I am Starting a New Tank and Still consider my self to be very amateur in the hobby....
I currently run a 50 Gallon or So Reef tank that Seems to be Thriving - Currently I am only Using a Protein Skimmer, T-5 Lights w/ LED Moon Lights, Live Rock..... But it is Time to Go Bigger (here is my Current Tank http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showth...Gallon-Soon%29).....
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So Far I have:
- Tank (36in. wide X 16in. Deep X 32in. tall) - Believe it to be 75 or so Gallons
- 30 Gallon Sump Tank w/ Pump (Thanks JKennedy http://www.sdreefs.com/images/smilies/theman.gif)
- Protien Skimmer w/ Pump (Rated for 200 Gallon Tank - Sedra 3500 Pump, I think the Skimmer is a G2))
- Aquatic Life 36in Led Lights (Blue & White)
- 36in Led Lights that Simulate Day / Night Sun Rise, Sun Set
- 3 Power Heads
- Couple Small Heaters
Stuff from my Current 50 Gallon that I intend to Use on the New Tank
- 70+ lbs of Live Rock
- 60lbs of Live Sand & Agronite (Additional Bucket of Dry Sand & Agromnite)
- the Live Stock
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My thoughts are / Vision is......
Overflow
I will Drill (OR Have Someone Drill) 3 - 2in or 3in Holes in the Back of the Tank near the Top & Use 3 PVC Elbows as Overflows (Capped & Slotted or Drilled)
Return
Drill a 1in. Return Hole Near the Middle Back of the Tank and then Pipe it Down to the Sand as a Single Pipe then Y it to Each Front Corner and Come out of the Sand about 3in (All of this would pretty much be Buried in the Sand except the 1in Pipe in the Back and the 2 - 1in. Outlets in the Front Corners) - Also plan on putting in Valves to be able to Control the Flow of Water if I need to be able to.
Sand bed: 3-4in. of Live Sand & Agronite
Water: Plan on Start using Scripps Water
Live Rock: Live Rick rock from my existing Tank, Approx. 70lbs (Might add some more once I am up and running and can find it super cheap depending on how the tank comes out)
Sump: Not Really Sure what to do with it yet or What I should be putting in it or ????????
So what are your Thoughts, Ideas & Recommendations?
Obviously I am trying to set this up with as little as Possible out of Pocket - Tight Budget, I have Managed Buying Everything and have not even hit $200
I am also Taking an old TV Armour that my Wife does not want to Get Rid of and Reinforcing it to Put the Tank in and conceal everything, Plus we will be able to Close the Doors to the Cabinet and Conceal the Tank.....
Once I actually have Everything I will start a Thread following the Progress of everything in the "Members Tanks Section"