New Here 150 Gallon build!

curryb15 · 08/13/2011, 09:50 PM

Hi everyone my name is Brian and I am fairly new to RC! I live in central suffolk county and never knew that L.I had there own reef club! I am currently running a 29 gallon FOWLR tank with a 150 gallon build taking place as we speak.! The 150 will be a full reef tank! So far i built a stand about a month ago and currently i have a tank filled with fresh ro water with 40 gallon sump, BRS dual GFO and carbon reactor, U.V sterlizer reef octopus 160 sx protein skimmer ..... and much more to come. I will post pics when i get off from work ( im a fire dept dispatcher) at midnight. i look foward to chatting with everyone!

curryb15 · 08/13/2011, 10:35 PM

150 gallon tank!

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/...d/IMAG0101.jpg

electrical cabient

and of course a must have!

curryb15 · 08/13/2011, 10:36 PM

bigsink · 08/14/2011, 06:30 AM

Welcome to the club. You will find nothing but the most knowledgable and helpful members here. How about a little more info on the equipment you will be using. Right off the bat, you can eliminate the UV set-up. Best of luck.

username in use · 08/14/2011, 07:12 AM

What are you thinking about for lighting? I've always liked the dimensions of that tank.

curryb15 · 08/14/2011, 10:07 AM

Hello everyone! the equipment I will be using will be as fallows......

Purchased
BRS dual GFo and Carbon reactor
reef octopus sx 160 Protein skimmer
BRS RODI 75 GPD plus filter

In need of Purchase
Vortech mp60 or tunze wave box
ATO JBL
Aqua medic doser
RKL elite
as far as lighting I was going to go with this: http://www.aquatraders.com/48-716W-M...bo-p/54267.htm
I know they dont have the best reputation but I have done alot of research and it seems they have gotten A LOT better since 2006.

curryb15 · 08/14/2011, 10:09 AM

I will also be using this software for my weekly cleaning and water test
http://reef.aquariogest.net/

I aslo forgot my return pump is a mag drive 9.5

username in use · 08/14/2011, 10:25 AM

As far as the mp60/wavebox debate, they don't do anything close to the same thing. If you have to choose just one, I would stick with the vortech as it will give you good flow around the whole tank where the wave box just kind of gives a back and forth motion. Which is ok, but not as your primary flow, thats a secondary purchase.

curryb15 · 08/14/2011, 10:47 AM

Yea I was leaning to the vortech its just that its sooooo expensive!

username in use · 08/14/2011, 10:55 AM

Maybe just get an MP40 and a couple Koralia Evo 1400's

James983 · 08/15/2011, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by username in use

Maybe just get an MP40 and a couple Koralia Evo 1400's

+1

You can find used 40s for less than $300 on the for sale forum.

Good luck with your build.

curryb15 · 08/15/2011, 10:06 AM

Ok great! Thank you where is the for sale forum ? I'm going away this weekend with my girlfriend so the build will be on hold for a few days

Beaun · 08/15/2011, 10:29 AM

You need 50 posts and be a member for 90 days to be able to see the sale forums.

username in use · 08/15/2011, 10:29 AM

All you can do until then, is post a want to buy in this forum only (LIRA)

curryb15 · 08/15/2011, 11:16 AM

ok thanks!

curryb15 · 08/16/2011, 09:47 PM

So I got a present in the mail today!!!!!

I installed it in my sump but just have a few questions

1). Is it ok I run the skimmer in fresh water? I will not be putting salt in until weds next week.
2). The skimmer is currently running in fresh water but not producing those fine little bubbles is this because its fresh water and not salt?

Beaun · 08/17/2011, 07:25 AM

It's fine to run it in freshwater, that's how people will clean it sometimes, but you wont really be breaking it in so it doesnt much matter. As far as the bubbles I dont see the air line going from the skimmer up to the silencer, is it connected? It could just be I dont see it in the picture, maybe you need to open the valve on the silencer to allow mor'e air in. Never had an octo skimmer so I dont know all the ins and outs of it, just some ideas.

curryb15 · 08/17/2011, 07:30 AM

The air line is connected so I'm not sure how its suppose to look while the skimmer runs in fresh water

Vinny Kreyling · 08/17/2011, 07:44 AM

Most skimmers will NOT perform in fresh water, just the way they are made.

