View Full Version : My Percula 120 Bow
Hi,
Well it's finally arrived, as expected it's big and it's heavy, took 4 of us to get it into the house. Thanks to Karl and Jeremy at SAS for excellent service so far.
Here's what I went for:
Aquamedic Percula 120 Bowfront in Beech
Aquamedic OceanLight Twin 150+ with 2x 150w Halide & including 2x 54w Actinics (upgraded from Oceanlight Twin 150)
Visitherm 300w Heater
Visitherm 200w Heater
50kg Cured Live Rock
Salifert Ca test kit
Salifert Alk test kit
Salifert Mg test kit
Salifert NO3 test kit
Deltec Phosphate Test Kit
Aqua Medic Refractometer
Digital LCD thermometer
Glass thermometer
Long Magfloat
25kg Aqua Medic Reef Salt
6 Stage RO Man 100 gallon per day RO system with inline TDS and pressure gauge and DI unit.
Aquamedic AntiPhos FE
SeaChem Reef Advantage Magnesium
HR Carbon
Nets
Aragonite Select Sand
Obviously I haven't collected the Live Rock until the tank is installed.
I have already built up the cabinet, which is also very heavy, and I need to sort out the electrics and a supply and drain for the RO Unit.
Andy B.
Originally posted by Crooked@Apr 28 2005, 07:40
Hi,
Well it's finally arrived, as expected it's big and it's heavy, took 4 of us to get it into the house. Thanks to Karl and Jeremy at SAS for excellent service so far.
Here's what I went for:
Aquamedic Percula 120 Bowfront in Beech
Aquamedic OceanLight Twin 150+ with 2x 150w Halide & including 4x Actinics (upgraded from Oceanlight Twin 150)
Visitherm 300w Heater
Visitherm 200w Heater
50kg Cured Live Rock
Salifert Ca test kit
Salifert Alk test kit
Salifert Mg test kit
Salifert NO3 test kit
Deltec Phosphate Test Kit
Aqua Medic Refractometer
Digital LCD thermometer
Glass thermometer
Long Magfloat
25kg Aqua Medic Reef Salt
6 Stage RO Man 100 gallon per day RO system with inline TDS and pressure gauge and DI unit.
Aquamedic AntiPhos FE
SeaChem Reef Advantage Magnesium
HR Carbon
Nets
Aragonite Select Sand
Obviously I haven't collected the Live Rock until the tank is installed.
I have already built up the cabinet, which is also very heavy, and I need to sort out the electrics and a supply and drain for the RO Unit.
Andy B.
Hiya M8
Good choice of tank :)
Any chance of some pics ?
WE all love pics.
Had my perc bowfront for about 14 weeks now :dance:
Stunning tank.
Cheers
Andy
:cheers:
Thanks Panda30,
I have read all the posts from your tank setup and 1 or 2 other percs. If my tank ends up looking as good as some on this forum I will be very pleased.
No Pics at the moment as the tank is sat on the kitchen floor and I am sorting out where my electrics etc are going to be.
Cheers,
Andy B.
Progress Update,
Built Cabinet, fitted switched fused spur for multiplug power, fitted 2 extra sockets to keep the wife happy :wub: , decided not to go for the bracket option on the Oceanlight.
I thought that the Oceanlight would look better hung from the ceiling, in the same way as my low voltage pull down dining room light, it's then that I realised that the Rawl Plugs supplied by Aqua Medic were not up to the job as the light weighs in at 12.8 kgs !. I managed to beg some industrial plasterboard fixings which meant that the floor above didn't have to come up for ceiling strengthening (phew!).
I am planning to pipe the RO unit water supply and drain in to the left hand side of the cabinet, which I may as well do whilst the tank is not in place, as I can't lift it on my own, took four of us last time. Just need to locate the right fittings.
Here's my first pics.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Cabinet-&-Light.jpg
Inside the cabinet
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Cabinet-Electrics.jpg
:thumbsup:
Andy B.
Hi,
I dont think i would risk hanging the light from the ceiling with any type of plasterboard fixing. Pull your floor up above :D
John........
