Newbie here from Indiana

[bishop40k]

Just thought I would start a new thread detailing the setup that I grabbed last night, and ask for any advice and/or suggestions I can get.

Picked up a older 75gallon pre-drilled AGA with 22gallon (MAX) sump last night. It came with some quite interesting stuff that I don't know if I'll use, but I'll break everything down.

Tank: 75 gallon, glass overflow (no ribs/teeth), PVC spray bar return, Rio 2500 return pump, powerhead 310 and maxi-jet 1000 powerheads.

Lighting: rusty and semi functional Smart Lite 48" steel cased 2x65w PC (both bulbs work, but only 1 of the 2 sockets seems to)

Sump: 35"x12.5"x12.5 acrylic box with center support and single baffle, and drain bulkhead

Filtration: in-sump wet dry trickle filter, bio ball tall filter box, air stone skimmer.

I'm not planning on using the wet/dry trickle or bio ball tall filters. The lighting I would like to be able to either make a wooden case and swap the ballast and guts over into (obviously the steel case is shot), but don't know if this is possible, or if it's multi ballast, or can be fixed. Skimmer will be used until I can get a newer style. I'm planning on running the overflow into the lower side drain on the sump, as I'd prefer not to have the sound of constantly splashing water from dropping the water into top of sump. I'd also like to be able to plumb my 15 gallon nano seeding tank into the system mainly as a FOWLR setup for my young sons (5 and 7).

Goal is 150lbs of dry base rock (seeded from my 15gallon nano), 100-200lbs of sand (again seeded from other tank) and a beginner reef tank (no mass SPS requiring 1500w of lighting) with very few fish.

Ideas? Comments? Suggestions? I am on a rather limited budget and not itching to get this thing running tomorrow. Will get pics when I drain to redo plumbing.

[lars on live]

If you are near central Indiana I suggest you check out INDMAS. The local club was very helpful when I was switching tanks. I was able to see how other people were doing things, and get some help from people who had already been there.

[zigzag1]

If you are near central Indiana I suggest you check out INDMAS. The local club was very helpful when I was switching tanks. I was able to see how other people were doing things, and get some help from people who had already been there.

+1 INDMAS member here too. Great club!

Sounds like the only part worth keeping and investing more money in is the Tank and stand, and possibly the sump. The rest really just needs to go. The Maxijets are worth keeping for mixing saltwater and as utility pumps. JMTC & GL!

And, welcome to Reef Central!

[mc-cro]

If your in southern Indiana, be sure to check out LMAS. we actually have a meeting at a members house in Scottsburg this Sunday

[Ron Reefman]

+1 to finding a local club. The help you can get from other people who can see what you have, can show you how they set up their's and can sell you used equipment and critters for great prices. Do not try, do! It's a HUGE help.

[Jeremy Blaze]

If your in southern Indiana, be sure to check out LMAS. we actually have a meeting at a members house in Scottsburg this Sunday

What he said! ;)

[Jeremy Blaze]

I saw your other post, said you are in Layffette. Guess thats a bit far for our club.

[bishop40k]

Yes guess I should have stated that I'm in Lafayette, so INDMAS is about an hour away, LMAS is 2-3 1/2 hours. Just got done doing the sump plumbing, so now it's actually running (still on vinegar cleaning cycle).

Air stone skimmer is actually working semi-well, I think I'll put one of the power heads in the sump to move stuff around down there, as there isn't much water flow (short of in first chamber with the pump and overflow). Without a doubt need to hook up a better standpipe in the overflow, as right now it's extremely loud due to very low bulkhead.

Already simulated a power outage, drained about 5 gallons from tank into sump until the "anti-siphon" hole on the spray bar caught air and broke the siphon, so far it's doing well. Now just need to come up with butt-ton of cash to get salt, sand, rock, ro water and start cycling it. Then light and more water flow up top.

[bishop40k]

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo111/bishop40k/IMG254.jpg
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo111/bishop40k/IMG255.jpg
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo111/bishop40k/IMG256.jpg
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo111/bishop40k/IMG257.jpg

[bishop40k]

Green water in first pic was from a gallon of apple cider vinegar, was putting about 5 gallons in, then waiting an hour, then another 5 gallons. Trying not to stress the stand too much as it's sat empty for a couple years.

Currently trying to fill the sump with more than 5-7 gallons of water (hence the hose), no collection cup on skimmer (hence gatorade bottle, which is now switched for mt dew 2 liter)

[lars on live]

If it's been empty for a while Id take a long hard look at the seems. (don't ask me how I know):headwalls:

[bishop40k]

If it's been empty for a while Id take a long hard look at the seems. (don't ask me how I know):headwalls:

Did as soon as it was pulled out of the garage, went through every seal with a rather powerful led sticklight I use for working on cars, also made absolutely sure to very slowly fill the tank, and it's filled in my basement with not much around it (pics show some crap, but it's in plastic tubs that will float), and the tank is very close to my house's drain.

Garden hose is in tank so I can quickly drop the hose and siphon it dry. It took less than 20 minutes to drain it this method last night (another thing I tested lol). Thanks for the concern though, I can imagine what you went through lol (been there done that).