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Mat n Lesley's 1st Reef (1 Viewer)

It's a HOB. I got it before I found that sump super cheap, and I didn't think I was going to drill the tank right away. I'm super glad that I did it before getting any livestock. It is quite and ordeal to drill and I wouldn't want to do try it with a full tank.
I have 21 inches of space from floor to ceiling under the tank. If I can find a cheap, used skimmer in good condition that can be operated and maintained in that height restriction, I'll work out a way to get it in the sump. I wonder if the protein skimmer would pull out alot of the pods I'm trying to culture in the sump 🤔
 
Mathew0 said:
It's a HOB. I got it before I found that sump super cheap, and I didn't think I was going to drill the tank right away. I'm super glad that I did it before getting any livestock. It is quite and ordeal to drill and I wouldn't want to do try it with a full tank.
I have 21 inches of space from floor to ceiling under the tank. If I can find a cheap, used skimmer in good condition that can be operated and maintained in that height restriction, I'll work out a way to get it in the sump. I wonder if the protein skimmer would pull out alot of the pods I'm trying to culture in the sump 🤔
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I have a pretty massive skimmer setup for the 480 reef system ( rated for up to 800 gallons) and run mine directly after my refugiums. I have not seen any pods in my skimmates but wouldn't doubt that some make it through and possibly get dissolved in the skimmate sludges. You definetly have enough room to make something happen, I'm a bit of a freak about finding a way to make something happen, if theres a will theres a way! I should never have been able to fit my skimmer inside my stand but found out a way to make it happen: the cup can come out, if its drained first, but the skimmer body will not be able to be removed unless I take a tank/stand apart now :rolleyes: Take lots of pictures and measurements and I will try my best to help find you some options!
 
What I was thinking were Dino’s was actually GHA. It just looks brown under blue light. I got a bunch of it out and peroxide dipped my loose corals. The fireworks cloves look awful now, not sure if they’ll come back. I added 2 tangs and a new skimmer. I also got a highly discounted dose I’m using for top offs. I lose about 2 gal/day.
 
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I have growing mess in the electrical side. Suggestions are appreciated. I need to reduce the tangle and label the plugs so I know what’s what.
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Just a thought I had... consider putting some press 'N seal above the skimmer. Even whith the drain it will eventually come out the top.
 
So, looks like I can get a 220 gal tank free. Thinking about upgrading. Do you think that sump is big enough for another 100 gallons of tank volume??
 
From what I have read you want something around the 20% side for a sump. I don't see the exact dimensions for the sump but the one image shows it's 36" in length. I am guessing it would be near that 40 gallon mark. The water level from some of your pictures looks pretty high. If you can lower the water volume enough to handle the excess, it will likely work.

Other considerations are the weight and the lighting. Going to be around 3000 lbs after the tank, stand, rock and water. Depending on the dimensions on the 220 your primes will likely not be enough. Look up the spread for the lights in comparison to the tank dimensions. Everything is upgradable but lighting was the one thing I didn't look into enough before upgrading my tank.

Nice looking tank you currently have though!
 
The current sump is 36x14x14, but the water level is at about 10". The BRS calculator says that's about 21 gallons. A fellow reefer is getting rid of a 40 breeder, so I think I'll use that for the sump. The weight shouldnt be an issue. There isn't anything below the floor, not even a crawl space.
Lighting: Currently have 3 AI Prime 16 and a Hydra 52. Supplemental lighting might be necessary. I've seen some hanging kits that have T5s on the outsides and room for HID lights in the centers.
The 220 is 84x25x25. The 125 is 72x18x21. So, it's really not THAT much bigger.
The stand is currently quite small and will have to be rebuilt. I am also open to any input on that. I'll post some pictures below.
 
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The 220 looks like nice dimensions. After a good cleaning and a leak check, it could make for a great display. Hard to tell the glass thickness but you might have to try out those new nero 7s and tell us how well they work!
 
If only AI would give me a great deal on them so I can talk about great their equipment is.
I currently run 2 AI Nero 3's, 1 AI Nero 5, 3 AI Prime 16 HDs, and an AI Hydra 52. So, I'm just saying, sponsor ;)
 
Here is my tank currently. Lights are on white for a better pic
 

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Wow! The 220 is going to be nice. You’ll really appreciate the extra depth from to back.
 
Fish pics!!
Also, fun fact: wrasses like to play underwater volleyball with your frags. Gotta glue them to glass 🤣
 

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Sad update today. Our lawnmower blenny died yesterday afternoon. I fed some pellets for a snack around 4, and he was being his normal goofy self, kissing rocks and glass, I walked by the tank around 6, and he was floating upside down at the base of a rock. I nudged him several times with no response. I pulled him out and inspect him. No signs of disease on body or fins, no bite marks, no bruising, belly was super fat. I read on R2R that this just happens. 😢
 
Bloating from pellets swelling and inability to expel? Just a wild guess, heard something like that with other animals that some struggle with that.
 
That was actually my guess after thinking about it for a couple days. I started throwing some veggie pellets in on sunday that a guy gave me. They are pretty big, and most of my fish cant even get their mouth around them. I stopped, but he could definitely have gorged himself on them in the few days I was using them.
 
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