Brandan's 55gal Mixed Reef Build! Pics

Brandan · 04/14/2007, 08:35 PM

So I'll give a little background information. After being in FW for awhile I decided that I wanted to give SW a shot. So I did my research for a little while and set up a very basic 10g, with a HOB Bio-wheel, some LR/LS and 2 damsels. After I had that up for a few months, I decided that I wanted to do something a little more "regular" and move it up to a 20gal high, with PC lighting,and build the stand to fit a 10gal sump for the skimmer, heater, fuge, and return pump. Well I have been bit hard with "The Bug" and now I want to move up to something bigger, there is only one problem, a budget. . . My 55 that is now a FW will become my new SW Reef and my 20gal will become my new FW Swordtail tank. I bought a Mag 9.5 for my return and the Via Aqua 1300 I have for my return now will be used for the closed loop system that the tank will be drilled for. I am going to run 4-100watt VHO bulbs, 2-Actinic, 1-50/50, and 1-10,000k. For the overflow I'm going to drill the backside for the Closed loop and the Durso Standpipe with the Internal overflow box. The return is going to come through the backside, and the CL is going to wrap up to the front with locklines that point to the back of the tank. NOW TO THE PICS!!! Oh, almost forgot, I am going to use two 10gal Marineland tanks for the sump. The first (skimmer) tank is going to be set up on 2x4s since it is going to drain into the next 10gal tank. Well moving on.

First off, the 55FW that is going to be converted.

20gal softie tank

Internal Overflow box and The Durso Standpipe

Skimmer Sump

2nd Sump Fuge/Return

Mag 9.5 Return

Enjoy, Let me know with any advice!!!!!!!!!! I am more than will for good/bad comments. Thanks for looking. Pics will be added as soon as I get my drill bit and bulkheads to drill the glass. They should be here Tuesday or Wednesday, along with my ARO ballast so I can start the canopy. Subscribe, I will be updating this often!!!!!!!

Brandan · 04/14/2007, 08:39 PM

This is where the sump(s) will sit. I know it's a mess. . .

My powercenter I already made. (Note: The switch is for the skimmer so I can just flip it so empty/clean the collection cup)

reefnetworth · 04/14/2007, 08:40 PM

lookin good, i like the reef soooo much more!!!

JDM...:sminkn:...

Brandan · 04/15/2007, 03:30 PM

Here is an update for today, I do not have class on Mondays, so tomorrow I am going to empty out my 55gal, and transfer some of my fish to my moms 37gal Cube and to the 10gal I bought to make the switch. He are two pictures of the new sump design and the display tank return and closed loop system. The sump "flow" will be nice since I can control the flow to the fuge and still have only one drain from the display. Now to the pics

Sump Flow

Display

Bri Guy · 04/16/2007, 09:53 PM

Check into your 55 and see if its tempered, if so you CAN'T drill it. Lots of tanks use tempered glass, sometimes its just the bottom pane of glass.

Good looking setup so far, looks like youve done your research!

Good luck

Brandan · 04/17/2007, 07:36 AM

When I bought the tank a little over a year ago, it had the sticker on the bottom that said, "Tempered Bottom, Do NOT drill" so I am assuming the back is not tempered. I decided to have the guy at the glass shop around the corner drill it for me, he used to have a 300gal in wall reef tank, and he said he would do it for $25. So I figured it's worth the money rather than risking it myself. He said he has never broke one yet so . . . lol

Brandan · 04/17/2007, 07:54 PM

So here's a pretty big update. I didn't get a chance to get the tank over to the glass shop to get it drilled, but I did however get all the plumbing mocked up for glue. I started on the closed loop, just need to figure out how I am going to connect the pump exactly. Here's some pics, tell me what you think!

Full shot

Sump/Fuge Section

Sump/Skimmer Section

Closed Loop

Brandan · 05/30/2007, 09:26 AM

UPDATE!!!! Yeah, it's been like 2 months, finally got the tank drilled, finally got the sump built, finally got the plumbing done, finally got RO water, and finally got 45lbs of LR and 40lbs of LS. This is what it looks like with just a 48" NO florescent bulb. I'm about a week and a half into the cycle. Also heres some pics of the 20gallon two, everything is getting transfered over, including my zoos, pulsing xenias, my 7" colt coral, and my fish.

