The in-wall tank build.... take 2
- Thread starter Modemagic
- Start date
Modemagic
Premium Member
I haven't had much time nor money to do anything with the the past few weeks. I'm looking for some sort of deal on a complete setup, which will allow me to obtain all the parts, plumbing, etc. I need to get this off and running. If not, I just get to pick and choose what I want. 
Modemagic
Premium Member
I picked up my 75 gallon setup Saturday from the LFS.
Today I finally finished getting everything setup and got the tank in the wall and am running a freshwater test on it now.
Before I just let loose with the garden hose, I dumped some water in the overflow to check to make sure those gaskets were tight enough... they weren't! Tightened both of them down and no leaks thusfar. I'm running a 20 gallon sump with a protein skimmer in it. The skimmer is a Venturi skimmer with a Rio 800 pump on it. Not the best design from what I am told, but it gets the job done. The sump is an Amiracle sump, more of a trickle filter. The return pump is a 'Little Giant' producing some nice flow.
For lighting I have (4) 65w PC lights (two blue, two white) in a hood with a cooling fan for some circulation.
From the pictures, you can see I still have to put the frame around the tank, but otherwise its looking good I think.
Today I finally finished getting everything setup and got the tank in the wall and am running a freshwater test on it now.
Before I just let loose with the garden hose, I dumped some water in the overflow to check to make sure those gaskets were tight enough... they weren't! Tightened both of them down and no leaks thusfar. I'm running a 20 gallon sump with a protein skimmer in it. The skimmer is a Venturi skimmer with a Rio 800 pump on it. Not the best design from what I am told, but it gets the job done. The sump is an Amiracle sump, more of a trickle filter. The return pump is a 'Little Giant' producing some nice flow.
For lighting I have (4) 65w PC lights (two blue, two white) in a hood with a cooling fan for some circulation.
From the pictures, you can see I still have to put the frame around the tank, but otherwise its looking good I think.
Covey
New member
Working with what you already own I would convert the trickle filter into a fuge with a DSB and some macro algae.
Then at some point down the road figure out how to hook a largee skimmer on to the sump.
That system would work ok for a fish only live rock tank but you would be battling nitrates to use it in a reef.
Then at some point down the road figure out how to hook a largee skimmer on to the sump.
That system would work ok for a fish only live rock tank but you would be battling nitrates to use it in a reef.
atram
New member
I'm not sure what kind of skimmer you have, but you will want a good functioning skimmer that will pull out alot of organic matter that can cause problems like algae. Covey is the skimmer guru and can provide good advice. A refugium is great for exporting nutrients and growing pods. I will never start another tank without one.
Sump/fuge design
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1031859
Al
Sump/fuge design
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1031859
Al
tibbs2
New member
You don't need a skimmer for a reef but that depends how much of a bioload you are going to have. If you plan on having have a few small fish and feed sparingly you may not need a skimmer. I myself run a skimmer on my 75 that is rated for a 125 gallon tank because I have many fish and 1 large one that eats a lot. I also grow macro algae and have a phosban reactor and I still have some patches of cyano and algae in my tank.
I'd take out the filter box thing and put in a 20 or 30 gallon tank /w baffles for your sump so you can stash your heaters out of the way and possibly put a DSB/refugium in there.
I love the in-wall setup. That will look great when it is done.
Chris
I'd take out the filter box thing and put in a 20 or 30 gallon tank /w baffles for your sump so you can stash your heaters out of the way and possibly put a DSB/refugium in there.
I love the in-wall setup. That will look great when it is done.
Chris
Modemagic
Premium Member
I'm not opposed to getting a tank and making a fuge for it. Anyone got one laying around or a 20/30 gallon tank??? As of right now there is a heater in the filter box keeping it out of my display tank. If I convert the filter to a fuge, there isn't any real way to put a DSB in there without running the risk of sand being sucked into the pump which is obviously a bad thing.
Modemagic
Premium Member
While browsing I found this for sale in the Chicagoland forum:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1032162
Thats pretty much exactly what I have, same looking skimmer and all.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1032162
Thats pretty much exactly what I have, same looking skimmer and all.
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