J & Jr Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Hi: my name is john my son and I are trying to set up a new reef tank to house the Inhabitants of a tank we rescued in an old 55 gal tank.it had an undergravel filter which I have read is a no no. We bought a new 75 gal glass tank from joel at waves it has a corner overflow built in and I plan on a large sump/fuge 30-40 gal, and am looking for suggestions for water movement in the main tank a closed loop or other options I would like as little in the main tank as possible as the current tank is using 5 old powerheads and looks sad. also suggestions on a skimmer to handle that amount of water presantly I have a coralife super skimmer it seems to work if smell and dark green sludg is any indication. I was happy to find PNWMAS and will be joining at the BBQ and looking forward to meeting some of you Thank you for any suggestions and will try to post pic's if I can figure out how might need to find a kid (scratch) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 What kind of inhabitants are in the 55 now? What kind of tank would you like to have? Flow and lighting are very dependant on the type of animals you would like to keep. I agree with you on not wanting powerheads in the tank. I like the look and function of a closed loop. If you are going the closed loop route, I would suggest getting a Oceans Motions 4 -way to randomize your flow. It is the one regret that I have from my tank build. I should have put one in. Welcome to PNWMAS. I look forward to meeting you at the BBQ. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J & Jr Posted August 18, 2006 Author Share Posted August 18, 2006 the 55 has a large amount of live rock seems like more rock than water, 1 scooter blenny, 1clown,2 pajama cardnals,1 yellow tang,5large turbo snails and assorted small snails.1large blue legg hermit crab and assorted small hermits, one .50 size green crab never seen, 1 hammer 1frogspawn 1green star polip and one candycane? I have power compact lights now and plan on metal hilide soon, after I get this tank up and running. I would like to be able to have most corals and clams and 3-5 small fish when finnished. I am trying not to rush this and not to have to go the I wish I had done this route. so before I can fill this tank I need to make a decision on how to move the water, at least I think that is my first decision? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Definately drill! I'm drilling my new 75 like swiss cheese (laugh) 7 holes in that badboy. I hope.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spayne Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Another vote for drilling! I wish I would have drilled my 20g zoanthid garden. Try having two bulky powerheads in a nano! Not pretty. You'll be much happier if you drill for a closed loop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Yeah, wish I had gone closed loop. Dealing with powerheads is tiresome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J & Jr Posted August 18, 2006 Author Share Posted August 18, 2006 okay drill it is. anyone out there with soom pic's or drawings on where and how many and what equip I need to run a good closed loop? I have a lot to learn and more to buy DOH! I can't go to wild I do have a wife and son to support(laugh) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spayne Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 Here's the link to Jay's closed loop thread: http://www.pnwmas.org/forums/showthread.php?t=807 Other than that, I won't be much help to you. Jay is the plumbing guy. Come up with some preliminary ideas and ask what everyone thinks. That's the best advice I can give you. Oh, and there is indeed such a thing as too much flow! Rely on the experience of others to advise you so you're not in the situation Jay is in... thinking that he's going to have to eventually do some modifications to his closed loop! DOH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 Like Jay said, I would invest in an oceansmotions...I have one on my 50, but I am planning to upgrade tanks and I have already purchased another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J & Jr Posted August 20, 2006 Author Share Posted August 20, 2006 Well I picked up the new tank at waves today and bought a fistfull of bulkheads so I guess the next step is making a finale decision on where to position them on the tank(scary). I hate the thought of putting in all those holes and then saying thats not where i wanted them and having to start all over with a new tank(flame) Will start welding the metal stand monday and working on the wood covers next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuttlefish Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 I wish I could drill my glass bowfront but I'd probably shatter it. Maybe someday I'll upgrade to an acrylic tank. My LFS told me that acrylic tanks aren't very popular around here is that right? Also are there any places where I can get a custom acrylic tank made locally? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 One of the sponsors is a local person that works acrylic, and makes tanks. I think it is James at envision acrylic. Look for him on the sponsor page, and also in the sponsor section of the forums. I have seen a couple of posts from happy customers. I have never done business with him myself. Acrylic scratches too easily for me. I am way too clumsey. One Dropped rock, and SCRATCH, the front is ruined. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuttlefish Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 Thanks for the tip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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