View Full Version : 7ft Softy & LPS Reef
7ft Softy & LPS Reef
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Introduction
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Some may have read my 9ft Project post and are probably thinking, huh, he want's a 7ft tank as well?! Well, unfortunately, I have stopped the 9ft project as I realised my eyes we're bigger than my wallet. This is when the 7ft foot project was born, which is a lot more modest size but still large enough for my eyes: 7' x 2' x 2' 168gallons and 42x18x18 DIY 55gallon sump, total of 223 gallons, but probably more like 200 after displacement. I'm going to order the tank in October and it will hopefully be setup before the end of october.
The system is going to be mainly fish focused with hardy Soft, Leather and LPS corals. It will also play home for a number of invertebrates including shrimps, starfish and of course the cleanup crew.
I'm looking for comments and suggestions before I order the actual tank as I don't want a tank with holes in the wrong place etc :P
Equipment
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- Lit by 3 x 250watt Lowbay metal halides with 10k ReefLux bulbs
- 1 x Sequence 10,000 Closed Loop
- 2 x AquaMedic Oceanrunner 3500lph return pumps
- 1 Seio 6500lph Circulation pump
- 2 x Maxijet 1200lph PH on Natural Wavemaker for DIY "wavebox"
- Skimmed by AquaMedic Turbofolotor 5000 Shorty Compact
- Fuge Lit by 2 x 36watt Compact T5 Bulbs
- Heated by 2 300watt heaters & habistat temperature control
- Cooled by 2 x 6 DC fan units & habistat cool control
Stock
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- 2 Regal Tangs
- 1 Yellow Tang
- 1 Purple Tang
- 1 Foxface
- 1 Humbug Parrotfish
- 1 Creme Angel
- 6 Green Chromis
- Goby
- Blue Chin Triggerfish
- Soft, Leather & LPS Corals
- Variety of Inverts
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/7ftFullTankShot.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/7ftweirclosup.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/7ftSumpView.jpg
Look forward to thoughts & comments. :D
Nearly 100 views and not a single comment, positive or negative, can't be good :(
dan-the-man
18-08-06, 09:36
Looks good to me :)
Are you wanting a metal or timber stand?
Also, interested in hearing about this DIY wavebox ;)
if your making a wavebox i would aim it length ways down the tank otherwise the corals and water will move front to back and wont be as effective as a wave
and put the outputs of the skimmer over the fuge to remove any micro bubbles that may form
nice sketch up work !!
instantsquid
18-08-06, 09:43
Hi Sam,
Nice diagrams - I've never managed to do anything vaguely presentable with Sketchup! Having said that, I'm not sure I can work out where all the pipes go in the second picture. Can you put some words together describing the flow from the tank, through the sump and skimmer, etc?
- Ian
Cheers Dan,
For the stand I think it will be a wooden cabinet, custom made, unless anyone has any ideas, plans or examples of a cheaper method whith a nice exterior? Is it possible to buy metal stands suitable and them face them with proper wood instead of MDF?
The DIY Wavebox is basically using the natural wave maker which turns a serires of maxijet's on and off. I'm hoping to have about 4 maxijets in the fake weir and plugged into natural wave maker. They will be positioned so that it alternates from pulling the water in to the wave box (from under the live rock) to pushing the water back out of the wave box above the live rock. It will be on quick 30 second intervals to create a wave effect. And every 2 minutes all of the maxijets pumps will turn on to insure that no debries stay in the wavebox. (All feature conviently come wth the natural wave make bar)
The purpose of the wave box is to increase flow through the live rock, create a randomised current and increase flow on the right hand side. :)
Just a tiny detail: make sure the PHs are easily accessible behind the fake weir - you'll need to get at them easily for cleaning (and sometimes MJs won't start after being switched off - you have to j-j-j-jiggle 'em!).
if your making a wavebox i would aim it length ways down the tank otherwise the corals and water will move front to back and wont be as effective as a wave
and put the outputs of the skimmer over the fuge to remove any micro bubbles that may form
nice sketch up work !!
