LightSaberX's Tank

[lightsaberx]

Hi, I'm new here.

I have decided to jump in and convert my freshwater into a saltwater setup.

- I have a 75G tank
- My tank is located outside the terrace with direct sunlight during 1-5pm or until the sun sets.

I'm planning to setup FOWLR first then check if I can integrate corals.

Here's what my tank looks like measuring 4 feet wide.



At first, I did not consider having a sump, but after receiving feedbacks, I might as well setup one.

Things to do and also need inputs:

1. Drill 2 holes for overflow and return pipes - still researching on pipe diameter possibly 1" diameter pipes.
Decided to follow BeanAnimal style overflow. Holes will be drilled by Mang Ramon.

2. Design and get a sump - will a 20G sump be sufficient?
Ordered a customized 25G sump kay Mang Ramon.

3. Buy a pump - still deciding on what brand and GPH, checking 450 GPH, ive read rating should be 6-8 times the total volume? Looking at Jebao 3000L/H 24 Watts or much lower.
Done, already bought the Jebao DC-3000.

4. Water - I plan on using Manila Waters' water + salt mix - still reasearching on the problems if i use manila water's water and the preparations/areation before mixing with salt mix.
Already decided to use RO water from water refilling stations.

5. Buy Sea Salt Mix - looking at blue treasures salt mix
Done, bought 1box of Blue Treasures salt mix.

6. Buy Test kits
Also done. API Saltwater test kit, thermometer and hydrometer.

7. Skimmer, kailangan na ba to instantly for a FOWLR setup or can it be added in once mag reef setup?
Bumili na ko ng Reef Octopus NWB-110

8. Since my tank is getting a direct sunlight, do i still need to have specialized/high quality lighting in case i already integrate corals or the direct sunlight will compensate and just use ordinary aquarium lights?
Still undecided

Sa dami ng information/items/brand na nabasa ko medyo analysis paralysis na.. hehe

Salamat nga pala kay Thurrmac, Mindfreak and Immortalbreaker for initially answering my questions sa other thread.

Planning to buy the necessary items this week.

Hope to get more suggestions/inputs para ma umpisahan ko na ang cylcing. Thanks guys.

[calvin_91993]

Hey! Welcome! Thought I'd give my inputs also.

Things to do and also need inputs:

1. Drill 2 holes for overflow and return pipes - still researching on pipe diameter possibly 1" diameter pipes.

1-inch pipe would be alright for the overflow, 2 or more just in case of blockages. Try and search the calfo or bean overflow. For return, pipes won't be a good idea unless it is one straight pipe because every corner from an elbow reduces flow significantly (don't duplicate my noob mistake ). Use a hose that fits your return pump instead.

2. Design and get a sump - will a 20G sump be sufficient?

No restrictions whatsoever with sump, for as long as the equipment you plan to add will fit, go for it! Bigger sumps just add more to the total water volume which help in keeping water params stable.

3. Buy a pump - still deciding on what brand and GPH, checking 450 GPH, ive read rating should be 6-8 times the total volume? Looking at Jebao 3000L/H 24 Watts or much lower.

I think Jebao DC 3000L/H would work great. That's more than enough turn-over rate.

4. Water - I plan on using Manila Waters' water + salt mix - still reasearching on the problems if i use manila water's water and the preparations/areation before mixing with salt mix.

Is Manila waters tap water? If yes then that would be a bad idea. Based on experiences from some reefers tap water just spells disaster. Better to use RO water.

5. Buy Sea Salt Mix - looking at blue treasures salt mix

Based on my experience Blue Treasure would work great for a FOWLR, but better go Blue Treasure SPS if ever you go on with a full-blown reef.

6. Buy Test kits

Go! Test kits for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, phosphate are quite essential, calcium and alkalinity are optional for now.

7. Skimmer, kailangan na ba to instantly for a FOWLR setup or can it be added in once mag reef setup?

Yes in all Saltwater Tanks a skimmer helps big time, but you can get by without one in FO and FOWLR with regular water changes.

8. Since my tank is getting a direct sunlight, do i still need to have specialized/high quality lighting in case i already integrate corals or the direct sunlight will compensate and just use ordinary aquarium lights?

Yep direct light will do for growth but not much for coloration. If it becomes a concern then you may need to add additional blue lights.

Hope this helps lightsaberx. Good luck!

[seth]

Just to add, if you really are keen on adding corals in the long run, check your average tank temperature first when it is already up and running. If it exceeds 29C, I would discourage you from keeping corals.

I'm not quite sure if the tank would be exposed to rain but do consider that as well.

