70+ gallon custom

[SteveConn]

ANOTHER night shift.. MAN this is an addictive hobby.. I've spent all my spare time (and there's lots of that) researching my options with controllers, ATO, dosing...

I'm pretty sure I'll end up with the Apex system, the Tunze ATO, Vortech MP40 for wave making.. Dosing pump... hmmm.. GHL looks good but then I've seen good reviews on this one:kamoer-3 .. inclined to stick with more common (GHL)

Questions I have.. if I am getting individually automatic systems..:
1-How do they integrate with a controller like the Apex
2-Whats the real purpose of a "master controller" like Apex?

I know I want the best way to keep my reef stable for growing SPS and to mimic the natural environment.

Last question for the night... Why the heck cant I have been interested in something easier as a hobby, like...I dunno.. monitoring stellar spectroscopy for exoplanet detection??

[SteveConn]

I lie.. one more post :-P

Any thoughts on a large cube type tank (24x27x?26-30high)? Will it be a PITA to acces with that kind of depth (I'm wanting the volume)
Open for discussion is a wider tank but that means I would have to get a custom stand and it would have to look presentable in a main living area.

I live in a wood structure condo, 2nd floor. The tank would be beside a supporting wall, joists running PARALLEL to the tank.

Wondering about weight of tank and disaster vs big, awesome tank!!

...hate compromise!!

[SteveConn]

Hmm.. can I even call this a build when the tank design is still a sticking point??

Small dilemma: The available space I have to put this tank is restricted by total weight and area free for the tank.
I figure 70-75gal is fine for the DT, maybe 15g for the refugium/sump (is that too small?). I can go as long as 48" but 42 is more likely
I had planned on 18" for depth (front to back of tank) but with an internal overflow, the builder suggests that isnt enough for proper scaping..and I should have 24"
24" is pushing it, 22" would be a max depth. Would a corner overflow solve the problem? Would it create issues with tank flow?
Height of the tank: fine with 20-22" deep..hopefully that will allow me to clean and place stuff in the tank without a problem.

Heres the equipment I already own:
Deltec 200 skimmer (hang-on, can go in sump)
1 high flow korolia (not sure what gph)
1 korolia nano
1 maxijet 900 powerhead (extra flow for sps)
1 Fluval 250 for chemical filtration
1 modular LED kit w/24 LED (12 white/12 RB 3w) + 2 3W RB for moonlight

All this is used on a 22g JBJ Nano with SPS, LPS and a few softies.

What just arrived:
Apex Pro Controller

Whats coming:
2 Vortex 40W ES
2 1.1ml/min BRS dosing pumps for Cal/Alk & Mg
1 50ml/min BRS dosing pump for water topoff
1 Tunze ATO unit
Dual GFO and Carbon reactor w/maxijet powerhead 1200 (295 gph)

Seems like I have most things I need other than the tank itself!

I think my skimmer may need an upgrade to keep pristine water for SPS, but it has to be quiet and minimal overhead needed to take skim cup off

I can get a metal cabinet made (frame) but I need siding put on that would suit easy access to the sump/skimmer...and it has to look good since its all in my main living area (2nd floor, condo)

Lastly.. I need a finished basement :-/ When that happens WOOHOO 400 gal!

Any suggestions, comments??

Thanks!

[SteveConn]

Kein, you wanted to know how I killed GSP (and severely damaged my leather toadstool)?
I made a bath for my new fish I thought I saw ich on. I used dechlorinated water (no salt), pH bablanced to match the tank (baking soda). To that I added methylene blue and formalin.

Some of my corals were looking like they were being attacked by something...and so I added Lugols to the water before adding the GSP and a small leather toadstool. About 5 min later I remembered what else I had in the water and put it all in a tank water bath!

The toadstool died down a bit but is now SLOWLY coming back, the GSP is long gone.

Not sure multitasking and my summer of crazy shift work were a good combo!

There you go.. how to kill softies. My guess is it was the formalin that was the biggest nail in its coffin