Thanks for the comments Jimmyjayz. :) With regards to the wavebox, I think you would be right if it was something like the tunze wavebox, but this wavebox is going to be a lot less powerful and is more to stop any dirt getting trapped under the live rockand to push the flow on the right hand side. (Also to hide the maxijets)
Good point re the skimmer - I know what AM's are like for bubbles grrr. Can I put it in the the chamber after the fuge (before the bubble trap) to avoid the fuge having skimmed water with no nutrients?
Hi Sam,
Nice diagrams - I've never managed to do anything vaguely presentable with Sketchup! Having said that, I'm not sure I can work out where all the pipes go in the second picture. Can you put some words together describing the flow from the tank, through the sump and skimmer, etc?
- Ian
Hi Ian, cheers for the comments, and yes Sketcup can be a pita when doing pipe work but I'm getting the hang of it now. Here you go:
Tank Flow
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Closed Loop: The tank has a closed loop powered by 1 Sequence 10000 pump. The outlets for the closed loop are in the base (the elbows is the first pic) and on a spray bar. All though the flow won't be very high from the closed loop, the aim is to give any dirt from settling at the bottom of the tank and under the live rock by pushing it back up into the circulation and so it has chance to reach the sump and the skimmer. The closed loop inlet (in fake weir) will help remove anything from behind the rock and put it back into circulation before it settles.
SEIO: The aim of the SEIO is to provide flow for the corals and the live rock on the left hand side of the tank. It will also provide some surface agitation.
Wavebox: The aim of the wavebox is to stop anything from settling in the live rock and to increase flow on the right hand side of the tank.
Returns: The returns provide surface agitation and flow from back-to-front of the tank.
In the end the main objective of all the circulation is to push the water in and around the live rock and through the weirs.
The Sump
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There are two holes drilled in the weirs. The pipe's will be durso standpipes to eliminate any noise problems. One of the pipes goes straight down into the inlet chamber of the sump, the other is on a tee with 2 taps to control the flow, one goes to the gravity fed skimmer and the other back to to the inlet of the sump.
The water enters the sump in a Live Rock pre-filter chamber, it then flows through the gap and through the refugium which will have miracle or mineral mud with macro algae. From there it flows into another chamber which will house the heaters and any probes or sensors and then it flows through a bubble trap and into the return which pumps the water back into the tank with the two OR 3500 pumps.
I hope it makes sense :confused:
although the water will be skimmed it may still contain nitrates and phosphate so going through the fuge will be good for removal and supply a nice oxygen rich enviroment for all th pods etc which will keep the algae free from algae {pest}
i see what your doing with the wavebox that would be good :D
have you considered fitting a wavysea device to each of your returns
although the water will be skimmed it may still contain nitrates and phosphate so going through the fuge will be good for removal and supply a nice oxygen rich enviroment for all th pods etc which will keep the algae free from algae {pest}
i see what your doing with the wavebox that would be good
Hi JimmyJayz, cheers and good idea, see what you mean now. doh.
have you considered fitting a wavysea device to each of your returns
Not heard of that before. Do you have any more info/pics?
in main forums theres a thread called "anyone used one of these devices" that threads all about the wavysea, looks quite good
the website is http://www.wavysea.com/
Might do though it seems very expensive for a motor that just moves a bit of pipe around. Think I will wait for a few more review before I invest that kind of money on a new product :)
Tank and sump have been ordered from Keith at Windsor Aquatics. Should be completed in around 3 weeks. Until then I'm working on the stand.
Unfortunately I can't setup the tank next month because we are playing host to a silver wedding anniversary. But the build will begin in October.
Will keep the post updated as and when things progress.
Ouch. Just made a shopping list for me pipe work and it came to over £300. :o Think might have to wait till pay day mister! Does anyone have any second hand 40mm pipe and connections :P
Right I'm getting very concerned as to where all my money is going to! :P
The tank and sump arrives at the end of the month and I still haven't managed to find a decent (cost effective) stand! Any pointers anyone???!!!
I've just brought a load of pipework & a seio controller for the 2 seio pumps. (Of which I still need to buy one)
So really I'm stuck until October and praying to have a stand so that I can actually start the build.
