My 65 Gallon build

sde1500 · 12/30/2015, 02:05 PM

So I enjoy following along and reading about others' progress on their tanks, and figured I could chronicle my build here as well. Who knows, maybe a few people will enjoy reading this noobs journey.

I had on and off kept fish for a number of years, all freshwater though. Poking around on Reddit led me to the reeftank sub, and from there I found this site and soon was ready to start up a tank in my house for saltwater. I didn't have any tanks set up at the time, but had an old 10 gallon tank sitting dry in storage. Broke it out, cleaned it and set it up. Pretty simplistic set up, just a HOB filter and 2 T5 light. It's cool, but really small. Set up in April and I'm already tired of it. So started looking for a new tank, found a good deal on a used tank through a friend, and there we have it. 65 gallon tank and stand purchased. Sat dry for a few months til I went on a spending frenzy for Black Friday

.

Since I don't know if the tank is tempered or not, I decided to play it safe and not drill it. EShopps HOB overflow always seemed well reviewed, so went with that. Eshopps PF-800, for the sump I went with Eshopps RS-100, paired with a Reef Octopus classic 110int, and a Sicce Syncra silent 3.0 return pump. For powerheads I went with two Tunze Turbelle Nano Stream 6025.

Set up hasn't been too bad so far, though wish I knew how to plumb better. I've made a half dozen mistakes, and trips to Home Depot. First time ever doing something like this so not surprised haha. Trip tonight should be the final one to get it running.

Added dry rock and live sand about a week ago now before I thought my plumbing sucked. So doing work on the plumbing as water is in the tank makes for a bit more of a challenge, but isn't bad. Taking my time with this to make sure everything is done right. Added one big live rock from my current tank, it was pretty covered in algae, and had one aptasia on it, burned the aptasia off and did a peroxide dip that seems to have taken care of most of the algae. I also added some of my sand from the established tank to help with the cycle. I have more rock and sand to add from the running tank, but there is a decent number of aiptasia on it, including some rather large ones, so not sure if I want to add them or not. I probably will burn the ones I can see, and if they come back up I'll get some nudibranches to eat them. I am pretty happy with the current aquascape, though any thoughts are appreciated. Pictures to follow.

sde1500 · 12/30/2015, 02:06 PM

Pictures taken last night.

Scorpius · 12/30/2015, 02:10 PM

Put your heater in the sump and put a background on it to hide your overflow.

sde1500 · 12/30/2015, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scorpius

Put your heater in the sump and put a background on it to hide your overflow.

Yea the background I hope to pick up/add this weekend. And yea, the heater is going away. Only there now because I can't actually run the overflow/return yet.

HOB overflow was rated for 800 GPH, and pump is about 600 at current headloss, but the overflow can't keep up. So unfortunately shouldn't have trusted the ratings for the overflow. Soon as I can throttle back my return pump and get it circulating, that heater gets put in the sump.

2 Lessons learned: 1) HOB overflow very much overstates the water it can handle, and 2) when you have a valve to plumb to your return, might as well do it anyway, even if you think its not needed.

bchap05 · 12/30/2015, 02:33 PM

I went with the smaller Eshopps on my 65 works well. I think my return is only like 495 gph though

Jade5051 · 12/30/2015, 02:43 PM

How's that Sicce 4.0? I had a Sicce 5.0 it was so loud.

sde1500 · 12/30/2015, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jade5051

How's that Sicce 4.0? I had a Sicce 5.0 it was so loud.

Well it's certainly not silent. I have the 3.0. Can't compare it to much since this is the first tank I've run with a sump and return pump, but there is some vibrations for sure. Not awful though, nothing I can't live with.

Return and overflow finally running. Got a valve on the return to reel it in a bit and I think I have it at a good setting too. Next up a backing for the tank, and loc line because the return currently just dumps into the tank and it's rather noisy.

leviburns89 · 12/31/2015, 08:40 AM

I'd you haven't already purchased one, I would recommend a jet black background. The tank will end being encrusted with coralife anyway, and a black background draws your focus to the aquascape, and not the false horizon of a picture

I have always used high strength black enamel on my tanks for aquascaping, but that may be out of the question since you have water in the tank.

