Fishnugget's Elos 160XL

Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Messages
81
Likes
0
Points
6
Location
Los Angeles
#1
Hello,

Just wanted to share the build progress of my Elos 160XL I picked up in Arizona. This site has been a great resource and I continue to learn from everyone's builds so I thought I would post my tank. Its great to finally be a part of the Large Reef Tank Club. For the longest time I kept a 40 breeder SPS tank and would always tear it down because I moved a lot. However, now that we bought a new home a couple years ago and have settled I am happy to start building what I always wanted.



Tank and Stand finally at my house but not without some problems




I got a chip inside the silicone seam near the bottom of front glass pane some time during the ride from Arizona to California. I took every step necessary to ensure it was well padded down. I was able to remove the broken glass piece and fill it in with some good quality silicone. I had to order the stuff from europe. You can't even see the chip anymore unless I point it out.




I took over the laundry room and built my mixing station. I had a SpectraPure Max Cap and decided with a 200 gallon tank it would be easier to setup a Mix Station to store large amounts of water. So I ordered the Ace Roto Mold 55 gallon containers. The stands are water boiler stands bought at Home Depot for about 40 bucks. I painted one of them with rustbullet and recommend this because they are made of galvanized metal and will rust with water. Rustbullet paint offers the best protection and adheres to galvanized metal unlike most other paints.





Next came designing my sump. The Elos stand has a board that splits the stand and most of the dreambox from Royal Exclusiv did not fit in my tank. I also wanted to the option for a refugium so I knew I had to go custom. I contacted Advanced Acrylics and worked with them for my sump design. We came up with a split sump design with a 30 gallon refugium that will drain to main sump via gravity.

Here is the sophisticated blue print. lol.



Sump design was based off of this design





My little guy approves :)



John at Advanced Acrylics did a superb job building my sump. It did take a while but I was not in a hurry to get the sump done. These PVC sumps he builds are built like tanks, I decided to add the sock silencers, probe holders, and four 1/4 tubing bulkheads for future use.



The tank sits in the dining room area so I had to have it silent. Everywhere I read, everyone recommend the Bubble King Skimmers just not the price. It did hurt my wallet a little but I am glad I did it. The skimmer is really nice and the RD3 Speedy pump is silent. I plan on upgrading my return to a Red Dragon as well.

[


Size reference. Bubble King Double Cone 200



I did have a broken part during shipping, but Royal Exclusiv was quick to send a new one.


This little guy found a new toy! I finished my plumbing.




I bought dry rock from reef cleaners, I read their rock was cleaner than others and cycled faster. We will see...I ordered 100lbs. I may add some real reef rock pieces later or keep it that way. I am a bit undecided.

I also used Tropic Eden Reef flakes, about 160lbs.





Any comments, questions, suggestions are welcome.

I still need to clean up the wires, add heaters, and decide on lighting. I am looking at adding the ATI t5 hybrid LED or the Pacific Sun Diuna. I can't decide. I was going to go with kessil AP700 but then it gets complicated hanging multiple fixtures and doesn't look as nice as the ATI or Diuna. I also plan on using Siporax for my refugium. I was initially going to go with Macro algae but have decided on Siporax.
 
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Messages
81
Likes
0
Points
6
Location
Los Angeles
#2
I have finished completing most of my 40 breeder transfer of inhabitants to my Elos 160XL. I added an Aqua UV 57 watt sterilizer to help with algae/water clarity. Since I have turned it on about 12 hrs + I have not noticed a difference with water clarity. My water was already clear to begin with I believe from N0POX. I will report any results. It does make my sump look a bit more cluttered with the tubing, I may buy red or hard plumb to make it look cleaner, any suggestions welcome.

I did lose a Copper Band Butterfly, my Potters Angel kept harassing it. I had purposely left my blue tang in the 40 breeder to keep it from harassing the CBB but the Potters assumed that role. I decided I may hold off on a CBB. I have added a yellow coris wrasse, blue cleaner wrasse, and decided to add the blue tang back in. I will probably purchase a red flame hawk fish when I can find one. My Calcium Reactor Geo 618 or 624 (can't tell) is also online.

I still need my light fixture and still need to clean up the wires. I am waiting for my Royal Exclusive Controller pump holder to clean up the wires.

As I am typing we almost had an outage, dope! (that can't be good for my UV lamp)

Here are some pics of my UV Sterilizer mounted it seems a lot of people don't post pics of this. I bought the hangers at Lowes and were much cheaper than the 15 dollar clips aqua UV sells.



 

solitude127

Instant Ocean User
Supporter
Featured Reef
2020 POTM
Joined
Apr 13, 2010
Messages
7,001
Likes
51
Points
48
Location
Torrance
#7
WOW. Super nice build. Please keep the updates coming

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Messages
81
Likes
0
Points
6
Location
Los Angeles
#9
Thanks :)

Thanks :)

Where did u get those square water containers?
I am not sure what your referring to? The sump?

WOW. Super nice build. Please keep the updates coming

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Yes, sir. I will. I am going through a small algae bloom because of cycling. It should be over in a week or two.

Looks great! What are the dimensions on the tank?
I think its about 63" long X 32" deep X 23.5" tall
 
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Messages
81
Likes
0
Points
6
Location
Los Angeles
#11
Where did u get those square water containers?

Ohhhh. You mean the water containers. They are 55 gallon Ace Roto Mold water containers.

I bought them from Ruralking.com

Ace Roto Mold Rectangle Utility Tank SP0055-MM - 17210640

They had the best prices on shipping, esp. in California.
 

ivan

Member
Featured Reef
Joined
Dec 16, 2007
Messages
1,069
Likes
146
Points
28
#12
This tank is awesome ��
I have Elos tanks and I love them !!!
 
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Messages
81
Likes
0
Points
6
Location
Los Angeles
#20



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks Jesse :)

This tank is awesome ��
I have Elos tanks and I love them !!!
Yes, I think I ran into your build. They are great tanks just kind of expensive.

How is your fuge drain working out? Is it quiet? I like the idea!
The fuge/drain is silent and has a very low flow rate setup for a fuge or to hold whatever I want. I was going to use it for siporax.

Woah! Super clean build. Great choices on the gear.
Thanks man, equipment is more on the expensive side but in this hobby you do pay for what you get most of the time. I dont really like to cheap out on equipment. Brands like Tunze, Ecotech, Eheim, and Royal Exclusive are all proven brands. My return pump is a chinese knock off that I am keeping my eye on. I plan to add a red dragon for the return soon. :)

That cool man i hope when i get my own house the wife would say yes to the tank .

Sent from my SM-G928T using Tapatalk
My wife knows my obsession so it was never up for debate. Just a matter of when. :)

This is so beautiful! Keep pics coming!
Thanks I will, I got some brown dust algae that I am hoping does away soon.

Very nice. Thanks for sharing. Your making me want to get started on my build.
Do it, do it! :)

One of the nicest builds I've seen in a while. Keep it up!
Thanks :)

How much was shipping on those water containers? I really like those.
Here you go Sir,

Order Details
Item Details Ship Via Qty Price
Ace Roto Mold Rectangle Utility Tank SP0055-MM - 17210640 UPS Ground 2 $241.94
Subtotal: $241.94
Tax: $0.00
Discount: $0.00
Shipping: $27.22
Order Total: $269.16
 

Latest posts

Top