View Full Version : A Return To Reefing
Hi,
I've recently joined the site & thought it time I started a thread on my proposed system. I've kept fish since I was about twelve starting with Goldfish then tropical freshwater followed by Piranha then African Cichlids & eventually onto marines & my first reef tank which ran on under-gravel's!
I've had four reef tanks of various styles my last being eight years ago on the Berlin style method set up following the guide lines of The Reef Aquarium Vol 1 (Delbeek & Sprung) & at this time I was also in the trade & worked at my LFS for about 3 1/2 years, where I learnt allot on the hobby.
I eventually moved from my parents & the tank was sold but eight years later I've my own house so this project's begun, I'm a bit out of touch to the latest reef keeping methods so I've been trawling the threads here & getting advice from some of the forum members :thanks:
I've room in the lounge to take a decent size set-up, first I was going for a 5x2x2 then a 6x2x2 & eventually deciding on a 6x2.5x2.5 with a closed loop & 4x2x2 sump :thumbsup:
This week I've been doing basic diagrams & sending e-mail's to get quotes etc, some replied & some didn't but I'm pretty sure who I'll use.
I've added some pics of the basic designs & of where its going, also one of an American guys tank which gave me some idea's, which can be viewed here http://www.thewuf.com/reef/index.htm
The designs need tweaking a bit though.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/Main Tank.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/S1.jpg
The tanlk will go along this wall or the ajoining.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/wall.JPG
Should look similar to this.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/Wuffs.jpg
ChrisBFish
11-10-07, 21:22
Very jealous of the large tank! :) What are you planning on stocking?
Sounds cool should be a good one this, we'll have to see who can get their tank completed first.
Looks great, as above, what are you planing on stocking it with.
Keep the pictures coming.
Sounds cool should be a good one this, we'll have to see who can get their tank completed first.
:D been following yours also, nice one. I plan to keep a mix of everything realy, SPS, LPS, Softies, fish etc
I've also been tempted to go with a foam background but I'm not sure yet, once coloured up it'll be very realistic as a reef wall...:D
Cheers for the interest chaps, I'll keep info & pics coming as things progress...
this is going to be great! :cool:
fireproofcujo
12-10-07, 00:33
Looking like an ace build looking forward to the whole project especially the foam :cool:
weelcome back to reefkeeping :)
looks like you will have a nice set up.
where are you planning on having the return pump outlet? looks quite low in your diagram. you will need to fit an air break in the pipe to prevent a tank drain in a power cut.
id have the outlet just below the surface personally
weelcome back to reefkeeping :)
looks like you will have a nice set up.
where are you planning on having the return pump outlet? looks quite low in your diagram. you will need to fit an air break in the pipe to prevent a tank drain in a power cut.
id have the outlet just below the surface personally
Hi Muzzy :wave: lovely set up you have there :D
The four returns wont be drilled but will come over the top at the back to just below the surface & face straight down the back to the bottom, in line with the rear closed loop outlets, which push the water forward (alternating on & off) then the front outlets (also alternating) will push the water up across the reef to the surface & weirs thus creating a circular pattern in the flow, hopefully!
The holes on the back are the inlets to the closed loop and will be either slotted pipe or basket strainers. I'm not sure yet of these positions in-case I need to get access as they would be behind parts of the reef. The reason for them being low was so they would draw water from low down & any crap from the bottom & put it through the loop & back into suspension & eventually over the weirs to the sump etc, if that makes sense :)
Need to work out turnover & pump selection next.
Cheers
Mark.
ahh right, ok, seems you have it all covered.
look forward to watching this one develop
After much thought & changing of plans over & over! I've finally ordered the tank which has now increased to 7' so best I ordered now before it increased any further :D I also ordered three Sequence 10000 pumps, two for the closed loop the other for the sump return.
It'll now be 84"x30"x30" display tank with Optiwhite front panel & 60"x18"x24" sump, all made by Sea-bray. The cabinet will have a 36" internal height & be built round a steel frame.
I should have a date for delivery tomorrow :)
Here's the final design...the four front 55mm holes are the closed loop outlets from the 10'000's & the rear two are the inlets. the sump return will come up through the center of the weir then split each side & enter at the tanks corners just below the surface facing diagonally across.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/CL2.jpg
Huzzah! :)
The tank, sump & cabinet has arrived at my LFS, just need to sort out the delivery. I went along for a look & picked up some other goodies whilst there.
Santa's been early!
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/equip1.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/equip3.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/UMS3.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/10000's.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/sequence.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/aquabee.jpg
The Aqua-bee pumps have German two pin plugs! I read somewhere that Fauna Marin where now shipping plug adaptors but there's none in my box's or any Instructions for the Ultra Skim 3, which I thought they'd now translated from German & were supplying!
The other problem is one of the 80w T5 Actinic tubes was broken inside the Series 4 Pendant box.
Looks good so far, i hope you get the little problems sorted out.
All minor issue's resolved rather rapidly with a phone call this morning :D Delivery should be over the weekend :dance:
Will post pic's as things develop.
Its now confirmed delivery will be in two go's over Friday & Sunday evenings.