Crackerballer · 05/30/2007, 06:31 PM

Man that looks good! Really like the sump idea, I may have to borrow it when I setup my 40 breeder since I have a 20 and 10 gallon available. Keep us updated.

Brandan · 05/30/2007, 08:23 PM

Thanks, nitrate reading tonight was 20ppm, so it looks like I am getting close to the end of the cycle!!!!!!! I ended up going with power compact lights. I should have my 4-96 watt kit by the middle of this up coming week.

Crackerballer · 05/30/2007, 09:43 PM

4x96 or 96 total watts?

Steven0000 · 05/30/2007, 11:51 PM

good looking tanks
love the maroon clown

i would suggest a cleaning crew though
just a thought.

good luck!

Brandan · 05/31/2007, 07:47 AM

I have a 4x96 watt kit coming. Also, I have a now small clean up crew for the 20gallon. I had 6 turbo snails and 4 hermit crabs. Now since the blue legged hermit i got as a Hitchhiker, he has picked off a few of my snails, I bought 3 Nassarius snails last week. For the 55 I am going to get 10more turbos, 5 more Nassarius, 10 red legged hermits, an arrow crab (possibly), and a cleaner or pepperment shrimp.

Musho3210 · 05/31/2007, 03:08 PM

do you add extra empty shells so the hermit crabs dont kill and steal the snail shells?

herostar · 05/31/2007, 03:24 PM

That's alot of Turbo snails. I'd suggest only 5 more, then adding like 10 Astrea's and maybe a couple of Cerith's.

The tank's looking good. You're going to love having those 96w bulbs. What combination did you get? Where from?

Brandan · 05/31/2007, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Musho3210
do you add extra empty shells so the hermit crabs dont kill and steal the snail shells?

No, I have not because I have never had a problem yet, because the electric blue hermit killed all but one.

Brandan · 05/31/2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by herostar
That's alot of Turbo snails. I'd suggest only 5 more, then adding like 10 Astrea's and maybe a couple of Cerith's.

The tank's looking good. You're going to love having those 96w bulbs. What combination did you get? Where from?

I was thinking maybe some Astreas, but I only have 2 now, so that would make 12, which wouldn't be too outrageous. If I do Astreas, I'll cut down on the turbos. For the bulb combo, I ended up doing two full actinics and then two 50/50 bulbs. They will be staggered inside the canopy with a full 46.5x10 reflector from hellolights.com.

Brandan · 06/02/2007, 10:16 AM

So from what I can tell, the tank had cycled. I tested the water yesterday and nitrates were at 0ppm!!! My question is this. . . I have a Maroon Clown, a 6-Line Wrasse, a Clown Goby, a Scooter Blenny, and plan to add one more Maroon Clown at the same time. I am just wondering if this is too many fish for 70gals of water all at one time? That makes a total of 5 fish, which are all less that 3inches each. Just wondering if anyone thinks it will be too much for the system to handle at once. The tank has 45lbs of LR, 40lbs of LS, and If I switch the fish over, I will more over another 20lbs of LR also. So that makes a total of 65lbs of LR and 40lbs of LS.

Brandan · 06/06/2007, 07:24 PM

So here is what I guess I would consider a big update. Finally got the bulbs in for my lighting, but bad news, FedEx lost the box that had the two ballasts in it. They got it all squared out and they will be here Monday. I finally went out and bought one more Maroon Clown today and added my Maroon I already had, and the new one. They both kind of picked on each other when I let them go, but they have seemed to find their own sides of the tank now. It did not work out as well as I thought it might, but oh well, maybe time will help them. Also, finally got the cover put on the fuge/sump, got my "power panel" moved over, and got my temporary light on my fuge, along with the Loc-Lines I plumbed up and the new feed to the DT. Well enough talking here are the pictures.

