rchraska
Community Member
Hello All,
This post is a little past due, but back in November of 2015, I decided it was time to upgrade from my IM 30 to something larger yet still manageable. After some research and conversations with a couple manufactures, I decide on the 66 gallon plug and play system form SC Aquariums.
So far I have been happy with my choice, but there were a few items that I felt needed modified or upgraded. The items I modified include the overflow pluming, the layout of the sump, and the construction of the stand.
For the plumbing, I change the bulkheads out to accommodate standard pipe size. Then I plumbed a Herbie style over flow to quite the system and have an emergency overflow. For the return I plumbed it up and over the back of the tank and through the existing return holes located on either side of the overflow box. Additionally, I swapped out the stock return pump for a Sicce Silent.
Modifications to the sump include dividing the chamber that the overflow enters into, in to two compartments. As well as adding extra pieces of glass the refugium section to direct the flow through the area. For changes to the overflow section, one of the compartments is sealed so that the water entering it from the main overflow pipe is submerged and it then over flows into the second chamber. Then in the second chamber, the water coming for the first chamber is then passed over my filter pads. From there, the water enters the skimmer section, then on to the refugium and finally the return section.
As for the stand, I was not comfortable with the Ikea style mechanisms being used to hold together the MDF section. Furthermore, with the stand being constructed of MDF, I wanted to seal the unprotected edges of the panels. So to seal the edges I applied an epoxy based sealant/paint. After this I used a construction grade adhesive, in conjunction with the supplied assembly mechanisms, to bond the panels together. I further secured the stand (as well as for peace of mind) by screwing the panels together. To further protect the inside of the stand and help with visibility while working in the stand, I applied a white water resistant film, similar to what is used on cars being shipped from the factory.
After finishing the modifications, I finally got the tank wet on January 1, 2016 and started the cycle. The substrate and rock work in the tank consists of Caribsea special grade live sand and Walt Smith Reef Rock 2.1. For cycling I used Dr. Tim’s Fishless cycling method. Using this method, it took just over three weeks for the cycle to complete and establish the proper bacteria colonies.
With the cycle complete I seeded the rock and sand with pods form Algae Barn. I had also place a marine pure plate in the sump for added biological filtration
Equipment that is be using on this tank, include the following:
· MP 40wQD
· MP10wQD
· Radion XR 30 G3 pro and XR15 G3 pro (may add a pair of t5s to reduce shadowing)
· SCA 302 skimmer
· Jager Trutemp heaters
· BRS GFO reactor
· BRS Dosing Pumps (two part additions)
· Tunze ATO
· Apex Controller w/ WXM and additional EB4
Future equipment additions or upgrades (read as wish list) include:
· Remote sump in basement directly under tank
· Apex AFS
· Apex DOS
· T5 Addition to reduce shadowing
· Automatic water changer
As for stocking the tank my current fish load are a:
· Pair of black and white snowflake clowns,
· Wheelers watchman goby and tiger pistol shrimp pair, and a
· Royal gramma
· Pajama Cardinal
· Melanurus Wrasse
I am looking to add possibly 1 to 2 other fish.
For corals I have frags of the following:
· Red Planet
· Forest Fire Digi
· Green Birds Nest
· Pink Birds Nest
· Green slimmer
· Montipora Setosa
· Green pocillopora
· Green w/ pink tip acro
· Green/blue smooth skinned acro
· Various zoanthids and palys
· Multi colored blastomus
· Red / green center Favia
Any comments and suggestions are welcome.
Thanks for looking at my set-up
This post is a little past due, but back in November of 2015, I decided it was time to upgrade from my IM 30 to something larger yet still manageable. After some research and conversations with a couple manufactures, I decide on the 66 gallon plug and play system form SC Aquariums.
So far I have been happy with my choice, but there were a few items that I felt needed modified or upgraded. The items I modified include the overflow pluming, the layout of the sump, and the construction of the stand.
For the plumbing, I change the bulkheads out to accommodate standard pipe size. Then I plumbed a Herbie style over flow to quite the system and have an emergency overflow. For the return I plumbed it up and over the back of the tank and through the existing return holes located on either side of the overflow box. Additionally, I swapped out the stock return pump for a Sicce Silent.
Modifications to the sump include dividing the chamber that the overflow enters into, in to two compartments. As well as adding extra pieces of glass the refugium section to direct the flow through the area. For changes to the overflow section, one of the compartments is sealed so that the water entering it from the main overflow pipe is submerged and it then over flows into the second chamber. Then in the second chamber, the water coming for the first chamber is then passed over my filter pads. From there, the water enters the skimmer section, then on to the refugium and finally the return section.
As for the stand, I was not comfortable with the Ikea style mechanisms being used to hold together the MDF section. Furthermore, with the stand being constructed of MDF, I wanted to seal the unprotected edges of the panels. So to seal the edges I applied an epoxy based sealant/paint. After this I used a construction grade adhesive, in conjunction with the supplied assembly mechanisms, to bond the panels together. I further secured the stand (as well as for peace of mind) by screwing the panels together. To further protect the inside of the stand and help with visibility while working in the stand, I applied a white water resistant film, similar to what is used on cars being shipped from the factory.
After finishing the modifications, I finally got the tank wet on January 1, 2016 and started the cycle. The substrate and rock work in the tank consists of Caribsea special grade live sand and Walt Smith Reef Rock 2.1. For cycling I used Dr. Tim’s Fishless cycling method. Using this method, it took just over three weeks for the cycle to complete and establish the proper bacteria colonies.
With the cycle complete I seeded the rock and sand with pods form Algae Barn. I had also place a marine pure plate in the sump for added biological filtration
Equipment that is be using on this tank, include the following:
· MP 40wQD
· MP10wQD
· Radion XR 30 G3 pro and XR15 G3 pro (may add a pair of t5s to reduce shadowing)
· SCA 302 skimmer
· Jager Trutemp heaters
· BRS GFO reactor
· BRS Dosing Pumps (two part additions)
· Tunze ATO
· Apex Controller w/ WXM and additional EB4
Future equipment additions or upgrades (read as wish list) include:
· Remote sump in basement directly under tank
· Apex AFS
· Apex DOS
· T5 Addition to reduce shadowing
· Automatic water changer
As for stocking the tank my current fish load are a:
· Pair of black and white snowflake clowns,
· Wheelers watchman goby and tiger pistol shrimp pair, and a
· Royal gramma
· Pajama Cardinal
· Melanurus Wrasse
I am looking to add possibly 1 to 2 other fish.
For corals I have frags of the following:
· Red Planet
· Forest Fire Digi
· Green Birds Nest
· Pink Birds Nest
· Green slimmer
· Montipora Setosa
· Green pocillopora
· Green w/ pink tip acro
· Green/blue smooth skinned acro
· Various zoanthids and palys
· Multi colored blastomus
· Red / green center Favia
Any comments and suggestions are welcome.
Thanks for looking at my set-up
