Good Idea... or Bad Idea?

[kpcollins31]

I was planning on getting rid of my 150G FO tank to focus on my 55G reef tank - now I am having second thoughts. I have been asking myself - what if I convert the 150G into a reef tank and use the 55G as a sump? I'm a sucker for this hobby and I'm having trouble convincing myself to downsize when I have a perfectly good 150G tank - why go smaller when you can go bigger .

I have most of the equipment I need to make it happen with the exception of a return pump for the sump and the perfect lighting. I have a 4x54W T5 TekLight (from ReefGeek) on the 55G now. Ultimately, I would probably have to upgrade to metal halides due to the depth of the tank. Since the only corals I have at this point are zoos, mushrooms, and xenia, I thought I could limp along with the TekLight for at least a few months (the xenia would have to go as high as possible in the tank).

The biggest challenges I see at this point are:

1. Converting the 55G to a sump - I have never had a sump before so the is new territory for me.
2. The overflow for the 150G - the tank is not drilled.
3. Getting the right return pump and figuring out the plumbing.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Kevin

 

[jallard]

wow.....if you have the room why not! I think I would.....think of the killer refugium

 

[Dave ESPI]

keep the 150.

Provided you have never used any copper or harmfull chemicals, it would be much better for a reef than a 55 gal.

55 gal tanks are notoriously bad as reefs simply because of the way that water has to flow and circulate is all wrong.

 

[Linda C.]

Kevin....I can get you a really good deal on the glass you would need to make your 55 into a sump. I feel bad that I purchased all of your live rock now that you are thinking of keeping your 150. I think you will be very happy keeping the tank. Let me know if you are interested in the glass for your tank.

Linda

 

[kpcollins31]

The 150 is in great shape - I bought it new a little over 2 years ago and I have never used any copper or medical treatments in it.

Linda - Don't feel bad about the rock. I had more than I needed anyway and now my 55G is crammed full of the pieces I really wanted. I would definitely be interested in a good deal on glass - let me know.

Has anyone seen a good plan for a 55G glass sump with refugium?

 

[Dave ESPI]

kp, yeah I have a stellar one, but it is not on-line. I have it drawn out on paper around here somewhere. If you are at the next reef meeting, I'll bring it

 

[kpcollins31]

Sounds great - thanks. I have been looking forward to getting to a meeting, but something always seems to get in the way. I put the April 22 meeting on my calendar so I will be there.

 

[xmystified]

KEEP the 150.....bigger is always best

 

[Linda C.]

FishFinatic made my sump with a refugium for me. I'll measure/sketch out and take photos of how he did mine and get that to you. If you decide that is how you want to do your sump the glass I have will work for that plan. I'll bring the glass to the meeting on the 22nd.

 

[michaelg]

you can use acrylic for the dividers in a glass sump as well. If you are willing to breakdown the folr tank- drill it in the back. Believe me- it is well worth the anxiety, and should not be a problem of cracking when that thick. Overflow boxes will eventually fail..... Use an external pump as well. Others are just heat sinks and typically do not last as long. Are any of the fish going to be a problem? If so then get them out now...

For a return pump- if you do a refugium/sump thing then you do not want overkill on the pump. either way- look at the noise factor on pumps. I mentioned to someone else that championlighting did have a pump comparison chart.
Rio's sux
Mags aren't good as external pumps
Little Giants are OK- but need regular oiling
Iwakai's are a gold standard- but consider a mak5 or one of the blueline pumps as a less expensive alternative.
I've been using a T5 pump- 1200 gph at 0 head (don't know current mfg- but they are still around) for 5 years now. dead silent- but does make added heat.

 

[kpcollins31]

Thanks for the advice - drilling the 150 may be the best option but I'm on the fence about it. I really don't want to break it down completely - there is a lot of good live sand in there and there are several inhabitants (too much for even a temporary stay in my 55G). It would be a big deal to tear it down.

I want to move into a larger house in the next 1-2 years - at that point, I would be forced to break the tank down anyway and that might be the best opportunity for drilling it. Of course that raises the question of why I want to convert the 150 now - the reality is that I may just plan this thing out now and get everything lined up such then when I do move, I can take on the conversion at that point. Better to plan ahead and be prepared (and I can save some $$$ and buy better equipment ).

Linda - let me know how much you want for the glass.

Kevin

 

[michaelg]

Gives you time also to see a bunch of setups and pick up equipment whe you can find deals.