View Full Version : Big Build 3
Hi Guys,
IT'S HERE
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/itshere.jpg
Cat put in picture to give you an idea of scale :lol:
This is of course a temporary position until I get the stand built (you can see the bits just behind the tank.)
I'll post pictures as I progress - off to have some fun now :dance:
Anna
Paul Burton
01-09-04, 15:25
How do we know that the cat isnt 5 foot long? :lol:
Good luck Anna, be keeping an eye on this one.
Paul
yeah me too
Looking forward to watching you work your magic on that bad boy! :lol:
Nick :thumbsup:
AHHHHHHHH! he wona bit fishy :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Good luck with your new tank!
lovely tank and all that but more importantly, how on earth did you move that bookcase in the background without taking off all the books.
oh yeah, nice cat :thumbsup:
Is that percula Anna ?
nice cat btw
Hi Guys,
thanks for the comments so far :)
Scoob - I didn't move the bookcase - hubby did :lol:
Simonm - I've been called a few things in my time but percula Anna - :lol: :lol: :lol: - but to answer your question - yes it's a Percula 120 :)
another picture - ta dah - the stand is built!
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/thestand.jpg
took the liberty of placing screws on the end panel to "hang" the plug bars while I was constructing it so I didn't have to wedge myself inside to do it when built ;)
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/plugpoints.jpg
already plugged in and waiting are my X-10 modules - going to make an effort and use my Aquacontroller to it's full extent on this tank.
and last but not least.... a small shelf (from IKEA) that will allow me to rest my U.V. should I ever need to run it - (won't be running it all the time)
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/ikeashelf.jpg
sorry the pictures aren't a bit more exciting - hoping to start the plumbing work tomorrow evening so more pictures to come then.
cheers
Anna
WAHAY!!! nice one Anna!
Cant wait to see the tank stuck on the top and I bet you cant wait to get it wet!
just cut the pipe work for the first closed loop :) not glued in place yet, bit late at night to be sniffing solvents :P
16mm upvc pipework all round with a small section of eheim 16/22 soft pipe to connect to the OR PH2000.
here's where it exits the "circulation chamber"
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/closedloop3.jpg
around the corner and across the front of the tank
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/closedloop1.jpg
and terminating at the other end of the tank near the skimmer intake.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/closedloop2.jpg
that's all for tonight - I'll update tomorrow with any news :thumbsup:
Anna
Anna, looks great, looking forward to watching it progress.
wowie.... more tanks... you really have got the bug! :D
good luck with you... btw just wondering why you didnt go for a sump?
chriskirby101
02-09-04, 07:34
I did not know you could get black egg crate....
Watching with interest....
Chris
Chris:
You'd be surprised on what Anna can find! :) when I mentioned ages ago that id been searching high and low for something and couldnt find it, within about 2 mins she had found me a url! :thumbsup:
fuzed - been down the sump route with the last tank - wanted something this time that was self contained - so I could go on my hols without fear of returning to a flood - and something that was a little less noisy too (I hope :unsure: ). Plus it was a good excuse to double the volume of my tank :evil:
Chris - black eggcate from Koivision (http://www.koivision.co.uk/acatalog/Filter_Media.html) - I find its much less brittle than the white stuff and seems stronger too.
Stuck at work today so no more work on the tank until this evening <_<
:thanx:
Anna
control center
02-09-04, 08:59
Another Perc :D good luck anna nice tanks take a bit of time setting up at first but well worth it :thumbsup:
ps try to leave a bit of a gap at the back as i didnt and have had to buy some small step ladders for when it comes to playing
keep sending those pics
ROB
:lol: I knew it as soon as I left......
looking good!
cheers
Carolyn
Anna - looking fantastic!
What pump are you using to drive that close loop at the front-bottom? That's using 16mm? I'm not convinced you'll get enough flow out through all the outlets you've got there as most of the flow will go out throught the path of least resistance unless you can really pump a lot of flow.
You might want to divide that loop into two halves and use two pumps on it, or at least allow you to use two pumps on it later.
Reef tanks... Adictive?
Keep us updated...
Tim
5061litres
02-09-04, 15:41
if ur eletric was to go off... wots to stop all the water siphoning out of ur tank via the 16mm that runs round the inside bottom??
moonmachine
02-09-04, 17:00
aragonod i think anna mentioned it was a closed loop, Anna looking great good to see variation on a well proven tank.
I agree that at the end of the loop though the flow is going to be way down from the start. Prob better to split it with two pumps? wonder what would happen if two pumps at either end were connected as it is?
thanks mm :) - yep - tank is "self contained" - no sump just the filtration area at the back - so if the pumps stop - the water flow stops - easy as that :P
Anna
Edit : hmmm, thinking I'll finish the pipework at the front of the tank - with just 3 exits and use the other pump to make a loop across the back of the tank at the top. If I'm still not getting enough flow I'll just have to buy a stream :lol: :D :lol:
Lawrence Corley
02-09-04, 17:11
Good luck Anna. Looking forward to following the progress of your new tank.
Loz
Originally posted by carolyn@Sep 2 2004, 10:32
:lol: I knew it as soon as I left......
looking good!
cheers
Carolyn
hee hee hee - u know me - I just had to spend another hour or so tinkering :lol:
Anna
Bachlum Chaam
02-09-04, 17:37
Hi Anna it looks great why not put 2 taps to restrict the flow to the 2 closest outlets that would sort out the flow problem
Tim
Tim - don't really want extra bits of pipe and stuff in the tank - plus I think I was pushing it with 5 outlets - reducing it to 3 will hopefully give me enough flow out of each outlet - I think I might try gluing the pipework together and then testing it with the pump attached - then provided it's all working well I'll silicone the pipe into the tank.
cheers
Anna
Looking amazing Anna, can't wait to see with water.
To ask a daft question, why do you have loads of sockets, are you using a lot of ancillary equipment?
Manta - I started writing down how many things would need plugging in the other day and when I got to over 15 I realised I should be looking at 3 x 6 plug bars :o
1. Skimmer
2. Circulation Pump #1 (for spray bar under rock)
3. Circulation Pump #2 (for closed loop)
4. Circulation Pump #3 (for closed loop)
5. Heater
6. Deltec Megatwin T5's #1
7. Deltec Megatwin T5's #2
8. Deltec Single T5 (for actinic tube)
9. Neptune Aquacontroller
10. Tunze Osmolator
11. Moonlights
12. Calcium Reactor circ. pump
13. Calclim Reactor Peri Pump
14. Kalk Stirrer circ pump
15. Kalk Stirrer Peri Pump
16. 80mm PC Fans
and there's probably others I've forgotten about too .....
Anna
HI Anna,
Looks really good, i was looking at your 'BIG BUILD 3' webpage. you mention your have a custom hood getting made. any chance of a few pics of it ? im trying to design a hood for a new tank im getting built so just for some ideas.
Will be watching your post with intrest
Thanks
Stuart
Stuart - I'll be happy to post pictures when I get it :( - arriving tomorrow (fingers crossed) at UA - then providing it's the right size, colour, shape etc it will be winging it's way to me for sometime after the weekend.
Got some very nice *silent* fans to fit into the back of it :)
Anna
Hi Anna the tank looks great well done to do it all your self with a hand from hubby keep the pics coming we all want to see it wet. :cheers: Eric
any more pics?
think i speak for everyone here as i think everyone would love to see more of the progress! :blush: B) :blush:
looking good anna,
BTW, the hole in the top of the cabinet that aquamedic put in for the plugs to go through maybe on the small size. On my chromis, it has a simular hole and once you have 6 or so wires through it then it gets a pain to put anymore plugs though it. maybe worth opening it up if you can.
I think aquamedic size them based on european size plugs.
isekiman, narthur - thanks for the comments :)
Matt I - sorry no new pictures yet, I've been (rather annoyingly) stuck at work the past two days - but it's the weekend now so there will be no stopping me :lol: I will of course post any pictures of my progress.
simonm - the cabinet hole on mine is actually pretty large (6cm diameter) - but I take your point about it becoming smaller when a few wires are put through - the problem is the size of the hole in the bottom of the tank itself - no way to make that bigger unless I get the dremel out - I'm not brave enough to do that though :blush: Looking at the supplied pumps and skimmer etc I see they've been kind enough to put moulded plugs on <_< bang goes the idea of taking them off to push them through.
