First post!

[Dreid]

WOOOHOO First time posting!

Here's what I'm getting myself into!
I have a 75 gallon tank, with a stand that will hopefully be holding a 20 long for a sump, since the stand is small and only 15" front to back on the inside, so it really can't hold anything larger. I thought about making a tank myself and having more room for a larger fuge, but after looking around for glass for a DIY tank, I think a $20 craigslist 20g long will do. (Input?)
The 75g has an overflow box with one hole drilled behind it. This is the only drilled hole, it's about 2" in size. It was drilled with the box attached when i got it, used.
My plan for the tank is to drill another 45mm hole next to the existing one all within the box. With appropriate bulkheads, have two 1" drains. SHOUT OUT TO HERBIE, this one is going in my room next to my bed, so it needs to be quiet, hence the two drains. They'll have two elbows to make it work correctly. In the sump which I am yet to make, I am going to put a Octo Reef 6" pinwheel skimmer, which I just got yesterday! Another part will be the fuge, the next the pump, a Mag 7 which I also got yesterday!
Goes back, 3/4" return which I will drill too - I also have the loc line parts already. (Do I need a check valve too?)
Both one of the drains and the return tubing - which i am using braided nylon for - will have a gate valve on it to adjust nicely for herbie style.
I have two koralia 750s. I have 75lbs of the 'pukani' dry rock from BRS. It looks super good!
I have kept as much as I can keep submerged in a 30g bin - about four large pieces, with the powerheads and my fluval e300w heater. It's stayed at 77 degrees. I have been using a refractometer and it's stayed at 1.026 easily!
Once I get a tank to use as a sump, I will maybe get it running with the pump returning water siphoned out of the bin with the rock. Maybe, if that's not too hard to do.
I have some sand coming from The Cultured Reef, 80lbs. I'd like to have some in the fuge and get it started if possible like I said.
I'm doing all this prep stuff now because I'm not setting up my DT until August when I will be moving into a house. I don't want to set it up just to take it down so soon.
I don't know what all I would like to stock this with, and I have not purchased lighting yet. Luckily I have some time to think about it. I have some good books but I still don't know what all I want, it's really overwhelming all the options. If you have any advice for me, or things to consider, think about, whatever, let me know! It's killing me that August is so far away still, but a good thing probably too. Thanks for reading!

[jT415Gz]

welcome! I'm freshly new to salt!

[Angel85]

Hi dreid. Good luck with the tank! Is this the first sw tank for you? Sounds like you are on the right track by reading books and researching the forums. I am in the same position on the reading books and researching. Im also moving in August. My tank is cycling right now with LR and agronite sand. I figure i might as well cycle it so its ready when i move, but im not planning on fish til after the move. Patients pays off!

[Ron Reefman]

Well, to dreid and in fact, to all 3 of you, congratulations on taking your time and doing your reading. I didn't find our local club until I was in the hobby about 3+ years, and what a huge difference that made. Then I found RC. Just understand that good things seem to happen to those who take their time and let things grow and mature in their aquariums.
Good luck and ask questions.

[Sisterlimonpot]

To Reef Central
I suspect you'll really enjoy this hobby

[aleonn]

Welcome to RC, looks like you're well on your way in terms of acquiring knowledge and preparation.

[Dreid]

Thank you all, yes this is my first sw setup! Angel85, how funny, we are in such similar situations - I won't be adding fish until late August, maybe september. It all depends on how it's going at the time I suppose. But already I can tell being part of RC is a HUGE help. There's a whole lot to learn from it and all the people on it. Same goes to researching now, reading up, looking around, asking questions, it's going to pay off big time. Hopefully I will be picking up that sump tank today from a craigslist ad.

Any recommendations for what material to use for the panes in the sump tank? Glass, tempered, plexi glass, where to look?

[Dreid]

Yep! I just got my sump tank! 20g long

[Angel85]

Thanks Ron! Good luck Dreid!

[Dreid]

The octo reef nw150 looks like a MONSTER in the sump!

[Ron Reefman]

I took almost 2 years buying everything I wanted for my current system (it isn't an evolved system, I set it up this way from the start). And now 2 years after I set it up it looks like this:





Take your time and treat your tank like a small glass box full of real ocean reef and it will look GREAT soon enough!

Good luck guys.

[Dreid]

Very nice work! I'm excited to be starting in this hobby. Any suggestions for what to use for dividers in the sump-and where to buy?

[jT415Gz]

Originally Posted by Dreid

Very nice work! I'm excited to be starting in this hobby. Any suggestions for what to use for dividers in the sump-and where to buy?

Home Depot has pretty much all you need to build a DIY sump.
Glass, Acrylic, Aquarium Sealant, this tool that helps you get the sealant nice and even which saves you sealant at the end as you don't waste it by doing a sloppy excessive seal job. The tool is like $10, glass/acrylic is around that price too depending on the sizes you choose.

good video about DIY sump

[Angel85]

Your tank looks great, Ron!