Justin's 1st Reef System.

[j5hughes]

Hello,

I have 4 months worth of photos showing most of my progress with my 1st reef system. So lets start @ the beginning..... aka the beginning of the end.

 

[j5hughes]

Phase 1

Beef up stand a little prime inside & out, paint black.

Drill hole for 1" drain.

 

[j5hughes]

Phase 1

Build custom overflow box. (have cnc machine @ work )

Let rocks simmer for a while.

 

[j5hughes]

Phase 1

Plumb it!

was way easier to upload photos than actually plumb it.

 

[JohnK]

Nice work.

Is that dual stockman's in the overflow? Can you get closer pics of that whole set up, it looks great.

What size tank is this?

 

[j5hughes]

Phase 1

Realize that 850 or so GPH is too much for a 1" drain, add another.

Try to baffle the sump with out doing proper research so this version did not last long.

 

[j5hughes]

Q & a

Thank you.

yes it is dual stockmans ( thank you BRS( specifically Dave & Gina for that 560 build thread)), Its a 45 G. with 20 G. sump and 20 G. refugium.

More photos to come.

 

[j5hughes]

Phase 1

2nd try @ baffles with 1'' spacing between and from bottom.

Also a few things I tried to arrest the micro bubbles.

 

[j5hughes]

Phase 1

The whole micro bubble thing was very trying, But I did end up winning that battle.

 

[j5hughes]

Phase 2

Add live sand and do rock work.

 

[JohnK]

That's a clever solution for the intake to the pump. I don't think I've seen anything like it before...

For another layer of protection from the annoying microbubbles;
Try taking that manifold like set up and converting it to more of a conventional "reverse duroso", or better yet, two reverse durosos.

The main change being going from the smaller drain pipes (it looks like there are two 1" pipes going into it, and the main body of it is 1.25" or 1.5"). I would make it two seperate assemblies with each going into large/larger pipe (2 x 1.5").

 

[j5hughes]

Phase 2

1st fish. PJ Cardinal, trio of chromis.

 

[j5hughes]

Phase 1

Almost what sump looks like now ( I did change my line from sump pump to refugium after this was taken).

 

[j5hughes]

Phase 1

Basically I spaced the baffles 2", took off that manifold and just dump into the sump. The limited space was my biggest issue, but I have managed to get the micro bubbles down to a very small amount with out a filter sock and practically none with one.

 

[JohnK]

Hey, if it works, it works

 

[j5hughes]

Phase 1

some more shots of the early stages.

Gen-x pcx 30 into oceans motion squirt, into tank via 2 lock line flare nozzles and 2 pacific coast eductors. Return to sump via 2 1" drains with DIY stockmans.

 

[sciknen]

how do you like that squirt?

 

[j5hughes]

OM Squirt

Well I think the thing is great, no need for powerheads in my already small tank, having 4 returns is sweet with different drum options I guess you really do have lots of options for flow. Beyond that the unit seems to be built really well, very simple design, but then again this is my first reef system so I do not have any personal experience with other products or methods. With all that said I would still recommend it.

 

[Rick C]

Looking good. Not too shabby for a first reef tank. Well done.

 

[afboundguy]

Wow that's some nice plumbing... Great job!