My 8 foot tank build

a6walter1 · May 10, 2017

I might recommend some sand that has a slightly larger particle size. I had a problem in my tank where the sand would get whipped up into the water column, so i ended up having to siphon all of it out. I was going to replace it with new sand, but haven't gotten around to it. This is what I purchased.

https://premiumaquatics.com/products/tropic-eden-reefflakes-aragonite-sand-30lb.html

steallife904 · May 10, 2017

I used what I think was called reef grade sand (aragonite), much larger pieces of sand and have not had issues with it blowing around.

Vahanyos · May 10, 2017

Dude, that sump! Reef **** for sure!!!

I have some input using the sand too, i use it currently and for my next build i wont... lots of sand builds up on my rocks and corals, especially the ones on my sandbed. My sand is fine sand and it doesn't necessarily irritate my corals but i dont like the way it looks... i blow them off my shrooms and rocks to expose the true color of them...

My next build i'll probably go with crushed coral and maybe just a little area of sand for my wrasse...

Nothing wrong with the fine sand, just a personal preference. It does look nice with the fine sand :)

jamie callard · May 10, 2017

a6walter1 said:
I might recommend some sand that has a slightly larger particle size. I had a problem in my tank where the sand would get whipped up into the water column, so i ended up having to siphon all of it out. I was going to replace it with new sand, but haven't gotten around to it. This is what I purchased.

https://premiumaquatics.com/products/tropic-eden-reefflakes-aragonite-sand-30lb.html

I see multiple size sand size what one are you recommending.

jamie callard · May 10, 2017

Vahanyos said:
Dude, that sump! Reef **** for sure!!!

I have some input using the sand too, i use it currently and for my next build i wont... lots of sand builds up on my rocks and corals, especially the ones on my sandbed. My sand is fine sand and it doesn't necessarily irritate my corals but i dont like the way it looks... i blow them off my shrooms and rocks to expose the true color of them...

My next build i'll probably go with crushed coral and maybe just a little area of sand for my wrasse...

Nothing wrong with the fine sand, just a personal preference. It does look nice with the fine sand :)

I definitely want sand over crushed corals. I know it's going to blow some but if I get flow right it should not blow to much more after the tank cycles. Allowing me to know were to place things.

Ashish Patel · May 10, 2017

Your sump is great! I am using Tropic Eden - Reef flakes for sand.. Its heavy and clean. Therefore, you can easily run your pumps on 100% to suspend all the detritus. Look into this for sure!

jamie callard · May 19, 2017

Next step is to design the layout of the rock. 200 lbs of rock in my possession.

Here it sits on a 6' by 2' plywood and the cardboard shows the height

Daniel@R2R · May 19, 2017

Wow! Excited about this! Following!

bobyboy · May 23, 2017

Great start!

A_game43 · May 23, 2017

Great lookin sump!

jamie callard · Jul 6, 2017

Wall for the new tank is ready first power strip in place. Tank scheduled for delivery.

@croman · Jul 6, 2017

jamie callard said:
Here is my sump ordered from 302 aquatic please let me know what everyone thinks.

Its a very nice sump man, congrats on the new upgrade. My only feedback is that your water level in the sump will fluctuate due to evaporation (especially on a long sump/tank), although you may have a ATO to control the evap, but your skimmer will have issues all the time because its needs sit at a constant water level, also if you shut down your return pump due to power or feed mode, then water will drain from display and thus will raise the water level in the sump. This is a common problem most of us have in our sumps. But since you have a very long sump you can easily fix this.

To mitigate this problem, you can add a piece of acrylic/glass and raise the baffle height between section 11 and 18, maybe raise it enough that your skimmer can sit on a skimmer stand. Because your sump is really long the rest of the section will have enough capacity to absorb the extra water when the return pump shuts down, also your evaporation will be contained in that section.

najer · Jul 6, 2017

Excited much? Following! :)

jamie callard · Jul 6, 2017

@croman said:
Its a very nice sump man, congrats on the new upgrade. My only feedback is that your water level in the sump will fluctuate due to evaporation (especially on a long sump/tank), although you may have a ATO to control the evap, but your skimmer will have issues all the time because its needs sit at a constant water level, also if you shut down your return pump due to power or feed mode, then water will drain from display and thus will raise the water level in the sump. This is a common problem most of us have in our sumps. But since you have a very long sump you can easily fix this.

To mitigate this problem, you can add a piece of acrylic/glass and raise the baffle height between section 11 and 18, maybe raise it enough that your skimmer can sit on a skimmer stand. Because your sump is really long the rest of the section will have enough capacity to absorb the extra water when the return pump shuts down, also your evaporation will be contained in that section.

My skimmer is going to sit on a stand and the baffles were changed slightly so each section is lower then the next so the skimmer should never change height I appreciate the feedback.

jamie callard · Jul 6, 2017

najer said:
Excited much? Following! :)

Very excited today but nervous as well. Can't wait to get in place and plumb and make sure there are no leaks so it can cycle and I can switch the corals over.