Originally posted by john27@May 1 2005, 10:13
Hi,
I dont think i would risk hanging the light from the ceiling with any type of plasterboard fixing. Pull your floor up above :D
John........
Hi John,
I too had reservations so we did some pullthrough tests on 9.5mm plasterboard which held up really well, and my ceiling is 12.7mm plasterboard, so I feel quite confident that it will stay there.
He says, tempting fate.
Andy B.
Originally posted by Neil0968@May 1 2005, 12:03
Hi andy,
Hope your tank goes well. Can I offer up a piece of advice from my experience of the perc 120. I found on a couple of occasions during maintenance that a small amount of water went down the cable run at the back of the tank. Not too much of a problem as all the wires had loops below plug level and the plug bar wasnt underneath the hole. I think no matter how careful you are, one day you will get a few drips down there.
I would move the plug bar to the left hand side of the cabinet and screw it to the centre support board. If you get water down there as it is, it will go into the electrics as it is directly beneath now.
I thought I would be so careful but when you are cleaning pumps etc in situ, you would be surprised how easy it is done.
Or maybe I'm just a clumsy oaf!!!!
HTH
Neil
Hi Neil,
It's a fair point that you make about the possibilty of water ingress into the cabinet, but not being on the small side, I would find it more difficult to get to the socket board on the sides, especially once I have timers fitted.
I will have to devise some method of catching any spillage, by stuffing a rag down the cable run !.
Thanks anyway,
Andy B.
Plumbed in the RO unit as I like to keep things tidy,
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/RO-Unit.jpg
Water going in, albeit slowly.
I have contacted the water board after finding that my pressure was lower than I thought, they are coming out on tuesday, by which time it will be full.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Water-Filling.jpg
looking good so far Andy
:thumbsup:
looking forward to pictures when its full of livestock etc
bet you cant wait till its full and you can get the rock in
:cheers:
Mark
Here's an update,
50kg of LR gone in and sand added (after washing), still clouds the water though.
Water has yet to clear after adding sand, but it's getting there.
Right Hand Side
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/LR-Right-Side.jpg
I am trying to create a Cove effect with plenty of "nooks and crannies" for critters and corals to inhabit.
Front View
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/LR-Front-View.jpg
Left Hand Side
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/LR-Left-Side.jpg
Hopefully water will be clear by the weekend and then the cleanup crew can go in.
That's it for now.
Andy B.
Looking good crooked really like your aquascaping :wub: will be awesome when you get some life in there :) Keep the pics coming
Baden :evil:
:thanx:
Looking good there m8 :thumbsup:
I always cringe when I see those factory made stands, they look like they cant take the weight, odiously they can though.
To be honest Mik3y6 the stand weighs nearly as much as the tank !
It's made of about 22mm thick laminated chipboard.
Better made than some, that's the Germans for ya!
Regards
Andy B.
Hi Andy
Nice Aquascaping, very open and avoids the rock wall look. Should get good flow and be ideal for iminent coral placing. Plenty of swiming room too.
Well executed :thumbsup:
Cheers K&J
rockster2599
12-05-05, 13:27
A fellow Chestefield man.
If you're interested in LPS and softies (and when your tank is ready) I have some frags. Good luck with new set up.
Rockster
Hi there
The Perc 120 is a great tank (Bit picey, but well worth it) , what a beauty, excellant aquascaping as well
Look forward to more pics
Del
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Originally posted by rockster2599@May 12 2005, 12:27
A fellow Chestefield man.
If you're interested in LPS and softies (and when your tank is ready) I have some frags. Good luck with new set up.
Rockster
Hi rockster2599,
Thanks for the offer,
I have a selection of corals waiting at SAS to go in and my eye on some more, could be a while, but thanks anyway.
Andy B.
Hamagogo,
Thanks for the kind words :wub: :blush:
Andy B.
Hi,
All is going well, apart from the brown algae which went mad and now seems to be receding.
Added Clean Up Crew:
2x (Mature) Cleaner Shrimp (that had babies within a week or so of going in).
2x Peppermint Shrimps.
