Tank of the Month - June / July 2006 - SPS Hoover

[craigg]

UltimateReef.com is proud to feature its latest 'Tank of the Month'.

Simon's Reef Tank.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMG_0587.JPG

Details can be found below.

Congratulations Simon amazing tank and thankyou for the fantastic write up.!

If you have any questions or comments for Simon then please post them in this thread.

I would like to make a point of thanking Simon for the write up, basically I have had no input in this TOTM and therefore dont take any credit for its completion, I do however take credit for pointing out to Simon that as a mod he could no longer refurse my requests for a write up.

Truelly insparational and a tank that has not been attempted on the cheap. If its right then its used.

RESPECT!

Craig

[craigg]

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMG_0504.jpg


Introduction

I have been a marine keeper for 20 years on and off, but have only been serious in the last 7. I currently run an 800 gallon system mainly stocked with SPS and some of the rarer LPS. I class myself as an SPS holic and have been called an SPS Hoover in the past as I find it very hard to leave that must have SPS in the shop.
I have made many good friends through this obsession as the wife puts it, which has led to trips abroad to visit various aquariums and holidays to the Red Sea and the Maldives. I have been very fortunate with the company I keep being a member of the Hants & Surrey Marine group which has some very experienced and knowledgeable members who are willing to pass on any information that will enhance my reefkeeping. Without their help I believe my system would not be what it is today.
The two people I have to thank the most is my wife and my daughter for putting up with water everywhere, high electric bills and my continued obsession and without their understanding and support my reef keeping would not be reality.


Tanks

Tank 92”l by 44”w by 32”h Front pane is diamante glass

Sumps 79”l by 24”w by 24”h and 48”h by 24”w by 24”h

http://www.simons-reef.com/images/zoom/ZDGHJD/viewsize/save2.jpg

Main sump is fed via 2 durso overflows contained in 200mm weir box’s pipe in weirs is 50mm then reduces under tank to 40mm. Sump layout allows the dsb to be fed with water which has not been skimmed. The Deltec 902 is fed from first compartment sump also contains a small fuge. The large right had compartment is fresh water reservoir

Return pumps are both 0cean Runner 6500’s and return via 32mm pipe

Fuge and frag tanks are located 15meters away in garage and fed via a ehiem 1060

Fuge 60”l by 20”w by 14”h

Frag tank 1 is 36”x36”x15”

Frag Tank 2 is 60”x20”x15”

Frag Tank 3 is 72”x24”x15”

Live rock holding tank 48”x24”x24” this is used to increase the amount of rock contained within system. The Aqua Medic 5000 twin skimmer is fed from this tank.

Skimmers

Deltec AP902
Aqua medic 5000 twin

Lighting

4 x 400w halides 2 fitted with 10k XM bulbs and 2 fitted with 20k XM bulbs

2 x 140w Phillips 03 Actinics

Lighting Times

Actinics on 0800 - 2300
20k's on 1000 -2230
10k's 0n 1400-2200
Fuge lit by 2 x 125w 6400k envorlites 24/7
Frag Tanks lit be 250w halides with coralvue 14k bulbs
Circulation

4 closed loops 2 powered by sequence 11000’s and 2 powered by sequence 10000’s which turned on and off by my IKS

The two outlets at either end are each powered by sequence 11000 the four outlets situated at front are powered by two sequence 10000's all four pump share the same manifold for intakes which is made from 50mm pipe all outlets are made from 40mm pipe.
http://www.simons-reef.com/images/zoom/ZDGHJD/viewsize/save3.jpg

Diagram below shows the closed loop manifold
http://www.simons-reef.com/images/zoom/ZDGHJD/viewsize/save1.jpg


Heating and Cooling

Heating is done via a dozen 300w heaters
Deltec Eco-cooler and B&Q clip on fans

All above controlled via IKS

The system is completely controlled by IKS except for top up which is controller by a AAP Aquamaster Level Control System.

Calcium is supplied via a Aquamedic 5000 reactor containing Carabsea ARM ph in reactor is controller via IKS and held at ph6.5 it returns to tank via an additional container again holding ARM to try reduce the increase ph of returning water. Currently have 116ml/min flowing thou reactor which equals 167ltrs/35gals a day.


