First large mixed reef, suggestions fer a beginer

[lildingy]

Hello Maast,
We are diving in :)

We are buildin our first large mix reef tank, I am nervous as can be. So, the plan so far, deep sand bed in display as well as a new sump/fuge. We have a skimmer rated for 100 gal, not big enough but a start. 2 overflow boxes<hang on back style> 2 return pumps rated at 850 gph no head, not sure what kind of pump I have for the skimmer.

Lighting will be t5ho most likely, tho hqi is not tossed out yet. What am I missing!!?

Any suggestions on start up would be a great help,like what should I be looking for as far as cyclea and the best way to seed dead rock. Acutally any suggestions would be a wonderfull help. High flow macro? oh hell I am so lost hehe.15279

I'll try to post a pic of the rock so far.

[reefreak]

Nice what size tank?

[Zack]

That shelf is going to be sick! What size tank is this exactly?

[koa25]

Nice looking rock setup. I like the overhang rock in the center. Is it a 125 or so?

Have you decide on rubble or bioballs in the sump? Macro can be geared towards feeding inhabitants of the tank or helping remove pollutants in your tank from fish waste. Sounds like a decent setup so far. You can always toss the sand in and get her going so you can start the cycle process. It can vary for everyone. Cycling can take multiple weeks. I normally wait six weeks. Personally as a rule of thumb. But that’s me. It always comes down to consistency in the parameters in your tank. Once you have a good ammonia spike and then it drops and then everything is zero across the board except maybe Nitrates then you can start adding to the tank. Toss a damsel in as a canary fish to test the water so to speak. Poor damsels get the short straw every time ha ha.

Seeding dry rock is a debate on its own. Most people say you cannot seed dry rock effectively enough. But if you toss some already established live rock in the tank and some live sand. You will get your critters to start propagating in there and moving to the dry rock. Biggest thing is patience

[lildingy]

i'm sorry I dont know how I missed that. It's a 125 with an estimated 60 gallon fuge/sump. guwssin maybe 40 gal of water in the sump/fuge.

I'm planning on using rubble on both sides of the fuge/sump with a center return.

[koa25]

Rubble is the way to go my friend. I switched over to rubble and have had way few algae outbreak issues. Looking forward to seeing it progress. Good luck. You joined the right site for advice. Lots of knowledge on here.

[Kristy]

Hey Dingy, glad to see you posting at this stage of the game where input can be very helpful.

Have you considered getting the tank drilled and doing a different style of overflow? Those hang-on-back overflow tube jobs can get very tedious when things go wrong and they eventually will. I know it might sound like a pain right now since you have rock in it and water, but the rock and water can be transferred to tubs easily enough for a couple days. And to make this change a few months from now when you have livestock in it that will get stressed, coral that needs lights over it, and rockwork that has started to grow some nice sponges underneath, well that is a much bigger hassle. Just trying to provide you with some of the ideas that many of us wish we had thought about early on.

Otherwise, it looks like a very promising start! Nice setup.

[lildingy]

I definatally considerin drilling it now and maybe cutting up one of my hob overflow for the box. I have not read up on that type of plumbing yet,so a little education is in order. I watched a video with a emergency overflow bulkhead and a gatevalve. Is this a good design?

*edit*
Ok sooo after talkin to the boss and trying to explain why drilling the tank is a good thing, (I was not informed enough to make a good argument) I don't think she wants me drilling the tank :(

So I gonna try to find a good list of benifits, she is worried that i will break our new to us tank before we get water in it.

[lildingy]

Well anyone down my direction have any holesaws? gonna risk my life and drill it while the wify not lookin :P

[allan]

Dude,

Welcome to MAAST.

Get the tank to one of the locals that do that sort of thing. I've destroyed a tank before and you won't be able to hide that from the boss.

Tell her about how you will always face the probability (eventuality) of a broken siphon that means your return pump will continue to fill your tank until your livingroom is wet under a few gallons of water. Then explain to her the chemical make up of that water that is soaking into the carpet and the horrible smell that can come of anything less than a thorough cleaning. Explain to her that if it happens a couple times you may end up either replacing the carpet or putting in tile.

Then explain to her that once you get the tile in the water will travel further so the best course of action at that point will be to drill the tank!