Got my Ratz Stirrer and Calcium reactor today from Nick at Coral Culture - wahoo - more toys to play with
atb
Anna
Thanx for reply Anna, thats a lot of plugs!
Only used 4 for our Rio set-up (inc. cable tidy) :blush:
I take it cable tidy's on proper reef tanks are a no-no due to amount of power?
Anna, I was also thinking up a tank very similar to yours and wondered if you could buy one for me and ship it to:
Small silly man,
behind the drain pipes,
third washroom along,
Victoria Station,
London
thanks :thumbsup:
chris allsop
04-09-04, 10:47
I know this is a stupid question but is the sump included with the tank as i does not say on the web, which proberly means its not!!
I were looking at the big one tri somthing at £4700!!
My car cost less!!!!
Good luck with the tank, im sure it look fab!!
chris
chris allsop - no sump tank - all the filtration stuff is in the rear 6" of the tank - separated by black acrylic.
In fact here are some pictures :lol:
Been busy today and got a lot more pipe work cut etc.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/2closedloops.jpg
cut the front "closed loop" down to 3 exits and fitted the rear "closed loop" - had to cut away part of the plastic intake strainer to push through a piece of eheim 16/22 pipe so I could mount the second pump at the bottom next the the first one.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/2closedloopsview2.jpg
same stuff as above viewed down the other end of the tank, in this and the above picture you can also see where the pipe work for the under rock spray bar comes out - nothing is glued into place yet and I still have to drill the holes in the spray bar.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/filtrationchamber.jpg
a view of the back of the tank - showing the recirculation pump (at the bottom) that will supply flow to the spray bar - above is a "dry" area which now has my phosphate reactor in place- this will be supplied by a maxi jet 1200 that is in the next picture.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/circulationchamber.jpg
all the pumps in the circulation chamber - the two supplied OR2000PH's at the bottom of the picture - supplying the closed loops - above them is the maxijet 1200 which will provide flow to the phosphate reactor and above the maxijet is a New Jet 1700lph pump that will supply flow to my in tank refugium and have an outlet aimed at the water surface to facilitate oxygen exhange. (just waiting to take delivery of my black acrylic before the refugium gets built).
also updated my web site with the above pictures.
I plan to heat and mould the acrylic strips that will surround the rock support tomorrow and hopefully get them glued in place along with the 2.5" 25mm upvc struts for the egg crate. I'm aiming for Wednesday to get the tank lifted onto it's stand and then to start filling on Thursday.
atb
Anna
jamie reefer
04-09-04, 20:35
Hi Anna,quite an amazing set up,hope everything goes well cheers Jamie
Hi Anna,
The new tanks looking great so far....... :wub:
If your day job ever falls through you can always get a job as
a plumbers mate !!!
Charlie.
:cheers:
Looking seriously good Anna! :thumbsup:
Hi Anna,
Looks great, makes me think that going for a deltec is maybe over kill. Half asleep this morning so forgive me if I have missed what I am about to ask... :D
Where do you plan to put the refugium?
I am so envious by the way, just accepted a quote from painter and they will not be finished for 10-weeks or so.
NDJ
jamie reefer, DeepBlueC & Mark J - thanks :blush:
NDJ - I plan to run a shallow refugium along the back of the tank - about 10cm in width (not too sure of depth yet) - front panel will be black acrylic so wont be "visible" when viewing the tank and the remaining panels will be clear acrylic - I plan to drill holes along the length of it to allow water movement and also to put some pieces of macromedia in the base of it to encourage pods etc - the algae I already have waiting to go in is cheato which doesn't seem to require a substrate to root in.
Picture here to illustrate position:
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/2closedloopsrefugium.jpg
I'm not sure yet how to support it on the glass - I may use small glass struts at either side for it to rest on or bend some acrylic strips so it hangs onto the glass shelf that runs along the back of the tank. I'm hoping that the T5's I'm fitting for the tank should provide enough light in the refugium for the algae - doesn't matter if its dark at the base of it - should encourage cryptic beasties.
I am so envious by the way, just accepted a quote from painter and they will not be finished for 10-weeks or so.
"it's beginning to look a lot like Chrstimas" - at least that will be a nice present to yourself :D
atb
Anna
simon garratt
05-09-04, 10:33
Hi Anna. looking dead funky there...... :D
is it going to be full of water by the time i get back from my hols...... :D
Keep up the good work.
Regards
Si.
Simon - I hope so ;) - just hope my RO unit can make the water fast enough :lol:
More work done today.....
The Acrylic Monster:
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/acrylicmonster.jpg
My slightly unorthadox way of bending the acrylic to fit the already cut out eggcrate shape.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/bendingtheacrylic.jpg
First I cut out several strips of cardboard (2"'s thick) and cable tied them to the eggcrate shape - this provided a surface to bend the acrylic round - I then used a heat gun to heat the acrylic until it was bendy and then pegged the acrylic around the cardboard shape - and allowed it to cool.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/sandbarriercloseup.jpg
a close up of the acrylic barrier in place - the blue-tac is there to hold it in place - I plan to silicone it into place tomorrow night.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/eggcrateandbarrierinplace.jpg
a full tank view now to show all the pieces around the eggcrate - I've had to cut an opening where the spray bar pipe comes through - although I think I'll glue a smaller piece over the top of the pipe and fill around the pipe with silicone. (the cat, of course, oversees everything I do offering advice when needed :D :lol: :D ).
Hope you like ;)
Anna
Someone's been busy! What kind of flow do you have going through that plenum? Is it called a plenum?
thanks Tuan :)
Popsock - don't think that's a plenum, it's just a way of lifting the live rock off the base of the tank and supplying a water flow from beneath - it's fed by a 2000lph ocean runner powerhead.
atb
Anna
GhostsForge
05-09-04, 21:11
Anna, where did you get the acrylic strips from?
Thanks
hi anna
you said your going to use t5 for lighting what are you going to do with the 2x150w metal halide that comes with the tank?
:thanx: nick
oh that's unusual, swapping out MH for T5s?
simon garratt
05-09-04, 21:46
Anna.
Dont know where you got that Island idea from......It'll never work you know...... :huh: ;) :D
Best of luck, i can see your having fun and i love the Peg idea......
Look forward to an update on my return.
Kind regards
Si. B)
GhostsForge - acrylic strips were an acrylic sheet - bought from B&Q - it's sold as a replacement glazing sheet - 4ft x 2ft and 2mm thickness - there are other types too. Strips were made by scoring the sheet 3 times with a 5134 stanley blade (the recommended blade) and then placing the scored line over an edge of a table and "snapping" it off - clean break every time :D
nick dean, popsock - my lfs very kindly supplied the tank without the metal halides - I'm running T5's on my current tank and it was important that the tank should have a hood (you've all met the cat :P ) - I've already tried a MH mounted in a hood and the heat build up is impossible - so I stuck with T5's.
simon garratt - what can I say :blush: you are an insipration to us all :D - enjoy your hols :thumbsup:
atb
Anna
Anna if you don't mind me asking - what is purpose of acrylic barrier?
Nice tank, Got the Perc 90 myself, just with the plugs etc.. You WILL have to cut the moulded ones off and simply screw new ones on when below, Started losing my temper until i found the pliers.......... Good luck
fire999 - yeah, I'd resigned myself to getting out the wire cutters <_< thanks for the tip ;)
Manta - the acrylic barrier is to prevent sand getting under the live rock - I've followed Simon Garrats design for this http://www.reef-eden.com
Bit more work tonight, siliconed the acrylic into place and drilled the holes in the spray bar - still got to glue to the pipe work into place - (think I'll wait until the smell of silicone dies down though :ph34r: )
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/acrylicsiliconed.jpg
full tank view to show the acrylic barrier in place - all the upvc supports for the live rock have either been siliconed to the barrier or silconed in place on the bottom of the tank.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/smallbommie.jpg
close-up of the right hand side without the egg crate.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/largebommie.jpg
close-up of the left hand side without the egg crate.