The beginning

Here's a picture of stand and sump where I made my first mistake with this tank the sump is way to tall to work on where's its positioned under tank. If I was to start again it would need to be at least 6" lower to make it more assessable
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSCF2525.JPG


I ordered glass from Solaglas which worked out 11.5 square metres I can't fault them considering they had to drill 22 holes for bottom as it is double based and these needed to line up perfectly when the two panes were siliconed together. I had spec'd the exact position of holes, everyone was perfect. If anyone considering building then own tank I would suggest you buy your glass from them.


http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSC03908.JPG



Then came day of build Mr Kevin Douglas was supervising Si G was in charge of silicon gun and I made the tea, which we all know is the most important job. Kev was great inspected all of Si's work
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSC03912.jpg

When it wasn't done to Kev's satisfaction he made him do it again...................."Whats that Kev two sugars in your tea"
http://www.simons-reef.com/images/zoom/ZDGHJD/viewsize/dsc_5.jpg

We left front glass of the front of tank so we could complete pipe inside and some of rock work as main structure was being installed dry.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSC03917%20copy.jpg

A small child was installed for glass cleaning at a later date!!!
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSC03931.jpg

Rest of build went to plan and it was within a month it was wet!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/DSC03976.jpg

Here a pic of what she looks like today
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMG_0587.JPG

Now for the best bit whats in there today

Being the SPS Hoover it has to some pictures of my collection In picture above you can see my Blue tipped staghorn which now measures over 2ft across and 18 inches back to front and tall.
I currently have 12 different Montiporas 25 different Acroporas 4 Porocilaporas here is few pic's of some of them
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSC01138small.jpg http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSC01123.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSC01127a.jpg http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSC01125a.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMG_0289.jpg http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMGP0426.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMGP0428.JPG http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMGP0443.JPG

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMGP0445.JPG http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMG_0399.jpg



Thats enough of them now a few LPS shots
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMGP0414a.jpg http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMGP0447a.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMGP0477.JPG http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMG_0477.jpg


Now for few fishy ones
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMG_0407a.jpg http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMG_0369b.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/IMGP0482b.jpg http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSCF3107b.jpg

I hope you have enjoyed this write up I must apologise as putting pen to paper so to speak is not really my thing. Also I am still unable to get a true photo of my tank one day I will crack it promise

[Zeus]

Magnificent!!

Simon, those flat pieces of rock you have on the stands, what are they, they look prefabricated? Where would I get these?

Cheers,
Zeus

[fire999]

Awsome mate...... lost for words.. 0:) 0:) 0:)

[keith]

Excellent Simon .

I really enjoyed the write-up, especially the diagrams.

Well done and well deserved.

[Reef bloke]

I suppose it'll do until a decent TOTM comes along:p ;) .Just kidding mate,truly stunning and a real credit to you!
Tony

[Tony B]

Kin show off!:mad:

All jesting aside, you have one hell of a nice set up there Simon, your SPS looks so healthy and BRIGHT! Wow!

I wish my Acro looked half that nice.

Well done.:cool:

[Tony B]

Just looked over the thread agian...Please post some more pics!!! Give us all some more to drool over! Go on, I need to perv!

[jobr]

Simon having seen it in the flesh all I can say is none of the pictures do it justice.

Awesome tank.

[KANE]

top tank, nice aquascape...;)

[gregg]

some lovely corals in there wish i had a decent lfs

[dan-the-man]

Superb corals, wow. That fox coral, that elegance coral, oohhhhhh

uh oh, :O

excuse me I'll be right back, got to go to the bathroom.

[lisa&paul]

fantastic .....this is what we are aiming for in years to come lol .

[keith hellyar]

Congratulations Simon.

An honour well deserved.

gregg - I think you'll find that Simon continually seaches the whole of the South coast and beyond for that extra special coral.

Keith

[~Tony~]

Simply stunning, Simon. Well deserved. Congratulations.

Great to see the diagrams as well. Very useful.

