View Full Version : Tank Of The Month - October 2005 - Keith Hellyar
UltimateReef.com is proud to feature its latest 'Tank of the Month'.
Keith Hellyar's Reef Tank.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(30).jpg
Details can be found below.
Congratulations Keith amazing tank and thankyou for the fantastic write up.!
If you have any questions or comments for Keith then please post them in this thread.
Finally I make no apologies for not doing any resizing of Keiths pictures, they are too good to resize or try and be clever with the write up.
Craig
Keith Hellyar's Reef Tank
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(30).jpg
I posted a photo of my tank on Ultimate Reef one idol evening and I was taken aback by the positive feedback I received. There were even cries of tank of the month which was soon followed by an email from Craig to see if I would agree. I consider it an honour. So, here goes with a bit of history and write up about my current system supported with as many acceptable quality photo’s as I have been able to take.
History
I first kept fish when I was 16 years old following a Summer holiday in Devon. The Hotel had a Tropical Freshwater set up and I became hooked. Like most people I spent many years keeping Tropical Freshwater species and was quite successful at breeding various egglaying species including Angel Fish, Tiger Barbs and Danios, It was in the early 80’s that I first became interested in Marines. My first attempt was a 30 gallon hexagonal tank, fish only system. The filtration was typical of the time, i.e. reverse flow under gravel filtration powered by an External Fluval Filter. I successfully kept Clownfish, Regals and even a Dwarf Keyhole Angelfish which at the time was considered difficult. The scene was typical of most Marine systems of the time. Dead coral skeleton for decoration covered in green slime algae because Nitrate and Phosphate was out of control. The cure all for everything was regular partial water changes.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(19).jpg
That Hexagonal Tank was eventually reverted back to a Freshwater set up and I didn’t get interested in Marines again until I had the opportunity for a holiday in the Maldives where I learned to Dive. That was in 2001/2 and it made such an impression on me that I was determined to set up a Reef system. My first attempt was a 48x18x21 tank loaded with Softies and was fairly successful. All the lessons of controlling hair algae and, maintaining good water quality were learned from this tank. I even ventured into fragging Soft corals. I think just about every Reefer in the Southampton area now has a Sarco Leather Coral which has descended from one of mine.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(18).jpg
I learned lots during this time though. Ultimate Reef was a great place to get answers to questions and it was through UR that I joined MGTG (South) which was formed by Simon Garratt and Simon Clarke. Both Simons were a true inspiration which lead me to my next upgrade with ambitions to venture into keeping SPS corals. Apologies to all MGTG (South) members for this paragraph. I know the two Simons are big headed enough already without needing their egoes massaged by me. However, they were my inspiration and that’s fact.
Current Set Up
My pride and joy is a 5x2x2 Tank built for me by Keith Windsor. It sits on Pine cabinet which I constructed myself.. Whilst the tank holds about 120 gallons, my total system gallonage is around 220 gallons. The volume is increased by a 36x12x15 sump and the addition of 3 x 25 gallon containers that sit in a cupboard outside. The containers serve 2 purposes. The first is to add to the overall volume of my system and the second is to make water changes easy. More on that later.
I have about 50 kg of LR in the main tank. This is made up of 30kg of Carribean LR supplemented by 20kg of Reef Bones. The tank has a shallow sandbed of about 1.5”
The Sump
I have one corner weir in the tank which overflows to a sump. This is made from a bog standard 36x12x15 aquarium with various partitions fitted by me. There is nothing at all clever about the sump. It is simply partitioned into four compartments.
1. Receives the overflow pipe from the main Tank.
2. Holds the feed pump to my Deltec AP850 skimmer which sits in a cupboard to the side of the main tank cabinet. Unfortunately, I built the stand about an inch too short for the skimmer to fit under the tank cabinet. Incidentally, my Deltec AP850 skimmer is just about the only brand name you will find on my system. I am a DIY fanatic and have managed to build all of the filtration equipment I need to support my system.
