Tank Progression: 60 gallon

[*GSP*Fan*]

You know where the safe water level is in the sump so shut off the power and wait for the sump to fill, once the tank has done what it does top the sump up to a safe level and power up again. It's the only way I can think that would make sense. Looks like a nice tank, good purchase.

That makes sense. I mean I guess the more water volume the better, in terms of parameters and all. Right now,when the pump is turned off, its about 4 inches or more from the water line to the top of the sump. All that water and plumbing really scares me, its like twice what I'm used to

Oh, and thanks! Pretty excited to have a larger tank and to have found a pretty good deal on one !

On another note, I when I went to my LFS the other day to pick up sand they had a small dogface and porcupine puffer in store, so cute! I want them both so badly!
I'm pretty sure its a no on both of those for my tank...one day though....

[Pufferpunk]

There is a wide plastic pipe inside your overflow. It is the pipe that drains the water into your sump (I forget what it's called). It slides up & down (there's another pipe inside of it). That's how you adjust the height inside your overflow box. If it pulls out when your trying to adjust it, that's OK, it will only drain out the overflow. That's actually how you'll eventually need to clean out the debris at the bottom of your overflow. It can get pretty gross in there.

[*GSP*Fan*]

There is a wide plastic pipe inside your overflow. It is the pipe that drains the water into your sump (I forget what it's called). It slides up & down (there's another pipe inside of it). That's how you adjust the height inside your overflow box. If it pulls out when your trying to adjust it, that's OK, it will only drain out the overflow. That's actually how you'll eventually need to clean out the debris at the bottom of your overflow. It can get pretty gross in there.

I did mess with one of the pipes, sounds like what you're describing but it had a bulb (for lack of a better word) on top that kept it kinda floating.
It would pull up but not stay up, and looked as though there was another pipe inside of this one. I'm sure I'm missing something thats relatively simple but I just don't know what the plumbing/pipes should look like and all inside the overflow.

I'm not home right now, at work, and my memory isn't the greatest as to any real specifics of the overflow at the moment. I need to get a picture too. Just want to make sure all is right in there.

[Pufferpunk]

Yeah, this is hard to do when you're not actually looking at it.

[*GSP*Fan*]

Yeah, this is hard to do when you're not actually looking at it.

Agreed.

I'll try to get some pictures, though I'm not sure how that will work with how its setting now.

If not I will at least explain what I see when I'm actually there to look at it.

I want to get these things taken care of before I actually set it up. I can't think of anything else, pertaining to the actual 90g tank, that is delaying me from setting it up. I don't think I could miss anything else, that I would need to take care of before the switch anyway.. Its just getting this figured out and finding the right time/day to do the switch now that the support is taken care of.

Also, what should I look for in an in sump skimmer? Like in terms of the gallon rating and maybe recommended brands.

A skimmer that would be rated for double the water volume is pretty expensive but I don't want to exactly skimp on the skimmer either.

Edit:Another question, not completely related, but somewhat came up now that I do have a larger tank.

Would a dogface ( Arothron nigropunctatus) be a bad idea in the 90g with 40g sump/fuge? I'm seeing anywhere from 75g to 100g for this puffer. I'd have to say the dogface, maybe porcupine next, are my absolute favorite marine puffers and it came to mind that I *might* could keep on in the larger tank, seeing one at the LFS didn't help either. I'd like to move into my own house in the next 1-2 years, depending, and wouldn't upgrade any larger until then.

Just had to ask, couldn't get it off my mind..

[Pufferpunk]

I wouldn't add ANY large puffer species to a reef tank. You'd be lucky to find a reef-safe toby. Valentini is probably the best choice. Keep dreaming, until you get that house.

That guy didn't give you a skimmer? I thought I saw one. I like my ASM G-2 skimmer, it works great.

[*GSP*Fan*]

I wouldn't add ANY large puffer species to a reef tank. You'd be lucky to find a reef-safe toby. Valentini is probably the best choice. Keep dreaming, until you get that house.

