80 gallon build help

[pincrusher73]

Hello All,

Hope everyone is enjoying all this heat we are having in GA!!! But anyways I got lucky and scored a 80 Gallon tank for free and I was going to create this thread to get some ideas on how I should start it off. I'm going to have to build a stand, sump, and everything. So here are my first questions, What size sump do I need? I want everything to be over what is recommended because this will be my first Saltwater Reef Tank and I don't want to screw up!! And question 2 is Ive done some research on DIY stands and really don't seem to find anything that strikes my eyes and was wondering what you guys on here have done. So any input and information is greatly appreciated!!! Thanks in advance!
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[cr500_af]

A typical sump under an 80g tank would be something around 30 gallons, but there is not a "rule". Larger is better as long as it fits in the stand and gives you room to work in there. You'll find out pretty soon that extra room for your equipment is fantastic, especially when you are talking about under a stand. Don't forget to allow room for anything that may have to go under the stand but OUTSIDE the sump... external skimmer, reactors, electrical, ATO reservior etc.

 

[rorad]

Awesome deal! Good Luck with your setup. :yay:

 

[texhorns98]

I just built a stand and there's another thread on here about one for a 120g. What I did, was just build the crap out of a frame with 2x4s and then "skinned" it with very nice sanded plywood that I handpicked at HD. If you're going to paint it as opposed to stain it, that should suffice. I can email you some pictures of it "in progress" if you'd like, or post them here.

For the sump, the biggest you can fit in there is the way to go. If you're building your own stand, you're really only limited by what kind of footprint you want to give up in the room.

Is this tank drilled? Does it have an overflow already in it?

 

[pincrusher73]

Thanks for the info th tank is not drilled and there are not any overflows I'm more than likely going to attempt to drill it myself they used the tank for turtles and went to a 120 I haven't got the tank yet I will get it this week but I'm just hoping that it isn't tempered glass. One thing also do you have to have a overflow even if you drill a tank I'm confused on that part. Btw I'm UGA through and through but I also love my horns too!!! Haha!

 

[texhorns98]

I would first water test the entire tank. Most likely, you'll be fine. Then, you need to find out if the bottom glass is tempered (no idea how to do that). If it is, no worries, you can always drill the back! You DO need an overflow box of some sort to prevent your tank from completely draining. I suppose you could have a back drain up really high with no overflow box.

 

[rorad]

I have 125 gallon that I will be selling soon but when I got it, it wasn't drilled and the bottom was tempered. Had it drilled in the back up high with 2 1" drains and 2 3/4 returns. Also, had a closed circuit drilled in
the back also. Ran well when I had it going. Just ran all the pipes in the back down to the sump.

 

[pincrusher73]

what do you mean by closed circuit? did you drill a return on th opposite side?

 

[brianjfinn]

These should help. Spend just a few minutes looking over this site. There is a whole lot of good information that'll help you get started:

http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html">http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html</a>

[IMG]http://www.melevsreef.com/make_a_sump.html">http://www.melevsreef.com/make_a_sump.html</a>

[IMG]http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html">http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html</a>

Hope that helps!

 

[rorad]

Sorry closed loop not closed circuit. Basically, it's just a way to add more flow to your tank by running an additional pump and plumbing to your system.