I am more than happy to have a day that everyone can see how to do an minimal aquascape. This would be a great way to show new members and old members that there is not one right or wrong way to start a reef tank!
You could do a Herbie with that set up in the overflow. Could do a Bean Animal but it would require using one of the return holes for a drain.
Couldn't help myself and made up an aquascape. Also I got the plumbing almost done I need the gate valve from brs to finish the overflow drain.
Looks great! Is the far right sump chamber the return pump? Why is there a pipe coming out of the manifold to the filter sock chamber? This tank is going to be a knockout!
Yes the right chamber is the return and the line for the manifold goes to the filter socks is strictly for the reason there was a third hole for a bean animal but I went for a Herbie. And I can't just let it be so i plumbed it in to the return manifold line.
I'm dense. LOL I still can't figure it out. What I'm seeing isn't a drain line but a line coming from your return pump to the filter sock. Am I seeing it wrong? Are the two lines on each side going to the overflow not the return lines? If you don't want to plumb the dry emergency you can just put a short piece of pipe with and end cap glued to it. If I already had the hole and bulk head I would just plumb it in to the middle chamber. If nothing bad happens it' will never see water.
Doc here is the mock up before I removed the main overflow drain. If that helps. But yes there is a line the goes from the return to the filter socks that is just there for my visual appeal. I doubt I'll ever open the ball valve to just circulate sump water. There is a third whole in the sump for a 1 inch drain that would be the bean animal dry emergency overflow.
Tank is up and running! No leaks in the plumbing and the Apex is online. Now the bacteria needs to be added and one large shrimp so the bacteria as something to munch on! There will be a long cycle a minimum of a month before fish are added maybe 2 months before fish.
Looks awesome ! I have some concentrated pure ammonia (Dr Tim's) if you want to avoid the smelly shrimp. Can't wait to see this thing grow up!
Quick update on the tank the light is up, my fish are in from the old system! Now all I have to do is spend more money! I'm going to need another energy bar for the apex possibly 2 of course I will need to get more fish and quarantine them. I have corals but acros need to make grand comeback.
I went through Vanessa...I knew exactly what I wanted and since I wasn't fully moved back I had her order it and keep it at the store for a little bit.
well as "nice" as it is now wait till I get everything buttoned up and its nice and organized. Also don't look at the mess on the floor.....I promise I cleaned it up!