Starting to get a bit paranoid about moving the tank in now, there's going to be four of us to move it from the van in the front garden & then about 30' into my lounge :unsure: Saying that, the cabinet is probably just as heavy as it has a steel internal frame! but its the glass that bothers me more, obviously.....
Had the black egg-crate delivered yesterday & picked up a large pack of cable ties, which together with 40mm pipework I can start to put together the reef's framework. Also ordered a pipe-cutter.
Cheers,
lovely set up planned here!
:dance:
i would err on caution however and get more than four people to carry this tank.
my old 60 x 30 x 30 was a struggle for four of us i really hink you may need another two pairs of hands if room allows!
:eek:
My thoughts exactly about the delivery, the shop said it'd used four to move it when Sea-Bray delivered to them, I'd rather more where at hand but there's a space issue with the two door frames to go through (Front & Lounge) as there 32" wide! :(
fireproofcujo
14-12-07, 03:39
you've got the cable ties sorted so the rest of the job should be easy now :thumbsup: :laugh:
wow stunning set up going in!!! very nice.
with regards to moving the tank, head to your local hss and hire out some glass handling suction handle thingys. they make lifting and carrying a tank a sinch in comparison to bare hands or gloves. B&Q sell cheaper ones that i've never tested. I'm sure hiring wouldn't be too dear.
nice eqpt list too, should all go together very well, a very merry christmas indeed!
OK, due to the shops van being unavailable Friday evening the whole lot came in two trips Sunday.
The Cabinet & Sump came in first OK, apart from me almost dropping my end of the Sump putting it onto the sofa :eek:
Then on the second visit & using two sections of a ladder that we'd placed side by side off the back bumper & sloping down onto the carpet just inside the front door five of us slid the tank on polystyrene lids down the ladder's onto the carpet in the hallway, once there we pushed/slid it along the carpet into the lounge :)
Hardest part was then up-ending it & then lowering the top end back onto the Cabinet's edge, then all of us went to the bottom end to lift it up & slide in round into place :applause:
Everything went OK apart from a small piece of the Pine surround in the top right-hand back corner was broken off, but this wasn't seen until we took the packaging off so a new piece is being ordered but due to the mix-up with delivery Friday I was given a 20kg of GroTech Coral Marine Reef Salt :thumbsup:
A big thanks to all who were there & helped out, it went allot easier than i thought it would :-) I've not started the plumbing or painted the back yet what with various Christmas Urine-Ups this week. :o
The missus has miss-placed the memory card for the camera but I should have some pictures up as soon as I've ripped the place apart looking for it :)
Cheers.
warren bailey
29-12-07, 23:36
Go on Marky! Sorry ive not been about but I must get round in the new year to have a look and have a catch up. Glad everythings pretty much going to plan. Warren
Hiya Woz,
Sorry mate I hadn't see your post, I've not been on here over the last week much, been mostly drinking, eating & recovering :D
you'll have to pop round mate sometime, hows your system doing ?
I've not got much done apart from three coats of paint on the back, it needs one more.
I used a new paint from B&Q (bumped into Jamie whilst there :) ) its a water based quick drying gloss, has a gloss finish but its safe with regards to silicon etc, its also dry within two hours & ready for another coat :thumbsup:
The colour I used was "Navy" very much like the "Powder Blue" allot of people use.
I've got to take the bloody tank off the cabinet & move it into final position after I've finished the painting, NITEMARE!!! :eek:
I've got the camera sorted so will get some pics up soon :)
Cheers
It's a bit of a naff camera & I'm not to used to taking pictures so apologies for the quality & the flash reflection.. the tank could have done with a wipe over too :o
These were taken a few weeks ago on the delivery day...
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/cl1.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/cl2.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/cl3.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/cl4.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/cl5.JPG
First section will take water from the central weir's twin outlets & will house the skimmer.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/cl6.JPG
Second section (24"x24" on left) is for a DSB the third (behind frame) is the return section to the display tank & the fourth (on right) is a freshwater reservoir.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/cl7.JPG
The separated right hand side of the cabinet is for the pump housing, RO unit & any other electrical equipment.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/cl8.JPG
These were taken today after the final coat of paint (4 coats) on the back & left-hand panel's
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/cl9.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/cl10.JPG
Next its the plumbing :)
wow the quality of the tank build looks awesome.
what thickness glass is used?
The display tank's front (in optiwhite), back, sides & brace bars are 12mm & the base is double at 24mm & the edges are all shamfered... I think black silicon may have looked better now though :)
The sump is all in 10mm. :)
Could do with better pics without the flash reflection, bloody camera has an auto-flash.
Cheers,
fireproofcujo
03-01-08, 18:52
A nice little project so far one to watch me thinks :applause:
After painting the back & side I finally managed to get five people round to lift the tank off, move the cabinet into its final position then put the tank back.
