November Reef Tank of the Month

[vdub]

CAT,

First off, Great Looking Tank.

Second, I have a 29 that I was thinking of setting up shortly. I'm wondering how you plumbed your set-up. I have a few questions: Does your overflow go directly into the refugium?

Do you have any filters in or on your refugium?

Is your return pump siting inside the refugium or do you have it partitioned and the pump is sitting in an overflow area then returning water to the tank.

Sorry for the questions, but I'm a newbie.

Thanks, Brian

[CAT]

Originally posted by vdub
CAT,

Sorry for the questions, but I'm a newbie.

Thanks, Brian

Well, best thing to do is find out what works by not having to figure it out the hard way

I use a 'Lifereef' overflow/siphon box. the hose from the overflow drops straight down into the fuge. To break up the flow, I put an elbow on the end, stuck it in a clear container with a piece of eggcrate on the top and a rock to hold the eggcrate down. I've got a Mag 5 at the other end of the fuge to return the water to the main tank. The flow through the fuge is slow enough that I've also got a small powerhead in there for the extra corals.

I don't like using filters. The 'Lifereef' comes with a sponge, but I don't use it - I kept finding pods stuck on it because they couldn't get past it and back to the fuge. Plus I kept having to clean it and killing too many little critters.

HTH

[vdub]

From what I've been reading it seems like simple is good.

Does the Mag 5 sit directly on the substrate? If so, does it suck substrate into the display tank? Or does the pump hang in the water column, like 4-5 inches off the substrate?

Do you have a top (a glass plate) between your light fixture and the tank water on both your display tank and refuge?

Thanks for the insight!

Brian

[CAT]

Originally posted by vdub


Does the Mag 5 sit directly on the substrate? If so, does it suck substrate into the display tank? Or does the pump hang in the water column, like 4-5 inches off the substrate?

The mag sits on the substrate. I don't use the intake cover or the sponge that comes with it. No problem with the sand.

Do you have a top (a glass plate) between your light fixture and the tank water on both your display tank and refuge?

Yep, pc bulbs can't get wet. I just leave the glass tops propped open a bit for ventilation. I have 2 jumpers in the tank so the glass is good.

[vdub]

Thanks.

I have the same light strip and was thinking of getting a top. I've lost one fish to the air. I'm going to cut one out of acrylic and put the light strip on legs. I think that should still be enough light for soft corals.

[reiple]

it looks very pretty. but is it close to it's end zone? i mean it looks crowded already. still beautiful.

[CAT]

Originally posted by reiple
it looks very pretty. but is it close to it's end zone? i mean it looks crowded already. still beautiful.

That's the nice thing about having a small tank. It doesn't stay the same for too long. There's always lots of trading, selling and buying going on. The bubble will be traded for a smaller one and I'm moving some things around to make way for a pink open brain.

[reiple]

that's a good idea.

[dwall174]

Great looking set-up! I really like the Cabbage Leather!

Congratulations on
Acquiring the
Tank of the month!

[Nubytuesday]

A 10 A10
Praise the tank!!

[Two Oceans]

Nice setup , corals look very healthy.