1x Camel Back/Dancer Shrimp
12x Red Leg Hermit Crabs
6x Blue Leg Hermit Crabs
Also added 2x starfish, sorry couldn't resist them.
Also now added some corals.
Picture Update.
Cleaner Shrimp.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Cleaner-Shrimp.jpg
Alvepora ?
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Alvepora.jpg
Blue Pearl (Not fully open, picture taken too soon after lights came on)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Blue-Pearl.jpg
Bubble
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Andys-bubble.jpg
Frogspawn ?
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Frogspawn.jpg
Non Photosynthetic Gorgoninan
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Gorgonian.jpg
Green Pearl (Not fully open, picture taken too soon after lights came on)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Green-Pearl.jpg
Trachy ?
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Trachy.jpg
Turbinaria Columna ?
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Andys-Turbinaria.jpg
Open Brain
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Open-Brain-1.jpg
Open Brain
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Open-Brain-2.jpg
Tank - Front View
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Full-Front.jpg
That's all for now
Andy B.
Hi Andy I am really liken this tank
Excellant pics by the way
Del
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Andy,
That's really looking good. You have some beautiful corals there.
I really must make time to get up to SAS!
:thumbsup:
Originally posted by hamagogo@May 21 2005, 10:46
Hi Andy I am really liken this tank
Excellant pics by the way
Del
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Del
Thanks for the kind comments, some of the pictures are slightly out of focus as the Bow distorts the image when you take pictures down at an angle.
:blush:
:thanx:
Andy B.
Originally posted by Lucy@May 21 2005, 10:47
Andy,
That's really looking good. You have some beautiful corals there.
I really must make time to get up to SAS!
:thumbsup:
Lucy,
Shhh !!! dont' tell everyone what beautiful stock they have at SAS, I am trying to buy it all for myself ;)
Only Joking, I am sure that Karl and Jeremy agree that SAS has fast become my second home, thanks for the help guys.
I have been following your posts too lucy and a visit to SAS may help with your Nano project. We can maybe sort a meet or something out midweek maybe when there is more chance of a good chat with the guys.
Regards,
Andy B.
Andy,
It all looks *great* but one word of caution, I'm not sure your tank is ready for all those corals, you really should be waiting a few months, get through some more of the algae outbreaks you are going to experience and get some of the coralline growing on the back & the glass etc before you start adding SPS/LPS corals.
I hope I'm proved wrong and that they all thrive though!
What are your water params?
regards,
greg
Originally posted by gregh@May 21 2005, 19:12
Andy,
It all looks *great* but one word of caution, I'm not sure your tank is ready for all those corals, you really should be waiting a few months, get through some more of the algae outbreaks you are going to experience and get some of the coralline growing on the back & the glass etc before you start adding SPS/LPS corals.
I hope I'm proved wrong and that they all thrive though!
What are your water params?
regards,
greg
Hi Gregh,
Here are my parameters:
Date 21/05/2005
Salinety 1.026/35ppm
ph 8.3
ammonia 0
nitrate 0
nitrite 0
temp 26-27 ( depending when the lights are on)
phosphate 0
magnesium 1230 ppm
KH in dKH 10.6
Alk in meq/L 3.77
Calcium 460 ppm
Arctinic Lights on 7 hours and Metal Halides 5 Hours, (buliding up 1/2 hour each 2 weeks to Max of 12hrs and 10Hrs.)
I am fortunate in that I work from home and the tank gets more attention than my wife ;) these days.
Are you suggesting that future algae blooms would have a detrimental effect on my corals ?
What Benefit will the Coralline Algae be to my corals ?
Everything seems to be thriving and I monitor salinety daily and the rest once a week.
P.S. If my tank ends up looking as good as yours I will be a happy man.
Regards,
Andy B.
Hi Andy,
Your params look excellent mate, well done!
I am by no means an expert, but this thread explains better than I can put it:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...threadid=249112 (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=249112)
In summary he says so many things are dying off/growing that your water will fluctuate and could have a detrimental affect on corals, livestock etc. It's a bit OTT in my personal opinion but he knows alot more than me!
>>Are you suggesting that future algae blooms would have a detrimental effect >>on my corals ?