Hoping to glue the closed loop pipe work tomorrow evening before the tank gets lifted onto the stand on Wednesday night.
cheers
Anna
Anna, I've got eight 54W T5s running now, up'd from four, and I'm very happy with the result, its exteremely bright!! Looks beautiful. What lighting are you going to have?
theres some reall nice pipework there :thumbsup:
popsock - going to be running 2 deltec megatwin units and one single - so 5 x 54W in total - no room under the hood for any more :( Plan is to have 60/40 bulbs (aquablues) on the twin units and a actinic on the single - single to switch on first and off last.
Ducati916 - :thanx:
atb
Anna
had a look at that reef-eden site, but couldn't see much about base system above - what are its supposed advantages? - it'll be interesting to see how easy it is to disguise, particularly at the top where the sand meets the plastic barrier.....
clippo - I'm hoping to disguise it by overlapping the rock and having the sand to *almost* the top of the barrier.
Just been thinking about a few things and realised I may have to test the efficiency of the spray bar before I have the tank up and running - currently it is piped up to the re-circulation pump which is in the last chamber of the filter system - I assume the tank is designed in such a way that the outflow of water from this 2000lph pump is enough to keep the water levels as they should be through the skimmer chamber and the trickle filter, it's occured to me that by adding the spray bar I might be slowing the water's exit - think I'll glue the pipe work tonight and time it - i.e. how quickly the pump empties a bucket of water with the spray bar attached compared to how quickly it runs without. If there is a noticable difference I may hook up the re-circulation pump to the 2nd "closed loop" and the 2nd pump in the end chamber to the spray bar.
cheery
Anna
:dance:
just tested the spray bar with the pump and all is well :) - placed the pump in a 5 gallon bucket - timed how long it took to empty out 4 gallons with a length of eheim 16/22 tubing attached - then tested again with the spray bar attached to the end of the tubing - same time for both - 45 seconds - yippee. Looks like I can get away with it after all.......
Got a pretty good flow from all exits on the spray bar too.
I think I'll test the "closed loop" pipe work in the same way - make sure there is decent flow from each of the exits.
cheery
Anna
looking forward to seeing it on the stand with some of that wet stuff in it :)
Hope all the plumbing works as planned!
Anna, when you use those large units, you're right, you can't fit any more lighting in. Currently I'm using 2 T5s per reflectors on a 5x2x2. It's amazing how many T5s you could fit onto a tank if you really want to. I'm sure your 5 will be fine mind you.
No new pictures yet I'm afraid but the tank is on the stand - hurrah :D
Closed loop pipe work is also bonded together and has been tested in the shower - greatest flow from the end exit (furthest from the pump) which I can live with as the end of the tank closest the pumps will be home to my lps, mushrooms & zoos. I may still add a stream to keep the top of the water column more turbulent though.
Next step will be to get the wires through the base and into the cabinet, the 3 pumps/powerheads and skimmer pump that come with the Perc all have moulded plugs with 13 amp fuses so I will be replacing those with the same - however, when I looked at my 300W Visitherm heater and my 1700lph New Jet pump they only have 3 amp fuses on them - would it be a better idea to change these over to 13 amp or should I stick with the 3 amps?
Now all I need is my nice new hood - noticable in its absence at the moment <_<
Pictures to come tomorrow :thumbsup:
Also took delivery of my black acrylic sheets today - will hopefully start building the refugium this weekend.
Anna
I use 3 or 5 AMP fuses on all electrical gear, with 13AMP fuses in 4 way sockets etc. There is probably no scientific reason for this, it just makes me feel better.
:D
GhostsForge
09-09-04, 10:30
Originally posted by Anna@Sep 6 2004, 08:10
GhostsForge - acrylic strips were an acrylic sheet - bought from B&Q - it's sold as a replacement glazing sheet - 4ft x 2ft and 2mm thickness - there are other types too. Strips were made by scoring the sheet 3 times with a 5134 stanley blade (the recommended blade) and then placing the scored line over an edge of a table and "snapping" it off - clean break every time :D
Anna,
Thanks for the reply, couple more questions if you don't mind
What diameter is the closed loop pipe work (the answer maybe somewhere in this thread but i can't find it)
How have you attached the closed loop pipe to the pump
Thanks
Originally posted by Anna@Sep 8 2004, 22:08
Now all I need is my nice new hood - noticable in its absence at the moment <_<
Anna,
did aquamedic supply a hood ?? or custom made ?
popsock - thanks for that - found a web site last night detailing fuses and wattage etc - bit clearer on this now :)
GhostsForge - 16mm diameter upvc tubing - connected to the pump by eheim 16/22 soft hose (bout 6 cm piece) - cable tie on the pump side.
simonm - custom made hood by Seabray ;)
cheery
Anna
P.S. Pictures are coming later today I promise (I'm at work right now :ph34r: )
here is is in all it's glory :D
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/tankonstand.jpg
the hood will sit another 6 inches or so above the top of the tank (total depth of the hood is about 10") it's been designed to fit over the black trim on the top of the tank.
Just some pipe work to finish, my refugium to build and a bit of silicone here and there to seal up joints and I might just be ready to get it wet by the weekend - yay.
atb
Anna
Do you need some more CDs?
:ph34r: there's another two of those units next to that one :ph34r:
lol throw them out and put some more tanks in the space!!! :rolleyes:
Looking nice now anna!
Just think if you didnt have the chimney breast in the way of your tanks just think of the huge tank you could have! ;) hehehe......
popsock - can't throw out the cd's they belong to my hubby :) - I think a 4 footer is all I can get away with anyway :lol:
Mark - sigh...... I wish ;)
Anna
latest pictures :)
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/closedloop4.jpg
and from the other side (cable ties and blu tack are there to hold up the pipe while the silicone sets.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/closedloop5.jpg
and my in tank refugium - this will sit on top of the above pipe work but also be supported by acrylic "hooks" (that I fashioned this morning). The first exit of the above closed loop will feed the refugium, the second and third exits are to provide circulation in the tank.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/refugium.jpg
had my ro unit on since lunchtime - got just over 5 gallons to *christen" the tank with - the new pipe work is near the top of the tank - don't think there's much chance of reaching that before the silicone sets :lol:
I'll post pictures when there's some water in it :P
Anna
Hi Anna,
It's looking better by the day. I'm very impressed with your workmanship.
Can't wait to see water in it. :)
I like the design of the refugium. Have you checked to ensure that there will be sufficent flow into the refugium. You may need to add a tap along the pipe just after the T that breaks away to the refugium to restrict the flow to the other two outlets.
Hopefully, it works out OK.
Keep up the good work.
More pics please.
Good suggestion that Hal. Looking great Anna, you've put a lot of thought into that tank! now hurry up and finished it. :lol:
Hal - I'm not overly concerned with the amount of flow through the refugium as it will be submerged in the tank - as long as there's sufficient flow to move the water through I'll be happy - I tested the other closed loops and there was enough flow from the first exit.
water!!!!!!!!
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/watergoingin.jpg
slow going <_<
Anna
hehehe... looking better each time Anna!!
Almost brought a tear to my eyes seeing water in it! drip.drip.....drip! ahhh memories of filling my monster! hehehehe.......
how are you going to cover all that pipework and do you get enought flow through surely a stream would have been easier!!?
Mark J - he he he - just wish it would fill faster :( still it's quite exciting seeing the water creep up the sides - or maybe that's just me :unsure:
narthur - all the pipework at the base will be covered by the sand - just the top of the outlets will be visible - the pipework at the top of the tank will be visible to some extent - but the refugium (once in position) will hide it a wee bit. You are probably correct - a stream would have been much easier - but not half as much fun as fitting all the pipes :evil:
atb
Anna
Aqua medic 90.myself.. Anna Wish i had taken the advic eof reef eden......... Doin a good job, Does you ubby want a job for HMV ? Now wish i had gone for the 120 .... but hey my little garden is takin shape..
