evolved's 190g Reef: Wrasse Retreat (Updated 2/6, Pg 33)

evolved · Feb 6, 2014

With great restraint, I've waited to start this thread. That is until this arrived yesterday, and was delivered yesterday evening:

After waiting 48 long days, my order has arrived and intact (I feared starting this thread early may jinx the latter part of that statement).

Custom ordered from Deep Sea Aquatics (DSA), this is their 190g tank with a few alterations. Notably, Starfire on all three sides, which caused a slightly longer lead time as DSA was in the process of switching sources for Starfire (much for the better, I might add). Also custom: overflow placed left of center (standard is dead center), black on the back panel, and black silicone. Dimensions are 60"x27"x27", 1/2" glass. Took 4 of us to move it in.

Looking through at the impending transfer.

Using a new Eshopps R-300 sump under this guy.

A little size reference. 20oz Gatorade bottle.

Top-notch seams here

Stout overflow. Glass with a plastic cover as you see here. 1" drains (x3) and 3/4" returns (x2).

I will be transferring the inhabitants, including my rock, from my current 120g tank into this one. Upgrading, more of less (with new sand, of course. Minimal sand this time around too). I'm looking very forward to having a good reason to re-aquascape. I have learned a lot with my current tank, and I can't wait to do things differently and for the better this go-around. Most of my equipment will be reused, with the obvious exception of a new sump. Same reactors (TLF 150 x2, GFO & carbon), same skimmer (Aquamaxx AM250), same return pump (Eheim 1262), same dosing pump (Bubble Magus), same DIY LED setup, same Apex, same Vortechs (2 MP40s, 2 MP10s - provided I can make them work on the 1/2" glass). Basically, this was the largest tank I could muster and still re-use all that sufficiently.

Obligatory shot. I'm a 6' 2", for the record. And yes, my arms barely reach the bottom.

Excuse the small mess you see in the pictures. Part of this upgrade involves relocating the tank (mainly for ease of transfer), which means swapping the spots the tanks and TV currently occupy. So my living room is in a holding pattern of disarray for now.

More to come. Plumbing to come in the next week; I've had all the parts waiting for a while now. And I plan to do this build right, with photos as I go in this here journal.