Turbovr3six · 08/17/2011, 09:00 AM

Open your drain! If it were me, I wouldn't restrict the drain line at all. The ball valve is fine there but keep it open while the tank is running.

Ninja1 · 08/17/2011, 09:03 AM

I would definitely run the skimmer in salt water beforehand. Even if you run it a small mixed amount of water. I also just got a reef octopus and it took a while to adjust/break in.

curryb15 · 08/17/2011, 01:17 PM

turbovr3six thank you! I will do that as soon as i get home. I do have one other problem though....... the water level in the corner where the overflow is is low. Its below the part of the pipe that sticks out. The drain pipe was fully submerged for the first few days the tank was running and now even after topping the tank off the water will not rise in that corner. Why is this happening all of a sudden? and is it ok for the water level to remain at that level? Thank you guys so much for the help if it wasnt for reef central I would have gotten no where with this build! L

Vinny Kreyling · 08/17/2011, 01:33 PM

A picture is worth a thousand words - it also aids in an explanation when we can see what drain you are describing.

curryb15 · 08/17/2011, 01:38 PM

I get off of work a 4 I will go home and post a picture then.

curryb15 · 08/17/2011, 02:24 PM

Here it is as you can see it is low in the corner but to the right you can see the water is at a normal level . Is it suppose to look like this? I just topped off the tank yesterday.

08/13/2011, 09:50 PM	#1
curryb15 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 102	New Here 150 Gallon build! Hi everyone my name is Brian and I am fairly new to RC! I live in central suffolk county and never knew that L.I had there own reef club! I am currently running a 29 gallon FOWLR tank with a 150 gallon build taking place as we speak.! The 150 will be a full reef tank! So far i built a stand about a month ago and currently i have a tank filled with fresh ro water with 40 gallon sump, BRS dual GFO and carbon reactor, U.V sterlizer reef octopus 160 sx protein skimmer ..... and much more to come. I will post pics when i get off from work ( im a fire dept dispatcher) at midnight. i look foward to chatting with everyone!

08/14/2011, 06:30 AM	#4
bigsink Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,481	Welcome to the club. You will find nothing but the most knowledgable and helpful members here. How about a little more info on the equipment you will be using. Right off the bat, you can eliminate the UV set-up. Best of luck. __________________ Sal made me change this. I now keep a 500g guppy tank! Current Tank Info: 500g guppy tank

08/14/2011, 07:12 AM	#5
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	What are you thinking about for lighting? I've always liked the dimensions of that tank. __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

08/14/2011, 10:25 AM	#8
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	As far as the mp60/wavebox debate, they don't do anything close to the same thing. If you have to choose just one, I would stick with the vortech as it will give you good flow around the whole tank where the wave box just kind of gives a back and forth motion. Which is ok, but not as your primary flow, thats a secondary purchase. __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

08/14/2011, 10:55 AM	#10
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	Maybe just get an MP40 and a couple Koralia Evo 1400's __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

08/13/2011, 10:35 PM	#2
curryb15 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 102	150 gallon tank! http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/...d/IMAG0101.jpg electrical cabient and of course a must have!

08/13/2011, 10:36 PM	#3
curryb15 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 102

08/14/2011, 10:07 AM	#6
curryb15 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 102	Hello everyone! the equipment I will be using will be as fallows...... Purchased BRS dual GFo and Carbon reactor reef octopus sx 160 Protein skimmer BRS RODI 75 GPD plus filter In need of Purchase Vortech mp60 or tunze wave box ATO JBL Aqua medic doser RKL elite as far as lighting I was going to go with this: http://www.aquatraders.com/48-716W-M...bo-p/54267.htm I know they dont have the best reputation but I have done alot of research and it seems they have gotten A LOT better since 2006.

08/14/2011, 10:09 AM	#7
curryb15 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 102	I will also be using this software for my weekly cleaning and water test http://reef.aquariogest.net/ I aslo forgot my return pump is a mag drive 9.5

08/14/2011, 10:47 AM	#9
curryb15 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 102	Yea I was leaning to the vortech its just that its sooooo expensive!

