New Build - A Little Sumpin' Sumpin'

AVDweeb

AVDweeb

New member
Hi All,

I'm in the process of planning out a future build. I've done a LOT of reading, and have some experience, but I've heard different advice from different places and vendors - which makes my decision making more difficult. I thought the best way to get some solid advice is though a new thread.

GOALS: ~100G SPS Dominated Tank. High nutrient import export, healthy, quiet and stable aquarium.

COMPONENTS:

• 60" x 22" x 18" Rimless Tank from Reef Savvy (not changing).

• Custom Glass Holes Bean Animal Overflow (think the 1500GPH Kit, but wider, and with a safety reserve drain) (not changing).

• Two returns in the rear of the tank.

• 3x AI Vega. Multicolor. White Housing (not changing).

• 2x Vortech MP40wES (not changing).

With all of this, I've got a fairly solid setup above the stand, but having never built a proper SPS sump I am unsure of the direction to go in the cabinet. Here are my thoughts:

• Berlin Style Sump. No filter socks (I would love to be able to go without them). Ample space. Large Skimmer Chamber. Bubble Traps. External Return.

• Skimmer. No idea! I like the Vertex Alpha 170 but it's pretty damned expensice.

• Refugium. I think this is a good choice for the stability and reverse cycle. I've seen good tanks with and without them, but the fuge does seem to promote a good, healthy tank.

• Calcium Reactor. I want something that's extremely reliable that you can set and forget. I've seen a lot of people with calcium reactors switch back to two part because its easier to dial in and more robust of a method. If I go this route I do not want to regret it.

• Other Reactors. I think Activated Carbon would be good addition, but I don't want to strip out the good additives in the tank. I think I have phosphate removal covered with the fuge, but would GFO also be a worthy investment?

• ATO. I'll need a float switch and ATO reservoir as well.

I hope that this gives you a good idea of where I'm trying to go with this new build. I'd appreciate any feedback, and recommendations on the setup as a whole.

Thanks,

Russ
 
Get a Tunze ATO and though you may not always need a GFO reactor, it may be something you need on hand initially. I've used one for the pukani that was leaching and took it offline when phosphates got lower, but I am now going to run GFO again.
 
KeishaKornbread said:
Get a Tunze ATO and though you may not always need a GFO reactor, it may be something you need on hand initially. I've used one for the pukani that was leaching and took it offline when phosphates got lower, but I am now going to run GFO again.
Click to expand...

Those are pretty small adjustments! So you like the plan overall, huh Walt?

-Russ
 
Your "above" the stand setup is solid. My thoughts about an sps tank is to create the most stable environment possible. Having a fuge is a great and stable way to export nutrients vs. something like biopellets, which can be affective but can have side effects. Running GFO may or may not be a requirement, depending on your bioload and what you feed. They are simple to add if you see your PO4's raise. Personally, sps really dislike PO4's so I run GFO to be safe. JBJ seems to make a simple ATO that people like, but if you're planning on investing in a controller then you should put your $ into the controller now and then just plug in an inexpensive float valve instead of spending $ on an ATO. (I would add a controller to your list.) As far as carbon goes, I'm not really sure what "good additives" you are worried about it stripping from the water. Carbon primarily removes organics from the water. Organics are metabolic compounds that cannot be removed by denitrifying bacteria. They are bad and tanks do better when they are removed. As far as the calcium reactor goes, you could start with something like a 2-part or kalk (in ato resevior). I've never had one but I'm considering one now that my calcium demand is barely being met by kalk. I really like the concept of dialing it in and not having to do anything else...set and forget, as you said.
 
brettz16 said:
Looks like its gonna be an awesome build! How are you gonna hang the lights? I have always been a fan of simple and clean set ups which is why i choose to hide my lights. Check out my build, i got a lot of complements on the canopy.
http://www.chicagoreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?8759-Brettz16-s-75g-Rimless-SPS-build
Click to expand...


I really want a clean setup, and was thinking about hanging the lights with the AI Light Kit. With that said, I really like what you've done and will look in to that design!

EricTheRed said:
Your "above" the stand setup is solid. My thoughts about an sps tank is to create the most stable environment possible. Having a fuge is a great and stable way to export nutrients vs. something like biopellets, which can be affective but can have side effects. Running GFO may or may not be a requirement, depending on your bioload and what you feed. They are simple to add if you see your PO4's raise. Personally, sps really dislike PO4's so I run GFO to be safe. JBJ seems to make a simple ATO that people like, but if you're planning on investing in a controller then you should put your $ into the controller now and then just plug in an inexpensive float valve instead of spending $ on an ATO. (I would add a controller to your list.) As far as carbon goes, I'm not really sure what "good additives" you are worried about it stripping from the water. Carbon primarily removes organics from the water. Organics are metabolic compounds that cannot be removed by denitrifying bacteria. They are bad and tanks do better when they are removed. As far as the calcium reactor goes, you could start with something like a 2-part or kalk (in ato resevior). I've never had one but I'm considering one now that my calcium demand is barely being met by kalk. I really like the concept of dialing it in and not having to do anything else...set and forget, as you said.
Click to expand...


I should have mentioned that I already have a Reef Angel controller that I'll be running all of this through.

I like the idea of a Carbon and a GFO Reactor just to be safe, but I was under the impression they may take out some good trace materials like calcium or something... I guess I need to do more research.

I do have two BRS Pumps and could dose 2-part, but I do like the idea of getting it all set up and on as much of cruise control as possible –*hence the Calcium Reactor.

Can you think of any other good skimmers that I should look in to instead of the Vertex Alpha?

Thanks for your feedback everyone!

Russ
 
EricTheRed said:
The Reef Octopus line is really good.
Click to expand...

I've also been thinking about a full Life Reef sump setup (Sump, Fuge, Skimmer, Phosphate and Carbon Reactors, Calcium Reactor, and pumps), but the $1500 price gage seems to be high and the skimmer technology outdated. Any thoughts?
 
KeishaKornbread said:
What's going on with this tank and that reef angel!!??
Click to expand...

Welp. I've officially moved to California so my dream tank has been put on hold for a while. BUT! Yesterday, I did purchase two Grade A Davinchi clownfish that will go in to my 6G Fluval Edge with an MP10w ES and AI Nano. They should arrive in a few weeks and I'll have a tank again!

I suppose this will be my working thread since I should document this build somewhere.

Next step? Where the hell do I get some good sand out here...
 
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