Deathies 110 Gallon

[Deathsmile]

I was told to start a Build thread and ill gladly listen to the advice of the elders around here. I guess ill just throw some pics in and see what you guys think.

Tank:
-90 Gallon
-48x25x18
-125+ Live Fiji Rock
-4inch DSB
-Wet/Dry
-Mag Pump 514gph
-K2 Powerhead
-Sunlight Supply Tek System. (6) 48' Geisemann bulbs- Aqua Blue/Pure Actinic bulbs
( Would have gone with the 8 bulb fixture, but it was wider then my tank xD )

Whats to come:
-Two K4 Powerheads
-Protein skimmer
-Corals and Fish!!!!

-Possibly a Refugium



Pics arent the best but theyre just Temp.

[Deathsmile]

More Pictures

[Parrothead]

ELDERS,

I'm only 2, ask my wife, she'll tell ya

Tanks,
Robert

[Parrothead]

Very nice set up, but I got a quick question, in the 4th pic in your first set, is that bio balls I see in the sump, if they are I recommend that you slowly start removing them, they will soon become a nitrate factory, your sand and the live rock are your biological filter.

What kind of lights are those? I think you mentioned that in your other thread, but being an elder and all, my memory ain't what it use to be and just don't have the energy of all you young wipersnappers to go back and look

[Deathsmile]

That picture is actually how they guy had the tank setup before i bought it. The first thing i did when i had the tank out in my yard for a good scrapping was remove the bioballs. Right now my sump is empty. All i have is a small bag of carbon and thats it.

Haha, i meant elders as in Post count, not age :P

They are (2) 96 watt lighting, im not sure what type of lights, would i be able to tell if i unplug them and look at the plastic end of the lights? im could possibly add 8 more bulbs if needed (thats if all these extra power boxes and cords work :P)

[Deathsmile]

The ends of the lights say " F96 PL-L Combo 50/50 611 "

Not sure if that means anything but thats all i got :\

[charlie]

The lights are 50/50 Power Compacts. Further on down the road, I am going to suggest upgrading those to something like T5 or Metal Halide, depending on what you are going to grow, coral wise.

Before you do to much, a Protein Skimmer is a must. Do not believe the ratings on them, buy a skimmer that is rated to about 250 gallons, trust me, you won't regret it. The skimmer is one of the most important pieces of equipment you are gonna own, do not skimp on this piece!!!!! Plus, with this tank being Bare Bottom, you are going to want ALOT of flow, behind the rocks, under the rock, you have to keep the detritus in suspension so your skimmer can pick up the crap.

The top of the Mag pump should have the model number on it, I am guessing Mag 9.5??????

Look into Korallia 4 powerheads, or if money is no object, Tunze or Vortech controllable pumps, they will keep your water moving for you!!!!!

One more thing, research bare bottom tanks, they are NOT for the faint of heart!!!! IME they require a little more TLC than tanks with a sand bed.

[Parrothead]

Charlie,

Regarding the bare bottom tank situation, I sent him to your rebuild thread, hopefully that will help him along.

Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

Looking at a BB tank and actually having one are 2 totally different things Robert. No 2 tanks are the same, and he is gonna have to figure a way to make his situation work. As I stated earlier, I personally think that the amount of flow required is deceiving, I know I am finding that out right now.

[Parrothead]

I can relate, figured it would let him see whats truly involved in dealing with the bb tank, I read through most of it and I would never attempt it.

Tanks,
Robert

[metalhead]

I can relate, figured it would let him see whats truly involved in dealing with the bb tank, I read through most of it and I would never attempt it.

Tanks,
Robert

Agreed... I ran my 75g BB for a few months when I first got started and had alot more algae than I do now since going to a DSB. I did however really, really like being able to run as much flow as I wanted to with the BB tank.

If and when I ever consolidate my two current tanks into one larger tank I will more than likely go BB hooked to a large refugium with a DSB.

Now back to the thread... Looking good Deathsmile! Definately need a good skimmer in that sump though.

[Deathsmile]

The guy im dealing with at my LFS said that i should only go 250+ gallons on a protein skimmer if i want it done right. Money IS tight so i cant buy the best of everything but i still wanna try to get what i need for my moneys worth. All my rock is in my tank and idk how id get a sand bed in there, even though my LFS said i should put sand under the rock anyways if you do, just around it.

Charlie, your tank is crazy awesome, but you think a BB is too intense for me since im still getting used to this? Im not sure what kinda sand i should use of what kinda critters i should get to keep it clean.

Thanks for the help everyone, its really appreciated.

[charlie]

The guy im dealing with at my LFS said that i should only go 250+ gallons on a protein skimmer if i want it done right. Money IS tight so i cant buy the best of everything but i still wanna try to get what i need for my moneys worth. All my rock is in my tank and idk how id get a sand bed in there, even though my LFS said i should put sand under the rock anyways if you do, just around it.

You seem to have a smart LFS, unusual these days. Give these guys a call about a skimmer, they should be able to give you a hand.
Reef Filtration

Charlie, your tank is crazy awesome, but you think a BB is too intense for me since im still getting used to this? Im not sure what kinda sand i should use of what kinda critters i should get to keep it clean.

I am not saying it is too intense for you, I am just saying that you should probably keep up the research that you have been doing, it is a different animal than a dsb tank, OK?
If you wanted to add sand, it is no biggie, there aren't any critters in the tank now, are there?

[metalhead]

The guy im dealing with at my LFS said that i should only go 250+ gallons on a protein skimmer if i want it done right. Money IS tight so i cant buy the best of everything but i still wanna try to get what i need for my moneys worth. All my rock is in my tank and idk how id get a sand bed in there, even though my LFS said i should put sand under the rock anyways if you do, just around it.

Charlie, your tank is crazy awesome, but you think a BB is too intense for me since im still getting used to this? Im not sure what kinda sand i should use of what kinda critters i should get to keep it clean.

Thanks for the help everyone, its really appreciated.

Take a look at the reef-octopus extreme 250... I think you can get one new for about 350-400 if you shop around. It is an awesome skimmer for the money and has even been compared to the bubble-kings and other top-rated skimmers costing much more.

This is probably the single most important piece of equipment you will buy for your reef and its well-being so don't skimp here if you can help it.

BTW... I don't see any reason at all why you couldn't successfully keep a BB system. Just make sure you do your research and get on Charlie's good side if your not already there. ;)

[charlie]

I have heard good things about that skimmer!!!!

[Deathsmile]

My LFS has been in the business since '76 so he seems legit. Checking with things on these forums and with what he's told me he hasnt tried to screw me once for a buck.

Theres nothing in my tank but the live rock. Everything has just been pumping. Id get my skimmer put in before i put any marine life in there.

Looks like ill be returning my PS3 bundle i bought myself for Christmas, ill have nothing to open now xD

[metalhead]

I have heard good things about that skimmer!!!!

Yep, me too... I'll be ordering one soon, unless Santa brings one to me.

[charlie]

Looks like ill be returning my PS3 bundle i bought myself for Christmas, ill have nothing to open now xD

You could have a new skimmer to open Just think, the smell of fresh skimmate...................mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. It would almost bring a tear to a glass eye.

[Deathsmile]

haha, well ill be getting my 453 bucks back, i guess thats a decent amount to spend on a skimmer. Although id like to get a skimmer and somthing else too if possible.

[Deathsmile]

You could have a new skimmer to open Just think, the smell of fresh skimmate...................mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. It would almost bring a tear to a glass eye.

Thats 23 days away, idk if i wanna run my tank for that long without the skimmer. And whats better, an in sump or out of sump skimmer?