I have been keeping freshwater fish for ages, I breed and I have many nitrate neutral tanks that require only a small water change every 3-4 months. I feel like I have it mastered and I'm ready to cross over.
I have so much respect for saltwater reef tanks that I've always been afraid to attempt one before I felt I had the skill for one.
Anyways I am in the process of renovating my home and I'm currently working on the front and back yard, taking out eleveted flower beds and filling in a very large 20x40 foot pool in the backyard.
When the weather gets too cold to work outside, I switch back over to completing the gutting of my basement which I'm about 80% completed. Then I re-frame it, put down a floor, put up a celing and instal a water softener and RO/DI kit.
I'm planning on having a holding tank for RO/DI that will be pumped up to the kitchen sink. I could easily just order a second holding tank for RO/DI saltwater
I have a heavy, thick walled glass tank that I measured the volume to 125.8 gallons. The guys at the LHS that sold it to me for 2 bills told me it was a 120 high.
Question #1 - I'm planning on picking up a used tank off kijiji or craigslist for 50 bucks or less and making my own sump. I was thinking a 75 gallon or a 90 gallon...which would you suggest? I like the idea of the 90...more water to me has always equalled better stability.
im a fan of larger sumps, gives you room at add another tank in the future, and gives extra insurance:P
Question #2 - My plan is to feed the water down out of the top left and top right corners via 1.25" PVC pipe and pump everything back up via a 1.5" to 2.0" PVC pipe. I plan on splitting the return to fire on 45 degree angles down and to the left and down and to the right from the middle back of the tank. Are these sizes correct? What would you advise?
i would drill the tank and install an overflow box, syphon hoses are very risky imo
Question #3 - My 75/90 Gallon sump. I'm planning on using the small pieces of live rock that don't really fit my plant in the first part. I would have the overflows feeding into this area with a sock to collect debris. Is foam filtration required also?
no no foam is required, filter socks arnt even required.
Qusetion #4 - My second chamber would be for my protein skimmer, I was thinking of something that will handle 200-250 gallons. Does that sound about right?
personally i woull skim in my first chaamber and i would have my overflows empty into this chamber first
Question #5 - Then I would run a bubble trap with lexan or plexi glass, just like the other dividers into the final stage where I would have a subrersable pump that can run around 1000-1200 gph. Am I in the right ballpark?
for a 90g tank thats about right, really it depends on whats in your sump as for the amount of turnover you have
Question #6 - Is a calcium reactor really required? Is it the easiest way to maintain calcium levels?
def not necessary, although as you get into it you may find its actually quite handy , calcium depends on what the livestock uses in your system , fact is you may never have to dose calcium if you do not have alot of calcium requiring corals.
there are also lots of ways to do calcium besides a reactor.
As for what goes in the tank...I'm in no rush. I plan on running the tank with just live rock and sand for quite a while just to make sure everything is good. I plan on a rock wall covering 80-85% of both the height and length of the tank with a cave and a buttload of corals. But I want to make sure everything is stable first.
smart thinking
My wife does want a pair of Nemo's
But otherwise the creatures in the tank will serve the purpose of keeping my beautiful corals and frags healthy and happy
on the right track with this thinking
I plan on running 2 powerheads, one on each side. I'm not sure if I should run 2 big ones, or one big one and one medium one and alternate them.
flow like calcium is going to depend on what corals and other livestock you have. its safe to say start out with 2 and go from there.
I plan on using LED lights, I know that they cost an arm and a leg...but this is an expensive hobby
led is the way to go friend:P
I am located in Hamilton, Ontario. I won't be starting the tank till the spring. It might not come together as fast as some of yours might, but I have nothing but time on my hands.
Thanks,
Kev