NanoReefNoob
New member
So I am Deployed right now and what a better way to spend a deployment then designing a new tank build. my better half has one request however.... it has to have sea horses and star fish in it. Thats fin with me!!! I still have 9 months out here so this is going to be a slow going build. I plan on puchasing most if not all of the equipment out here and have it waiting for me when I get home. I am taking the SeaHorse Course from Sarhorse.com and learning alot of little stuff that I did not know from my previous tanks. As I mail Pete back and forth I will make updates on here with the plan that I have. Here is my plan as of thus far.
DIY Glass tank 20"X20"X30 "
I am going to be building the tank myself and have been doing alot of
research on the subject. I will be purchasing the glass from
GlassCages (3/8" glass for the sides and 3/4" for the floor) and will
be using RTV 100 for the silicon. I do alot of woodworking so I will
be using my long clamps to ensure that I get 1/16 inch gap of silicon
on all seams.
DIY Stand 24"X24"X30"
The stand is going to be a 1"steal frame and the doors will be made
from oak and stained the same way I built my dining room table. My
only fear here is that 1" steel frame will not be enough to support the
weight of 51G
DIY Sump 15"x15"x12"
The sump will have 4 chambers, Chamber 1 will be where the water
comes into and will house my Reef Octopus skimmer Rated at 100G, Then
Chamber 2 will be a small chamber ment only for chato algea, Chamber 3
is going to be my DSB with many sand sifting snail (still to
determan), Chamber 4 is going to be my return and 2 hydor 150W
heaters.
DIY overflow
The overflow is going to be a 6" diamiter PVC40 pipe cut in quarter
and placed in the back left cornor of the tank, Drain line is going
to be 1" PVC40 and go directly to chamber 1.
Return
The return pump will be a MAG DRIVE 7 witch has a max of 700GPH,
however I hope to eleviate some of this flow in two ways, First the
return will have three branches going up the overflow to provide
current to all three quadrents of the tank, LOW MID and HIGH second
The return will branch off at the base (right over my sump) and feed
my 2 BRS reactors (carbon and GFO) witch will dump back into chamber
1. With so many branches I do not think the flow in any one area will
be over powering ( I would like your thoughts on this )
Heaters
Like I said befor 2 150W hydor heaters placed in chamber 4
Rocks
I am planning on using 20 LBS of marcorocks "key largo" rock and 20lbs
of the "Rock Rubble" along with there Bonding/Mortor 10lb to create a
cascading mountain going up the overflow. The mountain will have
points through out that are flat and hold layers of sand that the
snails can take retreat in up the tank.
Sand
I have used black sand befor and will use it again
Lighting
As of right now I am planning on purchasing an AI SOL with 40 degree
lenses. I realise that the light will most likely not be strong
enough for lager corals at the bottom of the tank but that is not a
worrie for me at the momment. I am hopping to keep a few SPS near the
top of the tank but a majoity of LPS and softies in the middle and
bottome. Further on I hope to be able to keep NPS on the bottom.
This is the plan as of now I would like to hear what yal think and any advice that you may be able to add.
DIY Glass tank 20"X20"X30 "
I am going to be building the tank myself and have been doing alot of
research on the subject. I will be purchasing the glass from
GlassCages (3/8" glass for the sides and 3/4" for the floor) and will
be using RTV 100 for the silicon. I do alot of woodworking so I will
be using my long clamps to ensure that I get 1/16 inch gap of silicon
on all seams.
DIY Stand 24"X24"X30"
The stand is going to be a 1"steal frame and the doors will be made
from oak and stained the same way I built my dining room table. My
only fear here is that 1" steel frame will not be enough to support the
weight of 51G
DIY Sump 15"x15"x12"
The sump will have 4 chambers, Chamber 1 will be where the water
comes into and will house my Reef Octopus skimmer Rated at 100G, Then
Chamber 2 will be a small chamber ment only for chato algea, Chamber 3
is going to be my DSB with many sand sifting snail (still to
determan), Chamber 4 is going to be my return and 2 hydor 150W
heaters.
DIY overflow
The overflow is going to be a 6" diamiter PVC40 pipe cut in quarter
and placed in the back left cornor of the tank, Drain line is going
to be 1" PVC40 and go directly to chamber 1.
Return
The return pump will be a MAG DRIVE 7 witch has a max of 700GPH,
however I hope to eleviate some of this flow in two ways, First the
return will have three branches going up the overflow to provide
current to all three quadrents of the tank, LOW MID and HIGH second
The return will branch off at the base (right over my sump) and feed
my 2 BRS reactors (carbon and GFO) witch will dump back into chamber
1. With so many branches I do not think the flow in any one area will
be over powering ( I would like your thoughts on this )
Heaters
Like I said befor 2 150W hydor heaters placed in chamber 4
Rocks
I am planning on using 20 LBS of marcorocks "key largo" rock and 20lbs
of the "Rock Rubble" along with there Bonding/Mortor 10lb to create a
cascading mountain going up the overflow. The mountain will have
points through out that are flat and hold layers of sand that the
snails can take retreat in up the tank.
Sand
I have used black sand befor and will use it again
Lighting
As of right now I am planning on purchasing an AI SOL with 40 degree
lenses. I realise that the light will most likely not be strong
enough for lager corals at the bottom of the tank but that is not a
worrie for me at the momment. I am hopping to keep a few SPS near the
top of the tank but a majoity of LPS and softies in the middle and
bottome. Further on I hope to be able to keep NPS on the bottom.
This is the plan as of now I would like to hear what yal think and any advice that you may be able to add.
