Preparing to setup my first Reef tank in 2-3 weeks. Please look at what I have so far and tell me what I am missing or did wrong

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by cryptics http:///forum/thread/384668/preparing-to-setup-my-first-reef-tank-in-2-3-weeks-please-look-at-what-i-have-so-far-and-tell-me-what-i-am-missing-or-did-wrong#post_3370769
Flower,
That is what I am considering doing now but was going to split off the return not the overflow. Is the overflow better or is it personal preference? Also what do you use to return the water? I haven't had the glass cut yet for the sump so I was considering having them cut a hole for a 1/2'' bulkhead like 2'' from the top and let it drain that way. Does this sound do able?

I don't drill tanks so I use an overflow box from CPR, I was told drilled is better.
I have the Ehiem pump on both of my tanks. On the return hose... I have the 3000 on my 90g and the 2000 on the 30g. They have a knob that also allows me to regulate the amount of power it sends out.
No need to drill a hole. Just set it up where the water overflows to the next chamber, that's what I did with the baffles on mine.
My experts on sumps and refugiums is Acrylic51 and Al&Burke, the plumber expert is 2Quills..they designed and built my system. I know nothing. You can PM them if you want exact details.

 

[1guydude]

haha u make me laugh cryptic!!!! Good luck with the tank build. My girlfriend gets jealous of my tank too...

women....<jk BTW sump is the way to go. I wish i had researched a little more before starting mine and i would have deff used a sump!
Quote:
Will diatoms hurt it or introduce something that will be problematic to get rid of?

 

[cryptics]

My wife isn't jealous lol she is just glad i have someplace else else to constantly talk about my hobby with
Just got the base rock in the mail. My wife actually ordered it for me by accident It is from another site so shouldn't be named. I added it to the cart to see how much shipping was. I saw and closed it. My wife ordered other things and just bought the rock because she assumed I wanted it because it was in the cart My fault for being lazy and not deleting it. Do I just put the base on the bottom and live on top or mix together throughout? Here are the pictures of the 50lbs

One of the cats (cooper) like the rock also

 

[btldreef]

The rock can be mixed or used as a base, it's ultimately what works best to build a solid aquascape. The "live" rock will make everything live over time anyways, so go for what looks good.

 

[cryptics]

BTW Thank you BTLDreef! I found someone on those sites that are going to adopt the fish. They will be going into a 200+ gal tank. Big improvement over the 55 I am breaking down

 

[btldreef]

Quote:
Originally Posted by cryptics http:///forum/thread/384668/preparing-to-setup-my-first-reef-tank-in-2-3-weeks-please-look-at-what-i-have-so-far-and-tell-me-what-i-am-missing-or-did-wrong/20#post_3371023
BTW Thank you BTLDreef! I found someone on those sites that are going to adopt the fish. They will be going into a 200+ gal tank. Big improvement over the 55 I am breaking down
That's great. Glad it worked out!

 

[cryptics]

Update: I picked up from someone leaving the hobby an Extreme Typhoon 3 RO/DI unit and ordered new filters, a refractometer and an aquacontroller jr with the 8plug controller. This will control my lights and act as a wavemaker for the powerheads.
Anything I am missing? Is a calcium reactor necessary? I am hoping I can hold off on this for a bit since they are kinda expensive. I am also not really sure what they do

 

[btldreef]

Nice!
The aquaControllers are really nice units. We use one on our 155 and have had no issues with it.
Calcium reactors are not necessary, especially in the beginning.