New 40 Gal Tank - Want to try reef tank....

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Ok - I think I have most of my main items figured out. I decided to go with a regular 20g fish tank for a sump and will add acrylic baffles. Any recomendations on where to find the proper fish friendly "silicone" to hold baffles in place?

I am also going to get either the Euroreef S5-3 skimmer or possibly a used skimmer from mycoralbeaty.com He was out of the Euroreef when I visited, but if he can get another one in, I am going to buy it. Otherwise he had a used skimmer, looks very similiar to Euroreef, that has the needle wheel pump and worked well.

For making current in my 36"x15"x16" tank I was planning on using 2 power heads. Does any particular brand matter for this purpose? I have $50 in petco gift cards I need to use and if their line of power heads are decent I think I will use those.
http://www.petco.com/product_info.asp?sku=4258325819&dept_id=-2


I am likley going to go with a compact flourescent light, that way I can still use the hood I currently have. I don't plan on having any hard corals, just soft. Is this an okay route for lighting?

For a return pump a was planning on using a Rio. I figure I will need one that can go about 300gph with a 6 foot head. Sound alright?

I also want to add a trickle filter, any suggestions on that? I believe I have heard not to use bio-balls. Is that correct?

One other item that makes me nervous, how to handle the tanks overflow. There isn't a built in overflow in the acrylic tank so I will need to (gulp) drill it. Anyone have pictures they can post on how they did their overflow?

Thanks so much for all the help so far.

Ryan
 
I vote Cesar for the next Member of the Month :)

Those are good points Cesar.

There is also the option of not using a skimmer....but I won't go there...

Looks like there's a lot on your plate for the new tank. I would concentrate on how you will light the tank, and what type of water motion (using which pumps, etc).

- Elmo
 
Ok... Lets take this more slowly...

SUMP

- well, thats a very good choice. Cheaper but effective. You can more concentrate your funds to other more important things like skimmer or lighting.

- do you do well in DIY projects? do you have the proper tools? then this is the best way to do the sump... you can always buy acrylics from local home depot stores. Buy the thicker ones. It is easy to glue/weld.

- remember, that acrylic doesnt glue well with glass sealants, unless you are using a lot. So you have to do it differently I suppose. When you reached this part, I mean doing your sump, let me know and I will show you how.

SKIMMER

- good choice for the Euro. You can get them also from other threads being sold used. Good choice.

POWERHEADS

- may I suggest "maxijets 1200". Same price (almost) but very very reliable. You can ask everybody and they will say the same thing. SPECIALLY for frequent on and off's from wavemakers... And IMHO you will need at least 4 of these... 2 initial then 2 later on...

- why wavemakers? well, this is their answer to mimic natural/random wave from nature. Well, maybe it is not random but at least you will attain the wave effect. The cheapest option out there is this one.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11274&ref=2020&subref=AB

LIGHTING

- PC (power compact) is really good, and for softies that you intend to keep, this is really good. You can also look at VHO's.

- Also check for prices on replacing them. Sometimes, the initial investment is cheap, but the maintenance is what will get you.

- Existing hood? do you have any images? is this a DIY? Can you install retrokit in this hood of yours?

- Then maybe a retro kit will be the cheapest option for you. Then a dual 96 watt PC will be good I think. But more is better. 1x10k light and 1x actinic will suffice. Seperate switch will also help so you will have a dusk/dawn effect.

- try this... maybe not the cheapest out there, but will be good for a start and comparison.

- Also whether you choose VHO or PC, this will be good because you can still use this in the future when you decided that you want to go SPS. It can be used as actinics and then MH will act as the white bulbs for you.

- If you are a DIY'er. Maybe you can try this...

1x workhorse7 electronic ballast = $35.00
2x 96 watt PC = $50.00+/-
misc wirings = $10.00

What do you think?

RETURN PUMP

- well, maybe you can go with mag 5 and use that PETCO gift cert you have. Very reliable pump... I dont dis-credit RIO but maybe for this purpose, you need a more tested pump in terms of endurance.

TRICKLE FILTER

- no more trickle filter.... The skimmer will be your main filter and thats it.... Live rock will do the rest.... Make sure you have enough LR to have a ratio of 1gallon : 2 lbs of LR.... so in your case... 80 lbs of a good LR is a start.

OVERFLOW

- Well, much debated topic. You can drill, of course... What I mean is, you can have it drilled by proffesionals. I cant recommend this for a DIY project. Unless you have the right tools, experience in drilling glass, and of course courage... then this is your project.

- You can also look for similar overflows like these... (I use similar to this one...)
http://www.aquacrylics.com/new_acrylic_overflow_box_and_ski.htm
and
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_overflow.php

or a DIY overflow here... (im planning of making my own too...)
http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/routing.html



Thats all...

Hey, question... have you decided to go DSB, SSB, or Barebottom tank...

and for further reading... go here...
http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html
 
I have an idea on how I want to set up my sump, when I finish cadding it up, I’ll make a pdf and post it for suggestions and criticisms J

Katchupoy said:
SKIMMER

- good choice for the Euro. You can get them also from other threads being sold used. Good choice.
Click to expand...

Phil actually will no longer will be getting in the Euro-reef skimmers unless there is an order for 4+ skimmers. He is selling me a used skimmer that uses the same Sedra needle wheel pump for an excellent price. I believe this skimmer is about the same size as the Euroreef.


