Jump to content

First saltwater tank! 120g CustomAquariums build


GreenJeans

Recommended Posts

I placed an order for a 4x4x2 CustomAquariums display tank, likely to be delivered around the end of January. I'm using the time until then to cycle rocks in a Brute can, construct my fish room, plan out plumbing and electricals, and create a stocking plan. I thought it'd be a good idea to start a tank thread to get any early feedback for parts of my plans that I might want to change!

 

Once it's all set up:

Tank
- 4' x 2' x 2' CustomAquariums tank with stand, 5/8" ultra clear glass.  Drilled for one return and one overflow. With stand.

- Trigger Systems Triton 44 sump, ~40gal

- ReefOctopus Regal 200Int 8" P.skimmer

- 2x ReefOctopus Varios-2 pumps for the return (on separate circuits for redundancy)

- 2x 300w Jaeger heaters

- 2x VorTech MP40 w/ battery backup

- 3x Kessil A360x lights

- Kessil A80 light on the fuge

- ~120lbs BRS reefsaver rock

- light sand bed, Aragonite Fiji Pink dry sand

 

Control

- Apex

- Extra energy bar for the secondary circuit

- Triton

- DoS pump

- Tunze Osmolator for ATO

- Apex leak detectors all over the place

- Apex wifi module to connect to MP40s (and maybe the kessil lights' wifi dongle?)

 

Mixing Station

- Mop sink with cold water

- 5 stage RoDi

- 75g tank for salt mix, with varios-2 mixing pump

- 25g tank for fresh water

 

Quarantine

- 20gal long with a divider, for 2 10gal tanks

- sponge filters

- small heaters

- ammoalert badges

- PVC pieces

 

You can see a square hole cut above the sump, which passes into a closet next to the display tank.  This is where I will feed a hose for draining the display tank to the wash sink with one of those syphon hookups, and filling by connecting to the salt mix plumbing.

 

I had an electrician add two new circuits to my breaker bo

 

I'm waiting on the display tank to arrive before finalizing the sump plumbing and cutting holes in the wall to pass pvc through.

 

The 44gal Brute can is cycling the rock, with a 10gal aquarium growing chaeto as a makeshift sump.  This is helping control my nitrate levels quite well, and I think I'll be able to use my cycling water in my display tank. I'm keeping the fuge on a reverse photo period from the get go, 14hrs on.

 

My biggest question right now is stocking...how do I choose and how do I plan the order?  I expect I'll need to pick up a small clean up crew early on, some snails, hermit crabs, shrimps and the like. It sounds like most people pick up a pair of clowns first, so I'll probably go this route.

Some stocking goals:

- lots of inverts.  Urchins, stars, shrimps, snails, crabs...

- lots of pairs/symbiosis...shrimp and goby, cleaner shrimps and all the fish...

- Harmony - I don't want to have to evict anyone or lose expensive fish or corals

- Color/motion - Visually interesting

- Functional additions - most introductions into the tank should have an active role in the ecosystem. Algae control, parasite control, etc etc.

 

Watching BRS, these come up a lot for young reefs:

Clownfish pair
Yellow tang
bristletooth tang
lawnmower blenny
six line wrasse
goby
fox face

 

How would you stock a ~160g system?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

MVIMG_20191228_102722.jpg

MVIMG_20191228_102735.jpg

MVIMG_20191228_102828.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like you have things well thought out!  Congrats on the custom tank build.  Couple questions - are you going to run a remote sump or in the stand?  Wasn't quite sure from the description.  Obviously access is a lot easier with the remote option and quieter in your tank space if you can pull it off.  Also, what is your plan for the overflow/return?  What kind of setup are you going to run - seems like if it's drilled for one of each it might limit your options.  You mentioned two return pumps - are those running sequentially on in series somehow?  Just curious. 

As for the stocking I would only say add the tangs at the same time if you can and skip the six line if you think you might add any other wrasses in the future - my experience with them is that they always turn out to be bullies.

Good luck!  Can't wait to see this come together.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks! Yes, the sump will be remote. You can see it in the closet in the pictures there, it'll be plumbed through that wall to the living room.

The overflow will be from CustomAquariums, their 1200gph H2Overflow, set up in a bean animal config.

The return will be two varios-2 pumps > silicone tubing > Y check valves > Tee > Bulkhead with 3 ports > single CustomAquariums SiphonStopper...maybe split into two returns in the tank.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was originally going to use 1 DoS pump to use BRS 2-part for alk/calc/mag, but....