Oh yeah, I need a Sequence 10000 which will have to wait until next month now. But does anyone know where to get the marine safe ones from???
I've also got to sort out the electric, wiring up the lowbay's (anyone know how to do this?) and sorting out a place for my other tank whilst the new one is maturing.
Apart from the "minor" problems noted, it's all coming along and I can finally start to see the point when the actual build will begin. Isn't it great :P
for the stand.
ask some one to weld one for you or use a wood frame and clad it with vernier chipboard and doors from home base kitchen range. make a hood out of kick panels found under kitchen units.
sounds very cowboy but everybody who seen my stand thought it was pro made.
its very minimalist almost any stile can be made this way as most built stands will use vernier chip board my 6 x 2 x 2.5 is pro made only from chip board doubled up I was worried that it would not be upto the job but 2 years later and 1 house move it has not moved or warped. you would be surprised how many stands are an over kill, of course nothing is wrong with that. if you have a few tools then a home made stand could be the way to go.
myself I would have a metal stand made and clad the out side myself to match the furniture.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/ebebop/100_2519.jpg
And this is my pro built stand. all of the parts can be brought from a timber yard.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/ebebop/100_2470.jpg
Mickeyblue
03-09-06, 12:10
i have a new shorty 5000 for sale tel 01299 827851 mickeyblue best of luck.
STM sell the marinised Sequence pumps - they are built to order so take a few days to get delivered - just got one from them no probs.
PS I know what you mean about the cost of pipework!!
Long time no post!
The tank & sump has arrived, courtesy of Keith @ Windsor Aquatics, thanks Keith!
Bigger than I thought it would be and it's been done in 12mm glass rather than the 10mm quoted at no extra cost !! :)
Can't wait to get it filled and stocked. But unfortunatley, the stand is till being built. However my Sequence 10,000 is on order and should be with us soon. Plenty to do while I'm waiting for the stand, got to move the old tank out of the way, setup the lighting, paint the back of the tank, get the in-tank plumbing done and more.
Here's a few pic's so far, will update you on a regular basis now whilst we are running up to the actual wet day.
Display Tank, 7 x 2 x 2, custom weir with fake weirs, 8 holes in the basis (weir's and closed loop)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/samsreefDSCF0001.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/samsreefDSCF0003.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/samsreefDSCF0004.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/samsreefDSCF0005.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/samsreefDSCF0006.JPG
4 x 18 x 18 Custom Sump
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/samsreefDSCF0007.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/samsreefDSCF0008.JPG
Let me know what you think.
Looking good mate! 12mm for the price of 10mm! bargain!
new glass...hubba hubba!
:D
(make me feel like phoning keith for a quote)
:(
:p
mikeadams1985
25-09-06, 17:58
ahahah thats the best sig pic :D
blatently stolen and rehosted!
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j308/minkinslappa/mad0233.gif
:p
Thanks for the comments guy's and yes, cool sig!
In order to have space for the new tank to go in, the old tank had to be moved. Not the best of job's and not the best of day's.
Step 1, Planning
An ideal day was chosen, today. My folks are spending the weekend in France, so no nagging and can easily move the stuff and tidy up without any complaints of "How much longer!" or "Look at the floor!"
With the day decided, I needed to think of the best way to do this in order to avoid any casualites. It was decided that some stock would not return to the main tank but instead be transfered into an old 2ft sump (with dividers), as these will be introduced into the new tank way before the other stock from the old tank is. The occupants of the temp tank are to be a Creme Angel, 4 Green Chromis and a Shrimp Goby. (The goby is in a seperate compartment to the Chromis as it likes to eat the smaller inhabitants if given the oppurtunity.)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSCF0027-01.jpg
The old tank is to move about 10ft to the right hand side of the wall. To do this all water must be emptied to make it movable. Luckily the tank is fish only, if it wasn't then the next part would be a nightmare...
With that decided, the next problem came, just how would I mix enough replacement water, store it and still have enough room to store the old tank's water (which I wanted to keep as much as possible and it would need to be shared with the 2ft temp as well). Then it came to me, the water tub I use for RO water can be change into a holding continer for the majority of the old tanks water & fish stock, an old 4ft tank can then be used for mixing the fresh salt water and an array of buckets and containers for holding rock's and more tank water.
