View Full Version : Shaun`s Tank
hi all,
now ive got a digi cam, i can put up some piccys.
it was originally set up for malawi cichlids, but then i saw a marine tank (uh oh).
well so far i have been: a sparky, plumber, carpenter, vet, chemist, structual engineer, bricklayer, but still got no water in there.
it had been running for about two years with 2 canister filters and tufa rock, but you could never see the rock for green hair algae.
so ive had a total revamp setting it up again using better equipment (hopefully).
this is my proposed set up:
8x2x2 tank
4x2x2 sump
4x150w metal halides
2/4 actinic tubes
turboflotor 5000 baby skimmer
1x 40mm overflow gravity fed through skimmer
return 1/2 eheim 1060 dependant on what the overflow can handle
4/6 eheim 1060 in tank for circulation(pipe work reduced and split into 2/4 outlets off each pump)
120/140kg live rock
2" fine sand in tank
sandbed in sump??? still in two minds
2 x rena xp3 canisters with carbon in one, and rowa in t other.
will be keeping mostly softies, until i want acro`s like most reefers do.
any comments or tips will be welcome, even if you think it will be a total balls up.
this is my tank after being stripped down and drilled and an overflow weir put in.
and another (sorry nothing exiting to look at just yet)
Bet you can't wait to get that wet!!!!
Looks very nice!
One thing though, and I realise cost effectiveness is a bit out of the window in this hobby, but why not go for streams instead of the 1060's for your circulation? OK so they cost more but they're also more efficient (turnover / per watt) and shift a hell of a lot more water!
D.
Hi Shaun2
What kind of halides are those and how much?
Cheers
KD
Looks similar to mine:
http://www.hiltonvillage.co.uk/reefs/tank1.jpg
Which I bought from Edmundson electrics in derby (they're national) for £95. Obviously had to chuck the 4300k bulb but hey!
D.
Cool, keep us updated with progress reports :D
Regards
Lisa
thanks guys,
i`m going to use 1060`s because im planning a void behind the live rock to sit the pumps on the sand and then connect pipework to blast through the rocks from the back but i could get a couple of streams later i suppose. i want to try and hide all the equipment if poss but also not disturb the corals when i take the pumps out to clean them. i think i`ll have to see how much turnover i get with the eheim`s because im only having softies atm i dont want too much current because they get a right hammering and some times fall off.
the halides come from an electrical wholesaler called g&r electrical in plymouth.(jcc jceouv150wh)
they were about £50-£60 each and the bulbs were £34.(10,000k hitlite blv)
i have just got some pipe bits today so i will be doing a bit of plumbing over the weekend.
i will keep the piccys coming.
cheers shaun
as promised. this is what i was doing saturday. it was nice to get some water circulating.
trouble is i think i can only use 1 eheim 1260 as a return, because the overflow is just about full.
thats just flowing into the sump.
i havent put it through the skimmer yet.
shaun
last one for now, batteries run out on digi cam.
dont last long do they.
shaun
you just love playing with your new camera. I bet taking those photos was the first thing you did after finishing that great bit of piprwork(looks alot better in real life).
Shaun,
Very neat pipework. :D Is there going to be something covering up the pipes running from the tank to the sump?
Regards
Lisa
yes i got to make cupboards to hide away all me plumbing & sump bits.
but it aint finished yet.
does any body think my return pump/gravity skimmer feed will be ok or do you think i should just let the overflow go straight into the sump and pump it through the skimmer??
just trying to save myself a pump thats all.
cheers shaun
craigandsimon
10-05-03, 20:14
hey mr pipework :P
do you want to come and do the same for my new tank?
gr8 job
hi all,
guess what ive actually done some work on my tank.
got my pipe work and eggcrate shelving done, spent two days of my bank hols, but at least its done. and heres the pics to prove it.
gonna give it a good old flush through and then start filling with ro.
should only take about two weeks.
quick run down of the plumbing:
spraybar at the back powered by a 1262, thanks zimreef.
