View Full Version : 1st pics of
my Mother Colony Grow Out Tank 72"x30"x15"H.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Full_tank.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tank2.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tank5.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tank4.jpg
Pics taken of this tank where by Carl Glasser with his dig cam thanks Carl.
I will add the other 13 tanks when people come to visit me if they take pics for me or untill i get my own Dig Cam.
The system was set up in May 2000.
Its been very hard for me in many respects the building up of the SPS coral propagation system.
I had no support as in financial or free help (SimonH has always been helpful over the years) I had no commercial base so no chance of getting corals at trade prices (no Pet licence only keeping corals which are invertabrates) no donations of corals except a few frags I exchanged to increase my species level.
Not owning a shop I am not known or have a customer base or advertise and not being in bussiness there are many disadvantages.
But My plan was to propagate SPS corals I had problems with the system which took time and money to correct which set me back on the time scale of buying corals so a lot of frags where grown out to stock corals and exchanged frags are kept and grown out as stock corals also the aim is to collect 150 to 200 species of SPS corals.
The propagation system now consists of a 3 tier wooden rack support holding 14 tanks plus a sump tank *36"x30"x30"H which feeds the whole system.
The Top tier has three tanks that measure 72"x30"x15"H two 400w 19"x19" hydroponic reflectors over ( Pro-Ultralite Lighting System ) each tank 6 system in total.
one 48"x30"x15"H one 36"x30"x15"H two 150w twin units over these two tank I may upgrade to 250w over these two tanks sometime in the future.
The first top tank *which is 72"x30"x15"H feeds into the first bottom tank which is 72"x30"x18"H which has eggcrate sitting on lengths of 1" dia pipe running from front to back then 4" of crushed coral grain sizes of 2mm to 4mm that sits on top of the eggcrate which has a fine mesh between eggcrate and crushed coral.
The remaining top tanks feed directly back to the sump.
The middle tier has three tanks that measure 72"x30"x15"H one tank has a 3 250w unit over it the other two tanks each have 3 150w over them
one 48"x30"x15"H one 36"x30"x15"H they have 2 150w over each of them.
The first middle tank *which is 72"x30"x15"H also feeds into the first bottom tank which is the 72"x30"x18"H plenum.
The remaining middle tanks feed directly back to the sump.
The first bottom tank 72"x30"x18"H *(triple 150w unit) plenum feeds into a 48"X30"x18"H (double 150w unit) plenum tank that then feeds into a 72"x30"x18"H (triple 150w unit) plenum tank then that feeds into a 36"x30"x18"H (double 150w unit) plenum tank which then feeds into the sump sump has no lighting.
The top and middle rows of Tanks are fed from the sump by a ITT Marlow JEC series Argonaut 1 speed
J75ec 1 phase pump 0.37kw This pump delivers 8.5 cubm/hr of water against a 10m head, shut off head is 15m and self priming head is 2.6m. This is a very reliable high performance unit suitable for continuous operation in freshwater, marine systems and even some corrosive chemical applications.
A 3 phase 6kw Inline titanium heater is fitted to the pipework output of the pump.
Lighting over the tanks are all Metal Halides ranging between 400w 250w 150w all the plenum tanks have 150w over them.
The first inline 72"x30"x18"H plenum tank (not mentioned) broke several months ago I will not replace it as it gives me extra space in this cramped garage hopefully it will not have any adverse effects once I have every tank full of sps frags and mother colonys.
The sump holds an deltec AP 703 deltec skimmer that is rated for For Aquariums up to:
Heavy Stocking 2000 Ltrs (uk444 gals)
Normal Stocking 3000 Ltrs (uk667 gals)
This is not in use but there as a back up and used for 24 hours when doing a fragging sesion of a 100+ frags in one go but I only run 2 of the pumps on the skimmer in that situation then after 24 hours its turned off.
Also all the top and middle tanks have an inch depth of very fine sand not all yet as not all tanks have corals in them yet but slowly adding to the rest cost is the reason. plus all these tanks have some rock work at the back and sides that have sand in them.
I find that when I need to start using more tanks I turn the bank of lighting on over those tanks they go through an algae phase and the sand and rocks seem to help give a balance to each tank even though they are on a cetralised system once the infauna and fauna is diverse enough.
Extra pumps are added to tanks once I bring the lights on when I have filled up existing tanks that are lighted ready to stock with more frags.
