225 reef brainstorming

[RandU]

hey guys I just wanted to start a thread to get some advice and some does and don’t s. I have been sitting in the woods the last two days hunting and have been doing a lot of thinking. So on my way home I’ll be picking up an acrylic 225g with dual over flows. Once setup I will be moving my 92g corner reef to the 225. I also plan on having the sump in my basement directly below it. For the sump I was going to use a Rubbermaid 150g stock tub. I have a reef octopus sro-5000sss skimmer I will be running. I also plan to have a 25 gallon barrel above the level of the sump so I can use a float valve for an ATO. I plan on moving my rodi and mixing tub downstairs too so I can do water changes out of the sump. Any advice on any of that?

The tank is has a 6’x2’ foot front and is 30” deep. Are 2 a360 w-e kessils enough? I also have a 4 build 24” t-5 I could hang over the tank.

 

[ihavecrabs]

hey guys I just wanted to start a thread to get some advice and some does and don’t s. I have been sitting in the woods the last two days hunting and have been doing a lot of thinking. So on my way home I’ll be picking up an acrylic 225g with dual over flows. Once setup I will be moving my 92g corner reef to the 225. I also plan on having the sump in my basement directly below it. For the sump I was going to use a Rubbermaid 150g stock tub. I have a reef octopus sro-5000sss skimmer I will be running. I also plan to have a 25 gallon barrel above the level of the sump so I can use a float valve for an ATO. I plan on moving my rodi and mixing tub downstairs too so I can do water changes out of the sump. Any advice on any of that?

The tank is has a 6’x2’ foot front and is 30” deep. Are 2 a360 w-e kessils enough? I also have a 4 build 24” t-5 I could hang over the tank.

Hopefully the hunting trip was a success?

The only thing that struck me as a potential issue is the lighting. I do not believe you will get enough usable coverage from two a360's although I do not have any experience with them myself.

As for the sump, if you are using the structural foam stock tanks, you'll want your heaters contained in some PVC holders like these below.. I wish I knew which R2R member to give credit for these as I saved their picture as a reminder for my own tank..

 

[RandU]

Thanks but not a success yet but I have u til Sunday. I sat in pouring rain all yesterday and I’m out here still today but it’s a bit windy. that sounds like a good idea. I also attacked a picture of the type of tub I’m using. I’m having a hard time figuring out how to separate the tub. I want my skimmer to sit in its own area to keep the water level constant.

 

[Bradw18]

Could you use a separate tank for the skimmer compartment? Easily control water level and will give you more room in the sump. Be hard to divide that thing

 

[RandU]

I was thinking about doing that. Have a tank that overflows into the tub. Then filling the tub with rock. I was also going to try to grow chaeto in there some how too.

 

[Bradw18]

I'd have skimmer and maybe even heaters and such in the separate tank and grow chetto in the rubber maid throw a black box above it and be done

 

[RandU]

And have rock in the sump to right?

 

[Bradw18]

O yea as much as it'll hold

 

[Bradw18]

I'm running a 70 and a 50 rubber maid on a 110 I had to turn off my skimmer so my zoas would grow some. Both are full of cheeto and live rock and many critters that have been banished over the years

 

[RandU]

Ok so I think I will build a two tiered shelf. The top will be a 50 gallon stock tub to hold my skimmer, carbon gfo, heaters. The 150 I will fill up with rocking cheato. Do you just let your cheato grow wild and into the rocks? Also will pretty much any light grow cheato? I have never used it. I have an old halide but I feel that may be over kill. Thanks.