Starting a Small Reef Tank

[revhtree Verified Admin]

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[skinz78]

I had a BTA in my 20g and I had a lot of issues trying to get it to park in one spot, it kept moving everywhere. I would skip the Xenia because it tends to grow like weeds and take over the tank in no time.

 

[T.W.]

I like how the torch coral flows. That's kinda what I am after in hopes the clowns host it(or is it the other way around?)

 

[T.W.]

So I decided to do a 10g sump (no fuge) for my 20g tank. I am planning on getting the Aquaticlife 115 or maybe the Tunze 9002 skimmer. I understand the way a sump works and am now trying to determine my baffle heights. I am going to make a DIY pipe style over flow. My guess is that the piping will hold around 2 gallons of water, which if I am getting this right is what I need to find a place for should the power go out, Right?.

My sump tank is going to be 20-1/4" x 12-3/4" x 10" (standard 10g rectanglar glass aquarium)

So that being said if I make my skimmer side baffle say 7" tall, my middle baffle 1" higher w/1" gap on bottom, and my return side baffle 7" tall, then my overflow/skimmer section will be 7" deep, and my return side depth will be determined by the gph flow of the return pump?

Jeez wheres my 14 year old when I need him? LOL

Thanks
TW

 

[jtgordon20]

Your return section will be determined by evaporation, not necessarily flow rate. It's the spot that will be affected first by water loss.

 

[LukeG]

Here's my 10 gallon sump/refugium combo I just built. Hope this helps. My baffles are 8" high and the bubble traps are 1/2" apart.

 

[Zack]

In January I will begin my exciting adventure into creating a reef aquarium. I am planning on a small 6 gallon set up to start. I have a 20 gallon tank I got for free but the cost to set that one up spooked my Wife a bit! So I figured I would start small and once she see's the fruits of the labor she will most likely sign off the larger tank setup.

Yea getting the wife's approval can be the hard part!! But I agree, once she see's the fruits of your labor, and how rewarding it can be, hopefully she will ok a HUGE tank for you!! Welcome to the addiction, I mean hobby...

Sent from my VS950 4G using Forum Runner

 

[T.W.]

Luke that looks about like what I was planning only I was going to make the traps 1" apart. Also I wasn't planning on a refugium, but thanks for posting. It helps me see that I am on the right track with some of this stuff.

Zack, the Wife is on board with the 20g now!!!!!!

 

[T.W.]

I received my BRS reef safe Dry Live Rock this afternoon and excited to begin the curing process. I am planning on a Live Sand bed and have been told that a 4" bed is the way to go. Here are some pics of how I set up the rock for now. I can always change after the curing is done.

Question #1 Should I make the rock taller? it is 5" from the top of the tank plus probably another few inches up for the lighting. PLus taking into account the 4" sand bed it will only be 6"-7" tall.

Question #2 The rock is a minimum of 1" from the glass at the closest spot. Is that ok? Or do I run the risk of an injured fish down the road?

Question #3 Should I cure the rock then cycle the tank? Or Cycle and cure at the same time?

Thanks for any advise.
TW

 

[skinz78]

I wouldn't make the rock taller, you will want to give it more space from the glass though, you want at least 2" for algae scrapers etc. I would suggest spray painting the back panel of the glass as well, IMHO it just looks better and hides any cords etc.

You won't need to cure dry rock, just cycle the tank with the rock inside.

 

[T.W.]

Awesome skinz Thanks for the insight. I will move the rock around to get that clearance. Any special type of paint for the back glass?

 

[skinz78]

I just use black or blue spray paint, I've even used pink on my daughters tank.

 

[T.W.]

For the last 4 days I have been slowly working on my DIY sump. I used aquarium safe silicone and 1/8" glass. I put 1 baffle in per day to allow proper set up time before moving on to the next ( i figured I would screw it up trying to rush). I tested for leaks today and SUCCESS!!!!! Now I just need to get my Stand built and plumb up the overflow and I'll be ready to cycle! I'll get some picks up once the Stand is built.

 

[T.W.]

Ok so I thought I had my aquascaping settled, but that is not the case. I started messing with it and lost my initial set up and one thing led to another and I got the hammer out and started chiseling here and there lol. Then I got to looking on the internet and forums here and started wondering if my 20g really needs a swim through for the fish. I am thinking I will put 2 Percula's in it and that is all for fish (the rest will be corals). Is it a good idea to have this "shady" spot for the fish or in case a future coral likes that kind of spot?

Thanks for your input.

 

[MarvinsReef]

I really commend yah for doing your homework. glad you're doing a 20g with 10g sump. that's a good start and should make a great home for a pair of clowns. you planning on regular Percs or designer Percs?

 

[T.W.]

Marvin, now I have some more research to do. This tank will be the focal point in the living room so the more eye catching it is the better! :bigsmile:

 

[MarvinsReef]

Marvin, now I have some more research to do. This tank will be the focal point in the living room so the more eye catching it is the better! :bigsmile:

then I would recommend Picasso's like the ones in my avatar. more variety in the markings in my thread if you wanna see what you can get out there. I'm partial to Picasso's if you haven't noticed already. LoL

 

[moreef]

So I decided to do a 10g sump (no fuge) for my 20g tank. I am planning on getting the Aquaticlife 115 or maybe the Tunze 9002 skimmer. I understand the way a sump works and am now trying to determine my baffle heights. I am going to make a DIY pipe style over flow. My guess is that the piping will hold around 2 gallons of water, which if I am getting this right is what I need to find a place for should the power go out, Right?.

My sump tank is going to be 20-1/4" x 12-3/4" x 10" (standard 10g rectanglar glass aquarium)

So that being said if I make my skimmer side baffle say 7" tall, my middle baffle 1" higher w/1" gap on bottom, and my return side baffle 7" tall, then my overflow/skimmer section will be 7" deep, and my return side depth will be determined by the gph flow of the return pump?

Jeez wheres my 14 year old when I need him? LOL

Thanks
TW

What is a pipe style overflow? I recently got a hob pre-filter/overflow box ( VERY expensive i might add ) for my tank because I didn't want to drill it with fish/coral in it already.

 

[moreef]

Sorry, I understand the overflow you are planning now. Also don't forget to drill a couple small holes in return lines just below water surface to prevent backflow into the sump. Congrats on the new tank :clap2:

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Can't wait to see the tank come together!