08/15/2011, 10:06 AM	#12
curryb15 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 102	Ok great! Thank you where is the for sale forum ? I'm going away this weekend with my girlfriend so the build will be on hold for a few days

08/15/2011, 10:29 AM	#13
Beaun It's pronounced Bone Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Hampton, NY Posts: 1,967	You need 50 posts and be a member for 90 days to be able to see the sale forums. __________________ -Tyler "The only legitimate use of a computer is to play games." -Eugene Jarvis Current Tank Info: None

08/15/2011, 11:16 AM	#15
curryb15 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 102	ok thanks!

08/16/2011, 09:47 PM	#16
curryb15 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 102	So I got a present in the mail today!!!!! I installed it in my sump but just have a few questions 1). Is it ok I run the skimmer in fresh water? I will not be putting salt in until weds next week. 2). The skimmer is currently running in fresh water but not producing those fine little bubbles is this because its fresh water and not salt?

08/17/2011, 07:25 AM	#17
Beaun It's pronounced Bone Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Hampton, NY Posts: 1,967	It's fine to run it in freshwater, that's how people will clean it sometimes, but you wont really be breaking it in so it doesnt much matter. As far as the bubbles I dont see the air line going from the skimmer up to the silencer, is it connected? It could just be I dont see it in the picture, maybe you need to open the valve on the silencer to allow mor'e air in. Never had an octo skimmer so I dont know all the ins and outs of it, just some ideas. __________________ -Tyler "The only legitimate use of a computer is to play games." -Eugene Jarvis Current Tank Info: None

08/17/2011, 07:30 AM	#18
curryb15 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 102	The air line is connected so I'm not sure how its suppose to look while the skimmer runs in fresh water

08/17/2011, 07:44 AM	#19
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Most skimmers will NOT perform in fresh water, just the way they are made.

08/17/2011, 09:00 AM	#20
Turbovr3six Colored Sticks addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island, 11768 Posts: 2,652	Open your drain! If it were me, I wouldn't restrict the drain line at all. The ball valve is fine there but keep it open while the tank is running. __________________ -Justin Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are already doing it.

08/17/2011, 09:03 AM	#21
Ninja1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: LI Posts: 644	I would definitely run the skimmer in salt water beforehand. Even if you run it a small mixed amount of water. I also just got a reef octopus and it took a while to adjust/break in. __________________ Student by day, Ninja by night “In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back.” Visit NiNJA's Build Thread on Ninja1's Homepage

08/17/2011, 01:17 PM	#22
curryb15 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 102	turbovr3six thank you! I will do that as soon as i get home. I do have one other problem though....... the water level in the corner where the overflow is is low. Its below the part of the pipe that sticks out. The drain pipe was fully submerged for the first few days the tank was running and now even after topping the tank off the water will not rise in that corner. Why is this happening all of a sudden? and is it ok for the water level to remain at that level? Thank you guys so much for the help if it wasnt for reef central I would have gotten no where with this build! L

08/17/2011, 01:33 PM	#23
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	A picture is worth a thousand words - it also aids in an explanation when we can see what drain you are describing.

08/17/2011, 01:38 PM	#24
curryb15 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 102	I get off of work a 4 I will go home and post a picture then.

08/17/2011, 02:24 PM	#25
curryb15 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 102	Here it is as you can see it is low in the corner but to the right you can see the water is at a normal level . Is it suppose to look like this? I just topped off the tank yesterday.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New to forum!!! 150 gallon +40 Gallon sump Build!!!!!	curryb15	Large Reef Tanks	15	04/30/2012 09:01 AM
Zimmy's First 30 Gallon Build	zimmy130	Nano Reefs	10	08/20/2011 06:26 PM
Lighting issue on a 72" 150 gallon aquarium.	abezr	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	33	02/07/2011 07:46 PM
Fish setup for 150 gallon	abezr	Reef Discussion	0	02/02/2011 01:58 AM
150 gallon Dual Overflow	H2oH2o	Orlando Reef Caretakers Association (ORCA)	0	12/16/2010 08:36 PM