I currently have an Aqueon 75 gallon tank with an Aqueon 40 breeder to be used as a sump. I kept a reef system for about 15 years, but that's been a while now. I'm wanting to set this system up as a precursor for a big tank. Mostly to make certain my brain is still working and I'm not missing things.
My current plans (in no particular order):
In the past I've used inverted U-shaped overflows and always have issues with air getting trapped and breaking siphon. I really like the idea of the coast to coast overflow, but not sure it's feasible in this tank as I'm not yet sure it can be drilled, or if I can do it successfully (would be my first time drilling a tank).
Eventually, when the tank has been established for a while, I'm going to try breeding the mandarin dragonets and keeping the fry alive.
So, any advice or suggestions on how to approach this more analytically? I've looked around and found a lot of suggestions, but nothing I felt was concrete enough for what I'd like to do.
Thanks!
My current plans (in no particular order):
- Either FOWLR and possibly some zoa's or a clam
- Continuous culture of phyto + pods
- Electronic monitoring of pH and other parameters and dosing
- Automatic top off for tank
- Hydroponic lighting fixtures (no need for heavy blue without corals - although clam would change that)
- Sandbed - Haven't decided on depth or grain size yet
- No skimmer - detritus will be removed via algae harvest and CUC
- The most peaceful fish I can find. I want some inverts to survive.
- Fish I would like to have: pair of mandarin dragonets, coral beauty angel, firefish, gobie (or two), maybe one of the safer wrasses
- Inverts I would like to have: blue brittle star, nassarius snails, maybe some burrowing wrasses
- Overflow - do I drill the tank
- Number of overflows needed
- Flow rate
- Layout of sump
In the past I've used inverted U-shaped overflows and always have issues with air getting trapped and breaking siphon. I really like the idea of the coast to coast overflow, but not sure it's feasible in this tank as I'm not yet sure it can be drilled, or if I can do it successfully (would be my first time drilling a tank).
Eventually, when the tank has been established for a while, I'm going to try breeding the mandarin dragonets and keeping the fry alive.
So, any advice or suggestions on how to approach this more analytically? I've looked around and found a lot of suggestions, but nothing I felt was concrete enough for what I'd like to do.
Thanks!