3. The next compartment holds a DSB of about 5” with Caulerpa growing over the top.
4. The final compartment holds the heaters, and return pumps. I also have two Eheim 1060 return pumps. One delivers back to the main tank. The other delivers to the 3 x 25 gallon reservoirs situated outside. The water overflows back form the reservoir back into the sump.
Lighting
This is provided by 2 x 250 watt metal halide lowbays purchased from forum sponsor Rob of www.Marine Lighting.co.uk. The lowbays have 250 watt BLV 10,000k lamps fitted. These burn from 11:00am to 8:00pm each day
Additional lighting is provided by 252 watts of actinics.
2 x30w T8 actinic
2 x39w T5 actinic
1 x 39w T5 Power Compact
1 x 54w T5 Power Compact
The addition of this blue lighting provides a crystal clear minty effect to the overall lighting which I find very pleasing and seems to bring out the best in the colours of my SPS corals.. The additional lighting also enables me to phase the lighting on in the morning and phased switch off in the evening.
Sump lighting is provided by 2 x 21 watt Domestic Energy saving bulbs. These are simple to install and have proved to be perfect for rampant Caulerpa growth.
Other Equipment
Phosphate reactor – This is a DIY project. (See pic).
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(22a).jpg
The Acrylic tube was acquired from a Boot Sale. It was one of those Bubble Lamps with plastic fish in a formal life. The tube cost me a fiver and I have been able to construct a few useful bits of equipment with it. The reactor is split into two compartments. One for the Rowa and one for Carbon. Water flow through it is provided by a simple tee off from the return pipe to the main tank.
Kalc Stirrer – Another DIY project again using the Acylic Tube. This stirrer was originally modeled from the Deltec motorised stirrer but the motor eventually burnt out and I refashioned the stirrer to be run by and old powerhead that I had lying around. This has proved to be completely reliable
Calcium Reactor – (See pic)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(31a).jpg
Another DIY project. The Chamber is made from an old Cleartides skimmer given to me by someone. Circulation is provided by two Maxijet pumps. The design was copied from Simon Garrats own DIY reactor and has proved to be very effective and reliable in use. (See Pic) CO2 into the reactor is controlled by an Aqua Medic PH Controller. I’m afraid the electronics required for a DIY project are beyond me but I did at least manage to find the controller secondhand on UR.
Peristaltic pumps – I have two.(See pic)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(32a).jpg
One to power the reactor and the other to power the Stirrer. These are semi DIY projects. The main pump housings were acquired from Ebay. They were marketed as Domestic dishwasher pumps and are identical in every way to the pump assemblies used on Commercial Aquarium Peristaltic Pumps. I purchased them for £28.00 each. The DIY part was to simply attach them to an electrical box obtained from Maplins for £2.00 They have proved to be ultra reliable in use.
Auto top up – Another DIY project. It consists of a 12 volt transformer and float switch purchased from Maplins. The 12 volt circuit switches the 240volt mains supply via a solenoid again obtained from Maplins. The pump is an old powerhead which sits in an RO reservoir (old salt bucket) which is housed in the cupboard outside. The RO reservoir is kept topped up direct from my RO filter. The auto top up cost me about £20 to build.
Tank Turnover
I’m not sure of the turnover in gallons per hour but I have several means of providing the vital flow. I have a Tunze Stream 6060 (6000 ltr/hr. This is the budget uncontrolled version. A Seio 1500 pump (3000ltr/hr). An Aquaclear 802 (1500 ltr/hr) Additionally I have a closed loop system powered by an Ocean Runner 6500 (6000ltr/hr)
I suppose its my water turnover that I am most dissatisfied with. And I now wish I’d known about the merits of drilled closed loop systems when I set my tank up. However, the combination of the pumps listed above provide sufficient water flow to keep the SPS happy and to provide plenty of turbulence on the water surface.
Cooling
My overall system temperature stays within limits most of the time. Periods of hot sunny weather though causes me a few problems. Cooling is provided by 3 clip on fans from B&Q controlled by a Habistat Coolstat. This is a brilliant bit of equipment and has been real boon this summer. My next DIY project is to have a go at building an Eco cooler on similar lines to the Deltec model.
