Tank Build! Introduction to GIRS & 225 In-Wall

Hello,
I wanted to introduce myself to the group. My name is Andrew and while certainly not new to the hobby I am new to Iowa having now been here for about 18 months or so (Des Moines area). Previously I was involved in groups out West where I lived (Phoenix).

Hoping to get to know you all on the forum over time but thought this thread might be a fun way to kick-off. If any of you are like me, you always want to see the next step of someone's build project especially when it's from the ground up.

It took some patience but I purposefully waited to post anything until I had enough time to document the progress of the build. So here is my move from Oct 2014 until a few months ago.

(Please bear with me if I mess this process as it is my first posting of pictures using this site)

 

Tearing down the system from Arizona. Required housing the critters at a local shop and then driving the equipment out first. Fly back. Live rock out next. Fly back.
And then two months later driving the livestock out.

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Time to cram 225 gallons of coral into a 60 cube. Talk about tiny house living....

 

And away we go.......

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And away we go....

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They say that the most important part of any project is having the right equipment.

 

Getting the equipment placed in. You forget after having something in place for years just how much time it takes to recreate it.

 

A fair amount of long Iowa winter nights spent cutting and assembling. All the meanwhile my corals were doing their best to survive in the sump and shallow tank. Running out of time for sure.

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At last, the mad science lab is ready. Alert Heisenberg, there's a new chemist on the block.....

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Now the fill. Nothing like mixing 350 gallons of saltwater to pass the time.

 

A shot a few days later of it clearing up. Didn't lose too much initially but still had the scary mini-cycle ahead. Nothing that could be done, didn't have 3 more months of sump living in the cards.....

 

The finished product. This is about a 1 year shot. Now it's time to start getting some up close pics of the growth.

Okay, let the commentary begin. Please be nice. I never claimed to know what I was doing...lol.

 

Blackx-runner,
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I currently run (2) litermeter III's and dose CA, Alk, and Mg. I occasionally then dose reef chili, cyclopeeze solutions and also breed live brine and then 'dose' them as well direct into the tank. I have a bluethroat trigger treats those like happy hour.
The reactors are indeed for carbon and GFO. I have two as I alternate them in use in order to give the screens and tubing time to sterilize between uses. I found the GFO to gunk up the lines after a period of time of heavy use.
The smaller containers are usually just extra chemicals I have mixed up in advance. I will make 5 gallons at a time and then just store them individually.
The only thing I didn't mention and not sure if I put a picture of related to water quality is the refugium. I really love this thing. It's probably a bit of overkill but that's the point of the hobby right?

 

Placid,
It's a 72x26wX28H. It is one of the last ones Oceanic made so it has the 3/4in glass. I think it calculates out to 226 gallons using most online calculators. It's a nightmare to move but ridiculously reliable. I've had it now for about 8 years and two moves.

As for the confusion, the 60 was a cube I had laying around that I used only to consolidate into while shutting down. I sold that and some other extra gear before moving. Needed the cash and seemed like a good time for a 'garage sale'. Seems like I accumulate way more than I clean out.

 

Tangers,
I would love to. I am out of town tomorrow but do intend on getting to one coming up.
Thanks for the invite!