New Inhabitants

Starting from the top a Watchman Goby whose made his home in what will be the return pipe from the sump. Hope it doesn't get too comfortable. Fire Shrimp (middle), Percula Clownfish (bottom)

R/O Water

Something I learned from the last time around. R/O water really makes a huge difference. Along with my unit I have a TDS meter (Total Dissolved Solids) to ensure it is running correctly. The EPA has a max contaminant for tap water set at 500 ppm. Tap water in South Bend comes in at 438 ppm (avg US Tap 200:400), after running through the R/O unit 0 ppm. For those of you with a Brita filter the range is 50:100 ppm. Or if you are like me and do not change the filter often enough 300:400, or basically worthless!

First SPS (Small Polyp Stony Coral)

Live Rock

I came across an individual who was unfortunately leaving the hobby, and took advantage of some prime Live Rock. There are also some Green Zoanthids that hitched a ride.

Filler Up

The tank has been filled, and the salinity has been brought up to the appropriate level at 1.023 ppm. Currently circulating the water through a simple carbon filter and will add the first fish and live rock sometime this week to begin the nitrogen cycle. Pictures to come soon...

A look ahead at the sump...ny skimmer below will eventually sit below the tank in the model shown below.

Lighting

The pictures really do not do it justice. 2 X 250 watt 10K metal halide lamps with 2 X 39 watt blue T5 lamps.

Fans

A few cuts later and fan 1 is in! Probably going to do some touch up work later where I sanded away some of the staining work.

First I placed a sheet of paper across and measured where I wanted the fan to go. I then traced the outline with a razor blade to get my trace paper to size.

I was planning to mount the fans on the back of the tank, but the space is just not going to be there. So I am going to cut two holes on either side of the hood to keep my lamps cool.

Tools

My favorite tool the pipe cutter!

Plumbing upstairs is complete, and the R/O unit to remove any dissolved solids, gases, metals, and other unwanted elements found in tap water.

Sump Overflow

Definitely was a puzzle trying to find the right pipes...Home Depot really let me down :-\ but turned out great thanks to Lowes. The short piece is the sump return, and the taller piece is the tank return without the final extension to the tank.