A large 3 speed industral fan is fitted into the wall that is on a timer (I tried temperture control and humidity controlers but found they did not do a very good job of controling humidity levels)
I have settings for the timer for summer and winter to regulate air temp and humidity levels to my liking also in the summer the fan is set at its lowest setting in winter it is set at the middle level setting.
I have no insulation in the garage and in my situation I think that insulation would have caused more problems.
I upgrade all my electrics (my electrician name of *sparky on this board :D did a great job)
Very important to have weather proof switches, connections, junction boxes, distribution board covers etc etc.
LOL I am lucky to be alive from when my electrics where not weatherproof.
Just pulling out or pushing in a plug into or out of a socket with damp hands I got electric shocks at times.
And all the water you can splash about when working in the tanks and fragging does not mix with unprotected electrics.
I likely have forgot to mention many things will add later :D
Martyn
wet weston
08-02-03, 08:53
WOW.................
What a setup, respect!!!!!!!!!
Looks a very nice fragging system, well thought out and the corals look good to http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Well done, wouldn't mind coming over sometime and getting some frags when i get my new system set up if thats ok with you http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Cheers
Mark.
thats a hell of a setup some Beautiful corals....whats your policy on selling???
Looking at the amazing quality and variety and I don't think there are going to be a lack of takers.
Well done http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
OMG http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/alien.gif
Shows how silly the world is that a venture such as this, which is of benefit both to reefers and to reefs, can't get supplied by whiolesalers. Ridiculous.
Martyn, it's looking very good. It has progressed very well since I last saw despite you been ill over the last year http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif
The bluey/green Acropora is a fantastic coral. I'll try get a few pictures of some of your stuff that we exchanged over a year ago (just trying to remember which bits they were but your picture jogs some memories).
I just quickly snapped off a few shots of some of the stuff I got from Martyn just over a year ago:
http://www.wymag.org.uk/simon/martyn/dscn0650.jpg
http://www.wymag.org.uk/simon/martyn/dscn0653.jpg
http://www.wymag.org.uk/simon/martyn/dscn0655.jpg
http://www.wymag.org.uk/simon/martyn/dscn0657.jpg
kenneth_halley
08-02-03, 12:20
Martyn
Absolutely astounding! Well done mate
Now when do you fancy moving Scotland.......
http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Martyn,
Absolutely fantastic http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I'm sure you'll be repaid for your efforts. The frags look excellent and should be snapped up in no time.
Sorry to be thick but where's March? Sounds down south, typical http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif Not fair http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Mail order plans?http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif?
Mark.
Hi Martyn,
It looks really great now that you've upgraded the lighting, I'll have to pay you another visit soon.....you've got me salivating again.... http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Cheers
Thanks all http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Simon
Can't wait to visit you and do some more swaps but will need to know what you don't have lol I also am having trouble remembering which are the frags you swapped with me http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Good to see how the frags have grown and colours they have turned in your tank.
Suk I see from your pics of your cool blue reef tank you have a table Acro and a few other species i don't think I have (don't think you swapped any branches from them.
So don't forget to bring some branches when you come next.
How are the frags you got from me looking now.
and the caps still safely put out of the way http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
To those with similiar questions.
I will exchange my frags at LFS for new species of wild imported SPS corals I don't have.
And will exchange frags with others who have SPS species I don't have.
I wil sell my frags to those who want to vist to choose and collect and have the setup and maturity to keep them.
At the moment the money I make from corals is paying me back for setting up and running costs and increasing my stock of mother colonys not running as a company yet.
I won't do mail order or post etc as I don't want hassle of collecting moneys through mail etc or risks of damage from transport.
So its a email or PM to get my address and tel number to arange a visit.
It takes time to get a number of fully tank raised frags.
And many of my Acropora species where and are from frags again this takes time to grow the frags out to into mother colonys and get 2nd 3rd etc genaration frags from.
and i have a long road ahead of me untill I have collected most of the species I hope to get and to fill all 14 tanks.
Martyn
Last edited by Martyn at Feb. 09 2003,00:31
Martin
Your system looks superb. I am trying to arrange with a few of us up here to come pay you a vist and will give you a call when we have fixed some dates up.
I'm sure all your hard work will be worth it in the end.
One question though, what do you do about calcium levels for your systems...do you run multiple reactors ??
Steve.tope
Hi steve.
Hehe oppps a very good question.
