ohclereef01's 33Long Mixed Reef Build

ohclereef01

Member
Hello! I hope to be charting my progress in this hobby in this thread. I have learned so much information from this site I'd like to thank you all for making this possible!

This is my first saltwater aquarium. I chose a 33-long because of its nano like size but added length. I think nano's force you to get close and appreciate all the little things in the tank.. I like all the creepy, crawlies as well as the fish and coral. I started building this tank about three years ago after much research here on RC. Tank is drilled seven holes total, overflow boxes were custom built from a local RC member, stand was built by my father and I. Basic stand and tank were completed three years ago, and it sat.. for three years. A new outlook on life and time management allowed me to finally setup this aquarium. So far, it's been a blast! I really enjoy reading everyone's view on the mechanics of today's saltwater aquarium. The local club and fellow reefers used equipment has helped me quite a bit as well. Sure I'll go to the guy's house to pickup X item, but I know I'm going to stick around for another 30min+ and talk aquaria! (thanks' guys for putting up with all my questions!)

Current TODO List: Canopy, Fuge section (DSB + LR + Cheato?), DT to sump skim issue.
Wish list: Controller, UPS.

Time for some pictures!

overall.jpg

02-15-2010
33 long mostly plumbed, 55gal sump. (yes, you've read that correctly, my sump is larger than my display) JBJ 48" 260W PC light. EuroReef RS-80. Quiet one return/loop. Nice UV that I didn't end up plumbing in. Ranco Temp Control.

overflow.jpg

02-15-2010
Shot of the overflow, return, and closed loop(front) "“ each side has matching returns. The high pipe in this image is of the 'emergency overflow' drain so that if the standard drain to sump clogs or is improperly adjusted water flows into this pipe and into the sump instead of onto the floor.

sump.jpg

02-15-2010
Sump full of equip, there is that Aqua UV that I didn't use, maybe at some point I'll plumb it, or sell it.


replumb-01.jpg

02-22-2010
I decided to re-plumb the tank. I am by *NO* means a master plumber by the likes of some of the guys here on RC. I had used the standard union joins and .. there was a little more pressure on the joints than I liked. They have a new type of union out that is not permanent so someone like me can botch the cut a little long and go back at it again until it fits properly. Also these new unions do not restrict flow as the other (schedule 40) unions would. No question true schedule 80 unions and proper length cuts are a superior joint, but this works for me. Also ripped out the baffles in the sump and redesigned. Return is now in the center with the huge fuge section being on the right hand side now. I think in the end I'll end up using a second pump dedicated to the fuge as my current sump return is not all that strong and I don't want to make it any weaker than it already is by diverting some flow over to the fuge.

replumb-02.jpg

02-22-2010
Re-plumb complete "“ It looks odd with the light coming through the tank as there is no substrate in at this time. Never mind that zip-tie holding the closed loop pump in place ;)
 
rodi-1.jpg

02-23-2010
RO/DI is setup! (The Filter guys ‘Reef +1’)


rodi-2.jpg

02-23-2010
Picked up this Brute already plumbed with ATO from a local reefer!

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02-26-2010
Picked up LiveRock from a local reefer! Some *GREAT* rock 45lb. This pic was where I had set the rock at the time, the tank was a complete tornado from the sand settling - 40LB Carib sand, later I added crushed sea shell.. I wish I hadn’t now. We .. read and learn ;)

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02-26-2010
FTS

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02-26-2010 Hitchhiker -Initially I was not sure what this melty blob was (Kenya tree? Xenia?). Turns out its pulsing Xenia!

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02-26-2010 Hitchhiker -Aiptasia (pest). Peppermint shrimp has taken most of these out. I have one left too large for him to take out.

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02-26-2010 Hitchhiker - Zoa's

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02-26-2010 Hitchhiker - Zoa's

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02-26-2010 Hitchhiker - Mini-Carpet Anemone - SO COOL!
 
Last edited:
gsp-01.jpg

03-02-2010
Picked up some GSP at a local salt store to see if the Astrea Starfish were hungry for coral. The store had a single rubber band on it, it was flapping all over the rock. I went online and watched a youtube of someone fragging some GSP. Superglue is your friend! I had the GSP locked down with these rubber bands for maybe two days. I should have taken better care to especially make sure the entire perimeter of the GSP was affixed to the rock. I can see now where the parts that were properly secured have grown out almost half an inch now while others are still partially curled under.

light-repair.jpg

03-13-2010
I bought my JBJ 48" 260W PC light used from a local reefer a few years ago. The fans and reflector were in bad shape so I decided to tear the light down and give it a good cleaning. .. I find that after I clean the fans they no longer spin :/. Also finding the fans rated at 12v while my volt meter reads 24v uh-oh. Found some $3 replacement 24v fans on ebay. These guys are so much quieter and still keep the lights cool, amazing how things run when they are not given double their rated load! I've already picked up an ICECAP 660 ballast pre-wired with 4x T5 bulbs but that project is down the road..
 
Any updates? Do you have a fish stocking list? With that big sump you will be able to have a good number of fish. I just stared a 33L too but mine is sumpless this time. I had one a number of years ago but wanted a bigger tank then got a another bigger tank (125) after that. I to like the creepy crawly things which you don't see much in a large tank. I still have most of my rock cycling, looking forward to that being done so I can move on. I was interested in a low wattage tank also.
 
tbar - Your post has motivated me to get more updates going! Once I get back from work this evening I'll post. Quite a bit has changed since the last pics, good and bad haha.
 
I have a decent amount of stuff to be caught up to where I'm currently at. I plan to update a little each day until current.

Today's update"¦ ATO! (auto top off of evaporated water)

Reef Fanatic level controller "“ I'm currently only running it on a single float switch but has the option to monitor two floats. I've found that depending on the water level in the sump the GPH of the return pump will vary. This can be annoying to dial in without an ATO unit.
ato%20-%2001.jpg


Here is a custom Plexiglas float holder. This is longer than most since its in a tall (55gal) tank going over half way down.. Yes, those are zip ties holding the float bracket on, plastic won't release toxins or rust!
ato%20-%2002.jpg


This is my ATO water holder.. 6gal grape juice bucket with Aqua Lifter Vacuum pump sitting on top. As you can see there are a few other fittings on the reservoir.. one at the top is exhaust, the other is for filling. The side has two 90' facing each other with clear tube between to show current water level of reservoir. Aqua Lifter has its own hole with a hard tube running nearly to the bottom of the bucket. Though the system is small, I go through about a gallon of evap a day.
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ato%20-%2004.jpg


I'll take a few more pics tomorrow and continue the updates.. Here is a pic of a few frags to keep things interesting..

frags.jpg
 
Thanks for the updates, won't those frags need some water circulation soon? Don't know how long you plan to have them in those containers.
 
You might be waiting a while. This thread appears to have died nearly 2 years ago. But now, having read through it, I really want to know how it went...
 
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