Only down-side was we placed the cabinet right up-to the skirting & I hadn't thought much about the gripper rod under the carpet's edge at the time, but now realise I need to move the cabinet off this as it throws the level out by a few mm's :mad:
To add to this grief I've already siliconed the tank connectors in, so the tank cant come off the cabinet again :mad: How the hell am I going to move the whole lot together.......:scratchhead:
Ordered an Oceans Motions 4 Way with Omniflex Nozzles during the week & started plumbing it Friday night but Its all come to a halt as I ran out of Ball Valve Taps & am waiting on a delivery :(
Also got the skimmer out & after some help from Lost Boys (:thanks: ) it was together :)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/Plumb1.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/063.JPG
fireproofcujo
20-01-08, 20:07
Nice skimmer :cool:
Cheers Steve :) I cant stop looking at it, thinking about sticking it on a shelf in the front room as a center piece :laugh: dont think the missus would agree :whistling:
I like the way that on the sequence boxes it says "the pump that pays for it's self"
Now wouldn't that be a natty idea:thumbsup:
Great looking setup so far, as said the build qualtity looks top notch, you must be well chuffed.
i'd guessed that you would have gone for a balck background as your weir is black, i know you mentioned foam, do you plan to cover it?
wish i had the room/money/patience/understanding mother for a BIG tank, well i have 3 out of 4, i'm nearly there.
Looking forward to this one :)
Cheers Seasalt :)
I also thought that.....You could just walk in, pick one up & walk out :laugh:
The weir should be covered as it will have three columns around it :)
Had a few minor issue's with things but they were all resolved rapidly after a few phone calls, other than that I'm well happy with it :thumbsup:
Cheers.
An update at last..... :)
After a long time, a fair bit of hassle & changing of plans I've finished the plumbing & reef rack, which was siliconed to the base yesterday.
Today it's been filled to test with tap water, so far all is OK :thumbsup:
I just need to raise the skimmer half inch.
Reef rack made from polypropylene koi pond filter grid, 40mm pipework, cable ties & acrylic. The three vertical supports for live rock columns are made with 25mm pipe & fittings.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/007 - Copy.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/020 - Copy.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/018 - Copy.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/019.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/016 - Copy.jpg
Openeing for closed loop feed access.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/007 - Copy (2).jpg
Removable cover over closed loop feed.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/008 - Copy.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/017 - Copy.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/010 - Copy.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/009 - Copy.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/007.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/013 - Copy.jpg
wow, you got shares in VDL or something?
looking very good indeed, be interesting to see how successfully you manage to hide all that plastic. gone take a crafty eye and a lot of patience, and probably someone behind you saying 'left a bit, right a bit'.
:D
I used about 15 meters of 40mm & 6 of 25mm plus the fittings, got a bit carried away but had a picture in my mind of how it'll look, it was seriously starting to do my head in though & there was much swearing! but having no leaks was a BIG relief!
It'll be tricky to hide it all & some may be visible but hopefully it will colour up in time, I'll need plenty of live rock that's for sure!
Am emptying the tap water today & then raising the skimmer height but
was also thinking about putting the halide up but felt it would be in the way whilst aquascaping ?, it could be raised to the ceiling though for now i suppose, hmmmm :ponder:
reefingbuddha
14-03-08, 00:28
wow man things look great. Love all the plumbing and that reef support structure looks really good. Someone who knows a lot about this hobby told me a couple of days ago that he and a couple of other people think that eggcrate starts leeching something into the water that cause algae problems. Its just a suspicion but a lot of people are shying away from eggcrate. Once I find some perforated PVC (which is unfortunately expensive but doesn't cause problems) I will be taking the eggcrate out of my tank.
Just a thought though. Things look awesome and I love that 4 way. I really want to get one for my closed loops. I'm currently drawn between a 4 way and a sea swirl. The pump only pushes 1600gph (7000 lts) so I don't know if a 4 way would drop the pressure to much. I don't think that you will have a problem with flow :D
The halides will get in the way. I used a 6" t5 bulb to do all my aqua scaping as it was out of the way. I did some work after the halides were up and it was a pain. Then again you can see a lot more with the light penetration of the halide.
Looking forward to how the rest goes, things look great.
Cheers man, much appreciated :D If it ends up looking anything like yours I'll be well happy.
Thanks for the advice on the egg crate, sounds rather worrying :eek: I've used the polypropylene filter grid used in koi pond filters which is different to the usual egg-crate & meant to be aquarium safe, so I'm hoping now that it is :confused:
The 4 Way is great & completely silent, I plugged it in & thought it wasn't working until I looked up into the tank, loads of circulation & surface agitation. I also fitted 4 OM's Omni Flex Nozzles on the loop outlets which are great for directing flow.
Originally I was only having one 10k on the 4 Way so I think you'll be OK with 7000 ltrs hr, have a word with the guy who runs OM Europe, very helpful, I'll PM you details.
:thanks:
warren bailey
22-03-08, 11:59
Marky
Excellent that you had no leaks - and looking good fella
Happy Easter
W
Cheers Warren :D
I was really starting to get urine'd off with the plumbing, it dragged on a bit & I had to re-do some :annoyed:
Just need to pick up my RO unit & sand to get the DSB going, when that's fairly established next will be about 150kg's live rock!
Not long before the weathers better & you can get out in that garden to sort yours out! (with a beer :))
Remember to let me know if you need a hand.
Happy Easter mate.
Looks great....... :worship:
Thanks very much Fire :thumbsup:
Its taken since November to get this far due to work, I'm only working on the tank weekends.
