Lilmatty5dimes
2500 Club Member
Man finally got your stuff cut. Can’t wait to see the outcome of the sump.
New house! now time to resurrect my custom 189g....pic heavy
- Large Build
- Thread starter litenyaup
- Start date
- Tagged users None
OP
OP
Thanks buddy ya I’m super stoked. Tank is on point right now so I’m going to start filling it up with sps. Getting these frag racks emptied out so I can start getting the hood stuff. I’m going to go all higher end coral. Always wanted to and feel like now she is ready!
OP
OP
Thank you, yes it has been a good journey. Have had both good and bad times with this tank thus far. I believe it’s on the right track now and am going to make my first purchase of high end sps. The plan is to go all acros with zoas and euphyllia as fillers.
Lilmatty5dimes
2500 Club Member
Heck yea man. That’s going to be wicked ked. Can’t wait to see that tank full of sps. I’m getting the itch again and have been looking for a smaller set up. Lol keep seeing all these jawbreakers and the zoas you posted on bars and sure do miss it. Lol
Lilmatty5dimes
2500 Club Member
Dang really? I would have jumped in on all of those. Oh forgot to tag you on a Facebook post with a guy selling some nice sps
OP
OP
Ok so time has come to make the decision, skimmer before or after the fuge?? Thought process is skimmer before and and all micro bubbles should be caught by cheato, but water level will be the same throughout at the skimmers height. What other plus or minus does anyone have about this?
I do have to say I love the blue! Can’t wait to see this and the ato done and the paper off.
I do have to say I love the blue! Can’t wait to see this and the ato done and the paper off.
Last edited:
Lilmatty5dimes
2500 Club Member
Most of mine tanks have been the drain with the skimmer and then the refugium. My 120 i had the drain in each section and the returm pump in the middle and didn't really like that to much but didn't really have much choice with the plumbing. but I figure the skimmer isn't going to be able to collect all the nutrients and the rest will be adsorbed by the macro algae. I've never had a problem growing cheato and about 6-8 mangroves.
OP
OP
It’s been a while and finally have had some time to get more work done to the sump and ato tank. I had a friend with a laser engrave the gallons into the front pane of the ato to keep track if needed. Also decided to go with skimmer first in the sump layout. I want to have zero micro bubbles going into my system and feel as though the fuge section will not get starved for nutrients by the skimmer stripping the water. From what I have read and my own thinking the skimmer does not turn over 100% of that water before entering the fuge section so there will be plenty of nutrient rich water for the cheato to fees off of.
so far I’m really happy with the way this build is turning out and when the new sump/ ato goes under the tank I will be doing a lot of rearranging and cleaning up of the wires. I have a 2”x2” wire chase that has for than enough room to house all the wires of my system. Also will mount the bubble king pump controller to the outside controller wall for easy access.
I also will router in small channels for pump wires/ etc , drill holes for all bulk heads, and add slide mounts for probes and the water level adjustable wall.
so far I’m really happy with the way this build is turning out and when the new sump/ ato goes under the tank I will be doing a lot of rearranging and cleaning up of the wires. I have a 2”x2” wire chase that has for than enough room to house all the wires of my system. Also will mount the bubble king pump controller to the outside controller wall for easy access.
I also will router in small channels for pump wires/ etc , drill holes for all bulk heads, and add slide mounts for probes and the water level adjustable wall.
Last edited:
Lilmatty5dimes
2500 Club Member
That ato looks amazing man. What would you say it cost to build it?
OP
OP
So it has cost me a total of about $150. I acquired the acrylic over time and mostly for free. A big part was a local company going out of business and giving me a ton, all different colors and sizes.
after I found someone to cut it, $100, and purchased another piece of 3/8”, $50, that’s what I’m out of pocket. Now if you didn’t have the acrylic and found someone to cut it, prob close to $500 is what it would be. That being said you can lay it out how you want with the size to fit your needs, and not be stuck with a manufacturer sizes/ layouts. Tigger had a size close but would not accommodate my skimmer. Plus way expensive for their stuff, but still cheaper than most or a custom builder.
Similar threads