Maintenance
Current Water Parameters
SG = 1.025
Temp 77.2F am rising to 78.7 pm. I try to keep temperature less than 81F in the Summer.
Calcium 460ppm
Mg 1260 ppm
Nitrates – undetectable
Phosphate – I rarely test.
Ammonia and Nitrite – never test
I carry out tests once per month using Salifert test kits. More frequently when I notice any deterioration in coral growth. The biggest challenge is maintaining balance between alkalinity/calcium/Mg. I find that small adjustments are required on all three from time to time.
Apart from the above, I dose Iodine occasionally but never more frequently than once per week. I view it as a maintenance dose. I’ve been doing this since April when I experienced some die back on the tips of some Montipora and Millepora. I cant prove that it was the cure but I’ve experienced no die back since I started dosing.
Water changes
I religiously replenish 25 gallons (10%) with fresh Salt water every week. I use Reef Crystals. I used to find water changes a real chore. It involved lugging 5 gallon containers in and out of the house and all the mess that usually goes with siphoning water in and out of the tank. The effort in carrying out water changes meant that I was seldom motivated to keep to a regular water change regime. That is now all in the past since I installed the three 25 gallon reservoirs outside. I have designed them so its possible to isolate one container whilst allowing the other two to remain operational. Once the tank is isolated it is a simple task to open the tap to drain way the old water. Refill with RO water direct from a 30 gallon barrel which is kept constantly filled in my Garage. Add Salt and aerate and heat for 12 hours before doing a final SG test. Its then a simple task of reopening the valves and making that container operational again. The system has two advantages. The first is that water changes are actually a pleasure and its easy to stick to the discipline of weekly changes. Secondly, the water flow through the reservoirs and back to the sump is quite slow. So, new saltwater is added to the system via dilution over several hours. My theory is that this reduces the shock to the corals of “sudden” large water changes..
And Finally – the inhabitants
Livestock
Fish
Yellow Tang
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(23).jpg
Regal Tang
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(27).JPG
Midas Blenny
Green Chromis x 5
Pink Scooter Blenny
Spotted Mandarin
Six Line Wrasse
Lunar Fairy Wrasse
Yellow Damsel
Sulphur Watchman Goby
Common Clownfish x2
Coral Beauty
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(24).jpg
Royal Gramma
Inverts
Black Brittle Star.
Florida Fighting Conch x 2
Cleaner Shrimps x 2
Peppermint Shrimps x3
Tuxedo Urchin
Unidentified Pencil Type Urchin
Pink Cucumber
Blue Reef Lobster
Anemone ( believed to be Magnifica) home to Clowns
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(16).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(17).jpg
Rose Bubble tip Anemone
Various clean up crew – Snails and Hermits
Blue Linkia Starfish
Red Linkia Starfish
Sand Sifting Starfish
Unidentified Crabs
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(8).jpg
Corals
LPS
Brain Coral
Torch coral
Hammer
Goniopora
Frogspawn
Bubble
Turbastrae 3 types
Sun corals x2
Blastomussa
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(11).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(5).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(26).JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(20).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(13).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(14).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(15).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(25).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(4).jpg
SPS
Acropora - various
Hystrix
Montipora Digitata Red and Green
Monti Plating Green and Red
Millepora – Purple and Green
Pocillopora
Pavona
Hydnopora
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(1).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(2).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(7).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(29).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(9).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(3).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(6).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(28).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(12).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(10).jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/keithsreef%20(21).jpg
'nuff respect' as Ali G would say.
That is a lovely tank Keith, well done.
As an aside, as the coral Beauty ever had a nip at your SPS?
:thumbsup:
Chris.
what a beautiful tank...congrates keith
Sarah xxxx :wub:
Johnymajors
30-09-05, 23:30
Lovley tank you got there :wub: ....... :thumbsup:
cracking tank :thumbsup: , whats the coral 2nd from the bottom?
Lawrence Corley
01-10-05, 01:03
Congrats Keith, well deserved TOTM :thumbsup:
Loz
Stunning Keith, well deserved :bow:
:wub: :wub: :wub:
Tony
Stunning tank, love all the DIY bits!
