Paddy's Ocean - 70 Gallon Mixed Reef **Phoenix Rebuild**

[paddyob]

I am going to check out some lights in the afternoon.

2x175 halide with 2x65 watt T5. Hopefully everything goes well. I am not sure too much about them but this would be a great light for my 70.


Slowly but surely things are coming together.

[paddyob]

I am torn.

I can get a great deal on a metal halide/pc combo for my tank. 2x175 halide and 2x65w pc.

I am concerned it may generate too much heat on my 70 gallon as it will eventually be an enclosed canopy.

Anyone have any thoughts? I could use some advice.

On another note. I am going to get my sump built today. 40 gallons. And on Sunday I am going to pick up my salt. H2Ocean. I tried it in my 20 gallon and it seems to be working great. Its a little more pricey but seems to be worth it.

[intarsiabox]

I've seen people add computer fans on each side of their canopies. One fan sucks in fresh cool air the other exhausts it out the other side. Could also leave the back of the canopy open to disipate heat faster.

[paddyob]

I am having a sump built. about 42 gallons. H40xW15xH16.

four chambers with water level dropping slightly through each chamber. The chambers will be 8"-10"-14"-8". The refugium will be the biggest chamber at about 14" wide. the skimmer is set to go into the 10" compartment.

[paddyob]

Chambers changed.... 8"-12"-12"-8". want to ensure enough space for skimmer... after baffles are in chambers wont be same size as need to allow for space between them.

Depth of each also changed.... 13"-12"-10"-10". He is going to build a 2" riser for the skimmer to elevate it a little so the depth will be at 10" max.

[paddyob]

Picked up my salt today. I have tested H2Ocean on my 20 and works great... sooo might as well go H2Ocean here as well.

Anyone realize that the pail does 152-182 US Gallons?

Crazy.

[paddyob]

I picked up my sump yesterday. It is in my garage being water tested. I will post pics late today.

It was made roughly.... meaning it is not BEAUTIFUL and not a show piece (its a hidden sump)... but it was half the price of all other LFS in town and should do exactly what is required.

I could not find one used to suit my needs so I needed to have one built.

$180 at Aqua Giant. Took 3 days to build.

Also picked up a bunch of plumbing parts. I am lost looking at them ha ha!

[paddyob]

Here is a couple pics....

Sump and Skimmer.

[paddyob]

WTF?!?!? Thats all I can say.

I hope I found all the parts I presume I need. HOPE. I have been to hardware stores. LFS. Specialty plumbing. And then back to all again.

I am spending more on gas than parts haha.

If anyone has tips for assembly and order of assembly... feel free to leave your comments.

[paddyob]

After scraping and cleaning.... I repainted blue. I feel it is not soooo dark. Black looks cool in some applications but just really over powering being so bold.

The wall behind was recently painted as well.... I think it is going to look really cool together!!

(We bought the house... so colors are being chosen to go WITH the tank haha)