Reef setup at our job

I'm looking for a place to kinda keep a blog and show off the tank we have being setup at my job. Me and a few guys will be posting here as we build this new reef tank.

From the beginning.
We decided to build a tank and voted on a Reef tank. We then decided to custom order a zero edge 4'x4' tank. We went ahead and ordered it.
We also ordered Geismann lighting, (2)250Watt MH and (4)54Watt T5's.
A 30 Gallon sump was also provided with a Red Dragon Pump.

The tank arrived sometime in January, and upon inspection, it was cracked. See Pics.
We then had to wait for another tank to be built and shipped. When we inspected the new tank, it was fine.

 

Now, we have the new tank, and with the help of some local dealers, we get it setup, and have them truck in water\Live Sand and Live rock. By mid february, we are up and running.
However, disaster happened. It turns out that these zero edge tanks evaporate something feirce and the sump couldn't handle it. We had a major snow storm, and had no work between thursday and monday. someone at the office heard the pump sucking air and decided to turn it off. Well, the check valve failed and sucked water back down and overflowed the sump and caused a huge mess. not to mention the odor.

One of the guys that we dealt with decided that since the check valve failed, that we might want to raise the returns, and drill holes in them so that we wouldn't lose half of the tank if the pump is shut off. We did took the advise.

Here's a shot of the tank in its early stages with the returns raised towards the top of the water line.
Picture taken 3/5/2010

 

Awesome looking tank so far, can't wait to see it with livestock? If you don't mind me asking are you guys paying for this or is the company?

 

So we're now in Late March, and the tank is running nicely.
We've had a couple fish put in and lots of inverts. We also purchased an RO\DI unit so we can make water and are using a 25 gallon tupperware as an ATO resevoir.


We have inside the sump a reactor with carbon in it. I believe we will have another reactor that will be used for phosphates.
Here's a shot of the bottom of the tank, which we are planning on having reorganized, to allow more access to important stuff, like the skimmer and filter socks. The wiring will also be mounted below the tank on the sides and will be as out of the way and hiddden as possible.


You can see that right now the sump is way in the back, and the ATO resevoir is in front. thats going to change. the sump will be on the left side running along the back, and the ATO will be in the back right corner.
Here's a shot of the tank as it is today.







And a overview shot of one of the inhabitants.



When I get a chance I'll try to get some shots of the spider conch and the malanosis wrasse.

 

Our bosses are allowing us to do this for the company. We are very fortunate to have such wonderful bosses to allow us to do stuff like this. I can imagine that when we have customers and visitors come in that they will be pretty amazed with this peice of art.

 

Wow that is very good of your bosses. A rather large investment. Wish my company did something like this ^.^
It is looking really good, cant wait to see more updates.

 

That's awesome, do you guys have your own personal tanks?

 

I keep african cichlids and Dan and Jeff have saltwater tanks. This is the first time I've ever been involved with any kind of project like this. I pretty much run a python from my tap water at home, so you could imagine my thoughts when someone said I need to use an RO unit. WTF?????

 

Current Livestock

We currently have the following fish:
Blue-green Chromis
Hoeven's Wrasse (Tailspot Wrasse)

We have the following inverterbrates:
Spider Conch
Sea cucumber (actually something very much like a sea cucumber, but not one; not sure what it really is)

We also have a diverse cleaning crew.
I have seen what I believe to be a Halloween hermit crab and a Dwarf Zebra hermit crab. They look pretty cool.

 

Very nice! What kind of business are you installing this at? I'm curious because I'd be terrified of kids having access to it seeing as they like to stick their grubby little paws in everything