For the year of 2002 I was fairly ill and my systems where neglected for a while.
I watch and study my corals and all life in the system and every thing looked to me healthy so I was not worried to much about a calcium reactor at that time but added alk and calc buffers now and then.
It was not long ago I did a alk and calcium test the calcium was 310ppm and alk was 1.34 I was somewhat shocked that everything looked well and was growing well I think this happened over a few months when i was really ill and I spent 4 weeks in hospital (A blood clot on the lung tends to restrict interests in anything and slows you down alot).
I slowly increased these levels to more within correct ranges and so far there does not seem to be much change in growth rate however time will tell.
I want to get a calcium reactor but I really am not sure which way to go on the reactor as in what make what size start with one and add one more when all 14 tanks are full or build my own.
I have asked people for advice but at the end of the day who has a system this size packed with mother colonys and frags to know what is best to use when I am fully stocked.
So until I decide on which way to go its buffers for now.
I have never used Kalkwasser and really I don't want to start now there are many reasons why I don't want to use kalwasser but will not go into it just now.
I do have something I will be trying soon but will wait to see what results I get after I have tested it i don't think anyone is trying this method out.
Martyn
Last edited by Martyn at Feb. 08 2003,23:33
Martyn where are you located.
Would love to visit if over in the uk, great setup and corals.
blgreef Thanks.
I am situated in East Anglia In England Where i live its classed as the fens http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
March is a small town sort of between Cambridge and Peterbough.
You are Welcome PM me for address and Tel number.
Martyn
martyn
absolutely fantastic well done gives the rest of us some idea of what can be achieved.keep it going,the only thing missing is some montipora digitata(orange) http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif still i reckon that can be remidied with a visit from freeman and myself.
Garry thomas
09-02-03, 22:41
WOW..... http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif never seen so many frags m8 http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif i thought i was ott
Originally posted by reefyman@Feb. 09 2003,00:16
martyn
absolutely fantastic well done gives the rest of us some idea of what can be achieved.keep it going,the only thing missing is some montipora digitata(orange) :D still i reckon that can be remidied with a visit from freeman and myself.
Reefyman.
Thanks.
These are the orangey pink frags I got 1 frag from Kevin Ling I now have three frags fast grower but the colour of these two frags are slightly different to how the photo shows them strange that the colours of the Acropora frags seem fairly true to the colours they are.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Dscn0577.jpg
Look forwards to see what you bring to swap with me :D
All above pics in my posts are growing under 400w lighting in one of my 72"x30"x15"high tank.
Frags that are growing out under 250w MH 72"x30"x15" high tank since this pic was taken the tank is almost full from back to front and end to end.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Dscn0579.jpg
Frags that are growing out under 150w MH 36"x30"x15"high tank.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Dscn0572.jpg
Pics Taken and supplied by Carl Glasser Thanks again Carl :)
Garry Yep I am crazy about SPS corals, and it would seem many think I am crazy with the methods i don't use, and do use :D
BTW Those frags under the 150w MH are 4th genaration upwards it took that many genarations to get them to keep good colour under the 150w MH.
Martyn
Martyn,
Absolutely stunning and I can see myself spending a fair sum of money taking some of those off your hands for you when my new tank is completed.
Personally, I hope you get to the point where you are making a handsome profit out of doing this and I don't think you should apologise for doing so either.
James.
Martyn,
Amazing setup!!! *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Looks like you will be having a lot of visitors in the future, me included (once ive sorted a few problems out with my tank that is.)
Rich
Thanks everyone for the responce about my propagation system.
I will not be posting advice any more on this board as I feel I am just wasting my time giving my expearences and idea's and views and links and abstracts to infomation.
I will pop in and read threads and will reply to Private Messages.
Thats providing I can stop myself posting when posts come up in area's that are in my field of knowledge.
Many Regards Happy Reefing.
Martyn.
This quote by Rob Toonen comes to mind.
I strongly believe that the bottom line of what is best for your aquarium depends on the specific conditions, critters and goals you have for your tank. In my opinion, a lack of understanding of the basic properties of how habitats and organisms interact and make a living is the primary cause for otherwise smart and motivated people to fail at this hobby - there is no magic here, but it is a complex and dynamic system, and the more you know about how it functions and why, the more likely you will be able to maintain it successfully. Those who are not willing to learn about the needs and natural conditions under which their organisms live may still be able to successfully grow them in a fancy aquarium setup, but I see many people who have equivalent (or more commonly better) success with the same organisms in a well thought out aquarium with few gadgets and a little knowledge.
