My Tank and my Project.

[chessplayer86]

to skip history jump to "My 2015 Tank setup plan". I don't want to bore you

I started with a guppy tank three years ago and then wanted to move to a 20gal fish only tank. they told me I needed a skimmer and a filter and a pump and hell, lots of things. I realized I was not even ready for this. So, I went to my LFS and asked is this really necessary. I came out from the store with a HOB skimmer , a heater and a powerhead.

First mistake was: use the same water as previous tank and mix it with salt to make/convert it to salt water tank.
Second mistake was: buying a HOB skimmer instead of going either AIO or sump design..
Third mistake was: buy live stock before fixing 1st and 2nd mistake.
Fourth Mistake was: buy 2 lbs PETCO live rock.


Life was doing good in that small tank even tho all mistakes... , but then again the PETCO (

November 16, 2013)​

sale came and I think i got over-exited with not planning and went directly to the 55gal and bought some rock from bulkreefsupply and a Jebao FS14000 (wp40 upgrade quote: "For Jebao wp40 is release on 2013 Jan. FS14000 which release on 2014 Jan." ) from fish-street and a AI HYDRA with a AI Director.

Fifth Mistake was: Buy the Jebao FS14000 and installing it before knowing its too much for my tank livestock.
Sixth Mistake was: not having backup material in case of emergency and/or a backup blackout plan.

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My 2015 Tank Setup Plan


Every mistake cost a lot of time and money eventually. So lesson learned, and here I am planning ahead after reading for two years and learning after every mistake. Obviously I have a lot more to learn so here I am.



Plan:
1. Buy a built from glass shop tank
2. DIY stand for the tank with wood using 2x4 ´s
3. Plumb drilled tank with PVC
4. DIY 40 Gal Breeder Setup
5. DIY QT tank
6. DIY salt mix station
7. Build a place for my Display Tank.

8. QT live stock and cycle tank

Display tank:
Project: 110 Gallon SQUARE Tank 36"x 36"x 20"
Type of tank: Fish Only, Live rock and Gorgonian´s with purple montis. So I guess I will call this a "reef fan tank" ?
note: I will not buy any live stock yet!..

Plumbing:
Overflow: beananimal 3/4" (wanted to go for 1 and 1.5 but bad planning and tank already drilled)
Material: White PVC
Number of 90° PVC Elbows : 2
Return Pump
Water

Filtration:
SUMP: DIY 40Gal breeder from petco (1$ per gallon sale)
Skimmer: possibly CORAL BOX DC CURVE SKIMMER D700 CALIFORNIA US DELIVERY, need suggestions.
Refugium: Miracle Mud with 24/7 light and some algae.
Maybe add a: Biopellet Reactor and some others.

Lighting:
1. Aquaillumination Ai Hydra
2. Led Strips on four top sides.

Fish Room:
1. 8' x 12' brick wall with wood floor project.
2. 1 door front entrance from street, 1 door back entrance to home patio.
3. possibly a WC.

 

[chessplayer86]

Update!~~

Well, I guess nobody responded... This is my update:

Aquarium Stand:

And this is the skimmer I bought: Bubble Magus Curve Nine.

Aquarium was still in Construction when I built the structure..

My PVC for the beananimal setup... $50USD

And my temporary Fish Room:

I have a lot to work on.to make this happen...

 

[reefwiser]

I would recommend a pad under the tank with a piece of plywood. Or you may have this happen.

 

[chessplayer86]

thank you for the recommendation, what kind of pad can I use? the plywood is a must but I did not think I needed something else.

 

[tat2z_21]

If you use insulation foam from Home Depot it will act as a self leveling pad, and if your floor is anything like mine it definitely needed it.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Looking forward to see how this comes together!

 

[reefwiser]

Yes the insulation foam board is good under a tank . The crack a posted happened on a tank a was watch for a Club member while he was away. It had been set up for several months and just decided to crack all the way across the bottom. Glass will do that is it is in a bind.

 

[chessplayer86]

Yes the insulation foam board is good under a tank . The crack a posted happened on a tank a was watch for a Club member while he was away. It had been set up for several months and just decided to crack all the way across the bottom. Glass will do that is it is in a bind.

Thank you for recommending this. I was about to fill it up like that...

 

[chessplayer86]

day before yesterday I went to buy some stuff to Home-Depot and loaded my small Tracker.

hopefully that 1" Poli Foam will work ?? or should I change it for something dif?

 

[reefwiser]

That should work I use the insulation material for my tanks. My new tank a Mr Aqua they sell foam pads for the purpose so I just purchased that.

 

[chessplayer86]

Awesome, thank you for confirming.

I am now stuck on the skimmer selection, this is the first time I plan for a Sump build and it is kind of confusing. I just want the skimmer and a Biopellet reactor. Would not like to go for any "manual filters" like the socks...

Will something like the picture work?

 

[chessplayer86]

Or should I reuse my 55gal tank:

I saw this online Diving In Deeper Water - Advice For A 125 Aquarium And Plumbing A 55 Gallon Sump - 164130 but I don´t see any skimmer in this guys setup.

 

[chessplayer86]

I am sorry for not posting updates on this, my truck had a transmission problem and the motor sustainers also broke... so, I invested on my truck and put it on pause for two weeks. But meanwhile I keep planning, so I have sketched it...

The only drawback is water being so low..

 

[chessplayer86]

Sorry I post again, I do not know how to edit a post. I would like to consolidate all.. This is a second design and much simpler...

 

[chessplayer86]

So, this year I paused the project due to a bank loan. but like any other here , that did not stop me, I saved some money and managed to build my sump, haven´t tested it though, will post pictures later on.

The Christmas list is getting a little bit longer.

1. Apex Controller is just calling me to buy it. ($599)
2. Saltwater Mix station is a must (need to check prices on this)
3. new RODI (need to see sales)
4. another Ai Hydra needed ($200)
5. More dry rock neeeded ($150)
6. livestock (it has no price)
7. Filtration decision:

 

[chessplayer86]

Here are the pictures of my sump:
Top angle view.

Front view

Side Angle view.

I still have to try it, I dont know why I think I mest up in something on this design hahaha.. its my first time building a sump.

 

[chessplayer86]

I will not let this project die, I will not let this project die.. HAHA i am a slow builder but I do finish my projects. *thinking out loud...

So, after 1 year of bunch of stuff. I would like a recommendation on the lighting. What LEDS should I use.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

HAHA! Keep going man!