Kar's 55g Red Sea Reef Thread

[kar93]

Well here is the tank thread ive been babbling on about for months i was originaly going to go with a 90g but decided to redo my 55g acrylic FOWLR tank and turn it into an SPS reef maybe a couple of softies. I probably wont have much done for the next couple of weeks as i will be busy but ill probably get some delivery pics to entertain you. Aaronovky will be helping me with this build, just thought id mention his name
Heres the tank as of now:

here is a couple of sump shots:

Ive ordered a new Seio and a new Light unit which should be here next week i will get pics posted as soon as they arrive.

 

[kar93]

I apologise for the bad silicone job. Black was the only colour they had and this is the first sump build so i did my best.

 

[Aaronovky]

good job for your first go and i will assist in any way possible

good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kar93]

Thanks Aaron, Now get your build up!!

 

[cbui2]

your off too a great start . any other equipment besides lighting?

 

[kar93]

Thanks, This week i will be ordering my 50gpd RO/DI unit with free TDS meter! i will order some base rock, my return pump. I have a seaclone skimmer but that will be replaced eventually it is the modded version so it pulls out quite a bit but not as much as i would like.After that all i need to do is get the tank drilled and order heaters, sand etc and a few kilos of live rock

 

[cbui2]

could you explain the sump designs. don't worried how pretty the system looks, for me its all about the corals growing.

 

[kar93]

Yup of course well heres the design:
Excuse the 40g display tank that was for my old tank but im using the same sump design

 

[cbui2]

will you feed the overflow directly into skimmer?

 

[kar93]

Sorry had to rush off so didnt have time to explain:
The overflow will drain into the skimmer section:
Water goes through the bubble trap and into the return section
the pump will pump into the display and the fuge
the fuge will then overflow into the return section.

 

[kar93]

I will be doing a leak test on the sump tomorrow so i will post pics of that. Tank will be emptied and drilled this weekend. hopefully by then i should have all the plumbing parts and my ro unit so i can get it cycling.

 

[NanoGurl]

Really like that tank size... should be beautiful all setup!

 

[Reeftanks6]

Off to a great start kar. Cant wait to see this beautiful setup.

 

[kar93]

Thanks Guys, Im hoping to get it SPS dominated but with the lighting im getting 4x39w i think im only going to be able to keep them top and maybe the middle even though they have reflectors, what do y'all think?

 

[kar93]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12167859#post12167859 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cbui2
could you explain the sump designs. don't worried how pretty the system looks, for me its all about the corals growing.

Same, but i wanted you guys on RC to look at something nice. Its only the sump though anyway right.

 

[kar93]

BTW incase you was wondering the plank of wood ontop of the sump was to hold the middle baffle in place.

 

[quiksilver]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12169038#post12169038 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
BTW incase you was wondering the plank of wood ontop of the sump was to hold the middle baffle in place.

Just while the glue dries though right?

 

[Reeftanks6]

This is what i think you can do with SPS. Since the tank is a 55g tank and the average watts per gallon for SPS is 5-6 correct me if i am wrong. For your tank you would need around 275 watts and 330 watts. With the 4x39 you will get 156. So you are about a hundred watts behind what they need. Correct me if i am wrong. Because of this wattage of light you have i think if you have high enough rock you can do SPS on the top of the tank. But i could be wrong. This is based on what i have research and what i know. But please correct me if i am wrong.

 

[AquaReeferMan]

You do realize that you are going to be cycling water between your fuge and return pump and never really getting actual tank water. I would split your drain and run half to the fuge and half to the skimmer section.

 

[kar93]

Just while the glue dries though right?

Yup, just while it dries

This is what i think you can do with SPS. Since the tank is a 55g tank and the average watts per gallon for SPS is 5-6 correct me if i am wrong. For your tank you would need around 275 watts and 330 watts. With the 4x39 you will get 156. So you are about a hundred watts behind what they need. Correct me if i am wrong. Because of this wattage of light you have i think if you have high enough rock you can do SPS on the top of the tank. But i could be wrong. This is based on what i have research and what i know. But please correct me if i am wrong.

Well, I posted a thread about this a while back and i got mixed answers so im jjust waiting for the experts to chime in here.

You do realize that you are going to be cycling water between your fuge and return pump and never really getting actual tank water. I would split your drain and run half to the fuge and half to the skimmer section.

I never thought of this, ill try that and see how it works out.