That's a shame Martyn, I've been reading a lot of your posts and links and have found your contributions worthwhile and interesting.
Hopefully you'll reconsider.
Pred
There are too many long serving Members and Mods that are set in there ways and endorsing theirs methods as the method of choice.
Sorry if that offends some I am talking about but thats how it comes across to me.
I don't think I will be missed.
I can get on with what I am doing and pass on what I learn in other ways.
Martyn.
Martyn,
I agree with Preds, I have found the contribution that you gave to my posts and others extremely useful. It will indeed be a shame to loose someone with your obvious wealth of knowledge.
Best of luck with your prop system
RichG
Martyn
Ive , I was gonna say known you, but in the world of the Internet, that should I suppose be conversed with you, for quite a while now, in fact probably two to three years I guess.
As the other members have stated, your posts , and replies have been excellent, and at times , I have to say astounding in their detail.
I had you sussed long ago as having a serious SPS addiction problem http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif , I know the feeling.
Though I would have to disagree with your comments re. the Mods, Ok we can be a bit , Mmm.........enthusiastic, or maybe even excitable, (and I refer to myself here)...... maybe, but you know that is borne out of tryng to keep the board relevant, and focused on the matter at hand.
IE: Reefkeeping.
We are aware , as of late there has been a bit of hassle , and even *very few PRATTS getting aggressive/personal, generally stirring things up *and forgetting the reason they should be here, but bear with us , *you know ... " ups & downs " and all that " !
99% of the members are here for the right reason, to learn, enjoy, and even help others in their Reefkeeping exploits. It is great to have a board so close to home, and even luckier for you guys .... at home ! http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif , so lets not be too critical, there are a lot of good features to the BB also.
Anyway, talk to you soon , and for the love of Jaysus man, get a Bloody Digital Camera, and post more pics of those fantastic corals !! http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Regards
Brian.
Martyn,
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I don't think I will be missed.[/b][/quote]
But of course you will. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif Your posts are always informative and very helpful and I for one really enjoy reading them. Please don't leave us, we really need to have access to all that lovely info you have stored up in that brain of yours. *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Regards
Lisa
CoralCulture
12-02-03, 21:07
Come on Martyn, this board needs guys like you.. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
How about I promise to come up soon with some nice frags for you ?
I think a trip with Mr Ling is in the pipeline!
Nick
The unrivaled splendor and wealth of forms and the delicate tints of the coral structures, the brilliant colours of fishes, clams, sea anemones, worms, crabs, star fishes and the whole rest of the reef animals are so attractive and interesting that it seems impossible to give an adequate description of such a profusion of serene and fascinating beauty - Umbgrove 1939
But if I had to name the single most frightening and dangerous threat to the health of the oceans, the one that stands alone yet is at the base of all others is ignornace: lack of understanding, a failure to relate our destiny to that of the sea, or to make the connection between the health of coral reefs and our own health, between the fate of the great whales and the future of humankind. ...The best place to begin is by recognizing the magnitude of our own ignorance, and not destroy species and natural systems that we cannot re-create nor effectively restore once they are gone."
Sylvia A. Earle, Sea Change
For as long as space endures
And for as long as living beings remain,
Until then may I too abide
To dispel the misery of the world.
-- Favorite prayer of Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
"...Should civilised man ever reach these distant lands and bring moral, intellectual, and physical light into the recesses of these virgin forests, we may be sure that he will so disturb the nicely balanced relations of organic and inorganic nature as to cause the disappearance and finally the extinction, of these very beings whose wonderful structure and beauty he alone is fitted to appreciate and enjoy."
-Alfred Russel Wallace
There is little that separates humans from other sentient beings - we al feel pain, we all feel joy, we all deeply crave to be alive and to live freely, and we all share this planet together.
Gandhi
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.
Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
The only solid piece of scientific truth about which I feel totally confident is that we are profoundly ignorant about nature....it is the sudden confrontation with the depth and scope of ignorance that represents the most sigificant contribution of the twentieth-century science to the human intellect. We are, at last, facing up to it...we are getting glimpses of how huge the questions are, and how far from being answered....But we are making a beginning, and there ought to be some satisfaction, even exhilaration, in that.
