Soccernut5824
New member
When the Summer hits I will be moving my tank and in the process of moving I will be upgrading a bit from my current CADlights 12g AIO to a 25g cube 18x18x18, drilling it and running a sump below. The biggest reason I want to upgrade it is to add more water volume and I’m simply not satisfied how my AIO tank is running. I’m still in the process of planning and wanted to share it on here to make sure I’m planning everything correctly.
So far this is what equipment list I have come up with,
Tank - 25g frameless cube 18x18x18 (Marineland)
Sump –found a 24”x12”x13.5” sump on the local buy/sell page so I will be using that (picking up tomorrow)
Skimmer – Reef Octopus Classic 110SSS 5" Internal Space Saving Protein Skimmer
Light – AI Prime (already own)
In tank flow- MP10QD
ATO- Smart Nano ATO (already own)
Reservoir – 5-gallon glass tank. Would like a 10 gallon in the future where the budget allows.
Return – Eheim Compact+ Pump 3000 (396-793 GPH) I will be dialing back the return to give me roughly the same rate as whichever overflow I choose. Down the road I will be looking to add a couple reactors so I will plumb ports into the return line for that as well. I’m going with a larger return pump than needed for a couple reasons the first being so I can add extras to the return line like a phos/GFO reactor, Kalk, or Carbon reactor. The second reason is when the time comes to upgrade the display in the future again (2 years), I will have a return that can handle the added flow rate.
Overflow – still in the process of deciding which kit is the best. Iv heard great thigs about glass holes but I’m not sure if I like their price or how thin they are. Seems tough to get the plumbing on the inside. Its been a while since if had an overflow and I would like it to be as silent as I can get it. I don’t want to hear the water draining or the water falling over the overflow box.
Plumbing – for the drain I would like to use 1” PVC and for the return since the Eheim pump has a ¾’ outlet I will be using ¾’ PVC. I will not be using flexible tubing because I want to have OCD like organized plumbing laid out in a very specific way. Im alright if I compromise some flow from my return.
Inside the new tank –
I really like my current rock work in the 12g and I think it will look super cool once some Acros, Montis and a few other SPS corals grow out on the top of it. I’ve decided I will be using the same rock structure in the new tank but I will also be adding a smaller rock island for LPS and Zoas in the front open space. I like a sand bottom so I will be using a 1in sand bottom in the new tank.
Questions or things I am unsure of right now
1. Can I use the existing sand bed? I have some algae problems in the 12g and I don’t want to transfer algae from the sane but if I use a portion of the sand from my current sand and add it to new sand will that aid in the biological filtration process with no negative effects.
2. Refugium- I am not planning on having one at this time. Would it be better if I added or re-did the sump to allow room for a refugium? I want a clean looking sump.
3. Return – Is it in my best interest to have two return holes in the tank rather than just one and then centralizing my overflow in the tank?
4. Overflow – I’m looking for any pictures of DIY overflows and overflows that have been installed on a tank. Also looking for suggestions for a well-built overflow that is as silent as possible.
5. Adding additional rock – before I’m ready to move the tank would it be better to put the new rock into the 12g where ever I can get it to fit and start to seed it from the 12 or is it fine just putting it in the new tank when the time comes to transfer over?
Like I said this is the very early stages of the planning for this move/upgrade any suggestions or tips that would make my new tank more stable and easily maintained (yes, I understand there is no such thing as a low-maintenance reef tank, but I would like everything to be planned out to make my husbandry as easily as possible.)
current stand built for a larger tank right from the start
I will be removing the sheet and adding siding to the stand eventually.
<a href="http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/socccernut5824/media/25%20gallon/8A5EF024-ACA1-443D-86A2-5F2CE8E1F8D3_zpsudq9gdmi.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m615/socccernut5824/25%20gallon/8A5EF024-ACA1-443D-86A2-5F2CE8E1F8D3_zpsudq9gdmi.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 8A5EF024-ACA1-443D-86A2-5F2CE8E1F8D3_zpsudq9gdmi.jpg"/></a>
12g AIO this shows the rock would that will be in the new tank as well
<a href="http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/socccernut5824/media/25%20gallon/1F54540B-4A01-4980-B210-C7B05030F49F_zpssbmzjp3q.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m615/socccernut5824/25%20gallon/1F54540B-4A01-4980-B210-C7B05030F49F_zpssbmzjp3q.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1F54540B-4A01-4980-B210-C7B05030F49F_zpssbmzjp3q.jpg"/></a>
Here is a top down view of how the rock will be in the new tank. The blue is the current rock and where the island will be in the front left corner. I wanted to keep all the rock 2in away from the glass for cleaning purposes and to help with flow.