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
fire999 - seen your tank pictures - lookin v. nice :wub:
Does you ubby want a job for HMV
don't encourage him - believe it or not he's just had a clearout of cd's - not that my untrained eye can see any difference :lol:
cheers
Anna
Anna looking amazing !
You have really got me in to this percula's with your thread. I was away to be setting up a 6x2x2 but after seeing this and showing me how much scope you have with them , closed loops etc ! very impressed and think it would be easier for me to handle just now compared to a 6'.
Went out yesterday and priced the perc 120. i think i might go for the bow front one, but i have not seen it proper. just in the catalogue. have you seen one ? im curious to see what it looks like before i order it. do you also know if you can get them in silver colour ?
Thanks
Stuart
Looking great Anna, bet you cann't wait to stock it :)
Making me think again about my planned set up, don't think the basement dewellers would like a flood from above. Though on the positive side it might make them sell up and let us buy the basement ;)
Can't wait to see the progress in the next week
:thumbsup:
NDJ
Can't wait to see it full Anna.
NDJ, wot is your planned set-up if you don't mind me asking?
kaos - I also looked at the bow front but decided that I prefered looking through a flat pane of glass. As for silver, haven't seen one (I'm sure someone on the board has a piccy somewhere :)) - I choose black to fit in with the decor of the living room.
NDJ - too right - I've already got a couple of fish on hold at my lfs :lol:
We've been out this evening and I was too chicken to leave the ro unit running and filling the tank :blush: - it's on again now though - might even leave it on through the night - bet I'll be waking up every hour to check for puddles of water :lol:
cheery
Anna
jamie reefer
12-09-04, 00:17
Hi Anna
Looking better every time I see it, can t wait to see this one up and running, keep up the hard work Anna.
ps what corals are you planning on keeping cheers Jamie
Originally posted by Anna@Sep 11 2004, 23:14
kaos - I also looked at the bow front but decided that I prefered looking through a flat pane of glass.
Anna, Where about did you see one ? I live in Aberdeen, bit further north than you. I was looking at UDA's website and they seem to do quite a good deal with the percs + a free 20kg box of cured live rock with them.
Ive never been to UDA before but thinking about having a drive down tommorow(sunday) for a look.
:thumbsup:
Stuart
Hi Anna,
Been following your posts on the new tank, looking great.
You were saying you were worried about leaving your tank
filling up when you were out, in case of overflows.......
guess what?
We were out tonight and when we got back I found the sump
dry and the main tank had overflowed :blink:
so I'm sitting here at 1 o'clock in the morning, after clearing
up, checking the water level returns to normal !
Maybe I should go down the 'all in one' Perc set up !!!
Charlie.
jamie reefer - I'll be moving my current stock over to the new tank so that includes, mushrooms (ricordia and others), torch, hammerhead, fox coral, red gorgonian, pavona, porites plus one or two small sps frags. I hope to add to those when the tank has settled - probably more lps as I love those and a few sps too - a friend of mine is tank sitting a lovely red branching montipora and a great pinky/bluey Helipora (thanks Carolyn :) ).
kaos - UA is well worth the trip - that's where my tank came from - I'll be off up there this week to pick up my rock ;)
Charlie - sorry to hear that - I do have a float switch up for grabs if you are interested :idea: - would turn off the return pump if the water level in the sump drops - I assume your flood was caused by a blockage in the overflow pipe to the sump? Anyway, hope you got it all mopped up ok.
cheery
Anna
Originally posted by Anna@Sep 11 2004, 17:49
narthur - all the pipework at the base will be covered by the sand - just the top of the outlets will be visible - the pipework at the top of the tank will be visible to some extent - but the refugium (once in position) will hide it a wee bit. You are probably correct - a stream would have been much easier - but not half as much fun as fitting all the pipes :evil:
atb
Anna
i know what you mean your newsetup looks terrific .. i had great satifaction making my tank DIY is the way forward.. keep up the good work.. Nic :thumbsup:
Originally posted by Anna@Sep 12 2004, 08:49
kaos - UA is well worth the trip - that's where my tank came from - I'll be off up there this week to pick up my rock ;)
Hi Anna,
Went today, and was very impressed with what i seen there. Great selection of live stock and inverts. Got a lovely Blue and red linkia star, Scooter and great deal on Calcinus Hermits. :wub:
Andrew was very helpfull and friendly and spent a good hr or so showing my around the perc and deltec tanks. 99% sure im getting the perc now, very impressed with the one he had in the shop and was shocked :o at how big it looked in real life compared to the perc 90. Going to place an order over the next week or so when i get back from work. :dance:
Brilliant day out and deff worth the 3 hr round trip to get there.
:thumbsup:
Stuart
Originally posted by kaos@Sep 12 2004, 18:49
99% sure im getting the perc now, very impressed with the one he had in the shop and was shocked :o at how big it looked in real life compared to the perc 90. Going to place an order over the next week or so when i get back from work. :dance:
woohoo - another perc owner :D
Hope you left some of those hermits for me ;)
cheers
Anna
Originally posted by Anna@Sep 12 2004, 22:36
Hope you left some of those hermits for meÂ* ;)
cheers
Anna
Yeah i left a few :blush: hehe! :P
been doing more pricing for the Perc 120 bow today, was with the LFS when he phoned aqua medic wholesaler as i want an extra door to put on to hide the shelfs and use that compartment for an auto top up tank. :idea:
was bit shocked when they said its £100 for a spare door :o ;)
Getting all exctied now though, think going to go for the silver one, would like to see one first before i order it though :rolleyes:
Stuart
nearly there :D
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/nearlythere.jpg
my RO unit has been on since 4.00pm Saturday (constant) - so 50 hours and counting :lol:
I've turned on the recirculation pumps on the two bottom closed loops - took a bit of doing though as both had air trapped in them - needed to be turned over to let it escape - but both are working now - I've also added 1.5kg salt this afternoon and turned the heater on to start getting the tank up to temperature. More salt going in later :)
Noticed a slight *hum* from the pumps - nothing too bad though.
Hope to have enough water volume in tomorrow (and all the salt added) to add the sand, then it's off to UA to pick up my rock on Wednesday if all goes to plan.
Fingers crossed for the arrival of my hood sometime this week too.
cheery
Anna
Hi Anna
This thread is really great, and your tank allready looks great, cant wait to see it once you start aquascaping. Its really nice to see others with the same tank!
Here is my Perc 120, had it for 2 months now.
I wish i had known a bit more before i dived in. How do you plan to build up the rock work and corals?
Originally posted by smartmart1982@Sep 14 2004, 17:47
How do you plan to build up the rock work and corals?
very carefully :lol:
seriously though, I'm hoping to provide a wide flat base on the egg crate then build up into pinnacles from there on the left and the right - your tank picture is great inspiration btw :wub:
cheery
Anna
Thank you for the compliment, i think it will look ok by new year, few more corals, couple more fish. Your preperation and set up is really inspiring, i wish i had seen it before i had set mine up. Dont suppose you happen to know how many Perc 120's or 90's there are here?
All the best
looking great Anna! waighting with baited breath for the aquascaping, looking for some good ideas :-)
great idea abut the acrilic to hold the sand back, i was going to use glass, so glad sharon told me about your post.
can a ask, what size of holes did u put in the spraybar and did u fan them over the surface?
Keep up the great work!
Mandy
Originally posted by smartmart1982@Sep 14 2004, 20:40
Dont suppose you happen to know how many Perc 120's or 90's there are here?
i have one! but i'm still decorating as fast as i can so i can get some water in it and transfer everything over from my old tank :unsure: :D
hi anna, is the tank in operation now? got any more pics?
first lot of rock + sand gone in - so at the moment there's nothing much to take a picture of until the murkiness clears :lol: - got an external packed with floss running so as soon as it clears I'll post pictures.
Weekend plan is to collect the hood (now arrived at UA - woohoo) and start the recirculation pump and skimmer on the tank - then balance the water levels.
Should have some more progress pictures by then ;)
cheery
Anna
well the murk is finally starting to clear now and I've turned on all pumps and the skimmer - the re-circulation pump is making a bit a a loud hum at the moment but a bit of tinkering should hopefully get that sorted out. Here's a piccy of the tank as it is at the moment.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/tankfullwithrockandsand.jpg
More rock to go in from my exisiting tank + more sand too.
