65 Gallon Custom Reef

[3twenty5]

Finally after weeks/months of planning,designing,building,cycling and rearranging. I have added most of my corals from my other tank (18 gallon) and also a few new ones. I have added my first 2 SPS - (pocilopora,digitata). The tank is about 7 weeks old, has been cycled for about 3 weeks now.

Main Tank:
Custom 65 gallon (1/2" Glass - 36x18x24)
Overflow = 5x5 wrapped in 1/4" Black Acrylic

1" Drain with strainer for CLS which pumps through a SCWD out 2 - 3/4" Return ports

1 1/2" Main drain flowing through 25 gallon sump out 2 3/4" Return ports

Lighting:
2- 250 Ice Cap Metal Halide w/ 10k Ushios
2- 75 VHO URI Actinic

Filtration:
1 - Mag12 on a Closed Loop system running a SCWD
1 - Mag12 on a Open system flowing through a 25 gallon sump
Euroreed ES53 Skimmer

75lbs Premium Kaelini Rock
5 lbs Tonga Branch

DSB = 100lbs Carib Sea Bio-Arganite

Cleanup Crew:
55 Astrea Snails
2 Sally Light Foot Crabs
1 Sand Sifting Star

[3twenty5]

..

[3twenty5]

First SPS

[iCam]

Umm....WOW! That is a very nicely setup tank you have there!

[3twenty5]

..

[jim_mahaney]

I just purchased a 65 AGA tank, so I am curious on how you set up your lighting. I am probably going with the similiar lighting to what your have on your tank. Are your 250's double or single ended? Where did you purchase your lighting? If you could post some picts or a description of your canopy, that would be very helpful.

Thanks,

-Jim

[3twenty5]

I had a custom hood built which house 2 - 250 Mogul Base with PFO Reflectors, I also added 2 - 24" URi Actinic VHO...I bought it all from jason @ premiumaquatics..great guy and great help.


http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/3014/3231Light_hood.jpg

[jim_mahaney]

How does your canopy open when it is on the tank? Looks like a nice setup for the lights. What types of corals do you plan on stocking the tank with?


Thanks,

-Jim

[vapormd]

3twenty5,

Great setup, I'm also setting up a AGA 65g and would love to have my setup eventually look yours!

I also have been debating on how to light my tank (like you, I'd like to eventually keep SPS corals), and had a few questions:

(1) With your setup, do you avoid a shadow from the center brace (do you even have a center brace in your custom tank)

(2) Do you still get the shimmer effect with the two MH's

Thanks,

Perry

[Salt'n'Lime]

looks good ... I really like the aquascaping, Nice rock.

[3twenty5]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jim_mahaney
[B]How does your canopy open when it is on the tank? Looks like a nice setup for the lights. What types of corals do you plan on stocking the tank with?

JIm-

- Thanks, the front of the canopy opens and folds back. I plan on mostly SPS, ricordia and Zoos..

vapormd -

Great setup, I'm also setting up a AGA 65g and would love to have my setup eventually look yours!

- Thanks


(1) With your setup, do you avoid a shadow from the center brace (do you even have a center brace in your custom tank)

I do not have a center brace, I have a 2" brace which goes around the top of the tank...the benefits of a custom tank

(2) Do you still get the shimmer effect with the two MH's

I get a huge shimmer, especially since the MH lamps are so low (7" from water"


Pics and info can be found here

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=18233