Cant wait to get the DSB going and live rock in, the monies burning a hole in the pocket :)
I Was just over in Tyrone for the last week, I've never seen any aquatic outlets when I'm there, is it awkward to get stock/dry goods etc ??
Cheers.
KRUSTY THE CLOWNfish
06-04-08, 19:03
Any updates?
At last an update :)
I finally got my RO unit & set it up within the cabinet after bringing a mains feed under the floor from the kitchen & up behind the cabinet.
Filled the sump first then brought the temp up before adding the salt to the correct SG & letting it mix for two days.
Then I filled the DSB section (24"x24"x18) using:
80lb of Caribsea Super Natural Ultra-fine White Sand giving a 3" depth, followed by 90lb of Caribsea Aragamax Sugar-fine Oolite Sand on top giving a total depth of about 6" to 7" & finally 2Kg's of STM's grunge scattered across the top, the sump was then left to run shut off from the main display with the skimmer off.
I then began filling the main tank which took 3 days, brought that up to temp & correct SG, let it mix & put in the SSB using a mixture of:
70Kg's of Caribsea Seafloor Special Grade Reef Sand,
40Kg's Caribsea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink,
30Kg's Caribsea Aragamax Select,
30Kg's Caribsea Aragamax Sugar-fine Oolite, giving a 2" depth & then added 4 Kg's of STM's Grunge across the top.
After all parameters in the sump were OK I brought it online with the main display tank & also switched on the closed loop & skimmer & set the halide to a normal lighting period.
After this, I got 10Kg's of Ultra Fiji Live Rock & placed some in the sump to aid in critter life, then with the rest I built the first of three live rock columns in the display tank which will eventually be platforms for coral.
I've got another 20Kg's of Fiji rock arriving tomorrow to carry on building the reef.
Some pics below but I need to get a better camera, also the water has a cloudy bloom going on at the moment, so its not to clear.
200 GPD RO Man with Auto Shut Off Kit (Disconnected at the moment)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/001_2.jpg
DSB with 2 Kg's of grunge & a few lb's of Fiji Ultra to help start off.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/089_1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/088.jpg
Full shot showing the Spraydekor foam surround, to hide the center weir (This will colour up over time to resemble rock)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/085.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/080.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/081_1.jpg
Closed loop running, with washing machine effect :D
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/090.jpg
Central Fiji live rock column, constructed with 25mm pipework & cable ties.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/091.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/092.jpg
Side view, the cloudy bloom going on within the water column at these early stages is clearly visible.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/093.jpg
Skim 3 Mesh Wheel in action.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/087.jpg
Liking the tank size, looks well built too! Appreciate how hard the scaping is, just done mine. Sodding nightmare. Did you build the central tower outside the tank and lift it in? That's how I do mine. I find it easier than trying to fiddle inside the tank.
Also, do you not think you might have problems with the RO? From what I can see it is on 24/7 and clicks in and out when it needs to. I was always advised to flush for 15-20mins to remove the waste/stagnant/contaminated water from the unit between uses, as the TDS creeps up and seeings yours is in use all the time, well ready to go when evaporation occurs anyway, you may be using poor quality RO because the unit never gets a chance to flush. Unless you plan on flushing it manually everyday or something?
By the way, that pipework gives me a headache just looking at it. I had loads of leaks in about 2meters of pipe and 4 fittings! Hate it! Looks great though!
Cheers.
SpongeBobSquarePants
16-05-08, 08:00
looking awsome!!!
I was thinking how on earth did he fill that in 3 days it took that for my little cube. Then i saw the 200GPD lol :laugh::applause:
Working as I do in the PUR industry, can I ask the question to any Reefers who have used "spray decor" if they have had any problem with contaminates leeching out in to the water, PUR is basically oil based with a Butaine or similar blowing agent (99% closed cell). I am planning a tank build myself in a short while and I really like the idea of hiding the weir using spray foam, what does it look like after six months?
:thanks: for the comments chaps,
t0m; Yep, I set out a plastic sheet, got the cordless with my cable ties & scissors & started arranging the rock on the pipework supports until I was happy then drilled & tied together before lifting into the tank, was pretty easy.
That is an issue with the RO at the moment, the creep is a PITA! The RO unit is in temporary position topping up evaporation directly. The end compartment of the sump that the unit is situated in will be a fresh water reservoir for RO with an auto top up system installed, the unit itself will be moved to another cabinet next to the main one which will also house a chiller. I dont have that extra cabinet yet & am short on room so had to set it up that way for now.
I have the unit turned off with a tap just before the pre-filters at the moment & turn on when needed, the TDS creeps up-to 180! after DI so I flush this into a bucket until its down to 0 again which takes about 15 mins.
I want to find away of totally automating this so that is does it via timers or something & dumps to the waste line before it runs into the reservoir. There are some threads on doing this on here but it looks a bit of a nightmare!
Regarding the pipework, tell me about it, I have no hair left & it took weeks to sort out but with great luck I had no leaks apart from a few around the Oceans Motions 4 Way but those joints were done with mastic & not glued.