I'm also having trouble getting the level in the skimmer compartment to just below the cup - at the moment it's sitting about 2cm up the cup - the wier on the entrance to the bioball chamber is at it's lowest - if I move either of the two combs on the entrance to the skimmer compartment the level in the return pump compartment drops too low - can any perc owners offer any advice on the placement of the combs and wier plate?
cheers
Anna
Originally posted by molly@Sep 15 2004, 23:55
can a ask, what size of holes did u put in the spraybar and did u fan them over the surface?
sorry Mandy - just spotted this question :blush:
Drilled 5mm holes in the spray bar - there are two rows of holes staggered so they don't overlap - and both rows face uppermost (hope that makes some sense???)
cheers
Anna
hello anna very impressed at what you are doing with your tank, new to the hobby only about 6 months. i have the same tank as yours. and had a similar problem with the skimmer chamber. i put both combs at the same height and about one inch on the slide where the bio balls are. if you put the second comb lower the water tends not to flow over the first comb after a while, and just enters via the hole at the bottom. i have the combs as high as possible and the water sits below the cup. i would also like to know are you going to keep bioballs or not.
sowerby reef
19-09-04, 08:35
Hi Anna
[/QUOTE]I'm also having trouble getting the level in the skimmer compartment to just below the cup[QUOTE]
In my percula 120, I took the comb out at the skimmer chamber and the water level sits right below the skimmer cup. In my setup I also found the water going through this comb into the chamber to make a real gurgling noise. Having removed the comb, its now silent, skimmer is working a real treat.
Kev
Hi Anna
really enjoying reading all about your big build 3,its looking great.
cant wait to see what it looks like finished.
its not long till christmas :( but must write my letter to santa soon :D
Mark
Hi Guys,
Been a while since I updated but here it is up and running:
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/fulltankshot210904.jpg
a view from one end:
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/endview1.jpg
and the other:
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/endview2.jpg
and finally a view of the tank in situ:
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/tankinsitu.jpg
I'm not 100% happy with the hood though, I think it's ended up a little to big (in height)...... going to have a ponder on that one.
Also going to replace the two Ocean Runner 2000lph PH pumps with 2 New Jet 3000lph pumps - the 1700lph one that is feeding the top closed loop (to the refugium) is far more powerful than the two OR ones.
Also only have one set of T5's in there at the moment, other set and fans will be getting fitted tomorrow.
:thumbsup:
Anna
Haven't read all the way through the thread, but why is the hood so big? As you use T5s I would think a few inches would suffice.
Hi Anna
It looks fantastic! ive been thinking about filling in my middle section of rock to have a complete island as well. Looks really nice.
How many inches above your highest rock is the water level? How is the skimmer getting on?
i think the hood looks much neater than having bright hanging halides and wires above!
Looks great :thumbsup:
Martin
Anna, looking really great, thanks for the details on the spray bar.:-)
Another query, is there any supports under your rockwork or is it built up with good space underneith? and what have u secured the rocks with if anything?
Mandy
molly - it's all rock and no supports - but I was lucky and got lots of nice stuff through the week from UA - it's very porous and has lots of little bolt holes in it - my cherub angel has been spending the last few days disappearing into one bit of rock work only to appear out of another - so at least she's happy :P
I haven't secured it with anything, just built it up carefully - it's very stable even without milliput or cable ties. I think the trick is to get rock thats anything but bolder like - that way all the little bits kind of slot into one another as you aquacape.
hth
Anna
Looks really good :) Love the look... especialy when it is so shiney and new :)
You know you may as well give up now on those stick on thermometers!!!! :P
Elliot
haha Eliott I thought exactly the same. Bloody nerds!
Damn good thermometers are here if anyone's interested:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...item=4326206267 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3212&item=4326206267)
This person is always selling these. Recommend you silicone the probe to prevent water running in. Anyway, I'm waffling....
Hey Anna,
Looking really good ! :wub: I will be joining you very shortly, Ordered a brand new silver Perc 120 yest from my LFS. Got a really good deal including a box of rock. :dance:
what type of rock have you used there ? is it 'madagaska'(spelling) 2 lfs has told me now that is about the best for filtration as its so porous. only thing i dont like is the shapes its in. mostly round bits ive seen in the past. didnt think they would be to greaat for aqua skaping. but my lfs got some new lots in today and some of it looked better shapes.
I ordered a 2nd cabinet door im going to put that on where the shelfs are. and have an auto top up tank etc in it. i have also ordered another sliding thing that is on top of the tank hiding the skimmer etc. im going to put one at the front of the tank too, did it on the chromis i used to have and think it finnished it off nicer.
Hope you dont mind me stealing some of your ideas that you have dont on your tank ? and will prob be annoying you (and other perc owners) with set up questions. :whistling:
:wave:
Stuart
Originally posted by popsock@Sep 22 2004, 19:06
haha Eliott I thought exactly the same. Bloody nerds!
Damn good thermometers are here if anyone's interested:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...item=4326206267 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3212&item=4326206267)
This person is always selling these. Recommend you silicone the probe to prevent water running in. Anyway, I'm waffling....
:angry: You are right there popsock...... bloody good meal for a sea urchin......He eaten threw the cable.......should of put the probe down the weir :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: I no. never worked again :wacko: I have get new one now. I will add that those thermometers are as cheap or cheaper here http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/listsecti...retp=322&rets=X (http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/listsections.asp?parent=41&seq=99&retp=322&rets=X)
:wave: Anyway hi Anna......your tank looks wonderful. Your hard work has or seems too paid off so far.....coming on a treat :dance: :dance:
hello anna,
that one hell of a cd collection :thumbsup:
Originally posted by elliot@Sep 22 2004, 17:57
You know you may as well give up now on those stick on thermometers!!!! :P
you are absolutely correct Elliot :blush: they were in there while I was getting the tank set-up - I've got my Aquacontroller connected now so I really should have taken them out :)
kaos - the rock is Fiji branching stuff - bit pricey but quite porous and lots of nice shapes.
Shaggy, TRAMLINE - thanks :thumbsup:
marc h - the kudos for that should go to my hubby - they're all his ;)
cheery
Anna
scribbleuk
23-09-04, 11:35
Originally posted by kaos@Sep 22 2004, 20:06
I ordered a 2nd cabinet door im going to put that on where the shelfs are. and have an auto top up tank etc in it. i have also ordered another sliding thing that is on top of the tank hiding the skimmer etc. im going to put one at the front of the tank too, did it on the chromis i used to have and think it finnished it off nicer.
Hi Kaos
Do you have any pics of the perc with the extra door and lid covers?
Cheers
HI not yet, i jut ordered the tank the other day, so have a few weeks wait :(
Was shocked at the price for the door though, £100 ;) and £35 for the lid thing
Will post some pics when i get it though.
:wave:
Stuart
scribbleuk
23-09-04, 23:42
Cool. Look forward to seeing some pics. Did you order the door and lid from AM or are they custom made?
A.
Hi Guys,
Small update in the form of a new arrival - I've been searching for one of these little guys for ages :wub:
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/littlepossum.jpg
he's a Pygmy Possum Wrasse or Wetmorella nigropinnata to give him his proper name.
He's settling in nicely. (just to prove he's for real Carolyn ;))
:thumbsup:
Anna
I love those Wetmorellas! CGA had them in a while back and I keep coming back to the shop to look at them! Very cool fish! :wub:
May be I'll try them now that my canary wrasse is no more!
Yeah right ok then.... :wub:
Actually how do I know it's not a photie stuck to the front of the glass.... :whistling:
cheers
Carolyn
Anna
Truly stunning :bow:
...now, if you could just pop down and do mine, that'd be champion!
I showed my wife your tank, but I'm afraid all she spotted was the flooring :P
Now I've got to devise a plan to shift my perc120 so we can have the carpet replaced :blink: Ideas on a postcard to David Blaine...
