A Newbies attempt at a 48gal Corner tank

[ryleary]

So my 1.5 y.o. has a thing for Nemo and all things fish. I am a very DIY oriented dude, and I am attempting my first build. What kind of dad would I be if i didnt?


I have been researching for a month now. Im trying to keep it all under $1000 as im not super rich. Hoping to get some advice from fellow reefers about my build.


So this

is the tank I picked up on CL that I am testing for leaks currenly. It is about a year old and was used for freshwater previously.


So heres my purchace list from amazon


Lighting http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LV2D07Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1K9KXIW5VAA77


Powerheads x2 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036RXO5M/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER Dont know if i need 2 for the tank, might use one for mixing saltwater.


Overflow kit Amazon.com : All Glass Aquarium AAG29251 Overflow Accessory New Kit : Aquarium Starter Kits : Pet Supplies


Ro/DI http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DOG63OY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER


Heater http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BUFT3OI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_9?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER Im getting one for sump, one for my saltwater mixing setup.


UV sterilizer - Still looking for something thats not $300, dont know if its 100% necessary off the bat. Could add later.


Skimmer - Again, still looking on craigslist for something used.


I am also planning on buying a 20gal tank from petco and making a sump/refug, and pluming it all from the basement so the display tank is the only thing visible upstairs.


I plan on getting rock, sand, and salt from my LFS. Still doing more research on which way I should go with the rock, dry, wet, seeding, etc.


I will continue to update my build as it goes, any/all advice is much appreciated!

 

[ryleary]

LED light, powerheads, heaters, and filter socks came from amazon, big day. Have been doing nothing but research in my spare time.

The Aqumana 165W LED I got from amazon only has one outlet on the back, which was strange because the instructions said there would be 2 with 2 cords. Only has one cord one outlet.

Found this weird, watched a few videos and everyone else seems to have 2 outlets. Was hoping to put each on a timer, guess Ill be turning knobs every night.

Either way im excited to start sump build and plumbing the sump from the basement to the first floor. My only concern about the basement is that its usually 10 degrees cooler in the winter, hoping the 250w heater can keep up if i put it in the sump. May have to do some insulating.

 

[Calmbeast]

It looks like there are two European plug sockets in the bottom of the picture of the LED. It caught my attention because I bought a pump off of eBay and needed a converter bc of the euro plug.

 

[ryleary]

I guess I'll have to move to Scotland with my setup then

 

[46gReef]

Welcome to Reef2reef and the world of saltwater! One thing I'd tell you right off the rip is be patient, very few good things come quickly in this hobby!Looks like you have the right idea(s) so far. One thing I would say is scratch the U. V. sterilizer, and save yourself the money to invest elsewhere. Some people may disagree and they swear by UV but most harmful pathogenic organisms are not free swimming in the water column for any extended period of time, they are benthic, so while a UV sterilizer may kill a few here and there that happen to get sucked through there are pretty inefficient when it comes to killing "disease". They do help with water clarity during algae blooms but that use in my experience is mostly for outdoor ponds. I'd recommend going as big as possible with your sump, water volume equals water stability & the more room you have in your sump the more equipment you can keep out of your DT. Do you plan on having macro algae in your sump to assist in nutrient removal?As far as a slkmmer goes I'd look into the octopus brand, very good bang for your buck in my experience. Are you planning on drilling the tank yourself for the overflow? What's your plans for livestock?

 

[ryleary]

I did end up scrapping the UV for my initial build and will add later if I have alge problems and absolutely need it.

I'm going with a 20g long sump with refugium, and yes I do plan to keep some sand, macro alge, and live rock in there.

I ordered my overflow kit from glass holes. Com last night and I do plan on drilling the tank myself. I use those same hole saws to drill tile all the time, can't be much harder, I've watched about 20 videos on the process.

For live stock I plan on a cleanup crew, a shrimp/goby pair, a pair of clowns and then doing more research before adding anything else.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Welcome and good luck with your build!!

 

[ryleary]

Thank you! Everyone here is very helpful. I have never seen more willingly helpful people than in the reefing community.

Waiting for my pump, overflow kit, and rodi to arrive. Trying to stifle my excitement... Nothings working.