I have the sump for it, why not go Triton method right out of the gate?

I'd need to add a second DoS pump, and then plan to use the Triton 4-part...I think that's it. Maybe a bigger return pump? My fuge section is already 18gal.

I like the idea of no filter socks and very minimal water changes, based on thorough testing.

The method has been around for a few years now, and it seems like the 4-part is easy to source these days? I know that was a problem before...

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

My thoughts.. Fuji pink is really fine sand and will get blown around if you have enough flow for SPS.

BRS two part is by far the cheapest route to go for cal and alk. Almost nobody auto doses magnesium.

Amazon LED grow lights make great fuge lights.

Looks like a great build.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great point about the sand.  Which sand would you recommend as appropriate for sand-sifting creatures (gobys etc), while allowing me to maximize my flow?

I went ahead and ordered a second DoS pump and the Triton 4-part additives, looking forward to trying out the Triton method.

I already have the Kessil H80 grow light for the fuge - I'll probably supplement it with much cheaper amazon grow lights if I need more than the H80 will put out.

 

Thanks for the thoughts!

 

The tank should be delivered next week, looking forward to planning out and installing the plumbing.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

It's all set up, and nothing leaks!

I originally planned to hard plumb everything, all sorts of fancy valves and manifolds - but needing to get behind the tank to hook things up necessitated I keep some flexible tubing, and there just isn't much room in the sump area for lots of plumbing. The result is that the sump is much further away from the wall than I was hoping, and the whole system is much simpler than I was planning, but flow and serviceability are much better over the alternative...I would have had to use so many 90's to get everything to fit with pvc.

 

Ended up only being able to install one return pump, so I'll be planning to upsize it soon.

MVIMG_20200210_080650(1).jpg

MVIMG_20200210_194008.jpg

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great work! I recently purchased a Custom Aquarium tank as well. As a new hobbyist, it looks like you've dove right in...lots of forethought into the planning and lots of quality equipment.

Are you also running a gate valve at the tank in addition to the sump? Not totally sure the benefit of having one at the sump, but having one at the sump will make adjustments easier. Guess it all works either way though. What's your overflow?

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the encouragement.  I'm only running the one gate valve at the sump, and mostly have the hang of tuning it from there - I read somewhere that the valve should be at the sump end of the line, and seemed to make sense to me for optimal flow.

 

The overflow is the one from customaquariums, the Stealthbox H2Overflow.  I have it configured bean animal style - currently the open pipe has no cap or U or anything, so it's making a bit of noise.  The plumbing I got doesn't fit due to the bulkhead poking into the overflow, so I'll need to figure something else out to silence it.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites



Thanks for the encouragement.  I'm only running the one gate valve at the sump, and mostly have the hang of tuning it from there - I read somewhere that the valve should be at the sump end of the line, and seemed to make sense to me for optimal flow.
 
The overflow is the one from customaquariums, the Stealthbox H2Overflow.  I have it configured bean animal style - currently the open pipe has no cap or U or anything, so it's making a bit of noise.  The plumbing I got doesn't fit due to the bulkhead poking into the overflow, so I'll need to figure something else out to silence it.


Are you referring to the bulk heads that connect the overflow to the tank? They stick too far into the overflow itself? If that's the case, which was my problem (I have dual Modular Marine overflows) I learned from them that you're supposed to take a hacksaw and cut down the threaded side. You only need as much thread as it takes to hold the nut. The rest of the threaded part can be sawed off.

As for the location of the gate valve, I was just thinking about needing to make any tuning adjustments. When you have to change something it'll be running to the sump, adjust, then back to the tank to assess. Like I said, it works either way. Glad you got it tuned though.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Progress!  Thanks for the tip, trimming the bulkhead was no problem and the overflow box looks great and runs silent.  Here's some fresh pictures of where I'm at!

A little bit of cable management to do, and installation of the WXM module once it comes back from Apex support...almost there.

 

Running another batch of fish through QT now! Some chromis, pintail fairy wrasse, and 3 fire fish gobys.

 

MVIMG_20200221_080127.jpg

MVIMG_20200221_080142.jpg

MVIMG_20200223_102442.jpg

MVIMG_20200223_135812.jpg

MVIMG_20200223_140936.jpg

MVIMG_20200223_163526.jpg

Edited by GreenJeans
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Progress!  Thanks for the tip, trimming the bulkhead was no problem and the overflow box looks great and runs silent.  Here's some fresh pictures of where I'm at!
A little bit of cable management to do, and installation of the WXM module once it comes back from Apex support...almost there.
 