You may be able to get a paint brush or roller and use some black latex paint, then you have a solid good looking background.

sde1500 · 12/31/2015, 12:40 PM

Yea haven't done anything with it yet. Was either going to do blue or black. In hindsight I really should have done the back of the tank before filling it.

leviburns89 · 12/31/2015, 03:03 PM

It's not a make it or break it problem tho. When applied the right way, even a stick on can look really nice.
IMO anything is better than a transparent backglass.

sde1500 · 01/10/2016, 01:09 PM

Light is up and running. Got the return in better shape and the skimmer is running. Tank isn't too loud. Sometimes the overflow can be a bit noisy, but far from terrible. Next on the list is to get that back covered. Almost cycled too. Should be able to add some CUC and move my clown over next weekend.

Scorpius · 01/10/2016, 01:12 PM

^ Remember slow and steady. If there's no algae or detritus for your cleanup crew to eat I'd hold off for awhile as they'll starve.

sde1500 · 01/13/2016, 04:37 PM

Yea CUC will be small. Got a turbo snail in my current tank. I'll probably just get a few small snails for now. I'd like to add a few scarlet hermits eventually too.

RODI unit is officially connected to my plumbing. BRS 4-stage, and got the saddle valves to connect the in and waste lines. Word of caution, the wasteline valve fits on a 1.5 inch pipe. Not the 2"pipe I drilled the 1/4" hole in first. Ugh. Small emergency trip to Home Depot to fix that. But works nicely. Eventually I'll build a stand for the trash cans and unit, and plumb them so getting water out is easier.

Maritimer · 01/13/2016, 06:52 PM

Nice looking build!

Looking forward to watching where this goes, as I've got a 65g with over-the-side-everything on it. (Mine's got fish and stuff, but 'tis still a _very_ new setup!)

~Bruce

sde1500 · 01/18/2016, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maritimer

Nice looking build!

Looking forward to watching where this goes, as I've got a 65g with over-the-side-everything on it. (Mine's got fish and stuff, but 'tis still a _very_ new setup!)

~Bruce

Thanks! Looking forward to getting it stocked.

Tank transfer is complete! Can't really tell because there wasn't much to move but my snail, pistol shrimp and clown are all in the new tank. Pistol immediately dug out a home in the rock I was hoping it would, and now hope he stays there til I can pair him up with a goby.

Clown looks so tiny in such a big tank.

sde1500 · 01/23/2016, 11:36 AM

Finally got a background on the tank. All black now and looks much better. Also added a couple zoa frags. They are starting to open an hour later but still mostly closed so I'll take better pics of them later. Also had a worm from my smaller tank make an appearance in this one.

sde1500 · 01/26/2016, 04:48 PM

Kinda crappy cell phone pic, but doesn't look too bad. Looks like snagged a nice frag of Eagle Eye zoas from Petco so that's cool. Oddly, this frag didn't open at first but is now doing well. The other one has maybe 30-40 polyps, all opened the day I out them in, but the next morning didn't open at all. Let them sit a day with no change and moved them to an area with a bit more flow. Starting to open now. Just a couple but it's progress!

sde1500 · 01/30/2016, 03:46 PM

Pretty sure they aren't eagle eyes but it's all good. They look cool. 3 fish in QT right now. Also picked up this nice frag.

Sandberg1222 · 01/30/2016, 03:52 PM

Originally you said t5 lights, but I see leds. What led is that.

sde1500 · 01/30/2016, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandberg1222

Originally you said t5 lights, but I see leds. What led is that.

Reefbreeder 32" photon. Great light. I got it programmed to do a full sunrise to sunset and it has some moonlights. Great color and plenty of power.

Sandberg1222 · 01/30/2016, 05:06 PM

Thanks I'll have to check it out.

sde1500 · 01/30/2016, 06:35 PM

Quick shot of 2 of the 3 fish in QT right now. 2 Bangaii cardinals and 1 clown. All captive bred. LFS buys all their clownfish from the local university's aquaculture program. I actually visited the school thinking of going there and they have a pretty cool set up. So, supported my local fish store, my local university and didn't take a fish from the wild. Cool little mis-bar, the wife picked him out.

H2OCulture · 01/30/2016, 08:10 PM

Looking good so far! I love the giant filter sock! Just say NO to detritus!