pipe on the left with two outlets fed by a 1060
pipe on the right with two outlets fed by a 1060
pipe in the middle split into two outlets fed by a 1060
all (i hope) to be hidden by copious amounts of sand which will be my in tank dsb, or are they out of fashon now??
cheers shaun
cupboard underneath tank (one of two) which house two eheims each.
looking good,
your not a plumber by ant chance? :P
where did you get your pipe from?
keep the updates comming :)
no i`m a sparky,
and the pipe came from work (re-located)
work in the water industry. use this pipe for sampling boards/drinking water.
cheers shaun
thanks olly,
halfway through commisioning, no leaks atm.
dont seem to get much flow out of the 1060`s though.
will have to do some more research into si garratt`s site, check flow rates and other nerdy stuff.
just cant wait to get it full of ro.
ive got to bucket it all in by hand, salt buckets only atm.
cheers shaun
I had a simular problem with the flow rate from aquabee 3000s,in the end I decided for the wattage they used (4 off them was 200watt))and flow I was getting was not worth it,Ive now redone the pipe work and ordered a sequence pump 750(95watt) this pumps 2100gal/H and has a good head hieght.
1060s are better pumps IMO then the aquabees so maybe a bit of tinkering and your sort it.
Regards
Andrew
craigandsimon
25-08-03, 15:02
looking real good now m8 - that pipework is awesome, all the best :)
EnglishReefer
25-08-03, 20:15
Hi
Do you think the inlet for the 1060's is restricting the output of the pumps perhaps?? looks like 1 32mm pipe shared by both pumps (??)
I've run 1060's on closed loop before and got about 1600 lph at the outlet (roughly measured with container and stopwatch).
You have 2 outlets on each return from what you have posted, assuming youre getting about the same flow as I was that means youre getting roughly 800 lph through each nozzle - not a huge amount really. Perhaps upgrading the pumps or only using 1 output per pump would help.
As ever FWIW
:)
Hey Shaun,
It seems a shame to have to cover up all that smart pipework ;)
Regards
Lisa
EnglishReefer,
think that might be true actually, will reduce the outlet sizes to see if i gets me more power. any other way costs me money. will probably leave the pumps there and add powerheads if i need more flow. have drilled the holes in the outlet pipes to 7.5mm seems to have improved it slightly.
lisa
thanks, but i cant wait to get some sand over them.
next question, what sand to go for? . i am looking for about 3-31/2" sand to come up to the level of the bottom of the outlets on the pipes.
playpit is looking the cheapest option atm.
cheers shaun
looking m8 Ill have to pop over in the week to have a look
Neil
MAD MECHANIC REEFER
26-08-03, 17:22
Funny you should say that Neil coz I said the same since we are all local yokels!Shaun Ill PM ya later this week,free most evenings.
had a busy day saturday.
thought i`d swop over my tanks into the biggun. was pretty cloudy for a day or two but is clear now so i will post some pics.
cheers shaun
Seeing pics like that makes we want to set up all over again! It is just awesome seeing ot all come together! nice work!
Mode
Alright Shaun,
Looking good mate well done at getting it together as it must have been torture to look at it just waiting and beggin to be filled up!! Do you want the Humbug back to help fill it out abit :lol: !!!
Did you get the other little bugger out then when you moved the tank inhabitants over? Have you stripped the old tank out?
James.
Very nice tank setup. Like the aquascaping. The blue background goes quite nicely as well.
What temp are the halides bulbs? They look a very crisp white. Are they the AB ones?
Looking good Shaun!
Lot of empty space for fish & corals!