Step 2, Preperation
On Thursday I dug out the old 2ft tank and the 4ft tank and cleaned them up. I also sourced old pumps and heaters in order to give everything happy until everything has moved.
Salts purchased, everything ready for the big day. All sound in my mind.
Step 2, Saturday Morning
No time for breakfast, up bright and earlier sorting out the holding containers, finishing setting up the temp tank and making sure that everything will be just fine for all the stock.
Heaters are installed, pumps are turned on, buckets and towels are in place and in position.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSCF0025-01.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSCF0029-01.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSCF0030-01.jpg
Step 3, The Move
11am, quick drink and a bannana to bust enegry levels enough to move the water, stock and tank. Turn all power off to the old tank to avoid exploiding heaters or electric shocks. Water is pumped into various containers and temp tank using a maxi-jet powerhead (quicker than syphoning). Rock's moved out, majority of water in various container, just the fish left to move. This was a nightmare.
With all this planning and preparation, silly me forgot an essential tool for catching fish, a net! :(
Using a bucket a scooped out the large fish and put them in there container. Now the little one's we're just a nightmare! Eventually caught the 4 chromis with a plastic cup, belive me it's very hard to see those little things with all the lights off and lot's of sand being stirred up!
Next the tank is moved, Chromis, Angel and Goby sent to Temp Tank and rock, water and the rest of the stock is added back into old tank. Power goes on, and everything starts up.
Old tank looking considerably less presentable and cloudy, starting to clear now though.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSCF0040-01.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSCF0042-01.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSCF0046-01.jpg
Meanwhile, the new tank sit's at the side of the house whilst I wait for the stand, I have however managed to test out where the pipe is going and finish the egg-crate rock stands.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSCF0031-01.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSCF0036-01.jpg
Have ordered the closed loop pump, last bit's of plumbing and the stand is in the making. Hoping to have the tank and first set of live stock (from the 2ft temp tank), transfered by the end of October.
Thanks for reading.
Nice one mate, who is making your stand?
If I remember right its Sheffield Aquatic Supplies, its steel framed and cladded with oak.
We've lost our parrot fish, it decided to do a jump and we found when we came home on the floor underneath the sofa. If only if he had waited a few more weeks he would have been in a better home probably wouldn't have jumped.
:(
Yesterday we decided to tackle the lights and the electric.
I purchased some really cool extension leads from ebay, which have 6 plugs on each with indivudal switches and fuses. I will be using 4 of these, attached to the wall nice and high in the 3ft stand to avoid splashes.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/reefkeep_halides_5.jpg
Due to the tanks position, it actually sources power from 3 13amp supplies. So more than enough power to supply all the electric items.
In order to spready the load, 2 will be on one 13amp supply (along with various other pumps & heaters) and one will be another 13amp supply with a few other low wattage items. The other supply will have the majority of the 24/7 circulation pumps.
The first task was to fix the arcadia hanging brackets on the wall and sort out the hanging kit. My mum wasn't very impressed, but then again it did look like some kind of torture chamber...
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/reefkeep_halides_2.jpg
Then I got my dad to wire of the lamps (I didn't trust my self to do it)...
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/reefkeep_halides_3.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/reefkeep_halides_4.jpg
And after working all day, the job was done and there was light. Very bright! (Compare with old tank to the right...). Although I think it gives a nice crisp white with a hint of blue, I think we won't be able to tell properly until the water's in. It will be joined with 2 x 4ft arcadia t5 actinics to supplement anyway.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/reefkeep_halides_6.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/reefkeep_halides_7.jpg
All though the units don't look like they are right, the lights are aligned center so there is the same distance between them all the way accross the tank.
The Aquabay's really aren't that good looking, good job they will be hidden by an extra high hood, which should be with us with the stand soon....
hope its not too late, but i was also thinking of putting more powerful pumps than your maxijets in a fake wier, but changed my mind after a long conversation with a guy at TAC coz you will just dread that day when it comes to do maintainance on those pumps. Itll be such a hassle to get those pumps out to do a clean and run over, lets not get started on getting them back in:). looking like a great setup though. nice one.
blub, maintenance of the pumps will not be a problem, the fake weirs are very large (perhaps a little two large). The total length and width of the weir (including fake weirs is) 2ft by 1ft.
