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Tooboot
07-31-2016, 02:04 PM
Starting this thread to document my progress as I start up in the hobby. Did tones of research so far, started my search for equipment (tank) through used sites and found a deal faster then expected. I understand the benefit of larger tanks, fewer swings, but couldn't pass up the opportunity of the 40 gallon bow front and custom stand I ended with.

I also have a 20 gallon tank that's has baffles added as custom sump. The overflow and return is very simple plumbing with a single 2 inch hole in the back draining to the sump where I'll include a micron sock. A Jebao 3000 is used as my return pump, and a used bubble magus 3.5 as protein skimmer. I'll also keep a eheim 100w heater in the sump as a back up to the neotherm 150 I'll keep in the tanks overflow.

Recently picked up 30 lbs of Marco rock, 20 lbs of some other reef rock, and a fan shape pukani rock. I glued some pieces together and did up my aqua scaping, and added the sand (about 2" sand bed). I made theasy decision to start with all dry rock, I'll add some shrimp in a cheese cloth to start my cycle, i'very got the time.

As for flow, I picked up an rwe jebao power head and aqualink wireless controller. Been fun using and trying different settings when doing a water test to check for leaks (was all good).

As for lighting, going andown have been wanting LEDs. Instead of shelling out 500+ for quality LEDs off the start, I'll be building my own. It a bit I timid a ting as my first foray into electronics/soldering. I'love be hooking up some forms of controller for the lights, either a Strom controller or find some guides for an Aduino setup.

Anyway, here are some picks, not sure what else to report. Waiting on a refractometer then I'll pick up salt and for the first batch I'll mix it in the tank. Any salt brand recommendations ?

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=15315&stc=1&d=1469987042

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=15316&stc=1&d=1469987064

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=15317&stc=1&d=1469987064

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=15318&stc=1&d=1469987064

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=15319&stc=1&d=1469987064

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=15320&stc=1&d=1469987064

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=15321&stc=1&d=1469987064

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=15322&stc=1&d=1469987064

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=15323&stc=1&d=1469987064

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=15324&stc=1&d=1469987064

babnika
07-31-2016, 02:35 PM
bulkheads look backwards to me flange goes on the inside with nut on the outside to keep water from traveling down threads & mite be a bit loud

dino
07-31-2016, 05:16 PM
yes what he/she said

Tooboot
08-01-2016, 03:50 AM
It is a tad loud, but no leaks. I guess that's something I can fix, have a coupler on my down pipe

tang daddy
08-01-2016, 08:56 AM
Instant ocean seems to be the most common salt used by hobbyist here, becareful with those LEDs while they don't seem bright they will burn and bleach your Lps, if you get some wide angled lenses it will help spread the light abit better.

Tooboot
08-01-2016, 11:42 AM
I have a few lenses on the way, not enough for all but will test them with a few. I thought that if I didn't have any lenses I the light would be spread out, and the lenses would focus the light better.
And as of yesterday I got some Red Sea coral pro salt mix (along with a Hanna calcium checker and red sea marine test kit)
Thanks for the advice, keep it coming as I welcome different views

Tooboot
08-01-2016, 02:54 PM
Also forgot to mention that with the LEDs I'll be hooking up some auto dimming feature for 4 channels of lights, this should help controll intensity of the lights (along with the aquascaping that provides some shady areas). I will be looking for a par meter before putting coral in to get a sense of the various levels, and it will help me adjust the lighting controller for various intensities based on time of the day) I wasn't sure what I was going to keep at first but am now leaning to a mixed tank (to many options can't decide), although I will be starting with some beginner coral. First fish I am considering are clown, wrasse, pinata cardinal

babnika
08-01-2016, 03:36 PM
http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj576/babnika/IMG_0247_zpsg4ugkyml.jpg (http://s1268.photobucket.com/user/babnika/media/IMG_0247_zpsg4ugkyml.jpg.html)http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj576/babnika/IMG_0249_zpshxliytde.jpg (http://s1268.photobucket.com/user/babnika/media/IMG_0249_zpshxliytde.jpg.html)http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj576/babnika/IMG_0246_zpszxhbohml.jpg (http://s1268.photobucket.com/user/babnika/media/IMG_0246_zpszxhbohml.jpg.html)having only one drain.you may want to get a strainer for your down pipe or at least some sort of cover for your overflow box. one urchin , snail or fish could impede your flow to the point you'll have your sump water on the floor & your pump run dry. if you're not ok with the noise & can't drill a second hole you may be able to get away with a 2 inch tee a reducer on one end down to 1 inch on the inflow side of your drain pipe & run a smaller hose just under one inch with a gate valve on the end where it comes out into the sump to regulate the flow to be just a tad bit less then your pumps return

Tooboot
08-01-2016, 10:26 PM
Thanks, looking for a way to add a screen or some sort of filter. Not overly worried about it clogging, it's a 2" pipe so would need to be a big snail (urchin I can understand). As for overflow, it's a simple design and I bought hardware that meets the need; my return pump has an auto shut off when it goes dry, also the room in the return is fairly limited so should not cause a leak or too much of a leak, Imperiale word here being should.

I like the setup you proposed, thanks for the pics makes things clear. I am thinking for my first saltwater tank I'll live with the bit of noise (all other gear is dead silent), but depending on my success and from what I've been reading I can expect to add more tanks in the future and will give more attention to the overflow and plumbing.

I bought the tank used and the hole was already drilled and bulkhead installed (for 80$ on kijiji with custom stand I couldn't complain for a starter tank)