Ian
Singapore reefer
13-10-04, 05:45
2 words... amazing and impressive... :wub:
hmm,seems that your tank is circulated in peack and clean order..loved the closed loop and the circulation system...jus amazing
:o and the CD"s jus :o no words for that... :lol:
Sarge/Ian - thanks for the comments - I must admit it was great fun designing and building the modifications on the tank, but I think Stoke is a little too far to travel ;)
Singapore reefer - thanks for the kind words :)
Another two new additions as of the 10th October - two juvenille Orchid Dottybacks - I'm hoping I've picked out a male and a female - so far so good - they have settled well in the tank and no visible bickering - just have to keep diving out of the way of the Cherub Angel :lol:
atb
Anna
anna looking really really good.
Whats impressed me even more though is that CD collection, christ :D
Nick :thumbsup:
WOW... tis all I have to say...!!!!!
thats genuine ingenuinty... and a heck of a result... want to plan a new tank now!!!!
m
looking dam good there Anna!
been a while since i had a nosey at this thread! so much has gone on since my last peek!
wanna come down and do my closed loops as theyre STILL not done yet hehehe :blush:
Hi Anna - going right back to the start...... what did you use to cut that black egg crate? - any tips?
clippo - just scissors - but it was tricky and hard to cut through <_<
Anna
was it as brittle as the white stuff? almost had my eyes out numerous times when cutting the white stuff! hehehe....
Mark - nah - it's actually quite flexible - but thicker than the white stuff, therefore harder to cut through - no where near as brittle.
cheery :)
Anna
Update: Here's the tank as of the 24th October (5 weeks since set-up)
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/fulltankshot241004.jpg
very pleased with it so far :wub:
Anna
hi anna
how are you finding your close loop system is it working as you planned it or would you change it knowing what you know now what sort of pumps are powering the tank now
:thanx: nick
Wayne - thanks - did you get your chaeto yet?
Nick - I'm happy with the closed loop system, the supplied AM pumps are not strong enough though, mine will be replaced with NewJet 3000lph pumps as soon as my new hood is ready - plan to do the whole changeover etc at once.
Anna
Originally posted by Anna@Oct 26 2004, 13:45
Wayne - thanks - did you get your chaeto yet?
Nick - I'm happy with the closed loop system, the supplied AM pumps are not strong enough though, mine will be replaced with NewJet 3000lph pumps as soon as my new hood is ready - plan to do the whole changeover etc at once.
Anna
hi anna
:wave:
hopefully when i get home tonight!
:cheers:
definately looking really nice now Anna!
amazing how time flies isnt it! 5 weeks already! only seems like a week or two!
hi anna
What grade of pipe work are you using for your closed loop system is it the maley stuff from b+q or is it marine grade abs from your lfs or from tmc?
:thanx:
nick
Originally posted by nick dean@Oct 28 2004, 17:13
hi anna
What grade of pipe work are you using for your closed loop system is it the maley stuff from b+q or is it marine grade abs from your lfs or from tmc?
:thanx:
nick
Check her web address out!
There's a web diary of the setting up there which is a great read - and the cat is cool (VLDL by the way)
Tank looks great! Still gathering bits to get your old one going!
Steve
tank really sells these aquamedic all in ones. it looks great anna.
jamie reefer
29-10-04, 02:07
Hi Anna
Your tank is looking very nice and for 5 weeks old wow,the aquascaping looks really good,keep them updates coming in and keep up the hard work
cheers Jamie
Steve - still gathering bits :o I thought that would have been up and running by now :D
Simon & Jamie - thanks for the compliments.
:thumbsup:
Anna
>>Marine<<
29-10-04, 23:32
Hi Anna
Aaaaaabsalutly wonderful !!!! :wub:
Which type of sand did you use in the end....is it about 1 inch deep ??
Joe
Hi Joe,
I used a mixture of CaribSea Arag-Alive (one bag) and sugar fine aragonite sand, it's about 2" deep at the front and about 1" at the back.
hth
Anna
Hello Anna, tank looks good especially the pipework. IMHO i would use tunzes. Very popular gadged from where i come from. Maybe here in Singapore, we are just plain lazzzzyyyy to do all that workkkk :P Anyway, as i said, great pipeworks.... :thumbsup:
Looks better every time i see it :thumbsup:
:bow:
Martin
>>Marine<<
31-10-04, 22:07
Thanx Anna :wave:
Originally posted by Anna@Oct 29 2004, 08:35
Steve - still gathering bits :o I thought that would have been up and running by now :D
Simon & Jamie - thanks for the compliments.
:thumbsup:
Anna
Hmm - had to redecorate the room first - hence the delay!
New carpet arrives in 2 weeks - then I can rock and roll :D Hope I don't get it too wet..... :o
Hi Anna,
Do you know how much Live Rock you have in there? I'm budgeting 50kg for my Perc 120, does that sound about right?
regards,
Greg
Hi Greg,
I *think* I have about 70KG in there - transferred approx 30Kg from my previous tank and added about 40Kg or so extra.
small update: Just taken delivery of my new replacement hood - looks great - hope to get it fitted on Sunday morning - will also be changing over the OR PH's to New Jet 3000lph pumps and fitting the other T5 units I have.
Anna
>>Marine<<
06-11-04, 01:10
Hi Anna
Have you found a way to cut down the hum on the pumps yet.....Especially the centre one,as you already told me
Do you think the new pumps will cure this ??
I can actually here a slight hum still, in the bedroom !!!!
Joe
chris allsop
06-11-04, 08:14
Is that a refug in the top of the tank with caluerpa in it?
If yes was it supplyed?
Looks fantastic btw.
chris :thumbsup:
Joe - to be perfectly honest I think you'll have to be content with a slight "hum" - to my mind it's the return pump that causes the most noise for two reasons - 1. The way it sits in the return chamber - I actually put some coarse sponge under mine to cut down on vibration - 2. The plastic 90 degree pipe which leads to the soft pipe - I feel this also vibrates a little against the pump. Problem is, it's the hardest pump to get to once the tank is in place and full (unless you have the space to leave a 2 foot gap behind :P ).
Chris - the refugium did not come with the tank - I built it myself - details are on my web page: here (http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/html/index2.html) then click on the 11th September and scroll down a little. I figured it was a good way to get macro algae in the tank without it taking over, the cheato is especially good stuff and at the moment I'm harvesting it almost weekly it's growing so fast.
:thumbsup:
Anna
Hi Anna,
Any pics of your new hood? Sounds interesting, and maybe something I'll want to explore in the future!
I'm going to ask these same questions in the Percula owners thread, but here goes:
1) How do you work out how much RO Water to add, before adding salt? I'm assuming when I add egg crate, rock and sand the water level will rise a fair bit, so trying to decide at what level to quit making water and add salt, then rocks etc
2) is there any set way to first fire the pumps? I'm assuming I only plug the skimmer pump in when I have LR in. I'm also assuming I only switch on the highest pump when I've added the LR and the water level has risen past it's exit pipe.
cheers,
Greg
Greg - no pictures of the new hood as yet - planning on putting in place tomorrow so I'll take photo's then.
I'll try and answer your questions the best I can:
1) I filled the tank until the water was about 1" below the stress bars - I was adding salt as I went along - adding until I achieved sg of 1.024. Then, when I put my rock and sand (sand first) in I removed water as necessary after displacement.
2) Just make sure the pumps are fully submerged and switch on - when I plugged mine in I had to turn them upside down to release trapped air - so you may need to do this.
hth
Anna
thanks for the reply Anna, I guess you have your heater pushed fairly low in the right hand section of the "sump" if you ran it when the tank wasn't full??? I wasn't sure how low/where to put my heater.
Also where have you put the probe for your temp guage? I just have it randomnly lying on the bottom of the main tank at the moment.
Hopefully will get the pumps fired up in the next few days, get the temp up and get some salt in!
regards,
Greg
Hi Greg,
Heater is in the re-circulation chamber with the circulation pumps - on the left hand side in the plastic holder that came with the heater (visitherm) - but like you've guessed I had it pushed to the bottom while I was filling the tank.
