Kdrof's 180g Reef Tank Build

[michael_in_nc]

Are you going to "cook" the rock? I wasn't going to do that at first, but I've started the process and it was a good thing I did. Horrible smell and it fouled the water pretty bad. Maybe rinsing it would be enough, but I'd consider doing the full soak.

I'd also watch out for those metal clamps. Those will probably start rusting pretty quick. I've been using all PVC and glueing them in. I use unions in key places to allow me to make adjustments or repairs. Not sure what kind of pipe the flexible stuff is or if it'll work with that or not?

Looks like you're making a lot of progress. Good luck with the rest of the build!

[kdrof]

Dang Michael! I was hoping i wouldnt have to cook them since its was Marco Rock.. I have my whole aquascape how i like it and i spent alot of time on it lol.. and its kind of together with aquarium glue...

So i may just deal with the smell and just do frequent water changes... Hope that will do.

As for the clamps, i can probably take them off it was just a little extra for the anal me lol. I had to really twist the rubber hoses on and they were very tight. So i could just take them off. Do you think it would be ok to see if they start to rust and if they do remove them? i could always put some tape or soemthing over them where no moisture got to them.. just an idea.

But yea progress is going pretty well im excited to just get some water flowing lol. Water and rocks for a month+...were getting there..
Have you ever seen the bacteria that cycles your tank in 3-5 days?
It would be about 100 bucks for my tank. Mrsaltwatertank did a test with it and put fish (two clowns - hardy fish) right in on a new tank with with it and everything was done cycling in 5 days... i didnt know if you have heard of anyone using anything like that.. the stuff is called One and Only NaH2O-Pure Live nitrifying bacteria...

[adam87]

How much did your tank cost? I'm thinking about upgrading my setup to a 180.


Your tank look really nice with those leds.

[kdrof]

So far after tank, stand, leds and other equipment around 2600.. but thats with an aquacontroller than added 450 that i necessarily didnt "have" to have. lol.

[michael_in_nc]

Originally Posted by kdrof

Dang Michael! I was hoping i wouldnt have to cook them since its was Marco Rock.. I have my whole aquascape how i like it and i spent alot of time on it lol.. and its kind of together with aquarium glue...

So i may just deal with the smell and just do frequent water changes... Hope that will do.

As for the clamps, i can probably take them off it was just a little extra for the anal me lol. I had to really twist the rubber hoses on and they were very tight. So i could just take them off. Do you think it would be ok to see if they start to rust and if they do remove them? i could always put some tape or soemthing over them where no moisture got to them.. just an idea.

But yea progress is going pretty well im excited to just get some water flowing lol. Water and rocks for a month+...were getting there..
Have you ever seen the bacteria that cycles your tank in 3-5 days?
It would be about 100 bucks for my tank. Mrsaltwatertank did a test with it and put fish (two clowns - hardy fish) right in on a new tank with with it and everything was done cycling in 5 days... i didnt know if you have heard of anyone using anything like that.. the stuff is called One and Only NaH2O-Pure Live nitrifying bacteria...

I'm not sure about Macro Rocks. I got mine from BRS. I'm guessing they are the same. Maybe there is some info on the Macro rocks web site. If not, BRS has a video that talks about it. I've seen most people here "cooking" them then I watched the video and decided to do it. I just changed out my first round of water tonight and it was pretty bad. So far the second round seems much cleaner. At a minimum, I'd rinse it really well in ro/di water. That would help a lot, but I'm not sure it's enough.

[DeLucs414]

wow amazing job on everything, looks awesome man. i may have missed this but what controller u using?

ive been doing alot of research on leds, i want to upgrade to them and make my own DIY fixture, just a little intimidated by the whole thing.

[kdrof]

Delucs,I am using the Apex Aquacontroller. Heard it was thebest out there so i figured since im spending alot on one might as well be the best.

I was definately intimidated at first as well. I researched alot and still didnt really understand. I decided to pull the trigger with 72 LEDs (24x3 heatsinks over my tank) and then get more later if i didnt have enough light. All in all, i can say it was pretty easy. I learned a lot and i can say i knew nothing about electronics before and RapidLED sends you instructions.

I am not knocking on anyone by any means because i know different companies do tests for PAR ratings.. but a lot of people recommend so many and i think the technology is very new. So i got less than the recommended 96 and i figure i can add more later. Any questions you have on anything you are unsure about, just ask. Ill be happy to give you any input i can..

[tedmonds]

tagging along, looks like a great start!

[DeLucs414]

thanks for the confidence boost and help hopefully i will order them in the near future!!

keep up the great work

[kdrof]

Thanks tedmonds and delucs. Appreciate the kind words

[kdrof]

Heres a little update. Yesterday we finished building the canopy. I have a few shots from the process. Also, wednesday i finished filling the tank and have skimmer and overflows working great. I am still waiting on replacement 2 SVR2 dials for my LED dimmers. Hopefully they should come in this week.

Here is the frame of the canopy as we were building it.



