Overhaul'n

[MikeDeL]

Ok, so awhile back I decided I was going to get my tank back on track. Well one crappy marriage later I still have not done it. Now that I have the money pit (ex wife) out of my life its time to focusing my efforts and money on something far less time consuming or expensive.... HAHA The last of my livestock kicked the bucket last weekend and now I have a blank slate.

I have a 45 breeder I need to make a shopping list for. I have been out of touch for awhile so I have no clue as to whats the latest and greatest. I plan on replacing my sump, protein skimmer, overflow box, return pump, and adding a refugium. So I will need some suggestions on the above mentioned, and if any can build said things it would be great. Any other cool new gadgets and gizmos? Any great new salts guaranteed to cure all your problems? Oh wait that sounds like margarita salt.


Thanks,
Mike

[Noober]

Look at the new royal exclusive alpha 170 skimmer... if you want high end.

[ReefCube]

bubble kingskimmer , calflo overflow, eheim pump

[Troutmasters02]

I'm liking the natural effects of deepsand beds in the fug along with macro algae.

There is an mp20 vortech for sale somewhere in the forums.

[Bill S]

Welcome back, Mike.

No, there's nothing new or miraculous that's changed in the industry.

Better/cooler improvements on the old? Yeah.

[hobogato]

i agree with richard, get it drilled and put in a calfo style overflow. i would also suggest the largest sump/fuge combo that will fit in the stand. octopus makes a great skimmer and probably have one just the right size for your tank. shoot me a pm if you would like to discuss having the tank drilled and/or sump & overflow built.

[MikeDeL]

I plan on keeping mostly SPS, but a few LPS and softies as well. What would be a good flow rate for a return pump. I also have 2 Seio 820s in the tank.

[DSAfanatic]

I had a Mag 12 in my 40 breeder but had to cut back the flow with a ball valve. I'd go with a Mag 7 or 9.5 and valve down as needed.

[Hamp]

I would think a mag 5 would be perfect. You dont want too much flow through your sump and fuge so that it can do what it is supposed to.

[Hamp]

I would get a 20 gal sump with a big fuge and DSB. Good skimmer and lots of flow. A 250w MH and 2 t-5actenic and you should be able too keep anything.

[Hamp]

20 or 30 gal depending on how everything fits in there

[ErikH]

You could get tunzes little wavebox! T5s are becoming the way to go. With that shallow of a tank you should be able to grow SPS at an alarming rate. :D

[MikeDeL]

I will be using the same lighting that I had on it before. A 250w DE Halide 14k, with 2 T-5 actinics. Ace Just built a sump and fuge for me, about 20 gallons a piece. The fun part is fixing to start.... The build. I will be posting pics as I go along.

[MikeDeL]

How exciting.... All the equipment is here, and the plumbing is done. Im gonna fill the tank, sump, and fuge up outside tomorrow and let it run to make sure I didnt install any leaks anywhere. After that all I have is some cabinet work and run a RO line to the fish room and Im good to go. Im gonna have the coolest tank on the block!!!!!!!!!!!! (who cares that its probably the only tank on the block) I will post some pics tomorrow when I have everything running.

[MikeDeL]

Well the plumbing is done. I filled up everything in the driveway last night and let it run. No leaks! I guess that means I did something right.

What size holes do I need to drill in the PVC caps on the top of my drain lines?

All I have left now is the cabinet work and I will be ready to fill it up. Here are some pics.

[hobogato]

i usually drill 1/4" holes in the pvc caps

[Bill S]

When you drill your holes, take a piece of semi-rigid tubing and run it thru the hole, beyond where your intake comes in. This will help "burp" your drain, make it much quieter, and it will drain a bigger volume (good in case a snail decides to get stuck).

[brewercm]

I agree totally with what Bill said about the rigid tubing. I have almost the exact same setup Ace made for the tank I have and with the tubing in there it's not very loud of a drain.

[ballardjr2000]

how do you "burp" the over flow i have the rigid tubing with my corner flow but wasn't sure what it was for.

[MikeDeL]

so push the tubing into the hole in the cap past the T in the drain pipe?

[MikeDeL]

All thats left now is to build the doors and hang them.

[dmweise]

Nice! Where'd you get those rocks?

[MikeDeL]

Thanks.

I have had the rocks for years... I got some from members here and some from differant LFS. Couldnt tell you what I got where.