- Joined
- Jan 6, 2020
- Messages
- 431
- Reaction score
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I have wanted a reef tank since the late 1990's, well something always got in the way whether it was lack of money, moving or military deployment, I could never get to a point where I was ready to jump in. That changed in October 2019 when I saw my first Green Mandarin so I started looking at starter tanks like the BioCube 32. I soon found Reef2Reef and seeing the member tanks, I felt the BioCube was too small. I then decided if I am going to do it I would go to 125-150 gallons to allow me a greater fish selection, but with a crawl space and COVID-19 breaking, I again changed my mind and went with the Red Sea Reefer 250 deluxe from @Bulk Reef Supply. I feel it is a big enough to be stable but small enough I have a place for it after I overbuild my floor.
Here is the Tank set up for cycle nothing special here. I used Bio-Sipra and ammonia to cycle the tank for 6 weeks before putting in 2 clowns. In the sump I had a Red Sea Reefer Rsk 300 Skimmer, Sicce Syncra Silent 3.0 for a return pump, and flow comes from one MP40. I also got a refugium Starter Pack from @AlgaeBarn to populate the tank with Copepods.
Current look.
Cycle look.
I wanted a refugium for pods but I wanted it after the skimmer, which was the main problem I had with the Red Sea sump. I suppose I could have went with a smaller skimmer but who knows as the tank grows I could be doing this in 2 years due to bio load once the tank is stocked.
After looking at all the available options for sumps, I chose to go with the Fiji Cube Fiji-24 inch 2nd gen advanced reef sump due to the foot print and features, the Trigger Systems Sapphire 26 was on the list but not in stock and a bit more expensive. I also chose to go with a new return pump, so I picked up a Reef Octopus VarioS 4 pump. ATO duties will now be covered by a Tunze Osmolator 3155. Finally, I got all my PVC, and connections again through Bulk Reef Supply with the exception of the Red Sea part number 42221.
Now that I all of the parts together it is time to run the pipe, simple right? Nope, because the return is all the way on the far right my initial plans did not work out, without using an excessive amount of pipe, but it worked out. This did make it impossible to use unions and in the end I over ordered a lot. The Blue is the 1 inch, drain pipes and the grey is the return.
Dry fit from the bulkheads to the sump.
Dry fit inside the return chamber.
Assembled pipes.
The Main drain was assembled with
1- RS #42221
1- 3⁄4” Schedule 80 Male Pipe Adapter
1 inch blue pvc, and 3/4 pvc
1 -Schedule 80 Reducing Coupler 1” Slip x 3⁄4” Slip
1- 1 inch gate valve
2 -1 inch 90 degree elbows
The emeregency drain consists of
1- RS #42221
1- 3⁄4” Schedule 80 Male Pipe Adapter
1 inch blue pvc and 3/4 pvc
1 -Schedule 80 Reducing Coupler 1” Slip x 3⁄4” Slip
2 - 1 inch 90 degree elbows
The return drain is
1- RS #42221
1- 3⁄4” Schedule 80 Male Pipe Adapter
3/4 grey pvc
3 - 3/4 inch 90 degree elbows
1 Fiji bulkhead
In the sump
1 inch union attached to the pump
1inch blue and 3/4 grey pvc
1 -Schedule 80 Reducing Coupler 1” Slip x 3⁄4” Slip
2 - 1 inch 90 degree elbows
Flow switch and flow switch mount.
Finished wet sump
I took the socks out and chose to use the tray that came with the Sump. I used some mesh to keep the carbon from falling through the holes. I am going to see how this works to clean up the display. I also have poly-fil to try in the near future. I am also open to suggestions.
Wet sump, with flow switch mounted, not quiet there, I am getting erratic pump operation with the switch in operation. I may need to raise the water level another 1/4 inch. You cannot see it in the photos but the pump is a tight fit in this sump.
My current ATO solution is the Red Sea ATO Container and the Tunze ATO Osmolator 3155 set off to the side.
I also ended up having to build a skimmer stand out of acrylic and 2 inch pic coupling.
April 21 update, I had trouble growing Chaeto so I decided to upgrade from a cheap led light to a Kessil H80 Tuna Flora. I chose this light because of its size and the internet seems to like it. I chose to mount it to the sump, which required me to modify the mount. I used a band saw to notch the mount and make room for the power cord.
I then utilized a zip tie and a small C-clamp to hold it in place.
It is current set on grow and at 85% intensity.
