58 Gallon build thread (1 Viewer)

[GotFrogs]

Hello - After making a departure into running a fresh water setup in my 58 gallon tank (which has been moved over to a 300), it is time to move back over to the other side and set up a reef! I picked up a 20L at petco today for 20 bucks that I plan on using as a sump. I also ordered a SWC Xtreme 160 Cone Protein Skimmer. Hopefully the skimmer and the x-inout overflow kit that I ordered a few weeks ago will show up next week. I am really excited about setting up another tank!

 

[soymilk]

very nice. I've always been curious with that overflow kit. Please let us know how it turns out. Do you plan on drilling the holes yourself?

 

[steveb]

Where did you get the overflow from? Fins Reef? It looks really cool. Hopefully you will have time to do a write up on it in the equipment review section.

 

[flexrac]

sounds good so far, can't wait to see the build. I love build threads.

 

[GotFrogs]

I wish that Fins Reef had the x-inout in stock. I ended up having to buy it from a UK online store and pay a hefty shipping charge. I plan on drilling the holes this weekend. Wish me luck!

I did get my skimmer in the mail today and picked up a Vortech MP10wES from Fish Gallery with a gift card that I had.

 

[TexanReef]

Great! Good luck with the build.

 

[DonnieKim]

Following along!

 

[flexrac]

c an't wait to see the real time performance on that overflow. how do you plan to silnce it?

 

[GotFrogs]

I have hit a little road block. I am not sure what I am going to do. If I go with the x-inout overflow I am going to be forced to lower the waterline below the trim. I think it would look strange to have the waterline a few inches blow the to of the tank/hood. What do you think? Here is a picture I found of a similar intall. I think these were really designed for rimless tanks.

I am thinking I might order an 700gph ovrflow kit from glass-holes.com and only use the return from the x-in out.

 

[alexrex20]

If you want to make some nice waves with your MP10, you'll be glad the waterline is that low. I don't think it looks bad either way.

In fact, I like the visible waterline; all the better to show off the wave making ability of the Vortech pumps.

 

[GotFrogs]

I went ahead and ordered the glass-holes 700gph overflow kit. It should be here this week. I also ordered some glass baffles from a local glass house to convert my 20L int a sump.

In not so good news, I received a KESSIL A150W LED light that I was hoping would serve as half of the lighting for the tank. After watching this YouTube video I had high hopes for its output. When I hold it up to a 150w MH, it just does not stack up. I don't think a pair of them would be adequate for lighting the tank. I wonder how the new EcoTech LED will compare? I really like the Ecoxotic 100 watt cannon light output but not the color (the 10,000 K is too yellow without some other type of supplementation).

 

[steveb]

You might want to see if someone will loan you a PAR meter. PAR/PUR are not easily discernible to the human eye so I wouldn't trust a visual comparison for intensity at the correct wavelengths between the two (other than for the color I like).

 

[cliner]

Pics, progress.(especially da sump)

 

[GotFrogs]

I got my glass holes overflow kit today and drilled the hole for it. Here are some pictures of the process. I am not sure what I am going to use for the return line? The X-inout or a regular bulkhead.

 

[GotFrogs]

I finished up the overflow and return within the tank but still need to do the external plumbing. I also painted the back black.

Glass baffles installed in the sump.

Hopefully I will have water in the tank this week!

 

[steveb]

I like the SWC skimmers I have a mini and a 120. Build looks nice cant wait to see it with water!

 

[GotFrogs]

The tank is filling with RO water!

 

[GotFrogs]

The tank is now filled with salt water. I ordered and Apex lite for the system and purchased some supplies for making my "rock towers"

 

[steveb]

Cool, can't wait to see those rock towers!

 

[GotFrogs]

My Apex lite came in and I got it all hooked up. I think I should buy stock in Neptune. I now have three Apex controllers, an ACIII and an AC Jr!

No update on the rock towers. I did buy 27 pounds of rock from a member on Saturday and the BRS rock I ordered will be here tomorrow. I should have lots to work with.
After the frag swap I stopped by City Pets and picked me up another 30 watt LED. Hardware wise I am good to go. I do want to add a bio pellet reactor and another MP10wes but that will have to wait until Christmas.