Redfish; According to NT Labs www.ntlabs.co.uk who make Spraydekor its totally reef safe, I constructed a surround from pond filter grid to surround the weir then sprayed each side one at a time, as one dried I did another side. In all I used three 500ml cans costing £40. Its already colouring up brown going through the maturation procedure & I believe coralline takes to this foam well, there's a member on here, Valleyboy (look for his tank build thread), who has used ALLOT in his tank which has been running a while, I believe his has plenty of coralline growth :)
I had a 20kg box of Fiji Ultra yesterday & did some more aquascaping last-night, I'll post pics up later.
Cheers.
I remember when I done my first scape on my old tank, we done that on the dining room floor. Took ages to get it just right. Me and a mate lifted about 25kg of rock up in the air over the tank (by this time the eggcrate was squeeking) and.... It didn't fit in the gaps between the brace bars.
Laughed we did.
I remember when I done my first scape on my old tank, we done that on the dining room floor. Took ages to get it just right. Me and a mate lifted about 25kg of rock up in the air over the tank (by this time the eggcrate was squeeking) and.... It didn't fit in the gaps between the brace bars.
Laughed we did.
:laugh: What a nightmare! Not had that happen, yet :)
Some pics of last nights work, the water's still a bit cloudy at the moment :( due to bacterial bloom I think.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/cam 003.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/cam 004.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/cam 005.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/cam 006.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/cam 007.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/cam 008.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/cam 009.jpg
Removed the live rock from the DSB & just left the grunge rubble.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/cam 010.jpg
Got some Bryopsis starting to appear so with all parameters stable & OK I think its time to add some CUC before it gets out of hand.
warren bailey
29-05-08, 19:25
awesome marky.... ill be test filling my tank tomorrow or this weekend to see if it leaks after i re siliconed it, wish me luck. Must meet up soon. W
Looking good, love the idea with the foam should look great when all coloured up!
All parameters are fine so I had a delivery from STM last Friday of six super grazers (Trochus Sp), & six Turbo's for the display tank then six Nassarius snails for the DSB.
I'm going to need allot more & this was just a tester of how they would get on being the first live stock. Two of the supper's were DOA, they did arrive by 9 am but I wasn't home till 2:30 pm, so probably too long within the bag. Also from what I can see last night a possible expired turbo & can only count five Nassarius.
I picked up a new car last Friday, so on Saturday morning took it for a drive & my first visit to STM, which only took 45mins. Wow, great shop, staff & stock. Whilst there I picked up a pair of nice percs along with a lovely green bubble tip (as yet, the percs are not hosting with it!)
Due to a sudden spurt in hair algae within a week! I got two of the small short spined urchins (forget their name, is it Emperor ?) & on some advice, a Seahare, of which I was told only one is needed & to bring it back once all hair algae had gone as it would starve. I'm beginning to think i needed maybe a battalion of them as the algae is not subsiding & in parts is getting long. I'm considering a fish that would help, maybe a Fox-face or Algae Blenny ?
As said previously I need a decent camera, any suggestions that wont break the bank ?
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/016.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/010.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/013.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/015.JPG
Seahare.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/030_1.JPG
Most the Hair Algae is attached to the foam at the moment.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/031.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/032_1.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/033_1.jpg
awesome marky.... ill be test filling my tank tomorrow or this weekend to see if it leaks after i re siliconed it, wish me luck. Must meet up soon. W
Cheers Warren :D
Good luck with the silicone mate let me know how it goes or if you need a hand, we'll have to meet up, maybe go to STM, Heritage or Hamonds for a trip. I don't tend to get to the pub lately, this hobby costs!!! :laugh:
Possibly going out to get something that will get well stuck in to this poxy algae today or the weekend :(
Shame about the hair algae! Why would somthing like that happen? High nitrates/ phosphates?
Shame about the hair algae! Why would something like that happen? High nitrates/ phosphates?
:dontknow:
Params as of last night, & all week since adding stock are;
S.G: 1.024
Temp: 25.5
pH: 8.4
KH: 80mg/l (This is low!)
NH3: 0
NO2: 0
NO3: 2
PO4: 0.1
Ca: 480
Mg: 1025 (Needs raising)
Have a Skim 3 with twin mesh wheels which is pulling out the nastiest dark smelling crap, it needs emptying daily.
Lighting is on a full time of 12 hours. (1 hour actinics then 10 with halides & final hour actinics) may need to cut this down ?
Just did some "weeding" & its fairly easy to remove the long growths from live rock & plastic (what i can reach), but its impossible to get it off the foam where it gets an extremely good foot hold, trying to remove it just breaks it up into small pieces that blow all over the tank :annoyed:
The Seahare seems to munch away all the time but I think its growing faster than he consumes it, I need something that will rip into it. Had an Algae Blenny years ago that used to get stuck in as did a Fox-Face.
Those LR towers are looking awesome!
Do you have any pics of how you attached the LR to the pipes? As I cant see any cable-ties? Did you drill the LR at all?
Those LR towers are looking awesome!
Do you have any pics of how you attached the LR to the pipes? As I cant see any cable-ties? Did you drill the LR at all?
Hi Phil & thanks for the comment :)
Would look even better without the nasty green stuff behind it, am paying a trip to LFS tomorrow for some serious grazers.
