New tank plans

Ddubbs77 · Mar 4, 2020

Hello everybody this will be my first saltwater tank. I’m converting my 36 gallon bow front to saltwater. I’d like you guys n gals to tell me if my projected plans for my first run at saltwater are on point. I plan on 3-4 fish and eventually some easy corals. Not tons of livestock. I plan on keeping my cheap led light for now until I get some corals. I’m building a 10 gallon sump for this tank with a refugium. I’m looking at a SCA 301 protein skimmer with a quiet one 758 gph return pump in the sump. Is that pump ok? I’m also looking at an Eclipse M overflow box after I drill the tank. (Kinda nervous about that). The plumbing is a wee bit confusing to me still so any recommendations there will be great. Also planning on a Tidal 75 HOB filter with two hydor koralia 750 powerheads. I purchased 45+ lbs of dry rock from a local guy and plan on live sand and crushed coral for substrate. I plan on using Red Sea coral salt. Anything you folks would recommend I change? I’m on a bit of a budget as well. I know there are better performing brands of equipment out there but these are more budget friendly and I can upgrade later on. Any advise on my setup is very much appreciated! Thanks for reading

lapin · Mar 4, 2020

I dont know much about the equipment you want. I do know Red Sea is expensive salt. If you do use it, get the Blue Bucket regular, not the Coral Pro

cjvilla · Mar 4, 2020

It sounds like you have a plan, that's good. I did the same as you on my 60 gallon set up. I planned everything for a few months before actually setting anything up. In my set up I used the cpr overflow box with 1" plumbing. I built my sump with a refugium and decided to use a dc return pump. I plan to have my equipment backed up with DC power just in case of power failure. As for lighting I use the current orbit LED and connected my 2 circular pump to it. The one thing you didn't mention was your water source. I have a Aquatic Life RO/DI which I use for my saltwater mixes and ATO. It works good and is inexpensive. If I could offer any advise I would suggest that you should consider getting one for your system .

Ddubbs77 · Mar 4, 2020

Thanks for the responses. I am picking up a BRS 4 stage water saver plus RODI system I’m picking up Saturday. Found one lightly used for $100. I’ll look at that salt lapin thank you.

jblasi · Mar 4, 2020

You have a great plan. I would be cautious of the crushed coral substrate though. It can be difficult to maintain because it’s more rocky then sand. Also, depending on what time of clean up crew or fish you get. They may not agree with it if they are a species that likes to bury themselves. My first saltwater tank I used crushed coral as well and it proved very difficult.

Ended up switching the tank to regular Fiji pink sand.

Ddubbs77 · Mar 4, 2020

Thanks for the tip jblasi

Ddubbs77 · Mar 4, 2020

Has anybody used the CPR CS50 overflow box? Id like to avoid drilling the tank if possible.

SeaSickness · Mar 4, 2020

I haven't used that overflow box before, however this link might be helpful for you in considering your options.

jblasi · Mar 5, 2020

Ddubbs77 said:
Has anybody used the CPR CS50 overflow box? Id like to avoid drilling the tank if possible.

I also used a CPR on my first tank. You will need an air pump with tubing to create a siphon. I will warn you, if you are worried about water noise in your home. It can be loud at times. It could have just been my complete ignorance of the overflow though. Also, when you do your overflow plumbing, put a gate valve in that was you are able to regular the flow down to the sump. If you don’t, you will have water dumping down the pipes also causing a gurgling sound and/or loud splashes.