300g freshwater to Reef conversion

[ScottieB]

After reconnecting with my Cichlid roots for a few years got the itch to get back to reefing. I’ve been researching this for a while on this forum and thought I’d share my story.

I’m starting with a 300g, drilled center overflow, low tech planted discus tank with a custom wet dry bio-ball filled trickle.

1. drain and clean tank, moving remaining fish to the basement “fish room”

2. redo the sump which is in the room behind the tank and change the plumping for increased flow.

3. Add a basement water change/mixing station.

4. New sand, aquascape, fill and hope for the best.

Here’s where I’m starting:

 

[ScottieB]

Got step 1 done

And here’s the original picture of the sump from a few years ago. It’s a Lifereef, semi custom made to fit under a counter in the laundry room.

 

[ScottieB]

Got the sump cleaned out same day as the tank also got a bunch of boxes already from Black Friday deals (from sponsors of course). Did a lot of work last night and should keep making rapid updates.

 

[ScottieB]

Also started the basement water change/mixing station the other day by mounting the 7 stage BRS RO/DI

 

[SPR1968]

That’s a great write up and thanks for sharing all the pictures with us, very nice

And welcome to R2R as well!

 

[ScottieB]

One big thing I learned from this forum is your ideas for this mixing and water change station. It’s in the basement almost directly below the tank.

The large tank on the left is a 220 gallon tank built by a company called Surewater Tanks, they make a tall, skinny tank designed to fit through a doorway. That holds my RO/DI fitted with a float valve.

The smaller one of the right is 50 gallons, will be the mixing station. I probably could have designed the ball valves in better spots but this is my first time doing this kinda thing.

Everything is leak tested and seems to work well. The tall PVC running up to the ceiling is plumbed into the sump upstairs.

When I tested it, I was surprised the PanWorld 40 is pumping with that head, it’s gotta be pushing the limits of that pump but seems to have a lot of pressure left at the sump.

My goal is to put the pump on a remote switch and with the flick of a few buttons I’ll be able to change out 40-50g.

 

[Devaji]

nice tank and set up looks like its gonna be a great reef for you. keep the updates coming it fun to see it all come together.

 

[ScottieB]

So one (among many) challenge I encountered was how to transition from bioballs towers to filter socks.

Found this fantastic, cheap addition from a major online retailer. Solid acrylic, retaining screws in the back.

Went with 7 inch filter socks, I figure bigger is better?

 

[ScottieB]

And I want to share my experience with Life Rock from Caribsea. In short, I love it. But... I ordered 80 lbs of base rock, 20 lbs of shapes and 20 lbs of branches from BRS. Here’s three of the boxes, the shapes and branches are packed very well, individually wrapped in bubble wrap and surrounded by styrofoam peanuts. I heard people had issues with breakage, I did not.

80 lbs of base rock did have some chips, as seen by the white exposed areas. Overall really nice.

But I have to laugh at these branches....
My son thought they were fossilized dinosaur feet. I’m thinking something else... for both people seeing my posts, you decide.

 

[Devaji]

^ more like dinosaur poop. lol they will make some nice spot for coals for sure.
for the filter socks I prefer the cups and add cheap Polly fill and toss it every 3-5 days vs washing the socks.
just an idea.

 

[ScottieB]

Despite the fossilized turds I used some in my aquascaping. Going with something minimal for now, I like lots of free space to see fish swim the entire 8 foot length. Filling up the mixing station and should have water in it tomorrow.

 

[Ento-Reefer]

Very nice start. I used to keep discus myself and loved the way you had this set up for them.

What type of lighting are you gonna use for this tank?

 

[ScottieB]

I have four AI Vega LEDs built against the wall. I’m using them because I have them, I’m not crazy about them. I purchased the original first generation when they came out years ago.

I Reversed the brackets and mounted them to a piece of wood secured to the wall. Here’s a close up of the brackets.

 

[ScottieB]

I’m almost a week into a fishless cycle using Ammonia and I’ll put up some before and after sump picture tomorrow. I like how it turned out.

In the meantime I’ve reflected on a few things I’ve learned...

For the PVC I found it good to use the two part primer/glue. All those joints are solid.

Using plenty of PVC valves and unions is a good idea

Carib sea dry sand is filthy... takes so much rinsing it’s ridiculous.

Life Rock base and shapes are great, sticks... not so much.

Increasing the heat while fish-less cycling should speed up the process (I think)

Reading about everyone else’s builds is extremely helpful. Most of us are basically trying to achieve the same things.

 

[mattgsa]

Great looking tank, looking forward to following along.

 

[Mike1995]

I'd give anything to have discus. Beautiful fish.

 

[ScottieB]

Still fish-less cycling, ammonia just not coming down yet. In the meantime I got a before and after of the sump transformation.

Before, with bio balls...

After...bio ball towers removed. Filter socks, skimmer, pumps, etc on individual power switches. Still have a small section in front of the filter socks that I’m planning to put in an In-Sump refugium.

 

[ScottieB]

Something for discus lovers while I wait for the new cycle to happen.

 

[ScottieB]

So it’s been about a month, got the fish less cycle completed. Ended up using Dr Tim’s one and only, I felt like things got stalled but a week after adding it I was processing ammonia like a champ.

Got some LA fish going in...

 

[ScottieB]

Like Christmas!