A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by milonedp

Sorry to hear that how was the tank when you got home? I hope its doing good.

Doug, nothing is dead but I definitely lost some color when I was gone due to the controller outage. I'd say between the higher fluctuation in temperature and changes of lighting for 4-5 days was enough to do the above.

Tuesday I did full water test and SG was 1.026, PH - 8.25, alk - 9.74 (Little low compared to what I normally keep at), nitrate - 0, phosphate - .0184, iodine - .06, calcium - 450, mag - 1450. Hopefully within the next 2-4 weeks I get coloration back as things look a little pale since I got back but patience is the best tool in a reefers pocket!

How bout a shot of a blasto I picked up at MACNA?


I also picked up a top down photo box from Marc from Melev's reef. Felt I had to buy something from his booth as his site has been a great resource in the past for many things reef.

[SUPPOReefer]

Beautiful blasto, and amazing build. Definately tagging along. I have learned so much from these build threads in the last few days. Thanks for sharing your lessons learned with the rest of us.

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by SUPPOReefer

Beautiful blasto, and amazing build. Definately tagging along. I have learned so much from these build threads in the last few days. Thanks for sharing your lessons learned with the rest of us.

Thanks! I'll try to get some better shots and been trying to learn how to use this camera more lately! Plenty of lessons learned and try to document anything in the build and if I've not posted pictures feel free to ask and I'll see if I have pics of that process.

I've done most if not all myself and because I bought the tank when I came across a good deal I was not ready (money wise) to do everything at once like I'd like to and I only buy things when I have expendable income. This month tank has to be in basement...I talked to Marco Rock at MACNA for a while as well as other large tank owners and I've got some ideas for water flow, aquascaping, etc and really need to map it all out soon!

[Made2Rock]

Dustin,

Been watching and looking forward to see your tank up and running. I get the feeling it will all work out GREAT!!!!!! I am planning a build maybe next year and you now have me wondering if Orphek is the way to go for lighting.

Joe

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by Made2Rock

Dustin,

Been watching and looking forward to see your tank up and running. I get the feeling it will all work out GREAT!!!!!! I am planning a build maybe next year and you now have me wondering if Orphek is the way to go for lighting.

Joe

Glad your following along. Sorry for the slow progress but hope to get some work done in next couple weeks...Currently in Montreal so will be back home Friday night

The Orphek Atlantik seems to be a PAR monster and still patiently awaiting the details on it

[Newbie Aquarist]

Originally Posted by Dustin1300

Glad your following along. Sorry for the slow progress but hope to get some work done in next couple weeks...Currently in Montreal so will be back home Friday night

The Orphek Atlantik seems to be a PAR monster and still patiently awaiting the details on it

Montreal huh. Just couldn't call a bruh up and say,"Hey, Imma be in Montreal. Lets hang out." Just kidding. Don't have to much fun. You have a build to complete.

[Dustin1300]

Well, I've been slacking with the updates lately and have not made much progress in the past month as I've been traveling, had the controller go out while at MACNA, got that straightened out and have a backup now, and then once I did have been outta town and busy trying to make money to support my addiction like Wayne said

That all being said, found out a bit ago that I have a motivator for getting this tank finished. My wife and I are expecting a baby on April 16th so I have less than 6 months to get this thing squared away and running! Excited, scared, but know I need to get this tank going!



If anyone following along the thread is local and has not seen my thread on local club forum then PM me if your available to help move this thing on 11/4. I've got a small group so far and providing pizza and drinks to all that want to come over and help finally get this thing into it's final resting place.

With that date I've got a few things to get wrapped up before the tank goes into place and the start of that is getting a hole cut in the wall which is the biggest project before tank comes down! Past few nights have been working on tank and getting things cleaned that's built up over past few weeks but tonight started working on getting the hole ready to cut out over weekend and do the framing.

Starting out.


Insulation out of the way.


"Helper" and pile of insulation.


Electrical re-routed for preperation of getting hole cut out tomorrow.




I'll be posting many more pics over the coming weeks and hope to keep the pace of this thing back up

[kmooresf]

Nothing like a little added pressure / motivator!! Congrats!

