Starting up from scratch, ideas

[lbacha]

You should check out BRStv's 52 weeks of reefing series. Lots of good info on the different equipment options and what is needed for each type of tank.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/video-category/52-weeks-of-reefing

I think marine depot has a similar series as well with a drop off style tank

 

[Wildblue4]

Yeah I’m currently watching the series.

Anyone know if they make a two part sump. Doesn’t look like I can get a 40 gallon sump in with the dimension I have. If not I am going to have to go to a smaller sump.

 

[beaslbob]

For you sump refugium you can always use storage containers. I put one in with the long side for and aft sticking out the back and supported by boards. That allowed me to have the hob drain straight down to the sump which doesn't apply to your system. I also recommend a large container for the refugium and smaller one for the sump/return.

To start the system I highly recommend you start with macro algaes as the first thing. Or at lease the first thing after adding saltwater anyway.

my .02

 

[Wildblue4]

Well after building boxes all day the dimensions on the Ruby 30 Sump Trigger will fit. It’s only 25 gallon sump but I’ll make it work. May just add Marine blocks in it to help with the loading with my live rock. When I get it in I’ll start the plumbing and start the rest of the build. Anyway I’m on my watch!

 

[Wildblue4]

For you sump refugium you can always use storage containers. I put one in with the long side for and aft sticking out the back and supported by boards. That allowed me to have the hob drain straight down to the sump which doesn't apply to your system. I also recommend a large container for the refugium and smaller one for the sump/return.

To start the system I highly recommend you start with macro algaes as the first thing. Or at lease the first thing after adding saltwater anyway.

my .02

When you get a chance can you give me a link to what your talking about as far as the algae?
Thank you

 

[Wildblue4]

Next I will probably be reading up on skimmers and return pumps. From reading up I am definitely getting me an Apex controller to build too. My question what’s your thoughts on a return pump and skimmer?

 

[beaslbob]

When you get a chance can you give me a link to what your talking about as far as the algae?
Thank you

Can't find the actual link but search the brstv series. menwhile here is a link to their ulm (ultra low maintenance) series https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/t...tanks-brstv-investigates.341149/#post-4245565

 

[Wildblue4]

 

[Wildblue4]

Here it is. I have everything up and running except for my skimmer. Still figuring it out. Started the cycle Thursday. Hope to go to my LFS and see if I can get a little LR to seed it with. Only if they have some that they have had for a while!!!

 

[JoshuaRock]

I just came across your thread, very nice tank! I like the scape. I was reading along and while you were thinking about the sumps, I was going to recommend a custom sump that can be built the way you need it so it will fit, or possibly “altering” your stand in the back to accommodate a sump the size you want. The bigger the better when it comes to sumps in my opinion. Also customaquariums.com has modular sumps that allow you to piece compartments together to achieve volume and compartments you need. But all of that is moot, seeing you have it up and running. LOL! It is a nice setup though and the apex is probably one the most wonderful things you will come across. It does everything and you can watch from afar(online). It can control lights, dosing, pumps, wave makers, skimmers, heaters.. maybe even your garage door. Can’t wait to see your tank with all the pretty colors of corals. Good luck.

 

[Wildblue4]

I just came across your thread, very nice tank! I like the scape. I was reading along and while you were thinking about the sumps, I was going to recommend a custom sump that can be built the way you need it so it will fit, or possibly “altering” your stand in the back to accommodate a sump the size you want. The bigger the better when it comes to sumps in my opinion. Also customaquariums.com has modular sumps that allow you to piece compartments together to achieve volume and compartments you need. But all of that is moot, seeing you have it up and running. LOL! It is a nice setup though and the apex is probably one the most wonderful things you will come across. It does everything and you can watch from afar(online). It can control lights, dosing, pumps, wave makers, skimmers, heaters.. maybe even your garage door. Can’t wait to see your tank with all the pretty colors of corals. Good luck.

Good to hear from you. We are kinda close. Any good LFS near you? St Louis?

 

[Wildblue4]

Here’s a few pictures today with just my blue LEDs running. Hope you can see them!

 

[Wildblue4]

Well I have been working pretty hard on my tank so I thought I would update everyone that’s interested.