Finally got all the equipment I need (apart from some bit's of pipe that i've forgot!) Stand arrives next week.
With a crew of 9 the move went without a hitch. Then me and my dad spent the rest of the sorting pipework and fixings. (The tank won't be at this angle - it's just so we can do the pipe easily.)
Power Coated Steel Frame Stand Cladded With Natural Oak:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/SJSDSCF0032.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/SJSDSCF0033.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/SJSDSCF0034.JPG
Looking Inside at the Completed Fittings:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/SJSDSCF0029.JPG
Looking in inside the stand (from the back)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/SJSDSCF0022.JPG
Aqua Medic Turboflotor Shorty 5000 Compact
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/SJSDSCF0026.JPG
Sequence 10,000 Closed Loop Pump
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/SJSDSCF0027.JPG
2 x Aqua Medic 3500 Ocean Runner Return Pumps
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/SJSDSCF0024.JPG
We have run out of 40mm pipe so no wet test until next weekend, stay tuned.
Looking good Sam - very nice cabinet. Looking like fun with the pipework too.
You said in a previous reply the weir was 2'x1' - is that right?
John
Hi Zim,
Cheers - No I was mistaken, it's actually 2ft x 6"
Well I managed to get the rest of the pipe done this morning and we just did a water test, and guess what some of the joints on the pipe work leaked.
We used sovlent weld cement to do it, and we got seperate the pipe without cutting it off. Will more solvent weld on the outside or silicon sealent finish the seal?
(Obviously don't want to saw all the pipe work off and end up buying it all again)
I thought the solvent weld was supposed to seal it fine by itself?
I've read it's best to prepare the pipe 1st by sanding contact surfaces then using a suitable cleaner. I think if you're just using the solvent weld by itself there can be situations where dirt/grease cause problems. I'm just about to do some pipework for the 1st time myself so I'm not talking from experience.
Great looking build btw.
We cleaned the surface but didn't scrape it. Short of cutting everything off and relpacing it, does anyone know if silicon or further glue around the joint will stop the leaks?
We cleaned the surface but didn't scrape it. Short of cutting everything off and relpacing it, does anyone know if silicon or further glue around the joint will stop the leaks?
If it's under low pressure (overflow etc) silicone might work (I've used it for a small leak (drip every few seconds) in an overflow). If it's a high pressure loop (closed loop/return) I wouldn't risk it personally. Bound to have a problem when you are away for a few days = sods law!
What solvent weld did you use? Is it thick or runny? I've found the thicker stuff much better (from coralculture).
If it's under low pressure (overflow etc) silicone might work (I've used it for a small leak (drip every few seconds) in an overflow). If it's a high pressure loop (closed loop/return) I wouldn't risk it personally. Bound to have a problem when you are away for a few days = sods law!
What solvent weld did you use? Is it thick or runny? I've found the thicker stuff much better (from coralculture).
Hi Stevielad (http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/member.php?u=12169) thanks for the reply.
The solvent weld is runny but i've used it before with no problems, perhaps it went off? This is becoming a nightmare - can I buy the new solvent weld and then put it around the joint, will it then weld/seal the joint togeather or do I need to replace all the pipe and do it again?
(It's expensive this pipe, who'd of thought pipe could be so expensive.) :mad:
We're going to re-do all of the pipe outside of the tank as a lot of it is leaking and although we've patched most of it up I'm not convinced it won't leak in the future. :(
This has set us back a bit, and I can't forsee another test fill for at least a week.
Well the third attempt of putting water in the tank has been an almost complete success.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/fts_test.jpg
It wasn't actually possible to remove the pipework (well not the ones on the closed loop) without breaking the tank, as they have actually welded together, but just left gaps we're tiny bit's of water has come out.
We've replaced the bits we could with new glue and on the bad bits that we couldn't replace we have used fibre glass on the outside of the pipe, which is working as expected.