Heres a FTS, still have almost 20lbs of LR to move over

Loc-Lines

Overflow with Filter Floss tray

"Power Panel"

Return Section

Fuge/Skimmer Section

Lights

Steven0000 · 06/06/2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brandan
So from what I can tell, the tank had cycled. I tested the water yesterday and nitrates were at 0ppm!!! My question is this. . . I have a Maroon Clown, a 6-Line Wrasse, a Clown Goby, a Scooter Blenny, and plan to add one more Maroon Clown at the same time. I am just wondering if this is too many fish for 70gals of water all at one time? That makes a total of 5 fish, which are all less that 3inches each. Just wondering if anyone thinks it will be too much for the system to handle at once. The tank has 45lbs of LR, 40lbs of LS, and If I switch the fish over, I will more over another 20lbs of LR also. So that makes a total of 65lbs of LR and 40lbs of LS.

I would say that is fine, but not all at once. Every fish you add makes your tank go through another small cycle because the bacteria have to grow and catch up to what wastes the fish and inverts. are producing.

Brandan · 06/06/2007, 08:15 PM

Well I added the 2 clowns, so Ill probably wait till the weekend atleast to add my Wrasse. Then add the Blenny and Goby by the middle of week.

customcolor · 06/24/2007, 08:55 PM

your tank looks good too!

Brandan · 06/24/2007, 08:57 PM

So here is somewhat of an updated pick. This is before I got all the corals moved over. I should have some better pics sometime this week.

reefman13 · 06/24/2007, 11:54 PM

Nice stuff. Looking good.

When do you plan to move the corals over?

04/14/2007, 08:35 PM	#1
Brandan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brownsburg/Indiana Posts: 302	Brandan's 55gal Mixed Reef Build! Pics So I'll give a little background information. After being in FW for awhile I decided that I wanted to give SW a shot. So I did my research for a little while and set up a very basic 10g, with a HOB Bio-wheel, some LR/LS and 2 damsels. After I had that up for a few months, I decided that I wanted to do something a little more "regular" and move it up to a 20gal high, with PC lighting,and build the stand to fit a 10gal sump for the skimmer, heater, fuge, and return pump. Well I have been bit hard with "The Bug" and now I want to move up to something bigger, there is only one problem, a budget. . . My 55 that is now a FW will become my new SW Reef and my 20gal will become my new FW Swordtail tank. I bought a Mag 9.5 for my return and the Via Aqua 1300 I have for my return now will be used for the closed loop system that the tank will be drilled for. I am going to run 4-100watt VHO bulbs, 2-Actinic, 1-50/50, and 1-10,000k. For the overflow I'm going to drill the backside for the Closed loop and the Durso Standpipe with the Internal overflow box. The return is going to come through the backside, and the CL is going to wrap up to the front with locklines that point to the back of the tank. NOW TO THE PICS!!! Oh, almost forgot, I am going to use two 10gal Marineland tanks for the sump. The first (skimmer) tank is going to be set up on 2x4s since it is going to drain into the next 10gal tank. Well moving on. First off, the 55FW that is going to be converted. 20gal softie tank Internal Overflow box and The Durso Standpipe Skimmer Sump 2nd Sump Fuge/Return Mag 9.5 Return Enjoy, Let me know with any advice!!!!!!!!!! I am more than will for good/bad comments. Thanks for looking. Pics will be added as soon as I get my drill bit and bulkheads to drill the glass. They should be here Tuesday or Wednesday, along with my ARO ballast so I can start the canopy. Subscribe, I will be updating this often!!!!!!! Last edited by Brandan; 04/14/2007 at 08:44 PM.

04/14/2007, 08:40 PM	#3
reefnetworth Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 3,810	lookin good, i like the reef soooo much more!!! JDM...:sminkn:... __________________ GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, HE FEEDS HIMSELF FOR LIFE. (NEVER, underestimate another man's greed) Current Tank Info: SPS dominated barebottom display with BB sump since 2005, most consistant parameters in 19+ years of reefkeeping.