Lewis Thomas, 1979
"If it were my job to justify to aliens intent on consuming every life form except those absolutely essential for human life to continue indefintiely, I would be inclined to stand firm and say, 'Stop! Every scrap of diversity is essential. The system works as it is presently constructed. There is no evidence to indicate that any parts can be deleted without unfavorable consequences.'...Each species is part of a planetary insurance policy for maintaining gradual, not cataclysmic, adjustments to changing environmental circumstances. The burden of proof should be on those who delierately propose eliminating biodiversity to demonstrate, conclusively, that no harm to ecosystem Earth, and thus human survival and well-being, will result."
Sylvia A. Earle Sea Change
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from
the experiences of others, are also remarkable for their apparent
disinclination to do so.
Douglas Adams
"For most of the wild things on earth the future must
depend upon the conscience of mankind."
Dr. Archie Carr
"You believe that a word from me would suffice to get something done in this sphere? What an illusion! People flatter me as long as I do not get in their way. But if I direct my efforts toward objects which do not suit them, they immediately turn to abuse and calumny in defense of their interests. And the onlookers mostly keep out of the limelight, the cowards! The silently accepted motto is "Leave it alone and say nothing about it."
Albert Einstein 1934
"Future ages will charge us with having culpably allowed the destruction of some of those records of creation which we had it in our power to preserve, and while professing to regard all living things as the direct handiwork and best evidence of a creator, yet, with a strange inconsistency, seeing many of them perish irrecoverably from the earth, uncared for and unknown."
Albert R. Wallace, Journal of the Royal Geographical Society 1863
"With amazing arrogance we presume omniscience and an understanding of the complexities of Nature, and with amazing impertinence, we firmly believe that we can better it....We have forgotten that we, ourselves, are just a part of nature, and animal which seems to have taken the wrong turning, bent on total destruction."
Daphne Sheldrick, The Tsavo Story
Perhaps with knowing will come caring, and with caring, an impetus toward the needed sea change of attitude, one that combines the wisdom of science and the sensitivity of art to create an enduring ethic. Sylvia A. Earle, Sea Change
"Not to hurt our humble brethren (the animals) is our first duty to them, but
to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission - to be of service to
them whenever they require it. If you have men who will exclude any of God's
creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will
deal likewise with their fellow men." Saint Francis of Assisi ~
Last edited by Martyn at Feb. 16 2003,03:03
JonShoreman
22-02-03, 18:51
Hi Martyn,
I have left PM and e-mail.
Please reply.
Jon
Jon You have a PM. :P
Been extra busy the last few days I work on the sps frag farm between 9pm to 6am and do not always have time to reply to emails right away.
For anyone that email me or PM me if I don't respond I am likely busy or to tired but will respond in a day or two.
Be patient with me :D
Martyn
simon garratt
10-03-03, 00:46
Hi Martyn.
My appologies for missing this post earlyer........ :rolleyes:
All i can say sir, is...........Awe inspiring......... B) B) B), The colouration is loverly, and everything looks in superb health.
Looking forward to a visit.
Kind regards
Si.
Thanks Simon.
Where are you ?
Pics of the cramped prop system showing 14 tanks (3tier racks) with two of tanks with lighting on shows how cramped it is in there.
The ro unit needs changing its gone a tad rusty and TDS are high thanks to Kevins meter readings :D it struggles to keep up with evap in the winter anyway so an upgrade was on the cards anyway.
Yep that ugly fat old slob in the 1st two pics is me :D
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0018-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0033-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0045-med.jpg
Will be adding a few updated pics from Kevin Ling and Andrew (aka Sparky) later thanks a million guys.
The above pics where taken by Sparky did not realise he had taken it and was to late for me to hide I hate pics of me being taken the second pic I had managed to hide :D
Regards
Martyn
Some pics taken by Kevin Ling of my system Tank one.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/uploads/post-12-1053812862.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/uploads/post-12-1053813140.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/uploads/post-12-1053813368.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/uploads/post-12-1053813618.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/uploads/post-12-1053813760.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/uploads/post-12-1053814037.jpg
Thanks again Kevin for the great pics.
Regards
Martyn
Some pics by Andrew (aka Sparky) of my system With his brand new cam.
Tank one.
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0023-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0022-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0043-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0003-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0002-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0006-med.jpg
Tank One still.
