This is my first real reef tank build. What I mean by this is I don't want to make any mistakes like I made on my last 65 gallon tank. My new tank measures 55x21x23.It has a coast to coast overflow with also a closed loop system.
I have so many questions to ask and probaly a lot I will forget to ask so all the help I can get from all you reefers will be so greatfully appreciated. I am not out to **** anyone off just making sure that the way people suggest to do things is the right way. Money is not to much of an object for me as much as doing the job right the fist time. What I am after is a reef tank with some fish that is as maintence free as possable. Since in the summer I work long hours and have a 3 acre property to look after in the winter I have more time.
Currently what I have for the tank is
the tank,
sunlight supply tek 5 8 bulb 48 inch light,
Rs180 Euro reef protein skimmer,
4 way ocean motion for closed loop system.
Things that I think I need are a calcium reactor currently looking at at Cr4 Euro reef calcium reactor because I like how easy it is to put in new media and I beleive the products that they build are very supperior. How do you guys feel about this calcium reactor or is there one that is better and eassier to use.
I need a pump for my closed loop system looking at the seqence dart hear they are very good pumps and are very quiet what's your opinion. I got two phosban rectors with the tank was going to put them in the first chamber along with my protein skimmer in my Sump . I have heard to run a maxijet 400gal/h to the first reactor and then join the two reactors together and then return to Sump . Does this sound right and what do I put in both of them. I was thinking of building a huge Sump in my fruit cellar in the basment a 220 gallon 6'x2'x30".
So my protein skimmer like I said is a Rs180 euro reef is this big enough I assume it is because my bio load is only the max of a 115 gallon tank even thoughthe total system would be around 300 gallons. The reason I was thinking of doing such a big Sump is hopefully more maintence freindly. What is your opinion on the size of tank and how many chambers should I have with baffles because I want to just buy the tank and build the rest myself for my on satisfaction.
This first section I thought to be 20" I also Was going to do a deep bed of sand section(refugium) of about 10" or more deep and 24" long. I was wondering if I should also put a section in for live rock and also chaeto. My return pump was going to be a seqeunce hammerhead 5800gallon I know it seems huge but I have to run a total of 14 feet up. I don't know if going hoizontally matters but if it does that is another 5 feet there would be 3 90 degree elbows to get to tank this is all 1.5 inch piping.I was then thinking of reducing it to one inch and putting a tee to branch off to each front cornerof the tank. So that would add a tee and 4 more 90 degree elbows.
I was told I should have about 1000 gallons an hour for my return. So I would need to drill my euro brace at the front and put two 1 inch bulkheads. Is the glass on top for the euro brace usually tempered and if so how do I tell if it is. Does this idea sound good or what should I change. Is the pump to big , what do you think the head pressure is on this system that I have just stated. I have two drains both at 1.5 inch I have heard that if you are doing a tank of a 100 gallons or larger you should have three is this true and if so how is it bennifical. The previous guy had a tee with two 90 degree eldows pointed down for each drain he said this made the drains real queit is this a good idea to keep this or should I change.
How many heaters should I use for this system and wattage the house stays a constant temperature of 66 degrees. I am not sure wether or not to do a thin layer of sand in the display tank or non at all. With no sand I think the aquarium would look weird. I have attached some pictures to this so you can see the tank and configurations of the holes in the tank. As you can see in the picture the tank kind of looks like crap.
I was told it first had plexiglass on the back so it all looked black but the seal went and the water went imbetween the back glass and the plexi so they removed it. So in the picture you can see that the overflow box is clear with a black plastic insert. I was wondering if I could paint this black or not and if that could run into problems for me. Is there any suggesttions on the way I should plump this tank and sump.
I need to get a controller to do my lights temperature and calcium reactor what one should I buy how much and where is the best place to get one. Do I need a kalk stirrer even though I have a calcium reactor and if so what kind.Where to buy cheap plumbing for what I need.
I know I said money is not an object but I work hard for my money and if the stuff is identical with maybe just a different name or something more then what I need why spend the extra money. I know this thread is maybe a little to long and thanks for your patience in reading it. But if you can suggest in ways to improve, items to buy ,where to buy, how to build and things I forgot or If you need more information please let me know.
