Can I pull off a prop tank by April 13th???

[Tswifty]

Brief background...

I've been putting together a 90 gallon reef tank for about the last two months, and I started it cycling about 2-1/2 weeks ago.

Here's the build if you're curious:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1310919

Anyway, a frag swap is coming up for a reefing club near my area on the 13th, and I've heard this is about the only place to get nice affordable frags.

I have a 55g tank that has been running for almost 4 years now that I will be using as a stock tank. The lighting unit is only a 4x54watt Finnex Compact Flourescent lighting unit, which I'm sure needs new bulbs.

So mmy question is:
Can I replace the bulbs in this, and install a shelf higher in the tank so the frags will be ok until my display tank is ready? I actually have a piece of 1/4" glass left over from my calfo build that is about 6" long that I could use to make the shelf rather easily.

How High should the shelf be?


Thanks.

[Toddrtrex]

What is all in the 55, and what is its water params like and its flow? New bulbs will help and getting the shelf about 6" from the lights would be nice.

If the water and the flow are good, I wouldn't be too worried about the light for short term.

[Tswifty]

I just thought of that... I'll run downstairs and get a pic...

The parameters will be in check by then... I'm actually doing a water change and measuring them all today.

I have kent calcium, and magnesium to dose and get my levels up...

I plan on using ESV two part in my main tank, but haven't ordered it yet.

For flow, I moved all my Koralia's into the main tank, so I only have AquaClear powerheads in the 55 now. I have 2 AquaClear 70's, and an AquaClear 30 available for flow.

I also have a phosban reactor w/ hydrocarbon running on it via a MJ 404.

[Toddrtrex]

I would start to treat the 55 as an SPS tank from this day forward. Mainly it will give you time to get the levels stable. I am sure that when you start dosing two part that you will overshoot it a bit (( not a knock on you, I did that too when I first starting using two part -- will take some time to figure out exactly how much you will need to dose )) )

The Aquaclears aren't bad, but they have such a direct flow, might have to play with how they are aimed -- maybe bounce then off the glass.

Many years ago I put some SPS in my 75 (( at the time it had 6*65 PC )) and while they didn't grow they did survive. They were frags from my other tank -- just wanted to see what would happen.

IMO there are 3 keys to SPS -- Flow, water, and lights. Since this is short term you will be fine if you have 2 out of the 3.

[Tswifty]

I fugured I'd wait to test levels and do the water change until after the shelf is in:

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/pshelf2.jpg

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/pshelf1.jpg

[CleveYank]

tell me those 2 by 4's are not in the tank???

I only ask the question since although not treated wood, some places that store/transport/sell wood treat insecticide around or nearby.


PM me if you would like info to get ready for the up coming C-Sea swap.
If you can spare it...consider joining.
The club will prove a valuable support system of info while you are cutting your teeth and beyond.


Mike.

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12261643#post12261643 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CleveYank
tell me those 2 by 4's are not in the tank???

I only ask the question since although not treated wood, some places that store/transport/sell wood treat insecticide around or nearby.


PM me if you would like info to get ready for the up coming C-Sea swap.
If you can spare it...consider joining.
The club will prove a valuable support system of info while you are cutting your teeth and beyond.


Mike.
Yep they are...only until the initial tack sets... I had clamps, but they were unable to hold the back in place... Hopefully nothing bad will happen as a result. Thanks for the heads up for future refernce though. It just crossed my mind that I have extra PVC lying around, I'll swap it out.

I'm definately trying to find a reefing club, someplace close, if even in cleveland as my interest in reefing has really picked up this past year.

I'll shoot you a PM.

Thanks

[Tswifty]

Here's a pic of the 90 gallon system they will be going in to eventually... Only been cycling for 2-1/2 weeks... levels are all fine, because I used rock that had been established for close to 4 years, but I know it's too early to add anything. I will more than likely be waiting 6 weeks just to be safe before adding anything.

90 Gallon DT
30 Gallon Sump/Fuge (6" sandbed in fuge)

140 lbs Araganite Sand (3-6" throughout DT)
Calfo Overflow
Eheim 1262 Return Pump
Marine Solutions MSX 160 Protein Skimmer
3 Koralia #3 Powerheads
2 ViaAqua 250 watt Titanium Heater w/ Controllers

2 48" T-5 VHO Rerofits from ReefGeek
54 watt Super Actinic Bulbs ran by IceCap 430 ballast

2 - 175w or 250w (still deciding) Icecap MH Retros
Sunlight Supply Reef Optix 2 SE Reflectors
10,000K XM bulbs

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/s1.jpg

[Tswifty]

The 55g tank:

Prop Shelf is 5" from water's surface

Phosban reactor running HydroCarbon
Additional Phosban reactor is available
2 AquaClear 70 Powerheads
1 Small Rotating Powerhead
Jager Heater

2-3" LS bed
30lbs LR

Finnex 4 x 54 watt PC Lighting Fixture

[Tswifty]

I have everything running, and was able to angle the powerheads so there is a nice strong flow that isn't as focused traveling across the shelf.