<a href="http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/socccernut5824/media/25%20gallon/B5A804B0-F3F0-4A9E-B9F6-27D4E03E9673_zpscpyjmfmh.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m615/socccernut5824/25%20gallon/B5A804B0-F3F0-4A9E-B9F6-27D4E03E9673_zpscpyjmfmh.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo B5A804B0-F3F0-4A9E-B9F6-27D4E03E9673_zpscpyjmfmh.jpg"/></a>
Sketch up of the inside of the stand where everything will be. Its all to scale each square = 1"
<a href="http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/socccernut5824/media/25%20gallon/2D090CB5-ACCA-4D9C-8206-771B29E8A6C7_zpspnnmqtwk.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m615/socccernut5824/25%20gallon/2D090CB5-ACCA-4D9C-8206-771B29E8A6C7_zpspnnmqtwk.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2D090CB5-ACCA-4D9C-8206-771B29E8A6C7_zpspnnmqtwk.jpg"/></a>
This shows the inside of the stand the outlined areas are where the sump will be and the ATO tank.
<a href="http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/socccernut5824/media/25%20gallon/39B075B4-6734-4714-858C-3DD6944F78E3_zpsjoj3trqf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m615/socccernut5824/25%20gallon/39B075B4-6734-4714-858C-3DD6944F78E3_zpsjoj3trqf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 39B075B4-6734-4714-858C-3DD6944F78E3_zpsjoj3trqf.jpg"/></a>
Sump as is right now.
<a href="http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/socccernut5824/media/25%20gallon/17622052_10154488511018634_1492421636459744668_o_zpsrtu0dplb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m615/socccernut5824/25%20gallon/17622052_10154488511018634_1492421636459744668_o_zpsrtu0dplb.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 17622052_10154488511018634_1492421636459744668_o_zpsrtu0dplb.jpg"/></a>
So far this is what equipment list I have come up with,
Tank - 25g frameless cube 18x18x18 (Marineland)
Sump –found a 24”x12”x13.5” sump on the local buy/sell page so I will be using that (picking up tomorrow)
Skimmer – Reef Octopus Classic 110SSS 5" Internal Space Saving Protein Skimmer
Light – AI Prime (already own)
In tank flow- MP10QD
ATO- Smart Nano ATO (already own)
Reservoir – 5-gallon glass tank. Would like a 10 gallon in the future where the budget allows.
Return – Eheim Compact+ Pump 3000 (396-793 GPH) I will be dialing back the return to give me roughly the same rate as whichever overflow I choose. Down the road I will be looking to add a couple reactors so I will plumb ports into the return line for that as well. I’m going with a larger return pump than needed for a couple reasons the first being so I can add extras to the return line like a phos/GFO reactor, Kalk, or Carbon reactor. The second reason is when the time comes to upgrade the display in the future again (2 years), I will have a return that can handle the added flow rate.
Overflow – still in the process of deciding which kit is the best. Iv heard great thigs about glass holes but I’m not sure if I like their price or how thin they are. Seems tough to get the plumbing on the inside. Its been a while since if had an overflow and I would like it to be as silent as I can get it. I don’t want to hear the water draining or the water falling over the overflow box.
Plumbing – for the drain I would like to use 1” PVC and for the return since the Eheim pump has a ¾’ outlet I will be using ¾’ PVC. I will not be using flexible tubing because I want to have OCD like organized plumbing laid out in a very specific way. Im alright if I compromise some flow from my return.
Inside the new tank –
I really like my current rock work in the 12g and I think it will look super cool once some Acros, Montis and a few other SPS corals grow out on the top of it. I’ve decided I will be using the same rock structure in the new tank but I will also be adding a smaller rock island for LPS and Zoas in the front open space. I like a sand bottom so I will be using a 1in sand bottom in the new tank.
