Jadinop's 150 Reef

Jadinop · 06-07-2008, 03:54 PM

Starting this thread a little late. Tank has been up for more than a few weeks. I'm trying to go slow and plan out every detail so I don't have to change everything around multiple times. Here is a list of the basics installed so far:

All Glass 150g R/R
Aquawood 36" Stand and 15" Canopy
All Glass Model 4 sump (POS, do not recommend it, will be modded)
3 250w DE retro reflectors with Current 14k bulbs
ASM G3 skimmer with recirc and gate valve mods
2 Quietone 3000 return pumps with Pacific Coast Flow Accelerators
2 Vortech MP40w's (awesome product)
Aquacontoller 3 with DC8 and DC4HD

Future plans:

Calcium reactor (Octopus most likely, I love the one on my frag tank)
Refugium (on the fence about this one, not sure if I'm sold on them)
1" SCWD's (going to try one on each return pump and use 4 nozzles)

Thank you to Rob and the guys at the store who have helped me along. I have come along way since my 75g with crushed coral and bleached skeletons for decoration.

teach · 06-07-2008, 04:03 PM

Jason, did you get the vortech upgrade?

And...where are the pictures?

Jadinop · 06-07-2008, 04:11 PM

Trying to upload the pics now, having some issues with uploading for some reason. I didn't get the upgrade yet but I'm going to send mine in on Monday. I will let you know when I get it back.

Jadinop · 06-07-2008, 05:21 PM

Basic pic of the tank setup prior to starting my build.

Jadinop · 06-07-2008, 05:27 PM

Sandbed and liverock in place. Got lucky and had the chance to cherry pic from a bulk order of liverock at Rob's. Most of these pieces are 20 to 30 pounds each. The rock is stacked like an island, it is not touching the glass anywhere. The only place I couldn't avoid touching was a little contact with the overflows. This pic was taken during the Koralia experiment. I quickly realized I was going to need something better. That was when the Vortechs were ordered.

Jadinop · 06-07-2008, 05:36 PM

Fast forward a few weeks. I built an aluminum frame to hold my lights. I wanted the canopy to be removable without having to disconnect any wiring. I screwed 2 1x6's to the back of my stand and placed a piece across the top to join them. The frame is attached to this with hinges so I can push the lights up out of the way. The legs in the front rest on the rim and help with support. The ballasts (outdoor rated) are mounted to the piece of wood across the back.

Jadinop · 06-07-2008, 05:42 PM

Here is the tank as it stands now. I'm debating on adding a set of pc retros to the lighting. I always liked the actinic morning look but these 14k bulbs really don't need much help. Can you believe I lucked out on that a/c vent. I picked up one of those airflow diverters and it blows air straight down into my canopy and stand.

marineduud · 06-07-2008, 07:29 PM

Looks great but the only thing I see that is going to cause you problems is the ballest being over the tank, It nay be 6 months to 12 but it will happen. But I like the set-up and being able to take the canopy off with out the lights.

OneDummHikk · 06-07-2008, 08:35 PM

I like that light setup. The canopy I built for my 90 has a drawer in it that the lights are mounted on the bottom of. I can't flip them up like yours and that makes me jealous! Awesome setup.

Jadinop · 06-07-2008, 08:57 PM

I was concerned with that as well so I opened the ballast to see how it was sealed. These ARO ballasts are rated to be installed outside, the electronics are completely sealed in rubber. When you take the cover off you can see the the whole thing is filled up with sealant.

Of course, this means it can't be repaired either. Originally, I was going to put them in the stand but I think there is just as much humidity in there from the sump and skimmer. I do plan on building an acrylic cover to protect the outsides from salt creep. One thing I do to help with the salt creep is use covers over my overflows.

Quote:

Originally Posted by marineduud

Looks great but the only thing I see that is going to cause you problems is the ballest being over the tank, It nay be 6 months to 12 but it will happen. But I like the set-up and being able to take the canopy off with out the lights.

dacro · 06-07-2008, 10:03 PM

Looks great, J !!!

Can't wait to see this tank "take off" !!!

marineduud · 06-08-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jadinop

I was concerned with that as well so I opened the ballast to see how it was sealed. These ARO ballasts are rated to be installed outside, the electronics are completely sealed in rubber. When you take the cover off you can see the the whole thing is filled up with sealant.

Of course, this means it can't be repaired either. Originally, I was going to put them in the stand but I think there is just as much humidity in there from the sump and skimmer. I do plan on building an acrylic cover to protect the outsides from salt creep. One thing I do to help with the salt creep is use covers over my overflows.

That is sealed pretty darn good from the looks of it you could probably drop them in the tank and be Ok!! LOL

aquawolf · 06-08-2008, 02:14 PM

The build looks great. I am really liking your lighting rack, that is pretty innovative.

Jadinop · 06-08-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquawolf

The build looks great. I am really liking your lighting rack, that is pretty innovative.

Thanks. The problem with taking the time to plan and rethink every decision is that it slows down my progress to a crawl. The tank has had water in it since March and I just got the lights mounted the way I like. It was really nice cycling without lights though as I had zero algae growth for almost 3 months. I didn't even have to clean the glass once.

tennisstar28 · 06-23-2008, 07:18 PM

Nice looking setup, I am jealous. I want to get that color stand and hood in the future.