ibanez2k's 75g peninsula BB SPS build!

DRC Archive Member Tanks
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Hi all! Thought I’d start up my build thread for this system. Still putting together ideas and all but it’s coming along. I’ve been without a reef tank now for going on 4 months so I’m definately looking forward to this build. However, it’s going to have to wait for me to finish it till after I find a new job. Here’s what I have so far though and how things are going. Here’s what the tank looks like:

Pretty standard 75g AGA w/black pine stand. Going to modify the stand a bit so it’s closed off on all sides. This will be a peninsula style build so the completed tank will sit exactly as you see it now. The narrow panes of glass will be the front and back of the tank with the wide panes as the sides. The rockwork will be kept at least 3 inches away from the panes. This will be my first bare-bottom tank. I’ve always ran tanks with 2 inch sandbeds since I started in the hobby 3 years ago. Corals will be placed everywhere so the tank can be viewed from many different angles and always have something new to see. The back pane nearest the wall will be drilled for the overflow and return lines and painted blue.

The light fixture I will be using is a Tek 4’ 6 bulb T5HO fixture from Sunlight Supply. I have it fully loaded with ATI bulbs and an R2 Systems Dual Extreme LED moonlight system. The light fixture will be suspended from the ceiling above the tank and hang about 1’ above the tank. Here it is:

The bulbs in the system are as follows:

Blue Plus
AquaBlue Special
Purple Plus
AquaBlue Special
AquaBlue Special
Blue Plus

The sump for the system is my old softy tank (20g long). For a skimmer I have a Reef Octopus NW-110 (the 2010 model). The sump will be simple with only two chambers (skimmer and return). I haven’t decided on a return pump. May just use the Mag 5 I have lying around from my last setup. It’s a great little pump. Here’s the sump as it is right now. I haven’t modified the tank for the chambers yet:

And lastly, here’s a couple more shots with the light just sitting on top of the tank. This gives a good idea of what the tank will look like lit. Just imagine the light suspended a foot above the tank instead of sitting right on it. It’s going to be an awesome setup and I can’t wait to get it going. I will certainly keep everyone updated on the progress.

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that’s looking like a really pretty setup. i had that exact TEK fixture on my 75 before my leds. enjoyed it a lot, no shield, no fans!

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SPS BUILD, YES!! Love to see SPS tanks. Looks to be a nice setup. Good luck with the build. Please keep us posted.

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Nice start. ::thumbsup:: What type of drain are you doing?

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I have an overflow from Glass-Holes. I like their overflows a lot. Just gotta drill the holes. This will be my second drill job. Hope it goes as good as the last.

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Nice looking tank!

Is that a Roomba in the background? If so how do you like it??

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Thanks! Yep. That’s my Roomba. Older 500 series. It’s the only vacuum my wife and I have had for 3 years now. It’s great. My toddler and baby leave it alone. They’re scared of it. Don’t have dogs or cats so I can’t comment there. Just replaced the brushes and battery for the first time last month. Great buy. I recommend buying refurb though. New from iRobot is expensive IMO.

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Exciting Build! YahoO

I am curious about your bulb combo though? have you lit a stocked tank with that combo yet or are they new for you? I recently put all ati’s in myself…

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[quote=“saltcreep, post:8, topic:4281”]
Exciting Build! YahoO

I am curious about your bulb combo though? have you lit a stocked tank with that combo yet or are they new for you? I recently put all ati’s in myself…[/quote]

I haven’t run the combo but a friend back in AZ ran a similar combo with one of the blue plus replaced with an actinic bulb and all the rest aquablue specials. It looked nice and worked well for him but I switched the idea up a bit to have a bit bluer look and added a purple plus. Think it’ll look nice. It has the feel of a 14k halide in person but with a hint of pink. I may decide to change it up a bit later but a lot of research went into this combo decision so I think I’ll be happy with it.