Parrothead's 180-gal reef tank build:

[Parrothead]

This is a rebuild or resurrection thread, however you choose to look at, I made alot of mistakes the first time around and it has cost me dearly, I thought I could go cheap, bought my equipment off of craigslist, most was either wore out, or way to small for the application, etc. I also made a big mistake, or bad judgement call when it came to the live rock, I have researched the orgin of the lime rock used in the gulf aquaculture trade, and it is dug out of quarries located in south central florida, an area known for very high phosphate content in the ground water, while this might have lead to a small amount of my screw up, I cannot totally blame the rock, as I did not setup my tank properly.

What I want to stress to anybody new to the hobby, please don't buy something cheap because you figure you can update later, by the time later gets here the damage is done, do it right the first time, even if it takes you a little longer to get it setup, you will be glad you did, believe me, as far as rock, sand and other livestock goes, research, ask, research some more.

As of right now the 55 is still up and running with about 30lbs of rock and the live sand, 3 xenia stalks, my leather coral, 3 damsels, and my underwater pitbull(Fire Clown) that is all that will be in the 55 till I get to the major rebuild part of this then the livestock will be rehomed or taken to the lfs for store credit.

I want to document this rebuild as if the 55 was dry, I'm gonna start with turning the 20 into a sump/fuge, documenting each part of the project from plans to completion, same with each step of this rebuild, ie Lighting, overflow, return, even the egg crate and pvc like Cdearing did on her upgrade, every step of the way basically, my goal is to do this slowly this time, and not worry so much about the price, more detail will be explained as I move forward with this project, so others can follow, chime in and maybe someone besides myself will learn something new and not make the same mistakes I did on the orginal 55

The finished product is planned to be a 55 with the totoka rock, qty to be determined, a 3 - 3.5" sand bed(arganite), will be dumping what I got, again will explain that later, 20 gallon tank for sump and fuge combo, 6 or 8 bulb T5 HO setup, MAG 9.5 or maybe even a 12 with matching over flow, remora pro, etc, you get the idea, DO IT RIGHT OUT THE GATE THIS TIME.

Before and After pics can be seen in the picture behind the tank thread that Jeremy started.

And of course, I will be counting on all of you to knock me back if I start getting stupid again.

I encourage all to ask, comment, recommend, and to kick me in the butt if I start doing something that doesn't sound right.

Thanks to all who have helped me along, and for the help you will be offering in the near future.

I apologize for the size of this post, but it was needed.

Tanks,
Robert

[Parrothead]

Here is a link to the sump design I will be going with, I've also posted a couple pics of the 20 that will be the sump.

My plan is to run the water level at 12" high, this will enable me to hold approx. 15 gallons in the sump, with 5 gallons incase of oops

The first pic is from the side, showing the bulkhead, and the other is from the top. Haven't decided on whether to use the box or just free flow it in with a set of baffles on each end and the fuge in the center.

Also, since I'm using a glass tank for the sump would I be better off having glass cut to size, or use plexiglass etc. What should be used to attach baffles etc. to the glass?

Melev's Reef - Sump Model A

[charlie]

Also, since I'm using a glass tank for the sump would I be better off having glass cut to size, or use plexiglass etc. What should be used to attach baffles etc. to the glass?

Probably glass, but I don't think it really matters. I think aquarium silicone would hold them, but I am not sure. Maybe someone else can chime in here and help out.

[TimH07]

look at my build thread how i have my baffles, i used home depot's aquarium silicone, a whole tube per baffle, they arent going anywhere.

tip, just squeeze it on your finger then rub in in the seam you can wash your hands... i also used the quarter inch thick plexiglass and if you get it from lowes they will cut it for you too. you cant technicly glue glass so it doesnt matter weather you use glass or plexiglass... the acrylic could bond to an acrylic tank but you dont have that.

[charlie]

look at my build thread how i have my baffles, i used home depot's aquarium silicone, a whole tube per baffle, they arent going anywhere.

tip, just squeeze it on your finger then rub in in the seam you can wash your hands... i also used the quarter inch thick plexiglass and if you get it from lowes they will cut it for you too.

What were you expecting................... a typhoon????

[TimH07]

i accidentally tested their strength when i dropped my magdrive but caught it by the cord and it became a wrecking ball full swing on one, didnt phase it at all LOLOLOLOL

[charlie]

Wow, never heard of that test!!!!

Do you suggest every one should try that?

[Parrothead]

Looked at it, don't think the baffles are moving, ever. In melvees plan A, he has got teeth cut in the first baffle leading out of the fuge area, is this really a important thing? Also, thoughts on the bubble tower where the drain line flows into the sump, or just free flow it, I think with where the drain is on the 20 if I did make the tower I would have a much larger fuge area. The only going in the sump is the fuge, heater and return pump, the skimmer will hang on the tank as designed.

Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

If I am looking at it right, I don't think the teeth are that important.

The bubble tower may be a good idea tho.

[Parrothead]

Oh, Charlie, as you and I had discussed on the fuge, I think I'm gonna hold off on setting that up till I put the new rock and sand in, that way everything will cycle out at once, I'm still gonna set the sump up and have it working but for now I think it will be just that, a sump. Reason being, is I am cramped for space in my house and short of setting a container up outside on the porch, which is still an option, I'd have no place to cure the rock, other than the porch.

Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

Whatever works man!!

[Parrothead]

Ok, now I'm baffled, I've been studying mel's bubble tower, and someone please tell me I'm tripping, if the water level in the fuge area is at the height shown, and the water drains out of the bubble tower as he explained right above the sand bed, if the drain is under water, how does this work? It seems to me if its underwater, it isn't gonna drain that low, it flow out the top right I am proably over complicating this and missing something really simple here.

Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

See if you can contact him on that Robert, either that or don't build the bubble tower.

[Parrothead]

Sent him an e-mail, as I said, I'm proably missing something really, really simple.

Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

It has to work, otherwise it wouldn't be there man. The guy is pretty much a wizard when it comes to this stuff. It ma take some messing around, but I bet it DOES work, no matter how much you think it won't.

[Parrothead]

I've no doubt at all that it works, but how is beyond my meager means of comp., I'm just missing the concept of an underwater drain, I let ya know what he comes back with.


Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

I'll be around.:eek3:

[Parrothead]

after further reading in another part of his site, he states it does flow over the top as well, but how would that trap the bubbles, wouldn't they just flow out with the water?

[charlie]

You don't think that the fuge will trap bubbles?

You are asking question I can't answer!!!! I didn't design the thing.

[Parrothead]

Sorry,

But on the brighter note,

BINGO

Check this one out, of course my skimmer would still be on the display tank, but this one is way feasible and I can understand this one


Melevsreef.com - DIY Glass Sump & Refugium

Tanks,
Robert