Hi I'm new to saltwater, here is my build

[vwmoon1]

New to saltwater, but not to tanks. Have had this 72gal bowfront tank setup as freshwater for about 7 years.

So I started.Rehomed the freshwater fish to someone on CL and got to work.

First hurdle cleared, tank drilled and bulkhead fitted.

Painted back of tank with 7 coats of Kyrlon Fusion satin black.

Pick up a 20L tank during Petco's $1 a gallon sale. It fits, but once rear brace is installed it is not going anywhere. :headwally:

Have been collecting live rock and putting in weekly orders with Dr. Fosters
and searching CL for hardware.
So far have:

72lbs of live rock, half cured, half dry.
bucket of instant ocean
300w hydor heater
API saltwater master test kit
hydrometer( going to get a refractometer off of ebay soon)
aqueon 950gpa circulation pump (still need 1 more will get hydor)
digtal thermometer
75w heater and 100gpa pump for mixing saltwater
Current USA Nova Extreme 4xT5HO 36inch
used Reef Octopus 110NW skimmer

Tank with light on

Overflow box installed. Plumbing mocked up. 3/4 inch return with loc-line in the tank, 1.5 inch drain with dual outlets. Painted inside of cabnet housing sump with white semi gloss to help with moisture from spills or leaks.

Running the dual outlets so skimmer and refugium both get fresh tank water.
Picking up the glass from Columbus glass and screen tomorrow to finisn off the sump.

Mag 9.5 return pump should be in Fri and will install a few unions and glue up the drain/return and give the system a freshwater test run.

That's what I got going on so far, what do you guys think?

 

[miatawnt2b]

It's looking good so far. Welcome!

 

[aquaph8]

Looking good, welcome to the Tucson forum.

 

[vwmoon1]

Thanks guys,

Got my sump built today

Refugium wall might be a bit high but most of flow will be skimmer side.

Will clean up with a razor blade when the silicone cures.

 

[Newsalth2o]

You're well on your way. Take your time this hobby is a turtle race not a sprinters run. Patience pays off huge! If you're not sure ask. One of us has made that mistake and we are not shy about sharing what we did wrong and right. Look forward to seeing you at the stores or swaps.

 

[danfeig]

Sweet!

Welcome to the hobby!

 

[vwmoon1]

Got some more done tonight. Union installed, return finished and glued up the joints with some red hot blue.

Dr. fosters has good prices but there free shipping is slooowwwww.can't wait for my return pump so I can run it for a few days and see how it does. If all goes well it will be filled with RO/DI water,salt live rock, and Tahitian Moon reef sand. Sump refuigum will be filled with live sand from a well established tank.

 

[infamous_6969]

Since your sump is a 20... I would make sure to have either a check valve on your return or a hole drilled at the drilled at the top to stop any siphon back in the sump in case of a power outage.

 

[evo_2679]

Since your sump is a 20... I would make sure to have either a check valve on your return or a hole drilled at the drilled at the top to stop any siphon back in the sump in case of a power outage.

+1 - on the check valve. Nice build, looks like your on your way and welcome!!!

 

[vwmoon1]

Was planning on the anti-siphon hole method for the return.

Quick questions, where does the grounding probe go? Sump or display?

Also a bucket of curing live rock seems to have a few dime sized brown star fish hitchhikers, are they good or pests?

 

[evo_2679]

Grounding Probe - I would put it in the sump.

 

[Newsalth2o]

Was planning on the anti-siphon hole method for the return.

Quick questions, where does the grounding probe go? Sump or display?

Also a bucket of curing live rock seems to have a few dime sized brown star fish hitchhikers, are they good or pests?

grounding probe goes in sump

post picture of sea stars

 

[vwmoon1]

 

[aquaph8]

I'm thinking its an asterina, some people claim to have problems with them and others don't. Here's an article about them http://www.reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/45-reefkeeping-101-

 

[Newsalth2o]

i'm thinking its an asterina, some people claim to have problems with them and others don't. Here's an article about them http://www.reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/45-reefkeeping-101-

+1

 

[vwmoon1]

I'm thinking its an asterina, some people claim to have problems with them and others don't. Here's an article about them http://www.reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/45-reefkeeping-101-

Thanks, will get rid of them.



And


Its running!

Got my pump in today, filled with freshwater and gave it a test.
Mag 9.5 moves ALOT of water.
Overflow box seems to keep up, water rises 3/4 the way up the teeth when running.
Most of my noise seems to come from main t on drain. was thinking of pipe insulator foam to cut down noise or scrap this drain and find a y fitting.
Put airline down drain and no gurgling noise there(Thanks Jerry form SEA)

Passed the power out test (as long as I shut off the return line) Going to drill anti-sphion holes tomorrow.(unsure of check valves)

Lower line is water level when it was running . Got about 2 inches of space when tank is done draining, is this enough? can I add more water so only an inch of space is left or is that cutting it too close?

 

[vwmoon1]

Return is no longer sphioning, been running it all morning, and it is a little noisy. Going to get some foam pipe insulation today and see if that helps.

 

[Newsalth2o]

what size is your return pipe?

 

[vwmoon1]

what size is your return pipe?

3/4 inch.

 

[Newsalth2o]

So you're running a mag9.5 with a single 3/4" gravity return?