shhh don't tell her haha...

yoboyjdizz · #3 08/31/2006, 08:34 PM

Fish List: (In Planning Stages)
Pair of Ocellaris Clowns ( have )
3 Chromis ( have )
Lawnmower Blenny ( have)
Royal Gramma
Scott's Fiary Wrasse Australia
Flasher Wrasse
Flame Wrasse ( maybe a small harem ) 1 male 2-3females?
Lineatus Fiary Wrasse
Imperator Angel ( have )
Blue Tang ( have )
Powder Blue Tang
Yellow Tang
Purple Tang

Not planning on getting all the wrasse's not even sure which ones or if all will get along.. I know four tangs is alot but i have good experience with tangs and i believe i can make it work depending on the fish too of course. What do you guys think? Any other suggestions should i take off or add on? Thanks for following!

55Reef · #4 08/31/2006, 10:34 PM

Sounds like it's going to be a great setup.

We need lot's of pictures!

Good Luck!

yoboyjdizz · #5 09/01/2006, 07:15 PM

I will be taking lots of pictures as soon as the new camera arrives! I love peoples build threads when they display tons of pictures and thats what i'll try to do as well!

yoboyjdizz · #6 09/01/2006, 09:52 PM

Any comments, suggestions or concerns?

yoboyjdizz · #7 09/03/2006, 03:54 PM

The Pictures i promised:

Stand/Canopy

Sump ( Best I could get for now )

Asm G4x Skimmer

Handy Test Kits

yoboyjdizz · #8 09/03/2006, 03:57 PM

Here are some of the fish in my 50qt/holding tank

As you can see the blue tang has a case of HLLE.. Seems to be coming along though, can't wait to get it in the bigger tank!

yoboyjdizz · #9 09/03/2006, 04:57 PM

Base Rock:

Huge piece 15inches in width forgot the length:

xtrstangx · #10 09/03/2006, 06:07 PM

Very sweet! That big rock will make a pretty nice shelf.

You should've posted a link in my thread.

mg426 · #11 09/03/2006, 06:16 PM

That is going to be a nice set up. Post more pictures when you get it rollong.

yoboyjdizz · #12 09/03/2006, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xtrstangx
Very sweet! That big rock will make a pretty nice shelf.

You should've posted a link in my thread.

Thanks i was thinking on doing that later today! Im just trying to catch up to you!

yoboyjdizz · #13 09/03/2006, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mg426
That is going to be a nice set up. Post more pictures when you get it rollong.

I hoping it will be! I will have more pictures soon hopefully tonight or early tomorrow...

Bax · #14 09/03/2006, 06:24 PM

Looking forward to watching your system come together

yoboyjdizz · #15 09/03/2006, 06:25 PM

Thanks bax how do you like your tunze and vortech pumps? that 36inch width is nice i mad now that i didnt jump the gun and do it on mine.. Oh well now its time to save for the next upgrade haha!

yoboyjdizz · #16 09/03/2006, 10:31 PM

Im hoping within the next two weeks i will have it full of water with live rock and sand and get this baby cyclin'.....

lessans · #17 09/04/2006, 12:13 AM

I would like to suggest that you place your base rock on the bottom before adding the sand so that if you decide to have any tunnel-making or burying fish your rockscape will not collapse when they dig. I added the sand first in my tank and when I was considering adding an engineer goby I discovered that they can make a tunnel. With this discovery I've decided to abstain from its addition.

Bax · #18 09/04/2006, 06:33 AM

yoboyjdizz

My 36" tank is still in the works but may be ordered before the end of this year. I have all the components just need the tank now.

As for the Tunze and VorTech, I really like the combination. I started playing around with them in a 75g and now use them as the only flow in my 120. When I do set up the 260, I'll be using two VorTechs and four Tunze 2 x 6100 and 2 x 6000 for flow. I was going to run a CL, but I would really like to limit the return nozzles both in terms of drilled holes and viewable equipment.

As for the base rock, I would place egg crate on the bottom, then stack some real substantial foundation pieces that once in place & steady you'll never move. Then add your sand. That gives you a stable base to play around with for aquascaping. And, you can't "over rinse" your base rock before placing in the tank. I found it to shed fine material for quite some time even after a good rinse.

yoboyjdizz · #19 09/04/2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bax
yoboyjdizz

My 36" tank is still in the works but may be ordered before the end of this year. I have all the components just need the tank now.

As for the Tunze and VorTech, I really like the combination. I started playing around with them in a 75g and now use them as the only flow in my 120. When I do set up the 260, I'll be using two VorTechs and four Tunze 2 x 6100 and 2 x 6000 for flow. I was going to run a CL, but I would really like to limit the return nozzles both in terms of drilled holes and viewable equipment.

As for the base rock, I would place egg crate on the bottom, then stack some real substantial foundation pieces that once in place & steady you'll never move. Then add your sand. That gives you a stable base to play around with for aquascaping. And, you can't "over rinse" your base rock before placing in the tank. I found it to shed fine material for quite some time even after a good rinse.

Yeah I don't really like the CL idea either. Im thinking on adding two more tunze but the 6200's though early next year.

Thanks i didnt even think about rinse my base rock that much now i'll do that. The egg crate idea is also a good one got to think about that on my previous tanks i usually just added sand then solid pieces on bottom and went from there.

yoboyjdizz · #20 09/05/2006, 02:15 PM

Some more pic's for your entertainment (50qt/holding tank)

Why i wont keep crabs in the new tank

LMB

Another shot at my juvi emp

xtrstangx · #21 09/06/2006, 08:18 AM

Definately add a base row of rock and then add the sand. I tried adding my sand after I finished my entire aquascape and its really hard to get it into the corners and under the rock.

The emporator angel is awesome.

smokinprice · #22 09/06/2006, 09:12 AM

Looks good so far. Cant wait to see it finished!

newtophish · #23 09/06/2006, 09:52 AM

Yet another thread to follow along! Can't wait to see your progress.

drummereef · #24 09/06/2006, 11:42 AM

This is going to be sweeeeet!

yoboyjdizz · #25 09/06/2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xtrstangx
Definately add a base row of rock and then add the sand. I tried adding my sand after I finished my entire aquascape and its really hard to get it into the corners and under the rock.

The emporator angel is awesome.

Yeah i think i need to order some more base rock.. thanks for tip!