New 75g Reef Tank

SnakeBlitz33 · Jan 7, 2015

Thank you mjs. I appreciate it for confirming my suspicion that it would be enough.

SnakeBlitz33 · Jan 8, 2015

Four things I need to get the tank wet:

Return kit from glass holes
Styrofoam
Quiet pump
Plumbing supplies.

The styro and plumbing supplies is easy enough. The kit and pump I have to order tonight.

I need to find a tub that I can soak some rock in and then I can get the tank wet!!! Woohoo!

EricB · Jan 9, 2015

Did you get your trailer braced?

SnakeBlitz33 · Jan 9, 2015

The guy that I hired to do it said that there is enough existing bracing under it already and that it wasn't necessary. He talked to the landlord and my landlord agreed that it wasn't necessary. Believe it or not, I even got my money back.

I havnt had a chance to order the pump and return kit yet. I'll do that tonight sometime. I'm getting in some banjo practice before the wife goes to bed though.

)

EricB · Jan 9, 2015

Sweet

SeahorseKeeper · Jan 9, 2015

That's awesome! More money for the build.

SnakeBlitz33 · Jan 10, 2015

Anyone have any thoughts on running a phosphate/GAC reactor off of a return pump? I'm just trying to condense and eliminate unnecessary cords so it will all look clean.

Anyone have some ideas on how to organize wires for concealment?

I'm going to measure my stand height and see how tall of a skimmer I can get and then I'll need recommendations. I guess I'll start a new thread for that though in the equipment section.

EricB · Jan 10, 2015

Seth, I run a calcium reactor and phosban reactor off a manifold from my return pump. A couple of tees and gate valves is all it takes. I put the manifold as close to the return pump as possible, that way when the return plumbing gets air in it during power-downs the least amount of air gets pumped into the reactors when I restore power to the return pump.

SnakeBlitz33 · Jan 10, 2015

Ok.

I'll run a line from the return pump just before a check valve. That way, the valve should keep air from getting into the reactors.

I decided against buying a Biopellet reactor for now. It's just unnecessary. As the months progress, I'll add onto the system little by little. Been asking around about skimmers and I almost have my mind set on one- an RLSS i6. But even that is unnecessary for the next six months.

Right now my focus is getting the tank wet and what I need to do for that.

EricB · Jan 12, 2015

I didn't put a check valve in mine, though it wouldn't have hurt. The small amount of air that gets pumped into the reactors escapes pretty quickly.

EricB · Jan 14, 2015

Any updates?

SnakeBlitz33 · Jan 14, 2015

I am slowing up the project a little bit. A package that was promised to me was either never sent or got lost. I have to buy an RO membrane and some other RO things before I can think about buying a return pump. All I need to get it up and going is a return pump, salt, styrofoam, RO membrane, carbon and plumbing.

I'm still just takin my time. I want to pay a little debt down this month and then I'll feel better about spending money on a hobby. Lol

SnakeBlitz33 · Jan 18, 2015

So, I bought a bunch of stuff to help get the tank started. whew, boy did I go on a spending spree. That's fine though.

I bought:

RO Unit filters
RO in-line TDS meter
RO membrane
Sink attachment for RO water
3.2G water tank
2 float valves
Water softener filter
30 feet of 1/4" RO tubing
1 T john guest fitting
1/4" john guest ball valves
Lifeguard Aquatic Quiet One pump model 4000
extra 200 micron filter sock
seven 1" bulkheads
One 1 3/4" glass hole saw
rotating nozzle from glass holes.
Serviceable 1" gate valve - to dial in the siphon on the bean animal overflow.

and finally:

Aquamaxx ConeS CO-1 protein skimmer. A little overkill at first, but I'm sure it will settle in and do very well on the tank over time.

I'm happy with my purchases.

I still have to buy:
Styrofoam
black paint
glass for c2C overflow and drain box
wood for the water change station and refugium stand.

I decided to set one ten gallon up as a deep sandbed refugium and the other ten gallon as a water change station.

SnakeBlitz33 · Jan 18, 2015

Don't everyone comment at once!

SeahorseKeeper · Jan 18, 2015

We don't believe you without pics!!!

SnakeBlitz33 · Jan 18, 2015

Lol. Gotta get the goods in the mail first I guess.

EricB · Jan 19, 2015

Sounds like you got the biggest chunk taken out of your list. I think you're going to be glad you went with a BeanAnimal opposed to a G-Holes overflow. The extra work is so worth it.

SnakeBlitz33 · Jan 20, 2015

Yeah, I got to order some glass next.

Need some help figuring out the dimensions of the back drain box with 1" bulkheads.

Also, what glass thickness?

SnakeBlitz33 · Jan 25, 2015

I have gotten a lot done since I posted last.

I built the side stand for the three ten gallon tanks. I had to change up the order of the tanks and I think it is for the best. I put the saltwater mixing tank above the refugium so that I can dump the new saltwater into the fuge first and it can act like a buffer zone. I might even add the supplements into the refugium first as well.

All I am waiting for now is the glass for the overflow and I'll be able to drill the return and the bean animal overflow and Ill be set. I'll probably have water in it either by this weekend or next. I'm just ready to get this tank wet!!

SnakeBlitz33 · Jan 26, 2015

Well, I got my glass cut for the overflow. I need to find some putty and cardboard so I can cut the holes properly.

Too bad the silicone is coming in tomorrow instead of today.

Now all I need is styrofoam for the ten gallon tanks and I'll be set.

Btw, I'm keeping the glass holes overflow and not doing a coast to coast.