Probe for temperature is also in the right hand compartment with the pumps - I bought a nice aquamedic probe holder from Nick at Coral Culture - this holds the temp and ph probes.
Small update - Did my first water change tonight - only 4 gallons but I plan to do another 5 gallons this weekend.
cheery
Anna
Hi Guys,
Finally got round to fitting my new hood - it was made by Coral Aquarium Cabinets and supplied by Calico - I'm delighted with it and it fits perfectly, makes the tank look much more in proportion now.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/newhoodfitted141104.jpg
The centre panel of the top has enough room for two deltec megatwin 4ft T5's, the front flap has a deltec single with an actinic bulb and also houses my moonlights.
The back flap has two vents to help with circulation:
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/backflapandfans.jpg
You can also see the PC fans I've fitted (into the holes the hood maker cut out for me) which help cool the T5's and keep air circulating in the tank. My autofeeder is also visible here - very handy - feeds twice a day at pre-set times.
I'm very happy with the new hood, really sets the tank off well and the whole thing looks far more in proportion than it did previously.
cheery
Anna
Tank is looking great Anna, the hood design is fantastic, I am sure it will inspire a lot of people.
NDJ
Hi Anna
Looks fantastic :thumbsup:
Do you have any idea what your final livestock will be and cleaning team etc for the Perc 120?
All the best :D
Martin
Hi Martin,
My fish are detailed in my signature - I'm pretty sure this is all I'll be adding fish wise, any more would be pushing it I think ;)
As far as the clean-up crew goes I have the following:
1 x Black/Red brittlestar - quite large now - lives under the egg crate cleaning up any leftovers - see the occasional "hairy" leg come out :P
1 x black/white striped serpent star - bout 3" across leg to leg tip
1 x green serpent star - bout 2" across leg to leg tip
1 x Enoplometopus daumi lobster
1 x Abalone
Several (bout 20) turbo snails
Mixture of Hermits, Blue Knuckles, blue legs, left handed hermit, halloween hermit, calcinus etc - bout 30 in total.
think that's everything - although I've had a few snails commit Hari Kari by climbing onto the front stress bar of the tank so I might be adding a few more in the coming months.
:thumbsup:
Anna
Originally posted by Anna@Nov 15 2004, 12:31
Hi Martin,
My fish are detailed in my signature - I'm pretty sure this is all I'll be adding fish wise, any more would be pushing it I think ;)
As far as the clean-up crew goes I have the following:
1 x Abalone
Mixture of Hermits, Blue Knuckles, blue legs, left handed hermit, halloween hermit, calcinus etc - bout 30 in total.
Anna
Hi
Stupid me, i completely missed that info in your signature! :blush: That reminds me i must update mine.
Do you find that all the different hermits get on ok, or have you seen any minor problems between them?
With the 4 chromis, do they stick together? I'm considering getting a small group but dont know how few i could have to still make them happy and get a shoal look?
What's an Abalone out of interest?
Any chance of seeing an up to date full front tank shot, i just love lloking at different aquascapes in the Percs as i have one myself!
All the best :thumbsup:
Martin
Hi Martin,
Do you find that all the different hermits get on ok, or have you seen any minor problems between them?
Not witnessed any problems with them, I make sure there are plenty of empty shells in the tank - I guess this helps to avoid squables.
With the 4 chromis, do they stick together? I'm considering getting a small group but dont know how few i could have to still make them happy and get a shoal look?
I did start off with 6, only 5 were out and about the following day and then there were 4 :blink: - it seems to be the rule with chromis that you should always add one more than you want to end up with - something about the smallest one always getting picked on. They do stick together, in fact curiously my Kleins butterfly also swims about with them from time to time.
What's an Abalone out of interest?
A voracious algae eater :lol: - they are aqacultured for the food industry - got mine from Ultimate Aquatics - only tends to come out at night, or just before lights out, it lives in my in tank refugium the rest of the time :) here's a link Abalone - Aquacultured: Haliotis sp. (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=2090)
I'm at work at the moment but I'll post a picture this afternoon.
cheery
Anna
>>Marine<<
16-11-04, 21:35
A voracious algae eater
Thats one ugly critter.....Bet u love him really :)
Originally posted by Anna@Sep 2 2004, 19:28
Manta - I started writing down how many things would need plugging in the other day and when I got to over 15 I realised I should be looking at 3 x 6 plug bars :o
1. Skimmer
2. Circulation Pump #1 (for spray bar under rock)
3. Circulation Pump #2 (for closed loop)
4. Circulation Pump #3 (for closed loop)
5. Heater
6. Deltec Megatwin T5's #1
7. Deltec Megatwin T5's #2
8. Deltec Single T5 (for actinic tube)
9. Neptune Aquacontroller
10. Tunze Osmolator
11. Moonlights
12. Calcium Reactor circ. pump
13. Calclim Reactor Peri Pump
14. Kalk Stirrer circ pump
15. Kalk Stirrer Peri Pump
16. 80mm PC Fans
and there's probably others I've forgotten about too .....
Anna
hi anne tanks looking good well thought out
I see you have a neptune controller do you think these are better than the iks system and whats all thex10's for, :) thanks ted
Originally posted by Anna@Nov 16 2004, 11:36
Hi Martin,
I'm at work at the moment but I'll post a picture this afternoon.
cheery
Anna
Hi
Any chance of that up to date side and full tank wide shots? ;) :thumbsup: Great inspiration.
Thanks
Martin
>> Enoplometopus daumi lobster
Do you have any more info on the lobster Anna? I'd really like one in my tank someday, but always assumed they would get too big.
My book only has a Enoplometopus debelius which says max 4in.
Does a lobster count towards the total stocking volume a tank can hold?
regards,
greg
Sorry guys, been away from my 'puter for a few days:
superted - I've never used an IKS so I can't comment on whether the Neptune is better or worse. The X10's are for controlling the lights, heater, fans, and eventually (when I get round to fitting it) the Calcium reactor and the Kalk Stirrer.
smartmart1982/Martin - more photos sometime this week - I promise :)
gregh - everything I've read suggests a max size of 4" - mine seems happy living under the egg crate structure - he pops up every now and again for food and I can see him scuttling about under there most of the time. Inverts don't count towards the stocking volume as they act as detrivores as well as polishing off any uneaten food.
cheery
Anna
fluffycoat
09-12-04, 13:41
Anna
apologies if I missed it on your site BUT what sealant did you use for the acrylic refugium.
Lovely tank
Jackie
ps must be only smart women who come from Glasgow!
Hi Jackie,
Sorry I didn't see your post sooner :blush: I used B&Q plastic glue for the refugium - it comes in a little green tube.
cheers
Anna
Another *small* update to the tank.
I have the aquamedic auto top-up fitted but I've always been concerned that the actual float switch is held in place by rubber suckers - renowned for coming loose - if the float switch was to move the auto-top up wouldn't work as it should, so......
tada...........................
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/floatswitchsupporttopview.jpg
and a side view:
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/floatswitchsupportsideview.jpg
I cut a piece of acrylic - drilled 4 holes at the end where the float switch support goes - held in place by cable ties - the actual float switch mounts onto this piece of black plastic - then used a heat gun to bend the top of the acrylic so it could be "hooked" over the divider in the back of the tank.
Hopefully the weight of the bracket will be enough to keep it in position, if not I have a few ideas :idea:
just thought I'd share
Anna
wee update - float switch bracket now fitted and working :)
Couple of new additions to the tank : 2 x Cleaner Shrimps and 2 x Money Cowries. All have settled in and are doing fine.
Slightly more worrying is the missing tail fin from one of my chromis - I suspect the boxer shrimp and will be monitoring his activity for the next few days - any more of that behaviour and he'll be coming out :angry:
cheery
Anna
Originally posted by Anna@Feb 21 2005, 16:22
wee update - float switch bracket now fitted and working :)
Couple of new additions to the tank : 2 x Cleaner Shrimps and 2 x Money Cowries. All have settled in and are doing fine.