Thanks Sincerly Jason
I have so many questions to ask and probaly a lot I will forget to ask so all the help I can get from all you reefers will be so greatfully appreciated. I am not out to **** anyone off just making sure that the way people suggest to do things is the right way. Money is not to much of an object for me as much as doing the job right the fist time. What I am after is a reef tank with some fish that is as maintence free as possable. Since in the summer I work long hours and have a 3 acre property to look after in the winter I have more time.
Currently what I have for the tank is
the tank,
sunlight supply tek 5 8 bulb 48 inch light,
Rs180 Euro reef protein skimmer,
4 way ocean motion for closed loop system.
Things that I think I need are a calcium reactor currently looking at at Cr4 Euro reef calcium reactor because I like how easy it is to put in new media and I beleive the products that they build are very supperior. How do you guys feel about this calcium reactor or is there one that is better and eassier to use.
I need a pump for my closed loop system looking at the seqence dart hear they are very good pumps and are very quiet what's your opinion. I got two phosban rectors with the tank was going to put them in the first chamber along with my protein skimmer in my Sump . I have heard to run a maxijet 400gal/h to the first reactor and then join the two reactors together and then return to Sump . Does this sound right and what do I put in both of them. I was thinking of building a huge Sump in my fruit cellar in the basment a 220 gallon 6'x2'x30".
So my protein skimmer like I said is a Rs180 euro reef is this big enough I assume it is because my bio load is only the max of a 115 gallon tank even thoughthe total system would be around 300 gallons. The reason I was thinking of doing such a big Sump is hopefully more maintence freindly. What is your opinion on the size of tank and how many chambers should I have with baffles because I want to just buy the tank and build the rest myself for my on satisfaction.
This first section I thought to be 20" I also Was going to do a deep bed of sand section(refugium) of about 10" or more deep and 24" long. I was wondering if I should also put a section in for live rock and also chaeto. My return pump was going to be a seqeunce hammerhead 5800gallon I know it seems huge but I have to run a total of 14 feet up. I don't know if going hoizontally matters but if it does that is another 5 feet there would be 3 90 degree elbows to get to tank this is all 1.5 inch piping.I was then thinking of reducing it to one inch and putting a tee to branch off to each front cornerof the tank. So that would add a tee and 4 more 90 degree elbows.
I was told I should have about 1000 gallons an hour for my return. So I would need to drill my euro brace at the front and put two 1 inch bulkheads. Is the glass on top for the euro brace usually tempered and if so how do I tell if it is. Does this idea sound good or what should I change. Is the pump to big , what do you think the head pressure is on this system that I have just stated. I have two drains both at 1.5 inch I have heard that if you are doing a tank of a 100 gallons or larger you should have three is this true and if so how is it bennifical. The previous guy had a tee with two 90 degree eldows pointed down for each drain he said this made the drains real queit is this a good idea to keep this or should I change.
How many heaters should I use for this system and wattage the house stays a constant temperature of 66 degrees. I am not sure wether or not to do a thin layer of sand in the display tank or non at all. With no sand I think the aquarium would look weird. I have attached some pictures to this so you can see the tank and configurations of the holes in the tank. As you can see in the picture the tank kind of looks like crap.
I was told it first had plexiglass on the back so it all looked black but the seal went and the water went imbetween the back glass and the plexi so they removed it. So in the picture you can see that the overflow box is clear with a black plastic insert. I was wondering if I could paint this black or not and if that could run into problems for me. Is there any suggesttions on the way I should plump this tank and sump.
I need to get a controller to do my lights temperature and calcium reactor what one should I buy how much and where is the best place to get one. Do I need a kalk stirrer even though I have a calcium reactor and if so what kind.Where to buy cheap plumbing for what I need.
I know I said money is not an object but I work hard for my money and if the stuff is identical with maybe just a different name or something more then what I need why spend the extra money. I know this thread is maybe a little to long and thanks for your patience in reading it. But if you can suggest in ways to improve, items to buy ,where to buy, how to build and things I forgot or If you need more information please let me know.
Thanks Sincerly Jason
