160G SPS DOMINANT REEF BUILD

[GSXREEFER90]

Fellow reef geeks,

I've decided to start a build thread following my 160 gallon system. The tank just finished cycling (for the second time...) 2 days ago! Hopefully that will be the last.

A little background on myself:

Started reef keeping roughly 2 years ago with a HOB 55g mixed reef. I pretty much had to teach myself along with the aid of Google and trial/error. I quickly became quite involved in the community down in Corpus Christi starting my own club named "South Texas Reef Club". You can find the group on Facebook. I was also the lead administrator and editor of the marine section of TheHydra.com. Met alot of cool people and sold lots of frags. I now reside in San Antonio which I feel is quite a more active reef society. So far I'm really enjoying the people and vibe up here. I recently joined MAAST as soon as I seen it's getting more active since my boy Zack took over!

I purchased this brand new Reef Ready Aqueon 125 as well as the canopy and the front of the stand. I reinforced the stand and added the back as well as modifications on the stand and canopy. This is my first sump system as well as my first time touching PVC and wood work! Slowly but surely she is coming along. So far the equipment is as follows:

-AI Hydra 52
-Ecotech Vectra M1 return pump
-True Temp 500w titanium heating system
-Phosban reactor which I'm using for carbon
-Skimz Monzter Mini 143 DC skimmer
-Smart ATO system custom plumbed
-Air, Water, & Ice RO/DI system plumbed into washer connection and ran to 2 Brute trash cans for mixing and storage
-Custom 47g opposite end drains acrylic sump with a nice refugium built by Terry over at Salty Fish
-2 Megaflow Overflows
-1 Marineland 1200 currently in return section for added surface agitation
-Temporary cheap mini actinic sump led over fuge
-All PVC/plumbing done by myself
-Custom 1 1/2" PVC under sand bed tunnel system

The only current livestock are as follows:

1 Damsel
1 Zebra Moray Eel (Corky aka King Of The Castle)
2 frags purple bonsai, one being GARF
1 Orange richordia shroom
1 superman rhodactis
1 frag bam bams
1 frag true red people eaters
2 frags utter chaos
1 sunset Monti
1 Dino egg digi
1 blue digi
1 Tubbs Mystic Blue (thanks Stephen )

I have big plans for this system. My last couple tanks i rushed which is where I learned that patience truly is the key in this hobby. Next week will be my aquascaping project, I have 60 lbs reef saver in the mail and I'll be picking up some acrylic rods and epoxy. The structures have already been drawn out. I will update every time I add something or make changes!

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