Finally after 10 years, a new beginning!

[hansolo]

Hi everyone,

After a 10-year hiatus, I’m finally getting back into the hobby. I’ve followed many threads on this forum and I am encouraged by how helpful this community is. I’m also amazed at how things have changed over the years in terms of technology, expertise and even exotic tastes, e.g. I never knew what a Picasso clown was until recently.

So, with the help and advice of a good and old friend, Henry from MarineLife, I’ve started to reconstruct my tank and would love to share it with you all. He comes highly recommended - I'm very impressed with his quality of work, excellent after-sales service and reliability.

Here’re some specs:

Display tank: 5x2x2, 12mm

Sump and top up reservoir with Tunze Osmolator

Lighting: 2x Orphek Atlantik v2.1 wifi LED lights

Protein Skimmer: Deltic SC2060

Wave maker: Maxspect gyre x150

Main return pump: D&D FL5000

Chiller: Arctica DB250 1/3 HP

Bacteria King biological media

The plan is to start out simple first, i.e. with softies (zoas, ricordias) and LPS (Euphyllia species), then maybe add a few hardy SPS (I love Monti caps). Hope to stay disciplined with a low bioload and not get poisoned further into this venture.

Appreciate any feedback!

Hans

[hansolo]

Here's the initial design that Henry and I came out with:

[hansolo]

Some renovation pics of the tank cabinet/wall:

[hansolo]

Cabinet doors removed for tank entry:

Space for chiller and ventilation fans:

[hansolo]

Tank and sump in!

[hansolo]

Piping for sump:

I appreciate the effort Henry took to hide all electrical wirings. It makes the entire set up a lot more organized.

[hansolo]

Chiller and ventilation fan conduit:

[hansolo]

Here're the lights. Again, clean and organized electrical wiring.

[hansolo]

Finally... Water in!

[alexcyf]

Very neat design! Good job!! looking forward to your posts!

[ReDDeviLs]

another great tank in the making.

bro, can i ask where would the water level of your sump be?

[hansolo]

I believe it would be right below the output tee on the skimmer?

[Admiraltian]

Looks like a pretty organized setup. Camping here for more of your updates!!

[Harlequinmania]

Very detailed planning and setup. It would be better if a refugium can be added.

[Shadow Walker]

Nice pictures and documentation. The design are neat and organized, camping here for more updates!

[hansolo]

@Harlequin mania, I find it hard to include a refugium that is large enough to make a significant impact, ie for a 5 feet set up, one would probably need a 3-4ft fuge - no space for that unfortunately

[Harlequinmania]

@Harlequin mania, I find it hard to include a refugium that is large enough to make a significant impact, ie for a 5 feet set up, one would probably need a 3-4ft fuge - no space for that unfortunately

Yap true also. Unless is for other benefits it offer.

[tofubox]

I can already tell this tank is going to be amazing. An definitely a nice addition / artwork to the house.

[hansolo]

Thank you all for kind comments and feedback. Tank is cycling now, will post more pictures soon

[Ken_ng]

Finally... Water in!

Hi bro!

Can find out what is that bottle in the tank?

What does it do?

Awesome planning on the wirings! Super neat and clean. I realized that every single piping, hose and plug have a label!

I'm rather curious on how the chiller will vent though.

Is there an extraction fan at the top?

Thanks!

[Admiraltian]

I believe that bottle is a di unit.

[hansolo]

Yes there is an extraction fan on top which pulls the warm air out of the chiller and lighting area into my false ceiling to be dispersed. Ideally there should be another fan to pull the air from the false ceiling to kitchen, but I haven't found one yet

[Ken_ng]

Yes there is an extraction fan on top which pulls the warm air out of the chiller and lighting area into my false ceiling to be dispersed. Ideally there should be another fan to pull the air from the false ceiling to kitchen, but I haven't found one yet

Wah sounds like very intricate planning. But won't the living room be warm then?

Previously I did something like that as well. But only for the warm exhaust to pool behind the chiller causing the chiller to be less effective.

I think the extraction fans must be strong enough if not it might affect the chiller.

[hansolo]

Hopefully they're strong enough to disperse properly... Will see in the coming weeks.

[hansolo]

Prelim rockscape design: