Hi MASA
I thought it was finally time for me to start a build thread for a tank that I've been planning, re-planning and then over-engineering over the last year.
Let me start of by apologising in advance for going into too much detail around my DIY efforts. I've done this in the hopes that it may assist anyone wanting to attempt various aspects of the build and provide in-depth guidelines.
So if I bore you, feel free to skip though to the pics
If you need any more info you welcome to PM me thumbs
So first a little bit about where I started…
I had built a cupboard as part for my espresso bar about 18 months ago. I thought an under counter fish tank would really give the bar some character so I started at looking at options. At the time I really didn't know the difference between marine and fresh water systems and thought of throwing in a Siamese Fighter so got a simple glass tank from my a pet store near me. While looking for “Corals” for the tank I visited Idol Marine and was greeted by this…
after picking up my jaw from the floor, I knew I had to have a marine tank in my home. I started doing extensive research and would like to thank members on this forum for sharing their experiences and knowledge. While I can’t remember all members, I would like to thank @viper357, @dallasg, @Ridwaan and @Ayoob for their informative threads and advice along the way. After a year I probably know less than most guys here have forgotten. I chose to use the last year to sink my teeth into the hobby with my sump-less 60l tank.
And here the tank is a year later:
Before going into the current tank build I would like to send a huge thank you to @bryan, Dwayne (from JA) and Adriaan (@Idol Marine). This build would have never been possible without you guys – your advice, encouragement and interest has been awesome thumbs
The intent…
I decided I wanted to attempt an SPS dominated tank, relying on Zeovit for supplementation. Learning from the maintenance efforts required on my current tank, the new one had to facilitate easier maintenance and automated to a large degree. This was my initial rendered designs:
I wanted to keep an AWC and an ATO reservoir in the cabinet, but this later changed to accommodate a larger sump. I also decided to go with an internal skimmer in favour of an external one and made a few alterations and additions here and there.
The equipment in the final product is as follows:
Lighting: 2 x Radion Ecotech Gen1, supplemented by a Kessil 350 and a 150
Flow: 2 x Vortech MP40 Quite Drives controlled via Reef Link
Skimmer: Bubble Magus Curve 9, with cleaning head and upgraded Sicce PSK 1000 pump
Zeo-Reactor: Vertex 3.0 – DIY automated
Return Pump: Bubble blaster HY7000
Controller: GHL Profilux 3.0 with temp, pH and conductivity probes and power bars
Dosers: Pacific Sun Kore 5 for Zeovit Supplements
GHL for trace elements
ATO and AWC: Via Pacific Sun
I thought it was finally time for me to start a build thread for a tank that I've been planning, re-planning and then over-engineering over the last year.
Let me start of by apologising in advance for going into too much detail around my DIY efforts. I've done this in the hopes that it may assist anyone wanting to attempt various aspects of the build and provide in-depth guidelines.
So if I bore you, feel free to skip though to the pics
If you need any more info you welcome to PM me thumbsSo first a little bit about where I started…
I had built a cupboard as part for my espresso bar about 18 months ago. I thought an under counter fish tank would really give the bar some character so I started at looking at options. At the time I really didn't know the difference between marine and fresh water systems and thought of throwing in a Siamese Fighter so got a simple glass tank from my a pet store near me. While looking for “Corals” for the tank I visited Idol Marine and was greeted by this…
after picking up my jaw from the floor, I knew I had to have a marine tank in my home. I started doing extensive research and would like to thank members on this forum for sharing their experiences and knowledge. While I can’t remember all members, I would like to thank @viper357, @dallasg, @Ridwaan and @Ayoob for their informative threads and advice along the way. After a year I probably know less than most guys here have forgotten. I chose to use the last year to sink my teeth into the hobby with my sump-less 60l tank.
And here the tank is a year later:
Before going into the current tank build I would like to send a huge thank you to @bryan, Dwayne (from JA) and Adriaan (@Idol Marine). This build would have never been possible without you guys – your advice, encouragement and interest has been awesome thumbs
The intent…
I decided I wanted to attempt an SPS dominated tank, relying on Zeovit for supplementation. Learning from the maintenance efforts required on my current tank, the new one had to facilitate easier maintenance and automated to a large degree. This was my initial rendered designs:
I wanted to keep an AWC and an ATO reservoir in the cabinet, but this later changed to accommodate a larger sump. I also decided to go with an internal skimmer in favour of an external one and made a few alterations and additions here and there.
The equipment in the final product is as follows:
Lighting: 2 x Radion Ecotech Gen1, supplemented by a Kessil 350 and a 150
Flow: 2 x Vortech MP40 Quite Drives controlled via Reef Link
Skimmer: Bubble Magus Curve 9, with cleaning head and upgraded Sicce PSK 1000 pump
Zeo-Reactor: Vertex 3.0 – DIY automated
Return Pump: Bubble blaster HY7000
Controller: GHL Profilux 3.0 with temp, pH and conductivity probes and power bars
Dosers: Pacific Sun Kore 5 for Zeovit Supplements
GHL for trace elements
ATO and AWC: Via Pacific Sun
Last edited by a moderator:
)
should be ordering my new parts that were stolen so should be up and running again soon
was awesome seeing this develop over the last couple of months.. 