Running another batch of fish through QT now! Some chromis, pintail fairy wrasse, and 3 fire fish gobys.
 
MVIMG_20200221_080127.thumb.jpg.c484b8d7c5fdd360373d0efa122158dc.jpg
MVIMG_20200221_080142.thumb.jpg.403a633fc48043adeaf78a609ffce55e.jpg
MVIMG_20200223_102442.thumb.jpg.bcc79d872797104667f60ec225d07953.jpg
MVIMG_20200223_135812.thumb.jpg.d85ea48df17f6bab4222623e7544ff91.jpg
MVIMG_20200223_140936.thumb.jpg.f0f7e7ac41387d2b3e1a7ba0095da175.jpg
MVIMG_20200223_163526.thumb.jpg.612f460aff1748df93837f6c10402f3d.jpg
Awesome work! Happy the bulkheads worked for you. Don't know if you ended up cutting them while they were in place, but definitely nothing wrong with cutting them and then putting them on. You just want to make sure you have an open thread to start the nut. Glad it worked out either way!

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow I'm very impressed [emoji119] amazing, especially impressive for a first tank! You definitely took your time and did your homework, many people don't and try to rush in (I may have been one of those people, at least for a couple things anyway [emoji848]) I love how you took the time to try to think of everything, especially love how you mentioned "Harmony," that really stuck out to me because so many people want the pretty fish, but don't bother to look them up and then add them to their tank only to find out they eat corals or relentlessly bully everything else and learn the hard way. I look forward to seeing your beautiful tank progress! Congratulations [emoji322]

 

Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Update!

Things are going well, progressing along as expected I think.

Just starting to get a patch of dinos in a portion of the sand...should I address this, reduce light? Or just let it play out...?

Some green algae starting to form on the rocks too.

 

I re-spaced the lights to get more even distribution, ~18" apart and centered.

I also removed a good amount of sand - it sounds wise to keep it relatively shallow so it's easy to maintain.

My skimmer is WAY too big!  It's been hard to tune given how light the current bioload is.

 

Current stock:

- Clown pair

- 3x Red firefish

- 5x Green chromies

- 1 Randall's goby w/ pistol shrimp

- 1 Pintail fairy wrasse

- medium-sized cleanup crew - 2x mithrax crabs, hermits, snails...

My Fish QT tank is empty! What should I add? Some ideas I had - a blenny, royal gramma, small yellow tang, coral beauty...

 

In coral QT:

- Frogspawn

- candy cane?

- some little orange encrusting guy

- 2 heads of zoas

I'm waiting to dip these all until I receive some frag plugs to mount them on, they're all just loose, and then I'll start a 45+ day QT period for them.

IMG_20200324_103948_MP.jpg

IMG_20200324_103959_MP.jpg

IMG_20200324_104033.jpg

IMG_20200324_104059.jpg

IMG_20200324_104117.jpg

IMG_20200324_104136.jpg

IMG_20200324_104219_MP.jpg

IMG_20200324_104229.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Blenny definitely. Tons of personality and they are constantly eating algae from the glass and rocks. The Starry Blenny are really cool looking. Have you thought about Twin Spot Gobies? They can be a little tough to keep fed but one of my favorites. 

Setup looking really nice. 

Edited by SaltyJay
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 months later...

Belated update!

I'm so glad I started this project before quarantine, it's been great to have a project to focus on.

The most recent livestock additions are a blue hippo and a purple tang. I tried to add a harem of lyretail anthias, but only one female made it through QT (the rest got uronema)

 

Both the fish and the coral QTs are empty!! Time to go pick something up...I was thinking I'd add a Bella Goby, some kind of Blenny, and a harem of Lyretail Anthias if I can find some... Any thoughts?

 

Also hoping for some Apex debugging tips (@suncrestreef?) - my return will occasionally shut off for just an instant (which triggers the dependent equipment off) and immediately come right back on.  I haven't figured out what's causing it. I have logging enabled for all my switches (based on a vOutlet, since you can't log switches), and nothing is appearing in my logs.

Still never had any issues with algae showing up, in fact my ball of chaeto died off.

I've got a TON of vermitid snails 😞

PXL_20201009_191950658.MP.jpg

PXL_20201009_191957020.jpg

PXL_20201009_191610082.NIGHT.jpg

PXL_20201009_191622961.NIGHT.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...