GK’s completely custom 29 Display 20L Sump Build

[GK3]

So after a while, my waveline pump went out. I ended up switching it for an S1 from echo tech. Unfortunately, when the waveline pump died it killed my flame angel and cleaner shrimp.

 

[GK3]

Here is an update from a few months or so ago.

 

[GK3]

At this point my tank was thriving. Everything was pretty much growing. I did end up with this sponge that over took pretty much any part of rock not in direct light. Looked it up, seems harmless, is still there.

 

[GK3]

At this point i wasn’t changing much. I added an AFS to use when i went out of town for a few days. Also added a spare res for skim. Lastly I added a second MP10 to keep detritus off the back of my rock work.

Then Something happened. Almost over night all of my zoas melted. Corals were out, but stopped looking quite so happy and growing like they were. This all happened about 6 months ago, and until last month, I couldn’t get a zoa to last longer than 12 hours in my tank. All of my levels tested fine.

 

[GK3]

added this guy.

And apparently got a hitch hiker

 

[GK3]

2 months ago i redid my whole sump area and plumbing. I made a new fuge that has no filter socks, just a giant refugium, skimmer, carbon reactor, and I switched to a COR20. Changed return plumbing to 1 inch so I could get more flow through my tank.

all chaeto to the right in the fuge.

 

[GK3]

Upon switching to the new fuge, I decided to pick up some zoas and try them again. I got 3-4 types in a live sale from my LFS- they are all alive and well several weeks later. Here is a shot of the tank today. As you can see, somethings have grown up and had to be moved.

 

[GK3]

I now have 4 anenomes as some have split, I have multiple iron man mushrooms, my torch split to second head and is about to split to a third. My alien hand is so big, it’s basically the entire front of my tank. Lastly my Florida recordia went from 1 to 5. I am pretty happy with it being just under 1.5 years running.

 

[GK3]

So now I have gotten this build thread up to present day. I admit, I rushed through and focused on pictures far more than descriptions so my previous thread had more detail. But now that I am up to date I can update progress more regularly.

I just ordered a bunch of stuff from marine depot for a pretty major addition. Here is a hint of what is to come:

More updates this weekend.

 

[GK3]

I am really bad about remembering to take pics along the way, but here are a few:

 

[GK3]

 

[Brice Wagner]

Inspirational! Very beautiful.

 

[Devaji]

oh I do love to see the progress of reef tanks...something so satisfying.
that little nano with the frog fish is gonna be sweet!

 

[GK3]

oh I do love to see the progress of reef tanks...something so satisfying.
that little nano with the frog fish is gonna be sweet!

Spoiler alert! Haha. Glad you were able to piece together my pictures.

 

[GK3]

his name is Bubba. This tank will act as a display refugium with 6-7 types of macro algae, 3 sponges (want to find a blue sponge too), and of course Bubba. I’ve left the front part of the tank bare bottom as I plan to put some GSP on it. I’ll use the sand as a barrier to keep it off the rocks. (My LFS was out of GSP today, I couldn’t believe it). I’ve also got a few hermits, 1 emerald crab, and a few snails just to keep it clean. Only thing i don’t like about this setup, is the tank is fed off my manifold that my main tank is plumbed off of. Which means this tank only gets the water after it goes through my filtration. I’ll just have to be sure I am adding food (in addition to bubbas) directly to this tank. My sump actually has a large fuge as well, but I took out all macro, except chaeto, and put it in the display. I’ll take a pic with the lights on and post tomorrow. Right now I am trying to decide if I want to stick with the kessel h60 for this tank (have one over my chaeto and it rocks) or if I want to upgrade to the new H160...decisions. I currently have a new h60 but I may return it and get the 160.

 

[GK3]

Oh, and the sticker stays on the tank until my lights are hung and I can call this little project done. Drives my girlfriend nuts, but it’s what I do when I build a tank.

 

[GK3]

decided to go with the H160 and hang from the bottom on the shelf above. LFS is seeing if they can get one in this week.

 

[GK3]

 

[Wrasse-cal]

Cool tank!

Not sure if it's a big deal to you, but that spot above your hood is a terrible spot to store wine. The heat from the lights is doing your wine no favors. 55 degrees or so is ideal.

 

[GK3]

Cool tank!

Not sure if it's a big deal to you, but that spot above your hood is a terrible spot to store wine. The heat from the lights is doing your wine no favors. 55 degrees or so is ideal.

Thank you!

You are the first person to point this out. It was considered when I built the tank. There is a 1.5 inch air gap between the top in the aquarium side and the bottom of the wine. There are also two giant fans that are on anytime the lights are on. There are also 2 giant air vents on each side of the wine. Wine never sees anything above what the temp of what my place is. I don’t have a wine cooler, I just keep all mine at room temp until I drink it, then I chill it. Not ideal still, one day I’ll adhere to the 55 rule. Thanks for pointing it out tho.