Possibly if you get a smothering outbreak of hair or cyano algae.
>>What Benefit will the Coralline Algae be to my corals ?
No benefit but I read on here that it was a useful indicator that your tank has matured and is starting to settle down.
Good luck and I do love those corals, will have to pop down the M1 ;)
cheers,
greg
It's a beautiful tank you have there.
I too would suggest slowing down. On May 11th you show pis of live rock going in and 10 days later you show a LOT of corals in there and starfish, quite a bit of moneys worth I suspect.
Now I'm probably opening a can of worms here but if SAS helped deliver the tank and have commented on your set up then surely they know you are stocking a tank that has only been running a few weeks.
If you had posted on the board and asked was it ok to put all them corals in a tank only a few weeks old I think 99% would advise against it.
Hi
I do not want to answer for Andy, however I will state a few points.
Andy is in a rather unique position, in the fact he works from home. He also has a good knowledge of water chemistry and parameters. He is well aware that LPS are regarded as a more difficult coral as a starter than say the obvious leathers and polyps etc. He does not want a softie tank and is determined to follow his goal towards a LPS dominated reef.
It is impossible to tell a reefer they should be having softies if they do not like them. You can offer advice and help, but in the end it is their tank. Leaving the tank empty for 6 months is impracticle and I do not believe very beneficial.
The system has been started using LR that is well cured, beyond what is regarded as new shop cured. 90% of the corals are also from a fellow reefer who is converting to SPS from LPS, and as thus the corals are far hardier, than say wilds, and have lived in tank conditions for 6 months to over 2 years.
He is a knowledgable chap who is also taking large lumps of advice and help from ourselves, including testing. If he is struggling (i dont think he will) we will re-house any corals or go on site to offer help. He is not in this alone.
Cheers Karl
I certainly do not profess to be an expert, however, I have kept fish for most of my life and have progressed from cold water to tropicals and then to marine.
My love for marines started 30+ years ago as a young boy and have now the opportunity to create a reef.
As Karl has pointed out I have not rushed into anything blindly, in fact I took two years just to research the project before even buying the equipment.
It is my intention to make this project a success and create a living reef that will thrive from care and attention, working from home is a great benefit to be able to do this.
Karl and Jeremy have been very supportive so far and also guided me away from some of the definite mistakes.
I am pleased that members can also offer guidance.
Thanks for the link gregh, and once there is more to look at you are only too welcome to visit.
Andy B
cheers Andy and good luck with the tank, please keep posting pics, us bow front owners seem to be in the minority so it's nice to see what others are up to.
Just one tip is that the 2 circulation pumps and the middle "reef clean" pump all have a sponge surround on them, which needs cleaning either weekly or fortnightly as it really slows down if not cleaned. I didn't realise this for weeks and my middle pump had really dropped off in performance.
If you search the percula owners thread I think there is some healthy debate and divided opinion about wether they should stay or go ;)
regards,
greg
Originally posted by gregh@May 25 2005, 08:53
cheers Andy and good luck with the tank, please keep posting pics, us bow front owners seem to be in the minority so it's nice to see what others are up to.
Just one tip is that the 2 circulation pumps and the middle "reef clean" pump all have a sponge surround on them, which needs cleaning either weekly or fortnightly as it really slows down if not cleaned. I didn't realise this for weeks and my middle pump had really dropped off in performance.
If you search the percula owners thread I think there is some healthy debate and divided opinion about wether they should stay or go ;)
regards,
greg
Cheers Greg,
Brown algae is clearing up now, will post more pictures when I have more to see.
On the subject of the pump sponges I have been cleaning the two right hand ones but how on earth do you reach the return pump one. You must have longer arms than me.
I would probably have to lay on the back of the tank to reach the bottom of the pump !
Any Tips,
Andy B.
the middle one is a b*tch. I have removed the sponge and never replaced it.
The only way I found to do it is to stand slightly to the right of centre on a stool, lean over and under the lights, then stick your arm down. I got huge bruising around my biceps on boths arm, as I needed 2 arms in there to put the pump back in place!
