Madmak's 200G Reef Build

[Pinnochio5]

Awesome tank Cam! I like the sand mix. Is it Fiji black arag mixed with pink?

I don't even know how I'd go about transporting that much LR!

[Madmak]

Thanks Shawn. My sand is called a Pacific Fiji mix (or something like that). It is in stores but not as popular as the pure white stuff.

I just picked up a new Canon 7D DSLR so the picture situation should improve drastically in the next little while

[Pinnochio5]

Although I'm a Nikon fanboy myself since my dad got me into Nikons (he just got a D800E, it's legendary!) The 7D is a sweet SLR.

How are the new frags doing?

[Madmak]

I'm forcing myself to revive my build thread by posting this crappy, at night, iPhone pic. I haven't done much with the tank other than let it mature and stabilize for the past several months.

I'm now in the market for new MH bulbs or new LED fixtures, hoping I can swing the LEDs.

I have saved some fish and lost some fish, saved some corals and lost some corals, just like everybody else I'm sure.

I am loving the 50 gallon mixing station that is plumbed in to my tank directly. It takes 15 minutes to do a 50 gallon water change and all I do is turn some valves and control my Apex with my iPhone. Here is a link to that thread:

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=87648

I'll set some time aside to take some nice DSLR pics in the near future and get them posted up here, can't revive an old thread for nothin' !

[gridley]

You have had a very good looking tank setup and I had been wondering if anything had been happnening. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of your tank!

[Madmak]

Been busy changing things up lately. You know how it goes, one thing leads to another...

First big change is swapping my lights to the GHL Mitras, still waiting on one in transport, but have had one up for a couple weeks. They will be a great improvement and allow me more coral options and much easier tank access. I am more impressed with these lights every day, it's like a Blu-Ray remake of my tank!

I also changed up my return pump, 2 skimmer pumps, and reactor pumps to DC pumps. I wanted some room back in my sump and was attracted to the low power consumption, soft start, and flow control features. I'm really diggin them so far as well. Now I need to find a 5000GPH DC pump for my closed loop.

Cleaned up some wiring and plumbing while I was at it and it looks like I'm nearly ready to build the false wall/cabinet that will surround the tank.

I've also been toying with the idea of going with Zeovit or Biopellets and I think it's going to be pellets. I want to lower the nutrients in my tank but don't have the daily time or discipline to go full Zeovit. I have allowed for an additional reactor in my new plumbing and will start them slow some time this week.

I finally got around to gluing down some random frags, relocating some colonies, and making some other coral/livestock changes and additions as well.

The first pics will be up shortly after my second GHL is hanging!

Thanks to all the folks who's ears I've bent while making these decisions and purchases, I appreciate it.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Madmak

Now I need to find a 5000GPH DC pump for my closed loop.

2640+2640=5280

[Madmak]

Smart ass

[Madmak]

That means more plumbing...

[Madmak]

A couple iPhone pics, more to come.