265 Gallon Build (First Ever)

jm23 said:
I am looking into that. Do you have any suggestions on which ones would be really worth doing?
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I heard "mods" and "ASM"...I plan to still recirc my G3. Not a huge fan of the mesh wheel, but have thrown around the gate valve mod idea in ma mind. RC has a couple threads on available stuff, but it's harder as it gets older.
 
jm23 said:
I am looking into that. Do you have any suggestions on which ones would be really worth doing?
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I'm still waiting for slow Jay to mod his using "RECIRC".. But I currently use the mesh and gate valve on a G1X. Love it!!!

Will be upgrading skimmers soon to a G3 and want to use all MODS :D
 
haha, me too. but my g3 is working so well as is, i don't have the motivation to do the mods... my sedra sucks tho, keeps stopping on me randomly. so just ordered a new impeller
 
Lil BamBam said:
I'm still waiting for slow Jay to mod his using "RECIRC".. But I currently use the mesh and gate valve on a G1X. Love it!!!

Will be upgrading skimmers soon to a G3 and want to use all MODS :D
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I'm a little slow...I'd rather get ma lights up! Leave me alone, lol, it's ma birrfday ;)
 
If you plan on "doing it right the first time" take your time and don't be in a rush to start cycling water. If you are cutting corners just to get it up and running you are almost guaranteed to make some bad decisions that will be a headache later. I know it sucks to be watching an empty tank for an extended period of time but it is a lot easier than having to tear down a running tank and start over because of bad choices.

Start by planning out your exact end result. If you plan on doing a top off, Bio-Pellet Reactor, etc.
in the long term future include that in your planning since you want to route the plumbing in your wall. It would suck to route it into your laundry room and realize you don't have enough room for all of the components you will eventually want.

Identify the minimal core components that you absolutely need to be successful with your tank long term such as your skimmer, heater, sump, and return pump and wait until you can buy the best ones for the job. Make sure you buy a skimmer that is rated for a much larger tank than what you have. Don't think about putting any water in your tank until you have these items. If you buy substandard equipment than what you actually need you will just have more stuff sitting around when you eventually buy what you needed from the start.

I wouldn't jump into corals initially unless you are willing to spend the money needed to do it right. I would focus on getting the best core gear you can get and get extremely cheap lights just so you can see your fish. Get your tank running extremely well with just fish. Save your money until you can afford the light system you need.

I wouldn't worry about a Kalkwasser reactor. You can dose Kalk from your ATO reservoir.

I'd buy a platinum tube heater over a glass one because the glass ones don't hold up as well over time IMO. I had a glass heater in my refugium. After it was in there a few months I started getting electric shocks if I put my hands in the refugium because of it. I contacted the company and they actually said they wouldn't actually recommend there glass heaters for a saltwater tank because of how hard on the heaters the salt is. At the same time I'd be careful of cheap Platinum tube heaters as the cheaper ones tend to die a lot quicker.

An Apex Controller is expensive and I wouldn't get it just to dim DIY lights.
 
A quick update...The tank stand is 99% complete, I only have to drill holes for the overflow into the top, but that will take all of 2 minutes. I will get pictures up, but I think it turned out pretty good. It is definitely far more structurally sound then the stand that came with the tank (only 3/4 plywood box, no additional supports or bracing). I have also resealed the silicone on the inside of the tank with RTV 108 clear silicone. I just finished a few minutes ago and am suffering a headache from not ventilating the area enough :blink:. I will let that cure for 14 days and then do a leak test. If all is good, which I am confident it will be, I need to find 3 to 5 strong guys to help me move it into my basement.

I am placing an order from RapidLED for the lights, so that will be the next part of the project. I also found a 55 gallon tank for $20 with a stand from a guy at work, so that will be my QT. Now I just need that BRS group buy to go through so I can get an RO/DI and all the major costs/hurdles will be done. ***If anyone is willing to help us get the BRS group buy done please go to the marketplace tab, I don't believe you actually have to buy anything, just have an account with BRS***

Anyway, I will get pictures up soon. Just thought I would post an update.
 
Well, I have my LED lights arriving tomorrow, my large order from BRS arriving Thursday, and my order from DrsFosterSmith arriving over the next week or two. So, that means everything I need for the tank is bought and paid for...exciting (until the wife finds out I already bought everything :a24: ). I am plumbing the tank right now and next week plan on leak testing it. I will post some pictures as Friday or Saturday when I get the tank on the stand.
 
Well most of the packages are here. Still waiting on the salt and for BRS to send a replacement part for the RO/DI that arrived broken. Attached below are some photos of the LED build. I am debating putting together a step by step on that, but since there are so many available online I think I will wait, but if anyone has any questions I can try to help or point you the right way. Now I have to wait for Black Friday for the Apex Controller to actually get the lights up and running...but with cycling and QT, it won't be as long of a wait as it sounds. If anyone knows of a good deal on an Apex let me know though.

*The AA LED tested from RapidLED caught on fire today, so until they figure out why, I would only leave batteries in when testing.*

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Looks great! Are you going to be placing some pink polystyrene insulation in between the tank and the stand to help alleviate stress and to help center / even the load? I know that it comes in 1/2" and 3/4" thickness. This will also help keep down the noise from vibrations.
 
I'd leave the water in there for a few hours for your leak test...I left mine in for about half a day to be certain.
 
mlreef said:
Looks great! Are you going to be placing some pink polystyrene insulation in between the tank and the stand to help alleviate stress and to help center / even the load? I know that it comes in 1/2" and 3/4" thickness. This will also help keep down the noise from vibrations.
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There is actually a 1/2" piece of plywood that I cut to fit under the tank, so the bottom glass has full contact with the plywood. Thanks for checking on it though, I wouldn't have known to do that if my LFS hadn't mentioned it in passing. Keep the advice coming because I am sure there is something I am missing.
 
tank looks good man.. i wouldnt run the skimmer until you cycle though.. if you are gonna cycle with fish do clownfish unless you like damsels because the damsels get very mean and territorial when they get older.. plus the clownfish are very hardy.. i would wait about a 3 weeks with your tank before adding a fish.. another thing is make sure you get an RODI unit lol and also when you are cycling dont turn the lights on at all and you wont have a problem with algea.. you only need lights for corals so lighting isnt necessary.
 
Votts said:
tank looks good man.. i wouldnt run the skimmer until you cycle though.. if you are gonna cycle with fish do clownfish unless you like damsels because the damsels get very mean and territorial when they get older.. plus the clownfish are very hardy.. i would wait about a 3 weeks with your tank before adding a fish.. another thing is make sure you get an RODI unit lol and also when you are cycling dont turn the lights on at all and you wont have a problem with algea.. you only need lights for corals so lighting isnt necessary.
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Look at this guy...the one who asks all the questions giving great advice!!!! +1 if ur doing fish cycle with clowns damsels are satans spawn.....but please do not do a fish cycle...get some live rock or some shrimp (dead stuff from supermarket) or something
 
Please do NOT cycle with fish! You can just as easily use raw shrimp or fish food or plain ammonia from the hardware store. Yes clowns and other damsels are hardy; doesn't mean you should make them swim in ammonia until the cycle starts.
 
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