Currently, I have
Blue Mandarin Goby
2 clowns
Bristletooth tomini tang
Chalk Bass
McCosker Flasher Wrasse
Lawnmower Blenny
Tiger pistol shrimp
Peppermint shrimp
2 mithrax crabs
Assorted snails
Corals
Favia
Zoas
Birstnest
Florida mushroom
Jack O’lantern LPS
Frogskin Acapora
Thank you for looking, and feel free to comment.
Here is the Tank set up for cycle nothing special here. I used Bio-Sipra and ammonia to cycle the tank for 6 weeks before putting in 2 clowns. In the sump I had a Red Sea Reefer Rsk 300 Skimmer, Sicce Syncra Silent 3.0 for a return pump, and flow comes from one MP40. I also got a refugium Starter Pack from @AlgaeBarn to populate the tank with Copepods.
Current look.
Cycle look.
I wanted a refugium for pods but I wanted it after the skimmer, which was the main problem I had with the Red Sea sump. I suppose I could have went with a smaller skimmer but who knows as the tank grows I could be doing this in 2 years due to bio load once the tank is stocked.
After looking at all the available options for sumps, I chose to go with the Fiji Cube Fiji-24 inch 2nd gen advanced reef sump due to the foot print and features, the Trigger Systems Sapphire 26 was on the list but not in stock and a bit more expensive. I also chose to go with a new return pump, so I picked up a Reef Octopus VarioS 4 pump. ATO duties will now be covered by a Tunze Osmolator 3155. Finally, I got all my PVC, and connections again through Bulk Reef Supply with the exception of the Red Sea part number 42221.
Now that I all of the parts together it is time to run the pipe, simple right? Nope, because the return is all the way on the far right my initial plans did not work out, without using an excessive amount of pipe, but it worked out. This did make it impossible to use unions and in the end I over ordered a lot. The Blue is the 1 inch, drain pipes and the grey is the return.
Dry fit from the bulkheads to the sump.
Dry fit inside the return chamber.
Assembled pipes.
The Main drain was assembled with
1- RS #42221
1- 3⁄4” Schedule 80 Male Pipe Adapter
1 inch blue pvc, and 3/4 pvc
1 -Schedule 80 Reducing Coupler 1” Slip x 3⁄4” Slip
1- 1 inch gate valve
2 -1 inch 90 degree elbows
The emeregency drain consists of
1- RS #42221
1- 3⁄4” Schedule 80 Male Pipe Adapter
1 inch blue pvc and 3/4 pvc
1 -Schedule 80 Reducing Coupler 1” Slip x 3⁄4” Slip
2 - 1 inch 90 degree elbows
The return drain is
1- RS #42221
1- 3⁄4” Schedule 80 Male Pipe Adapter
3/4 grey pvc
3 - 3/4 inch 90 degree elbows
1 Fiji bulkhead
In the sump
1 inch union attached to the pump
1inch blue and 3/4 grey pvc
1 -Schedule 80 Reducing Coupler 1” Slip x 3⁄4” Slip
2 - 1 inch 90 degree elbows
Flow switch and flow switch mount.
Finished wet sump
I took the socks out and chose to use the tray that came with the Sump. I used some mesh to keep the carbon from falling through the holes. I am going to see how this works to clean up the display. I also have poly-fil to try in the near future. I am also open to suggestions.
Wet sump, with flow switch mounted, not quiet there, I am getting erratic pump operation with the switch in operation. I may need to raise the water level another 1/4 inch. You cannot see it in the photos but the pump is a tight fit in this sump.
My current ATO solution is the Red Sea ATO Container and the Tunze ATO Osmolator 3155 set off to the side.
I also ended up having to build a skimmer stand out of acrylic and 2 inch pic coupling.
April 21 update, I had trouble growing Chaeto so I decided to upgrade from a cheap led light to a Kessil H80 Tuna Flora. I chose this light because of its size and the internet seems to like it. I chose to mount it to the sump, which required me to modify the mount. I used a band saw to notch the mount and make room for the power cord.
I then utilized a zip tie and a small C-clamp to hold it in place.
It is current set on grow and at 85% intensity.
Currently, I have
Blue Mandarin Goby
2 clowns
Bristletooth tomini tang
Chalk Bass
McCosker Flasher Wrasse
Lawnmower Blenny
Tiger pistol shrimp
Peppermint shrimp
2 mithrax crabs
Assorted snails
Corals
Favia
Zoas
Birstnest
Florida mushroom
Jack O’lantern LPS
Frogskin Acapora
Thank you for looking, and feel free to comment.
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