apstreck
New member
For the past two months, I have been collecting my equipment, researching, and planning my first reef tank. It's almost time to put it all together. I wanted to detail my plans and get a little bit of individualized feedback, especially on a few key sections that I'm still on the fence about.
The Basics:
DT - 75 Gallon
Sump - 20L
Lighting - 6 Bulb T5HO
Skimmer - SCA 302
Return Pump - Eheim Compact+3000 (792 gph)
Sicce Voyager 2 Powerhead x2
60 lbs live sand (aragonite fiji pink)
100 lbs dead live rock (may use less than what I have but I got it bulk for great price and had to buy 100 lbs)
Salinity for Reefs - to start, again got it at a deep discount, will probably end up using RC or Kent's
I'm going to use a beananimal overflow with a 20" glass internal overflow (big thanks to @Mrramsey for sharing his designs and blueprints with me... HUGE help). Its gonna be plumbed with 3/4" pvc, likely going rigid all the way. Looking for lower flow through sump in the 3-5x range and getting my DT flow from the powerheads.
Here is what I'm still debating on:
1). To fuge or not to fuge - I know its a hotly debated topic, and my fuge will definitely be on the small side for my system. 12x8x10 so roughly 4 gallons. Plan was LR with chaeto, no dsb, no mud.
Pros - opposite lighting to help with pH swings, nutrient export, proliferation of pods
Cons - another thing to clean, less room for skimmer and pump, possibly ineffective at my planned size
2). Media reactors. One thing that I don't have on my setup is media reactors. I'm actually leaning toward using the BRS double reactor. I will be running carbon 24/7. If I use the reactors, should I run them off the Eheim, or get a separate pump? My pump, after head loss, will be around 500 gph, and I don't want to lose too much more, so would running a separated pump be the better option?
3). How do you all suggest running my return from the sump? I was thinking a PVC spray bar to agitate the areas behind my rocks.
4). I bought the dead rock specifically, not because it was cheap... I wanted to start dead because I have seen some tanks with out-of-control hitchhikers. But should I put some LR in the sump to help seed the dead rock in the DT? I was told that the live sand would do that for me, but it seems iffy to me. I also thought about some Bio-Boost but I've also read that bacteria in a bottle is a waste of money.
I apologize for the long read. I'm trying to make sure I do it right the first time.... I'm actually impressed with myself because I am normally not very patient and just do things on impulse, but I've had great self control with this project. Please feel free to point out any problems you see, or input on my questions, I can use all the advice I can get!
Thanks!
The Basics:
DT - 75 Gallon
Sump - 20L
Lighting - 6 Bulb T5HO
Skimmer - SCA 302
Return Pump - Eheim Compact+3000 (792 gph)
Sicce Voyager 2 Powerhead x2
60 lbs live sand (aragonite fiji pink)
100 lbs dead live rock (may use less than what I have but I got it bulk for great price and had to buy 100 lbs)
Salinity for Reefs - to start, again got it at a deep discount, will probably end up using RC or Kent's
I'm going to use a beananimal overflow with a 20" glass internal overflow (big thanks to @Mrramsey for sharing his designs and blueprints with me... HUGE help). Its gonna be plumbed with 3/4" pvc, likely going rigid all the way. Looking for lower flow through sump in the 3-5x range and getting my DT flow from the powerheads.
Here is what I'm still debating on:
1). To fuge or not to fuge - I know its a hotly debated topic, and my fuge will definitely be on the small side for my system. 12x8x10 so roughly 4 gallons. Plan was LR with chaeto, no dsb, no mud.
Pros - opposite lighting to help with pH swings, nutrient export, proliferation of pods
Cons - another thing to clean, less room for skimmer and pump, possibly ineffective at my planned size
2). Media reactors. One thing that I don't have on my setup is media reactors. I'm actually leaning toward using the BRS double reactor. I will be running carbon 24/7. If I use the reactors, should I run them off the Eheim, or get a separate pump? My pump, after head loss, will be around 500 gph, and I don't want to lose too much more, so would running a separated pump be the better option?
3). How do you all suggest running my return from the sump? I was thinking a PVC spray bar to agitate the areas behind my rocks.
4). I bought the dead rock specifically, not because it was cheap... I wanted to start dead because I have seen some tanks with out-of-control hitchhikers. But should I put some LR in the sump to help seed the dead rock in the DT? I was told that the live sand would do that for me, but it seems iffy to me. I also thought about some Bio-Boost but I've also read that bacteria in a bottle is a waste of money.
I apologize for the long read. I'm trying to make sure I do it right the first time.... I'm actually impressed with myself because I am normally not very patient and just do things on impulse, but I've had great self control with this project. Please feel free to point out any problems you see, or input on my questions, I can use all the advice I can get!
Thanks!