Questions or things I am unsure of right now
1. Can I use the existing sand bed? I have some algae problems in the 12g and I don’t want to transfer algae from the sane but if I use a portion of the sand from my current sand and add it to new sand will that aid in the biological filtration process with no negative effects.
2. Refugium- I am not planning on having one at this time. Would it be better if I added or re-did the sump to allow room for a refugium? I want a clean looking sump.
3. Return – Is it in my best interest to have two return holes in the tank rather than just one and then centralizing my overflow in the tank?
4. Overflow – I’m looking for any pictures of DIY overflows and overflows that have been installed on a tank. Also looking for suggestions for a well-built overflow that is as silent as possible.
5. Adding additional rock – before I’m ready to move the tank would it be better to put the new rock into the 12g where ever I can get it to fit and start to seed it from the 12 or is it fine just putting it in the new tank when the time comes to transfer over?
Like I said this is the very early stages of the planning for this move/upgrade any suggestions or tips that would make my new tank more stable and easily maintained (yes, I understand there is no such thing as a low-maintenance reef tank, but I would like everything to be planned out to make my husbandry as easily as possible.)
current stand built for a larger tank right from the start
I will be removing the sheet and adding siding to the stand eventually.
<a href="http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/socccernut5824/media/25%20gallon/8A5EF024-ACA1-443D-86A2-5F2CE8E1F8D3_zpsudq9gdmi.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m615/socccernut5824/25%20gallon/8A5EF024-ACA1-443D-86A2-5F2CE8E1F8D3_zpsudq9gdmi.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 8A5EF024-ACA1-443D-86A2-5F2CE8E1F8D3_zpsudq9gdmi.jpg"/></a>
12g AIO this shows the rock would that will be in the new tank as well
<a href="http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/socccernut5824/media/25%20gallon/1F54540B-4A01-4980-B210-C7B05030F49F_zpssbmzjp3q.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m615/socccernut5824/25%20gallon/1F54540B-4A01-4980-B210-C7B05030F49F_zpssbmzjp3q.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1F54540B-4A01-4980-B210-C7B05030F49F_zpssbmzjp3q.jpg"/></a>
Here is a top down view of how the rock will be in the new tank. The blue is the current rock and where the island will be in the front left corner. I wanted to keep all the rock 2in away from the glass for cleaning purposes and to help with flow.
<a href="http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/socccernut5824/media/25%20gallon/B5A804B0-F3F0-4A9E-B9F6-27D4E03E9673_zpscpyjmfmh.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m615/socccernut5824/25%20gallon/B5A804B0-F3F0-4A9E-B9F6-27D4E03E9673_zpscpyjmfmh.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo B5A804B0-F3F0-4A9E-B9F6-27D4E03E9673_zpscpyjmfmh.jpg"/></a>
Sketch up of the inside of the stand where everything will be. Its all to scale each square = 1"
<a href="http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/socccernut5824/media/25%20gallon/2D090CB5-ACCA-4D9C-8206-771B29E8A6C7_zpspnnmqtwk.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m615/socccernut5824/25%20gallon/2D090CB5-ACCA-4D9C-8206-771B29E8A6C7_zpspnnmqtwk.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2D090CB5-ACCA-4D9C-8206-771B29E8A6C7_zpspnnmqtwk.jpg"/></a>
This shows the inside of the stand the outlined areas are where the sump will be and the ATO tank.
<a href="http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/socccernut5824/media/25%20gallon/39B075B4-6734-4714-858C-3DD6944F78E3_zpsjoj3trqf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m615/socccernut5824/25%20gallon/39B075B4-6734-4714-858C-3DD6944F78E3_zpsjoj3trqf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 39B075B4-6734-4714-858C-3DD6944F78E3_zpsjoj3trqf.jpg"/></a>
Sump as is right now.
<a href="http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/socccernut5824/media/25%20gallon/17622052_10154488511018634_1492421636459744668_o_zpsrtu0dplb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m615/socccernut5824/25%20gallon/17622052_10154488511018634_1492421636459744668_o_zpsrtu0dplb.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 17622052_10154488511018634_1492421636459744668_o_zpsrtu0dplb.jpg"/></a>
