New tank build

[Dutch_Roots]

Wanted to try and document my new build and also get feedback along the way.

I’ve had my tanks setup at my office for the past 2 1/2 years but I want to move them to my house. I just don't have the time to maintain them properly during the work week so I find myself at the office on weekends far too often.

Here is a pic of my current setup at the office and rendering what I’m thinking at home. I built out a new filtration room over the weekend as I want a dedicated room for all equipment so maintenance is a lot easier. I also have a picture of the actual room. It’s going to go along the grey wall and the garage/filtration room is on the other interior wall to the right.

I’m on the fence though on how I can pull this move off without losing all livestock. If I move the current tanks I want to take my time making sure everything is perfect on plumbing, etc.

Should I just get a new tank and/or tanks? I like the idea of having three tanks to do lower energy tanks for lps and softies, or even a macro tank. The main tank I want SPS dominated.

Would it be better to just get a new main tank and forget about small tanks on the sides of the main tanks? Would moving these be just too difficult to keep everything alive? I did purchase a 150g brute tank thinking I could temporarily put all live stock and rock in that, but what would I realistically get timing wise before running into issues?

Appreciate any feedback on what our local reefers would do for this new build and/or relocation.

Also any sump size recommendations would be great. Right now it’s total display of about 250g for all three tanks. I want to change the sump regardless of the direction I go. If it’s three tanks or one it’d be right around the same gallons for the display.


Thanks!

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[bakbay]

Having seen your office tank in person, this was by far the cleanest system that I’ve seen - honest.

Given that your tanks are fairly new, I would just move them home. You can preserve most of the water & rocks and not shock the livestock. It will be a lot of work over a 2d weekend but doable with professional movers and local reefers. Definitely sign me up to help - I like moving & reconnecting reef tanks actually!

Flip side - if you have the time & resources, you could just build a brand new, maybe bigger system at home and slowly move over time. This will be the safest option but also the most expensive. You can leave the current tanks at the office but just keep easy soft/easy corals perhaps? You can even just shut down the two little tanks for ease of maintenance. Another benefit is that you can restart the tank - heard that you’re having some instability challenges?

Sump: there are many nice options but I love my Advanced Acrylics sump! Regardless, it will be awesome not having to crawl underneath the tank since you have a dedicated filtration room.

Super exciting - let me know if you need any help and I’ll swing by.

 

[Dutch_Roots]

Having seen your office tank in person, this was by far the cleanest system that I’ve seen - honest.

Given that your tanks are fairly new, I would just move them home. You can preserve most of the water & rocks and not shock the livestock. It will be a lot of work over a 2d weekend but doable with professional movers and local reefers. Definitely sign me up to help - I like moving & reconnecting reef tanks actually!

Flip side - if you have the time & resources, you could just build a brand new, maybe bigger system at home and slowly move over time. This will be the safest option but also the most expensive. You can leave the current tanks at the office but just keep easy soft/easy corals perhaps? You can even just shut down the two little tanks for ease of maintenance. Another benefit is that you can restart the tank - heard that you’re having some instability challenges?

Sump: there are many nice options but I love my Advanced Acrylics sump! Regardless, it will be awesome not having to crawl underneath the tank since you have a dedicated filtration room.

Super exciting - let me know if you need any help and I’ll swing by.

Thanks! Great points and ideas. Keep going back and forth on what to do but excited to build this! I’ll be keeping you posted for sure as I’m sure I could use guidance and help.

 

[bakbay]

Sump - I have a customized version of this for my 450gal and absolutely love it!
https://advancedacrylics.com/collections/sumps/products/ref-pvcs154gr-pvc-hybrid-acrylic-sump

 

[laverda]

If you have the time and money, i would get a new tank, set it up, let it cycle with rock and water from your old tanks. Then move evrything over slowly.

 

[Dutch_Roots]

Wanted to post an update on my new build. Went a different direction on the cabinetry and decided to do an open top with floating canopy. Really happy with how the cabinets came out. Taylor cabinets in Anaheim did a great job.

Three new tanks are going to be installed. All coming from Planet Aquariums.

Main display: 72”x30”x24” SPS Tank
Side tanks: 30”x30”x16” One being a Gigantea only tank and the other Acans and mushrooms. Both will have mangroves growing from back corners.

Decided to switch it up on the lights for the main tank and went with the Reefbreeders meridian 63 w/ edge bars. I’ve been used to running Radions but wanted to try something different.

The side tanks have Kessil A360Xe fixtures that I mounted into some shades and installed custom arm mounts that can rotate and extend/retract if needed.

I added two ceiling mount pendants to be directed over the mangroves as well.

Filtration room is in the works and just installed the sump from AA. I completed the plumbing and still working on the control board. need to add and plumb in a Frag tank, QT fish tank and QT coral tank which will be in the filtration room.

