Avandss 265 Montreal Build

[aggie13reef]

Subbed. This is an awesome build. Love the rock work!

[Biggar]

Nice Rock. I see where I can put some SPS.

[efrainz28]

What kind of filtration do you have on your QT?

[avandss]

Originally Posted by efrainz28

What kind of filtration do you have on your QT?

i use aqua clear filters, i stay away from the knock off Chinese ones (specially since aqua clears are so cheap)

http://usa.hagen.com/aquaclear

as for media, i only use sponges


heaters, digital fluval e series

http://usa.hagen.com/Aquatic/Heating/Heaters/A774



and i use a smart ato on each QT

http://www.autoaqua.com.tw/en/products/automatic.htm

[canlax]

Originally Posted by avandss

Ok Guys, here we go

I have absolutely zero experience in reef tanks but I have over 1000 hours clocked in reading Reefcentral

I hear you man, I have been cruising this site for nearly 5 years and still haven't taken the plunge into salt. I have a pretty nice looking planted tank but it just isn't the same! Moving into a new house in another 3 months so thinking the basement finishing will be focused around a reef.

Your rockwork is amazing, so much open space, pretty pumped to see how things fill in. Awesome work so far, thanks for sharing.

[mattjoly85]

Originally Posted by avandss

and i use a smart ato on each QT

http://www.autoaqua.com.tw/en/products/automatic.htm

Great ATO.

Awesome build so after!

How long until you start adding livestock?

[vair]

Nice looking build, great aquascaping.

[avandss]

Originally Posted by mattjoly85

Great ATO.

Awesome build so after!

How long until you start adding livestock?

im not 100% sure i would recommend this ato,,, when it starts beeping it just doesn't stop!

however it is extremely slick, and when it works, it works well

[avandss]

Originally Posted by canlax

I hear you man, I have been cruising this site for nearly 5 years and still haven't taken the plunge into salt. I have a pretty nice looking planted tank but it just isn't the same! Moving into a new house in another 3 months so thinking the basement finishing will be focused around a reef.

Your rockwork is amazing, so much open space, pretty pumped to see how things fill in. Awesome work so far, thanks for sharing.

you will never look at a FW tank again, honestly when i go to my buddies house that has a 105gallon cichlid, i cant even look at it !!!!

however it is a very expensive hobby, i don't know why people where shocked that my budget was 25-30k for a custom built in tank

[avandss]

Originally Posted by Biggar

Nice Rock. I see where I can put some SPS.

i cant wait to start filling it in!

[Chrisjbarry]

Very nice rock work. I have cerameco and love it as well.

[avandss]

here is a quick update of my apex breakout box, i built a custom switch box

[footballdude2k3]

Sub'd, very nice so far

[footballdude2k3]

Didn't read everything, but browsed and skimmed a lot, with the Radions, do you have any plans for VorTechs? If not, is there a specific reason that you went with these LEDs over anything else?

I only ask because to me, the biggest advantage of a Radion over other lighting is, the full integration with the pumps.

[avandss]

Originally Posted by footballdude2k3

Didn't read everything, but browsed and skimmed a lot, with the Radions, do you have any plans for VorTechs? If not, is there a specific reason that you went with these LEDs over anything else?

I only ask because to me, the biggest advantage of a Radion over other lighting is, the full integration with the pumps.

Initially i did not, but i wanted to try them so i picked one mp40 (you can see it in my last pic) the only reason i am using the jaboes in front is due to restrictions, i can not pass the dry side cable to the front

i might add another 1 or 2 mp 40's in the back, we will see if i need them

i also just ordered the wireless apex module, to really have full integration when it comes to feeding and night modes!

[avandss]

i highly recommend the radion's, the interface is amazing! honestly it is what convinced me get them!

[footballdude2k3]

Nice, thanks!

[mgrmax]

This is a really nice build and well documented. As others have said, the rock work looks amazing. It's a great balance. I look forward to seeing it filled in.

[Chrisjbarry]

I like the look of the breakout box, but why all switches? What are they going to control?

[avandss]

Thank you for all the kind words!

as for the breakout box
1- maintenance lights (i will post a video shortly, but i have some maintenance lights on top of the sump and tank)

2- manual feeding

3- QT Water Change (this will automatically drain 2 gallons from the display into the qt and refill the dt) i will post a step by step of this as soon as i put it together in 4 weeks when my current batch of qt fish are ready


4-5-6, no idea yet, but i am sure as the build progresses i will have a use for them

i also have another BO box dedicated to float switches

[avandss]

ofcourse nothing is ever simple, my little jabo powerhead cable makes it impossible to add a screen top, so here is the workaround with a little piece of acrylic

i also cut a little slit on the screening to fit the APEX ATS, food falls right in!

[Kannon50]

hey man sweet build. just wondering how far off the water you have your radions? im fixing to get wet on my 210 and would like the input! thanks man

[avandss]

Based on all my readings and good advice from Roman120G, i decided to go a little higher to get a better spread, and no one runs them at 100%, so a little higher, a little brighter

i don't see much shading, and the spread seems very good

[Kannon50]

perfect thanks man. i appreciate it. i hope to get alot done on mine this weekend so i may jump on here and ask for advice as the days pass on

[mattjoly85]

i like the screw in the screen to get them off!