first SW tank build

[talwen]

full tank 125 two overflows



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skimmer Deltec



sump with bio balls



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returns



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here is my tank setup with 2 jager heaters and 2 koralia evo 750 and also have a mag drive 9 for the returns. thought i would start this thread even tho its going to be awhile before i can put it together thought i would throw it on here to get some info's.

first question i have is about the returns as you can see neither of them are under water and was wondering if i should cut them down and put them out each side of the overflows where there are cut outs for them.

 

[briankmarsh1980]

I'm thinking for a tank that size you would want stronger powerheads

 

[dublo8]

Wow. for your first saltwater tank that's a big one. Good job! Your returns are a little high but Iwouldn't worry about them. When are you going to start filling it?

Brian is right. Your going to want waaaay more flow than what those are putting out. Try to go with 20-40x turnover, not counting your returns

Keep us updated. P.S. everybody likes pictures.

 

[OwenInAZ]

I'm going to second the "returns are too high" comment. You'll probably find you get a lot of salt creep from the spray out of those. If you put them just under the surface of the water you'll avoid a lot of that, and the siphon will still break if the water level drops.

You'll also probably hear from some people about the bio balls. I'm not sure if you want them or not, but from what I hear they seem to be traps for detritus and thus are a source of nitrogen and phosphates (which contribute significantly to nuisance algae).

Other than that, it looks exciting, can't wait to see more pictures!

 

[Robb_In_AZ]

If its going to be a reef tank, its gonna need more flow. Nice looking tank setup for sure !

 

[OwenInAZ]

One other thing I just noticed is that you have at least one (maybe a few) joints between tubing and barbed ends of pipes. You will absolutely want to ziptie those as tightly as you can. Trusting the barbs to hold the tubing is asking for a flood. Don't use hose clamps, as even the stainless ones will rust and eventually fall into your sump (trust me on this one!)

 

[Turbovr3six]

Nice tank!

I would submerge the returns, but not much. By having them above the water level, they will splash and create salt creep that could eventually make it to your canopy/lights.

IMO, Up the water flow, ditch the bioballs, and its good to go.

I'm around the corner if you ever need any help.

 

[dvu]

Nice tank.
I agree with ditching the bio-balls.
By the way, I need extra bio-balls for my koi pond filter if you do.

 

[Turbovr3six]

Don't use hose clamps, as even the stainless ones will rust and eventually fall into your sump (trust me on this one!)

Amen to that!

 

[talwen]

thanks for all the input so far! i was going to be cutting all the extra tubing to lower the head length of the pumps so that's why they are all just dry fitted.
about the flow in the tank once i get corals what if i were to get 2 of those sunsun dual pumps that's being reviewed right now and place them in the middle of the tank behind the rocks and used the 2 "prettier" ones out front would that be enough flow?

 

[rebelson]

Have you looked in to vortech pumps?

 

[briankmarsh1980]

For what its worth I have 2 evo 1050's on my 60g and I just bought 2 1400's cause I think I need a bit more

I wished I knew this site was here when I started my tank cause I'm basically having to start over and my tank is 11 months old now. My best advise is listen and do everything that is said. It will save you a lot of time and money

 

[dublo8]

^ I couldn't agree more. I ended up listening to some doofus at petco with my first build. I have now replaced everything in the tank just short of the tank itself.

 

[TRENT_G]

That stand and canopy look awesome. I'm Jealous

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

You can also put your heaters in the sump so you dont have to see them in your display tank. Great looking setup.

 

[Mathew26]

As far as everything goes it is looking good but qould agree with losing the bio-balls, dropping the returns down and with the heater if you dont have room in the sump you can put it in one of the overflows as that is what i did and it works great.

 

[talwen]

Thanks for the input thus far. I will be making some adjustments this week to the returns. As far as the heater goes I do have one in sump but like the idea of putting the second one in the overflows. What are your thoughts about mixing the salt in the tank for the first time?

 

[OwenInAZ]

I would wait to mix your salt water until you get your rockwork in. It'll take up a surprisingly large amount of volume.

 

[talwen]

Few updates I have taken out the bio balls and got 3 1400 hydors for flow and added a black background also have been looking at getting an ro/di unit is there any that you guys suggest? Once I get one of those I can start filling the tank.

 

[Reef-o-Roni]

Spectra pure RO\DI