Here’s my equipment (no certain order)
Willhi WH1436A Digital Temperature Controller
4X8 Filter Socks
2 Touch Smart Timers
Vertex Omega 150 Protein Skimmer
Tunes Osmolator 3155 ATO
2 SB Reef lights LED Pro 32”
BRS 5 Stage Plus Water Saver RO/DI System
Syncretic SK return pump
Advantage Ultraviolet Sterilizer 15 watt
Fluval FX6 Pump
2 Supra Slim HO T5 fixtures 36” with Actinic bulbs
2 Finnex HMO -300 300W heaters
Marine Pure Ceramic Biomedia Plate
Marine Pure Ceramic Biomedia Spheres
2 Koralia 1950 pumps
Koralia Smartwave Controller
Arag-Alive Reef Sand 80lbs
Locline 3/4 Dual Return Nozzle set
Marineland Magniflow 360 running UV
29 gallon Trigger Sump
Added Clean Up Crew
Yellow Tang
Golden head Golby
Coral Beauty

Well that’s about it.

 

[Wildblue4]

I am running into something I have never dealt with before. When I set up the tank I marked my sump water level for all three chambers so that I could tell what was going on with the water level. It has been on the money for over two months. Now all of a sudden the water in the last chamber where the return pump sets is starting to go up and down setting off my ATO alarm and even adding water if it gets low enough. I have cleaned the return pump but that didn't help. I have the returns all the way open and I am throttled on both of discharges from my pump. Just weird that all of a sudden it started acting like this. Anyone had this issue with the tanks in the past.
If it just moves a little I can live with it but don't want the ATO adding to much water. Maybe its just seasoning in!

 

[Reef-junky]

What style overflow are you running? Is your skimmer broken in?

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

I am running into something I have never dealt with before. When I set up the tank I marked my sump water level for all three chambers so that I could tell what was going on with the water level. It has been on the money for over two months. Now all of a sudden the water in the last chamber where the return pump sets is starting to go up and down setting off my ATO alarm and even adding water if it gets low enough. I have cleaned the return pump but that didn't help. I have the returns all the way open and I am throttled on both of discharges from my pump. Just weird that all of a sudden it started acting like this. Anyone had this issue with the tanks in the past.
If it just moves a little I can live with it but don't want the ATO adding to much water. Maybe its just seasoning in!

Check for any blockage or restriction on either of your drains. i wouldn't take much for it to change the water level in your return chamber. Specifically, watch the water level in each overflow to see if the water level in either one rises and/or lowers in conjunction with the water level the sump. If one does, then this may indicate some sort of restriction on the stand pipe. could just be a snail.

 

[Wildblue4]

What style overflow are you running? Is your skimmer broken in?

I use the Durso standpipe and the skimmer is running fine.

I will look for something in the suction pipe tomorrow when I get home.

My last aquarium had an hang on overflow box on it so that brings this question up. I have the top of the Durso just above my overflow chambers ( 2 returns and 2 suction drilled in bottom of aquarium) thus keeping my water level in the tank about an 1' over the suction chambers. Should the suction pipe be shorter and down in the suction chamber? And if so will the water level drop in the tank? I tried a shorter suction pipe but the water would drop down to the top of the suction and the take a large gulp of air allowing the water to rise inside the chamber then all of a sudden the water would drop back down to the top of the pipe. Didn't think this would work so I did a little research and came up with the Durso. I just don't know what height the Durso should be in relationship to my overflow chambers.

 

[Reef-junky]

Couldn’t tell how to set up a durso as that’s not that great of a set up to run. Herbie or Bean Animal is the way to go. A HOB overflow can fail by losing siphon vs drilling the tank which can’t. Durso overflows are known for making noise and if the pipe plugs you could possibly overflow your DT or sump depending on how much space you have to hold water. How far below the water line is the pipe from the overflow sitting if it’s more then 1” this can cause the flushing action you are describing if I remember correctly.

 

[Wildblue4]

After watching YouTube all night...lol I came across a video dealing the the Durso set up. So I added a air valve today. After doing this it helped with the return flow so much that now I can open the discharge from my sump pump 100% and everything maintains its level. Which is what I wanted to accomplish. Here's the thing though...I can only add the air valve to one return. If I try to add it to the other return, the water level in that return chamber does not change but the one return that is working, the water level in that chamber starts to go up and down pretty violently. So needless to say I took off the air valve on that side and got everything lined out so I could go to work and not worry about it all night long. Will try something else and see where I get.

 

[Wildblue4]

So I still need some ideas. IV been running the Durso for a wile now but it has never worked to my satisfaction. One overflow doesn't flow right and the other fluctuates and causes my sump ATO to over fill the aquarium. I have tried everything I can think of from different size air holes to valves with no luck. I can get one overflow to work but not both. I guess my next step will be to try the stockman and see if I can get it going because the Durso is letting my snails in and causing havoc. Any input that has not been discussed would be great. My tank is pre-drilled so I don't have a lot of options. I'm not as much concerned about sound as I am getting my sump to stay a constant level.