Reef Diaries: 56G Reef Savvy

[ReeferEric]

What are you going to use the 40gal tanks for exactly? Fuge, extra frag tank, something else, or you just plumbing them in to act as temporary sumps while you clean the actual ones?

This one is going to be used as a refugium. Not only that, it will add approximately another 20-30 gallons of water volume and be a breeding ground for mysis and other pods.

I still have to either get glass cut or get my acrylic guy to cut some baffles for me so the water level will sit specific and the common/drain chamber that will flow back into the main sump.

 

[rovster]

I have your chaeto. Sorry but my daughter busted her lip requiring stitches Sun morning. Shot my day.

 

[ReeferEric]

I have your chaeto. Sorry but my daughter busted her lip requiring stitches Sun morning. Shot my day.

Cool! I'll hit you up this week for it. Hope she is ok.

 

[ReeferEric]

Well today was looking smooth, picked up some parts from Home Depot and Lowes to start plumbing and what do ya know? Everything was dry fitted on the sump and I go to pull it out, the 1.5" fitting hits the stand and what do I hear?... crack. I've got a hairline crack so this tank is scrapped for now or maybe I will use it as a QT once I get some glass to patch it up with silicone. Such a waste!

I'll be awaiting for the next Petco tank sale to get a new one, no big deal. Looks like there will not be any projects with this system for now. Check out my 210G build if you haven't, its in my signature below.

 

[ReeferEric]

Looks like it's back on, quick google search on Petco $1/gallon sale shows that it's going on still and I have a 20% off coupon! I'll get picking up some frozen and the tank today. Still need to get a baffle cut as well.

 

[ReeferEric]

Here is the cracked tank! FREE at the moment, trash on Sunday!!!

New tank was drilled today as well and everything fitted on. Learned from the first one, this one is smooth like a glove.

Dropped by @Mrx last night to get some acrylic stuff made. As always great work! He made me the baffles for this refugium/sump tank.

And yes, I already know. Acrylic and silicone do not go well against glass, hence the back support to prevent bowing over time. Right chamber will be rock rubble. If physics is correct, gravity will force water into the main sump and complete the cycle. This sump/refugium will have a slow turnover rate.

I'll be taping off the area to silicone the baffle in tomorrow. Next week will be when I drill the other tank and I hope that one doesn't crack on me!

 

[ReeferEric]

So much for continuing the project. It will be on hold for another week. But the parts needed did come in. I can prefab the stuff but that's about it. LOL

 

[ReeferEric]

Once again, my luck! Drilled the existing 40B sump and after assembling everything I hear a crack. Yup, it cracked on me. Tried to save it with glass and silicone but it went all the way. Another one eats the dust.

I'll be picking up another tank tomorrow from Petco, or two just in case before the sale ends. Will update more soon.

 

[reeksreef]

Do they still have the $1 going on?

 

[joeyhatch11]

I believe that sale is good until this Saturday. 11-7

 

[ReeferEric]

Do they still have the $1 going on?

Yup, till tomorrow. Picked up 2 today for $94.40, can't beat that. Now I have two tanks, 1 in case I crack it again.

I believe that sale is good until this Saturday. 11-7

Tomorrow is the last day as you've stated.

 

[gettaReef]

Ha! Some bad luck there, hopefully these 2 will make it

 

[ReeferEric]

Ha! Some bad luck there, hopefully these 2 will make it

Finally everything is working.

The new sump was drilled and baffles put in place last week. Acrylic would have been a better option but whatever, can't stop what has been started. Still messy but will be cleaned up by tomorrow.

On to the pictures:
Secondary sump/refugium set up. Lots of rock, this one will be fed from frag tank #2 which is the Deep Blue 80G tank. The drain from the tank is more then likely have a Jebao RW pump to help circulate the water before going back to the main sump, right now there is an MJ1200 doing work. Algae scrubber & heater has been relocated to this sump for more room. I've got a Kessil Sky Blue that will be growing cheato or rather Dragon's Breathe macro algae.

Main sump which has now been modified for skimmer section and larger return camber. Maybe a secondary heater for redundancy will be in this one. Future upgrades might be a larger Bubble King skimmer so the bigger section will be a great help.

The work around I used was hose on one tank to put less stress on the sumps. True unions so either sides could be isolated for any reason... cracks or leaks. lol Not exactly my cup or tea or preferred way but it had to be done.

Measurements were dead on, flow from the second sump feeds back to the main sump.

Main sump water level.

We'll see in the next few days how everything is. Still need to clean and extend a few things here and there.

 

[ReeferEric]

Thought I'd share some images, getting ready for a frag swap. It's been forever since I sold any corals, just too busy to even take care of them. Majority have grown into nice sized frags now.

Avatar chalice

WWC Kingpin chalice

Jason Fox Jack-O-Lantern

Infamous Pink ******* chalice

Sermantosa Acro

My Miami finally taking off

Burning Banana

WWC Skittles Favia

 

[ReeferEric]

Sneak peak of some pictures I took today, it's late so they will be uploaded soon.

 

[joshporksandwich]

Sneak peak of some pictures I took today, it's late so they will be uploaded soon.

You're such a tease!

 

[OVER9K_REEF]

lets see the beautiful coral, love everything you have btw

 

[ReeferEric]

Few things growing wild in this system! Gave up on fragging and now am enjoying the growth.

 

[joshporksandwich]

Few things growing wild in this system! Gave up on fragging and now am enjoying the growth.

I thought you were going to show different hair algaes!

 

[ReeferEric]

I thought you were going to show different hair algaes!

I learn from the master himself! lol