Sandberg1222 · 01/30/2016, 11:15 PM

Is that their stock set up on the light or did you do a custom one ?

sde1500 · 01/31/2016, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2OCulture

Looking good so far! I love the giant filter sock! Just say NO to detritus!

Thanks! Yea it's a huge sock. Using it right now to hold some KentM phosphate sponge since I have a bit of algae and started with dry rocks.

And Sandberg that is the standard layout for the LEDs. When looking at their lights they have a link on each that shows the layout of the light.

12/30/2015, 02:05 PM	#1
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	My 65 Gallon build So I enjoy following along and reading about others' progress on their tanks, and figured I could chronicle my build here as well. Who knows, maybe a few people will enjoy reading this noobs journey. I had on and off kept fish for a number of years, all freshwater though. Poking around on Reddit led me to the reeftank sub, and from there I found this site and soon was ready to start up a tank in my house for saltwater. I didn't have any tanks set up at the time, but had an old 10 gallon tank sitting dry in storage. Broke it out, cleaned it and set it up. Pretty simplistic set up, just a HOB filter and 2 T5 light. It's cool, but really small. Set up in April and I'm already tired of it. So started looking for a new tank, found a good deal on a used tank through a friend, and there we have it. 65 gallon tank and stand purchased. Sat dry for a few months til I went on a spending frenzy for Black Friday . Since I don't know if the tank is tempered or not, I decided to play it safe and not drill it. EShopps HOB overflow always seemed well reviewed, so went with that. Eshopps PF-800, for the sump I went with Eshopps RS-100, paired with a Reef Octopus classic 110int, and a Sicce Syncra silent 3.0 return pump. For powerheads I went with two Tunze Turbelle Nano Stream 6025. Set up hasn't been too bad so far, though wish I knew how to plumb better. I've made a half dozen mistakes, and trips to Home Depot. First time ever doing something like this so not surprised haha. Trip tonight should be the final one to get it running. Added dry rock and live sand about a week ago now before I thought my plumbing sucked. So doing work on the plumbing as water is in the tank makes for a bit more of a challenge, but isn't bad. Taking my time with this to make sure everything is done right. Added one big live rock from my current tank, it was pretty covered in algae, and had one aptasia on it, burned the aptasia off and did a peroxide dip that seems to have taken care of most of the algae. I also added some of my sand from the established tank to help with the cycle. I have more rock and sand to add from the running tank, but there is a decent number of aiptasia on it, including some rather large ones, so not sure if I want to add them or not. I probably will burn the ones I can see, and if they come back up I'll get some nudibranches to eat them. I am pretty happy with the current aquascape, though any thoughts are appreciated. Pictures to follow.

12/30/2015, 02:06 PM	#2
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Pictures taken last night. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

12/30/2015, 02:10 PM	#3
Scorpius Stick Head Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 1,208	Put your heater in the sump and put a background on it to hide your overflow. __________________ Current Tank 65gal DSA rimless. Vortech MP-10 x4 Vectra M1. Kessil A360we x3 4-24in T5's. BRS 2 part LPS/SPS mixed reef. Will do ______ for Acropora.

12/30/2015, 02:43 PM	#6
Jade5051 That guy... Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,218	How's that Sicce 4.0? I had a Sicce 5.0 it was so loud. __________________ The dream that is now a memory - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550891

12/31/2015, 12:40 PM	#9
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Yea haven't done anything with it yet. Was either going to do blue or black. In hindsight I really should have done the back of the tank before filling it. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

12/30/2015, 02:33 PM	#5
bchap05 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 89	I went with the smaller Eshopps on my 65 works well. I think my return is only like 495 gph though

12/31/2015, 08:40 AM	#8
leviburns89 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 652	I'd you haven't already purchased one, I would recommend a jet black background. The tank will end being encrusted with coralife anyway, and a black background draws your focus to the aquascape, and not the false horizon of a picture I have always used high strength black enamel on my tanks for aquascaping, but that may be out of the question since you have water in the tank. You may be able to get a paint brush or roller and use some black latex paint, then you have a solid good looking background.

12/31/2015, 03:03 PM	#10
leviburns89 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 652	It's not a make it or break it problem tho. When applied the right way, even a stick on can look really nice. IMO anything is better than a transparent backglass.

