upgrade questions.

[tosiek]

so i am desciding on giving away the cichlids and converting the tank to a reef tank in the next month. Its a 55g tank, and don't know where to start in making it reef ready. I know i am going to get a fuge, but know nothing about overflows along with alot of other things. Will i need a filter (overflow or wetdry) of some sort if i am using a skimmer and have the fuge/LR/LS? I know i will need a pump to take water from the fuge to the tank but will i need one from the tank to the fuge? If i do transfer everyting from my 24g reef, would i need to cycle water? or if i get extra LR and LS would i see a mini cycle as i put everythign in with the current LR/LS i have into the 55? Any recommendations for lighting, looking for a MH fixture but should i go with multiple pendants or one big fixture?



Been looking around for info on setting one up but i got unlucky in finding good info. Any recommendations? I am currently running a 24g nano. so never had to bother knowing alot of the stuff. Looking for suggestions on setting up the tank.

 

[fritz]

I turned my Tanganykian tank into a reef tank by:
1. taking everything out and cleaning the tank
2. adding salt water
3. adding live rock
4. adding a HOB skimmer
5. adding many power heads
6. ditched my fluval
7. upgraded my lights.

That's pretty much what you need. You can do more if you wish but the above are the bare minimals. I'm personally not a fan of Hang on the back overflow boxes. If you're going to have the tank empty anyway you may want to have the tank drilled. A sump is a neat way of adding water volume and hiding a heater and protein skimmer. A fuge is a good way to grow algae or food for your fish. Hope that helped.

 

[tosiek]

ok, so i can set up my 55g with a 20 gal refugium, with a overflow sump built in to the refugium, skimmer hang on.

That takes care of my filtration, Now would i need to cycle the complete 55g tank then add in the stuff from my 24g once the cycle is done, or would i be able to throw the 24g into the 55 with new LR/LS added to what i currently have and not have a cycle in the tank. I currently have 30+ lbs of LR in my current reef tank and a bag of Live sand.

It would be like starting a fresh reef tank. And there is a big chance i will lose some livestock in the process if the 30 lbs of LR from my current tank descides to cycle when i add it to the cycled 55 gallon.

Anything i am missing?

 

[jhale]

if you can let the 55g tank cycle and add things from the 24 slowly there should be no loss.

I agree with fritz, have the tank drilled on the back for a proper overflow.
do not use the hang-on overflows, they suck. They can loose thier siphon, they can clog, and they will just make your life miserable.

 

[tosiek]

ok, so i found the wonderful world of Malv's site which is amazing. Now i am planning on building my own sump/fuge, either full acrylic or converting a premade 20 or so gallon tank. But i am going to use a HOB skimmer, do i want that skimmer running through the sump/fuge or off the main tank for best results? off the fuge for asthetics and off the main tank for best results or does it not matter at all?

And if i do drill my tank for an overflow, i will be adding a box to one corner inside the tank aren't I?

 

[HAVIC]

And if i do drill my tank for an overflow, i will be adding a box to one corner inside the tank aren't I?

No you do not have too. You can have the back of the tank drilled near the top and just have strains covering the drilled holes.

If you do not drill the tank than look into a lifereef overflow box. About as stable as an overflow box can be.

Also if you plan on keeping corals, then do not use a wet/dry.

And Finally if you are going with an overflow anyway better off getting an in sump skimmer. They tend to be better skimmers.

HTH,
Greg

 

[House of Laughter]

T,

I would do the following

1) Drill the tank on one side for a 1" schedule 80 bulkhead ($12) ($25)
2) Use and elbow and a strainer to adjust your tank height ($1.50)
3) Use the 20g and baffle it with glass panes precut from a glass shop ($5 per pane)
4) Set the return in PVC so you can regulate the height and siphon back into the sump
5) Get a BA-3c insump skimmer and put it right in the middle of your 20g sump
6) Let it cycle with some of the rock from your tank and leave the majority of it your 26.
7) When you're ready to bring over your animals - do a major water change in the 55 with the water from the 26 and the animals from the tank

I am not going to list lighting, cause you know the score there.

That should do it for you.

House

 

[digitalreefer]

I'm finishing up plumbing Lissa's tank in similar way to what has been suggested. It should be done today and I'll post some pictures to give you a better idea of what everyone is talking about.

 

[tosiek]

yeah, the plumbing is no prob, just a little stumped about what the best way setting up the overflow is and the GPH balance. never done it before and if i am drilling my tank don't want to mess up.

 

[ellebelle]

I'm doing the elbow style overflow so you'll be able to see that in the pics too.

yeah, the plumbing is no prob, just a little stumped about what the best way setting up the overflow is and the GPH balance. never done it before and if i am drilling my tank don't want to mess up.