Tony

[SPS Hoover]

Thanks very much for all your comments, I am very critical of my own setup it still is not how I want it

Zeus the rock is homemade crushed oyster shell, snowcrete portland cement and aragmax They were made on a piece of the blue membrane that builders use which once they ahd set just peeled off. They were then soaked for 3 months in water to removed the high ph. If you do search on google/ur for homemade live rock you will find some interesting articles on it.

Tony B I'll try and put up some more pictures later will your sock handle it:eek: :D

[nasotang]

PHOTOSHOP!!! everythings blue or pink or purple you have changed some to brown:D

I supose its looking ok if you like healthy corals and stunning fish:rolleyes:

When i saw TOTM i knew it would be you(you were the easyist option being a mod etc or you voted for yourself:D )

congratulations Si

Nick

p.s.waiting for the edit

[dan-the-man]

I am very critical of my own setup it still is not how I want it

Lol, what would you change?

BTW, if your ever in need of getting rid of anything I will gladly take it off your hands, especailly that fox coral. :D

Post some more pics!

[dougn7110]

Awsome tank look's great

[HARKAWAL]

Very Nice Mate..............

[cl0wn]

stunning

[MarineManMercer]

The tank looks first class Simon without a doubt one of the best i have seen yet.A complete credit to you well done.

[jonifive]

Incredible tank Simon.

I have always thought that this would be a belter from the first post. And I was right:D

Well done mate.

Jonathen

[MarineManMercer]

Had a nosey at your tank photos Jonifive and must say looking brill mate.Love the blue spectrum coming from your lights,just perfect.

[BOXING SHRIMP]

quality quality quality!!! v. nice indeed may i ask whats the name of the little red and blue wrasse or basslett as its simply stunning was thinking about getting a mccoskers flasher but yours is superb nice one mate...;)

[andy j]

Thats a Stunning Tank congrats:)

[xxmattyxx]

Pics dont do it justice Simon.

Having visited tonight was stunned. Fabulous setup.

Wonderful coral growth, fish stocking, inspiring to say the least. And thanks for the cuppa.

btw the way Japan lost 4-1 in the end :o :o

Matt

[SCOOB]

awesome write up and shots, a well deserved totm. :)

how many sugars do you take LOL

[simon garratt]

awesome shots


Thanks Scoob.......;) :D

[Kev s]

Very nice tank simon, it's nice to see such a well thought out project and the amazing results you can get!!

Kev

[SCOOB]

Thanks Scoob.......;) :D

LOL.....erm.....err......i mean the subject matter, really makes the pictures stand out :)

[bunglehaze]

Looks cracking Si, a real head turner and something to give us ALL a benchmark to work to...

Now - about discounts on those frags :D :D
cheers

leigh :D

[sydh]

I saw this tank for the first time last weekend, and as someone has already stated, the pictures just do not capture the sheer spectacle. Someone said this is what we all strive to achieve, but it makes me feel like giving up right now.
Well done Simon.
PS. Do you get Christmas cards from Powergen?

[SPS Hoover]

PS. Do you get Christmas cards from Powergen

No shares:D

[RichG]

Simon,

Great setup, if mine was only half as good !!!!!!!

Couple of questions on the fuge/frag tank setup

How are the frag tanks and fuge set up ?? What size pipework have you used and is it gravity fed to the frag tanks from the sump then returned via the 1060 or the other way around ?? What is the flow like from the 1060 pumping through 15 m of pipe presumably with ?m of head as well ??

Cheers

Richard.

[Suk]

Looks absolutely fantastic Simon, a real achievement. How are the Moorish Idols doing & do they cause any damage at all?
Any more pics of those rare corals for us to drool over?
:D

[MarineManMercer]

Yeah the Moorish Idol looks fab,i would love one.

[dan-the-man]

I'd love about seven :o

[Cam]

A Classic and as stunning as ever.

Cheers,

Cam.

[cl0wn]

absolutely incredible

[spikeymark]

Hey Simon, your tank looks fantastic - the colours in your acros and the montiporas are awesome.

[the flame]

brill well done mate just fantastic 10/10

[blazesnake]

thats is a huge tank, very nice