New Tank Build

[Lowell Lemon]

Hard line plumbing often saps the volume of water a pump can provide and increases back pressure while decreasing flow. The more manifolds just increase the complexity and difficulty of maintaining a tank. Keep is simple is a good way to go until you discover what actual equipment you need to accomplish your goals. Often people add GFO, Carbon filters and who knows what else and end up fighting the natural balance in a tank. Not knowing what additive elements affects other processes in the tank can lead to a roller coaster ride of nutrients and final crash. In most cases a good flow through the sump with a skimmer and refugium are all that is needed to balance a system. The possible addition of a Calcium reactor or two part dosing system seems to provide stability for most builds. Don't get lost in chasing the latest gadget until you understand how the basic system works for your application.

Nice tank, stand, and filter choice. Next is lighting and water movement. It looks like it is all coming together!

 

[NaH20nerd]

Hard line plumbing often saps the volume of water a pump can provide and increases back pressure while decreasing flow. The more manifolds just increase the complexity and difficulty of maintaining a tank. Keep is simple is a good way to go until you discover what actual equipment you need to accomplish your goals. Often people add GFO, Carbon filters and who knows what else and end up fighting the natural balance in a tank. Not knowing what additive elements affects other processes in the tank can lead to a roller coaster ride of nutrients and final crash. In most cases a good flow through the sump with a skimmer and refugium are all that is needed to balance a system. The possible addition of a Calcium reactor or two part dosing system seems to provide stability for most builds. Don't get lost in chasing the latest gadget until you understand how the basic system works for your application.

Nice tank, stand, and filter choice. Next is lighting and water movement. It looks like it is all coming together!

Thank you!! If all goes well, all I’m hoping to run is a skimmer, Carbon and GFO (when needed) and a good refugium. I will auto dose Ca and Alk as needed. Time will tell.

To your comments regarding flow, I’m only shooting for about 3-5x’s turnover through the sump. So lost pressure isn’t a huge concern. I finally got the plumbing done and no leaks!!! (Huge victory if you ask me).

 

[NaH20nerd]

Did a rough sketch of how I’m planning to plumb the sump. Thinking this will give me a lot of configuration options for future updates. Take a look, let me know your thoughts.

Looking back at this sketch makes me laugh. When I drew this out I was visioning so much more space!! Similar but ended up a lil different. Next step is to get some rock in this tank!!!

 

[NaH20nerd]

Any updates? Been looking at this same setup? Any feedback on the tideline overflow? Ease of setup? Hard to find info on those overflows.

Finally got water flowing!! Regarding the overflow, I added a set of gaskets to make me feel better. Both are placed against the glass, one set inside the tank and one set outside the tank. No leaks. Running smooth (although I am not running a lot of flow through it). But it’s handling it like a champ. Could t be happier. Let me know if you go with the tideline or something else. Be happy to help.

 

[NaH20nerd]

Finally got rock in the tank!! Pictured below is roughly 50lbs of Marcos reef saver rock. (Ordered 70lbs but two fairly large pieces didn’t make the scape). Will likely break them apart and use rubble pieces for adding coral. This process has been going very slow but it’s getting closer. Two days of trying different scapes, this is the one that stuck. One thing I’ve learned, rock scapes are only limited by one’s perseverance in modifying the rock. Unless you have a warehouse full of pieces and hand select it yourself. Props to BRS for selecting some pretty nice pieces for me.

Next question...to Sand or not to Sand. I know the pros and cons to each...just need to make up my mind.

 

[NaH20nerd]

Finally got rock in the tank!! Pictured below is roughly 50lbs of Marcos reef saver rock. (Ordered 70lbs but two fairly large pieces didn’t make the scape). Will likely break them apart and use rubble pieces for adding coral. This process has been going very slow but it’s getting closer. Two days of trying different scapes, this is the one that stuck. One thing I’ve learned, rock scapes are only limited by one’s perseverance in modifying the rock. Unless you have a warehouse full of pieces and hand select it yourself. Props to BRS for selecting some pretty nice pieces for me.

Next question...to Sand or not to Sand. I know the pros and cons to each...just need to make up my mind.

 

[Goodair]

Looking good man! As long as you glue the sockets well, tape for the threads and your gaskets are good condition, you shouldn't worry about leaks coming from the joints. Just make sure you planned for when your power goes down for your return.

