Planning new tank "Build"

[phippsj]

I am still very nubish on all things to do with the sump/refiguim :( and the whole filtering in general. I have been reading alot and tryin to get my head wrapped around it tho. What i gather is that a refigum acts like a bioligical filter. Tho i see where is is used to proagate critters too. I don't really know where to start on designing this part of the project. I though i would like to have some kinda mechanical filters(sponges, media, carbon) but i want my lil copods and such to be able to move and not die b4 getting to the sump or tank.

I am just a lil confused still about the roll of each filtering and the "BEST" setup for a tank of this size.

It is a bit much initially, but the more you read the better off you will be. After my research I came away with the impression that the best filtration was provided by the live rock itself. I made my design based on surface area and pourous volume area for filtration. I used a lot of pond foam between rock to create a rock wall on the back of the tank, and then used several hundred pounds of live rock itself. Nitrate/Nitrites have never been a problem.

I also think that protein skimmers are important, but that is research you should do for yourself as well. There are those that feel that protein skimmers take too much out of the tank to make it worthwhile to use.

Personally I feel that if you are going to have a mixed reef then a refugium that has macroalgae and Mangrove trees will provide a great environment for pods to grow. I have mine beneath my display and I often wonder how many pods get chewed up on the way to the display. Thing is, the display itself will also house a lot of pods (live rock is a great natural place for them to be anyways).

[Europhyllia]

I also think that protein skimmers are important, but that is research you should do for yourself as well. There are those that feel that protein skimmers take too much out of the tank to make it worthwhile to use.

I recently read up on current skimmer technology some more (was in the market for a new one) and read that some people believe the currently so popular needlewheel impeller skimmers are more prone to destroying beneficial plankton than other designs.

[clay]

Thank you for the replies, it seems the more i read the more i am scared of this project I am tryin to keep the cost perdy much as low as possible with diy stuff. The biggest expences besides the livestock of course would be the rock, glass, skimmer, calcium reactor, and pumps. A few of these i am not real sure i need like the calcium reactor and the skimmer but i guess i just have not convinced my self that i don't need these items. But again i really am diving in to the unknown with this whole thing I probally will start with getting the tank built and going from there trying to leave as much room for expansion in the sump as possible.

[acropoorer]

Good to have you on the dark side Clay. Salt water and you're building your own tank! I am in the midst of building my own tank as well (360 gal starphire with PVC bottom).

I believe Live Rock, skimmer and some sort of physical filter is all you need. The fun part of this hobby is the variety of systems you can build and be successful for which you'll get lots of interesting/helpful advice on this site. You may want to start a thread in large tanks or DIY for you build. Best of luck.

[clay]

Ahh ty for the positive feedback, alot of people shudder when i say plywood. As of yet i have not bought anything for the build. Tho i will buy a new stright edge and build a work table this weekend. But i have some great news reguarding lights I picked up 10 2x2 layin type fixtures from a demo job i did and guess what. they have double 40watt cf ballast in them!!!! i can run 2 39 watt t5hos on each ballast so all i have to do is build somthing to house them in and a reflector... and the bulbs of course i have some metal decking from work which is shaped somthing like this

i was thinking about covering it in mylar for a reflector but that is still a long way out

*edit * BTW can't ya tell i am a lil excited

[hobogato]

one of the nicest tanks we ever had around here was a plywood tank. you may want to shoot a pm to texreefer if you want to get some perspective from someone who built/had one. i looked for the thread(s) on it, but they are very old and dont have pics anymore.

[hobogato]

well, google helped me find this thread of his on RC

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1132496

[allan]

clay dude,

Welcome to maast!

I like the fact that you're doing this from the floor up. Very cool.

I'd recommend a larger sump/fuge. I have about a 100 gallons under a 190. Additionnally if your plans call for it I'd have a small fuge up higher in the back to gently drain into the display tank. This will provide a steady source of pods to the tank as it becomes established. Ping had one that looked like a little blizzard of pods and they would flow directly into the system with no need to run through a pump.

Plus one for the visually available fuge... or perhaps a 'flower pot' of acrylic design off to the side where you can grow a mangrove or two. These will grow up and out of the water with a good root both exposed and submerged. And they would help with filtration.

I'd stay away from the wet/dry although many use them with much success. My personal opinion is that these contribute to raised nitrate levels and require much more maintenance to keep clean than the macro route.

At any rate you must provide us with pictures of your work. Really looking forward to it.

[clay]

OMG what an Awsome build, I wish i was more of a abstract kinda person:( I build buildings for a living and for the most part they are big boxes with all streight lines and square corners, it is so hard for me to do somthing free form like that maby i will show my wife she is ver creative like that Are there any critters you can't, shouldn't keep with the foam like that.

[hobogato]

urchins. ask mr. cob and firewater