Katchupoy said:
LIGHTING

- If you are a DIY'er. Maybe you can try this...

1x workhorse7 electronic ballast = $35.00
2x 96 watt PC = $50.00+/-
misc wirings = $10.00

What do you think?
Click to expand...

Where can I find the parts? I consider myself a pretty good DIY’er. I am an engineer so I tend to do things on my own around the house, and often over do it (most engineers do). I am building my own oak cabinet so the “hood” of the cabinet could easily house a DIY lighting hood.

Katchupoy said:
TRICKLE FILTER

- no more trickle filter.... The skimmer will be your main filter and thats it.... Live rock will do the rest.... Make sure you have enough LR to have a ratio of 1gallon : 2 lbs of LR.... so in your case... 80 lbs of a good LR is a start.
Click to expand...

If I am reading this correctly, I don’t really need the trickle filter? What about an algae type filter in the sump?

Katchupoy said:
OVERFLOW

- Well, much debated topic. You can drill, of course... What I mean is, you can have it drilled by proffesionals. I cant recommend this for a DIY project. Unless you have the right tools, experience in drilling glass, and of course courage... then this is your project.

- You can also look for similar overflows like these... (I use similar to this one...)
http://www.aquacrylics.com/new_acrylic_overflow_box_and_ski.htm
and
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_overflow.php

or a DIY overflow here... (im planning of making my own too...)
http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/routing.html
Click to expand...

I am not sure how I will do this, but probably go with a pre-built route. I am very nervous cutting a hole into my tank. The first link you posted looks good.

Katchupoy said:
Hey, question... have you decided to go DSB, SSB, or Barebottom tank...

and for further reading... go here...
http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html
Click to expand...

I have decided to go bare bottom.
 
phil is probably selling you an ASM skimmer which is a great skimmer and he will always give you a good deal. The rio for a return isn;t the safest pump but the new ones are supposed to be better and they due use very little energy. Cesar is right all the way. maxijet1200's or maybe 900's I have had a bare bottom for a while and I recently moved so I installed a pump under my rocks on a spray bar to kick out all of the detritus and other build up. lights skimmer and watermovement are three key items to having a healthy tank. I am not a big soft coral person. I would say go with LPS if you dont want SPS but it is your tank. Just move the water well so it can bring all of the organics to the big skimmer.
 
Hows it going,
I am new here but have been keeping a 40 gallon tank just like yours for years. One more point for you to think about is when building your hood allow it to hang over the edge of your tank enough to cover the water line inside the tank. After you drill your tank or use an overflow you will need to test it to find the water line. You may have already thought of this, it's just a reminder.

I would not go with 1200 powerheads in the tank unless you hook it up to a spray bar. You will find with soft corals the 1200 will make a lot of water movement in the small tank.

I ran an overflow on mine for years and had a few problems. I drilled it when I moved and like it a lot better. I drilled it in the center of the tank and have a return line from the sump on both sides of the tank.

I run VHO's with icecap ballast. I use to run 3 lights. I had some issues with the corals. I feel it was because of too much light. I now run 2 lights and things are fine. I to stick with mostly soft and LPS corals.

Anyway sounds like you are getting good advise here. Just remember there is more than one way to run a reef tank and everone will do something a little differnent.
 
LS1, WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME!!!

any images that you want to share us?
thanks...

very good point on the hood overlapping the water line... those are very annoying.

In my case... I have an adjustable overflow box.. so I can lower or make higher my water line.... very good point...

also... if you can drill.... i think that this is the most efficient way.
 
You can buy the parts from here...
http://www.hellolights.com/
or here
http://diyreef.com/shop/index.php?cPath=49

also check this one out... maybe this will save you time doing the hood...
http://www.foryourfish.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/FYF-L-CFH3.htm?sid=1cdAk01EJ2SeCRj-16105265135.3a

or this one

http://www.hellolights.com/362xcoraqpch.html

in open top config, you have less heat... and it is also has a good presentation.

also if you have time to email me the cad file you have so i take a look...
autocad2000?
 
Last edited:
Welcome rbarr110 and LS1 WS6 to Reef Frontiers!!! Hope you enjoy the website!

rbarr110 - have you checked out the Puget Sound Aquarium Society yet? Here is a link to the forum: PSAS

Wow, great posts here!! I have to agree on the Mag return pump and Maxi-jets for the powerheads. For sure when you get your sump drawing done post it in the Tank Design forum for some critiquing.

Another good book to get is "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Bob Fenner.

Overengineering is standard for engineers......that's how I ended up with a steel frame for my stand that has an FOS=24! I'm confident in the event of a tornado that we should be under my stand. I think it will hold the house up :)

Katchupoy - I almost didn't recognize you! Your avatar changed :)
 
OK have a question regarding the DIY lighting. I think it will be very easy wiring up, but does the ballast come with the "sockets" for the bulbs? I am assuming I would want the square pin sockets for the 96 watt bulbs.

I can't seem to find the sockets on the webpages provided.
https://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/100103.html

Which PC lights do I want? Mostly soft corals. 5K, 6.7K, 8.8K, or 10K bulbs?
https://www.reefgeek.com/products/category_indexes/16-30_lighting_bulbs_-_pc_square.html

I should probably pick up one of these as well :)
https://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104441.html

Anything else?

Thanks
 
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