ScubaChinchilla's 45 high gallon first SW tank build

[ScubaChinchilla]

Hey all, my name is Frank and I was referred to this site from a friend after getting lost in the clutches of reef central. My plan for this first tank is to start out with a FOWLR then from there after 6 months move up to a reef, maybe starting with some softies. I have made some purchases , like my return pump which will be a Rio 2100+ , some plumbing ( i actually found a bulk head on the my island which is kind of weird one , will post picture later, which will be used on a DIY overflow that I will make), I do not what to drill the tank only because it will be viewed from 3 side's, and I am using clear tubing instead a PVC other wise it will stand out like a sore thumb. I am planing on doing a slump/refuge , I had a ten gallon but I found a crack if i might go to a 15 gallon so i can have more room for the refuge but if i do I will have to drop it in from above because it will not fit through the door , what should i do ? The plan for the base is skimmer>refuge>return and I am still debating on if i should put the skimmer in the slump or next to it? For the heater what watts and should I put it in the refuge(brands)? As for the skimmer I was thinking what Spykes has http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ES33000
but i might get the 125gph one but it might not fight in my stand i belive it only goes to 25"high or I could put one behind the stand and go to a 220gph one , some many choices , I feel like the last 7 days of reading information my head is going to crash. I am welcome to all suggestions thank you all.

 

[Awibrandy]

Hello Frank, welcome to MR. Loose the Rio! If the only thing stopping you from drilling the tank is the black bulkheads check out ellebelle tank thread. She is using clear bulk heads.
By the way, what size tank are you putting together?
Best wishes!!

 

[ScubaChinchilla]

thanks, what's wrong with the rio? The tank is a 45g high. Here are a couple of shots of the tank when it was a FW and then my messy room with the tank of right now because I changed everything lol and the weird bulkhead. p.s should I clean the tank with vinger or bleach?

 

[ScubaChinchilla]

Thanks, why whats wrong with rio's Awibrady? The tank is a 45g h and here is a pic when it was in use as a fw tank, pic of today (how should i clean it?) and a weird bulkhead.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

First make sure you have not used any copper in the tank. If you have, then you need couple times of citrus to clean. The citrus will also dissolve other deposits in your tank.

10G sump/refuge = no space

What's the dimension of the opening of the door?

 

[ScubaChinchilla]

First make sure you have not used any copper in the tank. If you have, then you need couple times of citrus to clean. The citrus will also dissolve other deposits in your tank.

10G sump/refuge = no space

What's the dimension of the opening of the door?

Nope no copper, the only medication I used was clout (no copper found on list of ingredients) to hold back a parasite invasion for a year until they came back and wiped my tank out . Should I clean the tank with citrus still or use a vinger or bleach? The dimensions for the front and back opening for the stand is 18 3/4" Lx20"H in inches.

 

[Awibrandy]

The rio pumps have a tendencies to explode. Not something you want to experience. Never happened to me, but read of quite a few incidents that wiped out tanks. Better save then sorry.
Sump/fuge get the largest tank you can fit, I use to have sump/fuge my tank didn't benefit from it. Now I just have sump with some chaeto that I salvaged from my old system - tank looks great. Check out my before & after thread.
Click here: Before & After Pics Thanks MR - Manhattan Reefs
If I were you I would get a sump that would handle what ever water would drain from the tank incase of power failure. And see if you can accommodate an AutoTopOff even if you just use a bucket, it is one of the best things I've done for my tank. I got this one because it also protects my pump in case I forget to fill the reservoir.
Click here: Top-it-Off Kit Deluxe

Next I would look into an automatic doser for calcium & alkalinity,

And most importantly is RO/DI filter. This I would put at the top of the list.

How bad are the mineral deposits?

Check ellebelle's tank thread she is using clear bulkheads.

 

[SIReefer]

Do your research first. The cost of setup & maint. S/W vs. F/W is different. The cost of the tank itself is quite minimal compared to all the other items you'll need. Good luck in the hobby and start off slow. Welcome to MR. I have the same skimmer & it does the job. (For my 75 gal I should really upgrade though). It has a large footprint & takes up most of my sump. Make sure you have plenty of room in your sump.

 

[ScubaChinchilla]

Click here: Top-it-Off Kit Deluxe

Next I would look into an automatic doser for calcium & alkalinity,

And most importantly is RO/DI filter. This I would put at the top of the list.

How bad are the mineral deposits?

Check ellebelle's tank thread she is using clear bulkheads.

The top off kit what pump do i go with that?

The automatic doser for calcium and alkalimity is that a cal reator that I have been seeing and do they go by sizes of how many gallons your tank is?

RO/DI filter I don't have any water near the tank to connect it , can I put it inline or that is useless and which size for the 45g? , some how I know when i finish college I am going to be buying a bigger tank lol.

The mineral deposits I have no idea, unless a fellow Staten Islander had their's tested , or do I have to test my own neighborhood?

I did check out ellebelle's tank and I do like that, but my main concern is cracking the whole fish tank, because I never drilled glass before, unless you guys have?

P.S so what main return pump should I go with?

 

[ScubaChinchilla]

Do your research first. The cost of setup & maint. S/W vs. F/W is different. The cost of the tank itself is quite minimal compared to all the other items you'll need. Good luck in the hobby and start off slow. Welcome to MR. I have the same skimmer & it does the job. (For my 75 gal I should really upgrade though). It has a large footprint & takes up most of my sump. Make sure you have plenty of room in your sump.

Thanks, yea there is just piles of information on sw. I don't plan on having this tank running until I get all the facts my goal is at least a month to get all the right equipment. I don't have the skimmer yet should i go with something diffrent or the 220gph one. I have not used the rio yet when I return it to reef fantasy , what should i change it to or get something diffrent?
I feel I have already made poor choice's :bigeyes:

 

[ScubaChinchilla]

We are on track ,Ehiem pump and protien skimmer will be here friday, Should I order uncured liverock, cured or buy from store and what type?
Below is a pic of some additional items.