baker_jeff's 230gal In-office Tank Build!

[baker_jeff]

Howdy folks!

I have another thread open which won't see much use now. The backstory:

Had a 40ish gallon cube tank years ago. We bought a townhouse, and unfortunately there wasn't a convenient spot for it to go so it sat in the basement for 3 years. I finally dragged the thing to my store and set it up in my office.

Shortly after it was running, I couldn't help but notice the empty 6 foot wall on one side. We all know what happens next!

Bought a 230gal starfire tank, stand, sump, and pump used from Red Coral here in Edmonton.

It sat for quite a while, until I finally just forked over and had Steve from Red Coral do the plumbing for me. Personally I found that the most fun part, but I just get too busy here in the store to get things done (though I have spend pretty much the last week working on the tank LOL).

I have an RO/DI filter setup in the washroom here, so have spent the last week filling the new tank. Started adding salt this morning.

FTS from my chair:



Sump:



Apologies for the piles of crap. It's like a maze getting in to my office right now. Skimmers here, salt there.

I'm already planning on what to do to redo the plumbing and pump. The pump is a Reeflo Barracuda and its freaking loud and big (and external). I would love to move the sump all the way left under the tank, find a smaller quiet external pump to fit under the stand, and then fit a freshwater top up tank overtop of that.

Picked up a used Reef Octopus Diablo XS 160 skimmer yesterday, which may be a bit underpowered for this setup, but I won't have a heavy bio load for a long time, and upon research I see quite a few people using in on 200+ setups with good success. It was a smoking deal so I couldn't pass it up.

Equipment list:

- 72x24x30 tank
- Sunbrite F-Series LED Lighting
- Reef Octopus Diablo XS160 Skimmer
- 2 x Vortech MP40w ES
- Apex Lite Controller
- Tunze ATO

I will be seeking advice in setting up the ATO and controller, I have never done this before.

More to come!