The only leak we've got is from one of the return pipes (luckily a bit which run's directly over the return of the sump) and the stupid connections on the Sequence 10,000. Although we used PVC tape, screwed them as far as they would possibly go (and not just with our hands), put silicon round them it still continues to drip ever slowly, in fact you'd lose more from the splashes when the water enters the sump.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sequence.jpg
So we've decided once the tanks empty to put fibre glass round the joints, so if we ever need to replace the pump we will be taking everything from the ball valves off with it!
We've created a new waterfall in our overflow weir, those ocean runners are a lot more powerful than expected! Mind you the closed loop creates even more movement and once we've got the two SEIO's in we'll be in business.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/ye7ftwaterfall.jpg
The skimmer seems to be working ok but I'm not 100% sure as for one it only generates a few bubbles, and not small ones. I take it that it doesn't work well with fresh water?
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/bigfatskimmer.jpg
The sump seems to run perfectly and the flow for the fuge is just about right.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/fugeandreturn.jpg
Overall I'm very happy with how it's turned out, now let's get the real water in! Ok well maybe I will live the test water in a week, just to iron out and further problems and to try out the durso stand pipes which I will be constructing to eliminate our new waterfall.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/frmtheside.jpg
Let me know what you think!
Silverback
01-11-06, 20:19
Sam
Styrene (in most of the kits IIRC) is highly toxic to aquatic life, but I don't know how much of an issue using fibreglass on the outside of the pipes actually is.
Would it really have been so expensive to replace a few fittings?
Good luck with the tank!!
Karl
It looks good........
I had a lot of problems getting my Sequences to seal, however, I used masses of PTFE tape, and used a constrictor to gain maximum leverage - after several attempts I did manage to get all three to seal. I personally wouldn't fibreglass them in.
What diameter pipe are you using to connect in and out of the Sequence? Only it looks quite a small diameter pipe - maybe just the angle / picture, but I think you need min 40mm
Remember also that what appears to be masses of waterflow in an empty tank is drastically reduced once it's full of rock!
Good luck
Phil
Thanks for comments.
Yep, used the tape and a constrictor to tighten as much as possible, they aren't coming apart and won't seal completely. The are 40mm both ends. Flow will be 35x the tank volume once done.
The expense wasn't the issue, it was the fact that we couldn't take the pipes out with breaking the base glass of the tank (and that would have been an expensive issue!)
Re fibreglass we used, it's safe for use in pond's so I'm sure it will be fine on the outside of the pipe.
I fitted the durso standpipes today and they work as expected. Draining the tank tomorrow, and then starting to fill with RO water which will take forever and a day.
At the end of the day I could have replaced all of the pipes, and they still could of leaked or the tank could crack 6 months down the line etc. You never know what's going to happen - I'm just trying to make the best of the situation and look on the bright side - im quite confident that everything will be fine.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0060.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0062.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0076.jpg
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http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0104.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0106.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0108.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0109.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0111.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0116.jpg
Well since my last post, the tank has been maturing with live sand and live rock from the old setups for just over 2 weeks and yesterday (after checking basic readings) all stock was transfered from my old tanks. It was a nightmare of a day, water everywhere, but everything is now in and happy. So far no casualties, though I nearly lost my maroon clown as it's fin stuck in the net - horrible - though no damage I can see.
There are a few things I'm not happy about, one of those is my actinics, the arcadia unit is broken - so I have none and my closed loop is sucking in more water than it can fill the chamber with, which is creating a water fall effect, so I need some filter sponge to get rid of the micro bubbles that is creating. Also my skimmer has gone quiet (after successfully skimming a lot of crap from the live rock (even though they we're cleaned) it's now skimmed water, I've turned it down but the bubbles are still really too high up. I'm gonna leave it for a few days for it to settle down and then lower the flow if it still isn't skimming
Next weekends objective is to purchase additional cleanup crew and get the actinic's working. I will also be performing the weekly water change and checking readings. So far everythings happy and eating though!
Enjoy the photos.
Nice start!
The LR looks nice and open. I take it you have plans to conceal the eggcrate? Also I would try to leave some gaps between the glass and rock if you can. I know what you mean about the sequence pumps - I had to use silicone to seal mine.
