My 5 Feet SPS Tank

[weihsiang]

Dear All,

 

I am starting a new thread to describe and share my new SPS tank.  Had been trying to upgrade from a full SPS 3ft since a few years ago.  Finally chanced upon a 5(L) x 2.5(W) x 2.5(H) when a friend decommed his arowana tank and I decided it convert it to a freshwater one.

Here's a little video. 

 

 

Edited August 31, 2015 by weihsiang

[sgtayc]

Nice

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[Admiraltian]

Can't imagine how awesome it will be once it's fully stocked up with sps.

[JMW]

Nice rock work! Like the 'towers' that you created. Agree with Admiraltian, as more SPS fill the spaces, it's really going to look like a really nice reef!

[SubzeroLT]

Nice rock scape! Look forward to updates

[dinGdinG]

Big tank with a nice scape! But i bet it's damn siong scaping the bottom with that height,2.5ft! Lol

[weihsiang]

Tank Specifications and Equipment

Tankmaker: Coral Reef Aquarium 5 x 2.5 x 2.5 

Although I have gotten a Pre-Owned arowana tank.  It was apparent that the workmanship for the cabinet was good and the tank's joints and bracing were done very neatly and professionally.  I had ordered a new sump from CRA and the workmanship was just as good delivery was also prompt and on time.  

The original tank was reinforced by Euro Bracing with a 6 inch center bracing which I was afraid will obstruct the levels of light reaching the center of aquarium.  I had decided to replace it with a 3 inch center bracing to still provide support to the center of the tank while at the same time maximising light levels.  It was perhaps a safer option to choose as i had a 2.5ft deep tank and the pressure weighing on the center of the tank will be quite considerable.  That too was done by CRA.

 

Light: ATI Sunpower 8 x 80W (Controllable)

I was using a Single End 400W MH pendant for my old 3ft tank.  It certainly brought up the colours of my previous tank but it was at the expense of high electrical bills and a very hot living room.  So I had decided to invest in a proven ATI fixture with controllable settings.  Ordered at a competitive price from AM but it took a long time to arrive and set back the tank for a considerable period of time.  I am still experimenting with the tube configuration but currently it is at 3 Blue plus, 3 Aquablue special, 1 Coral Plus and 1 Purple plus.

 

Return Pump: 2x Laguna Max Flo 9000l 

I had chosen AC over DC pumps as most of the DC brands uses China made drivers, if not brands like Abyzz is too expensive. Bought Laguna Pumps as they were made from askoll blocks and had quite good reviews from different  forum and websites. It also provided a very good flow rate compared to the power wattage it uses.   2 return pumps were purchased and plumbed using a one way check valve for redundancy. Had also Tee-ed off the return to feed my Calcium Reactor, Biopellet Reactor and Chiller.

Skimmer: Skimz SL200 Leopard Protein Skimmer

Again it uses the askoll pump block and price wise cheaper compared to European models.

Chiller: Hailea HS90-A

I set my chiller to about 28 degrees.  Do not think that it will be utilised that heavily.  Also, I did not have the luxury of space to use a compressor for a drop in coil.  So chose a affordable model here.

Calcium Reactor: Reef Octopus

For workmanship and reliability compared to affordability. I think RO fits the bill.

Edited September 1, 2015 by weihsiang

[weihsiang]

The tank came like this

My Plumbing - Self made 

Back breaking stuff 

Big tank with a nice scape! But i bet it's damn siong scaping the bottom with that height,2.5ft! Lol

 

Edited September 1, 2015 by weihsiang

[inwear]

Looking forward to see your tank

[Guest]

Haha ..seem like it's not easy to maintain such a height. I like your sump design, neat and chio 

[dinGdinG]

LOL I love that pic! 

Awesome sump design you have there bro! I seriously starting to regret doing the filter sock design for my sump. Should have made the bio tower design you have there. 

Cant wait to see some pretty sps in your tank~! 

Following~!

[RH8198]

Just like to ask with the HS90 inside your cabinet, how is the heat like? It is bearable within the cabinet and whether you can feel the heat from outside?

Looks like a solid tank and great planning. Hope to see more updates.

[Stryder78]

Very nice scaping. More space for sps stocking... Nice choice of light too even at sand bed sps are growing.

[weihsiang]

Just like to ask with the HS90 inside your cabinet, how is the heat like? It is bearable within the cabinet and whether you can feel the heat from outside?

Looks like a solid tank and great planning. Hope to see more updates.

I set my chiller at 29 degrees. It doesnt run so often so the heat generated is not noticable.

Another thing which I did to mitigate the heat issue is to cut the back portion of my cabinet open and also leaving abt 5 inches of space between the wall and the fish tank.

[JMW]

I set my chiller at 29 degrees. It doesnt run so often so the heat generated is not noticable.

Another thing which I did to mitigate the heat issue is to cut the back portion of my cabinet open and also leaving abt 5 inches of space between the wall and the fish tank.

Hi bro, 29 degrees can really keep coral? Softies maybe?

[smyee]

Nice scaping

[tropic]

My prev 5footer was 2.5ft height.. At the mercy of the tank man..back breaking to scape or maintain... your tank shld be good to run with aircon compressor.

[edmund_23]

Nice.. Tank height is nice to view but difficult to do changes after water goes in..

[jeric wong]

Dear All,

 

I am starting a new thread to describe and share my new SPS tank.  Had been trying to upgrade from a full SPS 3ft since a few years ago.  Finally chanced upon a 5(L) x 2.5(W) x 2.5(H) when a friend decommed his arowana tank and I decided it convert it to a freshwater one.

Here's a little video. 

 

 

Nice

[Jimmy75]

Any updates?

[shy88devil]

any updates ??

[weihsiang]

Updates for my corals after 4 months


 
Purple and Green Cap + Some Cyano on the right

 
Chilli Pepper Cap

 
Blue and Emerald Millie


 
Closer Look

 
Red Stag

 
Bali Short Cake 

 
Bali Short Cake Another View

 
Northwood Shortcake

 
Pink and Green Prostrata


 
Sunset Millie


 
Ice Fire Echinata

 
My Favourite (Acropora Gemmigera)

Edited January 18, 2016 by weihsiang

[iceman]

Very nice growth for your monti cap. 

[pcw]

Very nice!

[JMW]

Nice colors on your blue emerald mille, northwood shortcake!