Project 105 is ALIVE!

Hello all,

This is my first time posting on here and I thought I would make it a introduction/ show off of my tank build I have titled, Project 105.

The tank is an Oceanic 105 gallon ultimate series on a basic Oceanic oak stand that I have done some modifications to.

The sump is a 30 gallon long (36 x 12 x 15) and i have used 20 inches of it, or roughly 15 gallons for a refugium.

I have used the Herbie overflow design to bring water down, and a Eheim+ 5000 for my return (this will be changed out for a more high pressure pump later.)

My lighting is a duel T5HO retro kit for my actinics, and 2 250 Watt Coralife 20,000K metal halides. (In the pics I only have one of my halide bulbs.)

I am using a BRS dual media reactor that I have modified into a reculating reactor for use with bio pellets. The media of choice here is the THRIVE Bio Pellets.

I will be dosing the system with a 2 part solution until I have the needed money to purchase a good dosing system, in which time I will be switching to the full line of THRIVE products.

My goal for this tank is to be a SPS dominant tank with rare or the nicest looking corals I can find. This may be a long process, but the best things come over time.

I look forward to all of your suggestions and support as I move along with this build. And I hope everybody enjoys this build as I have thus far.

 

Nice system, i really like the rock scape.

in regards to your return pump, i dont think you will need to replace it for a bigger pump. I mean if its getting the job done it should be fine.

 

RE: skurious

Thanks for the kind words.

regarding the return pump. I say I will be replacing it because I am not just return water to my tank with it. It is also feeding my refugium separate from the rest of the system, and also it feeds my skimmer. By the time the remaining flow reaches the display it is about half or 3/4 the flow I would like to see.

 

I see, that makes more sense then.

 

UPDATE: was white, turning green?

Hello all,

So it has been just under a week that the tank has been running, and now I am finding that the rocks are turning a bright green color.

I first noticed it in the refugium, and then soon after it was in the display. (this was a couple of days ago.)

This morning I noticed that it has spread a lot, and is getting brighter. You can see it in the pictures. And you can also see the diatoms beginning to form in the refugium.

Is this normal? should I be concerned?

Also, as of yet I have not added any macro algae or live rock to the refugium. should I do this now? Can I wait for a more financially preferable time?

Any advice will be very helpful.

Thanks.

 

The green is normal for a new tank. You need to ride that out until the tank stabilizes. Wait on the fuge until you have fish that you are starting to feed so that it can take off. Mine didn't take off for a while. That said, nice setup! I look forward to reading about your experience with Thrive products.

 

Personally I would put the fuge inline immediately. Wait on the rock and sand and just throw some chaeto in there. The algae will help shorten the cycle.

 

Well that is cool to hear. My chaeto actually died off for a while. Booming now though in my new fuge.

 

The chaeto won't grow as fast as it will once the ammonia and nitrite drops, but it should still grow and when doing so will keep the nitrate and phosphate down and can help keep the sand and rock from locking it in. Probably won't make a HUGE difference, but it does help and doesn't hurt anything.

@op check your local reef club, you should be able to get some chaeto for free.

 

Awesome help!

Thanks for the help, and also the compliments.

The refugium is currently online with the rest of the tank, and I can get some cheato from my LFS for next to nothing.

I also was hoping to get some Mangroves for the fuge. Should I wait on those? Will they die if I put them in now?

Thanks again for the help.