 

[Millimylilly]

Coming along.... following along....

 

[NaH20nerd]

Tank has been heated with salt water since Feb 1st. Today I tested positive for Nitrites. [emoji16] Cycle is progressing (finally). I did decide to add sand (Tropic Eden’s Reef Flakes). It settled in within 3hrs and water was crystal clear again AND It’s handling the flow very well!! Lights will be installed next week. Should be able to start moving 10g Nano inhabitants over to their new home soon. Can’t wait to get some color in this tank!!!

 

[NaH20nerd]

Update: still waiting on Nitrates to fall. This is taking forever!!! Oh well, lights are still in the box. Waiting on mounts to arrive. So patience perseveres. In the meantime, I’ve upgraded my ATO reservoir. 15gal capacity and just way cooler than a bucket. If only I had built my stand bigger. [emoji848]

Too soon to give an honest review, but first impression...the Innovative Marine 15gal reservoir is solid. Will likely tint the glass to prevent algae growth.

Here’s the initial set up...note: it’s set up on a manual fill for the moment. Once I get Tank fully cycled I will move ATO over and no hoses/wires will be visible.

 

[Goodair]

Update: still waiting on Nitrates to fall. This is taking forever!!!

Are you waiting on nitrites or nitrates? Nitrates shouldn't be going away without some kind of algae or water changes.

 

[NaH20nerd]

Are you waiting on nitrites or nitrates? Nitrates shouldn't be going away without some kind of algae or water changes.

Oops, yes I’m waiting on Nitrites to zero out. Glad to know someone is reading these posts. [emoji1]

 

[Goodair]

Just FYI, I charge $20 per post to read .;Shamefullyembarrased

 

[NaH20nerd]

Just FYI, I charge $20 per post to read .;Shamefullyembarrased

[emoji23] that’s a great idea!! Could help finance the insatiable appetite for new gear, or life inside the tank. I think you’re on to something here!!!

Btw...tested again 12hrs after dosing 1ppm of Ammonia...

Ammonia= .5
Nitrites = .5 - .75
Nitrates = 80

Thinking it’s time to add some Cheato.

 

[NaH20nerd]

The tank is Lit!! Cycle has completed and all my 10gal critters are now enjoying their new home!!! The past 13 months has been a lot of fun, planning and putting this together. I am pretty excited as to how it has turned out. New chapter begins now with options for more new and exciting critters!! Equipment list below...thanks to all for helping out.

Tank-65gal planet aquarium
Overflow-Internal 16” Tideline
Stand-80/20 Custom by me [emoji6]
Sump-Trigger Systems 39
Filtration-MediaCups with reusable filter pads, Skimmer, Carbon/GFO, Refugium/Cheato
Dosing-Kalkwasser
Lighting-AI Prime / Hydra 26HD

Live stock-2 clowns, Blood shrimp, various zoanthids, colt leather coral, chalice, and various mushrooms.

 

[Goodair]

Grats on starting the livestock! I'm waiting on weather to get a lil warmer before I can finally stock my tank. ;Dead

 

[GlassMunky]

following along. tank and plumbing look great. i'm in the process of setting up a 220 from them that's pretty similar plumbing wise so thanks for the inspiration and help!

 

[clark griswold]

Finally got water flowing!! Regarding the overflow, I added a set of gaskets to make me feel better. Both are placed against the glass, one set inside the tank and one set outside the tank. No leaks. Running smooth (although I am not running a lot of flow through it). But it’s handling it like a champ. Could t be happier. Let me know if you go with the tideline or something else. Be happy to help.

Thanks! Glad I didn't upgrade when I asked. Now I can upgrade to 200+ gallon. Planet Aquariums is the easiest custom tank for me to get but I've a few complaints about those Tideline overflows leaking which made me heistant. Good idea on the gaskets. That overflow still holding up leak free?

 

[GlassMunky]

I wasn’t happy with how loud it was so I ordered a custom made one by exotic marine to fit the holes of the tank. It should arrive today for me to play with

 

[clark griswold]

I wasn’t happy with how loud it was so I ordered a custom made one by exotic marine to fit the holes of the tank. It should arrive today for me to play with

You talking about the tideline overflow?