110 Gallon Reef Build. Will Need Help Along The Way!

sviellvoicae

sviellvoicae

Member
Hey guys, as some of you know I had this tank set-up as a fowlr. Well about 6 weeks ago it crashed. I believe due to new livestock that was sick. Either way I was getting more into reef fish, corals, etc, and eventually was going to due a reef tank. After this I have completely reset the tank. New sand,LR,sump, and skimmer to be sure everything was clean as well as a fresh start. Here is a list of my equipment and my list of live stock that I want to have in the tank. Any tips/tricks, suggestions, or comments are welcome. Just try not to rip me apart if I have made a huge mistake somewhere.
Equipment-
112 Gallon Acrylic tank( I really wanted glass, but I got the tank for $100)
55 gallon sump/refuge. 2 returns- 1 into sump and 1 into fuge. Fuge return is slower than the sump return.
Coralife 125 super skimmer with upgraded pump
Wavepoint t5 ho 4 bulb. 2 actinics and 2 10k's. This is a 48" fixture. I know its too small, but for now I don't have anything that needs more lighting which brings me to my next question. What Light should I look into? Im not planning on added clams, or hard corals.
Fluval 405- Only for carbon if needed.
4 1600 gph power heads
100lbs of live rock
80lbs of argonite sand. 20lbs was "live" sand
Currently using instant ocean salt- Ive heard mixed reviews on reef crystals- any input?
Live Stock
Currently-
2 Ocellaris Clowns
1 Scooter Blenny- He lived through the disaster!
1 Sand Sifting star- Also lived through the disaster
1 Coral banded shrimp
Zoa Frag
Duncan coral
Basic CUC
Want to add
Yellow Watchman and a Pistol Shrimp
Six Line Wrasse
2 Kauderns Cardinals
Mandarin Goby- I know this will be in the future, I currently have copepods in the fuge. Is this all I need? My friend has one and he is eating frozen like crazy? Should I steal his??

Blue Linkia sea star
Kole yellow eye tang- Ive read they only need a 75gallon is this correct?
Adding within the next week
QT Tank- Will be a 20 gal tall that I have lying around- I want to keep this in the garage but not sure if thats a good idea. It gets pretty cold here. Does anyone else keep a QT in the garage?
Im currently using an API test kit that tests for amonia, ph, nitrite, and nitrates. What else do I need to test for on a reef tank? I was looking at a trace element additive kit. Im just not really sure what additives and testing goes into a healthy reef.Ok so far thats what I have going on. If im off on anything please let me know without killing me

Some Pictures! Sorry they are low quality. Ill find the camera and take better ones.

Skimmer section
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Water entering the Fuge

My clowns.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Is the tank cloudy because of the camera, or because the tank is cloudy?
Your equipment is ok for a softie tank, except that the light being used, to me, is still undersized.
I can't make any comments about the fish. Not my area of expertise.
 
sviellvoicae

sviellvoicae

Member
The water is clear. The camera dulls it down a bit. I was looking to stay with t5 due to heat issues. Looking into a 60" 6 bulb t5
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Look into 1000lightbulbs and hellolights for retrofit kits. You might be able to DIY your own system for half the cost. If you are that concerned about heat issues, go with LEDs. I don't have much experience with em' but 2quills and Meowzer do, if you want to go that route.
 
sviellvoicae

sviellvoicae

Member
Ive done alot of work with leds being a car audio installer, and I love them but my wallet does not! I just dont have room for a chiller which is my concern on heat.
 
sviellvoicae

sviellvoicae

Member
***UPDATE***
Ok, so I have recently added 3 hammer coral heads, some polyps, zoas, and a Mandarin. I know the tank is not mature yet but he is eating frozen, and I have pods all over!!!! Im not too sure how this happened but I did notice pods on my zoa frag shortly after putting it in the tank so woohoo! Ill get pictures up tomorrow, but I do have a question. I think I might have too much flow. I know there are so many different opinions on how much is right etc etc etc. After adding this corals I have noticed that the hammers are being blown all over (the frag isnt moving but the heads are) and they are not coming all the way out. Can this be caused from too much flow? I have a total of 7100ish gph's in my 110 gallon. This is including the return pump. Any ideas? I have recently unplugged 2 power heads reducing 3200 gph. I cant seem to figure out where to place the powerheads either. It seems that they are either blowing the corals all over or blowing the sand all over. Is there a common correct place to put them? So far Im loving the reef tank thing and happy that I dont have an aggressive tank.
 
sviellvoicae

sviellvoicae

Member
Also Snake thanks for telling me about the hellolights. Ive been looking into them and that looks like the way Im going. Im building a custom canopy as we speak. Ill find the good camera and post pictures of that as well tomorrow.
 
reeferchief

reeferchief

Member
Yes the hammer should be opening all the up. They do not need a lot of flow, too much and they won't open. I have mine on the outskirts of the direct flow and it opened all the way up within 4 hours of being in my tank.
Also a Kole will do fine in your tank. Try not to get a large one. Get one that is still young or smaller darker color of purple will be an indicator of this. I have a small Kole in my 65G and he absolutely loves it. He grazes all day and has a great personality with all the other tank mates. I know I will be transporting him into the 150-200G I get when I move!
 
reeferchief

reeferchief

Member
Also about the powerheads Try to face them so they are blowing off the glass. If it is still too much downsize the power head or get at least one that is only about 750-900gph.. 7100ish gph sounds like overkill in a 110G you may be causing to much current which some corals like hammers frog spawns xenia bubble etc won't like. The other option is getting a wave maker where it alternates powerheads one at a time, causing a more natural wave current!
 
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