30 gallon rimless + 20 gallon sump mixed reef

bristle

New member
Hello,

I've been planning an upgrade to my neglected 20 gallon long for quite some time. It was a simple HOB aquaclear filter, RW-4 powerhead and a 70W metal halide that limped along for a number of years. My strata doesn't allow more than 30 gallons of aquarium. After the rocks and sand I measured about 29 gallons which is what I estimated.

I've put together this new aquarium in the hopes my maintenance will be diminished (top offs, protein skimmer, additional water volume, refugium, LED light without bulb replacements, automatic feeder, high quality equipment where it matters). This aquarium has been running since October 25th with the contents of the 20 long which was initially put together in late 2011.

Here are the specs:
- Custom 36" x 18" x 12" tall aquarium with corner overflow (two 1" drilled drains, drilled 3/4" return). Black krylon fusion spraypaint matte background.
- 20 gallon high sump (24" x 12" x 16" tall) with skimmer/inflow, heaters/rubble/macroalgae refugium, return sections). Acrylic panels created from 1/4" Lowes acrylic sheets and GE 1 silicone.
- MarsAqua 300W LED light 32". Blues on from 10am - 10pm, whites/colours on from 11am to 9pm.
Aquaticlife hanging kit.
- Eheim autofeeder.
- Jebao RW-4 powerhead.
- Approximately 40 lbs caribsea 'select' sand.
- 30 lbs Billy's Reef Connection dry rock, 10lbs miscellaneous live rock/rubble.
- 1" durso drain, 1" syphon drain with gate valve.
- Bubble Magus Curve 5 protein skimmer
- Floodlight refugium light mounted to egg crate top with Philips 7W 5000K LED floodlight (on reverse schedule from 10pm-10am).
- Eheim 1260 return pump with 3/4" plumbing and TUBV to moderate flow.
- Tunze 3155 Osmolator ATO.
- 2x Eheim Ebo Jager 50W heaters (I may need to upgrade these as they seem to be on fairly frequently but I had them on hand).


IMG_20150930_065808_zps4lj8gmgm.jpg


IMG_20151001_234701_zpscbw1sko7.jpg


IMG_20151001_234728_zpse5qjmw1u.jpg


IMG_20151030_110631_zpstluelsdt.jpg


IMG_20151030_110640_zpsjwncp6ad.jpg


IMG_20151030_110654_zps7vyy1fud.jpg


IMG_20151030_220555_zpsvxk7vmoi.jpg


IMG_20151030_224341_zps6obm3ekl.jpg


IMG_20151030_224405_zpsxhhufom4.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thank you. Initially I lost a number of snails, an emerald crab and my two fish (clownfish and blue/yellow damsel). I'm not quite sure what sparked it as the rock had been cured for 4 years but I suppose the move was too stressful for the fish. I can see a couple hermits scurrying around so I am going to let it sit for a few weeks before adding any additional livestock.
 
Added some livestock.

3 acropora (I don't know the names - purple, blue/green and green).
RBTA
Birdsnest
Finger leather. I asked for a small piece and got an enormous piece.
Orange montipora cap

My rocks have started pearling in the light meaning algae growth. I haven't added snails yet but I think now is the best time.

IMG_20151115_163732_zpskoptvzcp.jpg


IMG_20151115_163200_zpsmnnzygki.jpg


IMG_20151115_163334_zps3mkv85nb.jpg


IMG_20151115_163232_zpsvany6we1.jpg


And one week of skimmate without fish. Not too shabby.

IMG_20151115_141731_zpseulrha3k.jpg
 
I'm pretty new to this, but I'm not sure if it's such a good idea to have your light sitting on top of that egg crate. Just my 2 cents.
 
Back
Top