lion's den starting to build

I agree, hard plumbing is prettier, but we have never found any positives beyond that. Hard plumbing can make it louder, make more fittings necessary to make the bends and turns loosing head and it's much easier to plumb a pump with a hose barb and soft tubing.

Just don't get thin walled tubing, as that bends too easy and makes the turns just as hard. Get black when you can, to reduce the incidence of algae.

 

Here's one of our setups done with black thickwall tubing:



Granted, the tank was facing backwards for the photo, and the chiller was out of its place, but the tank is a great-running system, and the TUBV's make it easy to move or modify.

This setup has (2) main returns on a SCWD as well as (3) closed-loop returns, the center return is valved to adjust the flow between it and the side returns since most of the flow will want to "crowd" there. I REALLY like the external overflow, as there's nothing in the tank at all.

 

Cool I only have one return im going to use with a scwd on it

 

Just make sure you feed it with at least 500 gph, as otherwise, you'll notice some flow loss.

 

im going to be using the mag 7 i think its more than enough

 

now what do you guys feed you fish, i was thinking of keeping a supply of frozen silverside,table shrimp (cocktail shrimp) and krill. any other food i should keep or additives i should keep on hand. i want these fish to have the best damn diet possible. all frozen food from ~whispers softly "petco"~ or should i get from somewhere else?

oo and hurry up and get things with stings up i want to be on of the first to buy from there hehehehe

 

Check out Todd_snails thread on his DIY overflow.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/non-drilled-tank-alternatives-my-diy-overflow-140523.html

I made the same type of overflow and it has been working great. It has never lost it's siphon for myself or Todd. It can be designed to fit your tank and needs. I went with a smaller diameter pvc pipe than todd as I have a smaller tank. 1" should work good for you, it's what I used in my 55 and is more than sufficient flow for my needs.. If you have any questions pm myself or todd_snails.

Can't wait to see the tank!

 

I already placed my order for a mag 7, scwd, eshopp dual 1000gph overflow 2 sock holder 2 socks 2 return spouts and a few other goodies

 

Do you have a fish deli at the market where you live? The best thing you can do is buy saltwater fare from the market, whatever is on sale, and keep rotating it. Get a couple of shrimp and a couple of scallops and a piece of fish flesh. Then, in the next couple of weeks, change it up again.

Not all Silversides packaged for the hobby are created equal. It's a very loose label they've put on a bunch of silver fish of about the same size and look. They have their place, it just shouldn't be upfront and center, IMO. Some brands are a variety of freshwater carp (same as goldfish). Some won't disclose *insert failed buzzer sound*. Their "expiration" dates are way.... way.... way to long. If you are actually going to abide by those dates, you will be feeding out useless little dehydrated fish crackers in the end. Even in commercial deep freezers, these expiration dates are just too long, let along on the door of the fridge freezer being man handled and partially thawed every couple of days...... then there's the thiaminase and the useless addition (in light of the exp date) of thiamine to make one feel good..... but I digress.

Think of every food item as missing a few essential nutrients. Mix it up as much as you can and keep it as fresh as you can.

I could go on forever..... I should probably stop.....

 

Oo ya there is a seafood market, I work for publix so I always know what seafood is on sale and can make sure I get the freshest of the fresh. Also do you add anything like selcon or anything to that nature