Can’t wait to get the tanks and to finish all the fine details to get it up and running.

Question I was hoping to ask. Is a QT coral tank really worth it? I’m wanting to avoid the normal pests that drive me crazy but is there really any prevention on those or will they always make their way in regardless? Debating on whether to ditch the QT coral tank to allow for more space in the filtration room.

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[Discotu]

Wow thats awesome! Cant wait to see all 3 tanks side by side! Stupid question, is the cabinet reinforced to support the weight of 3 tanks? Regarding the coral qt tank...yes since you're starting from scratch and likely bringing in larger batches of corals so qt/observe/treat then add to the display better safe than sorry. Only other comment would be to add a small sink to the fish room. Can wait to see this build progress!

 

[Dutch_Roots]

Wow thats awesome! Cant wait to see all 3 tanks side by side! Stupid question, is the cabinet reinforced to support the weight of 3 tanks? Regarding the coral qt tank...yes since you're starting from scratch and likely bringing in larger batches of corals so qt/observe/treat then add to the display better safe than sorry. Only other comment would be to add a small sink to the fish room. Can wait to see this build progress!

Thanks! I’ll keep trying to update as I keep this build going.

Yes, the cabinets are really overbuilt and no concerns on the weight. Pretty cool setup with hidden access behind the fronts of the cabinets. Here’s a pic of the plumbing I installed behind the cabinets running to the garage filtration room. Don’t mind the mess of glue on the pipes when it transitions to the garage. Going to paint and finish all of that so wasn’t concerned how it looked.

Also installed a new sink right outside the filtration room where all RODI etc will be setup.

Thanks for the feedback on the coral QT tank. I figured it was smart but started second guessing the decision.

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[bakbay]

Cool updates. Glad it’s coming along and can’t wait to see this beast full of life shortly.

 

[Jimbo327]

Love the light hood and stand. It’s a work of art. Can’t wait to see when the tank gets set up.

 

[drexel]

Super nice! Absolutely start a coral QT, it’s not worth taking the risk once you start investing in coral. Same with fish. Why risk all this effort over a $40 frag or coral (and fish) that could ruin everything and all you have to do at minimum, is simply observe the coral and/or fish in an isolated tank.


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[Dutch_Roots]

Small update. Setup the QT and frag tanks in the filtration room. Have it setup for Fish QT, Coral QT, Frag tank and ATO Res. Just went with 20L tanks for each. Built extruded aluminum shelving for them.

Still waiting on the tanks to arrive but have everything wet and running in the filtration room. Moved probably 60lbs of rock from my office tank so hoping that’ll help get things cooking.

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[bakbay]

Wow - impressive!!! Absolutely love the crazy awesome plumbing work. Also, I love your sump!

Btw: you’re going with socks and no plans for filter roller in the future?

 

[Dutch_Roots]

Thanks!

Yeah, decided to do socks instead this build. I’ve turned off my fleece roller for quite some time on my current setup to try to keep nutrients up. Figure I’ll just try socks on this build.

 

[Dutch_Roots]

Two side tanks are setup and running. Main tank wasn’t delivered with the side tanks when it was supposed to. The freight company is trying to figure out where it is… sure it’ll be here soon. Really happy with the build quality on tanks.

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[bakbay]

Very clean setup! Can’t wait to see the main tank filled with life.

 

[Jimbo327]

Dream setup!

How did they lose a big heavy main tank? Haha. Hopefully it gets found or some guy got a big crate outside their garage.

 

[Dutch_Roots]

Would love to be updating with the main tank installed but unfortunately it was lost during shipment. I don’t see how you can lose a 225g tank, but either way I’ve been happy with the progress so far.

Two side tanks are doing really well. Moved my gigs over and all LPS and mushrooms from my office tank. Also picked up some new torches from LesPaulPlayer which are really nice.

Coraline is taking off already which I’m surprised at how fast that’s happening. Really haven’t hit any ugly stage yet. My frag tank that is in the filtration room started getting a bit of uglies a few weeks ago but it past pretty quickly.

New tank should be here hopefully soon so I can start getting the main display going.

 

[wishntoboutside]

looking great. I hope you get the other tank soon.

 

[Dutch_Roots]

Still waiting on the new main tank to arrive. Never would have thought almost eight months to get this all fully going. Actually probably helped as I tend to rush things a bit. Main tank should be ready to ship hopefully next week.

Wanted to get some honest thoughts on the scape for the main tank. It’s going to be acros on the main rock structure and monti’s on the left I think. Also thinking a couple clams maybe between the two structures.

Let me have it and be honest, lol! Kind of feel like the main structure looks like a star destroyer from Star Wars. Thinking once I get the acros into colonies though it might be a cool NSA scape?