50g sca starfire sps reef build (taking it very slow)

[Joker]

Ya lol
Cheapest you’ll find is jebao pumps. Dcp line is super quiet.

I just ordered a Dcq 3500 so stoked to try this thing out it says it not gunna come in until after Christmas though. I do like the feature of being able to turn down the flow and I won’t have to worry about finding a gate valve around me(no store ever has one)

 

[Chris A.]

If you’re talking about a gate valve on a herbie/beananimal overflow, you’ll still need it. Not necessary on return

 

[Joker]

If you’re talking about a gate valve on a herbie/beananimal overflow, you’ll still need it. Not necessary on return

No I use to use them to dial back the flow on the return pumps back then for quieter drains. But I won’t have to now

 

[Joker]

Is ge silicon #1 still good to use on aquariums?

 

[Richard Kagen]

You talking about the pump below? I am running 2 of them on my 60 dialed way back. I plan to use the same sump and arrangement on the 120 I am building. They work great, but running Ca in the mid to high 400s does create issue. I have to burn them out with citric acid every 60-90 days or they just stop. Having the same issues with the UV sleeve, Jebao wave makers and heaters

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075L8GR69/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Joker]

Here’s a little progress today. I cleaned up the tank a little more, placed the tank in permanent location and gutted the sump so I can redo it over. I also started the process of siliconing the edges again. Swapped out the original hinges they was just pure rust(see pics). I will be doing the baffles later tonight once the current seams dry. Let me know what you guys think so far, I know it’s not much but hey I did say it was gunna be slow lol.

 

[Zach0918]

Looking good, I almost took apart the sump before snagging a used trigger cube on here, looking forward to seeing what you do with it. My hings are pretty rusty too, any chance you could share which you used? Was it a simple remove and replace? Thanks!

 

[Ttran102]

Looking good, I almost took apart the sump before snagging a used trigger cube on here, looking forward to seeing what you do with it. My hings are pretty rusty too, any chance you could share which you used? Was it a simple remove and replace? Thanks!

I had the cadlight and the hinge is really easy to remove and replace.

 

[Joker]

Looking good, I almost took apart the sump before snagging a used trigger cube on here, looking forward to seeing what you do with it. My hings are pretty rusty too, any chance you could share which you used? Was it a simple remove and replace? Thanks!

Thank you. I forgot the brand of the hinges but all I did was go to my local Lowe’s and matched the screw holes. I also matched the piece the sits in the door to make sure it will fit. They where very easy to remove it was just a matter of cleaning all the rust off of the door and frame.

 

[Joker]

I finished the sump the other day. I made it a standard style nothing fancy lol. 1st chamber is drain and skimmer, 2nd chamber is fuge, 3rd is return pump. I did get a few pieces of equipment in. I got my jebao dc pump and I tested it out in the tub and man this thing is strong. Also bought my lights off a member here and I’m so excited to use these thing, it’s so strong and I love the settings I can use. I started the plumbing and will post the pictures once I have finished.

 

[Joker]

Also did my screen top early lol here’s the pictures. I made it so I still have the look of a rimless but I have my screen top for protection.

 

[FishieBusiness]

Also did my screen top early lol here’s the pictures. I made it so I still have the look of a rimless but I have my screen top for protection.

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I love the look Where did you get the materials for the frame? Looking forward to seeing water.

 

[PSU4ME]

Very clutch. I swear when there is an open top every fish jumps.

 

[Joker]

I love the look Where did you get the materials for the frame? Looking forward to seeing water.

Thank you. I got most of it from bulkreefsupply and I got the corners from a online store. But I found out later that bulk reef sells the same corners as well. The only thing I wish I could change on the screen top is to have black corners instead of white, Which bulk reef sells. I can’t wait either. I’m just happy to be back in this hobby

Very clutch. I swear when there is an open top every fish jumps.

Thank you. That is very true I have lost plenty of fish to not having a lid or just forgetting to put it back on lol.

 

[Joker]

Playing with the rocks today let me know what you guys think. Some of the pictures it looks like the rocks are hanging way over the tape but I ran a extra piece of glass I had from the sump along the inside line of the tape and only one spot is. I will have to push the rock scape 1/2” towards the front left corner. This isn’t the finale scape unless the wife approves of it then it will haha. Please pay no attention to the mess in the background wife had a friend stay over and she through her stuff in that corner.

Right side

Front

Left side

Angled front view

Top view

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Very nice job on that lid. The screen kits are totally the way to go.

Those new stand hinges are so shiny!

Did you secure the archway rocks with epoxy or whatever, or are they just balanced naturally?

 

[Joker]

Very nice job on that lid. The screen kits are totally the way to go.

Those new stand hinges are so shiny!

Did you secure the archway rocks with epoxy or whatever, or are they just balanced naturally?

Thank you and they are shiny lol hopefully I can keep them that way. I will be fixing them with epoxy once it comes in this Thursday

 

[Joker]

Epoxy came in today and I have fixed all the rocks now to let them dry and cure before I place into the tank. I did a water test on the tank today to see if there is any leaks and so far it’s looking great. I do have to get some shims to lift the back of the tank just a little. Here’s pics of the tank with water in it (I wish it was salt already).

 

[Spooky]

Really like the rockscape you laid out. Nice mix of hiding and open swimming places. Especially like how much the scape changes depending on your viewing angle.

 

[Joker]

Really like the rockscape you laid out. Nice mix of hiding and open swimming places. Especially like how much the scape changes depending on your viewing angle.

Thank you. The main middle structure I’m thinking will be all sps coral with maybe some zoas or acans at the bottom. One of the smaller structures will be for my wife acans and the other will be for my nem I will be getting.