If I were you I would take the green hairy rock out and nuke it (I have a hair algae phobia) - that is unless your tangs like it :)
chriskirby101
27-11-06, 20:16
Looks great.. Those regals are simply amazing, how old are they?
One thing after all the work putting a closed loop system in the seios are pretty visible, are you gonna hide them later on.. I did think you would be using them behind the rockwork so they would not be on display..
Chris
Great start Sam,
Whats your planned stock list, or will it be add stuff when you see it kinda thing? again very nice :)
Thanks for your comments :)
Nice start!
The LR looks nice and open. I take it you have plans to conceal the eggcrate? Also I would try to leave some gaps between the glass and rock if you can. I know what you mean about the sequence pumps - I had to use silicone to seal mine.
If I were you I would take the green hairy rock out and nuke it (I have a hair algae phobia) - that is unless your tangs like it
Hi Stevielad,
I tried to make the LR open - but their are some bit's I'm not happy with. I think once its got some more corals in it will add a bit more shape to middle section.
re the egg crate, the rock was supposed to seal most of it, but I plan to have mushrooms to conceal the edges that are visible.
The sequence was a nightmare - I thought they might have designed the seal so it didn't leak lol, but so far no leaks yet on the closed and it's been running constant for a while now.
Funny you mention the rock with the algae on it (from my nano), I was thinking of stripping it (I cleaned a lot of the other rocks), the foxface and some of the tangs seem to like it though, it won't last much longer.
Looks great.. Those regals are simply amazing, how old are they?
Not sure how long the large one is, we've had him almost 3 years, but he was fully grown when we got him. (I know, I know).
Hi chriskirby101 ,
The smaller one we've had as a baby from the start, it's been picked on a few times and they we're separated for a while but it's now a fair bit bigger and is just as confident and bossy as the other. They swim around together most of the time, the smaller one follows the larger one, but then again all the tangs seem to like to hang around together rather than go off on their own like the angels, foxface and trigger do.
One thing after all the work putting a closed loop system in the seios are pretty visible, are you gonna hide them later on.. I did think you would be using them behind the rockwork so they would not be on display..
I know, I am a bit upset about that. I had the larger one in the wavebox but it wasn't really creating enough movement their. I think they are in a good position flow wise, but to look at they aren't that nice. Hopefully once the middle section is full with corals you won't notice them so much :)
Whats your planned stock list, or will it be add stuff when you see it kinda thing? again very nice
Fish wise, I don't plan to add any more until next spring or maybe summer. I plan to get a shoal of anthias, to add more movement and colour.
My main priority is going to be on inverts. I will be getting a number of soft, lps and mushies. I've decided against the SPS as I'm not sure I'm cut out for the extra care and attention they require just yet.
I would like a bubble tip nem for my maroon eventually but that won't be for a while. I'm also going to get some more shrimps, crabs and a star fish to take the focus off the fish a little.
Well done mate it looks really good!
I know what you mean about the leaks! i used silicone, i found that if you leave it to go off for 24 hours it doesn't seal but if you leave it for 48 it seals perfectly!
I should have seen this thread earlier!
Sorry!
Got my actinics setup, fixed my closed loop and lowered the water level in the main tank to stop the water going up to the brace bars.
Purchased some new additions also, 3 SPS frags, green patchy mushrooms, star polyps, pagoda, sand sifting star, tuxedo urchin and 6 hermits :)
Once I've got the money for the sale of one of my old tanks will be investing in another urchin or 2, another 2 sand sifting stars, a lot more hermits, turbos and cerith snails.
Pic of tank under new actinic ( 3 x power compact 24watt T5)
http://www.reefkeep.in/photos/sjsdone1.jpg
Pagoda opening up
http://www.reefkeep.in/photos/sjsdone3.jpg
Pagoda under actinic
http://www.reefkeep.in/photos/sjsdone4.jpg
Foxface and Creme Angel with Pagoda
http://www.reefkeep.in/photos/sjsdone2.jpg
I'm starting to get an outbreak of bubble algae on my rocks and sand - hoping will pass soon, never head brown bubble algae in my old tanks - always used to be red. Latest readings taken today don't indicate any problems..