The columns were pretty easy, I set a large plastic sheet out on the floor & scattered the 20kg of Fiji rock around then began arranging pieces on the pipework supports (I previously made three with 25mm pipework & fittings then glued them together & drilled with plenty of holes to eliminate dead water spots within the pipes, they just sit on raised pond crate within the display tank & any crap or detritus that falls down through the crate is drawn into one of the closed loop feeds & blown back out into suspension)
Once happy with how the column's looked I used a cordless drill with a 6mm bit, made one or two hole's in the rock depending on its shape, then cable tied to the pipework starting with larger pieces at the bottom & using smaller toward the top, once secured tightly the excess cable tie was cut off.
The columns were then lifted into the tank, I hadn't taken any pics during their build but I have one more to make when the rock arrives so I shall take pics during the construction :)
:dontknow:
Params as of last night, & all week since adding stock are;
S.G: 1.024
Temp: 25.5
pH: 8.4
KH: 80mg/l (This is low!)
NH3: 0
NO2: 0
NO3: 2
PO4: 0.1
Ca: 480
Mg: 1025 (Needs raising)
Have a Skim 3 with twin mesh wheels which is pulling out the nastiest dark smelling crap, it needs emptying daily.
Lighting is on a full time of 12 hours. (1 hour actinics then 10 with halides & final hour actinics) may need to cut this down ?
Just did some "weeding" & its fairly easy to remove the long growths from live rock & plastic (what i can reach), but its impossible to get it off the foam where it gets an extremely good foot hold, trying to remove it just breaks it up into small pieces that blow all over the tank :annoyed:
The Seahare seems to munch away all the time but I think its growing faster than he consumes it, I need something that will rip into it. Had an Algae Blenny years ago that used to get stuck in as did a Fox-Face.
Weird!
Im fairly new to the marine lark just being nosey so cant really help I am afraid. Where is your LFS by the way just noticed your an Epsomite?
Weird!
Im fairly new to the marine lark just being nosey so cant really help I am afraid. Where is your LFS by the way just noticed your an Epsomite?
I mainly used Heritage to visit & STM for mail order until last weekend when I payed them a visit & was very impressed so shall be going there more often, it was only a 45min drive around M25. Also Tropics & Marines in Mortlake, not been for a while but that's where I went when I originally started seventeen years ago but I've had an eight year break & only got back into it last October with this tank.
Where do you go ?
I used to go to heritage but I have lost confidence in them (in the FW side) Im only a Fresh water person at the mo.
I work in Lynwood just off the A3 on saturdays so I am getting more and more curious about the salty side! I have been keeping fish since I was about 14 so just over 10 years now like you with a gap in the middle. I used to work in the coral bazaar about 6 years ago.
Your tank is starting to look really good!
I used to go to heritage but I have lost confidence in them (in the FW side) Im only a Fresh water person at the mo.
I work in Lynwood just off the A3 on saturdays so I am getting more and more curious about the salty side! I have been keeping fish since I was about 14 so just over 10 years now like you with a gap in the middle. I used to work in the coral bazaar about 6 years ago.
Your tank is starting to look really good!
Cheers :thumbsup:
Will look allot better when i get the rest of the Fiji rock in (another 80kg's) & get the hair algae under control. I've only just got going & there's along way to go & allot more equipment needed.
I visited & know both shops well that you mention when I first moved from African Cichlids to marines, but at the time their Marine/Reef sections were not that good although Coral Bazaar is where i shopped for Cichlids. I used Reef World, which at the time (1996) was one of the best around & I eventually worked there full time for about six years.
warren bailey
07-06-08, 16:30
Cheers Warren :D
Good luck with the silicone mate let me know how it goes or if you need a hand, we'll have to meet up, maybe go to STM, Heritage or Hamonds for a trip. I don't tend to get to the pub lately, this hobby costs!!! :laugh:
Possibly going out to get something that will get well stuck in to this poxy algae today or the weekend :(
Well after a nervous 600 litre fill-up over a few days we now have a full tank and no sign of a leak.. woo hoo.
I now have to decide what im going to do with the tank. Ill have a read up and have a look through here but im thinking mostly fish with a few corals.
Up for a meet up, ill dig out your number off facebook, im sure you sent it to me and give you a call.
Im excited now!
W
Well after a nervous 600 litre fill-up over a few days we now have a full tank and no sign of a leak.. woo hoo.
I now have to decide what im going to do with the tank. Ill have a read up and have a look through here but im thinking mostly fish with a few corals.
Up for a meet up, ill dig out your number off facebook, im sure you sent it to me and give you a call.
Im excited now!
W
Hi mate,
Good to hear you had no probs with the fill :thumbsup: What size tank you got, was it a 6x2x2 ?
Yeah I'd to do major reading & research, 2 months worth. Things have changed allot since I'd last had a system :)
You could have live rock & fish only, or a few softies in there too. I was going that way but now having a complete mixture.
Keep me updated with your build Woz & meeting up..
Cheers,
Mark
Found time for an update at last! :)
A month ago the tank was full of hair algae, I added a Deltec 509 P04 Reactor with Fauna Marin's Ultra Phos & started using Ultra Bak & Min & am also using STM's Super Green.
I also installed an Aqua Medic 36w UV, its only to be used for about a week after new fish additions as I dont have room for a quarantine set-up.
