Lets see the guts of your system
 

Heya,

I'm curious what everybody's system looks like below the tank. As being new to the hobby. I only have basic stuff such as a sump, skimmer, test kits, T5 lighting, RODI, coral food and some purple up.

Is this enough for a long lasting reef? What does everyone else use and how is it set up? Any pics would be helpful and a quick paragraph explaining your methods of your madness.

I hear of Reactors, Co2, 2 part, 3 part, diy, dosers, refuges, controllers and many other systems, but what is necessary? and what is overkill?

I would like my tank to be as nice as any other persons on canreef with a limited budget, but with all of these pieces of equipment and chemistry involved, it gets somewhat overwhelming for a noob such as myself.



Thanks

I will grab a pic when i get home but you have most of the basic's. only thing i would reccomend is running some rowaphos (GFO) and running carbon. My set up is very similar and i am in the same boat as for being on a budget. another thing to consider is a ATO like the tunze one. saves you alot of head acks with keeping your water level up to par

I try to put a sump sock on anything that moves water it makes the water look so clean and kills bubbles.

Your system appears headed in the correct direction. Moving forward you will require a system to maintain a consistent amount of calcium and alkalinity, this can be accomplished various ways, including using 2 part additives or a calcium reactor. The more corals you have, the greater the demands on ca and alk (corals use this - gallons do not).

Also - forget about the purple up (and save your money for other stuff). Once your tank matures and maintains a consistent level of calcium, coraline will become an enemy. Cheers.

For the most part my guts are on display. I use a big 140gal stock trough as a sump and because I just rent this crack shack I'm not able to add some more walls to hide it. I consider everything that I have to be necessary and cost effective to run my reef but obviously others will differ... Okay the stock trough is a little excessive but I love the massive water volume and space! In the picture you can see:

Skimmer
Controller
Media reactors
Refugium
Return pump
ATO
(frag tank on the left and display tank on the right)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...cture651-1.jpg

Here is why everything sits beside the tank... theres not enough room under the display anymore.

2 Stage Calcium Reactor
Kalkwasser Reactor
Battery Backup
CO2

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...cture064-1.jpg

On top the lights hang from the ceiling and you can see how the water returning from the sump is directed through an OM 4-Way wavemaker.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...Picture655.jpg

Its all neatly tucked away in the corner of my ghetto basement for now. Most of frankensump was built with the intention of upgrading it to a 50"x36"x24" 250gal in-wall system once we buy a house. The only item not shown in the picture is the RO/DI system which is plumbed to the ATO tank from another room.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...Picture656.jpg

whatcaneyedo (sorry forget your name) I like your ghetto set-up with all the reefing related posters and all, it doesn't look so ghetto to me. Where did you find all those ? I was at Greg's (snappy) and he also has the same kinda idea.

I bought them through a wholesaler that most people probably wouldnt have access too... Ottawa Inverts has them listed for sale on their website and I know Progressive Reef has a few of them up in their store so they might be able to bring them in. I have 7 in total but you can only see a few in the picture.

I love having them as a quick referance when I'm trying to explain the care requirements of something to someone standing in my basement. They also distract from the depressing damaged green walls down here.

Crowded, I know
http://banditpowdercoat.com/Powderga...%20%282%29.jpg

We have access to the posters as well. $17.99 each.


http://www.thatpetplace.com/images/p...tion/10499.jpg

I like your chandelier frags/colonies in your smaller tank, we do that to with certain species! They like being suspended and also promotes better growth!

:mrgreen: