I just got myself a 65g, which is the largest tank that can fit in the little nook I want to have a tank at (first thing you see when you walk through the front door). I am starting with a less than optimal setup that has a canopy that isn't tall enough, only 2 bulkheads for return and overflow, and horrendous plumbing that I am just gonna scrap and start fresh. This will take a number of steps to get exactly how I want it but it will be awesome when it's all done. The overall goal of this tank is to create a fully functional nearly 0 maintenance tank that can run itself for extended periods without any intervention with failsafes and notifications for absolutely anything that could go wrong.
The pics below are the current state of the tank after I put together my durso drain and loc-line return standpipe.
The equipment that will be used is.
- 65 gallon tank with stand and modified canopy
- (3) AI sol blue
- Trigger 26g sump
- Ice cap K2-50 (40-80 gal) skimmer that will eventually be upgraded to one rated for 120+ gal.
- Cheapo return eventually upgraded to COR 15
- (3) finnex titanium 200W heaters
- Neptune WAV
- Cheapo backup powerhead probably a jebao or something.
- 1500 VA UPS for battery backup
- litermeter3 or Avast Diaphram for custom ATO
- Cheapo 5000k LED light for refugium
- evaporative cooling fans, not sure what I'm getting yet
- Apex 2016
- VDM with SOL cable
- Neptune WAV
- Neptune DOS for AWC
- PM2 to check NSW conductivity
- (2) OS-1 hacked in custom cable harness to use DOS optical ports used for ATO
- crapton of float switches to verify level in 30 gal NSW container and 50 gal RODI container, oh $h!t ON sump level high/low and overflow
- momentary, door, and toggle switches for various automation tasks
Future equipment
- calcium reactor or 2 part dosing. I will probably run 3 part using BRS 1.1ml/min pumps from downstairs
- GFO, carbon, and maybe biopellet reactor
Livestock plans are
- 10ish gal worth of life rock started from dry or mature from my biocube
- 70lb sugar sand 3in deep for wrasses and whatnot.
- various coral from my biocube plus whatever I want to add later.
- (2) snowflake clowns
- blood red shrimp
- flame angel
- mandarin goby
- shrimp goby pair
- snails and emeralds
Possible additions (1-3 tops)
- coral beauty
- melanarus wrasse
- lunar wrasse
- small tang (are there any fine in a 65 gal?)
- flasher wrasse
These are all the steps that will need to happen before I transfer over what I have in the biocube and start adding new stuff.
1. Modify canopy with 8" oak board to get extra height
2. Hard plumb between tank and sump/return
3. Create mounting bracket for SOLs.
4. Water test with tap water
5. Drain biocube enough to slide into temporary location so I can set up this tank where it is at right now.
6. Drill through floor for ATO, AWC, and future 3 part lines.
7. Set tank in place and cure new sand and dry rock using starter culture from biocube for about a month.
8. Run tubing for AWC and ATO, set up apex and sensors, and automate the $h!t out of it.
9. Transfer inhabitants and mature rock from biocube to the new tank.
10. Add new stuff and enjoy my ultra low maintenance tank.
The pics below are the current state of the tank after I put together my durso drain and loc-line return standpipe.
The equipment that will be used is.
- 65 gallon tank with stand and modified canopy
- (3) AI sol blue
- Trigger 26g sump
- Ice cap K2-50 (40-80 gal) skimmer that will eventually be upgraded to one rated for 120+ gal.
- Cheapo return eventually upgraded to COR 15
- (3) finnex titanium 200W heaters
- Neptune WAV
- Cheapo backup powerhead probably a jebao or something.
- 1500 VA UPS for battery backup
- litermeter3 or Avast Diaphram for custom ATO
- Cheapo 5000k LED light for refugium
- evaporative cooling fans, not sure what I'm getting yet
- Apex 2016
- VDM with SOL cable
- Neptune WAV
- Neptune DOS for AWC
- PM2 to check NSW conductivity
- (2) OS-1 hacked in custom cable harness to use DOS optical ports used for ATO
- crapton of float switches to verify level in 30 gal NSW container and 50 gal RODI container, oh $h!t ON sump level high/low and overflow
- momentary, door, and toggle switches for various automation tasks
Future equipment
- calcium reactor or 2 part dosing. I will probably run 3 part using BRS 1.1ml/min pumps from downstairs
- GFO, carbon, and maybe biopellet reactor
Livestock plans are
- 10ish gal worth of life rock started from dry or mature from my biocube
- 70lb sugar sand 3in deep for wrasses and whatnot.
- various coral from my biocube plus whatever I want to add later.
- (2) snowflake clowns
- blood red shrimp
- flame angel
- mandarin goby
- shrimp goby pair
- snails and emeralds
Possible additions (1-3 tops)
- coral beauty
- melanarus wrasse
- lunar wrasse
- small tang (are there any fine in a 65 gal?)
- flasher wrasse
These are all the steps that will need to happen before I transfer over what I have in the biocube and start adding new stuff.
1. Modify canopy with 8" oak board to get extra height
2. Hard plumb between tank and sump/return
3. Create mounting bracket for SOLs.
4. Water test with tap water
5. Drain biocube enough to slide into temporary location so I can set up this tank where it is at right now.
6. Drill through floor for ATO, AWC, and future 3 part lines.
7. Set tank in place and cure new sand and dry rock using starter culture from biocube for about a month.
8. Run tubing for AWC and ATO, set up apex and sensors, and automate the $h!t out of it.
9. Transfer inhabitants and mature rock from biocube to the new tank.
10. Add new stuff and enjoy my ultra low maintenance tank.
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