Starting a Small Reef Tank
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OP
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T.W.
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I got the back of my tank painted and the rock the way I like it (I think) I kept the rock about 1-1/2" or more away from the glass for cleaning purposes and also left an open area to the left side. The rock seems a bit on the short side to me but I didn't want to clutter it up any way. Plus the way they are now everything is locked in really good so no worries about a land slide if the fish get to "horsing'" around!:bigsmile:.
Also threw in a pic of my completed sump (10g with 3 baffles spaced 1" apart. water test ok) The bag in the sump has scrap reef saver rock in it. Once I get set up I will put that in the overflow section for added filtration. (special thanks to Chris for enabling me to sound like I know what I am talking about:wink
(That table the tanks are sitting on is some of what I am going to build my stand out of. The rest is coming from a lodge pole pine headboard we don't need anymore. The sump and QT will be housed in a cabinet below the display. Haven't started on the stand yet but will get pics up as I progress.)
Also threw in a pic of my completed sump (10g with 3 baffles spaced 1" apart. water test ok) The bag in the sump has scrap reef saver rock in it. Once I get set up I will put that in the overflow section for added filtration. (special thanks to Chris for enabling me to sound like I know what I am talking about:wink
SeahorseKeeper
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I like your rockwork. The tank will look great once you get it filled and have some life in it.
OP
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T.W.
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I hope I haven't asked this already but :
Since I am waiting to build my stand and get my tank cycling I have been thinking about a quarantine tank set-up. I will have room in my stand to house it but with all the advice on how hard it is to keep a small SW tank I began to wonder.
#1. Will a 5 g or 10g be hard to keep stable for me, a Noob reefer?
#2. Can I use a HOB in my DT sump with a filter and just move the HOB filter to the QT when ever I get a new coral/fish?
I have an old HOB filter from my Son's 40g FW set-up. It was undersized in my opinion but will work great for my purposes.
#3. Does the QT need lighting? Or just open the cabinet doors to let ambient light in during the day?
As always thank you for the helpful insight.
Since I am waiting to build my stand and get my tank cycling I have been thinking about a quarantine tank set-up. I will have room in my stand to house it but with all the advice on how hard it is to keep a small SW tank I began to wonder.
#1. Will a 5 g or 10g be hard to keep stable for me, a Noob reefer?
#2. Can I use a HOB in my DT sump with a filter and just move the HOB filter to the QT when ever I get a new coral/fish?
I have an old HOB filter from my Son's 40g FW set-up. It was undersized in my opinion but will work great for my purposes.
#3. Does the QT need lighting? Or just open the cabinet doors to let ambient light in during the day?
As always thank you for the helpful insight.
SeahorseKeeper
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1. I think a 10 gallon QT would be much better than a 5 gallon. I would recommend having plenty of saltwater available to do water changes as necessary.
2. I would just keep some spare sponges in the sump as opposed to having the filter hooked up on sump. The bacteria will colonize just fine on the sponges and they are easy to move when you need them.
3. The QT does not need light.
I would be concerned with the QT being close to the sump. Now, I must admit I am pretty paranoid, but I would be concerned of the remote possibility of cross contaminating the DT if the QT is close to the sump.
2. I would just keep some spare sponges in the sump as opposed to having the filter hooked up on sump. The bacteria will colonize just fine on the sponges and they are easy to move when you need them.
3. The QT does not need light.
I would be concerned with the QT being close to the sump. Now, I must admit I am pretty paranoid, but I would be concerned of the remote possibility of cross contaminating the DT if the QT is close to the sump.
OP
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T.W.
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That makes sense. With the plans I have drawn up for my stand I will be able to fit a 10 gallon QT next to my 10 gallon sump and have 8"-10" of space between. Plus I could add a Divider between them just in case I get sloppy.
OP
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T.W.
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How much of a drop should there be from the end of my overflow tube to the water in the sump? (does that make any sense? I wondered how to word it)
I am thinking there should be some to aerate the water a bit but not sure how much. I don't want to much noise (it will put me to sleep) or too much splashing!
I am thinking there should be some to aerate the water a bit but not sure how much. I don't want to much noise (it will put me to sleep) or too much splashing!
OP
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T.W.
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Thank ya Sir! I thought I had seen some that weren't quite to the water but dropping it down into the water makes sense.
On a side note, I am going to build my own stand. My neighbor is acting kinda flaky about building this with me and I have been waiting almost a month for him to help. So starting this Saturday my Step-Dad and I are going to build it. Shouldn't be that tough.
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Do to the small size you will have your work cut out for you. Even with a bigger tank it is hard to keep everything in check. With a small tank any problems that arise will be a problem due to the small quanity of water. You will have to be very carefull what you put in this tank and have one heck of a filtertration system. Go bigger my friend.
OP
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T.W.
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Nah It'll be alright. I ain't scared :xd:
So I got my tank stand framework completed today. I think this stand will be good for at least a couple of tank size upgrades! lol. It is pretty stout. I will get pics of it in the next few days.
OP
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T.W.
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As soon as I get this darn Stand built and my sump all plumbed up I will post a few pics. My 20 High is going to be a bit small for this stand but there will be ample space to place a drink while gazing at the reef. Plus I don't think it will be possible for my nephews ( 4 1/2 and 3 years old :neutral to knock this tank/stand over. I know eventually I will want to upgrade anyway, so with this stand build I won't have to go buy another! Now I just need to decide on what to side the thing with. Was thinking of old pallet slats like DBarsotti did. Wonder if he patented that yet ? lol. I hate to copy but I have zero dollars in my Reef budget left this month for my stand and I know where some old pallets are in a field behind my house!
In my case poverty is the mother of invention, not necessity! lol
to knock this tank/stand over. I know eventually I will want to upgrade anyway, so with this stand build I won't have to go buy another! Now I just need to decide on what to side the thing with. Was thinking of old pallet slats like DBarsotti did. Wonder if he patented that yet ? lol. I hate to copy but I have zero dollars in my Reef budget left this month for my stand and I know where some old pallets are in a field behind my house!In my case poverty is the mother of invention, not necessity! lol
OP
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T.W.
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The stand is 32Wx24Dx36H. This is looking at the front and I will install some doors. I am thinking I will make an upper shelf in the cabinet space as I will have about 29" of vertical space down there! I like that I have some options and things will have plenty of room. This was all 2x6 scraps my Step-Dad had laying around. We ripped most down to 2x4 size. Tomorrow I am going to harvest my siding and pressure wash the framework off. Possible I may start this baby up by next weekend.
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T.W.
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Thanks. Going to hit it real quick with an orbital sander then with the pressure washer. Let it dry, seal it, and put the siding on and stain the outside. Shooting for Saturday Set up and Start up!!!
I think I am going to get the slats for the siding and scrub them with a wire brush to bring out the grain. I have seen that done before and it looks really good!
I think I am going to get the slats for the siding and scrub them with a wire brush to bring out the grain. I have seen that done before and it looks really good!
OP
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T.W.
Active Member
Yeah I am wondering now if I might have to build a sturdy shelf and put the sump on it. I bought a Maxi-Jet 900 for my return pump. Max head height is 46". By my calculations I am going to be at 49" if I put the sump on the bottom instead of on a shelf. Bummer thought I had that calculated out better. May need to get a bigger pump.
Yeah Luke shoot me a pm if you don't mind.
Thanks.
Yeah Luke shoot me a pm if you don't mind.
Thanks.
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