Thinking of making a (Not so) nano reef

Technically it is a nano tank. A nano is 40g and under putting you exactly at the limit.

Really? Everything I read leading into this said anything under 25-30g was nano >_>

In a poll taken on reef frontiers the general consensus was 40g so that's how I have always defined a nano. I can send you the thread if your intresed

Maybe we need a new term to accurately portray the 30-55 gallon range of reefs.

I'm in a similar boat to Gryphon: I scooped up a 90 gallon saltwater set up because the price was right, but it's not drilled. Now I need to find some polarized sunglasses to see if it's tempered. I'm going to be following this thread, since I'm going to have many of the same questions and issues. I also found out I'm going to Costa Rica for 10 weeks, so I'm being forced to be patient and not do any impulse buying.

I've been watching for RO/DI units on craigslist, but usually people want a lot for their broken stuff.

.1-2.5 gallons is a picto reef
2.6-40 gallons is a nano reef
41-300 gallons is simply a reef
300+ gallons is a mega reef

Squirmteben
It will be cheaper and eisier to find a predrilled 90g. Between the overflow box, diamond hole saw, and bulkheads for that tank will be $120ish to do it right. I have seen tons of predrilled 90s and 110s for less than $100 in great shape

So I'm thinking of getting this for my overflow:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Right now I'm planning on either waiting for the next $1/gal sale on tanks at petco, or picking up a used 20g for a sump. I figure getting a 250-300 gph pump will give me a 10x turnover in the sump, which should work ok with the skimmer (100gph) and refugium, and 5-6x turnover in the tank.

Thinking about it now, would the overflow be too much since I'm going with a a 250-300 gph pump?

Would this one be better since its 1-200gph?
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

So this is my horribly inaccurate, definately not to scale rough copy plans for my sump set up. I'm thinking of trying to set up a T on the in-line for the sump so I can make my own drip/trickle line for my QT/acclimation tank.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Thought I should make a correction.....Why so limited on the overflow? I would say it's better at 700gph than 200....Great drawing/planning on the sump/plumbing but I think you need to move the overflow box to the left and return pump to the right will make more sense on the flow and layout of the sump....I don't think the water will flow into your quarantine tank if you have a T connect through your down-spout...it should be connected to the return line where it has enough pressure to flow into.... also, I think it's better to rearrange the sump...turn it around maybe....

So after a bit more research into sump, I've decided on doing a Herbie set up. So this is my rough draft number 2!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Since you're building a new sump...I would recomend to add another section for skimmer/heater because it's better to have a separate section for filter socks/pads to collect waste/snail/everything.
I think your're ready and it's time to start building the tank. Love to see more pics and progresses of the build.................

I'm not planning on using filter socks.

I'm totally going to copy your design. Are you going to put unions on your pipes, so you won't have to disconnect everything or have to cut in if something gets stuck?

Most likely, I'm still in the planning stages. I won't actually be doing any measuring, final plans, etc until I get the stand built and I'll be able to better visualize how everything will fit. When I do it'll probably be every 12 inches or so.

There are a few reasons why I said you might want to consider another section because you don't want your skimmer right next/under the return waterspout....you'll find all kind of things like snails or food draining down and will clogged your skimmer.... I personally strongly recomend not to use the filter sock/pad at all time because it's a nitrate farm if you don't take it out and clean it every other day.... but when you do your maintenance, you wish that you have one, even an eggcrate section to lay your filter pad on top would be nice.... it's because once in awhile when you do the maintenance, you stir up your sand bed a bit, use a small powerhead to blow your live rocks to clean these detrious that normally stay there and mess up your water...it's when you see your water is ah...and you wish you'll have something to collect them.... I know not a lot of people will do that but it's one of the right way to do.... it'll work either ways but it's just my thought ..

I'm also having to reconsider getting the overflow from glass-holes.com, since their pipe is already set in the middle of the overflow, I don't know if there is room to fit a second drain inside.

I'm now thinking of taking my 29g and removing the back pane of glass that has the 3D background attached to it. Then adding a new pane of glass to what would have been normally the top of the of the tank, and setting it face down to create a wide, shallow(er) sump. Would I have to completely take the tank apart, and re-silicone all the sides and bottom, or would I be able to just add the new glass?

any chance youd just trade the tank? a friend of mine (the big guy that came with us for the rock deal) may have a 29g and a tank w/ Background is always neat.

Yeah I'm up for a trade.

Just forewarning, the background is about an inch and a half thick, and has been set up to accommodate for my canister filter's input/output. If he is planning on running a HoB style filter it most likelye won't fit.

So an update on this build is probably in order.
I ended up getting a 700gph overflow from BRS along with 1" bulkheads and the bit needed to drill for them. I also got 2 Maxi-Jet 400 Power heads for circulation inside the tank (500gph each). I made use of the latest $1/ gal sale at Petco and picked up a 20L for the sump, and I won a bid on a Sicce Syncra 4.0 pump rated at 951 US gph for my return.

So at this point I just need to get the stand built, plumbing done, and a good light for corals. I've been checking out the LED fixtures from Reefbreeders, I'm currently planning on going with that. I may also have to get another skimmer if the one I got with the tank doesn't work out.

Sounds like things are coming together. I think we need to start seeing pics!

I'm also planning on a 10g self contained coral and invert only tank. I'm going to partition one end of the 10g off and turn it into a sump for the rest of the tank. This one will be only corals with maybe a crab or shrimp in it. This will hopefully allow me to pick up and sample a few corals I want to get for the big one while I'm working on getting it put together.

That would be a great little tank.
I had a 3 gal set up the same way. I had a phantom anemone shrimp in it. It was really cute. I also had a tiger goby in it for a while. Did a weekly water change and everything did great for a couple years. Took it down recently.
No skimmer in the 3 gal, but they do make skimmers small enough that might fit into the sump section of the 10 gal.

Well I'm hoping by keeping it just corals and a couple inverts the need for a skimmer would be negated by weekly water changes.

In my opinion and experience, weekly water changes will work just fine.

Maybe I'm being a bit hasty with this but...

I've decided to just set a 10g up with a AC filter modded into a refugium, grab some cured live rock and start up. Reason being is I really want to order this coral [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] before they go out of stock. XD

This will give me time to complete the AIO 10g peninsula set up that I'll eventually move everything over to.[u]

That's a lot for a duncan. Plus $30ish in shipping.

Well, happen to know anywhere local that would have that particular coloration? I'd prefer to buy locally if I can. Next up one my list is to get a nice torch.

Are you a member of reef frontiers?

Nope, I've not even heard of it. I do post on Reef Central a lot, but I haven't been around long enough to use the market yet XD

For me its jiust the right size. Not too big not too small. Good people and lots of frags at good prices. Also talk to eric a OBD

Is it a mainly Seattle area reef forum? I peeked around a little bit, and I'll probably sign up tonight at work.

Washington based