46 Bowfront First Reef Build

[DKaiser1189]

I’ve been into the planted tank world for years and I’m finally plunging into salt. The corals attracted me primarily being a planted tank guy and the fish are a bonus. It ll be a LPS and softie tank. I was going to do an EVO but my wife had me just reuse my 46 which was empty.

Equipment:

Fluval Sea Marine Bluetooth LEDs 36” (x2)

Hydro Koralia circulation pumps (x2)

Likely an Eshopps PF-800

Likely a Jebao DCP-3000

10 gallon DIY sump

- filter sock
- chemipure blue
- filter sponge

I’m planning on plumbing the tank with pvc painted black to hide it.


The old set up:

New scape with live and dry rock:

Testing my sump:

it works I’ll just have to adjust the return pump flow to match the overflow. It’s also got some room for a skimmer someday.


I also just snagged a brute garbage can to mix salt and sweet home theater power strip that’s got build in led lights for under the tank.

Pics to come as I progress.

 

[HotRocks]

I’ve been into the planted tank world for years and I’m finally plunging into salt. The corals attracted me primarily being a planted tank guy and the fish are a bonus. It ll be a LPS and softie tank. I was going to do an EVO but my wife had me just reuse my 46 which was empty.

Equipment:

Fluval Sea Marine Bluetooth LEDs 36” (x2)

Hydro Koralia circulation pumps (x2)

Likely an Eshopps PF-800

Likely a Jebao DCP-3000

10 gallon DIY sump

- filter sock
- chemipure blue
- filter sponge

I’m planning on plumbing the tank with pvc painted black to hide it.


The old set up:

New scape with live and dry rock:

Testing my sump:

it works I’ll just have to adjust the return pump flow to match the overflow. It’s also got some room for a skimmer someday.


I also just snagged a brute garbage can to mix salt and sweet home theater power strip that’s got build in led lights for under the tank.

Pics to come as I progress.

Welcome to the salt world and to R2R!

We are glad to have you here!!!



This place is packed with great people and TONS of great info!!!!

Keep this pics coming!

 

[mali70111]

Following the progress and build. Pictures and pictures....

 

[DKaiser1189]

Snagged a gently used Eshopps PF-300 for $30 and an aquatop 607gph pump for $35. Reviews were decent in the aquatop so we shall see. It’s flow adjusts so I should be able to account for the flow rate. Should be about 7x turnover given the tanks volume not including the displacement from livestock and sand.

 

[DKaiser1189]

New reef toys received

Time to test some plumbing

We shall see...

 

[mch1984]

Will be following along, looks like a good build. That planted tank was stunning, did you upgrade it? or just tear down?

 

[jsker]

Welcome to R2R and bowfront saltwater tanks

 

[DKaiser1189]

Will be following along, looks like a good build. That planted tank was stunning, did you upgrade it? or just tear down?

Tore it down in favor of a reef. Figured it wasn’t too far a stretch from the upkeep of a high tech planted to a reef.

 

[DKaiser1189]

Couldn’t be working better. Sump levels are consistent makin me think the head loss from the 607 gph pump leaves the pump about equal to the Eshopps of-300.

I’m gonna let it run outside for a few hours to make sure everything’s good before draining it and disassembling it to be glued permanently. Still need to find a reducer for the return and find a way to hold it in place.

 

[jsker]

Couldn’t be working better. Sump levels are consistent makin me think the head loss from the 607 gph pump leaves the pump about equal to the Eshopps of-300.

DC pumps are great for adjust the speed up or down for the return. I use a Jaboa return pump for my 75 bowfront that runs at 75% with a stand pipe to control the overflow noise

 

[DKaiser1189]

My question now is what height do I place the overflow box in relation to water height?I’ve noticed this is a great impact on flow rate. Once I establish the correct height do I just snug down the bolt and try to maintain a consistent water level?

 

[jsker]

My question now is what height do I place the overflow box in relation to water height?I’ve noticed this is a great impact on flow rate. Once I establish the correct height do I just snug down the bolt and try to maintain a consistent water level?

The height really does not matter, it is the rate of the return pump, and overflow line to the sump that determines the flow and since you have a syphon the size of the syphon into the back of the return. You can put a valve in your return to adjust the flow, but over time this is hard on the return pump.

 

[DKaiser1189]

The height really does not matter, it is the rate of the return pump, and overflow line to the sump that determines the flow and since you have a syphon the size of the syphon into the back of the return. You can put a valve in your return to adjust the flow, but over time this is hard on the return pump.

Then I’m wondering if my pump is under power. When I let the overflow go full blast the pump doesn’t keep up. May need to upgrade.

 

[jsker]

Then I’m wondering if my pump is under power. When I let the overflow go full blast the pump doesn’t keep up. May need to upgrade.

Sounds like you need a larger pump.

 

[DKaiser1189]

Sounds like you need a larger pump.

On the bright side I needed one for my salt mixing brute can anyways lol [emoji38]

 

[jsker]

On the bright side I needed one for my salt mixing brute can anyways lol [emoji38]

The Jebao pumps work great and are on the budget side I have a 66o gph overflow and use a DCT-4000 at %75

 

[DKaiser1189]

The Jebao pumps work great and are on the budget side I have a 66o gph overflow and use a DCT-4000 at %75

Like this?

 

[jsker]

Like this?

That is a good deal, I order mine from Amazon

 

[DKaiser1189]

That is a good deal, I order mine from Amazon

And just like that it’s on the way. eBay is a great thing. Still need to snag a QT and some QT filter media but other than that I’m ready to rock.

 

[jsker]

Petco, Sunday is $1 per gallon tank sale