Nice to see the progress.........looking forward to seeing the final product as well. Good luck!

[Dustin1300]

Agreed that pressure is good and glad to have you following along. Your sig says it all, "Gonna take my time and hopefully get it right!". I'm on the same theory and love the project phase!

What's everyone think about the insulation? Add it back and then stable plastic over that? I'd think the plastic will help with sound dampening to keep the sound on this side of the wall and not traveling to the other? If sound is too much later on I might purchase some dynamat or equivalent product to cover the walls with.

[Mtuned]

following

[SPotter]

Dustin, welcome to the amazing world of fatherhood!!! There's no other feeling in the world like holding your baby for the first time.

as for moving the tank.....I would be there in heart beat but my club has the frag swap that day . I'll be sure to pick up a couple nice ones for you.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by Mtuned

following

Glad to have you along

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by SPotter

Dustin, welcome to the amazing world of fatherhood!!! There's no other feeling in the world like holding your baby for the first time.

as for moving the tank.....I would be there in heart beat but my club has the frag swap that day . I'll be sure to pick up a couple nice ones for you.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks Steve. I know you told me earlier that I better take advantage of the time before we have our first kid, guess now I have a date to go by.

Have fun at frag swap. Our club typically has frag swap in April and I just was elected President for the next 2 year term so hopefully the swap does not fall on day the baby decides to come out

[Newbie Aquarist]

I would reuse the insulation as you said to help dampen the sound. Also congratulation on the new addition to the family. I know you feel the heat is on but before you know it everything will be up and running with time to spare to enjoy the new birth into the world. You could name the baby after me or some form and alter it if its a boy or girl. J/K..

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by Newbie Aquarist

I would reuse the insulation as you said to help dampen the sound. Also congratulation on the new addition to the family. I know you feel the heat is on but before you know it everything will be up and running with time to spare to enjoy the new birth into the world. You could name the baby after me or some form and alter it if its a boy or girl. J/K..

I think I'll reuse it and then cover it all in a layer or two of plastic to insure it stays dry and out of the tank.

As far as names, I'm think the wife already has some names in mind I'll offer up Wayne or maybe Winona?

[Newbie Aquarist]

Originally Posted by Dustin1300

I'll offer up Wayne or maybe Winona?

Or Wan'ye or WiNene

[Dustin1300]

I'll just ignore those Wayne

Headed to Lowes so I can do the framing...Hole is cut out though. I really wanted the tank higher off the ground but I don't want to compromise access from above the tank during maintenance. With cabinetry across the top it should help make everything proportionally right!

Outlined.


Cut Out!


***Ignore fish room, it's currently a mess!

[Dustin1300]

...Calling it a day as I don't have the two 2X4s I need to finish up the framing. Did make it to Lowes but grabbed the wrong ones earlier so I'll have to make a trip in morning I'm gonna sleep well tonight as I've kept busy

Studs cut out. I love my Dremel Multi-Max....Thing sure is a great tool for about any job.


Another.


From the other side.


This baby was a good new motivator for me!

[SPotter]

Looks like you made a lot of progress today!!! What are you doing as far as access to the tank from the front of the tank?

[kahkah]

Congrats on the news. Hope you have time left for the hobby after sleepless nights.

[milonedp]

Dustin Congratulations that is wonderful news!

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by SPotter

Looks like you made a lot of progress today!!! What are you doing as far as access to the tank from the front of the tank?

I'm planning on just using false cabinetry doors above the tank. Due to the bracing on the top of the tank it's really not give any access from the front

I'll try to snap a couple photos later so you can see how far the bracing goes back on the top and can better understand why front access is not really possible.

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by kahkah

Congrats on the news. Hope you have time left for the hobby after sleepless nights.

Thanks Aaron. You make me look forward to it so much....

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by milonedp

Dustin Congratulations that is wonderful news!

Thanks Doug. I finally made it to your thread and am subscribed...Need to get to work now.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.

[Newbie Aquarist]

Nice progress D. You definitely got alot done.