octocoral.com

setup

Tank: Oceanic 58 gallon reef ready with a custom 36" tall oak stand and 10" tall oak canopy
Skimmer: Trigger Systems TS150 driven by a Mag 9.5
Lighting: Giesemann Nova II with 150 watt 10,000K HQI bulb and PFO 2x96 watt PC retro kit. Lights and two 4" Ice-Cap fans in canopy controlled by a DigitalAquatics ReefKeeper.
Circulation: Mag 9.5 return pump
Sump: Custom built sump with refugium from Trigger Systems

Here are some pictures of the tank as it was set up.

Here is the tank on the stand with the doors removed.

The first test fill out in the garage to test for leaks and see if the overflow can keep up with the Mag 9.5.

Meanwhile the plumbing was being mocked up back in the house to determine how high to lift the skimmer and to make sure I had all the necessary fittings.

The sump was custom built by Trigger Systems based on the design I worked out with them. Because the 58 gallon is only 36" wide, there isn't much room for a standard sump and skimmer unless the pumps and skimmer sit inside the sump. To get around this the pumps and skimmer are at the same end of the sump and the water flows down the front and then along the back.

It turned out better than I could have hoped for. Now I have to get everything plumbed up for a real test run.

Lighting for now is a 2x96 watt PC retro kit.

Once I take my old 25 gallon down, the metal halide pendant will be mounted in between the PC bulbs.

The PC bulbs and reflectors and spaced off the top of the canopy with some 1" coupling nuts. At first they were mounted directly to the top of the canopy, but the refectors were getting too hot to touch. With the extra airspace they just get slightly warm.

To help keep things cool the canopy has a 4" Ice Cap variable speed fan at each end.

An acrylic drip pan keeps spills contained. This is a lifesaver when first testing out the plumbing.

Here it is with all the plumbing complete inside the stand.

The waste collector sits on top of the drain section cover.

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