Here is a pic of the braces in the corners in the rear. I also cut out the bottom so wires can run out. I may place some egg crate back there to stop any escapes


Here is a pic of the whole thing minus the lid


Here is another end shot.. front of canopy is to the left, rear is to the right.


Here is the top upside down. I am placing some egg crate in the top to vent any heat of my LEDs. Also, to let some fresh air in.


I have to attach the eggcrate to the canopy lid tonight..Since glue failed.. im gonna just some eye hooks upside down.

Also i have just finished painting it to match the bottom. I am finishing up the molding to put around the top of the canopy as well as the bottom of the canopy to match the stand. Hope fully that ill be on by next weekend. I am hopefully getting the lights mounted in the canopy tomorrow and will give them a test run with water...

I made my canopy out of pretty thin wood so it would be light. Its definately sturdy enough, i just didnt want some matcho canopy. So since its not super heavy, I am going to put velcro on the corners of my tank where the canopy sits on it... Just incase. It shouldnt move once the moldings are on it anyways.

[kdrof]

Today i mounted the LED fixtures into the canopy. I am going to order my fans shortly for ontop of the heat sinks.

Here are a few pictures of the canopy with the lights mounted in them. Since i just received the replacement parts for two of my six drivers, should have those finished probably the middle of this week. so here are some pics of just two of the led fixtures... Canopy looks pretty good. I just have to put the molding around the edges and place some weather stripping where the lid closes down so you do not see any light from the cracks.

Moon lights



White and blue



Blue and White with moonlights


Here are a few shots of the canopy with the egg crate on top or ventilation. I also used piano hinge for the lid.





Its comin along..
The lighting looks different in person though. Everybody always says that.. i guess my iphone cannot pick up the blues the LEDs truely put out. The moonlights look more of a purplish.. but they look blue on the phone.

Do better cameras pick up the light intensity better? I was never a camera goo roo. When i get some fish and coral in my tank i definately want to take some nice pictures.. if the camera can pickup the depth that the blue leds add i may invest in one..

If so, what do people recommend is a good camera for the price? i know they change about every few months because of changing technology...

Thanks for looking!

[kdrof]

Also, what are people using for the back of their glass. I definately need something because a big bay window is behind the tank. I was thinking like blue or black poster board. I didnt really want to paint it or use the premade backgrounds since they are all layed out with coral and wont match my tank. What do others use? Thanks i appreciat the help!

[adam87]

Nice canopy.

[kdrof]

Thanks a lot adam!

[playaslk]

hey nice tank, i am considering going with the leds for my 180. How much did you spend on the kits total? (just the led set up?) thanks.

[kdrof]

I want to say 760 and it came with everything needed. I also bought some extra 20 gauge wire (20 bucks) and L-Channel aluminum to mount them on above my tank. That costed around 40 bucks. I am very happy with mine. It was a fun experience. 800 is cheaper and more efficient than basically any halide or LED setup even if it was retrofit kits which came out to around 850.

[kdrof]

Hey guys, a little update. Canopy is on and water parameters are looking good.

Temp: 80
pH: 8.04
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0


I added a flame angel and he is doing really well. Here are a few pics of him munching on some brine shrimp. He loves it!








Sorry about the picture quality. I took them real quick on my iphone. I think after i get a few more things i will invest in a nice camera.

[kdrof]

Here are a few shots of the finished canopy and the finished leds

I finally got my drivers back for my leds and finished the molding on my canopy. I am sorry the pictures arent very bright.






Picture of canopy and tank. The white and blue LEDs are at 20%.








I am going to get something for the backdrop. I was going to use poster board in like a royal or light blue. I found like a darker blue the other night and tried it. I had to connect 3 together and you could see where it came together. I was unhappy with it and took it down.

What have you guys used for backdrops?

I would like something plain blue so i can later get it airbrushed to look like a reef in the distance to add some depth. I really like this picture i found and would like to do something of this nature. but for now i just need to block the window behind it....

[DeLucs414]

looks awesome man, for the back of my tank i just painted it black. good enough for me, since its just gonna get Coraline algae on it over time.

[kdrof]

Thanks alot DeLucs. Yea i was thinking about painting it. I also was just thinking of putting like some black cloth behind since the coraline will take over.

[DeLucs414]

Yea my uncle used velcro and a black piece of cloth on his tank. Guess you could try that, worked for him lol

[kdrof]

Thats what i was thinking about doing. Then it can easily be all one piece. Thanks for confirming my idea will work

[jotegui]

Krdof congratullations! The tank is awesome!
Could you please take a couple of pics on your led system?
About the plumbing, in each overflow you have two holes, one in one out?
I'am amaze with the work you've done with the stand and canopy.
Congratullations again!!!

[kdrof]

Thanks a lot jotegui. I appreciate it. Its coming along. I will take some pictures of my LEDs later for you and post them tonight or tomorrow.

Yes the left and right side of the tank have overflows. Each of them have 2 drilled holes. One for return (out) and one into the sump (in) on each side.

Thanks for the kind word on the stand and canopy. It came together nicely. I like the more contemporary style of it so i left it as plane as possible. Thanks