That guy didn't give you a skimmer? I thought I saw one. I like my ASM G-2 skimmer, it works great.

The potential coral damage crossed my mind as well, as it did with the toby. Now I will have the 60g to move corals into in case of any puffer attack at least. Figured I wouldn't do a whole lot more in terms of the corals if I were to add another puffer to this tank because of that risk. I just wasn't sure of the tank size and all. But knew it wouldn't be likely for me to upgrade while I'm living where I'm at. I've absolutely got to move in the next year or so, just too small of a place now with a toddler.

He did have one and basically gave it to me. I told him to begin with it wasn't one I'd want to buy off of him because I know its not a good one. We got to talking about the skimmers and all and he said he'd just let me take that one until I was able to get one. I think its a seaclone or something. I figured I'd use it, or try to for now, until I looked more into getting a good one. I figure I can also set this tank up far enough from the wall to use the HOB skimmer I've already got. The Reef Octopus I have is only rated for 100g so not quite enough for the 90g and sump combined.

I don't recall coming across that skimmer, will have to look now. Is that the one you use on your 90g? You have a 40g sump with it,correct?

[Pufferpunk]

LOL, the Seaclown? No wonder he gave it to you!

[*GSP*Fan*]

LOL, the Seaclown? No wonder he gave it to you!

Yeah, I told him I hadn't heard/read anything good about them. He never used it though, it came with the 90g setup he bought (one I bought) but he got a 120g so never set it up. He was asking $50 for it on his craiglist post so when brought up I told him I didn't want to buy it. He brought it when he brought the tank and all so I've got it.

I haven't tried to start it up or anything yet, I did put it in a bucket with some vinegar and water to clean it up.

Guess I'll start up the tank with the HOB I have, it doesn't fall too short with the rating and I won't really be stocked or anything.

I just want to have it available for the 60g in case, or when, I have to set it up to save some corals. So far so good with the toby though, obviously risking it if I was to add any more puffers....just so tempted to though.

*If* I was to risk it with a dogface, where would that leave me in terms of stocking? No larger fish obviously and I'll obviously wait a bit, especially moving everything over and the risk of mini cycles and all. Just curious, have had some free-ish time and had been looking through liveaquaria and such.

Also, do you think a skimmer rated for around 200g would be sufficient or that I would need to aim for something larger? Price on any rated for 200g isn't
too bad and I may go ahead and order it, once I decide anyway.

[Pufferpunk]

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/ASM-G2.html

[*GSP*Fan*]

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/ASM-G2.html

Thanks. What you use on your 90g?

I just wasn't sure what rating I should go for.

[Pufferpunk]

Yes, it came with my used tank.

[*GSP*Fan*]

I managed to get some photos of the overflow and all last night. Sorry the photos aren't of the best quality. I did the best I could with the location of the tank and the lighting I had. I had to lighten up the photos in photobucket just so they could actually be seen.



With the pipe/plumbing disassembled on the right


Pieces disassembled from the pipe on the right in above photos.


I am assuming I need to add another piece of PVC to the right to keep the water level in the overflow higher thus quietening the flow.

Also thinking it would be best to removed the sponge, if this wouldn't create any issues, because I know it'll need to be cleaned quite regularly to prevent buildup. Not sure about those other pieces.

[Pufferpunk]

The height of that bulb thingy in your hand determines the depth of the water inside the overflow.

I'm assuming you've got this tank running with FW elsewhere, before you start taking down the 60g?

[*GSP*Fan*]

The height of that bulb thingy in your hand determines the depth of the water inside the overflow.

I'm assuming you've got this tank running with FW elsewhere, before you start taking down the 60g?

I figured that, after your last post, but if I lift it up it does not stay. Its very loose inside the PVC it sits in and not very long either. If I add more PVC than it would stay lifted, seems like the simplest solution.

Yes, it is sitting in my kitchen pretty much. Definitely not a good place for it.

I want to get things sorted out, like with the overflow, before I attempt to switch around tanks.