Cheers
John
hi jim,
how ya dion m8. gave the other one to my neighb`s. hes just set up a small three footer. its lovely to get rid of the other one. trouble is its a black hole in the corner where it was. but the new one lights up the front room pretty good. how is the sea horse research coming along?? your not still going into the aquarium three times a day to feed them. would drive me nuts.
sahin,
atm it is just 4x150watt 10,000k hitlite bulbs. i will get 4 actinic tubes when finances allow. i like the blue glow b4 and after lights out especially with the corals that glow bright green under the tubes. looks pretty barren though. like a live rock desert, it is still covered in detritus dust after being all dumped in. will have to go shopping at the weekend. looks like martin (p-t-m) plymouth tropical marines owner is going to be getting a good few bucks out of me.
cheers doods shaun
cheers john,
nows the fun part.
fish and corals and overdraft.
shaun
Hi shaun,
great start, i love the aquascaping.
ant
just a few up dated photo`s for jim and zimreef who i saw down ptm on saturday.
bought a trumpet and a home for me clowns.
looking good shaun
dont you think its funny how martin never mentions the names of fellow reefers in the area.jim has been over to see me and hes told me about your set up.will have to get together sometime.i know neil(FITTER) and im wondering if tony(MAD MECHANIC REEFER)is someone i use to see at martins. ive got loads of acros at the moment so if you want any frags im sure something could be arranged(just dont tell martin :D )
Yep Martin's face was a picture on Saturday when we all met up there and said hello to each other :D :lol: !!
Hi Shaun,
That's a lovely looking set-up you have there, It's great to have a picture diary & look back on it's progress.
What's the fish in the last pic, can't quite make it out?
Keep up the good work & keep posting those piccies!
Cheers
:D
that me old mucker is what they call an, arc eye hawkfish.
shaun
Very nice mate. Tank is progressing nicely. Are you going to stock the tank with SPS corals and clams at all? I know you got a few anemones there so maybe not? Your tank would look awesome with sps like montis and acros and a few clams here and there. :D
PS would like to see a few more updated pics of the tank. <_<
MAD MECHANIC REEFER
30-09-03, 01:09
Tank coming along nicely Shaun,will get round to see it soon honest!JIM,Martin @PTM definately doesnt like his customers "collaberating"with eachother it loses him money,Ive noticed that.And Reefyman Simon you definately know me Ive been round with Martin before,not seen the tank since you geared up for Acros though.Would be nice to see how it is developing sometime though and it might be possible that I have an Acro that you havent got(A. Elseyi/A. Valida),to which you are welcome to a frag.Cheers all,MMR.
MMR I recommend popping in and seeing Reefyman's tank as it's the dogs danglies :lol: !! Not just the tank but the whole way he's put it together.
Oh dear Martin will have a heart attack if he finds his way onto UR :lol: :lol: :lol: !!!
Hi Shaun
How big is the Arc eye Hawk?
Is that the Ritteri Anemone from PTM? If so how much was it?
jim that is and it cost me 28 squid.
the arc eye is about 3" nice fish. tends to perch between two bits of coral branch and then grab any food going his way.
cheers shaun
think when we go down martins we will have to wear a secret item of clothing to identify each other as ultimate reefers.
cus you feel a right prat asking tom,dick or harry "are you on u/reef".
cheers shaun
mmr
are you the tony that used to live up the road from martin and had a cossie,looking at your avatar it looks a bit look like an imprezza which is what ive got now.that would be a coincidence if you had one as well.we will all have to get together soon and perhaps all turn up at martins together and see his reaction :D.im happy for all you guys to come round one evening but we definately need to all get together.
Is that a swimming cossie :lol: :lol: !!
yes Simon it is
hes got problems with his computer at the mo
Neil
MAD MECHANIC REEFER
09-10-03, 20:59
Cheers Neil,using the slow pc for the minute which is teaching me patience but at least im back on line!Simon I was that man,Ill pm you my details so we can all get together soon.
time to update with some pics
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/6.4.04%20021smal.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/6.4.04%20020smal.JPG
it worked splendid
try some more now
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/6.4.04%20016sma.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/6.4.04%20009sma.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/6.4.04sma.JPG
Reef Addict
07-04-04, 23:09
Great setup Shaun, first time I've read about your tank! You really planned everything well by the look of it. Lovely pictures. :wub:
Is it my eyes, or are you now bare bottomed?
