prelude to a nouveau set-up

[tsinkoy]

Hi. I am upgrading my 10 gallon freshwater tank into a 75 gallon FOWLR.

Right now, I have the 75 gallon tank, the stand, and a 30 gallon refugium. Also, I have live sand.

I don't really have a lot of resources at my disposal right now, financially and time-wise, so I am going to do this slowly.

I am thinking of starting off by cycling with just the live sand and dead rock.

A couple of questions.

I have a carpeted apartment, so I'm thinking of building a catch-basin for the whole set-up wherein I set the stand on top of a box made of plywood that is treated with epoxy to make waterproof. It's basically a safeguard against flooding, that is, if someone's there to catch it immediately. Is it feasible?

Something like this:

Another reason why I want to build the box is because we have cats in the apartment, and I would like to limit their access to the refugium (the stand is a metal stand that is open). I am only showing the bottom of the box, but I'm thinking of extending it up, and allowing for double doors. This is not the stand, but just a casing for the stand.

The tank that I got is not reef ready, so I know I have to get a overflow box. I am really worried about flooding. Is there a way that I can minimize this risk? What about redundant systems? Two or three overflow boxes? In case one catches air, the others will still work? Where do I get overflow boxes?

I want to start slow by just cycling live sand and dead rock. Maybe get a good quality dead rock. Do I need lights for this? What about a pump? Is there a hanging filter that I can get just to start cycling?

I'm hoping this post isn't too long. Thanks for the help!

:givebeer: NOW! lol

 

[KathyC]

Just a quick answer to a few of your questions...why bother cycling dead rock with live sand..you'll end up killing the live sand...
Cycle your dead rock first and you don't need lights to do it either.
After your rock is cycled add the sand.
If you're running a fowlr you don't have to have a fuge/sump. Get yourself a really good hang on back skimmer (not filter!) and then you don't have to bother with the box around the bottom (which IF it has any accessible area for the cat/s to get into ..it will then become a litter box to them.) You also wouldn't have to worry about an OFB or flooding. Just don't overload the heck out of the tank with fish.
Some folks with carpet put a piece of 3/4 plywood down under the stand for stability, doesn't need to have a lip that shows or stands up.

If you pitch the entire idea of a sump, you'd only need a good skimmer & something to provide flow within the tank, and lighting.

Hopefully others will chime in here with their thoughts for you!.
Best of luck to you!

 

[reefman]

i would start with good Live rock n dead sand.
also i would RR your tank to lessen the chance of flooding.
to prevent your cats access, it would be easier to just cover the top with eggcrate. the fence around the stand may be too much work n look funny.

 

[tsinkoy]

live sand and dead rock

so cycling live sand with dead rock will only kill the live sand?

My friends told me that if I cycle the live sand with dead rock, i'll get live rock in a couple of weeks. It's either they're wrong, or I completely misunderstood them.

 

[Awibrandy]

If you are still going with your box idea!! Make sure that it is totally water tight, for example you may want to line it with a flexible liner as a waterproof membrane. They are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), and are in impervious to water. I would also bring it all the way up with doors for access, as well as to keep the kitty out. I like your idea very much. I have often wished I had done something like what you are planning, especially after all the floods I've had (even with the RR tanks I have).
And besides, you can make the iron stand disappear, and yet you would still have the strength.

The idea you have on more then one overflow box is a pain in the behind. You will spend so much time refulating them. I sort of did this. With my 150 tried to incorporate the sump with one, the fuge with the other. I finally gave up, and took the fuge & it's overflow box out.
Happy to see you are going to be going slow. More time to ponder what exactly it is that you would love having in your tank. I would first choose the one fish that I must have, and see who else can co-exist with it. My best wishes for a succesfull tank.

 

[KathyC]

When dead rock cycles it is going to produce copious amounts of ammonia and that will kill whatever is alive in the sand.
Why not use base rock instead? It's also usually cheaped to purchase& will help keep your costs down.

 

[tsinkoy]

what's the difference between base rock and dead rock?

When dead rock cycles it is going to produce copious amounts of ammonia and that will kill whatever is alive in the sand.
Why not use base rock instead? It's also usually cheaped to purchase& will help keep your costs down.

 

[Awibrandy]

I believe there is no difference. I'm sure someone else will jump in, and correct me.

 

[nsiegel5]

The whole box idea is interesting, if you want go to home depot or lowes where they sell the bed pan liner for shower stalls. On the back of the liner it will show you exactly how to build a proper shower pan with the liner a few 2x4's and plywood. Although I have to tell you in the long run I dont see this whole box thing working too well. I would say drill the tank over size the sump so that if the pump dies or something the water cant fill the sump enough to overflow the system. IF you get an overflow box chances are like 95% that at some point you overflow cause of a dead siphon. Just my two cents but I think its safer to do it right the first time although I didnt and dealt with quite a few floods!