Ammonia <0.25
Nitrite <0.01
Nitrate 5-10
Phosphate 0.03
Any thoughts ?
Very nice indeed. However I would do some large water changes to get rid of the Ammonia. Keep the pictures coming
nice set up, enjoyed reading this.
i feel for you about the leaky pipes, i had similar issues in my tank build.
i just patched up any leaks with solvent and silicone, 7 months on and nothing has leaked.
your pagoda - turbinaria peltata, very nice, i have one the same from si g's old tank, its around 7+ years old by my estimates, they get pretty big -
far right of this picture -
http://www.muzzys-reef.co.uk/new_tank_build/163.jpg
http://www.muzzys-reef.co.uk/high-res/peltata.jpg
muzzy
Looks great, as said before, you might be better with the wave box at one end to create the wave effect.
Post pics as you go along...
Very nice indeed. However I would do some large water changes to get rid of the Ammonia. Keep the pictures coming
Cheers Danny, though their isn't any ammonia as far as I know - it was clear but I can't say it was 0 as their isn't a 0 on the chart so i have nothing to compare it against :P Hence < for less than
Thanks for the comments Muzzy, your tank is fantastic - hope my corals look that in a year or so :)
Yep no leaks yet, and plus I'm not worried if they do, the coral putty has sealed the leak on my external protein skimmer pump whilst it was running.
Looks great, as said before, you might be better with the wave box at one end to create the wave effect.
Post pics as you go along...
Lol - I know, but too late now, it's fixed in permanent! :( I'm thinking of getting some better pumps though as the ones currently in it are useless.
I've been busy since the last update, I have some more new corals, cleanup crew and fish. I've also performed first 10% water change (have done 3 2.5% water changes previously) and will just be doing a 10% water change every month from now on.
I've also replaced the media in my rowaphos reactor, added a better light on my fuge (already seeing better growth) and replaced the maxi-jets in the fake weir with an OR 2500lph pump.
Still not managed to get rid of this horrible brown cyno but it seems to be on it's way out now (hopefully, it makes the tank look rubbish :( )
Anyway here are some pics of new and old residents...
New globe urchin with orange spines
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0022.jpg
New anthias (purchased 5) and tree coral (old) in background
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0041.jpg
Full tank shot New Years Eve
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0057.jpg
Close of new leather toadstool
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0058.jpg
New toadstool colony with free favias
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0059.jpg
Nice shot of my maroon clown (old)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0064.jpg
New Mushrooms
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0068.jpg
New Anchor (looks really good with just actinics)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0072.jpg
Close up of tree coral (old) which has now settled in and growing again
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0078.jpg
Cabbage leather which again has now settled in and growing
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0086.jpg
Green star polyps (new) already spreading despite brown alage bloom
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0112.jpg
New powder blue tang (settled in after being constantly picked on by purple tang)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0124.jpg
Close up of new anthia (female)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0158.jpg
Leather coral now settled and starting to grow
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0160.jpg
Closeup of new mushrooms
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0168.jpg
Pagoda still not opening up fully, any ideas?
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0171.jpg
Pagpda and tuxedo urchin
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0172.jpg
One of many new turbo snails which don't like brown algae
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0178.jpg
New Algae Blenny
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0198.jpg
New Xenia
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sjsDSCF0213.jpg
Thanks for looking, look forward to comments and suggestions. :)
if my new project looks any where half as good as your set up i will be well happy.
Nice work , credit to you.
the turanaria doesnt open up much more than that, it will get new polyps in the bare areas, at most my polyps extend about 5mm
if my new project looks any where half as good as your set up i will be well happy.
Nice work , credit to you.
Cheers :D
the turanaria doesnt open up much more than that, it will get new polyps in the bare areas, at most my polyps extend about 5mm
Good to know, it has been open more than this (probably fully) but seems not to have opened fully the last few days. Is this normal? When we purchased it there were marks on some of the bare bits like cuts with brown stuff, this has now gone - is it likely to be just healing it'self ?
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