Hi everybody! I'm new to SW and just trying to get as much info as possible as I start up my first tank!
The system:
Display: 29g
Stand:
I finally found a stand I like at PetSmart (I think the stand has been the hardest element of this to find! So many of them don't leave any space for a sump of much size, and I didn't want to build my own stand). It's a nice-looking dark wood finish stand. I will have to do a little modification to it, because it has plenty of space underneath, but there is a central support wall running from front to back which pretty much ruins my ability to put a sump of any size in it. I'll be leaving out that central support when I put the stand together, but augmenting the tank's stability with additional supports of my own (that leave plenty of floor space for a sump!).
Sump:
As for the sump, I measured the stand and I'll be able to fit a 15 in there (or a 20xh, if I can find one...I don't think I've ever seen one in stores around here, but maybe I just wasn't looking). It'll have baffles forming three compartments (water input from display, fuge, and return). Right now my plan is to get the display set up with sand and LR and let it get off to a good start by itself while I get the sump going.
Other Equipment:
Lighting: I've ordered this fixture: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+12109&pcatid=12109 with 1 65w 10k and 1 65w actinic. I'm sure many people will say I should go with T5's or MH's, but I'm happy to use these for now and upgrade later. (Besides, I have a 29g freshwater that would love the extra light...or I can just use the spare lighting fixture as an excuse to start another tank!)
Drainage to sump:
Ok, after more (there's always more isn't there?) reading and research, I think I might plan to use an external durso standpipe as seen in this image:
(Image from http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=69372&st=0)
I'm pretty sure, in the endgame setup, I'd still want to use an overflow box, as I've read that they can help keep the water surface clean.
I'm still not totally sure about the purpose of the hole in the top of the end cap, or exactly how it regulates water flow. I like to know exactly how things work so I don't have to just trust everything to work right, but gleaning that knowledge from and image is tricky! Can anybody explain that to me?
So, that's about where I am now. Obviously there's still much to decide on, but I thought that by talking it all out here I might gain some new insights and advice, or see potential problems I've missed. Any and all comments are appreciated!!!
I'll try to keep this thread updated as my tank progresses. Please jump in and offer suggestions and help, I definitely need all the help I can get!!
The system:
Display: 29g
Stand:
I finally found a stand I like at PetSmart (I think the stand has been the hardest element of this to find! So many of them don't leave any space for a sump of much size, and I didn't want to build my own stand). It's a nice-looking dark wood finish stand. I will have to do a little modification to it, because it has plenty of space underneath, but there is a central support wall running from front to back which pretty much ruins my ability to put a sump of any size in it. I'll be leaving out that central support when I put the stand together, but augmenting the tank's stability with additional supports of my own (that leave plenty of floor space for a sump!).
Sump:
As for the sump, I measured the stand and I'll be able to fit a 15 in there (or a 20xh, if I can find one...I don't think I've ever seen one in stores around here, but maybe I just wasn't looking). It'll have baffles forming three compartments (water input from display, fuge, and return). Right now my plan is to get the display set up with sand and LR and let it get off to a good start by itself while I get the sump going.
Other Equipment:
Lighting: I've ordered this fixture: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+12109&pcatid=12109 with 1 65w 10k and 1 65w actinic. I'm sure many people will say I should go with T5's or MH's, but I'm happy to use these for now and upgrade later. (Besides, I have a 29g freshwater that would love the extra light...or I can just use the spare lighting fixture as an excuse to start another tank!)
Drainage to sump:
Ok, after more (there's always more isn't there?) reading and research, I think I might plan to use an external durso standpipe as seen in this image:
(Image from http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=69372&st=0)
I'm pretty sure, in the endgame setup, I'd still want to use an overflow box, as I've read that they can help keep the water surface clean.
I'm still not totally sure about the purpose of the hole in the top of the end cap, or exactly how it regulates water flow. I like to know exactly how things work so I don't have to just trust everything to work right, but gleaning that knowledge from and image is tricky! Can anybody explain that to me?
So, that's about where I am now. Obviously there's still much to decide on, but I thought that by talking it all out here I might gain some new insights and advice, or see potential problems I've missed. Any and all comments are appreciated!!!
I'll try to keep this thread updated as my tank progresses. Please jump in and offer suggestions and help, I definitely need all the help I can get!!
