225 gallon CDA build. Whoababy here we go!

[LDog74]

Quick background... Been reefing for the past 10 years. Started out with a Red Sea Max 40. Then moved to a Cadlights 50 gallon cube. Ended up moving a year ago and my wife wanted me to set up a tank again in the new house. I really didn't think about it other than I wanted something simple and rushed out a bought a Waterbox 40 AIO. The tank is 8 months old & running great with a pair of clowns, salon wrasse & flame angel. I have a few SPS's & LPS a nice rainbow anemone. All is great right! But...
I wish I would have taken my time and really decided what I want long term. This hobby sucks you in and the more success you have the more you want in terms of fish & coral.
Well now I know what i want and that's a bigger tank with lots of SPS & cool fish .
Note: If you are reading this and considering a new tank, picture what you really want that tank to look like and then buy. Don't go out and buy first.

So now I know I want to go big or what I believe is big in IMO. I start looking at the Waterbox 220.6, Red Sea XXL750, Red Sea XXL900 & a custom build Crystal Dynamics. I was leaning towards the Red Sea XXL900 because it's less expensive than a CDA custom. But COVID was just starting to hit. I didn't want to pay for something upfront and have no idea when it was going to come in due to COVID. I ended up going with Crystal Dynamics tank and so far really happy I did.

Zoya & Trent at CDA have been excellent to work with so far. Very responsive, knowledgeable & helpful. I should also mention I live about 20 min from CDA so I also like the fact they are local & we are supporting a local business during these strange & difficult times. Tank is to be completed week of May 4th.
Enough of the back ground & on to the build.

Tank:
Crystal Dynamics 78 x 28 x 26 Starphire glass /Eurobraced tank. Display is 225 gallons. Total volume is 265 gallons
Stand CDA steel frame wrapped with wood (Shaker Style) white semi gloss paint, electrical cabinet & stainless steel feet levelers
36” Modular Marine external overflow
1" Bean animal plumbing with 3 port manifold (went 1" due to quieter vs 1-1/2 )
Lifegard ProMax 55 watt UV plumbed by CDA (more for water clarity than protozoa but nice to have option for both)
Trigger 44 Sump with Kessil H380 refugium light
2 Neptune COR 20. One straight return & one for UV /Manifold plumbed back to tank. This allows for dual return pumps should one fail.
Skimmer Red Sea RS900 (hard to beat for the money based on reviews) This can always be changed out down the road if needed. The tank & a few other things can't...
Internal Tank Flow: Red Sea ReefWave 45 x 2
DD Jumpguard Pro

Monitoring
Apex Control System
Neptune Trident
Neptune DOS for KH & CA
Neptune DOS Automatic water change
EB832 x 2
Neptune ATK v2
FFM modules x 2
FS100 x 2 One for UV & the other for return pump
Neptune Auto feeder
FS50 x 2 for Manifold ports

Lighting
This was difficult... Do I go with Kessil, AI, EcoTech?? I don't want to be limited with the type of corals (mostly SPS) and obviously I want them to thrive. I read countless threads and the more you read the more confused you get. I will say however Reef 2 Reef is so helpful and everyone on here offers such great advise.
After a few PM's and doing some research I decided to go with @danlu_gt & Reefi lighting. The lights are like a piece of art, really nice looking.
4 each Reefi Duo Extremes
Daniel even pre-programmed them for me which was awesome.

I built a custom floating canopy that would hinge up. I got the idea from @Gablami and his 260 gallon build.
I will post some pictures of the canopy & lights soon.

Aquascape
Marco Rock assorted reef saver, shelf, foundation, I am guessing 100 lbs total. Reef scape has been built and has been cycling for 6-8 weeks 55 gallon water storage bins. Used E Macro 400 cement to build scape. Photos coming.
Sand 100 lbs special grade arag-alive.

New fish additions (Have been in quarantine tanks for past 4-5 weeks) COVID19 has been excellent for this. No way I could have done it as I usually travel for work often. Fish purchased from TSM Aquatics. I like that their fish are pre quarantined & to me worth the peach of mind.

1 Gem Tang
1 Powder Blue Tang
1 Whitetail Bristletooth Tang
1 Golden Rhomboid wrasse
1 Melanurus wrasse
1 Filamented flasher wrasse

Will add more color later but wanted to start with the Tangs for algae control
Additional add-on
TradeWind 1/3HP + drop in chiller
InkBird Heater Controler
BRS 600 Watt Titanium Heater

more to come.

