First saltwater (110g build)

[pl4yboy]

This is my first saltwater aquarium. I've had a couple of small freshwaters with fish only, so this is a whole new adventure for me. I've been searching on CL for a decent tank and finally found something I was interested in. I found a 210 gallon, but this fits my spacial needs better. It's going to be a slow build as I don't want to move too quickly. I want to do things as safely as possible. The plan is pretty up in the air, but I guess we'll see what I feel like doing once I get it cycled.

Here it is. It's definitely a little rough and the stand needs some serious skin work. The tank itself is in great shape with no scratches. It just needs a good scrubbing. We had to go to the northwest side of Tulsa to get it, but I got quite a bit of crap for 425$

Fluval heater

Sock filter

Digital Thermometer

Sump return pump

Two powerheads. From the reviews I've read, one is awesome and one is complete garbage. Either way, another piece to the puzzle.

And the mother load... the sump setup. This thing retails for over 750$ new.

 

[pl4yboy]

I have salt, refractometer, 80 pounds of live sand, 40 pounds of plain fine white oolitic, and 80 pounds of dry rock on the way. I figure I'll find some live rock locally to seed it with and get things going. I know 80lbs probably isn't going to be enough, but I want to see what I have before ordering more. I'd like to get a couple of really large pieces from BRS. I'll be working on the stand some thing week, as it'll be 5-9 days before my aquascape stuff arrives. Then I'll make a trip to the fish store in Fort Smith to get whatever is left.

As for the sump setup... people may call me crazy and it may not work, but I'm going to try to run this tank with no skimmer. Overflow > sock filter > live rock rubble > DSB fuge w/ chaeto > return to tank. If things don't work out, I'll remove the rubble and put a skimmer in.

Lighting is going to be budget at first. I don't want to spend thousands on lighting to find out later on that saltwater isn't my thing. I'm going to order three Odyssea 48" T5 HO fixtures when things get going and the cycle is started.

My friend has a 29g cube that has some great corals going in it, so I'm going to take some frags from him to get me going.

 

[pl4yboy]

Got her skin off and started the new one. I'm no carpenter, but I think in the end it'll look fine. Got called in to work so I can't go any further today.

I realize the edges don't meet. But the plywood is level and trim will cover the corners.

 

[cody6766]

You will hate the new MJ powerhead. I have 2 in my frag tank and they're LOUD. I don't mean they're a little noisy compared to other powerheads...I mean there is significant noise coming from the tank. They do move a lot of water, but if I couldn't close the door to the room the frag tank is in, I wouldn't use them anymore. I would recommend Koralia if you don't drop the coin on a Vortech.

 

[pl4yboy]

You will hate the new MJ powerhead. I have 2 in my frag tank and they're LOUD. I don't mean they're a little noisy compared to other powerheads...I mean there is significant noise coming from the tank. They do move a lot of water, but if I couldn't close the door to the room the frag tank is in, I wouldn't use them anymore. I would recommend Koralia if you don't drop the coin on a Vortech.

Thanks. This is the feedback I'm looking for. The aqueon powerhead had great reviews but the other had garbage reviews. We'll see how it works out. Worst thing that can happen is I go buy another. Lights are going to be my biggest skimp in the beginning because I don't want to buy 1000 $ lights and find I don't enjoy saltwater. I'm going to pick up 3 odyssea 48" t5ho and run them. I hear their bulbs are garbage, but replacing those is no biggy. I just want to get the tank established and going before I drop major coin.

 

[SaltyPokes]

Koralia powerheads all the way. Thats an awful looking fish in that tank. Oh and I know someone that needs that digital thermometer....

 

[pl4yboy]

Koralia powerheads all the way. Thats an awful looking fish in that tank. Oh and I know someone that needs that digital thermometer....

It doesn't measure your temperature anally... so it wouldn't work for you.

 

[SaltyPokes]

It doesn't measure your temperature anally... so it wouldn't work for you.

Well that's not very nice

 

[givinggoodwill]

Catfish duh !

 

[pl4yboy]

Catfish duh !

Glad someone got it lol.

 

[Jedidad]

I think you did pretty well for yourself on this find. I know they cost a little more but Tunze powerheads are awesome. Well worth the money. Good luck with the rest of the build.

 

[pl4yboy]

I think you did pretty well for yourself on this find. I know they cost a little more but Tunze powerheads are awesome. Well worth the money. Good luck with the rest of the build.

First off, thanks. This thing is going to be pretty budget friendly until it is up and running. Changing a powerhead down the road is pretty simple and something that isn't a requirementto get it going right now. I'm going to see how these two work and would really like to go to the magnetic style later.

My main question right now is this.. is this overflow going to be sufficient? My tank is drilled twice. The way the previous owner had it setup, one was being used as a return. Would I be better off making two overflows (even staggered if need be, the second only used in emergency) and an external return on he back side of the tank coming in on the other corner?

 

[reefrevival]

If possible I would say 2 overflows for a tank that size. Really depends on how fast you want the turnover from the tank to sump to be. You dont need insane turnover and IMO a little less is more with the sump turnover. My 120g has 2 1-1/2" pipes but I only run the turnover about 1200gph from tank to sump to tank. I have alot more flow in the tank itself. This way the sump (including skimmer, reactors, refugium) have plenty of time to interact with the water. Also its less noisy than 2-3 thousand per hour running down your overflows. What size are the holes or bulkheads for the overflow..If i remember correct a 1" can only handle around 600gph max with 350-450 probably safer range

 

[pl4yboy]

If possible I would say 2 overflows for a tank that size. Really depends on how fast you want the turnover from the tank to sump to be. You dont need insane turnover and IMO a little less is more with the sump turnover. My 120g has 2 1-1/2" pipes but I only run the turnover about 1200gph from tank to sump to tank. I have alot more flow in the tank itself. This way the sump (including skimmer, reactors, refugium) have plenty of time to interact with the water. Also its less noisy than 2-3 thousand per hour running down your overflows. What size are the holes or bulkheads for the overflow..If i remember correct a 1" can only handle around 600gph max with 350-450 probably safer range

Ill have to double check when I get home in the morning to verify that. From what I've read, idneed two 1" for sure and my return pump is 1200gph.

 

[Jedidad]

What you have drilled now will be sufficient. However, it is always a good ideal to have a backup drain line. So if you are willing to do the work i would drill a return so I could have two drains.

 

[pl4yboy]

Ran into some issues with the trim I have not lining up right on the corners. Like I've already admitted, I'm no carpenter. Think my best option is to use some filler and paint the trim black. Wood filler and stain don't really mix well.

 

[pl4yboy]

Just placed an order with BRS for my RO/DI and 50lbs of Fiji. Should have 130lbs of dry rock now. LFS has live rock for 6$ a pound, so will probably pick up 10lbs there. Protein skimmer and lights are all that is left. I'm pretty dead set on the Aquatic Life 6 bulb 48" lights and the Octopus NWB 150 skimmer.

 

[pl4yboy]

Got the plumbing done for the most part. Still need to paint the back of the tank and paint the return black. Need to stain and find some doors. Should be filling her up on Monday. I did dual 1" overflows. One is 27" and one is 28".

 

[blakers82]

Is she full up yet??

 

[pl4yboy]

Is she full up yet??

Should start filling her up tomorrow. My RO unit is en route as we speak. Also have more dry rock coming to make it a total of 130# dry and 10# live. We decided we didnt like the stain so we'll be painting it black.