I plan on cutting an access panel in my wall where my drain lines will be run to the sump tomorrow night.

When the pump comes I can run my drain and return lines.

Then it's off to my LFS to get some rock and sand.

Still jot sure what type of rock I should go for, lots of different opinions, any tips for a beginner?

 

[boba]

Looks like you are off to a nice start. Post pics as you move ahead! Good luck!

 

[fishroomlady]

welcome to the hobby! I love your excitement - I also really like the tank you selected - I've not seen one that size before - in terms of rock, I like live rock at least a good sized piece or two - I know that many prefer not to risk the problem of having unwanted hitchhikers but you can find so many good, cool things in real live rock - I also think it's good to add to biological diversity - I wouldn't say it all needs to be live, I'd go some dry to save money.

If you buy your rock in person (as opposed to on-line) just make sure to inspect for any obvious problems especially aiptasia (small nuisance anemone creatures)

 

[ryleary]

welcome to the hobby! I love your excitement - I also really like the tank you selected - I've not seen one that size before - in terms of rock, I like live rock at least a good sized piece or two - I know that many prefer not to risk the problem of having unwanted hitchhikers but you can find so many good, cool things in real live rock - I also think it's good to add to biological diversity - I wouldn't say it all needs to be live, I'd go some dry to save money.

If you buy your rock in person (as opposed to on-line) just make sure to inspect for any obvious problems especially aiptasia (small nuisance anemone creatures)

After reading a bunch on rock last night, I was thinking about doing about 10lbs of live wet rock from my LFS and 30 lbs dry and then seeding with bio-spira to get a cycle going. I guess that is pretty standard for impatient noobs like my self.

I really like the tank too, it was really hard to find, they really don't make any corner tanks less thank 55g these days and it was $350 at my LFS. I found that one for 1/3rd of the price on CL.

 

[ryleary]

So I had another order come in from Amazon last night. I'd love to give my LFS some business, but their prices are literally double anything I find on Amazon. I approached the owner about a ehiem pump that was $167 and the box looked faded because it had been on the shelf so long. I asked him if he priced matched and showed him the same model on Amazon brand new for $92 and he just said "nope". So I'm guessing he would just miss the pump too much and wants to keep it on that shelf as long as possible. /end rant.

So I got my salt[instant ocean], 2 Hydor 850s, testing kit, heaters, and python for water changes

I also built a stand for rodi and grabbed 2x 44g brutes. I'm thinking of finding another small pump to Mix my saltwater and pump it from the barrel to my sump, maybe 3 ft of of head and a 3 ft horizontal run. But I am also real close to hitting my $1000 cap with saving room for rock, sand, and fish. Anyone have a little pump they are using?

I also got the first two baffles in my sump, but a few friends came over and I had to quit early.

It's all coming along, just waiting on my overflow kit from glass-holes, my mag 12, and rodi. Still have to do all of the plumbing, I have been altering my plans slightly everyday. I will post a layout of what I am planning to do before I attempt it to see what you guys think.

More updates to come soon!

 

[ryleary]

Sump is almost done, installed my overflow, cutting holes in the wall tonight! I might not sleep.

 

[ryleary]

Drilling pilot holes for plumbing, my non-existent wife is gonna kill me.

 

[ryleary]

Getting it done while the baby sleeps upstairs. I have a problem.

Started plumbing the saltwater mixing station. Not enough unions, had to stop.

Filled up the sump to check the baffles for leaks. All good. Watching those first waterfalls over the glass is nothing short of majestic.

More to come when I have a spare minute.

 

[Calmbeast]

drilling pilot holes for plumbing, my non-existent wife is gonna kill me.

lol!

 

[ryleary]

Don't know why my pics keep coming out sideways.

 

[ryleary]

Almost done with plumbing, live sand and rodi came today. Next step it mounting the rodi to plywood on the cement.

Also have to find gfic power strips. Home Depot didn't have, anyone know a good place to find them?

 

[ryleary]

Also, anyone know how to diy a background on the cheap? I think they are like 25$ish at my LFS

 

[reef_grrrl]

Also, anyone know how to diy a background on the cheap? I think they are like 25$ish at my LFS

Pick up some cheap black or blue paint and paint it!

Love your build so far! Can't wait to see it all come together!