Newbie planning first build

[terryscf]

Hi. I'm new to reef tanks as well. I'm in the early stages of a 75 gallon. Gonna follow your thread.


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[Tooboot]

Hi. I'm new to reef tanks as well. I'm in the early stages of a 75 gallon. Gonna follow your thread.


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Great, welcome. Feel free to share your progress along and any info you pick up along the way

 

[ChitownBrickie]

Any pictures, would love to see them, or a build thread link?

I'm getting to the point of buying rock. The protein skimmer came in. Used from ebay, haven't given it a try yet, need a bucket and want to run some bottled water through it.

It will be while before I get to the rock, I want to give that more time and look up more pictures, bit more inspiration (watch finding Nemo and the little Mermaid again, lol)

I like your sump design! That is my next thing to do. I've just about got everything I need to get that rolling. I haven't put together a build thread. I got the idea from a fellow reefer here on RC. I will start a thread when the rock goes in I'll attach a pic for you though. I'm going to order tinted glass doors (black) for the stand.

 

[Tooboot]

I like your sump design! That is my next thing to do. I've just about got everything I need to get that rolling. I haven't put together a build thread. I got the idea from a fellow reefer here on RC. I will start a thread when the rock goes in I'll attach a pic for you though. I'm going to order tinted glass doors (black) for the stand.

Wow nice stand, did you make it yourself or buy it. I've been Lucy so far everything you see except most plumbing is second hand bought used online. The new stuff is on its way. Including the sump for 50$

 

[ChitownBrickie]

Wow nice stand, did you make it yourself or buy it. I've been Lucy so far everything you see except most plumbing is second hand bought used online. The new stuff is on its way. Including the sump for 50$

Thanks. Yes I built it, after I saw a fellow reefer with it hear on RC. I liked it, and figured it would be a good winter project. I agree with second hand too. this is an expensive hobby, esp in the beginning when were trying to figure out what works with what. I thought you made the sump yourself?

 

[Tooboot]

Thanks. Yes I built it, after I saw a fellow reefer with it hear on RC. I liked it, and figured it would be a good winter project. I agree with second hand too. this is an expensive hobby, esp in the beginning when were trying to figure out what works with what. I thought you made the sump yourself?

I was going to build it myself, I was looking online for a used tank when I came across the sump. I also found baffle kits online, turn a regular tank into a sump.

Anyway, more stuff came in yesterday, and I have to pick up another package from the post office today, once I have everything I'll take more pics and include another post tonight.

I was playing with the plumbing last night and realized I need another coat of paint on the back of the tank (also scratched a bit of the paint last night)

 

[yinuh]

Some additional pics of my return line and the sump. I also have sitting in the tank a neo therm 150 to start thingschool off (make initial batches of saltwater and cycle my tank) I plan on getting a 200 after that and the 150 would be a spare set at a lower temp.

 

[ChitownBrickie]

I was going to build it myself, I was looking online for a used tank when I came across the sump. I also found baffle kits online, turn a regular tank into a sump.

Anyway, more stuff came in yesterday, and I have to pick up another package from the post office today, once I have everything I'll take more pics and include another post tonight.

I was playing with the plumbing last night and realized I need another coat of paint on the back of the tank (also scratched a bit of the paint last night)

That cool. I didn't know they sold "baffle kits," but it makes sense. What site did you use? I was going to buy a tank and then cut some glass for baffles, but this way sound much better! Your sump has a very clean look to it. I'm hoping to achieve the same.
I look forward to seeing your pics soon later. that too bad about the paint scratches, but at least there wasn't water in the tank yet

 

[Tooboot]

That cool. I didn't know they sold "baffle kits," but it makes sense. What site did you use? I was going to buy a tank and then cut some glass for baffles, but this way sound much better! Your sump has a very clean look to it. I'm hoping to achieve the same.
I look forward to seeing your pics soon later. that too bad about the paint scratches, but at least there wasn't water in the tank yet

I had seen it on ebay as a refugium kit. reasonable price if you are trying/wanting to save some time.
The only thing I wonder about is how accurate their measurements are, would hate to spend $60 on a kit (which seems comprehensive) and find out I can't use the pieces.

not overly concerned with the paint. actually went back and forth as to whether or not I wanted to paint it, touch up, again. I decided on yes, but also considered the fact that I'm looking forward to coralline algae building up on the back (eventually, I need water, rock, sand, fish, coral.... first).

 

[ChitownBrickie]

I had seen it on ebay as a refugium kit. reasonable price if you are trying/wanting to save some time.
The only thing I wonder about is how accurate their measurements are, would hate to spend $60 on a kit (which seems comprehensive) and find out I can't use the pieces.

not overly concerned with the paint. actually went back and forth as to whether or not I wanted to paint it, touch up, again. I decided on yes, but also considered the fact that I'm looking forward to coralline algae building up on the back (eventually, I need water, rock, sand, fish, coral.... first).