04/16/2007, 09:53 PM	#5
Bri Guy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin Posts: 2,995	Check into your 55 and see if its tempered, if so you CAN'T drill it. Lots of tanks use tempered glass, sometimes its just the bottom pane of glass. Good looking setup so far, looks like youve done your research! Good luck __________________ For my birthday i got a humidifier and a de-humidifier... I put them in the same room and let them fight it out. (Steven Wright) Current Tank Info: 40BR w/ 250w 14K Phoenix + 192w PC, 10g fuge w/ 55w PC, 10g sump, Eheim 1250 return w/ SCWD, ASM Mini G skimmer, Gravity fed ATO, Kalk doser, 1/10 HP chiller, 1 Vortec + 3MJs, all on an AC Jr. - Born on date 8-06 Pics in gallery! + 55g FOWLR w/ macro

05/30/2007, 06:31 PM	#9
Crackerballer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chapel Hill Posts: 455	Man that looks good! Really like the sump idea, I may have to borrow it when I setup my 40 breeder since I have a 20 and 10 gallon available. Keep us updated. __________________ No tank currently setup.

05/30/2007, 09:43 PM	#11
Crackerballer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chapel Hill Posts: 455	4x96 or 96 total watts? __________________ No tank currently setup.

04/14/2007, 08:39 PM	#2
Brandan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brownsburg/Indiana Posts: 302	This is where the sump(s) will sit. I know it's a mess. . . My powercenter I already made. (Note: The switch is for the skimmer so I can just flip it so empty/clean the collection cup)

04/15/2007, 03:30 PM	#4
Brandan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brownsburg/Indiana Posts: 302	Here is an update for today, I do not have class on Mondays, so tomorrow I am going to empty out my 55gal, and transfer some of my fish to my moms 37gal Cube and to the 10gal I bought to make the switch. He are two pictures of the new sump design and the display tank return and closed loop system. The sump "flow" will be nice since I can control the flow to the fuge and still have only one drain from the display. Now to the pics Sump Flow Display

04/17/2007, 07:36 AM	#6
Brandan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brownsburg/Indiana Posts: 302	When I bought the tank a little over a year ago, it had the sticker on the bottom that said, "Tempered Bottom, Do NOT drill" so I am assuming the back is not tempered. I decided to have the guy at the glass shop around the corner drill it for me, he used to have a 300gal in wall reef tank, and he said he would do it for $25. So I figured it's worth the money rather than risking it myself. He said he has never broke one yet so . . . lol

04/17/2007, 07:54 PM	#7
Brandan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brownsburg/Indiana Posts: 302	So here's a pretty big update. I didn't get a chance to get the tank over to the glass shop to get it drilled, but I did however get all the plumbing mocked up for glue. I started on the closed loop, just need to figure out how I am going to connect the pump exactly. Here's some pics, tell me what you think! Full shot Sump/Fuge Section Sump/Skimmer Section Closed Loop

05/30/2007, 09:26 AM	#8
Brandan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brownsburg/Indiana Posts: 302	UPDATE!!!! Yeah, it's been like 2 months, finally got the tank drilled, finally got the sump built, finally got the plumbing done, finally got RO water, and finally got 45lbs of LR and 40lbs of LS. This is what it looks like with just a 48" NO florescent bulb. I'm about a week and a half into the cycle. Also heres some pics of the 20gallon two, everything is getting transfered over, including my zoos, pulsing xenias, my 7" colt coral, and my fish.

05/30/2007, 08:23 PM	#10
Brandan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brownsburg/Indiana Posts: 302	Thanks, nitrate reading tonight was 20ppm, so it looks like I am getting close to the end of the cycle!!!!!!! I ended up going with power compact lights. I should have my 4-96 watt kit by the middle of this up coming week.

05/30/2007, 11:51 PM	#12
Steven0000 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 522	good looking tanks love the maroon clown i would suggest a cleaning crew though just a thought. good luck!