My tank is tight up against a wall on the RHS, I think it would be easier if I could come at it from the rhs.
cheers,
greg
Hi Andy,
How's it going? I wonder if I could ask you two questions?
Firstly do you know the dimensions of the Aquamedic OceanLight Twin lights, and secondly do you have a pic with the tank and lights in place? I checked the AM brochure and website and can't find any details!
I'm looking into upgrading my lights at the moment.
Cheers,
Greg
Originally posted by gregh@Jun 11 2005, 13:07
Hi Andy,
How's it going? I wonder if I could ask you two questions?
Firstly do you know the dimensions of the Aquamedic OceanLight Twin lights, and secondly do you have a pic with the tank and lights in place? I checked the AM brochure and website and can't find any details!
I'm looking into upgrading my lights at the moment.
Cheers,
Greg
Hi Gregh,
Sorry for the late reply, the board did not email me to say your post had arrived. I know that they have had some difficulties this last week or so.
Everything is going fine thanks, corralline algae is growing on the back panel and all the corals look healthy.
To answer you questions:
The Oceanlight 150+ that I upgraded to is 1200mm long x 350mm wide and 80mm high. The unit has 2x150w Metal Halides and 2x 54w Arctinic Blues, both pairs switched and wired. Cost is around £620
Here's a picture of the light in situ,
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/ReefLight.jpg
HTH
Andy B.
Originally posted by Crooked@May 21 2005, 10:41
Frogspawn ?
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Frogspawn.jpg
looks like euphilia(sp?) hammer coral
im sure someone will confirm or tell me im talking *******s :lol:
thanks for the pic, tanks looks great! :thumbsup: :cheers:
Hi weegaz22,
That's what I thought until I recently bought "A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Invertebrates by Ronald L. Shimek Ph.D. "
There is a picture on page 178 which is identical to my coral identified as " Euphyllia paradivisa, Branching frogspawn coral " ?????
On the next page is "Euphyllia parancora, Branching hammer coral (branching anchor coral)" which is similar but has horse shoe shaped tentacles.
????
Andy B.
Hi,
Some updated pics of new and old;
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Blue_Bubble.jpg
6"diameter
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Green-Bubble.jpg
6" diameter
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Pink-Bubble.jpg
Huge Pink Bubble 10" x 4" !
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Jelly_Coral.jpg
Comments and observations appreciated.
More to follow.
Andy B.
Added Video Link to Signature,
13mb, 2.43 minute Windows Media File.
Broadband recommended !
cheers,
Andy B.
- Removed link due to unreliable host !
:thumbsup: checked out the video ,excellent capture.
love the ripple effect of the water
Crooked,
May I ask how many kgs of sand did you use in your tank and how thick is it?
Thx
looks great, if you ever frag that white/pink bubble please let me know!
regards,
greg
Originally posted by Gouri@Dec 2 2005, 19:12
Crooked,
May I ask how many kgs of sand did you use in your tank and how thick is it?
Thx
Hi Gouri,
I used one and a half 30lb bags of Carib Sea Aroganite Sand which covers around 1 - 1 1/2" inches of the base.
Live Rock was placed first and sand added around it so the rocks don't move if the sand gets displaced.
No sand was placed behind the rocks.
HTH,
Andy B.
Originally posted by gregh@Dec 2 2005, 20:00
looks great, if you ever frag that white/pink bubble please let me know!
regards,
greg
Cheers gregh,
I think the Pink Bubble is my favourite
would break my heart to frag it,
my LFS, SAS had a smaller piece in recently, why not give them a try.
Andy B.
Andy any updated pics of the Perc????????
Hi Jobr,
Here's some pictures one year on,
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/Perc120Bow-300506.jpg
Close up Right Side
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/Perc120BowR-300506.jpg
Close Up Left Side
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/Perc120BowL-300506.jpg
One or two changes but no major disasters !
Regards,
Andy B.
Looks great Andy.
I set up a new Perc 120 back end of last year, just changed it to a new Bow a few weeks ago due to a few small problems.
liquidlogic
09-09-06, 19:20
credit to u mate. realy like ur tank :) rewaly is nice. setting my perc 120 up soooon yey
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