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0077-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0056-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0008-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0054-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0053-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0051-med.jpg
Regards
Martyn
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0001-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0042-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0040-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0086-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0068-med.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost/data/500/287Dscf0041-med.jpg
Regards
martyn
Tank 2
This tank has had no lighting over it for nearly 2 years and I used one bag of sand Natures ocean not used in any other tank and I have been going through a hair algae phase in this tank even though none of the other tanks have this algae and its the same water circulating in all the 14 tanks.
the hair algae is nearly over and corals and frags are being added.
I have a few more pics of this tank to sort and add..
I will in the next week or so get new pics of this tank.
From Andrew who took these pics.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Dscf0028.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Dscf0026.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Dscf0029.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Dscf0099.jpg
Tank 4
Not many pics but will get more new ones at a later date.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Dscf0091.jpg
orange monti from Brian (aka IrishReefer)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Dscf0088.jpg
Also got to get pics of tank 5 and tank 6 and tank 7 and tank 10.
Regards
Martyn
Hi mate
Glad the pics all came out ok,looks good,glad I managed to capture the cooperband too,very frienldy fish!
looking real fine
will be over in the next few weeks.
Highest Regards
Andrew
Andrew
Cheers mate for the Pics and for the help in setting up the the stand etc for the Calc/Alk tank I am mentioning below.
An update on the method I now use to keep Alk/Calc to levels I feel helps with the right amount and correct speed of growth.
(1) Glass Tank 36" x 30" x 15"high water fed from the main system with a prefilter inline to prevent micro life thats in the water from entering the tank and likely being killed by the low ph and high kh and calc levels.
(2) Eggcrate positioned 1.5" above the bottom with a mesh over the top.
(3) A 35" long pipe with spaced hole along the length run along the front of the tank under the eggcrate an elbow to bring pipe up in the corner of the tank.
(4) 30 kg of media (crushed coral mostly) on top of the eggcrate.
(5) A 1060 ehiem pump sits on a piece of eggrate that sits on top of the media, the outlet of the pump connects to the pipe running under the eggcrate.
(6) A wooden diffuser is connected to a tube that comes from a Co2 bottle and is postioned an inch or two away from the input to the 1060 pump this helps with extra mixing of the water with Co2 to help keep a stable 6.5Ph through out the whole tank.
(7) At the other end of the tank is a 1260 ehiem pumpthat gives a good water flow above the media and teed of from this pump is the feeder tube into an old knop reactor that just circulates the water through a media and increase the pH of that water before it feeds back into the system.
Seems to be working a treat but it needs longer to find out how well it does as its only been running a few days so far and the Co2 ran out yesterday and I am waiting till fri for the bottle to be refilled.
The advantages of this system to the Reactor systems is (1) its a lot lot lot lot cheaper (2) Expansion as in the amount of media it can hold is at lest 100kg and I only have 30kg in there at the moment.
The only thing that took a little time setting up was the adjusting of the water flow entering the tank and balancing the water flow leaving the tank.
Once balnced its stayed balanced so far will have to see how this is long term.
I would like some kind of small flow meters that fit into the small tubing and they adjust the the flow faster/slower but have a gauge so you can get an easy quick method of adjustment something to look into and sort out.
A couple of peri lol can't spell so Ill say dosing pumps these would likely do the job but it is an added expence unless you can get them really cheap.
I ll keep this updated as time goes bye on how effective it is and any problems that may crop up.
Regards
Martyn
Bit of a small reactor, don't ya think !! LOL
Cool martyn, hope you can get it balanced alright.
Is it above the main tanks, gonna say, you could use an auto-topup to fill the tank, then drip rate it with a peri (like ya spelling bit, snap, too long to write) !!
Maybe whilst in the infancy, and adjusting stage it could be moved, just a thought.
Got a pic !!
cheers now,
lee
:D :D :D :D
nice looking tank shame you've no soft corals as there just as appealing but looks good.
Originally posted by Martyn@Jun 12 2003, 00:24
Andrew
Cheers mate for the Pics and for the help in setting up the the stand etc for the Calc/Alk tank I am mentioning below.
An update on the method I now use to keep Alk/Calc to levels I feel helps with the right amount and correct speed of growth.
(1) Glass Tank 36" x 30" x 15"high water fed from the main system with a prefilter inline to prevent micro life thats in the water from entering the tank and likely being killed by the low ph and high kh and calc levels.
(2) Eggcrate positioned 1.5" above the bottom with a mesh over the top.
