rhang

The Octopus NWB200 is rated for 250gal and should do a good job pulling stuff out. With dual overflows, I would go with a MAG12. -Rey

Can anyone recommend a good custom sump maker? I currently use your standard 29gal 30X12X18 to house the drain, skimmer, and return pump. I want to add a refugium in the middle but there is no more room. Thanks Rey

Jason Thanks for the info. I did not know Mr.Coral also sells tanks.

Tom Thanks for the guideline and pointer.

Thank you all for your suggestions and link to WSSC. It's good to know I am on the right track for a newbie.

Jason, you're right. Contaminated is a poor choice of word as you've proven that tap can be used with success. Sorry if I offended anyone using tap and do not mean anything negative by it. I don't know if you've ever had to fight the algae war but I am in the middle of it right now. So bad that I have to cut my lights totally. So far algae: 1 - me: 0. May be Columbia/Laurel/Ellicott City has better water quality than Montgomey County? I am just trying to eliminate or control the algae bloom I am experiencing.

Hi All My current setup is a 75g DT/30g sump FOWLR using tap water. The tap water will be a lesson well learned as I have ordered a Typhoon from AWI. With RO/DI water soon to be easily accessible, I am going for the real thing, a reef setup with livestock! Here is where I need some good advice from you pros. The current setup of ~60lbs lr/3" ls is contaminated with tap water. I have a 29g laying around I can use as a QT to hold the current livestock while the new reef setup cycles for about 2 months or more if I am mistaken. Can the contaminated 60lbs lr/3" ls be salvaged? Can it be reused in the QT? Can the reef tank use any of it? That seems to be a lot substrate for a 29g? I have thought about several options to take and maybe you can tell me if they're good, bad, or just plain dumb ideas. 1. Scrub and transfer some existing substrate to QT. Add RO/DI to QT. Cycle QT. Transfer livestock to QT. When reef DT cycled, transfer livestock back to DT. Resuse the old cleaned substrate in DT. 2. Dumb idea. Old substrate contains silica, diatoms, high nitrate, and maybe copper. Throw all away. Start all over. The objective for me is to setup the reef tank slow and properly. Option1 will definitely be slow but not proper and end up defeating the purpose of using RO/DI. Option2 may be maybe ignorant and wasteful. Any advice is greatly appreciated -Rey

Hi All I am looking for a tank. Can someone recommend a good custom tank vendor? If you make custom tanks, please introduce yourself. Thanks Rey

Thanks everybody!

I thought I could get away with not using RO/DI and have a normal setup. Wrong! Can you share some info on brand/model of the unit you guys are using? Thanks Rey

Hello All I just got my 75g fowlr tank all setup. It's been running for about two weeks. The brown algae has arrived. Can someone share some insight into how I can either eliminate or control these diatoms. System Profile Duration: Running for two weeks Substrate: 50lb live rock + 3in live sand bed Lighting: 1 54w marine glo + 1 54w power glo bulbs Water: dechlorinated tap + Instant Ocean salt Filter: Octopus 200 skimmer Live Stock: 4 chromis + 1 flaming angel (for now) A 15% water change was done a couple of days ago. I have strong indicator that the lighting is contributing to the brown algae's growth. It seems that only on top surfaces of the live rock where light hits directly do I see the brown algae. I have done some research and evidently not good enough. Short of using RO/DI and/or mangrove plants in the refugium, how can I deal with this brown algae outbreak in a cost effective way. Please help me if you can. Thanks. -Rey

Seems a lot of people use Lowes and ACE, brick and mortar wise. I will check them out then all the other online sites. Thanks -Rey

I am located in Clarksburg, MD. BTW, congrats on your TOTM. I have been studying your setup. -Rey

Hi All I am a newbie trying to start my first 75g tank. The DIY stand just got done. Now I am ready for the plumbing phase. Home Depot doesn't have much of a selection when it comes to pvc fittings. Can someone recommend stores that carry these plumbing parts? Thanks in advance. Rey