[Future]

Hey guys & gals,

Tonight after work I got lucky enough to get a 75gal. Oceanic tank (undrilled). I got extra stuff all for FW, but in time I'm going to turn it into a REEF. The 36gal. will remain a FOWLR now.

Anyway, I'd like some different mixed ideas on what to keep as far as coral and reef safe fish. I'm not rushing it at all and I'm not even going to begin for a few months. I just want to plan it properly prior to even buying as much as a heater

My idea here is to get mixed responses and do my own research on everything from filtration to lighting to livestock.

I did get a stand in the deal, but I may even just build my own this way I will have a proper hood to work with as well, so if I do this just gives me more time to research.

[Samper]

Before you do anything you need to decide if you want to run a sump system or not. I think that you should consider one. From what I've seen the majority of manufactured stands have inadequate room inside to house all the needed equipment. If you decide that you want to run one then take some measurements and decide if you need to build a stand or not. Factors to consider for the inside are ventilation and ease of access. You will want enough room to house things like the sump itself, Ca and Kalk reactors beside it, and the height of the skimmer you will be using etc.

If you want a sump you need to decide if you want to drill the aquarium or go with a hang on overflow.

I don't like hoods but in necessary situations and if properly built there is no problem with having one. Have plenty of vents and possibly mount some fans for air circulation. Once again ease of access and ventilation are important. Make sure you can easily raise it and that you have enough clearance to work underneath it when opened. Ex. While working under it you don't want your ear or anything like that touching any part of a metal halide after it has been on for a few hours.

What types of corals do you intend to keep? You will need to decide this before we can help you make any equipment selections.

[Future]

Yes a sump/refugium will be in the plans, as well it'll be a hang-on because I'm not going to drill glass. I looked over the stand and it doesn't have adequate room, but I can build a stand easily once I have all the measurements for the equipment I'll be using.

The hood I've already decided will need to be almost completely versitile in the aspect of getting at things. Meaning flip up lid, side panel doors, removable rear section and the front design I'm still working out. Basically the whole hood will be a sturdy frame, the access points will just be designs.

As for corals, this is the thing. I'm fairly stupid on all the LPS SPS stuff. All I know is the wife likes bubble tip's, hammer coral and neon colored shrooms. I myself like the colors associated with clams, open brains and the likes.
Because of that assortment I already know MH is going to be a must. I'm getting conflicting numbers on the watts per gallon though. I've been going by the 2watts per gal. yet was told it was 3-5watts per gal.

[harris51]

While budget is always an issue, I really like the combination MH, Actinic hoods with built in fans.... thay get suspended over the tank. They allow for lots of flexibility in mounting and air circulation.

About the sump, I am not sure how you work, but I am always fiddling with how mine works so give yourself.....
Well.... about as much room as your family will allow. I feel like there is never enough room.

Also, never underestimate how much saltwater you will expose the stand and floor to.... sooner or later... it's almost unavoidable.

I hope that helps....

[Future]

Originally Posted by harris51

While budget is always an issue, I really like the combination MH, Actinic hoods with built in fans.... thay get suspended over the tank. They allow for lots of flexibility in mounting and air circulation.

About the sump, I am not sure how you work, but I am always fiddling with how mine works so give yourself.....
Well.... about as much room as your family will allow. I feel like there is never enough room.

Also, never underestimate how much saltwater you will expose the stand and floor to.... sooner or later... it's almost unavoidable.

I hope that helps....

Yes definitely helpful to have everything laid out so something isn't overlooked.

Coming from a long line of master craftsmen, I know how to build the stand itself so that no matter how much SW gets on or soaked into it, it'll be sturdy. (Steel bracing inside the wood frame) If you see the stand my 36 is on, it's never been finished so you'll see the steel bracing w/o the wood overlay. It's treated in multiple layers of coating that basically seals the steel from any outside weathering. All that needs done would be to add the treated wood in the proper areas along with hardware, doors, etc...

This did make me start thinking about it, so thanks I'll get started on designing a stand.


As far as hanging lighting, I've never been happy with suspension lights. If something needs adjusting, then the lights need to be repositioned and stuff. It can be a headache.

[Future]

I've decided to take my sweet sweet time on this project, so once I buy a house I'll have everything ready for the installation and setup

So the past week I've been researching different filtration methods and being I'm going to use a 3-4" DSB and no less than 75lbs of LR, I still opted for a wet/dry system so I could utilize it's features.

Tonight I bought an Aqualine advanced series wet/dry rated for a 125gal. and a CA2200 pump.

FEATURES:

1. SLIDE OUT DRAWER FOR EASY REMOVAL & CLEANING OF FILTER PADS.
2. LARGE AREA IN DRAWER FOR PLACEMENT OF BAGGED OR CHEMICAL MEDIA.
3. LIFETIME WARRANTY WITH QUALITY CONSTRUCTION.
4. DRAIN-BAR TECHNOLOGICALLY
5. ONE 3' HEAVY-DUTY SPIRAL DRAIN HOSES.
6. LARGE BIO-CHAMBER TO PROMOTE BACTERIA GROWTH.
7. DIMENSIONS: 24" L X 9"3/4 W X 17" H
8. PRE-FILTER BOX FOR NON-DRILLED TANKS.
9. TRUE 1/2" RETURN SPOUT FOR MORE GPH & RETURN HOSE
10. BIO AREA 4.5 GAL. SUMP GALLONS : 11.5

Now I'll be able to figure out my space requirements. I'll just have to factor in space for reactors and such

[Bullet]

Why not just go all t5 vho? I have a 135 gal. with two icecap 660 ballasts, 6 48" bulbs, individual icecap reflectors, cooling fans, and they are about eight inches off the water surface in a petsmart canopy. I can and am growing sps on the sandbed with this setup. I really like the ol' t5s!

[Future]

I'm looking at the T5's myself right now, but just over-viewing the differences in what I can and can't do.

As well I'm also trying to figure out a way to do natural day/night cycling without the on/off only options

[Bullet]

Basically I have my actinics on an hour before daylights, and an hour after. So I have actinics on from 9am to 11pm, and daylights on from 10am, to 10 pm. I've had good growth from all my inhabitants, and recently had my green pocillopora broadcast spawn all over the place! So now I have a bunch of baby pocilloporas all over my live rock. My point is that I think the critters don't mind that there isn't a realistic sunrise/sunset in the tank. They seem to have adapted well!

[Future]

I know it's fine and all, I'm just thinking out of the box on how I can manage a revolving light system. Actual moving lights. It most likely won't happen, but it's one of those crazy ideas I tend to get from time to time.