First tank

[tidefanjam]

First tank build almost ready to start, 65 gallon display and 20 gallon sump, thanks in advance for all the questions I'm gonna be asking...

 

[Maritimer]

Good choice, Tidefanjam!

I have the very same tank, stand and (possibly) sump. (If you're using a 20-long, you'll have to take the doors off the cabinet ... but you _can_ get it in there!) Mine's been running about a year.

Best of luck with yours, may it bring you joy, seasoned with _just_ enough frustration to keep it from getting dull!

~Bruce

 

[tidefanjam]

Yea, I was able to get it in taking one door off, were u able to get a skimmer in the sump?

 

[Maritimer]

No - not enough headroom in that cabinet. I've been using a Reef Octopus Classic 2000 HOB skimmer, which works well enough, but there are a few things to note: when I feed, the skimmer throws a metric tonne of bubbles into the tank (Okay, so I guess I'm micro-bubbling my corals, just not at night...) After a water change, as the level comes back up and the skimmer re-starts, it's safer to take the return cage _off_. Failure to do so may cause the skimmer to overflow, possibly into the electrical outlet below . . . (6_6)

~Bruce

 

[Reef2zach]

I'd throw those glass covers. And just leave the top open. Lights can't penetrate the glass as well as no glass so that's less light for your new addiction that is coral

 

[Frop]

First tank build almost ready to start, 65 gallon display and 20 gallon sump, thanks in advance for all the questions I'm gonna be asking...

Cool man! Good luck! Nice size starter tank too.

 

[tidefanjam]

I'd throw those glass covers. And just leave the top open. Lights can't penetrate the glass as well as no glass so that's less light for your new addiction that is coral

Yea I've been back and forth on the covers, I know they reduce evaporation and keep the jumpers in the tank, but I do want the light at full strength.

 

[Chrisfish]

Welcome to R2R, nice looking set up.

 

[MaiReef]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[smh254]

Welcome, I just drilled a 65g for the same overflow. Make sure you put the internal box up as high as you can get it. You might have to shim under the template to get it up off the glass the same height as black trim.

 

[Reef2zach]

Yea I've been back and forth on the covers, I know they reduce evaporation and keep the jumpers in the tank, but I do want the light at full strength.

Most LFS will sell a plastic mesh that you cut to size for the top of your tank. It's 100 percent your choice though. The glass tops will prevent evaporation but theyll also trap heat inside the tank and if you live in a warmer climate that can be a real battle

 

[Maritimer]

I've always found glass tops a real annoyance to keep clean ... since so much light hits them, and herbivores can't reach . . . it's algae's favorite place!

~B.

 

[tidefanjam]

Welcome, I just drilled a 65g for the same overflow. Make sure you put the internal box up as high as you can get it. You might have to shim under the template to get it up off the glass the same height as black trim.

yea, too late on that, i may have to block off the bottom of the slots to get the water level up some, i didn't think about shimming it last night when i drilled it, and was a bit nervous about getting to close to the edge..

 

[tidefanjam]

Most LFS will sell a plastic mesh that you cut to size for the top of your tank. It's 100 percent your choice though. The glass tops will prevent evaporation but theyll also trap heat inside the tank and if you live in a warmer climate that can be a real battle

i do think ill go with the mesh, I'm in gulf shores al., we def have a warm climate..

 

[tidefanjam]

Making progress, holes drilled, now to install the baffles in my sump, paint the back,then fill up with water for a test run

 

[tidefanjam]

Side note, my wife's new aquarium, much quicker to set up..