Back in the Hobby: Need advice

[mdtabor]

After 15yrs away of the hobby, I have acquired another tank. First tank back when was a 55 w/HOB Wet/dry. Worked for a while...but not to well. Sold it off and raised my kids. Now they're all but out of the house and I will be moving a 120 which was COMPLETELY a mess! filters were turned off while original owners were on vacation, everything died. So, free set up for me..but Huge amount of work. Here's where I need help. (by the way, if I die tonight, it was probably from legionella I got while cleaning out this fouled tank") LOL

1. Since I'll be moving the tank, I would like to get it drilled. I was told (2) 1.5" drains would be perfect. Two opinions on returns. (2) 1" returns or the other was (2) over the top returns. If I drill the tank, I won't have overflows...what should I do?? or how?

2. Sumps. I want to do this. There was a large wet/dry with (2) 1.5" drain connections. I dumped the bio balls. Although I thought about using this a part of the sump/Fuge. I was thinking of putting lr in this with the skimmer. ( I believe it's a coral life 150) Put a bulkhead in and run it to a tupperware box, make it a fuge and then maybe partition it off to create a return sump for heaters, probs, auto top off etc.? Should I just use (2) completely new tupperware containers?

3. I've removed all the LR and scrubbed it to remove as much of the alge and nasty funk!! I have them in trash containers in SW.

Any thoughts or ideas...please. To quote the late Jim Varney, " I'm more confused than a moo cow in a hog calling contest."

The goal is a reef with a small fish. Thanks in advance. you can also email me at mdtabor01@yahoo.com

[smacdone]

Sounds like a fun project! But hey a free tank might be worth the work. make sure to have some powerheads in the trash containers you probably do but just wanted to make that point. Where are you from? just curious

[mdtabor]

I do have powerheads in the trash containers, but thanks for the reminder. I'm on the east coast. Just outside of Annapolis Maryland.

[davidryder]

I'm assuming it's not got an overflow?

I would invest in a weir overflow box for the sump, and drill 2 drain and return lines and plumb a closed loop for circulation through those holes. Over the top returns is fine, but if you are already drilling drain holes, might as well drill the return holes - less plumbing showing.

If you can afford it, get a standard tank for the sump... although I haven't seen yours, wet/drys are usually of awkward size/shape where you can't maximize the volume.

Check out www.melevsreef.com for some ideas... a ton of great information.

[jenajet]

Might be a good idea to go ahead and cook the rock. (leave in covered containers with powerhead for a few months) Do regular water changes. This will kill off alot of the nasties and get rid of built up organics. Even if you just add to the tank it will take a few months to cycle and all the die off will end up in the tank. Depending on what you will keep you may consider upgrading the skimmer. What kind of lighting does it have? Oh and ditch the sand completely you will regret it if you don't.

[davidryder]

mdtabor - Be careful and take all advice with a grain of salt. There are mixed reviews on almost everything. With every piece of advice follow it up with thorough research before making a decision. Good luck! :D

[reeftankjunkie]

[QUOTE]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9778473#post9778473 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mdtabor
[Any thoughts or ideas...please. To quote the late Jim Varney, " I'm more confused than a moo cow in a hog calling contest."


:lol: :lol: :lol:

I know what you mean Vern.

[mdtabor]

ryder - the more I look at this wet/dry, the more I keep thinking you might be right. I would buy a 20-30 gal tank, make the mod's and be done! I might just do that and save the w/d or and forgot to say, the HOB fuge for the forthcoming Iso-tank.
Although Ryder, I'm a bit confused about an overflow for the sump. Do you mean, the DT?

Jena - never heard the term "cooking" before, but makes some sense. however, things do look prety good with the rock right now. I might also make an investment into a really Large (like 6' skimmer) custom built. this hobby might just drive me crazy. LOL

Junkie, what can I say, You got it!

[mdtabor]

Oh Jenna, to answer your question re: lighting, I'm unsure of the manufacturer, however, it's a large fixture that hangs over the tank. Has 4 flor. tubes for Moon light (two different colors ) and 2 HID?? for day. Two different switches with a 1/8" mini plug for what i can only assume is a control switch.

[davidryder]

mdtabor - Some tanks are manufactured with a column that is used for an overflow and holes are drilled on the bottom for the drain and return. If your tank isn't equipped with one, this is an alternative: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CR1513

As water is pumped from the sump to the tank, it overflows through that box and back into the sump.

You don't normally want more than 3-5x times tank volume going through the sump... lest you are willing to put forth a lot of effort in controlling the microbubbles being returned to the tank.