210 display with 100gal basement sump build

[Michael White]

So I’ve been putting together my 210 that I refurbished. This is my 5th reef tank, and 3rd bare bottom. Started scaping-> dropped rock and scratched glass. Removed scape, polished glass, changed some plumbing runs, and tonight I did the freshwater leak and function test. Super happy with my modular marine 1800 gph overflow, the return setup with hidden spraybar I DIY’d and put under a brace, and panworld 150ps pump. You’ll see from pictures I DIY’d a trickle tower in the sump to try it out - Wow is it loud in this size with this much flow! Probably taking that out for some socks and reuse the 600 bioballs in bags in the sump. I already purchased 4 viparspectra 165w led fixtures( I’ve had good results with them before) for lighting, hood to be constructed -> because I hate led sunburns to my retinas as I view the tank from my couch. For flow in the tank I have 2 maxspect xf 350s which I plan to orient vertically. Overall the tank is setup like a peninsula, but with 2 viewing panes. Trying to keep all of the equipment on one end. Going barebottom with minimalistic rockwork, and reverse lighting cycle refugium in the sump. Going to run a remote sand bed in the refugium section of the sump in a removable trough. Still debating my skimmer and open to ideas. This will be an SPS dominant tank with lps in the bottom. Thanks for any advice and help.

 

[Devaji]

So I’ve been putting together my 210 that I refurbished. This is my 5th reef tank, and 3rd bare bottom. Started scaping-> dropped rock and scratched glass. Removed scape, polished glass, changed some plumbing runs, and tonight I did the freshwater leak and function test. Super happy with my modular marine 1800 gph overflow, the return setup with hidden spraybar I DIY’d and put under a brace, and panworld 150ps pump. You’ll see from pictures I DIY’d a trickle tower in the sump to try it out - Wow is it loud in this size with this much flow! Probably taking that out for some socks and reuse the 600 bioballs in bags in the sump. I already purchased 4 viparspectra 165w led fixtures( I’ve had good results with them before) for lighting, hood to be constructed -> because I hate led sunburns to my retinas as I view the tank from my couch. For flow in the tank I have 2 maxspect xf 350s which I plan to orient vertically. Overall the tank is setup like a peninsula, but with 2 viewing panes. Trying to keep all of the equipment on one end. Going barebottom with minimalistic rockwork, and reverse lighting cycle refugium in the sump. Going to run a remote sand bed in the refugium section of the sump in a removable trough. Still debating my skimmer and open to ideas. This will be an SPS dominant tank with lps in the bottom. Thanks for any advice and help.

^ what is that on your stock tank? DIY filter or custom made thingy? how do you like the basement sump with stock tank?

 

[Michael White]

Yeah, it was a DIY trickle filter. The plan was use the bioball filled trickle filter and then export remaining nitrates with a big refugium filled with chaeto. Fortunately I did a fw test run and the thing was really loud. So I pulled that out and I’m building a big sump baffle and using two 7” socks. Should have it all up by the end of this weekend. Other than that I love the basement sump setup, well worth it to keep the wet smelly and noisy parts out of the area we enjoy viewing the tank. Also that it allows for such a large sump.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Like the setup

 

[Devaji]

Yeah, it was a DIY trickle filter. The plan was use the bioball filled trickle filter and then export remaining nitrates with a big refugium filled with chaeto. Fortunately I did a fw test run and the thing was really loud. So I pulled that out and I’m building a big sump baffle and using two 7” socks. Should have it all up by the end of this weekend. Other than that I love the basement sump setup, well worth it to keep the wet smelly and noisy parts out of the area we enjoy viewing the tank. Also that it allows for such a large sump.

glad you did a FW test on that.

i keep debating on basement sup or not. would have to drill through our new floor...
keep us post good sir. I would like to see what you do.

 

[Michael White]

glad you did a FW test on that.

i keep debating on basement sup or not. would have to drill through our new floor...
keep us post good sir. I would like to see what you do.

I’ll do an update once it’s all back together. Yeah I had to work up the nerve to cut my flooring. Measured like 10 times to cut once

 

[Michael White]

Had some cleanup to do after Hurricane Zeta, so I’m behind schedule. But got my new filtration setup installed(to 7” socks), baffle built, and tank filled with saltwater. Broke the seal on my baffle, so now I have to drain the sump, reinforce it so it won’t flex, screw in place above water line, and then refill sump after the silicone cures. Oh and the scape is done. Minimalist for plenty of room for corals, adding 100lbs of live sand to the sump.

 

[ShepherdReefer]

Going to be super nice. awesome so far

 

[Michael White]

Got my sump baffle reinforced and back in, emergency overflow pipe repositioned, drain manifold reinforced, and sump back in. Added live sand, seeded tank with brightwell’s bacterial starter, and dosed fritz ammonium chloride to start fishless cycle. Also got my gravity fed top off float installed in the sump, makeup ro and salt mixing tank and stand prepped - plumbing on that to start tomorrow. They will share a manifold feed to the float valve for auto refill during water changes. Thinking about building a small spray proof cabinet onto the sump stand to the left of the return pump for my power strip. I think that would be better than behind the sump. Will be adding a refugium light hanging off of that back framed out wall in the future. Any opinions appreciated.

 

[Bleigh]

Looks great! Makes me miss my basement!

 

[Michael White]

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Build update: The basement fish room is complete. Have my two QT tanks for fish and coral setup, lighting, electrical done, and top off and salt mixing tanks plumbed. Everything tested and works. Tank completed nitrogen cycle last week. First batch of fish will be going in the Quarantine Tanks Tuesday. Will post an update then. Holding off on coral frags until all fish on my stocking list have been through Quarantine and are in the Display Tank so I can use both tanks for that. My canopy and lights are next on the build progression.

 

[Michael White]

Update time! I have most of my fish in the tank and finally finished my canopy. The cold weather delayed varnishing the wood in my garage. My corals are acclimating/quarantining in a tank in my basement.