05/31/2007, 07:47 AM	#13
Brandan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brownsburg/Indiana Posts: 302	I have a 4x96 watt kit coming. Also, I have a now small clean up crew for the 20gallon. I had 6 turbo snails and 4 hermit crabs. Now since the blue legged hermit i got as a Hitchhiker, he has picked off a few of my snails, I bought 3 Nassarius snails last week. For the 55 I am going to get 10more turbos, 5 more Nassarius, 10 red legged hermits, an arrow crab (possibly), and a cleaner or pepperment shrimp.

05/31/2007, 03:08 PM	#14
Musho3210 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Evanston IL (near chicago) Posts: 1,899	do you add extra empty shells so the hermit crabs dont kill and steal the snail shells? __________________ Ryan

05/31/2007, 03:24 PM	#15
herostar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 1,024	That's alot of Turbo snails. I'd suggest only 5 more, then adding like 10 Astrea's and maybe a couple of Cerith's. The tank's looking good. You're going to love having those 96w bulbs. What combination did you get? Where from? __________________ Do a good turn daily. Current Tank Info: 58g Oceanic (Est. 2007)

06/02/2007, 10:16 AM	#18
Brandan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brownsburg/Indiana Posts: 302	So from what I can tell, the tank had cycled. I tested the water yesterday and nitrates were at 0ppm!!! My question is this. . . I have a Maroon Clown, a 6-Line Wrasse, a Clown Goby, a Scooter Blenny, and plan to add one more Maroon Clown at the same time. I am just wondering if this is too many fish for 70gals of water all at one time? That makes a total of 5 fish, which are all less that 3inches each. Just wondering if anyone thinks it will be too much for the system to handle at once. The tank has 45lbs of LR, 40lbs of LS, and If I switch the fish over, I will more over another 20lbs of LR also. So that makes a total of 65lbs of LR and 40lbs of LS.

06/06/2007, 07:24 PM	#19
Brandan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brownsburg/Indiana Posts: 302	So here is what I guess I would consider a big update. Finally got the bulbs in for my lighting, but bad news, FedEx lost the box that had the two ballasts in it. They got it all squared out and they will be here Monday. I finally went out and bought one more Maroon Clown today and added my Maroon I already had, and the new one. They both kind of picked on each other when I let them go, but they have seemed to find their own sides of the tank now. It did not work out as well as I thought it might, but oh well, maybe time will help them. Also, finally got the cover put on the fuge/sump, got my "power panel" moved over, and got my temporary light on my fuge, along with the Loc-Lines I plumbed up and the new feed to the DT. Well enough talking here are the pictures. Heres a FTS, still have almost 20lbs of LR to move over Loc-Lines Overflow with Filter Floss tray "Power Panel" Return Section Fuge/Skimmer Section Lights

06/06/2007, 08:15 PM	#21
Brandan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brownsburg/Indiana Posts: 302	Well I added the 2 clowns, so Ill probably wait till the weekend atleast to add my Wrasse. Then add the Blenny and Goby by the middle of week.

06/24/2007, 08:55 PM	#22
customcolor Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: kaukauna, wi. Posts: 3,879	your tank looks good too! __________________ PLEASE DONT USE GREAT STUFF (THE YELLOW STUFF) IN YOUR TANK........USE POND FOAM (THE BLACK STUFF).. I BEG YOU! Great stuff====$5 a can 24-48 hour cure Epoxy to cover it====little as $5 for small projects or up to $100+ for larger projects and another 24-48 hour cure I hope you covered it well cuz if you didnt it will start to break down in a few months sand is another added cost to cover up the yellow. Pond foams====$9-$15 a can 24-48 hour cure DONE! You can cover it with sand if you want to (YOU DONT HAVE TO) though but thats added cost again Current Tank Info: 75 gal under way

06/24/2007, 08:57 PM	#23
Brandan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brownsburg/Indiana Posts: 302	So here is somewhat of an updated pick. This is before I got all the corals moved over. I should have some better pics sometime this week.

06/24/2007, 11:54 PM	#24
reefman13 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: CT Posts: 4,323	Nice stuff. Looking good. When do you plan to move the corals over? __________________ Regards, Dave ______________________________________________________________________ "One day I will be back in this hobby..." spoken like a true High School student... Current Tank Info: None for now...for now...