Well done for getting TOTM!
keith hellyar
01-10-05, 07:28
Originally posted by Yakdriver@Sep 30 2005, 22:11
As an aside, as the coral Beauty ever had a nip at your SPS?
:thumbsup:
Chris.
No - apart from the occasional nip at the Clam its been as good as gold.
K
keith hellyar
01-10-05, 07:33
Originally posted by weegaz22@Sep 30 2005, 22:33
cracking tank :thumbsup: , whats the coral 2nd from the bottom?
Coral ID is not my strong point but I believe its a Hydnophora Rigida
K
Inspirational Keith....well done m8
a work of art, im sure alot of us can only hope to get a tank looking this good
:bow:
well done keith :thumbsup:
a very worthy winner
mike
Congrats Keith
Well deserved totm. The colours in your tank are amazing. Only hope my tank looks half as good in a years time.
Nice photos and well written too.
Bry
Terrific tank
Lovely colours
:bow: :bow:
Scott
Beautiful, a very healthy & colourful looking tank.
Congratulations.
:thumbsup:
Brilliant looking tank Keith - well done on you!
mariusz621
01-10-05, 12:38
Your tank looks fantastic. :thumbsup:
I like your DIY projects and the huge acro in the middle of the tank ;)
BlankFrank
01-10-05, 13:45
Ohh Nice! :wub:
At least theres one decent reefer down there :D :lol: :D
<runs and hides> :ph34r:
Sean the Prawn
01-10-05, 17:07
Reeeally nice tank! Great photos too. Well done.
Sean
bunglehaze
01-10-05, 18:08
:bow: :bow: :wub: :wub:
wow!!
Nice tank there Keith, now I have your other pc in custody I think I might have to hold it hostage for a frag or 2 :lol:
cheers
leigh :D
congratulations on your tank and all your hard work,i just hope i can have a tank half as good as this
:bow: fran
Marc Foord
01-10-05, 19:53
beautiful tank keith, nice to see a mix of corals, not just SPS too.... :)
keep up the good work
best wishes
marc
keith hellyar
01-10-05, 22:21
Bunglehaze
OK I'll bring some frags. :thumbsup:
Keith
simon garratt
02-10-05, 09:21
Well done Keith, very well deserved. I know youve put the time in on this system. Its obviously paid off. :D
ATB
Si.
Keith,
Great tank, and well worth TOTM - congratulations
Phil
Originally posted by Phil@Oct 2 2005, 08:48
Keith,
Great tank, and well worth TOTM - congratulations
Phil
awesome tank. congrats! B)
TheThingIs
03-10-05, 11:30
v. v. nice Keith, well done m8!
Lee
stunning tank keith some very nice acros! and like all the diy stuff of which im a big fan, centre one looks like its getting a bit of a suntan..fishman....
keith hellyar
03-10-05, 16:09
Originally posted by fishman@Oct 3 2005, 13:04
stunning tank keith some very nice acros! and like all the diy stuff of which im a big fan, centre one looks like its getting a bit of a suntan..fishman....
Yep its growing out of the water and now starting to cast a shadow over the tank. Definitely in need of drastic fragging. If there is anyone local who wants a piece just shout.
Keith
Congrats on a beautiful tank!
Very nice DIY also :thumbsup:
sweet tank - very well deserved totm :thumbsup:
Mountainman01
03-10-05, 18:54
:thumbsup: Absolute beauty!
A well deserved TOTM, gorgeous pics and some stunning species.
Hats off to the man :bow:
Paul :thumbsup:
Stunning tank.
Well done :thumbsup:
Tony
Keith
Wow
now i have something to aspire to.
Wicked!!!!!!!!
:dance:
Congratulations Keith on a superb set-up. It's a credit to you and your dedication to further the hobby for everyone to enjoy.
Keith
keith hellyar
04-10-05, 22:08
Originally posted by windsor-aquatic@Oct 4 2005, 13:14
Congratulations Keith on a superb set-up. It's a credit to you and your dedication to further the hobby for everyone to enjoy.