The CUC, especially the Seahare which ate it 24/7 have done their job, I pruned/pulled out what I could & cleaned the skimmer daily. These combined methods seemed to have worked well as its all gone :)
The Seahare now has to go or it'll starve even though its tripled in size, so its going back to STM tomorrow but I couldn't recommend one more.
Coraline has really started to spread over the back & left hand glass & the plastics.
Added a further 20kg Ultra Fiji to complete the reef columns in the middle & right hand side, just leaves the left side to be finished with around another 60/70kg's. Which would give me a total of around 100kg's, plus the grunge/rubble around the columns.
Still need to get a decent camera, not sure which to go for :confused:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/038_1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/031 - Copy.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/015 - Copy.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/014 - Copy.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/013 - Copy.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/033 - Copy.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/030 - Copy.JPG
Elegance.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/017 - Copy.JPG
Malu with the female of a pair of pink skunks, they fell out & he's now moved into the Green Bubble! :laugh:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/024 - Copy_1.JPG
Shrooms to the right of Malu
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/018 - Copy.JPG
Algae Blenny, sometimes dark in colour & at other times the body goes brilliant pink with speckles.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/022 - Copy.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/027 - Copy.JPG
Possibly getting back together!!
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/040.jpg
Left hand side that still needs finishing.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/021 - Copy.jpg
Update:
Added a further 20kg of Fiji to the left hand side leaving it almost complete, just needs a few more KG's.
I'm not happy with the aquascaping on the left though & might change it round as it was put in rather quickly, I may make a large column like those on the other side.
The tank looks rather bare as its mainly just live rock apart from a view fish & bits mentioned earlier.
I'm considering taking out the sumps DSB & going ULNS with the Ultralith system as its not showing signs of stratification, bubbles etc but there are loads of pods. Its about 3 months old (24"x24"x7" sand depth) & was set up the same as Si's on Reefeden. My SSB in the display though is full of life & working perfectly :confused:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/059_2.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/060_1.jpg
Getting there looking good!
lovely set up planned here!
:dance:
i would err on caution however and get more than four people to carry this tank.
my old 60 x 30 x 30 was a struggle for four of us i really hink you may need another two pairs of hands if room allows!
:eek:
just reading through this and this made me chuckle
just remembering 2 of us moving my 68 x 24 x 20 from the van to my house. Felt like my forearms were about to rip open :laugh:
lovely tank btw!!!!!
its HUUUUUGE!
Thanks guys :D
Moving it was wasn't to bad in the end, the build up & worrying was worse than the actual event :)
I've not added any updates for a while as there have been a few issues with the fish but I shall explain tomorrow & add some latest pics.
Cheers.
Not updated for a while as nothings happened apart from setting up a small Hospital/QT after the last fish introduced (P. Sailfin) brought marine velvet with it :mad:
I should have known better & set up the QT from the start, would have saved the aggro of catching the seven fish with traps & the death of the Algae Blenny, which was to far gone to recover :(
The QT was dosed with Cuprazin, which is monitored & kept at a level of 2.5, & has daily 10% water changes.
The fish seem to have recovered well but will stay in the QT for a 10 week period to make sure any velvet left in the display has gone.
The main tank is doing well & there are pods, worms & critters everywhere! More so since I started using the UltraBak, UltraMin S & STM's Supergreen.
The few corals I have are also thriving as are the two nems, & there are many types of algae growing from the LR.
I've just bought a Grotech Zeolith Reactor & will be setting it up once the Ultralith arives.
Still taking bad pictures & MUST get a decent camera :o
QT/Hospital
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/127.jpg
Latest display pics.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/116.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/117.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/119.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/120.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/121.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/122.jpg
Malu was bleached white when I bought it but has now regained its natural colour.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/123.jpg
emperorfish
21-08-08, 23:12
Looking Good Buddy its just like the old days hey !
Paul still has some lovely Acros for sale i saw what he had left tonight.
I see my the picture what you mean now about spending all your money on the car very nice :cool: See you soon partner
Whey-Hey! :D
Hello mate, didn't realise you was on here, or did you tell me previously and I ain't remembered! :whistling:
The car was one I always wanted, & with my previous car history was bound to happen. I had a scoobie before but it was a modest WRX with the Prodrive Performance Package, this one Ive only had 3 months but its 1 of 100 ever made, a black WRX UK STi Prodrive, rare as hens teeth! :D but! this ones had major work done which gives performance at 0 to 60 in 4.3 & 350 BHP! Oh yeah (duff man style)!
Back on topic :) yes mate, just like the old days including 3 major floods on the carpet where I've gone to kip & forgot the RO was running into a bucket :laugh: new house, new carpet = missus not happy! also a nasty smelling spill where I left the tap on the skimmer overflow open, so all nastiness went inside cabinet & out onto carpet, that particular area smells like someone took a dump on it, even after "shake & Vac" :D
Remember Dave, he's just bought a tank etc, am running of some RO for him at the moment, thing is, its an un-drilled tank so he needs a syphon box or the likes to get down to the sump, what you recon? I suggested Tunze ?
Hopefully I'll have a few dollars together within a few weeks, so if Paul still has some stuff left I'll indulge, maybe meet up with you there ?
