Silvergumby's 65g Tank Build

[Silvergumby]

I decided that a 12 gallon Nanocube wasn't enough (probably like most of us here), so I decided to start a new tank, just slightly larger. I went all out on the new setup, but stayed at the 65 gallon tank size because I'm planning on moving in a year or so. I figured moving a 125 or 180 would be way more difficult than moving a 65.

 

I debated on sizes, styles, brands, and finally decided on an Aqueon combo 65 gallon tank and stand. I like the dimensions of the tank (36 inches wide x 18 inches deep x 24 inches high) and I thought the stand looked nice. So I literally stuffed the tank and stand in the back of my Ford Edge (it just barely fit):

 

I found a place in my house where I'm hoping the floor can support all the weight (estimated 950 pounds for total setup):

 

Eventually I decided on an ADHI Model 30 Refugium. I was a little surprised at how tight the fit was under the tank, but I decided to try to make it work:

 

I live on the second floor of a two family house, so I wanted an overflow system that would nearly eliminate the chance of water overflowing from the tank or refugium. I decided on a 700 GPH overflow system from Glass-Holes.com.

 

I put off drilling the hole through my brand new tank for about 3 weeks until I felt brave enough to give it a go. Note the cigarettes and Mountain Dew in the background which helped me through drilling the hole!

 

As for water movement, I decided on two 1050 GPH Hydor Koralia Evolution Powerheads; one on each side.

 

I installed the overflow drain using black ABS piping:

 

I chose a Reef Dynamics INS Series 80 Protein Skimmer, mainly because my LFS said they were pretty good skimmers and the acrylic used in the skimmer is cast (not extruded), which is said to reduce friction in the skimmer chamber.

 

The skimmer just fits inside the first chamber of the refugium, but it should work. Upon reading the Owner's Manual for the protein skimmer, I noticed that the skimmer's ideal operating water height is 6.5 inches. My refugium's bulkhead is 12 inches high. I ordered some acrylic pieces and assembled a stand for the skimmer:

 

Now the skimmer is positioned in the first chamber at a height that should allow for the 6.5 inch operating height. Unfortunately, I don't think I can put the shelf or the doors back on my tank stand. Oh well.

 

I chose an 1100 GPH Mag Drive Circulation/Return Pump for the last chamber of the refugium. I know the overflow box is rated for 700 GPH, but with a four foot head and a couple of 90-degree bends, I'm assuming I won't get 1100 GPH at the U-Tube return spout.

 

You can't see it in the picture above, but I placed a JBJ True Temp 300 Watt Titanium Heater under the mechanical sponge in this chamber. The picture below are the controls.

 

This is the refugium all set up:

 

Learning from minor complications in controlling the equipment in the 12 gallon setup, I decided on using a 7 outlet powerstrip with 6 individually switched outlets. I labeled them for convenience!

 

OK. So all I need now is the lighting system. I'm still deciding on which lights to get, but I'm probably going to go with an Acan A101AC-36B, mainly because they are programmable (up to 6 program settings) and because they flip up for access to the inside of the tank.

 

Hopefully this week I'll start adding the water!

[thermosts]

Where are you at with the set up, got water in it yet? I'm putting together a 65 myself.

[Silvergumby]

Right now I'm curing live rock. I put 50 pounds of Tonga and Bali Alor in it, but it seemed to be missing something. I ordered 20 more pounds of Gulf Live Rock, which is very cool. I should have bought all my rock from him. Ammonia is still too high to add anything living in it. I'll post a picture of the rock soon.

[Silvergumby]

Total live rock to date is roughly 85 pounds. 35 pounds of it came from Gulf Live Rock, which had sponges, clams (and other bivalves), some coral-type structures, tube worms and macro algae attached to it. 100 pounds of Gulf live sand was also added to the tank and the refugium. I decided to go with AquaIlluminations Sol lighting system (2 Super Blue Modules).

 

 

This system is pretty high-tech. It has a controller that's fairly easy to use and to modify. There's even a setting for a "lightning storm." It was costly ($1,184) but the Acan system would have run over $1,500.

[thermosts]

I'd be careful with the lightning storm mode. Another reefer was telling me about a problem he was having with his lights and controller. Something with the controller caused the lights to give a quick flash when they were off. The flash spooked the fish and some of them jumped out of the tank.

[captainbastard]

Nice, how is that skimmer doing so far? It was between that and the Nac7 for me

[Silvergumby]

The skimmer is pretty durable and seems strong. Also very easy to set up and use. The one problem I'm noticing now is a decrease in performance due to Calcium dosing. Apparently calcium dosing affects all skimmers, so I'll have to take apart the pump and soak it in vinegar and water for a day to remove the build-up. Other than that, I'm very happy with it.