29 gallon reef tank build.

[Reefer805]

Update!
My first BTA...
It’s the size of a half dollar or ping pong ball.
Settled in nicely. Moved 3 inches away from my PowerHead and it’s open and bulbous. Let see how she does.
What can I feed it?
It’s so small?
Mysis?

 

[Reefer805]

Well a lot has happened. My tank is booming with life. Sand worms, feather dusters, pods.
Organized all the wires. Got sick of it.

Some upgrades:
American DJ PC100A surge switchboard.
5.5g hospital/QT Tank

 

[Reefer805]

Well a lot has happened. My tank is booming with life. Sand worms, feather dusters, pods.
Organized all the wires. Got sick of it.

Some upgrades:
American DJ PC100A surge switchboard.
5.5g hospital/QT Tank

 

[Dizzirn]

Beautiful

 

[Reefer805]

Upgraded the powerheads today!
Got this MP10 for next to nothing.
It’s only gunna get better!
Next is ATO and maybe converting to a sump.
All feedback is appreciated!

 

[Reefer805]

So it begins. My 29g has been great so far, but we’re gunna take it to the next level and get it ready for SPS and more difficult corals. Adding a 25g custom starfire glass sump and controller. This is gunna be a ****** build. Ordered all the plumbing from Bulk Reef Supply and waiting on my return pump from EcoTech. Will be using a Eshopps premier 120 skimmer with an Eshopps pf800 overflow. The flow through the sump will be around 400-450gph so the nutrient export will be most effective! So follow me and this build. I’m kinda excited!

 

[Reefer805]

So the sump conversion has begun! First things first, since this sump is all glass I took some precautions as to make sure it’s a 100 percent level. I did that by first checking the bottom shelf for level and trueness. That being done I used Innovative Marine’s DIY Aquarium Leveling Mat. This material is self leveling and removes all pressure points that can lead to tank failure. It’s self adhesive and custom cut, so that makes it easy and fast! I recommend this on all sumps and display tanks. Available @bulkreefsupply and @MarineDepot. Next is the plumbing, waiting on some parts from a number of places. #reeftank #reeftankbuild #innovativemarine #bulkreefsupply #marinedepot #level #sump #upgrade #allmymoneygoestocoral #darkhorsereef

 

[zachxlutz]

So the sump conversion has begun! First things first, since this sump is all glass I took some precautions as to make sure it’s a 100 percent level. I did that by first checking the bottom shelf for level and trueness. That being done I used Innovative Marine’s DIY Aquarium Leveling Mat. This material is self leveling and removes all pressure points that can lead to tank failure. It’s self adhesive and custom cut, so that makes it easy and fast! I recommend this on all sumps and display tanks. Available @bulkreefsupply and @MarineDepot. Next is the plumbing, waiting on some parts from a number of places. #reeftank #reeftankbuild #innovativemarine #bulkreefsupply #marinedepot #level #sump #upgrade #allmymoneygoestocoral #darkhorsereef

Very nice. That leveling foam is great stuff. It came from the factory on my little IM nuvo 10 and it really makes for a great level surface to place the tank on.

 

[Reefer805]

Mocking up the drain line, used unistrut to attach pipe since my cabinet is not traditional. Spears gate valve on both drain and return. Now figure out the manifold for GFO, carbon, and a future use. Thanks to @bulkreefsupply and @MarineDepot for the fast shipping!#reeftank #plumbing #mockingup #unistrut #spearsplumbing #darkhorsereef

 

[Reefer805]

It’s running without a hitch or leaks!!! The conversion is completed. Minus the Eshopps skimmer and refugium light. Gotta clean up some wiring and make it clean looking! Also waiting for my GFO and carbon reactor...

 

[Reefer805]

Sometimes, simple is what works. Need to clean up some more wires and such and wait for my new skimmer. #reeftank #reeftankbuild #sump #starfire #customplumbing #bulkreefsupply #marinedepot #darkhorsereef

 

[Daniel@R2R]

looking great!! I love the upgrades. Following along!

 

[Reefer805]

Got the refugium set up today! Chaeto and all! Here’s to nutrient export! #reeftank #reeftankbuild #upgrade #chaetomorpha #macroalgae #refugium #allmymoneygoestocoral #darkhorsereef

 

[Reefer805]

Another upgrade to add to the Darkhorse Reef. The Bulk Reef Supply dual reactor. Little overkill for a 29dt, but gives me some growing room. I’ll be running 3/4 cup GFO and a 1/2 cup carbon. Well check back in a week to see how the algae holds up. #reeftank #reeftankbuild #bulkreefsupply #reactor #gfo #carbon #darkhorsereef

 

[Reefer805]

From day 1 to 5 months! How far I’ve come. Started with a 29 gallon tank from @petsmart and a @fluvalaquatics Aquaclear 110 HOB. Now I’m running a full sump/refugium with reactors! Truly blessed and stoked! #reeftank #reeftankbuild #allmymoneygoestocorals #polyplab #eshopps #sump #bulkreefsupply #marinedepot #timelapse #darkhorsereef

 

[GK3]

Very cool. I have been building a 29 gal display 20 gal long sump for the past several months. I like what you did here and great call on moving to sump, much better setup and will let you do more with the tank.

 

[GK3]

What are the two corals down on the bottom in the front? They look the same but one is green and the other blue?

 

[Reefer805]

What are the two corals down on the bottom in the front? They look the same but one is green and the other blue?

Both Favia frags

 

[Reefer805]

The reef is looking more mature everyday.
Removed the silencer sponge from my overflow to decrease nutrients and increase flow. Diatoms are slowly going away after setting up my new RODI system. Frequent water changes, frequent sock changes and lighter feedings are finally kicking this algae’s booty! Next upgrade is a Neptune Systems Apex controller and add another Ecotech MP10 on a reeflink.

 

[Reefer805]

No filter, no jokes, no messing around. Finally this algae is going away. Added a GFO/Carbon reactor, Chaeto to my fuge, lighten my feedings, more frequent sock changes, less intense light schedule, consistent weekly water changes. #reeftank #algaecontrol #maintenance #consistencyiskey #darkhorsereef