120 Freshwater conversion!

[MuralReef]

So somehow my wife thought that I wanted a freshwater and saltwater tank at home. When she heard that I was good converting the fresh to salt she was all for it! She said she actually prefers saltwater! Let the build begin!

 

[amonchak]

Hooray!!

 

[MuralReef]

Since I only get one I've got to do this right. I'll start writing up some plans tomorrow.

 

[Balz3352]

Yes!!

 

[FinsUp]

WOOT!!

 

[Haddonisreef]

So what are the plan for this set up? Pretty cool when your ready u can pull frags from the school tanks!!

 

[SkyShark]

That's great!

 

[SynDen]

Nice!

 

[MuralReef]

I've already thought of several problems that could cause some delays.
I want to set up a basement sump, but all of my tools currently occupy the space where the sump and equipment would go.
The wiring in this house is a mess. The outlets I would be using for the tank I am certain would be overloaded by the additional equipment.
I am also thinking of running halides but due to the location of the tank I want to keep the hood. So halides will really heat things up.

 

[MuralReef]

Plus I will need lots of equipment.
Skimmer
Lights
Custom overflow
Custom sump
Return pump
Power heads
Plumbing
Calcium reactor or dosing equipment

 

[Dr.DiSilicate]

Even with a hood, with a basement sump, the halides will not hear your tank. The heat will be welcome. My heaters run even on the hottest days. I wish I had a hood to keep some heat in.

 

[MuralReef]

Even with a hood, with a basement sump, the halides will not hear your tank. The heat will be welcome. My heaters run even on the hottest days. I wish I had a hood to keep some heat in.

That's good to know. I hadn't really thought about the cooler basement.

 

[MuralReef]

Here is the tank as it is currently set up. Behind the half wall is the basement where I already have a big Z-rack that can hold a frag tank, top off, mixing tanks, and sump.

 

[MuralReef]

120 Freshwater conversion!

The stand is a standard pine stand which has been painted the same color as the library tank stand at school. I added knobs and made a custom canopy to match. It has two doors on the front but is also hinged so that the front third flips up.

 

[MuralReef]

120 Freshwater conversion!

Right now here are my tentative plans.
Lights: 2-250 watt single ended MH 2-54 watt T-5's
Circulation: 2-wp40's or something comparable
Overflow: Synergy ghost overflow
Return pump: Reeflo Dart
Refugium: 20 long
Frag Tank: 40 breeder
Sump: something simple to house heaters, probes, skimmer, and reactors. Not sure on size but I'm not too worried about this. Maybe just a Rubbermaid stock tank.
QT: 40 breeder
Skimmer: not sure. Maybe an ASM G-4 or similar probably used
My plan is to have the overflow go into the fuge and frag tank and the into the sump. I may leave space in the sump for more macro as a 20 isn't that big. We will see. Right now it's all up in the air as I need to get all of the stuff out of the basement and add a breaker box to add outlets in the basement for this project. I am sure I am missing something but I will adjust as my plans do.

 

[MuralReef]

Getting a BRS RODI and JBJ ATO. I will probably use a spare 29 as an reservoir and another as a saltwater mixing tank. Planning on mixing only 20 gallons of saltwater at a time so that would work perfectly. Plus I have two spare tanks laying around.

 

[sethsolomon]

as for power heads get 2x rw-15's they have a nice wider flow than the wp's.

 

[MuralReef]

as for power heads get 2x rw-15's they have a nice wider flow than the wp's.

I was actually thinking those or the Aquamedics.

 

[MuralReef]

Looks like ASM G-4X will be the skimmer and 100 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank will be the sump. Also picked up the 2-250 watt lights today. This is coming together quicker than I anticipated.

 

[MuralReef]

Now to have someone wire in a second breaker box in the basement to run some electrical.