The in-wall tank build.... take 2

Modemagic · 01/24/2007, 09:31 AM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1012657

Modemagic · 01/24/2007, 09:33 AM

I haven't had much time nor money to do anything with the the past few weeks. I'm looking for some sort of deal on a complete setup, which will allow me to obtain all the parts, plumbing, etc. I need to get this off and running. If not, I just get to pick and choose what I want.

Bbentler · 01/24/2007, 09:54 AM

Are you looking for a 125 gallon setup. I have one for sale?

Modemagic · 01/24/2007, 11:04 AM

Bbentler, Its a 6' footprint though isn't it? I could be mistaken. I don't have room for anything over 4' in the hole I have. I did look at it though, beautiful setup, worthy of a place in my home.

Modemagic · 02/07/2007, 12:08 PM

I picked up my 75 gallon setup Saturday from the LFS.

Today I finally finished getting everything setup and got the tank in the wall and am running a freshwater test on it now.

Before I just let loose with the garden hose, I dumped some water in the overflow to check to make sure those gaskets were tight enough... they weren't! Tightened both of them down and no leaks thusfar. I'm running a 20 gallon sump with a protein skimmer in it. The skimmer is a Venturi skimmer with a Rio 800 pump on it. Not the best design from what I am told, but it gets the job done. The sump is an Amiracle sump, more of a trickle filter. The return pump is a 'Little Giant' producing some nice flow.

For lighting I have (4) 65w PC lights (two blue, two white) in a hood with a cooling fan for some circulation.

From the pictures, you can see I still have to put the frame around the tank, but otherwise its looking good I think.

Covey · 02/07/2007, 01:25 PM

I don't want to be a bummer but that filter is not going to be good for a reef tank.

I do like the corner overflow

bgreenlee · 02/07/2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Covey
I don't want to be a bummer but that filter is not going to be good for a reef tank.

I do like the corner overflow

Perfecto puts them there, I like it too.

Modemagic · 02/07/2007, 09:02 PM

What would you recommend for a reef?

Covey · 02/07/2007, 09:17 PM

Working with what you already own I would convert the trickle filter into a fuge with a DSB and some macro algae.

Then at some point down the road figure out how to hook a largee skimmer on to the sump.

That system would work ok for a fish only live rock tank but you would be battling nitrates to use it in a reef.

atram · 02/08/2007, 08:24 AM

It would be pretty easy to convert a 20/30 gallon aquarium into a sump/fuge. I just did one and it turned out nice. It allows a nice area for growing micro algae and there is adequate room for a decent sized skimmer.

Modemagic · 02/08/2007, 08:43 AM

So I need to upgrade the skimmer to run it as a reef your saying?

atram · 02/08/2007, 09:08 AM

I'm not sure what kind of skimmer you have, but you will want a good functioning skimmer that will pull out alot of organic matter that can cause problems like algae. Covey is the skimmer guru and can provide good advice. A refugium is great for exporting nutrients and growing pods. I will never start another tank without one.

Sump/fuge design

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1031859

Al

tibbs2 · 02/08/2007, 01:51 PM

You don't need a skimmer for a reef but that depends how much of a bioload you are going to have. If you plan on having have a few small fish and feed sparingly you may not need a skimmer. I myself run a skimmer on my 75 that is rated for a 125 gallon tank because I have many fish and 1 large one that eats a lot. I also grow macro algae and have a phosban reactor and I still have some patches of cyano and algae in my tank.

I'd take out the filter box thing and put in a 20 or 30 gallon tank /w baffles for your sump so you can stash your heaters out of the way and possibly put a DSB/refugium in there.

I love the in-wall setup. That will look great when it is done.

Chris

atram · 02/09/2007, 08:33 AM

I might be able to get you a 20 gallon for free. A friend has one that he offered me. All you would need to do is get some glass baffles cut and glue them in place with aquarium sealer or silcone.
Should cost less than $10.00.

Al

Modemagic · 02/09/2007, 09:14 AM

I'm not opposed to getting a tank and making a fuge for it. Anyone got one laying around or a 20/30 gallon tank??? As of right now there is a heater in the filter box keeping it out of my display tank. If I convert the filter to a fuge, there isn't any real way to put a DSB in there without running the risk of sand being sucked into the pump which is obviously a bad thing.

Modemagic · 02/09/2007, 09:21 AM

While browsing I found this for sale in the Chicagoland forum:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1032162

Thats pretty much exactly what I have, same looking skimmer and all.

Modemagic · 02/15/2007, 02:06 PM

Got the trim on the tank today... just in time before work.

Still need to stain it, along with the floor, trim, and everything else, but its progress.