(3) A 35" long pipe with spaced hole along the length run along the front of the tank under the eggcrate an elbow to bring pipe up in the corner of the tank.
(4) 30 kg of media (crushed coral mostly) on top of the eggcrate.
(5) A 1060 ehiem pump sits on a piece of eggrate that sits on top of the media, the outlet of the pump connects to the pipe running under the eggcrate.
(6) A wooden diffuser is connected to a tube that comes from a Co2 bottle and is postioned an inch or two away from the input to the 1060 pump this helps with extra mixing of the water with Co2 to help keep a stable 6.5Ph through out the whole tank.
(7) At the other end of the tank is a 1260 ehiem pumpthat gives a good water flow above the media and teed of from this pump is the feeder tube into an old knop reactor that just circulates the water through a media and increase the pH of that water before it feeds back into the system.
Seems to be working a treat but it needs longer to find out how well it does as its only been running a few days so far and the Co2 ran out yesterday and I am waiting till fri for the bottle to be refilled.
The advantages of this system to the Reactor systems is (1) its a lot lot lot lot cheaper (2) Expansion as in the amount of media it can hold is at lest 100kg and I only have 30kg in there at the moment.
The only thing that took a little time setting up was the adjusting of the water flow entering the tank and balancing the water flow leaving the tank.
Once balnced its stayed balanced so far will have to see how this is long term.
I would like some kind of small flow meters that fit into the small tubing and they adjust the the flow faster/slower but have a gauge so you can get an easy quick method of adjustment something to look into and sort out.
A couple of* peri lol can't spell so Ill say dosing pumps these would likely do the job but it is an added expence unless you can get them really cheap.
I ll keep this updated as time goes bye on how effective it is and any problems that may crop up.
Regards
Martyn
An update with a picture.
Made a few mistakes like not adding enough feet so got a dip in the eggcrate and not having enough hight in the gravel tidy around the edges thus some gravel has fallen through to below the eggcrate..
Corrections I will do in the new year.
System works very well only thing to complete apart from the corrections is the automatic level control at present its manual.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Mh005%20cal%20tank.jpg
Will get more details in pics later on when I have made the corrections and added the auto level on.
Regards
Martyn
Will be slowly adding recent photos in to this post.
Starting with a small section of tank one and tank two.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Mh019%20mid%20tank%201.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Mh023%20tank%202%20swaps.jpg
A cropped section of the Montipora macro pic seen on the left in the first pic above.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Mh020%20monti%20section.jpg
Pictures taken by Neil Hepworth.
Regards
Martyn
Very nice Martyn I also see your in PFK this month.
Looking great Martyn!
Each time I look at the variety you've got I'm thinking I need a bigger tank! :o
Very nice martyn.
Do you ship to Portugal?
manklit
Thanks Hojo.
PFK Yep thats why I am showing pics now as they have not added the best pics this month hopefully will use better pics in the second part next month.
LOL I did not think people at UR still read PFK :D
Thanks Tuan.
Should have a couple of hundred different Acro types for you to choose from by mid summer.
Hi Manklit.
Sorry no I don't ship to europe.
Maybe Mark (Aka 7000ltr) or maybe Clayton or Kevin ling may ship to europe.
Its worth a PM or email to them can't hurt to ask them.
A Blue A millepora frag.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Mh024%20crop%20sec.jpg
Regards
Martyn
Really stunning photos martyn,you will have to show me them all next time im over.
Will vist again before xmas,looks like I will be bringing my tools :lol:
Enjoyed the article In PFK, Im sure if you wanted you could write a book on the subject.
Regards
Andrew
Absolutley brilliant!
Just a shame not all the pics are showing!
neilharris
17-04-09, 19:56
Absolutley brilliant!
Just a shame not all the pics are showing!
Its a 6 year old thread and most images hosted outside were lost after one of the server upgrades. Would be nice to see what this looks like now:whistling:
I know its old but hey some of the posts this guy made were very good to read have pm'd him aswell so you never know.
lincsflier
21-06-09, 21:39
Hi all just been talking to Martyn he has now closed down the SPS farm :( due to ill health a true inspiration to alot and a wealth of information to boot.
Now thats a bloody shame.
Matty
Emperor Angel
22-06-09, 15:38
Dam - Was just getting all excited reading this thread then I got to the last two posts :( What a pitty that we've lost such a knowledgeable member - Anyone know how we can tempt him back for some brain picking :)
imagine winning a trolley dash there
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