The fine details on my dream reef tank build

Whilst on first glance it might not seem like a lot is happening with my dream reef build, it couldn't actually be further from the truth! There has been so many small yet critical details being worked on.

I thought I really should pop a video together to show you where things are at, what is yet to come and what I need your help on.

Equipment comes and goes, but some of the fine details in a reef tank build will be there for life - so it is worth taking time to get these things right.

In this video I will cover the floor and back wall of the cabinet, the sump layout, the emergency overflow in the cabinet, the base of the tank and the cabinetry plans. Hope you pickup something useful from it!

[Ajaxntx]

Fantastic video, and I love your meticulous planning, and attention to every last detail. I read all the comments made by others before me typing this, so I'm going to disagree with the ones saying that the refugium should be before the skimmer chamber. One of the main reasons to do a refugium (besides nutrient export) is to allow a place for micro fauna to grow, and thrive, so that it can then make it to your display tank. For that reason I strongly recommend that you place the refugium in the last chamber just before the return pump area, so that any copepods or other micro fauna don't get skimmed, or filtered out.

This was one of your best videos yet. Really loved everything in it!

[waselmali]

All the best good luck
I can't wait for the next 👍

[insanity]

Sam make sure that water can’t come back up through your stand drain.. if there is storms/flooding.

Wouldn’t put reactors after fuge, they will just get gunked up.

Looking awesome 👏

[volteface]

Je suis content pour toi, tu le mérite et surtout continue à nous montrer de nouvelles vidéos !!! 👍👍👍

[michaelhoward]

Yeah, your plan for the stand cladding looks much nicer than my idea with the acrylic. And I hadn't considered acrylic scratching. So thanks Sam, that will steer me straight too. Love the catch tray too!

[simmoable]

Loved the video Sam, the detail you are now sharing helps us all in our thinking of our own next builds

[williamtaylor]

With that automatid hood (up and down) with the metal halide bulb, you can simulate the light intensity of the day. Wow you have changed the game of lightning again 🤔

[cegentry]

Just putting it out there in case you may be interested. The Radion G5 has a very T5 look with a bit of shimmer. Lots of people seem to like the T5 look. I am running two XR15’s on a 40 breeder that I set up to become a frag tank once I move my 75.

[cptblight]

May i make a suggestion. What about swapping your skimmer and refugium positions. That way any copepod production will not get removed by your skimmer before it has a chance to enter your system

[philinmel]

Hello. Great project. Love it.
Is there a video on cable and plug management?
This is where I am procrastinating on for my upcoming upgrade.

[Clearwater]

Sam you plan looks sound and well thought out, the only thing I would look at is your RO area, my system is 1400 Ltrs including sump, evaporation is around 30 Ltrs per week, you need a 2 week RO storage for me it’s 75 Ltr to give a margin of error for holidays

[insanity]

Have you looked into the Orphek lights? They are a panel like the Phillips but I’d say they would have much better colour and more control I believe. They do have an Aussie distributer too.

[XMRNYC]

Great idea with employing drip tray. Had one on my previous build, saved my bacon more than once.

[michaelbalsley]

So look forward to seeing your build on your dream tank!!
DM Deven to schedule a time to live stream 👍

[christophecrouin]

You should have your fuge first then the skimmer...
Looking foreward for your dreamtank coming along.
Good luck!

[courtthompson]

Awesome, watching every video as it comes out. Like that you go in depth about each part. Only ever had fresh water but the dream to have salt, even more so to this level. Till then I watch your videos and dream

[ppsthlm]

That floorbed of the stand is genius!! Did you draw it and leave it to an acrylic company to make it or what did you do?

[peach]

Looking awsome, only thing I might add is adding a lock to the doors depending on how curious your kids are so they don’t accidentally break somthing. How come you didn’t end up going with doors in the middle and sides of the cabinet instead of the panels?

[kevinw]

You are certainly putting some thought into the build. Where will your dosing returns be located? That drip / spill tray is a great idea.

[EGYPT_REEF]

the last sump IMO is the best you will have easy access to any reactor you are planning to add and the 50MM inlet will cancel whole lot of bubble from the return the RO section its meeh can come and go but you will have to go over the sump to check the level or remove the side panel to do