My 105G Rimless Reef Build

[grapplerhayes]

So here's my official build thread. Spent my college graduation money on this build and don't regret it one bit. I really took my sweet time on this build so I could research like crazy and figure out exactly what I wanted to go into this tank with my budget. Instead of drawing out my setup and gradually posting pictures over the course of five months, I'd take pictures of it all the way up until i dropped some fish in the tank and then post my build. I'll keep updating this thread with more and more livestock as I add it as well.

Aquarium Info:

105 Gallon Lee-Mar Rimless 40 x 30 x 20 3 Sided Starphire Glass with slanted left corner overflow--purchased through Ali at Amazing Aquariums in Orange

40 x 30 x 44 1 1/2 Inch Black Steel Stand purchased through Mike at SexyCorals in Fullerton. Wrapped the stand in Mahogany Bamboo from Home Depot.

30 x 16 x 15 Acrylic Sump

20 Gallon ATO Reservoir

Maxspect Razor 16k 160w 27" LED (perfect spread for the dimensions on this tank IMO)

Super Reef Octopus XP1000 SSS Skimmer with acrylic stand.

Tunze Osmolator 3155 Auto Top Off

Sicce Syncra Silent 3.0 Return Pump

Modded Tunze 6025

Jebao WP25 with new controller purchased through SCR Group Buy (waiting for shipment)

American DJ Strip is temporary until I can purchase an Apex or RKE

I wanted to keep my plumbing very simple. 1 1/2 In. Durso Overflow with 1 1/2 in. PVC drain and 3/4 in Return. Decided to paint the drain plumbing red just to change it up a bit.


And here's some pics before water went into the tank and before my adjustments in plumbing and wiring:

 

[blkg35]

That's a sexy tank.
When are you planning on getting it wet? Stocklist?

 

[phish96]

Very nice! Clean and simple plumbing I'm a fan

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2

 

[grapplerhayes]

@Blkg35 oh its wet and already stocked with some fish..i'll update pics either tonight or tomorrow!

@phish96 thanks man!

 

[grapplerhayes]

Here's a pic leak testing before I cut down the Mahogany bamboo

 

[Jhuneke]

Nice set up waiting for my quote from Ali on my new recessed eurobrace 75... did you get black or clear silicone? Also went with triangle overflow left corner.. looks great!

 

[reefes pieces]

Nice! Ali is a solid guy! I don't think I've ever spent less than an hour hanging out everytime I went there.

 

[grapplerhayes]

@jhuneke I went with black silicone because the lines are much cleaner. I'm not sure if Lee-mar still does clear silicone because they can't guarantee the seams will look as good as the black. Talk to Ali he has the inside scoop on that kind of stuff

@reefes pieces yea you're telling me haha..all anyone has to do is look at the reefs that he maintains and you immediately want to mimic them!

 

[grapplerhayes]

Update:

Tank is now stocked with some fish!! All in all it took about four weeks to cycle my tank. Had some nice pieces of dry rock leftover from my old nano tank, purchased some sweet pieces of live rock from Wally at Reeflounge, and got a REALLY sweet piece of Ceram-Eco rock from RAP. I decided to use special grade aragonite sand (not live sand) and I seeded the tank with Brightwell Microbacter7, KZ Sponge Power, and a vial of Prodibio. Nitrates are undetectable and the skimmer has been doing work!

Started adding livestock about four weeks ago and attempted to go slowly haha. Added about 3-4 fish per week

Livestock list:

5 Green Chromis

1 Arc-Eye Hawkfish

1 Yellow Eye Kole tang

1 Hawaiian Yellow Tang

1 Orchid Dottyback

1 Dwarf Flame Angel

1 Bartlett's Anthias

In a couple more weeks i'll add a designer clown pair, I plan on getting a couple more anthias down the road, and possibly a blue tang and purple tang if the nitrates stay low. Trying to stick with 15-16 fish total.

And a little bbq'ing on a sunday to top off the weekend:

I added a couple Rainbow Ricordias and placed them low in the corner of the tank. I'll slowly start adding more and more LPS and soft corals in the coming weeks/months...waiting on SPS until I can get myself a doser and Apex.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Sweet setup. Very clean and simple.

Only thing is the spread on that light seems a little on the low side. Pics seem really bright in the middle and dark on the sides. Might be an issue if u plan on putting any higher light corals on the sides. (SPS, clams, etc)




Hot Dogs are GOOD!

 

[Igarc009]

I have a very similar bonsai piece from ceramic-Eco. I absolutely love it, looks great in your tabk

 

[grapplerhayes]

yea it must be the pics.. in person the corners are lit up no real dark spots...i'll try and take some better ones with a better camera soon.

 

[grapplerhayes]

@lgarc009 thanks! cant wait to put some SPS on that rock

 

[Rrocky]

Sweet tank mang!!!

 

[keng_v]

Love the footprint of the tank and the fish are perfect. Get more Bartletts.

 

[AndrewSpeake]

man this tank is gorgeous :congrats:

 

[kenz]

Nice tank!!

 

[grapplerhayes]

Thanks guys for all the great compliments!!

I'm dying to get more anthias..the one I got from seaside is eating like a pig too

Should be getting my phantom and black ice clownfish pair in the next week or so too along with some more corals

 

[SexyCorals]

Great build man.. see ya soon.

 

[newe70]

That is a great looking new set up...congrats on your college graduation. I like ur Maxspect Razor. I also have a 160w and 120w on my 100g Cadlights tank as well.

Do you use the preset photo-period profile or custom?