New Frag tank build

[arthus110031]

Hello everyone. I have been in the hobby for 6 months now and I have started a second tank because i would like a tank designed for growing corals. I have been accruing many corals in my first tank and it is getting too crowded. I will be posting pictures of the original tank and my build on the new one. im am very excited to get this one cycled to start throwing stuff in it!

 

[arthus110031]

I went with a bashsea signature sump. I know that I could have spent less for just a frag tank but I really liked the construction and wanted to support made in America company. I was not disappointed when I got this in my hands. Amazing quality. what you also see is the protein skimmer and the return pump that I picked. For the skimmer I went with https://premiumaquatics.com/products/bubble-magus-curve-5-elite-protein-skimmer.html
this skimmer looked like a good one and the reviews online also said that so i went with it. This is my first non-hangon skimmer that I buy so I am not an expert on what to choose. For the return pump I went with,


So far this pump is great. I have no complaints it is fully controllable as well since it is a DC pump. For the heater I went with

This has been so far. I have been able to keep up a temp of 85F.(the 85f is to increase bacterial growth in a fishless cycle)
for the powerhead I went with https://premiumaquatics.com/products/icecap-gyre-2k-flow-pump-dual-controller.html I have used the 1k before and I really liked what it could do. I did end up switching it out on my other tank because it is a cube and it was a too much flow even on the low end of the pump power

 

[arthus110031]

I made my own connections for the sump. all Lowes pvc. I made a T off the side for water changes. After testing, I am glad that I did, it was so easy to take out water like that.

 

[arthus110031]

Foe lighting I went with the tried and true method of HO T5 lighting. 4 blue plus/1 purple plus/1 Coral plus. I went with roughly 60-70lbs of rock. 40 dry and 20ish live. I decided to do a substrate bed instead of a glass because I like it more and it is more beneficial to the bacteria and tank. Also, I wanted to do black sand for a while and this was my chance. I have a 60 GAL Deep blue frag tank. My stand I picked out was not a conventional one.


now I saw this on some pictures of tanks around the internet. Each shelf holds up to 1000lbs mathing it out, I am 150-200lbs off that weight for the tank on that shelf. and the light fixture fit perfectly on the top shelf holder. I am a little nervous but it should hold based on the specs (SHOULD). everything seems solid. No bowing and it is just chillin. for 110 bucks not a bad stand.