Setting Up A New Tank

[fatrip]

Hello all,
been looking around the forum and seeing alot of new names and a few old ones. I have been out of the game too long and have the itch to set up a small nothing fancy tank. am thinking about doing and easy theme. some photo synthetic gorgs and some Rics with a pair of harlequin shrimp. But since I have been out of the game a bit and have been looking at my invintory of things I have and things ill need I come to my first large opstical LR. If any one has any they want to sell that would be great cause the last time I was buy rock there wasnt any in stores round here. here is what i have so far for set up...

20g long devided for a small sump mainly for flow and skimmer...or buliding a custom tank with about the same water volume again. not sure yet.
sapphire nc24 skimmer
4bulb t-5 24watt
phosban reactor

Im goign to be in need of a stand, but not sure where in the house im going to put it yet, more and more things to think about. any thoughts or recommendations LMK. thanks

 

[pimpinitup6969]

Vince welcome back! I ordered 25 lbs of marco rocks that should be in later this week. I'm just putting together a 25 gallon solana and i doubt i will use all 25 lbs. If you want the rest i will sell it to you for what i paid for it.

The Sapphire skimmer might be hard to come by since they just went out of business... I have been looking for one for a couple weeks now
Matt

 

[thepircs]

I have a 20 long in the garage that you can have, also have an IceCap ballast if you need one......Call Carol about the ATO please......

Dave

 

[fatrip]

I have the 20long and saphire skimmer and the light and reactor. Srry forgot about that Dave ill call her today well in the am...Thanks Matt, i still need to set the tank up i wont be ready for some time, need to get the glass for the over flow. i was just setting out feelers for the rock but thanks for the offer.

 

[pimpinitup6969]

well lmk when your ready! if you ever wanna sell the skimmer lmk haha

 

[fatrip]

Thanks...lol I will.

 

[razzmatazz]

Glad to see you back. I have some extra rock when you get started again.

 

[drbronx]

Heya Vince...well it's about darn time. Great to have you back. I'm sure I have stuff kicking about that can help you. Lots of good dead rock for one. Give me a buz. I'll PM my new number. Just don't give it to Nate

 

[Capt_Cully]

He's Back!

 

[fatrip]

thanks everyone. its great to be back :bounce1:

 

[fatrip]

so here are 2 ideas for the 20 long. any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Neoz]

Welcome back Vince.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I like 1st option. Gives you 2 options. Peninsula or rectangular tank with a touch more viewing depth. 2nd one looks to shallow front to back IMO.

Which way are you leaning Vince?

 

[fatrip]

thanks neoz...

I am thinking the first one this way i can cover the sump up with some wood to make it blend into the stand and it will be eayser to put some wood trip around the top to hide the black rim. Now onto building the Stand...Going to do a book shelf underneath cause there is no need for a sump space. hope it turns out well... gotta head over to nates for some table saw fun.

 

[Capt_Cully]

do a finger count before and after using the saw.

 

[fatrip]

lol there was almost blood shed last time we built a canopy...lol...this time we'll drink after we saw...

 

[fatrip]

outta the game to long....So numbers kinda suck.....GPH for a 20g return pump? or how many times an hour?

 

[reefscape15]

I like the first option for the tank as well, and I really like the idea of a possible penninsula tank as Cully suggested. Also, the finger inventory is a pretty good idea

Return pump 10-15x's/hour. 200-300ish gph.

What are the plans for this tank? SPS, mixed, softie? I really like all SPS in nano tanks

 

[Piazzon12]

If I understand correct, your going to plumb from the return down to the other end. I'd then split the return with a Y and locline. I'd say a mag 3 or 5. I ran a 5/7 on my old 20 as the only source of flow but that was at about 4' head.

Is it only going to overflow at the media tray section?

 

[nwrogers]

I like option 1 and I would use a mag 2 or 3. You will have almost no head pressure with the sump being internal. Its hard to say which one will be better until you finish the thing and we test it out but either one would work.