Keith
Thanks Keith
Its your expertise thats holding all that water in one place :bow:
Keith
well deserved there sir, very nice indeed :bow:
tank is lookng great kieth and hopefully my new tank will look that good someday.
cant wait to have a good look at it............rupert :bow:
rjwilsonreefer
10-10-05, 18:23
Truly a great tank, very nice indeed. :cheers:
:thumbsup: it's great to see when someone deserves to be totm :thumbsup:
and you have certainly earned that :bow: :bow:
keep it up :cheers:
MarineManMercer
15-10-05, 16:46
A first class tank Keith with lovely corals.If you dont mind me asking mate what camera are you using for the photos,seems to bring out the true colours in your tank.Also what halide are you using.
:cheers:
WOW! Its tanks like that which inspire people like me to get a reef tank!!! LOL
Maybe one day in the distant future I can dream about having a tank like that! Absolutely lush.... :wub: :wub: :wub:
keith hellyar
15-10-05, 22:10
Originally posted by MarineManMercer@Oct 15 2005, 15:46
A first class tank Keith with lovely corals.If you dont mind me asking mate what camera are you using for the photos,seems to bring out the true colours in your tank.Also what halide are you using.
:cheers:
I use a Fuji Finepix s7000. Tank lighting is 2x 250watt BLV 10,000 lamps supplemented with 250 watts of actinics.
Keith
well keith this is a truly awsome looking tank. like me your into all the DIY bits. it,s just more satisfiying when they work and you know you made it. well done on TOTM too. well deserved. thanks for sharing it with us on U/R :thanx: lenny
Keith it looks terrific. Love the colour of your corals the whole tank looks so healthy..
Nice to see my old cleartides skimmer put to some use looks good..
Nic :thumbsup:
WOW! :wub:
What a sexy tank - it's perfect. :dance:
Well done, keep up the great work, I can only dream of those results.
Tony B :thumbsup:
keith hellyar
17-10-05, 22:26
Originally posted by narthur@Oct 17 2005, 10:06
Keith it looks terrific. Love the colour of your corals the whole tank looks so healthy..
Nice to see my old cleartides skimmer put to some use looks good..
Nic :thumbsup:
Thanks for the comments everyone.
Narthur that cleartides was destined to become a skimmer but alas it never worked properly. But, it made a fine Calcium Reactor which works extremely efficiently. DIY skimmer building just hasn't been successful up to this point so its a Deltec AP850 for me. The only purchase I've needed to make. Everything else has the "Heltec" name on it. (check my name :D )
Keith
Originally posted by keith hellyar+Oct 17 2005, 21:26--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (keith hellyar @ Oct 17 2005, 21:26)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-narthur@Oct 17 2005, 10:06
Keith it looks terrific. Love the colour of your corals the whole tank looks so healthy..
Nice to see my old cleartides skimmer put to some use looks good..
Nic :thumbsup:
Thanks for the comments everyone.
Narthur that cleartides was destined to become a skimmer but alas it never worked properly. But, it made a fine Calcium Reactor which works extremely efficiently. DIY skimmer building just hasn't been successful up to this point so its a Deltec AP850 for me. The only purchase I've needed to make. Everything else has the "Heltec" name on it. (check my name :D )
Keith [/b][/quote]
just shows u don't need to spend a fortune on equipment..
Tank looks lovely indeed.. Nic
Trigger lover
01-11-05, 11:52
awesome tank :bow:
RichardinSouthampton
01-11-05, 18:09
Very nice tank Keith.
Hopefully mine will be that good some day.
Well done.
Rich
Southampton
P.s
If your still fragging in 4-6 months time put me on your list.
Better late than never... :)
What can say!! what a Lovely looking tank well deserved...you've worked very hard to get it that standard...well done mate... :thumbsup:
Mark...
keith hellyar
01-11-05, 21:47
Blimey
3 complimentary posts in one day. Thanks guys. Can I suggest you turn your attention to the latest TOTM. Thoroughly well deserved in my opinion.
Keith
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