ReefAquarist
New Member
Just joined the R2R Community as well as just starting the saltwater journey. I know what I'm about to say is a lot to ask, but I get way too good of a deal to pass up, and now I really need some help! I know this is a lot to ask, and thank you so very much in advance for taking the time to help out a fellow saltwater enthusiast and hopefully one day aquarist...!!!
OK, so I purchased a used setup that was way too good of a deal to pass up, it is way over my head, but I couldn't pass it up. Needs a little love but that can happen while preparing the setup for water. It is a 55 Gal tall, has a 15-ish gallon sump, an unknown protein skimmer, calcium reactor with CO2 bottle, SpectraPure MPDI-60 Reverse Osmosis 3 stage filter, a few different pumps, and many accessories, I was hoping to get some help in setting this system up.
This was the first pic I took, dont mind the mess. This is the setup in a nutshell.
Tried to take a picture of the tank up close, could not manage not to get a reflection, sorry, but as you can see, there is an overflow in the back, there are two holes already in the bottom of that overflow for the sump setup.
Here is one picture of the sump...
Another picture of the sump...
Some misc. pvc parts that where mostly never used, they are all just extra stuff he bought because he didn't know what he was going to need when initially setting up for the first time.
Mostly pumps, the top left one he said is enough to power the whole system, it is a little giant 3-mdqx-sc as well as other misc. pumps. Hard trying to figure out what is what, when this is all new to me because all I have done in the past has been freshwater and so little is needed for freshwater.
Here is the Protein Skimmer, CO2 tank, Calcium Reactor, and the SpectraPure PMDI-60 filter.
Here is all the chemicals and testers it came with.
Here are the two heaters, current simulation, I think a heater controller, and hydrometer.
First off, I want the tank to be a coral and coral friendly tank in the end.
Here is where it gets interesting, I was hoping to get some help and some feedback on going from start to finish. trying to figure out exactly what pump is for the protein skimmer because the one I think it is I'm pretty sure is dead. Not sure if I can clean it or if I should just buy a new one. I need help on how to plumb up the protein skimmer, I know how they work, but not how to plumb one up. Was hoping to get an idea on the best way to plumb up the sump to put in place ANY preventative measures to assure no overflowing happens if electricity were to go out, pump go out, etc... I do not know if the calcium reactor is necessary for the setup at all, I would like to make it as low maintenance as possible, I know it takes plenty of work and $$$ to get it there, but I just need to get the tank cleaned, setup, and cycling first before I am even close to worrying about any of that. The lighting is T5 and halides, I will be purchasing a good LED setup for it once everything else is ready to go, ie: plumbing, water introduced to system, and ready for light cycling. I don't like the heat put off by the current setup nor the cost of running it all! I also was wondering if chillers are necessary or not, our place is climate controlled at all times of day no matter the season, between 68-72 degrees.
Getting the skimmer plumbed up as well as the sump is my first journey, just don't know how this skimmer works. And please don't think I am asking all this without doing research, I have done countless hours of reasearch, but not a whole lot is aimed at somebody who picked up this kind of setup and says "Ummmmm, help....." hahahaha. I have watched many videos on setting up the plumbing which I know I can do, not sure how to dial in the flow so that sump pull isn't faster than DT return, and dont know how to setup the skimmer. All in between that I know I can do. Not sure what to put in the reservoir of the sump that has the holes, i know it is a kind of filter, just not sure what.
If there is anything else I am missing that you need to know, this post is linked directly to my phone and I will be idling by it waiting for replies while cleaning tank and parts to get them ready to set up while watching videos in the background.
Thank you guys so much in advance and anything at all will help me tons. I live in a small town with no aquarium stores for me to go talk to somebody, I would have to drive over an hour for any decent aquarium store. I'm even open for me to call you/you to call me if that is easier than playing tag through the forum. I am very excited to get this going and begin my long awaited journey. Thanks again and am looking very forward to replies!!!!
OK, so I purchased a used setup that was way too good of a deal to pass up, it is way over my head, but I couldn't pass it up. Needs a little love but that can happen while preparing the setup for water. It is a 55 Gal tall, has a 15-ish gallon sump, an unknown protein skimmer, calcium reactor with CO2 bottle, SpectraPure MPDI-60 Reverse Osmosis 3 stage filter, a few different pumps, and many accessories, I was hoping to get some help in setting this system up.
This was the first pic I took, dont mind the mess. This is the setup in a nutshell.
Tried to take a picture of the tank up close, could not manage not to get a reflection, sorry, but as you can see, there is an overflow in the back, there are two holes already in the bottom of that overflow for the sump setup.
Here is one picture of the sump...
Another picture of the sump...
Some misc. pvc parts that where mostly never used, they are all just extra stuff he bought because he didn't know what he was going to need when initially setting up for the first time.
Mostly pumps, the top left one he said is enough to power the whole system, it is a little giant 3-mdqx-sc as well as other misc. pumps. Hard trying to figure out what is what, when this is all new to me because all I have done in the past has been freshwater and so little is needed for freshwater.
Here is the Protein Skimmer, CO2 tank, Calcium Reactor, and the SpectraPure PMDI-60 filter.
Here is all the chemicals and testers it came with.
Here are the two heaters, current simulation, I think a heater controller, and hydrometer.
First off, I want the tank to be a coral and coral friendly tank in the end.
Here is where it gets interesting, I was hoping to get some help and some feedback on going from start to finish. trying to figure out exactly what pump is for the protein skimmer because the one I think it is I'm pretty sure is dead. Not sure if I can clean it or if I should just buy a new one. I need help on how to plumb up the protein skimmer, I know how they work, but not how to plumb one up. Was hoping to get an idea on the best way to plumb up the sump to put in place ANY preventative measures to assure no overflowing happens if electricity were to go out, pump go out, etc... I do not know if the calcium reactor is necessary for the setup at all, I would like to make it as low maintenance as possible, I know it takes plenty of work and $$$ to get it there, but I just need to get the tank cleaned, setup, and cycling first before I am even close to worrying about any of that. The lighting is T5 and halides, I will be purchasing a good LED setup for it once everything else is ready to go, ie: plumbing, water introduced to system, and ready for light cycling. I don't like the heat put off by the current setup nor the cost of running it all! I also was wondering if chillers are necessary or not, our place is climate controlled at all times of day no matter the season, between 68-72 degrees.
Getting the skimmer plumbed up as well as the sump is my first journey, just don't know how this skimmer works. And please don't think I am asking all this without doing research, I have done countless hours of reasearch, but not a whole lot is aimed at somebody who picked up this kind of setup and says "Ummmmm, help....." hahahaha. I have watched many videos on setting up the plumbing which I know I can do, not sure how to dial in the flow so that sump pull isn't faster than DT return, and dont know how to setup the skimmer. All in between that I know I can do. Not sure what to put in the reservoir of the sump that has the holes, i know it is a kind of filter, just not sure what.
If there is anything else I am missing that you need to know, this post is linked directly to my phone and I will be idling by it waiting for replies while cleaning tank and parts to get them ready to set up while watching videos in the background.
Thank you guys so much in advance and anything at all will help me tons. I live in a small town with no aquarium stores for me to go talk to somebody, I would have to drive over an hour for any decent aquarium store. I'm even open for me to call you/you to call me if that is easier than playing tag through the forum. I am very excited to get this going and begin my long awaited journey. Thanks again and am looking very forward to replies!!!!
