75 Gal w 30 Gal Sump Reef(I told you guys Im back)

[bauder1986]

Originally Posted by cvrle1

Welcome back. Unfortunately you are right, this place has died for sure, and it's a shame. Not sure what happened, as I was away as well, but it used to be live and always active.

I started one of these build threads as well few days ago, but as you said, dead forum

Yeah I saw your build. Little impressive that you managed to pull off the Polish on that acrylic. Which makes me realize another thing. Maybe there's a lot of people online but we're just busy ghosting each other haha

[cvrle1]

Originally Posted by bauder1986

Yeah I saw your build. Little impressive that you managed to pull off the Polish on that acrylic. Which makes me realize another thing. Maybe there's a lot of people online but we're just busy ghosting each other haha

hahaha maybe. It is a possibility I guess. Not sure if the active user counter is correct on the main page, but it says there are 24 members online right now, and 340 guests. Guests could be anything really, so who knows if there are more members online, but no one is saying much. Either way, dont want to thread jack your build thread

[bauder1986]

Originally Posted by cvrle1

hahaha maybe. It is a possibility I guess. Not sure if the active user counter is correct on the main page, but it says there are 24 members online right now, and 340 guests. Guests could be anything really, so who knows if there are more members online, but no one is saying much. Either way, dont want to thread jack your build thread

Honestly don't sweat thread jacking on my build threads. Sounds like any type of commenting is it a good thing right now.

[cvrle1]

Originally Posted by bauder1986

Honestly don't sweat thread jacking on my build threads. Sounds like any type of commenting is it a good thing right now.

True as well I suppose. Lets see how things go. Hopefully canreef can be raised from the dead lol.

[bauder1986]

Alright details time for those that like them.

75 Gallon Rimless with a 35 Gallon sump that has 3 sections. Drain/Temp probe and PH probe. Skimmer and GFO/Carbon Reactor in the middle with much more room for future developments. and lastly a return pump section.
Water goes from tank to sump via a ESHOPPS HOB overflow. I put an air hose to go from the overflow siphon tube to the sump pump to insure that the overflow will re-establish siphon in the event of a power failure. Also added a 8 inch long tube to the drain in the box to allow for quieter drain.

I decided to stick with 50lbs of LR for this build to allow for lots of swim and viewing space. There is no substrate ATM because I want to make sure that the LR is seated on the glass firmly and cycled prior to adding argonite.

The 2 AI sols are controlled via a Apex VDM module. Programmed to match the sunrise/sunset/Moon Phases times of whatever reef apex uses for that model. Also programmed a random storm here and there at night and random cloud cover through out the day. Mainly because I like having shiny things like that. Also programmed a high temp auto off for lights and in tank fans to help control high heat. Shouldn't be a worry really but I want to be careful.

Using a Bubble Magnus whateverthemodelnumberis for this setup. Definitely reminding me why I hate dialing in skimmers. The Octopus DC pump is running at a dialed down 1200ish GPH(Speed Setting 4) to the tank.

In tank I have 3 other fans. Fluvals I believe. None the less throw all the fans and the return together and I have ball park 5200 GPH of flow.

Im planning to go Softies and LPS and Clams for a reef. I love SPS but I don't feel like creating a nutrient free system. So I shall stick with the wiggly stuff. As for fish, we shall see what the tank needs. I know the wife will want many sorts of shiny fish for her to name and such. But I am going to keep it restricted to what the reef needs to create a nice symbiotic balance.

I will be seeding the tank with Aquavitro Seed Bacteria. Im in Red Deer so my options are limited. In the future Ill be creating a very simple dosing system to make sure everything is peachy.


The wiring is a mess but will clean up as time goes on. I'm just enjoying the fact that I have a glow in the house and can hear running water again.

Current Parameters that matter:

Temp: 77.5
PH: 8.32
Salinity: 1.026

[target]

Looking good. I'm starting a 180g right now. Will do a build thread as soon as I get a bit farther into it. One word of caution that you might already know. With your return nozzle that low you could have a flood if your pump kicks off and it backsiphons.

[bauder1986]

Originally Posted by target

Looking good. I'm starting a 180g right now. Will do a build thread as soon as I get a bit farther into it. One word of caution that you might already know. With your return nozzle that low you could have a flood if your pump kicks off and it backsiphons.

Shiny! We need more build threads to breathe life into this forum!

Yeah I drilled a hole into the return just above water level to suck in air to break siphon. Tested repeatedly and proves true to work! Plus I decided an hour ago to switch the nozzle to just a 45 degree elbow to improve flow rate from the pump. DC pumps really don't like back pressure.