Mark :)
yeah boxer shorts are a pain...
oh sorry. yes got shot of the sand, detritus trap = algae...
cheers shaun
Looking good Shaun!! :) :)
Nice looking tank m8 :bow:
Steve :)
thanks chaps..
would love to go all sps but will stick to the softies for now, well maybe a few acro`s and monti`s. couldnt afford to fill this tank with what i want as i`d have to upgrade the lights/flow calcium reactor and the list goes on.
p.s. john / zim havent seen any pics of your tank yet , but ive heard it is spectacular.. any chance of a few pics of yours.???? please
shaun
really like the aquascaping, have you got any old pics of how you did it?
no. unfortunately, the only pics i have taken i have posted them further back on the thread. will have to do a few up2date ones soon. pomme are you in plymouth by any chance???
shaun
na not in plymouth, further south then that. near st.ives, but am uni in southampton. so go between the two quite alot, and have been into ptm for a couple of things like tank drillers and aquarium suckers etc.
andrew
How's things going now Shaun? Looks good from you last photo's :) .
think its time to pop round and have a look at your tank jim. you can always come and see mine and i will drop you home, and see what you been up to..
shaun
few updated pics
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tank%20shots%2013-9-04%20001s.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tank%20shots%2013-9-04%20005s.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/tank%20shots%2013-9-04%20011s.JPG
the last one was a frag from reefyman last year. now a perch for a hawkfish..
that fish in the second pic up looks scarily like a mullet! what is it?
Very nice system mate
Shaun,
a fab setup with some good planning :thumbsup: , The only one critisism If you'll alow me is the refelctors on the light units. Have you considered using more effective relectors to get the bang for your buck ? Probably not importanat at the mo, but worth considerig going forward.
looverly :thumbsup:
i have upgraded the lights now to 250 watters. will post some pics when i get a chance.
its nice to look back at the size of the corals and colours and compare them to now.
Originally posted by shaun2@Apr 7 2004, 21:34
time to update with some pics
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/6.4.04%20021smal.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/6.4.04%20020smal.JPG
it worked splendid
You forgot to tell us were all the sand has gone ??? :D :D
You started of with about 3 inches and now have a bare base.
Did you have to strip down ??????? ;) ;)
got shot of the sand as i was having serious algae problems. syphoned it all out while i was doing water changes. lesson 1 do not use pp sand ever again. now i have 2 streams in the tank i thought i would leave it bare atm. i do prefer sand but think it will get blown all over the shop.
will do some new pics honest.
shaun
about time for a few update pics
the just finished equipment room to get it out of the dining room and stop the earache
anyone know how to use the uploader??
this was a frag from reefyman. its now about 12"
WOW ... you have now made my mind up for an upgrade.... :D :D
Fantastic reef mate.. very nice indeed
Looking really good Shaun!!
Shaun, i was beginning to wonder where you'd gone, stilll got bassy?
nice to see its comming on nicely.
cheers
trev
long time no see. :wave:
fantastic update sir. that 12" from a frag, is looking mighty fine.
any full tank shots available?
Shaun - I dont think we've met, Im in Plymouth and just planning a new 66x27x27 to replace my 48x24x24. I planning on having all of my equipment in the adjacent room and would be really useful if I could have a quick nose at what youv'e done. Would that be OK?
Great tank by the way - is that a sea bass I see in one of the shots?
SuperBlades
30-11-05, 11:12
Looking fantastic m8, nice work :)
fire999 i`m flattered, never been an inspiration to anyone before, go for it.
zimreef thanks, still got the 1262 as the return havent touched it.
trev still got bassy, are you still at uni??
SCOOB will get a full tank shot when i get me cam out again, you can see that plating monti in the earlier pics, unfortunately lost the hawkfish that used to sit on it.
quigs your welcome to pop round and have a butchers, just send me a pm when you want to pop round an ill give you directions
Superblades thanks for the comments
hi shaun,
yeah still here, moved up to mutley and set/setting up a small tank.
cheers
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