Brother, I've been down that route and now have an entire room tiled and will never go back to anything remotely similar to a HOB overflow. Now when power goes out it all drains into the sump and everything is kopesetic. Remember, $40 spent now will save you big monies (and the $40 for the drilling) later on. There is absolutely no reason to cut corners at this point! Especially for a $40 investment.

If you're still not convinced be sure you get an aqua-lift pump to maintain a constant siphon, and hope that you don't get a power outage.

And this just bears mentioning again, No reason to cut corners at this stage.

Good luck and looking forward to your build.

[klwheat]

If you're set on HOB overflows, the cpr overflow paired with the aqualifter pump is a great combo that works well. I have had multiple power cycles/outages and never (knock on wood) lost siphon and overflowed. (I would have preferred to drill the tank but could not due to the nature of the tank). best of luck with the reef!

[lildingy]

15287
this is the style overflow I have in my possession. Is this a decient type

[rrasco]

I was going to offer up my hole saws, but I'm not quite your direction.

I have a few of those HOB overflows, never failed me before, but doesn't mean they won't in the future. I prefer a multi-drain system myself.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

My friend thats a little overflow. Maybe for a 75 or 55. Make sure you cover all bases or you will leak. for sure.
You may have to add a baffle to your sump so you wont overflow or if siphon breaks.
It is worth it to drill a big calflo .But if you have to use hob overflow adjust for one overflow in case one fails.
The unexpected will happen. If your prepared youll be fine.

[allan]

No, well, depends on your flow. But you only have one J tube. To use an aqua-lift pump ($15), you have to drill a small hole in the top of the tube and attach the aqua lift to it. It pulls a very gentle stream of water from the tube so bubbles won't accumulate there. That's one reason for the break in siphon. That little baffle you have there will protect you from power outages. When the water stops flowing there's no reason to break the siphon.

If you have a chance or option to get drilled, do it. You won't regret it. Or forever worry the overflow malfunction. Truth of the matter is that even with RR I've lost water to the floor in some manner or the other. But I had two HOB overflow failures until I learned of the aqua lift pump. And one after when my power gave up on me. I didn't have a baffle to protect the water level in the overflow.

But you make a hole, build a calflow box, and your problems in that particular area are all but gone... maybe.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

protect power strips from water leaking. What flooring do you have?

I have known people in apts with carpet and they have never leaked with a hob. But you have to prepare for it.

Also I dont recommend 2 overflow boxes. I think 1 BIG overflow box with 2 tubes would be better and calibrate for one tube.

[klwheat]

Honestly, for what you're looking at....just get it drilled and get an overflow kit installed. Save yourself a fortune on floor repairs.

[alton]

Honestly, for what you're looking at....just get it drilled and get an overflow kit installed. Save yourself a fortune on floor repairs.

X2 I started with HOB in 91 on my 135, in 99 when I got my 200 reef ready I was swore never to have a HOB again.

[lildingy]

Ok here is a very poor attempt at sketchup I had to finally use paint to add the lables. I couldn't manage to get everything exactly how i wanted it in the picture but thats the basic design i am lookin at. Am i missing anything yall can think of? 15317

Btw I think i have talked the wify into lettin me drill the tank but the overflow box seems it will end up taking alot of room in the tank.

[koa25]

Nice sump/fuge setup. Good planning I like it.

[lildingy]

Wanted to thank everyone for your support and help so far, and i am sorry fer piling all the questions on ya but here are a couple more :)

I am gonna drill the tank yeah :sick:

So as for the blukheads,
I am gonna run one a little lower and one bout an inch above it to the side, the lower will have a down turned elbow and a gate valve to "tune" it. The other will have an up turned elbow with a bunch of notches cut in it with the table saw as an emergency. What size do you think i should go with as far as bulk heads? Will 1" be too small? i really want to limit the size so i can limit it size of the overflow box. Also if this is not the best design or have anysuggestions please speak up, I am hoping this will be a quiet design.

For return i was gonna use 2x CA 2200 i think they are rated for 850gph with no head, but it is what i have on hand atm, most likely upgrade to a single external pump at a later date.

[hobogato]

if it were me, i would go with a bean animal overflow design

http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx