Any advice is greatly needed

csago05 · 02/09/2010, 01:39 PM

Thanks for taking the time..... I am fairly new to this hobby I started a 55 gallon reef about 2 months ago and so far so good have not had any major issues. Well I just bought a 75 gallon tank for a great price and want to transfer everything thing from my 55 into it and then turn my 55 into a sump/fuge. I am in need of a good protien skimmer that will work that system and not put me in forclosure at the same time. I will be putting about 8 to 12 fish, 2 anemones and as many corals as I can fit in there. Thanks again for any response

mhosts · 02/09/2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csago05

Thanks for taking the time..... I am fairly new to this hobby I started a 55 gallon reef about 2 months ago and so far so good have not had any major issues. Well I just bought a 75 gallon tank for a great price and want to transfer everything thing from my 55 into it and then turn my 55 into a sump/fuge. I am in need of a good protien skimmer that will work that system and not put me in forclosure at the same time. I will be putting about 8 to 12 fish, 2 anemones and as many corals as I can fit in there. Thanks again for any response

Just make sure you go slow... And plan everything first.

Do you have a new stand that fits your 75? If you're putting your 55 under it as sump will it fit properly?

Are you going to drill an overflow in your 75 or use an overflow box?

What are you going to do with your current livestock while you setup the new system?

etc..

Once it's planned then you can start

csago05 · 02/09/2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhosts

Just make sure you go slow... And plan everything first.

Do you have a new stand that fits your 75? If you're putting your 55 under it as sump will it fit properly?

Are you going to drill an overflow in your 75 or use an overflow box?

What are you going to do with your current livestock while you setup the new system?

etc..

Once it's planned then you can start

I am actually going to put the 75 in the wall so I will have more than enough space under to keep the 55.
I am going to use an overflow box i have a friend looking for one now but will take any suggestions.
As far as the live stock I am going to run the 75 the same way i am running my 55 which is with a canister and a prizm skimmer. I know not the best way but I think they will be okay for the week it takes me to put the sump/fuge together.
But if you have any thoughts or suggestion i am more then willing to go with new options, I do plan on taking my time and make sure that i have everything nessary before i make the move.

Chiefsurfer · 02/09/2010, 03:08 PM

1, if you got it at a GREAT price, I would test your tap for copper, and then fill it with tap water, and test again for copper. That would be bad if any showed up in the tank and not in the tap water, very bad.

If you are going to run a 130 gallon system, I would HIGHLY reccomend drilling the tank. Unless the tank is ALL tempered glass, DEFINITELY drill the tank for an overflow. Those overflow boxes never end up working properly, and require a lot of maintenance.

I would not use the canister anymore, unless you want to use it just to run carbon, but that could probably be done in the sump quite easily. The prizm I think would suffice until you get the sump and overflow connected, but that's about it. For an in-sump skimmer, both eshopps and reefoctopus are good quality on a budget. There are also others, but I am not well-versed on in-sump skimmers. Also, as things always crop up during an important stage, don't depend on the construction and set-up of the sump to actually get done in 1 weeks time, but that's fine.

How much rock do you have? I would say you could run about 25lbs of rock down in the sump, and would like to see about another 75-100 in the display. If you have like 50lbs from the 55 gallon tank, I would buy yourself new sand. If buying dry sand, not even really worth stirring up the old sand bed for the price. So I would buy yourself some new sand, throw in as much DRY rock as you need to fill tha tank correctly with LR. Then syphon off enough water into smaller buckets to hold your rock during the transfer. If the transfer will be short, no need to heat or circulate water. Then I would syphon most of the water out of the 55 into the 75, then add about 10 gallons of fresh saltwater. Then throw the LR in there on top of the dry rock. Then the fish. should be fairly easy.

If you go the route of drilling, which I would certainly reccomend, you can just fill your main tank RIGHT below the overflow so there is nothing to worry about. I would do either corner overflows(2) or a nice central pillar style with 3-sides grooved. GL

csago05 · 02/09/2010, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefsurfer

1, if you got it at a GREAT price, I would test your tap for copper, and then fill it with tap water, and test again for copper. That would be bad if any showed up in the tank and not in the tap water, very bad.

If you are going to run a 130 gallon system, I would HIGHLY reccomend drilling the tank. Unless the tank is ALL tempered glass, DEFINITELY drill the tank for an overflow. Those overflow boxes never end up working properly, and require a lot of maintenance.

I would not use the canister anymore, unless you want to use it just to run carbon, but that could probably be done in the sump quite easily. The prizm I think would suffice until you get the sump and overflow connected, but that's about it. For an in-sump skimmer, both eshopps and reefoctopus are good quality on a budget. There are also others, but I am not well-versed on in-sump skimmers. Also, as things always crop up during an important stage, don't depend on the construction and set-up of the sump to actually get done in 1 weeks time, but that's fine.

How much rock do you have? I would say you could run about 25lbs of rock down in the sump, and would like to see about another 75-100 in the display. If you have like 50lbs from the 55 gallon tank, I would buy yourself new sand. If buying dry sand, not even really worth stirring up the old sand bed for the price. So I would buy yourself some new sand, throw in as much DRY rock as you need to fill tha tank correctly with LR. Then syphon off enough water into smaller buckets to hold your rock during the transfer. If the transfer will be short, no need to heat or circulate water. Then I would syphon most of the water out of the 55 into the 75, then add about 10 gallons of fresh saltwater. Then throw the LR in there on top of the dry rock. Then the fish. should be fairly easy.

If you go the route of drilling, which I would certainly reccomend, you can just fill your main tank RIGHT below the overflow so there is nothing to worry about. I would do either corner overflows(2) or a nice central pillar style with 3-sides grooved. GL

No I bought the tank from the LFS and it is brand new I thought about drilling it but it is tempered glass and very thick. I guess it is a new tank they are trying it has no center brace and the glass is thicker to make up for the lack of the brace.

I have about 60 to 75 pounds of LR in the 55 gallon now and I also have another 40lbs of dry rock in my basement that would not fit in my 55. i do also plan on picking up a few bigger pieces of rock from my LFS as well. Maybe another 15 to 20lbs. i hope that will be enough. I will look into buying new sand for the 75 as well. Do I want to use the top layer of my sand that is in the 55 just to get anything that might be living or is it not worth it?

I am only using the canister to run my carbon and i dont plan on using it on the 75.

Thank you for your suggestions and I will look at those skimmers if you have any more suggestion I am all ears and thanks again

lordofthereef · 02/09/2010, 04:15 PM

Just thought I would mention that 8-12 fish sound like a pretty big bioload for that tank. What kinds of fish were you considering?

brycerb · 02/09/2010, 04:27 PM

Be wary of high humidity for in wall tanks.

TNTFISHY · 02/09/2010, 04:45 PM

I just emptied my sump and placed a "closed cell PVC mat" doubled up under my sump to diminish the amount of vibration transmitted to my stand. It's a Costco kitchen mat, and cheap! Not sure if this applies to your wall installation. I love my one week old Vertex In-100 skimmer! Lots of live rock on craigslist I found. Happy Reefin!

csago05 · 02/09/2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordofthereef

Just thought I would mention that 8-12 fish sound like a pretty big bioload for that tank. What kinds of fish were you considering?

Well I have 4 assorted damsels(domino, talbot,blue,blue w/yellow tail), 3 clown fish, 1 daimond gobbie in my 55 now was going to transfer them over. Not sure if I want to keep the damsals though just got them so my daughter would have something to look at. Undecided on what fish I would put in if I took them out.

csago05 · 02/09/2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brycerb

Be wary of high humidity for in wall tanks.

The tank will be going into a walk in closet and will only be visible from the bedroom do you still think the humidity will play a part? It is a descent sized closet.

02/09/2010, 01:39 PM	#1
csago05 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bloomingdale Il Posts: 105	Any advice is greatly needed Thanks for taking the time..... I am fairly new to this hobby I started a 55 gallon reef about 2 months ago and so far so good have not had any major issues. Well I just bought a 75 gallon tank for a great price and want to transfer everything thing from my 55 into it and then turn my 55 into a sump/fuge. I am in need of a good protien skimmer that will work that system and not put me in forclosure at the same time. I will be putting about 8 to 12 fish, 2 anemones and as many corals as I can fit in there. Thanks again for any response

02/09/2010, 03:08 PM	#4
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	1, if you got it at a GREAT price, I would test your tap for copper, and then fill it with tap water, and test again for copper. That would be bad if any showed up in the tank and not in the tap water, very bad. If you are going to run a 130 gallon system, I would HIGHLY reccomend drilling the tank. Unless the tank is ALL tempered glass, DEFINITELY drill the tank for an overflow. Those overflow boxes never end up working properly, and require a lot of maintenance. I would not use the canister anymore, unless you want to use it just to run carbon, but that could probably be done in the sump quite easily. The prizm I think would suffice until you get the sump and overflow connected, but that's about it. For an in-sump skimmer, both eshopps and reefoctopus are good quality on a budget. There are also others, but I am not well-versed on in-sump skimmers. Also, as things always crop up during an important stage, don't depend on the construction and set-up of the sump to actually get done in 1 weeks time, but that's fine. How much rock do you have? I would say you could run about 25lbs of rock down in the sump, and would like to see about another 75-100 in the display. If you have like 50lbs from the 55 gallon tank, I would buy yourself new sand. If buying dry sand, not even really worth stirring up the old sand bed for the price. So I would buy yourself some new sand, throw in as much DRY rock as you need to fill tha tank correctly with LR. Then syphon off enough water into smaller buckets to hold your rock during the transfer. If the transfer will be short, no need to heat or circulate water. Then I would syphon most of the water out of the 55 into the 75, then add about 10 gallons of fresh saltwater. Then throw the LR in there on top of the dry rock. Then the fish. should be fairly easy. If you go the route of drilling, which I would certainly reccomend, you can just fill your main tank RIGHT below the overflow so there is nothing to worry about. I would do either corner overflows(2) or a nice central pillar style with 3-sides grooved. GL __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

02/09/2010, 04:15 PM	#6
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Just thought I would mention that 8-12 fish sound like a pretty big bioload for that tank. What kinds of fish were you considering? __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

02/09/2010, 04:27 PM	#7
brycerb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Isle of wight, VA Posts: 541	Be wary of high humidity for in wall tanks. __________________ -Luckily, my wife is reef safe so I can use my normal income for this hobby. -My cichlids love RO waste! Current Tank Info: 7.5 gallon box with water in it.

02/09/2010, 04:45 PM	#8
TNTFISHY Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 250	I just emptied my sump and placed a "closed cell PVC mat" doubled up under my sump to diminish the amount of vibration transmitted to my stand. It's a Costco kitchen mat, and cheap! Not sure if this applies to your wall installation. I love my one week old Vertex In-100 skimmer! Lots of live rock on craigslist I found. Happy Reefin!