65 gallon build

5380

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I picked up a 36x18x24 rimless tank made by Miracles constructed with a 1/2 starfire front panel and 3/8" float glass around. I'm in the equipment planning stage at this point. I have big questions on the sump/skimmer selections I have made.

Current USA 250w halide 4x24w T5 24" fixture (up for sale, if it won't sell i'll use it)
700 gph overflow (at what height should I place the top of the teeth?)
3/4" SCWD for returns
MP20-> MP40w or MP40ES
Sump (eshopps rs200) vs 20 Long tank
Skimmer? ABT hang on ? I have a tunze 9002 which would work for a while
Apex or profilux down the road, chrontrol timers until then.

Stocking is to be primarily LPS/zoo's and a few clams, no sand but plenty of LPS to near the front glass so it doesn't look barren. Two clowns, and target mandarin, maybe a cheap gramma or something colorful that if it jumps I won't care.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on the equipment list.
 
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The guys at Miracles did a good job on the tank... the setup reminds me of one I know. ;)

The overflow teeth should on the GH kit should be about 1'' from the edge of the glass. The E-Shopps RS200 sump would work well, but you can probably get away with the RS100. An MP20 (IMO) is lackluster and if I were you I would use either (2) MP10's or one MP40. As for a skimmer, why HOB? An in-sump skimmer would work much better and less of a PITA. Good luck on the project!
 
I have a rimless miracles also, and the teeth from the overflow are only about 1/4" down. I run my water level about 1/2" from the edge and its always the first thing people comment on.

Although when snails get up to the top, water splashes over them and I get some spillage. Doesnt happen often though
 
The abt multiuse can be used in or out of sump the goal here is to make sure my purchase will fit into the cabinet. Seems like a nice cone skimmer, but quite expensive.
 
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i'm searching for a heavy duty bulkhead fit a 1 1/2" hole and 3/4" scwd. It would be a bonus if a 90 degree elbow came off the bulkhead. Just can't find the plumbing in b' lo
 
The bulkheads I was able to get locally are not nearly as sturdy as the heavy duty bulkhead I received with my glass cages tank a few years ago. The rubber gaskets bulge out under a hand tightening, I also added the 90 degree elbows and when tightening them down the bulkheads will actually shift around on the rubber gasket. I actually think they are a little undersized, not really pleased, its a bit unsettling. I think in order to accommodate the heavy duty bulkheads I would need to redrill the tank, as the holes were made with what I think is a 38mm holesaw. Tomorrow the glas-holes overflow will be ready for install and I will leak test on Saturday. The temporary sump will be a 20L with a tunze 9002, and by the end of the month I am going to upgrade to a 30 gallon sump with a deltec 600 AP. Any help with the bulkheads is much appreciated, I am really uncomfortable having a 2nd story apt with a potential source of a leak. I am getting closer and closer to just selling the tank and downsizing to an elos mini.
 
I ended up getting a 20xh and buying glass baffles. Do I really need three baffles or could I get away with two for a bubble trap??
 
It depends on what your plans are for it. Yes you could get away with just two baffles as a skimmer compartment and bubble diffuser that is if you plan on just utilizing it as a sump only. Now if you think you may want a refuge now or maybe down the road that's a different story. My 40B sump/ Refugium has four baffles in it. The first section witch is for the skimmer has one baffle followed by two more used as a bubble diffuser followed by a half a baffle on the end of that for a media rack and one to create a section for the refugium in the middle and the return pump section at the end. I'm sure you could do this with a 20 as long as you don't have a humongous skimmer that is. It would just be smaller sections.

Heres a pic.

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Fair warning the video is darn noisy so turn down your speakers!

Finally up and running now for about a week.



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My equipment list updated from last time:
65 G miracles, GH700gph overflow, SCWD return, and mp40ES
20XH sump, AP600 skimmer, Eheim 1262 return
 
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Everything looks great! I see you found out how to dial in that Vortech- be careful with it, I learned the hard way! :lol:
 
It's bad to be an acan in my tank apparently. A couple of my acan's are suffering following the move to the new tank. Sucks a bit cause I think a lot of things could be the potential culprit.

1) 150w just upgraded to a 250w halide + 4xt5. I don't see pigment break down which I think is common with overly bright light.
2) I had a clam die two weeks ago while on vacation which was the original impetus.
3) I have a clown that will dig his face into the flesh of the coral and rip a peice off.
4) Wider/higher temp swings without the chiller hovering between 80 and 82 (I think this is my most likely culprit). Chiller is offline because of a broken barb.
5) Flow could also be an issue the vortech is running in reefcrest random most of the time at 80%.

I am going to install the chiller tonight I think even though it has a broken barb I don't think I can afford to wait.
 
My acans continue to recede and I really have no reason for them to be failing.
Params:
Nitrates 10
Mag 1350
Alk 9dk
Ca~400

My new theory is that the maxima clam that I lost over a month ago was maricultured or wild. Whatever it had filtered during it's life was released and absorbed selectively by the coral. At the time of the clams downfall I wasn't running carbon. Any thoughts?
 
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