Thanks, I can understand that. I will Google it now and take a look

 

[gunther13mt]

Looking great i loved starting my tank im about 4 months in and just added my first 2 first and anemone. Heres some pics of mine along the way.

Inital start up just water no salt.

Added my salt, lights, sand, 2 power heads, and filter for 100 gallon tank (just under twice my gallon ammount).

Live rock and starting curing process

Adding more clean up crew and slowly fish (about 3 months in now)

Fast foward one month have majorty of clean up crew still thinking to add more snails and a few sand shifters.(current tank now)

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[Tooboot]

sorry I couldn't post pictures last night, we had some internet issues. back up an running this morning so plan is to hook up the plumbing tonight and share the progress so far.

I will also be picking up a bucket (all we have at home are used for cleaning or constructions, not what I want to dunk my skimmer or return pump in for testing). I'll let you all know how that Jebao pump works out.

 

[Tooboot]

just posting an update with some pics. found our camera, added some new batteries and voila, clearer pictures.
as you can see I have the drain and return set up in some pictures, and the skimmer and return pump are now in the sump. haven't run any water through yet, probably going to wait till the weekend.

other than that, tried my had at some aquascaping using some news paper (local retail flyer), got the idea from a threat on RC, not sure if it was the aquascaping pics threat or somewhere else. So so on the results, gave me an idea, something to start with.

can't believe how fast the powerhead is being shipped, from Hong Kong to my door within a week, maybe, scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

I invite the feedback.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Looks good so far. Good idea with the paper to get an idea. When you start building your rock structures, you can cut out a piece of cardboard with the same footprint as your tank so you can figure out how to put them together and give enough space all around so there are no dead spots, before putting them in your tank. Also, be sure your rocks are right on the glass bottom, NOT on the sandbed, because if you get sand sifters they could topple.

Thought I'd add a pic of my sump. Mine is a 65 gallon (with a 27 gallon refugium in the middle chamber) and mine is in my basement, directly below my tank in the living room, but I thought you might like to see the "business" end of my tank for ideas...

 

[Tooboot]

Looks good so far. Good idea with the paper to get an idea. When you start building your rock structures, you can cut out a piece of cardboard with the same footprint as your tank so you can figure out how to put them together and give enough space all around so there are no dead spots, before putting them in your tank. Also, be sure your rocks are right on the glass bottom, NOT on the sandbed, because if you get sand sifters they could topple.

Thought I'd add a pic of my sump. Mine is a 65 gallon (with a 27 gallon refugium in the middle chamber) and mine is in my basement, directly below my tank in the living room, but I thought you might like to see the "business" end of my tank for ideas...

Nice, looks busy.
I'll be installing, having hooked up, a gfci outlet next. Then run a water test (leaks and checking that all is functioning properly)
After that aquascaping with rock.

Really interested in what you have in your refugium.

 

[Tooboot]

Also thought I would mention that I considered the gate valves but decided to save a bit with ball valves given I won't be adjusting return flow with the valves but through the pump controller

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Nice, looks busy.
I'll be installing, having hooked up, a gfci outlet next. Then run a water test (leaks and checking that all is functioning properly)
After that aquascaping with rock.

Really interested in what you have in your refugium.

Just rock, sand, chaeto and tons of copepods right now. I was thinking of growing some mangroves...and maybe some other creatures in it.

 

[ChitownBrickie]

just posting an update with some pics. found our camera, added some new batteries and voila, clearer pictures.
as you can see I have the drain and return set up in some pictures, and the skimmer and return pump are now in the sump. haven't run any water through yet, probably going to wait till the weekend.

other than that, tried my had at some aquascaping using some news paper (local retail flyer), got the idea from a threat on RC, not sure if it was the aquascaping pics threat or somewhere else. So so on the results, gave me an idea, something to start with.

can't believe how fast the powerhead is being shipped, from Hong Kong to my door within a week, maybe, scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

I invite the feedback.

Nice set up! I always like Bow Fronts. You are coming right along. Good idea using paper to aid in determining your rockscape

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Here's a little something to help you pass the time. Set it to full screen. Someday soon, you'll be enjoying yours. Keep plugging away and be patient. My anemone decided to go for a walk and some of my kenya trees are flushing themselves...but the fish are active.

My little slice of the ocean.

 

[Tooboot]

Here's a little something to help you pass the time. Set it to full screen. Someday soon, you'll be enjoying yours. Keep plugging away and be patient. My anemone decided to go for a walk and some of my kenya trees are flushing themselves...but the fish are active.

My little slice of the ocean.

wow, nice tank. the fish stock looks similar to what I am considering,