60 gallon reef

wrasselover · Jul 30, 2015

Hi all,

So this isn't my first tank, but I'm still relatively new to the hobby. I bought the Marineland 60 gallon Heartland package, but the stand wasn't anywhere near large enough on the inside to house a sump. So I built my own, and I'm pretty happy with the results. We're sending the tank off to be drilled tomorrow, but I have some questions. First, how exactly do I set up a sump? I've got a 20 gallon long tank that I'm going to use for it, and I'd like to incorporate a refugium but I'm kind of lost with baffel measurements and that sort of thing. Also, I think I've come up with a stocking list that I like but I'm not entirely sure it will work as far as compatibility, etc. What do you guys think?

2 Ocellaris Clowns (transferred from my nano)
1 Aurora (Pinkbar) Shrimp Goby/Randall's Pistol Shrimp pair
1 Flameback Angel
1 Lawnmower Blenny
1 Yellowtail Fang Blenny (I've read these are venomous, but peaceful. What's the word on these guys? I like them but I'm not going to stock one in my tank if it's gonna go and kill my other fish)
1 Orange-back Fairy Wrasse
1 Flasher Wrasse (I'm undecided on the species)

If this list will work, what order would you recommend stocking them in? I was planning on adding the wrasses together to minimize aggression.

Pics of the tank and stand

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated

-Sam

kschweer · Jul 30, 2015

Nice job on the stand! For the sump I usually will set my baffles to be closer to the recommended depth for my skimmer to run in. Also be sure to leave enough room for the water that will come back to the sump if you shut the tank down or the power goes out. In a 20l there isn't much room for a fuge, I would look into maybe doing a remote fuge. The normal order in a sump is drain section (where water comes from the tank), skimmer, and return. Best of luck and feel free to ask any other questions.

wrasselover · Jul 30, 2015

Thanks! I was really surprised at how well it turned out, honestly. I was thinking of running an external skimmer hooked up to the drain section so that there's more room in the sump for a fuge? I don't know how well that would work but it was something my friend (who has two very large reef tanks) suggested. How do I know how much room I need for the water that drains back into the sump? I knew it was an issue I was going to have to face, but I'm sort of lost as to how to actually calculate the volume I need for it. Is it just a trial and error sort of thing?

-Sam

kschweer · Jul 30, 2015

I run an external skimmer as well for room in the sump. You can roughly calculate how much water will go back to the sump by setting your return just below the surface of the water and measuring to the bottom of the return outlet. Then there's a formula length x width x depth /231. This will give you a close estimate on how much water will return to the sump

wrasselover · Jul 31, 2015

thanks! that's really helpful. well like I said I'm sending the tank off to be drilled tomorrow, sump construction will probably start soon as well and I'll definitely update as progress is made! by the way, your tank looks great

kschweer · Jul 31, 2015

wrasselover said:
thanks! that's really helpful. well like I said I'm sending the tank off to be drilled tomorrow, sump construction will probably start soon as well and I'll definitely update as progress is made! by the way, your tank looks great

No problem at all. Best of luck with everything! Looking forward to seeing it all come together. Thank you very much!

wrasselover · Aug 3, 2015

So I had some other questions... I ordered 50lb of Reef Saver rock from BRS, and I plan on seeding it with one or two quality pieces of live rock from my LFS. Is this enough? Do I have to do anything to it to make it safe or anything? And how exactly do I plumb my tank? I've read about all sorts of methods but I'm just looking for a straightforward one that won't leak or make too much noise. What do you guys recommend for baffle measurements? And the width of each chamber? Also, any recommendations for a good skimmer? Sorry for all the questions but I really want to do this right and avoid as many pitfalls as I can.
Thanks