New 100gal Reef setup
 

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum and have been reading for a while. I have a new tank being setup and would like to chronicle it for everyone to see

I'm about to add water sand and rocks. this unfortunately has been sitting for a year now. But I think I have everything in place to get it going. I'll be updating this as new items are added. I would love any criticism this community would have for my setup.

so far I have:

- 99gal tank
- 20 gal sump
- a Euro-Reef skimmer
- a dual chamber MRC Calcium Reactor
- 2 x 250w HQI 10,000k lights with 2 x 54w actinic T5s
- 1/4hp Chiller and 250w heater
- 950gph Mag drive pump
- 2 x Tunze 6101 powerheads and Tunze controller


for livestock my plan is to have SPS corals and a few fish, and some invertebrates I'm not sure on exactly what I will run. I do want to have a lively looking tank, but I also want some of those beautiful SPS corals.


my plan this week is to setup the logistics for moving 150gallons of saltwater and the LFS said they were cure some premium live rock for me. I'll probably get about 120lbs.


http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ankpics001.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ankpics002.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ankpics003.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ankpics004.jpg

looks like fun...have you thought about a refugium...I didnt and it seems tricky to add it later...

Your set up looks really nice...keep posting, my tanks is up now for almost six weeks and I am looking forward to seeing your tank mature.

Good luck...

looks like it will be a great setup! cant wait to see it done!

I have thought about a refugium....

I have purchased a poly-reactor to run rowaphos. but that was going to be a post cycle addition. I don' t think I'll be adding any macro algea to the system.

I was also thinking about adding a de-nitrification reactor later as well.


but, I do have room in the cabinet to add a small refugium any thoughts on what I could use?

DAY 1
 

ok,

I finally made it to the LFS and bought 140 gallons of
salt water and about 75lbs of cured live rock.
I ordered another 80lbs of rock also.


got the sand water and rocks in the tank.

Note: I used 3 bags of "expired" live sand and 2 bags of "Live" live sand. I guess we will see how this works out.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...icsday1004.jpg

Filled up the tank and sump with salt water, turned the return pump on and the system started up with no malfunctions. but I have a couple of issues to resolve.

Issue 1: The return line with the flex nozzles are spitting lost of bubbles. not really sure how to remedy that. gonna do some searching on the forums.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...icsday1003.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...icsday1002.jpg

Issue 2: The overflow sounds like a constantly flushing toilet. I've seen quite a few threads with this issue. looks like I will have to build a standpipe of some type. again more research. I think I have a 1 1/2in bulkhead, it could be 2 in. I'll try and measure it.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...icsday1001.jpg

day1 still looks a little murky, haven't turned on my skimmer yet. nor have I turned on any of my lights.

day 2
 

skimmer is working nicely, still no lights on.

found out the problem with the bubbles on the return. there was a hole drilled in the PVC to remedy the bubbles. the hole was drilled by the tank builder. but, i found by covering the hole - it solved the problem.

I hope to install a Durso type standpipe today as well as the tunze pumps and controller.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...nkpicsday2.jpg

Looking good. Glad to see you're not afraid to do some research.

I would encourage you to add some type of refugium if you can.

Keep up the good work!

The Hofer Gurgle Buster has worked well for me.

http://home.everestkc.net/jrobertson...struction.html

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1225992

HTH

Spleify

What are the dimensions of that tank? Where did you get it?

the tank was custom built. not sure which company built it. but they are located in san francisco, ca i believe. I bought it through Atlantisaquarium.net they are my LFS. I could find out the name of the builder if you would like.


dimensions are 48"L X 24"D X 20"H


Fuge... well, I may be able to do a small fuge in the middle chamber of my sump. I dont have anymore room in my cabinet. I could build something that sat on top of the sump... what do you think?

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...csday2sump.jpg

Note: The hole I found on my return pipe seems to be a siphon break... because when I covered it up and turned off the return pump the return started to suck water through. I think it is drilled too high on the pipe. does anyone think I should drill a lower hole so that it is barely under the water line?

that space in your sump looks like a prime spot for a fuge. i would just plop some liverock in there and get a handful of chaeto from your LFS or an enthusiast in your area.

I think this is a perfect spot for it!!






Yes!

ok just finished my standpipe

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ebuster002.jpg

this works beautifully. i hear nothing. nothing!! followed one of those links you showed me Spleify. thanks!

I also did a mod on the siphon break. I attached some 1/4" tubing with some silicone to seal up the hole. the tubing will hang down right above the waterline when the return pump is off and all the water in the tank has overflowed. when the pump is on the tube is underneath the waterline, this almost eliminated all the bubbles I was getting. and the siphon break still works.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...iphonbreak.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...essbubbles.jpg

day 3
 

turned on my pinpoint salinity monitor today. Salinity is bouncing between 46.0mS and 48.5mS. which is about 1.0220 - 1.0235 SG.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...y3salinity.jpg

tank temp is 76 deg F. will check the tank ph a little later. my Pinpoint nitrate monitor was broken out of the box, i need to send it back.

I think I'll burn in my actinics today also.

Tried to install by Tunze Turbelle 6101 pumps, but the mounting hardware they come with doesn't work well with the acrylic overhang on my tank. I ordered the magnetic holders today - hopefull I'll get them before the weekend.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...csday3pump.jpg

Nice gear !!!

Oh and by the way!





To Reef Central

very nice!!! make sure to hook up with your local reefers, the bay area guys always have nice stuff and will hook you up (especially small things like chaeto)

One question, did you get those tunzes new?? if so how come you didn't go for the 6105s?

I bought the tunze pumps a year ago. I like the new ones, but they aren't necessary

looking great!

Very promising start, looking forward to the rest of the build.. equipment always gets me excited! ;)

looks great!

coming along good. looks great.

day 4
 

turned on the actinics last night.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...cburnin002.jpg

I have the lights about 9 1/2" above the tank. I think I'll be lowering them. what does everyone think? is there a rule of thumb on wattage vs height? I have access to a light meter - not water proof though.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...cburnin001.jpg

nice

beautiful tank!

bump