Goodluck!

[calvin_91993]

[lightsaberx]

Thanks Calvin and Marty, considered your advice.


Right now, my sand and LR are still soaked in salt water and being areated sa container while still waiting for the DT and sump to be set up.



It has been 5 days now and params seem normal. From 60-80 Nitrate during the 2nd day, it is now down to 0. Should I do WC kahit na babad pa lang?

For my overflow and return setup, i decided to go with Bean Animal style.
Here's the plan as sketched in the tank itself. Let me know if may flaws sa design.



Cause of delay ng project ko:
Nahihirapan akong humanap ng bubutas ng tank ko for 4 x 1" holes.
Baka may marecommend kayo na magaling mag drill sa glass within Rizal area or kahit Pasig, susunduin ko na lang. Or kahit saan pero payag mag home service. Let me know the name and number...
Texted Mang Ramon pero nung sinabi ko na may kalayuan hindi na nagreply.

Got another concern, yung stand ko.
Pininturahan ko kasi sya ng Epoxy Marine Coating para iwas rust while inspecting bigla ko na lang naisip kung kakayanin nya ba ang additional load +++kgs then naisip ko din mas prone sa rust yung mga welded joints due to saltwater and baka magcollapse.
Kayanin kaya nito? Angle bars ang ginamit sa stand. Ang construction hindi naka tukod ang aquarium base sa 4 foot stand.



Then another concern, skimmer size.
Yung ilalim ng stand ko has low profile, nung nag measure ako its 14" lang yata para maipasok yung sump but the bigger problem is yung skimmer. Based sa mga nakikita ko online while scouting for what skimmer to buy, mostly matataas ang height nila mostly 18" or higher...
I really need help on this one.. need to get an idea.

These 3 are at the top of my priority to be resolved.

Thanks..

[immortalbreaker]

Try mo pre yun gumawa ng tank ko. siya nag drill nun 4-1" ad 1-1/2" line ko.

Sakto yun hole na ginawa niya para sa male/female 1" adaptor. mag laagay ka lang ng rubber o-ring para maging DIY bulkhead.

Eto number niya. :09069016795.

Alvin Vengco name niya. sabihin mo nirefer ka ni michael castro.

[seth]

Bro, ilang inches yung lapad ng angle bars na gamit mo tsaka ilang millimeters ang kapal? Kunan mo ng pics yung ilalim na support para sa DT. Yung center support kasi para sa sump area parang nakakatakot, mga rods lang na maliit ginamit.

[lightsaberx]

[lightsaberx]

[seth]

Nice, maganda yan pinalagyan mo ng gussets all around. Significant ang benefit niyan sa stability. Lagyan mo rin ng marine plyboard yung papatungan mo ng tank para yun ang sumalo ng imperfections ng stand imbis na styro or mat lang... basta mapinturahan mo siya ng mabuti para di mabulok.

After epoxy pinatungan or papatungan mo ba uli ng paint? If not, I suggest you do so. As per experience of friends, nagkakaroon pa rin daw ng kalawang yan kung walang coat or kahit may coat ng enamel pa lalo pag imperfect ang application.

[thurrmac]

napadaan lang silip nang onte...
ka abang abang to.

[lightsaberx]

After 2 weeks na paghahanap, nabutas na rin ang tank ko --- si Mang Ramon





Sa kanya ko na rin pinagawa ang sump, overflow box na glass and DT cover.

Did the plumbing yesterday and eto na ang finished setup. Currently doing leak testing.




Questions ulit:

1. Mataas ba ang i-iinit kung covered ang DT? Nasa gitna yung cover pero may 2 inches na open sa magkabila? cant go full open baka kawkawin ng pusa namin.

2. Plan ko na mag rockscape later, nakababad yung LRs mga 3 weeks na sa separate containers, do I need to include yung tubig na pinagbabadan or pwedeng new saltwater mix na? Medyo brown kasi yung tubig nung pinagbabadan but im not sure kung kailangan isama for the bacterias. Thinking na pag new saltwater mix restart ang cycling?

3. Safe ba ang Pioneer Aqua Epoxy para madikit ang LR?

Thanks!

[lightsaberx]

Mahirap palang mag aquascape.
This is the best I can do so far with my rocks after several attempts..



On 4th week of cylcing:
pH: 8.4
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 5-10

Malapit na ba?

Thanks.

[aldwin]

wala pa bang update sir....

maganda ang setup ng rocks!

malinis tingnan ang tubig..

close up shot sir pls..

[RonSax]

oo nga.. biglang nawalan ng update