01/24/2007, 09:31 AM	#1
Modemagic Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Davenport, IA Posts: 339	The in-wall tank build.... take 2 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1012657

01/24/2007, 09:33 AM	#2
Modemagic Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Davenport, IA Posts: 339	I haven't had much time nor money to do anything with the the past few weeks. I'm looking for some sort of deal on a complete setup, which will allow me to obtain all the parts, plumbing, etc. I need to get this off and running. If not, I just get to pick and choose what I want.

01/24/2007, 09:54 AM	#3
Bbentler Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Coralville, IA Posts: 205	Are you looking for a 125 gallon setup. I have one for sale?

01/24/2007, 11:04 AM	#4
Modemagic Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Davenport, IA Posts: 339	Bbentler, Its a 6' footprint though isn't it? I could be mistaken. I don't have room for anything over 4' in the hole I have. I did look at it though, beautiful setup, worthy of a place in my home.

02/07/2007, 12:08 PM	#5
Modemagic Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Davenport, IA Posts: 339	I picked up my 75 gallon setup Saturday from the LFS. Today I finally finished getting everything setup and got the tank in the wall and am running a freshwater test on it now. Before I just let loose with the garden hose, I dumped some water in the overflow to check to make sure those gaskets were tight enough... they weren't! Tightened both of them down and no leaks thusfar. I'm running a 20 gallon sump with a protein skimmer in it. The skimmer is a Venturi skimmer with a Rio 800 pump on it. Not the best design from what I am told, but it gets the job done. The sump is an Amiracle sump, more of a trickle filter. The return pump is a 'Little Giant' producing some nice flow. For lighting I have (4) 65w PC lights (two blue, two white) in a hood with a cooling fan for some circulation. From the pictures, you can see I still have to put the frame around the tank, but otherwise its looking good I think.

02/07/2007, 01:25 PM	#6
Covey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Davenport IA Posts: 2,018	I don't want to be a bummer but that filter is not going to be good for a reef tank. I do like the corner overflow

02/07/2007, 09:02 PM	#8
Modemagic Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Davenport, IA Posts: 339	What would you recommend for a reef?

02/07/2007, 09:17 PM	#9
Covey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Davenport IA Posts: 2,018	Working with what you already own I would convert the trickle filter into a fuge with a DSB and some macro algae. Then at some point down the road figure out how to hook a largee skimmer on to the sump. That system would work ok for a fish only live rock tank but you would be battling nitrates to use it in a reef.

02/08/2007, 08:24 AM	#10
atram Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bettendorf, Iowa Posts: 403	It would be pretty easy to convert a 20/30 gallon aquarium into a sump/fuge. I just did one and it turned out nice. It allows a nice area for growing micro algae and there is adequate room for a decent sized skimmer.

02/08/2007, 08:43 AM	#11
Modemagic Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Davenport, IA Posts: 339	So I need to upgrade the skimmer to run it as a reef your saying?

02/08/2007, 09:08 AM	#12
atram Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bettendorf, Iowa Posts: 403	I'm not sure what kind of skimmer you have, but you will want a good functioning skimmer that will pull out alot of organic matter that can cause problems like algae. Covey is the skimmer guru and can provide good advice. A refugium is great for exporting nutrients and growing pods. I will never start another tank without one. Sump/fuge design http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1031859 Al

02/08/2007, 01:51 PM	#13
tibbs2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: IA Posts: 1,422	You don't need a skimmer for a reef but that depends how much of a bioload you are going to have. If you plan on having have a few small fish and feed sparingly you may not need a skimmer. I myself run a skimmer on my 75 that is rated for a 125 gallon tank because I have many fish and 1 large one that eats a lot. I also grow macro algae and have a phosban reactor and I still have some patches of cyano and algae in my tank. I'd take out the filter box thing and put in a 20 or 30 gallon tank /w baffles for your sump so you can stash your heaters out of the way and possibly put a DSB/refugium in there. I love the in-wall setup. That will look great when it is done. Chris

02/09/2007, 08:33 AM	#14
atram Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bettendorf, Iowa Posts: 403	I might be able to get you a 20 gallon for free. A friend has one that he offered me. All you would need to do is get some glass baffles cut and glue them in place with aquarium sealer or silcone. Should cost less than $10.00. Al

02/09/2007, 09:14 AM	#15
Modemagic Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Davenport, IA Posts: 339	I'm not opposed to getting a tank and making a fuge for it. Anyone got one laying around or a 20/30 gallon tank??? As of right now there is a heater in the filter box keeping it out of my display tank. If I convert the filter to a fuge, there isn't any real way to put a DSB in there without running the risk of sand being sucked into the pump which is obviously a bad thing.

02/09/2007, 09:21 AM	#16
Modemagic Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Davenport, IA Posts: 339	While browsing I found this for sale in the Chicagoland forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1032162 Thats pretty much exactly what I have, same looking skimmer and all.

02/15/2007, 02:06 PM	#17
Modemagic Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Davenport, IA Posts: 339	Got the trim on the tank today... just in time before work. Still need to stain it, along with the floor, trim, and everything else, but its progress.