Pomacanthus
11-09-08, 23:00
That is a magnificent take bud, love the aqua scaping :thumbup:
I'm considering upgrading my 72x24x24 to a 72x30x30, can't wait :)
Hope your fish are recoving well mate.
Cheers mate :)
I'm considering going bigger already as I want to change the cabinet (Its a 22mm chipboard/veneer type with some steel framework support inside) as I've had a few "spillages" already & don't trust the cabinet to support the tank if its getting wet regularly! :eek:
If I'm going to dismantle the system I'm going for a bigger tank the full width of the room on concrete blocks & steel RSJ's with marine ply (should have done this originally)
Not much has happened recently with the tank as I've changed jobs but got a nice piece of Alvepora & some Green Xenia on Monday along with a Pink Cucumber, I'll post some pics tomorrow :)
Cheers,
Mark.
The fish have all been returned to the display & there's also been the addition of a Flame & Koran Angel, which are doing fine :D
I also added a Mangrove plant.. :)
I've fired up the ZeoLith reactor which has been running about three weeks, shut of the P04 reactor & filled it with UltraCarb L & started adding UltraOrganic & UltraAmin.
By the way, I have well over 201 gallons so shouldn't this thread be in the Super Size section :confused:
Pics from today....
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/107.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/091.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/110.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/113.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/112.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/111.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/109.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/108.jpg
Pomacanthus
28-09-08, 02:36
Hi Bud,
Glad all your fish are back in the main tank and doing well :)
The latest additions are fantastic, i luuuuuve angels :) I have a flame myself,
would love to have a few of them in my next tank.
Nice tank build, especially like the shot of the Christmas Tree hidden behind all the Tank Gear :) Very nice. All the velvet gone now ? What other fish you going to be adding ? Gonna be great once it all settles and matures. :D
Thanks for the comments Guys :thumbsup:
The velvet has gone (Touch wood, was a nasty ******) & all new additions will be in the QT first, most definitely. I found this also helped getting them onto flake, pellet & frozen foods which originally in the main tank they ignored.
I'd like to add more Tangs including a small shoal but I'm not sure which ones yet, I'm also going to add more Angels & a pair of Mandarins. There's plenty of room for many other fish but I've not decided what yet :)
I may stock up more on corals first as its rather empty in that department, the whole far left hand side is not finished either & I need another 20 to 30kg's of LR to construct another pier there.
Still need to get a good camera too as the pics from the current one don't really do the tank justice, or are out of focus.
I have all the FM balling products now & just need the doser & containers to start it off.
Cheers,
Mark.
updates please.... :thumbsup:
Not updated for a while as been busy with other things :o
The DSB's been removed from the sump as I'm now running the full UltraLith system (Lith, Bio, Bak, Min S, Amin & Organic) A mate had 100lb for his SSB & I put the remaining sand into the QT to keep for another mate, but, after two days the QT burst its sides dumping its 50 Liters onto the carpet :eek::annoyed: It was only a month old so I got a refund & put some extra cash in to get a larger Jewel 120 as replacement. I had to dump the live sand as I had nowhere for it :(
I've started the FM Balling Light method, which has been going for about six weeks, I'm adding the solutions manually until I get my Grotech Doser. Ca, Mg & Alk have risen to the correct levels, Coral's & Coraline are growing well :)
During the two Velvet outbreak's I lost the Lemonpeel Tang, Coral Beauty, Koran, Copperband & male Perc :(:annoyed:. Since all is well now I've added six Green Chromis a Mandarin & a Six Line :)
Still not added any more Coral's, but will be visiting the FS's before Christmas for a large stock up :D
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/065.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/096.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/097.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/098.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/099.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/100.JPG
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/189.jpg
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http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/191.jpg
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http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/139.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/140.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/152.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/160.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/161_1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/168.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/162.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/169.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/186.jpg
New QT.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/194.jpg
Rescued from a mates tank.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/195.jpg
Also rescued.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/196.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/197.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/198.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/200.jpg
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http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/204.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/147_1.jpg
This is growing like mad.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/136_1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q4/155.jpg
Very nice mate, setup is spot on:thumbsup:
Thanks to my good friend Pat & his "super camera" (Cheers for coming round mate) I've some decent pictures for a change.
I've been trying to put them up since Sunday though & have had a nightmare with the Uploader & Windows Photo Gallery with re-sizing!
So, I've only got these on for now...
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q1/pats pics 007_1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q1/pats pics 010_1.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q1/pats pics 012_1.jpg
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http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q1/pats pics 031.jpg
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http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q1/pats pics 100.jpg
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http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q1/pats pics 107.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q1/pats pics 108.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q1/pats pics 110.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q1/pats pics 111.jpg
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2009Q1/post-2213-1148505636.jpg
nighthaunt
31-05-09, 01:40
Stunning tank mate - shame its going - what you got planned for next?
Regards
Alex
Thanks all for reading :)
Unfortunately the tanks now been shut down :(
Cheers,
Mark.
fishmaduds
10-07-09, 18:19
top draw..........top draw!
Why was the tank broken down? :(
warren bailey
25-09-09, 16:51
Hes moving abroad
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