new set up, help...please.

[Albertan22]

The auto top off reservoir is fresh RO/DI water so it doesn't need any circulation. When water evaporates from the tank it leaves the salt behind, so you need to top it off with fresh water to prevent your salinity from going out of whack. I used a double float switch system that controls a maxijet 400 that pumps water from the reservoir (a food grade recycling bin I found at Canadian Tire) into the return pump section of my sump. I've also seen gravity feed systems that use a float valve, but they kind of scare me. I'd be worried that salt creep or a snail would prevent it from sealing properly and result in a flood. Something similar could happen with a float switch system as well, which is why I have a second float switch set slightly higher than my first to act as an extra safety measure.

As far as permanency of a fishroom, I had also considered that when I was thinking along the reno route. I think I would put the fishroom in the basement, and run the plumbing up through the floor through a hole the size and position of a furnace vent. Then when you go to sell, you can pull the plumbing out and put a vent cover over it and no one is the wiser. Put the sump in or next to your laundry room, put in one of those laundry sinks and your laughing. Of course, if you don't have room, you don't have room.

[areefdream]

Thank you all for the input, I think I will end up going with a design much like your own Albertan22 I am interested to watch it grow the tank looks great thus far. Good luck

[chris121277]

How are the build plans coming? have you decided what size of tank your going to do?

Were abuts in Nelson are you building?

[areefdream]

Hey,
Thanks for the reply. The tank build is simply in the planning stage, we think that we would like a 120g RR but if we can get a deal on something used we would be a little flexible. We are going to keep using the 36" light fixture as we don't want any corals situated on the sides of the tank anyway. Currently it is a strugle just to look after the lilttle tank well enough while we are in the midst of the house build. All is well though. The house is at the very top of Chatham overlooking Hume school. It would be great to meet up sometime, I have never known anyone into reef keeping maybe I could glean from your vast knowledge. Do you live in Castlegar or Trail?