Reefermikes 72 Gallon Bowfront - Nov 5/06

reefermike

reefermike

New Member
Ok well i hacked away again at my tank just trying things, and i ended up lifting my skimmer out of the water a bit and placing the pump under it. I really want to get rid of this skimmer. And then re arranging the rock work. The way i had it was better .. yes.. but im not done yet. I pland to have almos the same look again but with more rock, a trench, and an archway.. all which will be strategically placed haha.

Pictues are better then words. (one day maybe)









Yea it looks kinda crappy right now but.. im just trying to get everything laid out properly before i go and do it all nice. My skimmer is killing my light placement.

What are the bennifits and disadvantages from an insump skimmer vs. external????
 
TimSchmidt

TimSchmidt

New Member
Um I noticed your outlet under your tank isn't GFCI. My suggestion is to switch to one. I'm on board to see how this tank developes. Love it so far.
 
reefermike

reefermike

New Member
Alright well its time for an update.

My cheato has doubles in size.

I have Diatoms everywhere.(only actinics on as i read to much light at once will kill coraline algae)

Aswell as some green hair algae forming.

And lastly i have seen a couple ribbon worms, and lots of pods.


Aswell as i decided to go another route with the sump/fuge. I plan on making one out of acrylic that spans the full space availible under the stand. Roughly 39" x 11.5" x 16" which will allow me to put the fuge on one side and the skimmer on the other with the return chamber in the center.

well thats all for now. Its been a really busy month so i havent had time to work on the tank really.
 
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aquemeni5110

New Member
Looks like Melevsreef. I like that web site. I too would like to go that design of sump/fuge if I were to ever start a bigger tank.
 
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mikeguerrero

Active Member
That sump looks clean... I like that look... You'll want a extremely efficient skimmer if you plan on having a big bioload in your tank...

Make sure you go with a overated skimmer for your size tank... The Euro-reef skimmers are great drop in sump design at great prices...

MG
 
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reefman23

New Member
If you dont already have a skimmer, take a look at the ASM skimmer line. YOu get a skimmer that is just as effective as the crazy-priced Deltec or Euro-Reefs but for a lot less $$$. A LFS in my area just bought out the old fish store and revamped the WHOLE thing... they went with ASM G3's on all their systems and those thing absolutely rock.

Melev is a great resource too... keep us updated with your sump.

Jesse
 
reefermike

reefermike

New Member
The sump is a very smart design. Melves reef is great i admit. The thing is im going to have a foot print of about 11.5x 13 i think in my skimmer section, But this is all just on paper right now. I have been looking into a couple Euro Reefs and ASM's actully and found a couple good deals but they have come at the wrong time haha. Ill post an update when i get some acrylic!!
 
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mikeguerrero

Active Member
I personally own all Deltec filtration equipment and would not go with anything otherwise.

I researched the skimmers until I got blue in the face and Deltec came up the most efficient in it's class.

Yes they are overpriced but the product line is for the most demanding reef and what the reefer might drop into his or her tank.

I have been running my AP 600 on my 72 gallon for one year straight, never been shut off and it works like a champ.

The design and the strength of the PVC is top rated. The venturi pump is modified and keeps the skimmer ratio of bubbles to water at optimum performance.

Simply, stated if you really want the best in skimmers Deltec is one to look at. It's German engineering.

Price wise, ASM is less but will not be as efficient as a Deltec. I know because I lined them up before I made a decision and I don't like to burn my money.

If you are on a budget do go with the ASM, I would if Deltec was not an option.

MG
 
reefermike

reefermike

New Member
i too would love to own all deltec. But for me thats pretty much not an option right now. Im in school and have minimal time for a job. So i have to do with that i can afford and the berlin isnt worth it. Im not to sure i would definetly like a euroreef or asm at a reasonable price. :cool1:
 
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mikeguerrero

Active Member
I would seriously take a look at these that Jesse has laid out... They are priced within your budget and appear to have power...

MG
 
reefermike

reefermike

New Member
Wahoo Christmas came early.



I have 1 maxi 900 in my 72 along with 4 maxi 600's. As one 900 was for my nano. Im still waiting for my wave maker. I pretty sure i have sufficent flow, iv been contemplating wheter i should of opted for all 900's or 2 x 1200 and 3 x 900. I hate second guessing myself. Its 870 Gph with my power heads and 1000 with my Mag 5's so roughly 26x flow.

Im still working on my sump plans. I found 3/8" acrylic for $6 sq/f which is the cheapest yet.

And for the skimmer, Still not to sure. I did find some excellent diy skimmer plans, Aswell as looked into costs.

Im planning on drilling a hole in the back glass to allow for an over flow. I dont like the hang on boxes anymore.

And lastly. Background colour.

Vote for Black

Vote for Blue - i think i like blue more.

Almost forgot. What the heck is this on my LR.


 
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mikeguerrero

Active Member
Wow,

I'm getting flash memories of my tank... We have the same tank and now the same flow... I'm liking this thread...

MG :D
 
reefermike

reefermike

New Member
haha thanks mike. I hope mine comes out as nice as yours is.

I just remembered. If i ever want to get more flow... i dont need to change out my pumps. I just remembered the maxijet mods. Im actully considering it now for at least the 2 out side pumps that push to the middle of the tank. :lol:

Aswell i think were leaning towards hard wiring an outlet box behind the tank, Each plug will be hooked up to a switch for easy mantinace. I think it beats out 4 powerbars anyday. I like the idea of coming home and nothings on fire. :)
 
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reefman23

New Member
Did you ever consider the Tunze Nanostreams. They will give a MUCH lager diam flow...roughly 18".... and give much more flow...about 650 GPH each and are a sphere about 2.5" in diameter. IMO you should really be aiming for twice the flow that you have... 26x is a very low-flow reef.

Jesse
 
reefermike

reefermike

New Member
Thanks reefman... The reason i went the way i did with the pumps was availability and i'm still waiting for the wave timer for it. I would have picked all 1200's but the guy thats helping me out suggested this set up, i'm not on any ground to argue with anyone as i'm still a noob here. But yes after hooking them up into the tank i can see that the flow isn't sufficient. I am planning to do the maxi mods within the next week or so, which should bring me to the spot where i should be with flow. I am also contemplating upgrading my return pumps. But not for awhile. I aiming to get this tank set back up for before christmas. A little present to my self haha.

OK so heres an update. i'm getting my Sump/ fuge made saturday. id be doing it my self but the guy offered to do it so hey why not he knows more about acrylic then i do. Its going to be the design i posted, where the sump is divided into 3 chambers. Skimmer chamber on the left, Return pump chamber in the middle, and fuge on the right. The dimensions are going to be 38" x 11" x 16". i'm planning on a ASM G3 skimmer as i found one for sale locally. Its a few months old and $250 i'm pretty sure thats ok. Its the absolute lowest the guy will go.

One thing i wanted to ask you more knowledgeable people was my drain plumbing from my overflow. We are planning on getting the tank drilled as its only $10 to do so and it would cost $40 for the dremel bits as well as the though of cracking the glass. So i would like to know the placement of Unions, Ball valves, and where to tee it off to split half to skimmer side and half to fuge (hopefully i can find some unions). I would of loved to do something up on CAD on the plumbing and everything but i don't know how to.

Well i should have an update sometime this weekend :lol:
 
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