Where to begin with upgrading this mess

[maxis8]

Hi all,

I've inherited with the task of upgrading/re-organizing this mess of a system from my parents. The tank is 100 gallons. Apparently, the original aquarium specialist was a 'freshwater' expert that plumbed and installed the system, but I don't think that excuses certain errors made, such as only a single outflow. In any case, I'm relatively new and have been watching as many videos to learn the in's and out's of reefing.

With that said, where do I begin with upgrading/updating the following tank?

Some issues I see: no ventilation in the bottom and top compartment, causing a lot of condensation and rust/wood warping (need to cut a vent and install an exhaust fan)

The gray tube is the outflow, and the clear tube is the inflow. The second hexagonal tank is the freshwater auto-top off system.

 

[blecki]

Nothing wrong with a single drain. The dual drain style wasn't really mainstream even 10 years ago - most of us were still running dursos. I still run one on my 75. It looks like the return is already going up over the top so if you were going to add another drain you'd have to drill. You're probably better off with a refugium than whatever is in that bag in the sump; the sump itself is a little under-sized. And that skimmer cup is comically small.

 

[Pod_01]

Just a comment, that actually looks like a very nice clean reef tank so I would be making small changes.

I would try to improve on the ventilation before other upgrades.

Also for the top of you are using RODI water? Fresh water like from tap is not a good idea.

I would not be adding emergency drain if the single outflow configuration works. I am sure it can be done but with full tank, maybe not the best idea.

In my opinion just have fun with the tank and maybe experiment with different reefing methods, foods, corals, fish vs. hardware upgrades.

Good luck,

 

[00W]

The tank looks nice. The water is clear things look happy.
Yeah might be a bit unsightly in that cabinet but the tank seems to be doing fine.
I've never run anything but one in and one out. Ever.
I'd say clean up the mess of wiring, maybe get a bigger sump but I wouldn't go haywire too fast.
Sometimes reading away on the internet just makes for disasters later.
My 2 cents.

 

[maxis8]

Ok thank you all for the feeback!

One issue: I don't know how to deal with is that the outflow has no shutoff valve.

Regarding a larger sump. I totally agree and would love to install one, however, that metal beam in the middle of the tank makes it challenging to fit in a larger sump. I'm not sure how we could go about installing a larger sump given that constraint.


I think that bag is holding some sort of bio media. I guess I should get rid of it?

 

[maxis8]

I've been battling also filter socks getting dirty incredibly quickly, so I might also have to look into a roller filter.

 

[blecki]

One issue: I don't know how to deal with is that the outflow has no shutoff valve.

It doesn't need one.

I think that bag is holding some sort of bio media. I guess I should get rid of it?

It's a good idea to figure out what it is in case it's a kind that needs to be replaced. In a reef tank your rock is the primary filtration. Anything in the bag is either supplemental media or something with a special purpose like carbon.

I've been battling also filter socks getting dirty incredibly quickly, so I might also have to look into a roller filter.

Yeah, welcome to the world of filter socks...

 

[blecki]

Oh and I would look at rehoming that sailfin.

 

[maxis8]

Oh and I would look at rehoming that sailfin.

Any reason you think I should rehome him? Is the worry regarding tank size?

 

[blecki]

Yes. At risk of summoning the tang police, a sailfin tang can grow to be over a foot nose-to-tail and top-to-bottom. That looks like it might be a 4 foot or 5 foot tank? I'd put 6 feet long as the minimum for a sailfin, but the only way that tank is 6 feet long is if it's also way too narrow for him. 6 feet long and 180 gallons really should be the bottom. The tang police won't be knocking just yet but it's something to keep in mind as it grows.

 

[00W]

I've been battling also filter socks getting dirty incredibly quickly, so I might also have to look into a roller filter.

Yep.
I get 3 days out of mine.
Buy a bunch,rinse them, put them in a bucket wash in washing machine no soap.
I rinse mine in water only. I'll get years out of my collection. Other than a skimmer, it's the only filtration I have. They're not too bad if you can get to them easily.

 

[Pod_01]

I've been battling also filter socks getting dirty incredibly quickly, so I might also have to look into a roller filter.

Another option is not to use filter socks or roller.
You can try without one and see if the change is positive or negative.

In established reef tank corals are the best filter you can have.

 

[blaxsun]

Any reason you think I should rehome him? Is the worry regarding tank size?

I wouldn't worry about rehoming him just yet. I've had one for 3 years now and he's one of the smaller tangs in my tank 6' tank (maybe only 4.5" in length).

 

[maxis8]

Ok thanks for the clarification. Yeah he's been in our tank for about 3-4 years. He's been very healthy during the period. Hopefully we can have him for a few more years before looking at selling/rehoming him.

You're probably better off with a refugium than whatever is in that bag in the sump; t

I just got confirmation that it is indeed bio-media that my parents told me is used to help filtration. We can put live rock in there, but wouldn't that require a light (same as with a refugium)?

And that skimmer cup is comically small.

I don't know the model we have down there, but would it be possible to swap the skimmer cup to larger one or would this necessitate a new protein skimmer?

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

What are your parameters? That could help give a clue on what you need to work on if anything. You don't have to worry about replacing a skimmer if your system doesn’t need it. Yes that skimmer cup is laughably small, but how much are you emptying it. On one of my systems I would have to empty that once a day and on another one of my systems it would be once a week. Also the tube coming from your tank to the sump is the "Drain" the tube coming from your sump to your display is your "Return". The additional filtration media in your sump maybe serving a purpose, don't be too eager to take it out. For instance, it may have become anaerobic if the flow is not strong by it, and maybe really helping with your nitrates. This is why knowing your parameters is important.

 

[00W]

You have been gifted a nice,functional up and running system-do not take that for granted and be thankful for that gift for some would love something so special and long running as their first tank, if it is your first tank.
Aspiring for tanks you see on line should not be your goal-every tank is different and special in their own way.
Whatever you do just make sure you go extremely slow with your changes and enjoy your livestock and enjoy the hobby.
Sometimes less is more.
Remember you can close the doors to the cabinet, if it has doors, sit back, maintain and enjoy.
Like I said, tank looks nice.
Joel

 

[kevgib67]

Yes. At risk of summoning the tang police, a sailfin tang can grow to be over a foot nose-to-tail and top-to-bottom. That looks like it might be a 4 foot or 5 foot tank? I'd put 6 feet long as the minimum for a sailfin, but the only way that tank is 6 feet long is if it's also way too narrow for him. 6 feet long and 180 gallons really should be the bottom. The tang police won't be knocking just yet but it's something to keep in mind as it grows.

I haven’t seen the tang police on here in a long long time. I think they got defunded. I’m pretty sure they have been replaced with tang social workers.

 

[00W]

I haven’t seen the tang police on here in a long long time. I think they got defunded. I’m pretty sure they have been replaced with tang social workers.

The social workers are much more understanding.

 

[kevgib67]

The social workers are much more understanding.

Ya, they now just say that they wouldn’t recommend a hippo tang in a 15 gallon.