Ryan D's 55g Reef - Video update 5/06/13

Im definately going to make my own sump now. The only issue im going to have is the fact that it can only fit in 51 cm of space... Im not sure if this is going to be good enough for a decent size skimmer as most I have looked at are about 50cm themselves. How high should the sump be and what is a good recommended gap between the top of the tank? The smaller sump I was planning to get only has a height of 31 cm, that would give about 20cm gap. If I am building my own, I could do the same thing, but just make it longer, wider and a tiny bit taller.

Thanks for the advice about the sand, I have not bought it yet so ill definately get the argonite and not live sand.

 

Most skimmers do run between 19" - 21" in height, some even taller. But you could try specifically a sump model. They have a larger footprint but aren't as tall.

Good choice with the skimmer. I think the Hydor Performer 405 should work well for you. It's 19.5" tall (roughly 50cm?). The neck has a screw-nut section so you can take the skimmer cup off without taking the skimmer out of the sump.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Hydor_Pe...n_Skimmers-Hydor_USA-HD00773-FIPSISNW-vi.html

I like your idea with the cabinet doors to have the shelf as well. I always seem to need more space and it will be nice to have it all in one location.

 

Ryan, if you were to build the entire sump tank yourself, you could potentially build it from scratch and to your exact dimensions. There are several threads on this forum and on others, showing how to build a DIY aquarium. To me the only downside would be potential for leaks. You just leak test before bringing it into the house. I've not done this before, but would love to if I had the space/tools to do so.

This thread is very helpful and informative. Just build it for a sump instead of a display.

Building a 75g all glass tank

 

Yeah, I read that feed you put up and it said that after a year one side failed and leaked everything :S. Which makes me a bit hesitant to do that. I still really like the idea of a custom designed sump to what I would like, so I will probably see if the glass cutter can silicon it together or take it to my LFS to see if they will do it. If none of those can do it, I will probably have to do it myself.

Yeah the skimmer will just fit. I might have to manipulate it a small amount getting the lid off, but it definately wont be like removing the whole skimmer.

 

One of my favorite posts from that thread:

While the leaking tank in the build thread did occur, and it does scare many people, and probably keeps many people away from actually building their own tank, I see it as a learning experience. I would try it once on a small scale, then build a new one for the actual tank. You learn from your mistakes.

While the possibility of a leak may discourage hobbyists, I do appreciate the fact that the OP on the thread did show his mistakes. He was fairly new to building tanks and he was able to solve the problems he discovered; he shared the mistakes with others so they didn't make them again (or could fix them if they did).

As I said before, I don't personally have the time, space, or tools to build my own aquarium right now (or the money for a new aquarium ). But if I did, I would do it in a heart beat. I love DIY builds and working with my hands. You can build to your linking at a relatively low cost.

If you don't feel confident in building the tank yourself, that's fine too. It's a good idea to check out your glass shop or LFS and see if they will build it for you (look around the be best price).

 

Hey everyone,

Time for an update on how the tank has been progressing:



It now has substrate and water in it. For the substrate I used Tidal dry argonite marine substrate. I also added 5kg of live rock, which has gotten considerably more coraline algae on it since I purchased it.

It also has its Marisys 240 Series 2 hooked up, but in about a week this will be changed over for a proper sump.

I have started to cycle the tank with a couple of peices of raw fish, which are starting to decompose nicely having been in there for 2 days.

Im going to test the parameters in the morning and put them up here .

The stand was also close to being finished. It is now gloss black and needs doors, but otherwise its basically finished to.

I have ordered 20kg of dry rock which when they arrive I will start to build my dry rock structures and then they will be seeded by the live rock that is currently in the tank.

Thanks for reading . Any advice is also most welcome .

Thanks

Ryan.

 

Coming along real good. Keep the pictures coming! 8)

 

Hey guys,

Just an update on my 55g build. So far I have completed the frame of the tank, and painted it gloss black. The doors are still being built and will drill them on when the sump is finished.

So far I have 25kg of dry and live rock in a nice little stack so it has good flow through. The current things in the tank are two stromb snails, two trochus snails, a peppermint shrimp and two small reef chromis.

I added the snails and shrimp because my tank was being consumed by cyanobacteria and the two small reef chromis are finishing off my tanks cycle.

The sump I plan to get is currently being build by my LFS and should be finished in about two weeks. It will be 4ft, with a hydor performer 450 skimmer, 2ft refugium section and phosphate and calcium reactors.

Check out some pics.

 

Hey guys,

I have sort of rejected this build thread so I will attempt to rectify this by adding a few photos of my sump I just set up and some other pictures of my tank .

A full size shot of the tank and sump:


My Skimmer and Intake section:


Close up of my refugium section:


Return and Phosphate Reactor:


Aquaone Marisys 240 thats also running on the tank:


Along the top of the sump:


CPR overflow box:


Wider angle of the DT:


Torch and Flame Angel:


The other stocking list is:
- 2 oscellaris clowns
- 2 reef chromis
- peppremint shrimp
- porcelain crab

The next add will be a big LED light. So when my refugium matures and starts to work the way I want, I will get some SPS .

Cheers

Ryan.

 

If you choose the image (img) link from the drop down menu on each pic on photobucket the picture will show up in your post instead of just the link.