first tank build

[jdjp]

So i have been and will continue to search through the forum. But i really appreciate any input you guys can give me. My name is Dylan and i live near Jupiter FL.

I just bought a used 80 gal rimless deep blue professional, with the low iron glass. Dimensions are 24x48x16. It came with a 29gallon tank for a sump, a reef octpus nwb150 skimmer with the gate valve and silencer, a bubble blaster pump, a return pump maxijet nj4500, and some nice looking dry live rock.

The tank is drilled at the bottom with a corner overflow and it came with a big stand that he made. The tank does have a couple scratches but i think i can live with it.

I think i want to start with live rock and fish and add soft corals down the road. Id like to try to collect some of my own stuff for the tank.
So far the only things i have thought about for the tank are- I really like the AI prime lights, id like to hang a couple of them over this tank. They only cover 18x18 do you think they will be enough for what i want to do? I want to go with the minimalist look on the live rock, and id like to go with a more course sand. Also the stand that the guy built has a window cut out in the front. His idea was to have another tank down there in front of the sump. I think that sounds cool so i was thinking of doing that and putting a refugium down there.

Thats all i have for now ill try to post some pictures

[Doogy]

Sounds like a good start. Go slow, don't rush it. And get ready to make your wallet lighter lol.

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/21/d4463b87185a8b8ba0da69636d5a25ce.jpg

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/21/5ff24ee13cfc4d9eec026947ecc41ac8.jpg

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/21/d9938a192d26ffd10a686b7ba369c97c.jpg

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/21/2f1aa201226a4f2849c9896e4381f470.jpg

[oldbones]

Is the tank 24" deep and 16" tall?

If it is truly going to be fish and softies (w/ maybe a couple LPS) you could get away with 3 Primes. You could start with two, but you'll get some shadowing somewhere.

Anything more ambitious coral wise will require better spread, in my opinion.

Two primes look good over my 34"l x 19"w x 20"t tank, but it's too new to tell if I'll have lots of happy SPS or not.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2503750

[jdjp]

Yes 16" tall. Thanks

[jdjp]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/21/fb79ce7380cad122aecd68cb814fbc16.jpg

[jdjp]

Can someone point me in the right direction of how i would set up a seperate sump, and refugium?

Could i overflow into a filtersock into a (dont know what size) elivated tank with no baffles and a skimmer, and drill holes and run a pipe from the sump into the refugium?

I think id have to have the sump elivated to keep the right level for the skimmer and keep more water in the refugium.

Then i guess id have a fish proof baffle at the end of the refugium with the return pump in there?

Im trying to figure out how to have a display refugium in the stand.

Thanks

[jdjp]

Or i could just forget the 29gallon tank i have and get a bigger tank that i could baffle long ways so that the filter sock and skimmer are in the back and the display refugium towards the front