JC Slater
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2017
- Messages
- 16
- Reaction score
- 8
- Location
- Sacramento, CA
- What state or country do you live in
- California
Hey all, so I found a good deal on a used 90 gal aqueon reef ready tank that has a single drain and return. I’ve been thinking on how I am going to proceed with this new build. First off, I will be building a stand. I have some thoughts on what to do with the BC29. I will of course be moving everything in it to the 90.
So I’d like some opinions on some of my plans.
To light the tank initially, I’m going with a single Hydra 26hd along with a 48” hybrid T-5 retro. The Hydra will be installed on the left side. I am going to place existing rock (maybe add a few more lbs of live rock) directly under the Hydra 26. Middle and left side will be empty. I’m torn between leaving it like that or curing another 40-50lbs of live rock from the LFS but I like the idea of a lot of open area for the fish to swim. I know if I want to add additional fish and or larger (my wife loves these colorful wrasses) I will need to add more rock. If that happens, a second Hydra 26hd will be added to the right side with empty room in the middle. (Gotta put more SPS on those rocks! Haha)
What to do with the biocube? What I want to do with it is place it in the sump and plumb it to the sump and use it as a refugium. I love the idea of having a very large refugium for nutrient control. 29 gallons would be close to 30% DT volume and much larger than what Triton recommends. Growing quite a bit of chaeto in a sump for the biocube is working out very well for me (it has a HOB overflow into an eShopps cube refugium sump). I’m thinking I will need to drill it, but not sure where/how. Should I build a raising “stand” to put the biocube on top of inside the sump? Have the 90 drain into it. Drill it on the side and it drains into the other sump?
It will literally only have chaeto in it (that could change on what feedback I get on this thread)
Also debating buying a trigger 26 sump or something like that. I just want a larger refugium than what it offers (and would rather spend the money elsewhere). I’m not exactly going to be using the Trident method, but I like the foundation it uses with a 10-20% sized refugium to DT volume.
If I was to plumb the biocube as a refugium in the stand, I could also possibly use my current eshopps cube sump (it’s the smaller one of course) to house the skimmer and dosing lines. I’m not really seeing the need for any reactors but one could be added to the cube sump if needed maybe? (Or externally)
I’m an IT guy by trade, so I’m very technical and probably way overthinking this.
Commentary and criticism is all welcome!
Let me know what y’all think!!! Or, tell me how to spend my money. LOL.
Thanks!
So I’d like some opinions on some of my plans.
To light the tank initially, I’m going with a single Hydra 26hd along with a 48” hybrid T-5 retro. The Hydra will be installed on the left side. I am going to place existing rock (maybe add a few more lbs of live rock) directly under the Hydra 26. Middle and left side will be empty. I’m torn between leaving it like that or curing another 40-50lbs of live rock from the LFS but I like the idea of a lot of open area for the fish to swim. I know if I want to add additional fish and or larger (my wife loves these colorful wrasses) I will need to add more rock. If that happens, a second Hydra 26hd will be added to the right side with empty room in the middle. (Gotta put more SPS on those rocks! Haha)
What to do with the biocube? What I want to do with it is place it in the sump and plumb it to the sump and use it as a refugium. I love the idea of having a very large refugium for nutrient control. 29 gallons would be close to 30% DT volume and much larger than what Triton recommends. Growing quite a bit of chaeto in a sump for the biocube is working out very well for me (it has a HOB overflow into an eShopps cube refugium sump). I’m thinking I will need to drill it, but not sure where/how. Should I build a raising “stand” to put the biocube on top of inside the sump? Have the 90 drain into it. Drill it on the side and it drains into the other sump?
It will literally only have chaeto in it (that could change on what feedback I get on this thread)
Also debating buying a trigger 26 sump or something like that. I just want a larger refugium than what it offers (and would rather spend the money elsewhere). I’m not exactly going to be using the Trident method, but I like the foundation it uses with a 10-20% sized refugium to DT volume.
If I was to plumb the biocube as a refugium in the stand, I could also possibly use my current eshopps cube sump (it’s the smaller one of course) to house the skimmer and dosing lines. I’m not really seeing the need for any reactors but one could be added to the cube sump if needed maybe? (Or externally)
I’m an IT guy by trade, so I’m very technical and probably way overthinking this.
Commentary and criticism is all welcome!
Let me know what y’all think!!! Or, tell me how to spend my money. LOL.
Thanks!
