Tank got wet today! Did a freshwater fill and leak test today. I had a small leak on the overflow bulkhead but once I got that tightened up I had no other issues or surprises :mrgreen:
With a little tuning, the Herbie overflow is exactly as promised..completely SILENT! All you can hear is the hum of the Eheim return pump!

Water is still very cloudy but here are a few shots(excuse the lights in the reflection)..

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0648.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0656.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0654.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0655.jpg

Still to do list:
-Drill holes in the return loc-line as a syphon break during a power outage
-Purchase and set up Neptune Apex Lite
-Receive JBJ Auto Top-Off system in the mail and set up
-Purchase and install some fans into the side of the stand
-Purchase Ecotech Vortech MP40es
-Purchase and set up Phosban 150s for GFO&Carbon
-Purchase lights (Vega or Sol...)
(LOTS OF PURCHASES!!) :drinking:

I really like your sump! I have never seen this type of set up before, Im curious to see how it works for you, looks like its gonna be great, good depth.

Alright so things are moving super slowly because of my limitations with my high TDS water that I explained earlier. It is taking me forever to make enough RO/DI water to fill the tank :(
A few things I have done in the past little while:

- I received the JBJ Auto Top-Off system in the mail
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0664.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0666.jpg

- Made a mesh screen top for the tank to keep fish from going carpet surfing
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0659.jpg

- Received 2 AC fans for the stand but I screwed up and they didn't come with any cords!! :frusty: Going to have to pick some cords and plugs from The Source or somewhere.. anyone know where I can plugs/cords for these fans?

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0670.jpg

Very nice build thread! Love your stand and the aquascape is awesome! Looking forward to seeing more. I agree with reefwars though.....a sailfin is a beautiful tang but it'll very quickly outgrow your tank.

Princess auto should have cords...they sell the a/c fans too

Thank you very much! :biggrin:
Yeah, I have decided against the sailfin maybe a whitecheek tang? Or a tomini if too small for a whitecheek. Ive been waiting forever for my QT tank to cycle so I can get some fish in there! Nitrates are through the roof!

awesome, I will check it out next time I am over there!

Nice tank setup! Keep the updates coming.

Update
 

Okay, well things are moving along slowly but I have made some progress and spent more money..

I now have the tank full of RO/DI water and added about 25lbs of liverock & 20lbs of livesand to the system. (Most of it into the sump/refugium)
It is kind of hard to see in the photo, but there is good growth of coraline algae on the rocks so I am hoping this spreads to the MarcoRocks.

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0673.jpg

My NAC7 protein skimmer is still breaking in and I think it needs to be raised even further than the recommended minimum of 9.5" water depth because the bubbles continuously overflow into the collection cup. Right now I have the collection cup draining back to the sump until I can get some pvc cut for the makeshift skimmer stand. I have read threads from others who have found their NAC7s to have a sweet spot of around 7" depth so I think I will give this a try.

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0685.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0684.jpg

Also picked up a clamp-on utility lamp with a reflector for a refugium fixture. The bulb is a Philips 23W CFL Daylight Bulb around 6500K, so I am hoping to grow some good cheato with it.

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0678.jpg

As of now, it is a waiting game. The tank is cycling,I am dosing the tank with MB7 & Seachem Stability, and I am still waiting for my Phosban reactors to show up so I can get Carbon and GFO running. Hopefully soon!

Here are some shots of the tank as of now just with a 36" Dual T5 fixture..

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0697.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0696.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0695.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0693.jpg

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_0692.jpg

Nice work there Wayne. Looks like you've done a really good job. With the light over the sump what you will find over time is that the right side of your skimmer will get encrusted with coralline algae. If you put up some sort of light barrier between the two sides it will save you a lot of work soaking and scrubbing the skimmer in the future.