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Andy's Reef System Build

Andy Aquariums

Andy Aquariums

NJRC Member
Hi Everyone,

I currently have a BioCube with a DIY sump and a 10 gallon frag tank. I recently picked up a 40g breeder at the PetCo $/gallon sale and decided to build a predator reef. I am going to plumb all three tanks into a single 55 gallon sump. This will present some challenges in terms of dialing in the flow to each tank, but that should be manageable with a few gate valves. I am cycling the live sand for the 40 gallon breeder in my garage as well as the liverock. This way my existing system won't be shocked by a cycle in the 40g once I get it all plumbed together.

I had a slight set back today. I went to install my modular marine overflow and noticed that the drains are just 1/2 inch! I have already drilled for the overflow so I can't just swap out a new one. The overflow is rated for 800 gph so I should be able to using reducers to bring my 1" pvc pipe into the 1/2 in drains and use valves on my return to ensure the flow is proper for the overflow to handle.

No matter how much planning, there is always something you didn't anticipate in this hobby!

Here are some pics of the planned aquascape and the super cool frag tank. Initially, I wanted the frag tank to be a separate system that I could also use a QT. I just don't think the parameters in a 10g will be stable. I opted instead to get a large UV sterilizer that I'll run the drain through and put in some valves to take it off line if I need to. I think that will give me enough comfort considering I had no QT system in BioCube!
 

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diana a

diana a

Staff member
NJRC Member
Moderator
It looks like your 40b is cracked from too much pressure during drilling the overflow?
 
deepblue68

deepblue68

POTM Winner
I like predator tanks and I have kept dwarf lionfish in the past. what are you planning to keep? welcome a d good luck!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
Andy Aquariums

Andy Aquariums

NJRC Member
I haven't had the chance to test it out yet. I am waiting for my custom stand that will house my 40g, Biocube and frag tank. My uncle, who is a high end customer cabinet builder, is putting it together as a gift so I don't have much leverage to rush it--LOL!

Just got the plans though (see below) and it should be coming in the next week or so, and then I get to plumb them all together...

In other news, my Jellyfish Art Nano Tank just finished cycling, so I am excited to put some moons in there. My Reef Jar TIMG_1104.JPG IMG_1105.JPG ank, however, has been killing corals left and right. Going to try to downgrade the bulb (currently have a 24w ABI Tuna Blue, going to try the 12W) and add in some basic temperature control.
 
Andy Aquariums

Andy Aquariums

NJRC Member
Finally got the stand--on to the plumbing!



So as mentioned, I'm going to run my frag tank (all the way on the right) into the main sump and will run a UV between the frag drain and sump for when new corals come in to QT. The question is, will the gravit feed be enough or do I need to set up a mini-sump with a dedicated pump to the uv?
 

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Sponge

Sponge

My concern would be what is the non pressurized flow thru the UV. Slower is better in the sterilizer but it needs to be greater then flow into the frag tank. I would think a dedicated pumped loop is the only safe way to go unless you have a secondary overflow from frag to sump.
 
Andy Aquariums

Andy Aquariums

NJRC Member
Sponge said:
My concern would be what is the non pressurized flow thru the UV. Slower is better in the sterilizer but it needs to be greater then flow into the frag tank. I would think a dedicated pumped loop is the only safe way to go unless you have a secondary overflow from frag to sump.
Click to expand...

So would you suggest just dropping a small pump into the frag tank and have the output of the uv go back into the frag tank? My only concern is water going through the overflow into the main sump that has not passed through the uv sterilizer and risk contaminating the main system with whatever nasty hitchhikers the coral brought.
 
Sponge

Sponge

If it’s a quarantine. I would not personally plumb it directly to the system. Even with a sterilizer. I would not trust it. However. If you want the main system water (and I understand why you would want that) the only safe way is a separate pump feeding the frag tank that has flow less than the sterilizer can pass thru it that way. Only sterilized water goes into your sump and no chance of an overflow. With that said. I would still install a secondary overflow Incase something blocks the feed to the sterilizer. Better to let bacteria thru than to flood the house and drain the tank.
 
diana a

diana a

Staff member
NJRC Member
Moderator
Sponge said:
If it’s a quarantine. I would not personally plumb it directly to the system. Even with a sterilizer. I would not trust it. However. If you want the main system water (and I understand why you would want that) the only safe way is a separate pump feeding the frag tank that has flow less than the sterilizer can pass thru it that way. Only sterilized water goes into your sump and no chance of an overflow. With that said. I would still install a secondary overflow Incase something blocks the feed to the sterilizer. Better to let bacteria thru than to flood the house and drain the tank.
Click to expand...

+1
 
Andy Aquariums

Andy Aquariums

NJRC Member
I know I have been delinquent in updates recently but that’s because I’ve been super busy. As you can tell from the below photo, I’ve been knee deep in setting up the new salt water system. I am ecstatic to say I AM DONE! My wife is also extremely happy because we can finally get rid of all these boxes and extra fish and marine equipment laying around the house.

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made TONS of mistakes a long the way. I am going to try to muster up the courage to relive those mistakes (some extremely costly). One thing I learned is that you get what you pay for. I would have been better off in the long run just purchasing the good stuff first before realizing after the close of the return period that your budget gear isn’t going to cut it. (See those MP40 boxes n the background…)

A related lesson is to know your limits. As I’ve stated several times, I am not handy by nature. I like the hobby because I learn new things. But my time is also limited with a lot of people demanding some of it. After countless floods during my build I made the wisest decision of all: to call a pro. Dynamic Tank came to my rescue.

I abanonded the 40g breeder because I had leak issues and wasn't thrilled about the 1/2" drain in the overflow. I ended up getting a reef-ready 65 gallon. Of course, with the 65 gallon, I was worried the Current lights that were just sufficient enough for a shallow 40b wouldn't be enough, so I upgraded to two Hydra 26s.

I'm beat for the night. I'll try to post more pics of the whole setup later this week.
 
Andy Aquariums

Andy Aquariums

NJRC Member
Not much progress this week. The day job got in the way. Still need to mount the hyrda 26s to the 65 gallon (I bought the flex arms but am having issues securing them to my rimmed tank), set up my automatic feeding of reef nutrition (see my question on how to do so). I'm getting my Apex Trident this weekend to set up and am in the middle of building my QT tank as I type this. Here's where we stand:

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