Converting to a REEF tank..sweeeeettt..inputs from anyone??

[dondud]

hey guys. so i am slowly but surely trying to get into a reef tank. so been doing readings, looking, getting confused and all that comes with being a newbie.

set-up will be on a 46gal bowfront tank. Dont know if i keep my Rena XP2 from my freshwater for this reef tank. I am probably getting a Coralife super skimmer 65.
I also was thinking of a DIY overflow with sump/refugium (on 10gal tank).

So the biggest qn i have is on the DIY portion. Anyone done a simple overflow with a sump? I don't wana deal with any drilling cuz i dont have the tools. i guess i am REALLY having a difficult time with the plumbing aspect/terms. Thats an alien world to me.
Anything that is EASY will be GREATLY appreciated unk:

Any other inputs will be greatly appreciated.

 

[lilfishie]

I use an eshopps overflow box.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18358&ref=4134&subref=AA&cmpid=PPC-B-4134

This will give you some ideas on a sump too. I built all mine from what I learned on this site.
http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

 

[dondud]

@lilfishie - so for my 45 gal bowfront would u think the PF-nano is good enough?

 

[DMD123]

That is a nice size bowfront to begin the project with. Love to see pics when done.

 

[lilfishie]

I would recommend going with at least the 300.

Oh, and we want to see pics as you do the build

 

[Anthraxx]

might i suggest a 3d background from designsbynature? im about to pick up one today. cheap shipping and super cheap prices on the precuts and background panels. just my two cents.

 

[dondud]

yea this is kinda going to be a slow build. but pics will be up definitely.

@lilfishie - where did u get the rocks for your 180gal? is that a dry rock? do u have any suggestions for substrate -- sand, coral, etc??

those 3d background looks awesome..

 

[sidekicking]

You might want to look into marco rocks they have a good price on rock
Craigslist is also a great resource to find cheap live rock

 

[dondud]

i was actually looking at macro rocks..got some pretty good rocks.

 

[Anthraxx]

check in with goblue, hes got a pretty sweet setup for getting salt water stuff now.

 

[gobluecichlids]

here is my craigslist link:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/for/2907986978.html

I also do preorders on saltwater fishes and such... may make order first part of april.

*70lbs of rocks left..will order more on the next shipment.

 

[dondud]

oh..yea i saw that...been wanting to get those..
but now its not a perfect time for me now.
do u get different rocks too?

 

[gobluecichlids]

Right now i have totoka rocks. I am planning on Tukani rocks next shipment. I'll keep ordering more once supplies runs low.

 

[dondud]

is there a preference to have the totoka rocks over the tukani? what is ur opinion on those 2 rocks?

 

[gobluecichlids]

I have not stocked tukani, yet, only seen em online (search for youtube video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay0ifHpLpwU

and totoka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRBjuiuWXvM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_jDBvzw3KE

totoka seems to stack easier. Each hobbyist have their own opinion, These have more volume per lb than fuji preminum rocks. I helped a customer fill 3/4 of a 5 gal bucket with only 15lbs of totoka.

Cherry picking ok, first come first serve.

 

[lilfishie]

yea this is kinda going to be a slow build. but pics will be up definitely.

@lilfishie - where did u get the rocks for your 180gal? is that a dry rock? do u have any suggestions for substrate -- sand, coral, etc??

those 3d background looks awesome..

Sorry, I missed this post.

I got all my rock from Rob at Red C in Shoreline
522 NE 165th St Seattle, WA 98115
20six-four1seven-2sevenseven2

 

[dondud]

is it a store?

so i got a couple of questions...

1. i may be doing a sump/refugium on a 10gal tank. You think there would be room for a refugium and a protein skimmer on the 10gal?

2. the algae that u grow in ur refugium..where do u get that from?

thanks guys

 

[lilfishie]

10 gal is pretty small. Probably only enough room for the skimmer and return pump.

The bigger the better.

I get algae and clean up crew from https://ssl.zoovy.com/s%3dreefs2go.com/

You can usually get it free too from fellow reefers!

 

[dondud]

10 gal is kinda the only tank that fits behind
i was thinking maybe HOB skimmer and do a refugium/sump with the 10 gal

 

[lilfishie]

That would work just fine.
Research your HOB skimmers. Some have been known to overflow.
Every skimmer I have is in sump.