Cloudburst2000
Active member
My nephew chipped my 25g tank so I decided to rip the tank down and rebuild. The chip just makes me really nervous. I've for some time been wanting to take the tank apart and make some changes, but never wanted to actually dismantle a thriving system. Anyhoo, the chip changes things. Yes, I know that the tank might be fine with the chip, but why take the chance with 25g of water and all my livestock? I have already transported my fish to other tanks...only had a grand total of two fish 
I transported most of my corals too except the ones that are secured in the larger base pieces of LR (mostly pieces of colt coral).
I have already contacted glass cages about building me a tank. They don't actually offer 25g tall tanks but the website said they might be able to build other sizes. They said to send them my dimensions. I'm not at home was housesitting this weekend. Pretty sure the dimensions are 20x12x24. The same dimensions as a 20g tall, only taller. I was going to respond to them later after I got home and verified the tank dimensions. My current set-up is the tank and a HOB CPR Aquafuge/skimmer combo. I was thinking about having glass cages drill the tank and do away with the HOB fuge and put a sump/fuge underneath. What type of overflow should I get them to add to the tank? They have several types, center or corner standard overflows where the tank is drilled at the bottom and the water has to flow all the way down to the bottom to leave the tank, and they have horizontal overflows where the overflow only goes down a few inches and the tank is drilled close to the top. Which type is best? Is it better to have the tank drilled at the top or bottom, or does it even matter?
I might even have glass cages build the sump/fuge too. I know I could do it but I am extremely clumsy and am sure I would break something...maybe even me :lmao: I better not take any chances. I've almost killed myself twice changing lightbulbs in the ceiling :strange: I'm no longer allowed to do it. I have to call my brother-in-law to do it for me
I would also like to add on an ATO and have the skimmer in the sump. I want as little amount of equipment hanging off the tank as possible. What's a good skimmer that isn't too big for in-sump? I have to get dimension of the space under than tank also and save room for the ATO. How much room does an ATO usually take up? You can vary the size of the holding container for the water, right? Isn't there someplace that builds sumps/fuges that has the holding tank for the ATO meshed with the build for the sump/fuge? Where instead of having two separate containers (one sump/fuge and one ATO container) it is all built together with the ATO placed on the end? I think it might be that company that everyone goes gaga over their overflows (can't remember the name of the company off the top of my head). I have to see what size container can fit into the cabinet...a bit smaller than the tank down there but not too much.
I also plan on changing out the substrate because I hate the crushed coral that is in there. I plan on adding sand instead. And this tank does have flatworms so I plan on dipping every LR in water with flatworm exit and then dipping them into clean salt water to clean them off of any dead worms, and then placing them in a holding contianer with even more fresh salt water. Dismantling will also give me the chance to find that emerald crab that's been snacking on some of my corals. Got him for a bubble algae problem but he liked my corals much better. I hardly ever see him, and when I do he's eating corals. Little nerd. I've never been able to nab him :sad2:
I'd also like to replace my lights. I currently have MH lights that are eating up electricity. I'd like to get some of the LED lights from nanotuners. And I want to replace my two Koralia nanos with a Vortech MP10. Will one Vortech MP10 be sufficient for this system? I realize that all this will cost money, but I'm doing alot of pet-sitting around the holidays, and I earn a pretty penny doing that. So all that money will go to this. Plus, I just got a new job that pays better and has better benefits. So I figure this will be my present to myself. The lights might actually wait a bit until Christmas because I asked for LED lights for Christmas. I don't actually need much and I never know what to ask for so I said every one could go together and get me some lights for my tank set-up. So I have a hunch I might be getting those for Christmas or, at least, the money to buy them. I can use my current lights through the new year.
Ummm...I think that is about it. I'd appreciate any advice. I'd also be willing to take into account any changes people think I should make, or anything that people think I should add on top of what I've already listed. Or do people think I should just get the new tank and keep the HOB Aquafuge/skimmer? I would think having a larger sump/fuge below would be better than a HOB unit, but I'm willing to consider all my options.
I transported most of my corals too except the ones that are secured in the larger base pieces of LR (mostly pieces of colt coral). I have already contacted glass cages about building me a tank. They don't actually offer 25g tall tanks but the website said they might be able to build other sizes. They said to send them my dimensions. I'm not at home was housesitting this weekend. Pretty sure the dimensions are 20x12x24. The same dimensions as a 20g tall, only taller. I was going to respond to them later after I got home and verified the tank dimensions. My current set-up is the tank and a HOB CPR Aquafuge/skimmer combo. I was thinking about having glass cages drill the tank and do away with the HOB fuge and put a sump/fuge underneath. What type of overflow should I get them to add to the tank? They have several types, center or corner standard overflows where the tank is drilled at the bottom and the water has to flow all the way down to the bottom to leave the tank, and they have horizontal overflows where the overflow only goes down a few inches and the tank is drilled close to the top. Which type is best? Is it better to have the tank drilled at the top or bottom, or does it even matter?
I might even have glass cages build the sump/fuge too. I know I could do it but I am extremely clumsy and am sure I would break something...maybe even me :lmao: I better not take any chances. I've almost killed myself twice changing lightbulbs in the ceiling :strange: I'm no longer allowed to do it. I have to call my brother-in-law to do it for me
I would also like to add on an ATO and have the skimmer in the sump. I want as little amount of equipment hanging off the tank as possible. What's a good skimmer that isn't too big for in-sump? I have to get dimension of the space under than tank also and save room for the ATO. How much room does an ATO usually take up? You can vary the size of the holding container for the water, right? Isn't there someplace that builds sumps/fuges that has the holding tank for the ATO meshed with the build for the sump/fuge? Where instead of having two separate containers (one sump/fuge and one ATO container) it is all built together with the ATO placed on the end? I think it might be that company that everyone goes gaga over their overflows (can't remember the name of the company off the top of my head). I have to see what size container can fit into the cabinet...a bit smaller than the tank down there but not too much.I also plan on changing out the substrate because I hate the crushed coral that is in there. I plan on adding sand instead. And this tank does have flatworms so I plan on dipping every LR in water with flatworm exit and then dipping them into clean salt water to clean them off of any dead worms, and then placing them in a holding contianer with even more fresh salt water. Dismantling will also give me the chance to find that emerald crab that's been snacking on some of my corals. Got him for a bubble algae problem but he liked my corals much better. I hardly ever see him, and when I do he's eating corals. Little nerd. I've never been able to nab him :sad2:
I'd also like to replace my lights. I currently have MH lights that are eating up electricity. I'd like to get some of the LED lights from nanotuners. And I want to replace my two Koralia nanos with a Vortech MP10. Will one Vortech MP10 be sufficient for this system? I realize that all this will cost money, but I'm doing alot of pet-sitting around the holidays, and I earn a pretty penny doing that. So all that money will go to this. Plus, I just got a new job that pays better and has better benefits. So I figure this will be my present to myself. The lights might actually wait a bit until Christmas because I asked for LED lights for Christmas. I don't actually need much and I never know what to ask for so I said every one could go together and get me some lights for my tank set-up. So I have a hunch I might be getting those for Christmas or, at least, the money to buy them. I can use my current lights through the new year.
Ummm...I think that is about it. I'd appreciate any advice. I'd also be willing to take into account any changes people think I should make, or anything that people think I should add on top of what I've already listed. Or do people think I should just get the new tank and keep the HOB Aquafuge/skimmer? I would think having a larger sump/fuge below would be better than a HOB unit, but I'm willing to consider all my options.
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