Taking down tank.... to redo it

[BGJ223]

ok so here is the deal. I am tossing around the idea of taking down my 20 gallon tank so that I can redo it. It is the first saltwater tank that I setup, and it is about 9 to 10 months old now. I have had a funky hair algae out break for the past couple months, and it recently got worse. I know I could get this under control, but it seems like a good excuse to make some changes to my tank.

So the first thing I want to do is get an acrylic tank. I plan to drill 5 holes into the back of it.
1. for the drain to the sump. drilled a little above center of the tank.
2. return from the sump
3. CLS inlet
4. cls out
5. cls out

Might add another CLS, or just get a bigger pump and add another outlet. I want to try and keep SPS corals in this tank. I want it to be more of a grow out tank.
The last thing for the tank, has to be BB. really tired of the dirty sanbed in the 20 gallon.

So any input you guys might have about the setup would be great. I am accepting all ideas, I want to put together a good solid system here, and maybe try a few things out.

[Wiskey]

What kind of skimmer do you plan on using? Fish load? How much flow will your closed loop pump?

With BB export is going to be very important, but as I am starting to learn so will import. Lots of food, lots of food removal.

Welcome to the BB club!
Whiskey

[BGJ223]

Originally Posted by Wiskey

What kind of skimmer do you plan on using? Fish load? How much flow will your closed loop pump?

With BB export is going to be very important, but as I am starting to learn so will import. Lots of food, lots of food removal.

Welcome to the BB club!
Whiskey

I am still working on on the flow rate. I wanted to have a flow of maybe 200 gallons from the sump return.
For the CLS depending on how many outlets I have, I was thinking a mag 5 or 7. That might change though. I also might be getting a quiet one 5000 for free, so I might use that.
For skimming I have an ASM mini g, I might change that to the g1-x if I can find a quieter pump for the DIY skimmer that someone local makes. It is a pretty sweep skimmer by the way. I will have to post some pics of it.

BB is a new world for me, so I know there are some nutrient issues that need to be addressed.

[Wiskey]

Check out my 15 gallon's build thread in the BB section, it may give you some good ideas for the setup. Don't make the same mistakes I did the first go around.

Whiskey

[BGJ223]

If I go with an acrylic tank, do you think that I will need starboard?

Also for my overflow I was thinking I would place an elbow towards the top of the tank, do you think this will make much noise when draining?

[BGJ223]

bump

[zxcv123]

Also for my overflow I was thinking I would place an elbow towards the top of the tank, do you think this will make much noise when draining?[/quote]

http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79283

[Wiskey]

You don't need starboard, but it looks cool. I don't have any in my 50G BB, but I do in my 15G BB and I like the look of the starboard better. I also cut my starboard at a 45 so it looks more finished.

I would do a real overflow if I were you, but I didn't. If you want to go with just a pipe, make it 1" or 1.5" pipe, that should stop the noise, and it will also allow you to add a strainer to it so fish don't go down. If you are drilling the back for the bulkhead, put a T on the bulkhead right where it exits, a short length of pipe going straight up, and then drain off the bottom. This lets air in and stops the "toilet flushing" noise.

Asm are good skimmers I think you will like it for this tank, I would not use a MAG externally though, they tend to leak in the long run, I know mine did. I really like the pump I used in my build thread, but I would recommend getting a bigger one since you are starting off indenting to do SPS, and not just getting pushed into it due to problems with other tanks.

HTH,
Whiskey

[numan]

I want to redo my tank but at the same time I dont want to lose any of my livestock. Are you getting rid of your livestock? How are you going about doing that. Please give me an idea about that.

[zxcv123]

Heeeellooooooo Numan

[numan]

why you always talking to me like that zxcv123? I'm asking because I don't know. If you think my questions are stupid tell me please. Let me know what I am doing wrong. Otherwise leave me be please.

[zxcv123]

Numan you dont get it? Im not trying to bug you. Have you ever watched sienfeld???

Jerry Siendfeld? No youre questions are not stupid Numan!!


j/k

[frankandmaura]

Numan...he is joking with you. It is from the old TV show Seinfeld...

[BGJ223]

Originally Posted by zxcv123

Also for my overflow I was thinking I would place an elbow towards the top of the tank, do you think this will make much noise when draining?

http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79283[/quote]

I like that idea alot, I think that I will go with it.


Wiskey
I know I should build an overflow, but I don't want to take up space in the tank. Since we are working with a 20 gallon, and space is limited to begin with, I think an elbow by the top would be the best bet.
Also, since Mags are not good external IYHO, what pump do you think would be good for external application?


Numan
I am undecided about live stock right now. The coral that I currently have will live out it's days in my 60 gallon tank. They fish on the other I am not sure yet. I think that the Dragonet will go to the 60, but clown and Blenny might be going away.

[BGJ223]

one more thing.
I was thinking about the GPH for the return line from the sump. Do you think that 100 to 200 gph will be enough. The whole point of BB is to keep the nasty stuff suspended in the water column so that it can be filtered out, but I don't want suspended for long persiods of time.
On the other hand if GPH from the sump return is too high, I will get a good amount of micro bubbles in the display.