65G Hex Reef Tank

[va_blue_stang]

I'm new here so I thought I would some pictures of our reef habitat. We are just now comfortable with the setup that we have started adding life.Let us know what you think, advice, and suggestions. I will also post some build pictures as I can. Thanks everyone for looking and your comments.

FTS w/Flash

FS w/o Flash

 

[va_blue_stang]

 

[va_blue_stang]

Sorry for the quality I'm a crappy photographer

 

[gas4544]

Those are terraces, right? At first I was not sure if I my eyes were working.

That's pretty darn cool.

g

 

[cross]

that is cool, i've never seen one like it. no live rock? whats your filtration?

 

[va_blue_stang]

that is cool, i've never seen one like it. no live rock? whats your filtration?

the terraces are made from eggcrate and pond foam. between the terraces are 50lbs of live rocks holding them up. In the sump we have about 30lbs of live rock, the skimmer, heater and canister filter with carbon and a 130 watt power compact fixture for night time light. I will post more build pictures and specs in a few minutes.

 

[cross]

thats cool, you really cant tell theres that much rock.

 

[va_blue_stang]

Tank Build

Here are some of the build photos i promised.

Start of the rebuild with tank cleaned and freshly painted.

Return Pipe and outlets.

Top view of sump with return pump only.

Front with egg crate frame in place.

Power head hid behind terrace.

Other Side.

FTS before foam and rock.

DIY Overflow Pipe.

DIY Overflow Pipe Again.

Foam in before cutting it down and shapeing it.

 

[va_blue_stang]

Lighting

New 250w 20k plusrite metal halide bulb.

Ballest.

Reflector, a lot bigger than i thought it would be.

This is our DIY "Frankenstein Light"

Inside view of exhaust fan.

Had to add a major exhaust fan for heat.
So far the setup we are running(this is my wife's tank)is:
65g Hex
10g Sump in stand
2- hydor koralia 3 power heads
700gph return pump with uv sterilizer
Lee's Counter Current Skimmer
Ehiem Canister Filter w/carbon only
250w 20k medal halide
2- 65w power compact acintics
2- 65w 12k power compacts on sump
300watt heater
80lbs figi live rock
Thanks Everyone for looking and all your help and suggestions.

 

[cross]

very nice, oh ya welcome to RF!

 

[va_blue_stang]

here is the sump pictures under the tank.

With Flash

With Lighting On

Skimmer working

 

[SmileyFace1995]

Wow nice setup

 

[va_blue_stang]

Wow nice setup

thank you the wife and really appreciate that we have work alot on this tank since we tore and it down to rebuild

 

[apollothesun]

very nice ledges on the hex. i remeber back in the day when i used that skimmer. before buying any more corals, i would invest in a skimmer. you can find them used or new in our selling forum.

 

[apollothesun]

but whatever you doing now, its looking great. even your live rock is nice and clean

 

[va_blue_stang]

very large clean up crew. i'm not sure if we are going to get a bigger skimmer or go the skimmerless route. i have seen a lot of nice tanks without them that have been healthy for years. with the way everything doing we are just going to leave everything like it is and enjoy it till after the holidays.

 

[apollothesun]

cool beans, your taking the right steps in establishing a beautiful ocean in your home. nice and slow.

 

[va_blue_stang]

Newest additions

Here are a few pictures of the newest addtiions we got last night. we'll post new photos when they are comfortable and opening completely. if anyone has any suggestions for placement for any of the new ones we appreciate it

Plate with a mouth full of mysis shrimp

 

[va_blue_stang]

Update, Any Thoughts or Suggestions?

Here's a few new photos to see what everyone things of look and health of some the new and older additions. I hate to keep boreing everyone with all the photos bu i love takeing pictures of them and the advice and suggestions i have received.

 

[va_blue_stang]

THanks everyone for all the help and advice it is really comeing together now.