BigHaig
June 20th 05, 06:55 AM
Hello all,
I just sold my 110G Freshwater tank on eBay and placed an order for a 180G
Reef tank (72x24x24) to take its place. I am having two overflows built
into the back center (one drain to sump in each, and two returns in each).
I am also getting a Mark Levinson style Model F sump built
(http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/f/sump_f.html). It will also come
with a 36" high stand and a canopy that is 20" high canopy so I can place
light in it. Once I get the tank next Tuesday the work will begin.
1. Test all systems to make sure there are no leaks
2. Screw power strips to the upper sides of the stand
Next on to my questions.
3. Place stand 8" away from the back wall is this enough? It has worked for
my FW for two years.
4. Get all the plumbing done from the tank to the sump and back and test
with fresh water?
a. How high should the pipes from the tank to sump be in the overflows?
b. Can I buy all the required parts from Home Depot/Orchard (OSH)?
c. Anything I should watch out for here?
5. Empty tank out and place stand and it in the final resting place J
6. Add canopy and existing lighting to canopy. I have one dual-bulb 36"
PC. The LFS said I can only use PC in the canopy, but since it's 20" high
will I be able to add MH or not? How many more PC lights do I need for a
reef of this size? I can probably get them by the time the tank is ready
and add at the same time. Can it work without MH? Can I add MH in 20"
space or will it burn up canopy/heat the tank?
7. Build tank aquascaping stands out of PVC. This is still a question as I
need to find some pics of tanks that I like to emulate.
8. Move LR from existing 48G to this tank (about 75lbs) and place on bare
floor. Move the DSB/Refugem from my existing sump to the new one.
9. Begin filling the tank with sand. What kind should I use? I will be
adding the 4" DSB from my 48G to this as the "Live" sand, but what more
should I use? Any cheap Home Depot type? Should I place the "live" sand on
the bottom, or the top of the new larger DSB?
10. Fill the tank and sump with water and let it run/settle overnight.
11. Place fish/corals/inverts into the tank once it has cleared.
At this point the tank will be running. Then I need to do the following if
I can't by next week.
1.. Add a closed loop for more "flow".
2.. Add a second heater for redundancy.
3.. Upgrade skimmer to what for this size tank?
4.. Add more lights.
5.. Get more LR (130LBS) and cure/quarantine for 3 weeks then slowly add
to tank over two weeks.
6.. Get more corals (only have 4 now) and quarantine.
7.. Get more fish for tank.
8.. Get more cleanup crew.
Am I missing anything? Any other tips/advice?
I just sold my 110G Freshwater tank on eBay and placed an order for a 180G
Reef tank (72x24x24) to take its place. I am having two overflows built
into the back center (one drain to sump in each, and two returns in each).
I am also getting a Mark Levinson style Model F sump built
(http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/f/sump_f.html). It will also come
with a 36" high stand and a canopy that is 20" high canopy so I can place
light in it. Once I get the tank next Tuesday the work will begin.
1. Test all systems to make sure there are no leaks
2. Screw power strips to the upper sides of the stand
Next on to my questions.
3. Place stand 8" away from the back wall is this enough? It has worked for
my FW for two years.
4. Get all the plumbing done from the tank to the sump and back and test
with fresh water?
a. How high should the pipes from the tank to sump be in the overflows?
b. Can I buy all the required parts from Home Depot/Orchard (OSH)?
c. Anything I should watch out for here?
5. Empty tank out and place stand and it in the final resting place J
6. Add canopy and existing lighting to canopy. I have one dual-bulb 36"
PC. The LFS said I can only use PC in the canopy, but since it's 20" high
will I be able to add MH or not? How many more PC lights do I need for a
reef of this size? I can probably get them by the time the tank is ready
and add at the same time. Can it work without MH? Can I add MH in 20"
space or will it burn up canopy/heat the tank?
7. Build tank aquascaping stands out of PVC. This is still a question as I
need to find some pics of tanks that I like to emulate.
8. Move LR from existing 48G to this tank (about 75lbs) and place on bare
floor. Move the DSB/Refugem from my existing sump to the new one.
9. Begin filling the tank with sand. What kind should I use? I will be
adding the 4" DSB from my 48G to this as the "Live" sand, but what more
should I use? Any cheap Home Depot type? Should I place the "live" sand on
the bottom, or the top of the new larger DSB?
10. Fill the tank and sump with water and let it run/settle overnight.
11. Place fish/corals/inverts into the tank once it has cleared.
At this point the tank will be running. Then I need to do the following if
I can't by next week.
1.. Add a closed loop for more "flow".
2.. Add a second heater for redundancy.
3.. Upgrade skimmer to what for this size tank?
4.. Add more lights.
5.. Get more LR (130LBS) and cure/quarantine for 3 weeks then slowly add
to tank over two weeks.
6.. Get more corals (only have 4 now) and quarantine.
7.. Get more fish for tank.
8.. Get more cleanup crew.
Am I missing anything? Any other tips/advice?