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My 155 gallon bow front

C

CABJ1970

I wanted to show my progress because when i just started out I enjoyed reading other people's project. So here I go.

I started the tank in the beginning of March which i bought cheap from a local aquarium store. The measurement are 72X24x24. I have about 125 lb of "live" Aragonite Reef Sand with about 200 lbs of live rock that I purchase from many people from this forum. Thanks everyone!!! I also create two towers of LR which I got the insperation from someone from reef central. That process was time consuming but well worth it. I just drilled 1inch holes in several LR and installed a PVC pipe straight thru with a PVC pipe stand under it. You can not see the stand because its under my sand. I made two towers and put it on each corner of my tank to create some type of valley. My sump is a general Model 4 MegaFlow Sump with about 15 lbs of rumble LR and 5lb on sand in once chamber with a 300 watt heater and a cheap lamp w/5500k daylight lamp. I will be putting in Chaeto macro algae soon when I can find it. My light are three MH 250w with the two outer being 10K and the center is 20K.

Finally I am in the process of looking for a inexpensive but functional protein skimmer for my sump and at least two larger power heads to create more movement in my water.

Here are my pic with just the water and LR. Fish and some coral will be coming soon.

Tank
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd228/cabj1970/Tank.jpg

Sump
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd228/cabj1970/sump.jpg

Tank corner to see my towers
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd228/cabj1970/Sidetowers.jpg
 
MikeNapoli

MikeNapoli

I suggest 2 Korallia 4 pumps/powerheads. And depending on what kind of return pump you have you might want to add more.

As far as a skimmer, if there is any part of the tank that you don't want to use the word "inexpensive" on it's that. Don't go cheap on the skimmer. Break the bank. I went cheap with a coralife skimmer and I regret it more than any other mistake i've made.
 
MikeNapoli

MikeNapoli

All depends on your sump, budget, skimmer preference (insump or outofsump). Always get a skimmer that skims more than your tank. Like your tank is a 155 + sump volume... so you want a skimmer that does 250gallons or 300 gallons .. that would be ideal.

For in sump (still depending on the size of your sump) ASM Gseries. Either the ASM G3, ASM G4 or the ASM G4+.

For an out of sump the MRCII would be a great skimmer. But you have to buy the pump seperate.

These are just my opinions.

What's your budget?
 
Hawkeye

Hawkeye

Nice rock set up. Do you have "in progress" pics of you building /drilling the LR? I'm curious what size PVC you used and what the PVC base looked like.

The sump - are those bio balls staying or going?

The lighting - those "legs" - are they secure holding up the light like that?

btw - just wait a few weeks - there is ALWAYS someone looking to unload chaeto or caulpera on this board. Just make sure if you get caulpera - it isn't the invasive kind that is causing all kinds of problems in california.
 
C

CABJ1970

Phil519, I am sorry i do not have the pic. i was so focus on getting it right I forgot to take more step by step photos. Goto this site

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-10/totm/index.php

and this is were I got most of my information from. I am keeping the bio ball in the sump for now. The light stand was another inexpensive DIY that i got from someone on the NJreefer.org. They are just 20in 2x4 painted black that goes from the back to the front of the tank. I also have L bracketts to help secure it.

I still have to get a killer skimmer and to powerheads to move more water. Thanks!!!!
 
Hawkeye

Hawkeye

if you can't wait until the group buy - might save you some...speaking of which - have you considered signing up to be a member? I think it'll definitely be worth your while....
 
C

CABJ1970

MikeNapoli,

I was looking at a few skimmer like the Euro reef, MSX, ASM and just recently an ETSS Evolution 500 with a Map 9.5 because someone locally is selling a used.

I am just looking for something that will do the job well, user friendly, quite and will not heat my tank water up in the sump.

I guess I want a lot. Are you familiar with those other skimmer?
 
C

CABJ1970

I just received my new MSX200. This thing ROCK!!!!

MVC-001F.jpg


IMG]http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd228/cabj1970/MVC-003F.jpg[/IMG]
 
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