Thanks for everyone who post on Reef 2 Reef it really does help more people than you know. And thanks to my wife for agreeing to this build!

Lance

 

[LDog74]

Here is the scape. I want to have some open swimming room for fish & coral

 

[LDog74]

Here is the canopy. Canopy will pivot up for easy access to the tank. The tank taped to the wall is a little off the canopy. Moved the canopy / future tank over per wife’s instructions

 

[jstephens24]

Looking great! TSM hasn’t let me down yet with my fish. Have gotten everything from them

 

[LDog74]

Looking great! TSM hasn’t let me down yet with my fish. Have gotten everything from them

Thank you! I agree

 

[Dr. Phil]

It looks like you are off to a great start! I look forward to watching your progress.

 

[LDog74]

It looks like you are off to a great start! I look forward to watching your progress.

Thank you!

 

[Gablami]

Nice work on that floating canopy! Very clean. What did you end up using the attach to the brackets and connect your light fixtures?

Also we have similar taste in fish. Gonna add a white tail bristletooth and a pbt to the upgrade.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Looking good.
Nice fish choice. Make sure you have a good cover on that tank. You probably already know that though.

 

[LDog74]

Nice work on that floating canopy! Very clean. What did you end up using the attach to the brackets and connect your light fixtures?

Also we have similar taste in fish. Gonna add a white tail bristletooth and a pbt to the upgrade.

Thank you! Your build was a tremendous help. I used the same wall brackets & 2040 T Slot aluminum. To attach to the wall bracket I used M4 screws & M4 T slide nuts. I wasn’t comfortable just relying on that so I drilled through the side of the wall bracket & 2040 aluminum and put a bolt through and double nutted the end. If one of the M4 screws comes undone the bolt will hold it in place.

Reefi offers a slide on adapter for the lights to mount to 2040 so it worked perfectly. I can slide the lights sideways as needed for spacing without removing any hardware. Your build really walked me right through mine, just had a few modifications.

 

[Murica]

Looks great! Similar to what I’m doing

 

[LDog74]

Looking good.
Nice fish choice. Make sure you have a good cover on that tank. You probably already know that though.

Thank you! Cover is next on the list. Not sure if I want to order a fancy custom one or just do the BRS build your own. If I have to I will use egg crate ceiling panel until my cover is completed. I use it on my quarantine tanks as well. For the wrasses I also put screen door mesh on the underside to prevent jumping between the slats. It save my golden already. I walked into my office one night where I have the tanks set up and he got spooked. Jumped a few times and no doubt that saved him...

 

[LDog74]

Looks great! Similar to what I’m doing

Thank you!

 

[DeniseAndy]

I had a tank that the lid did not block the silly 1ft center beam (40 yr old glass tank) and I lost a pair of pylies to it. I was livid. My new tank has three separate covers custom made (by me) and secured with little round velcro dots.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Like the scape !! For me: Bigger is better and No regrets as you will find out.

 

[LDog74]

Stopped by CDA today to confirm some plumbing for the chiller. The tank will be delivered Tuesday!!!
Quick photo I grabbed, it doesn’t do it justice. Thing is huge...

 

[LDog74]

Tank will be delivered today. Will post pictures stay tuned.

 

[danlu_gt]

Tank will be delivered today. Will post pictures stay tuned.

I'm excited for you!

 

[LDog74]

Here she is! Absolutely blown away how it came out. Trent & Zoya at Crystal Dynamics did an amazing job. If you are looking for a new tank or upgrade don’t hesitate to call them. Still a few minor plumbing repairs needed ( one more flow monitor on the straight return & loc line added before I can fill which should be Thursday). The sump looks so good I had to order the Trigger ATO reservoir to match now. (Hate paying so much for a water container, lol)
Will be installing all electronics, refugium light, tank lid, etc over the next day or two and will continue to post pictures. I did hook up the LED under cabinet lighting in the sump last night. Always used a flashlight previously. $28.00 on Amazon quick & easy.

 

[SuperSaiyanTang]

Your tank is coming along great! I also have a setup from CDA and they did a fantastic job. I see you are running ReeFi leds, you’ll love them.