01/10/2016, 01:09 PM	#11
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Light is up and running. Got the return in better shape and the skimmer is running. Tank isn't too loud. Sometimes the overflow can be a bit noisy, but far from terrible. Next on the list is to get that back covered. Almost cycled too. Should be able to add some CUC and move my clown over next weekend. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

01/10/2016, 01:12 PM	#12
Scorpius Stick Head Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 1,208	^ Remember slow and steady. If there's no algae or detritus for your cleanup crew to eat I'd hold off for awhile as they'll starve. __________________ Current Tank 65gal DSA rimless. Vortech MP-10 x4 Vectra M1. Kessil A360we x3 4-24in T5's. BRS 2 part LPS/SPS mixed reef. Will do ______ for Acropora.

01/13/2016, 04:37 PM	#13
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Yea CUC will be small. Got a turbo snail in my current tank. I'll probably just get a few small snails for now. I'd like to add a few scarlet hermits eventually too. RODI unit is officially connected to my plumbing. BRS 4-stage, and got the saddle valves to connect the in and waste lines. Word of caution, the wasteline valve fits on a 1.5 inch pipe. Not the 2"pipe I drilled the 1/4" hole in first. Ugh. Small emergency trip to Home Depot to fix that. But works nicely. Eventually I'll build a stand for the trash cans and unit, and plumb them so getting water out is easier. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

01/13/2016, 06:52 PM	#14
Maritimer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SW Connecticut, U.S.A. Posts: 419	Nice looking build! Looking forward to watching where this goes, as I've got a 65g with over-the-side-everything on it. (Mine's got fish and stuff, but 'tis still a _very_ new setup!) ~Bruce __________________ Because anything else ... is just a fishtank. Zoey's Reef has come to life! Zoas, 'shrooms and LPS of several sorts, CUC, dartfish, wrasses and others swim above the sand . . . Current Tank Info: Kingston & Zoey's Reef; 220g, Deltec skimmer, 2 MaxSpect Gyre x-50s, 2,500gph or so through the sump. SPS are surviving . . .

01/23/2016, 11:36 AM	#16
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Finally got a background on the tank. All black now and looks much better. Also added a couple zoa frags. They are starting to open an hour later but still mostly closed so I'll take better pics of them later. Also had a worm from my smaller tank make an appearance in this one. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

01/26/2016, 04:48 PM	#17
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	My 65 Gallon build Kinda crappy cell phone pic, but doesn't look too bad. Looks like snagged a nice frag of Eagle Eye zoas from Petco so that's cool. Oddly, this frag didn't open at first but is now doing well. The other one has maybe 30-40 polyps, all opened the day I out them in, but the next morning didn't open at all. Let them sit a day with no change and moved them to an area with a bit more flow. Starting to open now. Just a couple but it's progress! __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

01/30/2016, 03:46 PM	#18
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Pretty sure they aren't eagle eyes but it's all good. They look cool. 3 fish in QT right now. Also picked up this nice frag. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

01/30/2016, 03:52 PM	#19
Sandberg1222 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Lakewood, Wa Posts: 87	Originally you said t5 lights, but I see leds. What led is that.

01/30/2016, 05:06 PM	#21
Sandberg1222 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Lakewood, Wa Posts: 87	Thanks I'll have to check it out.

01/30/2016, 06:35 PM	#22
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Quick shot of 2 of the 3 fish in QT right now. 2 Bangaii cardinals and 1 clown. All captive bred. LFS buys all their clownfish from the local university's aquaculture program. I actually visited the school thinking of going there and they have a pretty cool set up. So, supported my local fish store, my local university and didn't take a fish from the wild. Cool little mis-bar, the wife picked him out. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

01/30/2016, 08:10 PM	#23
H2OCulture Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bethesda, Maryland Posts: 85	Looking good so far! I love the giant filter sock! Just say NO to detritus! __________________ "Just add water" "Just say NO to detritus" February TOTM 2011 Le Châtelier is my clean-up crew. Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Mixed Reef

01/30/2016, 11:15 PM	#24
Sandberg1222 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Lakewood, Wa Posts: 87	Is that their stock set up on the light or did you do a custom one ?