Slightly more worrying is the missing tail fin from one of my chromis - I suspect the boxer shrimp and will be monitoring his activity for the next few days - any more of that behaviour and he'll be coming out :angry:
cheery
Anna
So you still have the tank then?! And you just can't help yourself but tinker with it and add new livestock ;) :thumbsup:
Originally posted by Stevielad@Feb 21 2005, 16:25
So you still have the tank then?! And you just can't help yourself but tinker with it and add new livestock ;) :thumbsup:
:lol: yeah seems that way ;)
nice touch with the autotop up fixings... like it.. might use that idea if I may!
M
Originally posted by maffu@Feb 21 2005, 16:41
nice touch with the autotop up fixings... like it.. might use that idea if I may!
M
of course :) I'd be honoured :blush:
;)
Anna
Tank as of 27/02/05:
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/tank270205.jpg
also a new addition today in the shape of a juvenille Macropharyngodon negrosensis or Black Leopard-wrasse if you prefer. I've been trying for ages to get a decent picture but failed..... he's the black/yellow dot half way up the right hand side of the tank in the picture above though :D
I did manage to get a picture of my Kleins butterfly though - peek a boo
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/peekaboo.jpg
cheery
Anna
Looking great!
You have some serious coralline coverage of your lovely new tank in a very short time - must be doing something right!!
*update* - Added a Digital Thermostat to control 4 x 60mm PC fans
With the weather getting warmer I thought it was time to start thinking about increased cooling in the tank - I already have 2 80mm fans in the back of the hood (see previous posts) but I wanted a little more for when the ambient temperatures get higher. So I invested in a digital thermostat (bought from ebay but also available here: Multi-Purpose Digital Thermostat Controller (http://www.highland-weather-shop.com/Multi-Purpose-Digital-Thermostat-Controller)).
Started with the following:
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/wiringthermometer1.jpg
Plug socket and 13amp plug, black abs box (mb3) and some 2 core and 3 core mains flex - all bought from Maplins. The thermostat comes with the probe and cable.
Next I set about the abs box with my dremmel :evil: and made an opening for the thermostat and drilled holes in rear for the cables. The bit of carboard wrapped in electricians tape in the middle is to support the back of the thermostat when its seated in the box.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/wiringthermometer2.jpg
Then came the scarey bit - wiring the box up :unsure:
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/wiringthermometer4.jpg
I made and followed the following diagram to wire things up.
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/wiringforthermostat.jpg
Here's the box wired up with all the *bits* attached:
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/wiringthermometer3.jpg
as you can see the earth wire doesn't go into the thermostat itself but straight to the plug socket instead.
And here it is with the lid on:
http://www.fponline.f9.co.uk/images/wiringthermometer5.jpg
The settings on the web site are a little confusing so I searched on the BB and came up with some better ones ;)
1. Hold down both arrow buttons and turn the power on (or plug the thermostat in).
2. PAr appears in the display.
3. Press Set twice - this brings up the minimum temperature the unit will function at (nothing to do with switching the fans on) - I set mine to 15 using the arrow keys
4. Press Set twice - this shows the maximum temperature the unit will function at (again nothing to do the with switching on the fans) - I set mine to 35.
5. Pressing Set again twice brings up "rt1" this controls the time between switching - I set it to 1.
6. Pressing Set twice again brings up "hy1" - not sure about this but set it to +1 ( :blush: ).
7. Turn the unit off (or unplug)
8. Turn on again (or plug back in)
9. Press the Set button - this is to set the temperature you want the fan to come on at. You should input the temperature required -1. I wanted the fans to come on at 27 degrees so input 26.
10. Press the "hys" button and set to +1.
And that should be that..... The fans will turn on when the temperature reaches 27 degrees and turn off again when it drops to 26.
I tested mine by plugging a lamp into the socket then raised the temperature of the probe - the light turned on when the display read 27 degrees.
Hope this is of a help to someone :)
cheery
Anna
Anna
Good to see you havent given up!
Always liked your diy threads :rolleyes:
Can you use the controller to control both your heating and cooling?
i.e. turn on heaters up to 26 deg and then off and fans on over 26 deg?
Ian
HaHa
Just read next thread down and explains what I amlooking for :wacko:
:thumbsup: Ian
Hi Ian,
Thanks for the kind words :) - yup, I'm still here and plan to keep the tank.
I think most people use two of these controllers for fans and heaters, you can use one but it does mean that either the fans or the heater will always be on.
hth
Anna
Hi Anna. I like your DIY to make the holder for the thermostat very well done it looks a treat its given me ideas about mine, also i'm glad to hear that you are keeping your tank and i am looking forward to see what you will be adding next. Keep up the good work you should be very proud of a setup like yours.Regards Eric. :thumbsup:
Isn't there a problem with PVC & saltwater?
If the wiring/probe are not designed to run in salt water, don't they release esters/polymers - just a thought??
Andy
Originally posted by aquayle@Mar 26 2005, 17:24
Isn't there a problem with PVC & saltwater?
If the wiring/probe are not designed to run in salt water, don't they release esters/polymers - just a thought??
I hope not :blink: the probe was sold for use in a marine tank and there are more than a few peeps on here who already have them and have been running them for a while.
Anna
I think most people use two of these controllers for fans and heaters, you can use one but it does mean that either the fans or the heater will always be on.
But doesn't this mean that when the fan switches off, the heater will have power, but won't be on until it's own thermostat turns it on ?
I'm confused. :blush:
Originally posted by tombsc@Mar 30 2005, 13:53
But doesn't this mean that when the fan switches off, the heater will have power, but won't be on until it's own thermostat turns it on ?
I'm confused. :blush:
yes, provided you have the thermostat of the heater set to a higher temperature then I guess that would work fine :)
Anna
This is a really daft question but one I dont know the answer to....
does the 120 in "perc 120" stand for 120 gallons?
If so what are the dimensions of this tank?
Peter,
There has been some discussion on this elsewhere, not really sure myself but I'd say with displacement due to live rock etc the tank holds just under 100 gallons.
The tank zize is 49" x "26" x 24" - volume from this is 110 gallons
hth
Anna
The 120 in Perc 120 stands for 120cm in length not the volume of the tank. So it's a 4ft tank. Ditto the perc 90 being 90cm.
Roddy
Hi Guys,
Not much really in the way of an update but a little heads-up to other Perc owners.
Whilst cleaning the glass last night I noticed a small dribble of water down the right hand side front edge - strange, but assumed it was the fish being a little boisterous when feeding and had splashed water out - got a bit of kitchen roll and wiped away - only to see the water bead again just under the top piece of plastic trim. Now I had been running my tank quite full - water about 1/2" over the front stress bar in order to cover the algae in my refugium a little better - simple fact of the matter seems to be that the tanks (well my tank at least) aren't made to be run with the water so high - I've lowered the first plastic comb and brought the water level back down to just under/level with the front stress bar - no more water beads.
Anyway, like I say, just a heads up to other Perc owners out there ;)
atb
Anna
Hi Anna,Great looking tank.
After reading through your thread a couple of weeks ago looking for insperation I orderd some black egg crate / filter grids when it arrived the first thing I noticed was the smell it smells like burnt plastic just like a recycled carrierbag there is noway this stuf is reef safe IMO I wouldn't even put it in my pond.Well that was a expensive mistake £40 in the bin I'm just glad I didn't have a cold.
Adam
Aquastotty
05-05-05, 03:06
Hi Anna im an lfs worker in edinburgh who regularly visits U.A.Purchased a perc 120 looking good! and feeling inspired by your project.I was wondering if youve ever heard of someone using a chiler on the percs? I thought your coraline algae was very impressive considering the time scale! Anyway goodluck and hope i bump in to you at ua. Cheeri 4 noo
Hi Aquastotty :)
thanks for those kind words... I'm sure there is someone on the board who has a Perc and a chiller, it can be done - I have fans in the hood which help keep the temperature down and I know others use clip on fans positioned above the tank to help keep things cool.
After the decision to sell my tank back in January - then deciding to keep it going, I am considering selling again, my current work load means I just don't have the amount of time I'd like to spend on the hobby...... :(
Anna
Hi Guys,
Thought I'd better tag this post to the end here:
The tank has now been sold on to Ian/Arena432.
thanks
Anna
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