I'll post a picture once the water clears up.

[Tswifty]

The water cleared up quite a bit with the help of the small AquaClear Powerfilter...

I'll test the levels and post them later today.

The flow right now I think is working well... Both AquaClear 70's are pointed at the front glass, their flows collide in the center which creates decently strong, gentle backflow across the shelf on each side. Basically it is 2 circular flows on each side.

I also have the rotating powerhead in the center, but I may switch this, as it's old and the head gets stuck or locked in position quite often.

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/ps1.jpg

[Toddrtrex]

Looking a lot better. And like that shelf. Looks like you were busy yesterday, good job.

[Tswifty]

Thanks... I need to try and find a place to pick up some bulbs before the swap.

Also... There is some green hair algae I belive on one of the rocks. It's moss like, but it has never spread since I've had the rock. I'm wondering if I should remove the rock, and scrub it off, or will this cause an ammonia spike in the tank, when I replace it?

[Toddrtrex]

If you do a water change, just scrub the rock in that bucket. Though I doubt that you would get a spike, but why risk it.

[JJ21]

What kind of corals were you going to get at the frag swap? If you are getting SPS frags, they will probably be on frag plugs. I would get some egg crate, some plastic cable ties and some of that extra pvc and make a rack up on the shelf to hold them in place.

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12268420#post12268420 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toddrtrex
If you do a water change, just scrub the rock in that bucket. Though I doubt that you would get a spike, but why risk it.
That's my thinking exactly... I'll test for phosphate, then decide.

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12268543#post12268543 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JJ21
What kind of corals were you going to get at the frag swap? If you are getting SPS frags, they will probably be on frag plugs. I would get some egg crate, some plastic cable ties and some of that extra pvc and make a rack up on the shelf to hold them in place.
I have a bunch of extra eggcrate in the garage... Thanks for the heads up.

[Tswifty]

Water Parameters:

Temp: 79.9
SG: 1.024
pH: 8.0

DKH: 9.8
Mag: 1350
Calc: 360

Nitrate: 5
Phos: 0.05
Ammonia: Untraceable

[Tswifty]

I was able to pick up a new ballast for T-5 lighting from a member on RC.

I plan on taking a trip up to Salty Critter today after work, to pick up bulbs and endcaps.

I'll end up with 2 54w T-5 daylight bulbs (no actinic) with SLR reflectors fixed above the shelf.

That will make me rest much easier now, and I was able to pull it off for <$100.

[Tswifty]

Here's the shabby half canopy I made out of some left over lumber I had lying in the garage to house the 2 T-5 retrofits.

I'm definately going to have to do some clean up work on it, because it sure isn't pretty.

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/plit1.jpg

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/plit2.jpg

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12268543#post12268543 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JJ21
What kind of corals were you going to get at the frag swap? If you are getting SPS frags, they will probably be on frag plugs. I would get some egg crate, some plastic cable ties and some of that extra pvc and make a rack up on the shelf to hold them in place.
Eggcrate Rack

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/rack2.jpg

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/rack1.jpg

[Tswifty]

Ok so I waited to get the bulbs until today after work...

Here are my options:

Geisman 11,000K

UV Lighting 10,000K

UV Lighting 12,000K

UV Lighting 14,000K

Any thoughts about which would work best?
(I will only have 2 54w T-5's running above the shelf)

[CleveYank]

looks like you are almost ready.

As far as the T5 bulb choices, seek out fernando or ferdinands formosa forest thread. I think he has one of the most successful T5 setups on Reefcentral if memory serves. He's got listings of his bulbs. Another person in the T5 know, local is itZme (Kevin) out of C-Sea.

[Tswifty]

Thanks for the response, I actually was going to PM you, but your box was filled...

I was able to find some used equipment from some local reefers.

So now I added:

30g Refugium connected via HOB overflow w/ 1" bulkhead.

Drain is plumbed with 1" PVC. I'm debating about using a T to split the flow betweem the fuge and return section. I'll be able to regulate the flow through the fuge this way, or let all the flow move through the refugium. A 1" bulkhead will move 600GPH max so I don't know if this will be too much or not.

The fuge will have a 6" sandbed and until I can get some cheato, some caulerpa from my 90g fuge.

ViaAqua return pump (3/4" PVC)

AquaC Remora protein skimmer

[Tswifty]

My makeshift workshop... aka the dining room has been pretty much emptied, and tore apart all weekend:

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/mess.jpg

[Tswifty]

Picked up this guy today for $50... Actually in great condition, and very clean. :D

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/remora1.jpg

Here's the refugium layout for the prop tank... I was NOT planning on using a bubble trap, but I installed the raised baffle on the wrong side, which meant the substrate would have blocked the water flow... so I had to install another one... end result... bubble trap.

I'm trying out this dual outlet thing... we'll see how it works to hopefully "soften" the flow coming from the overflow through the fuge, because as of right now all the flow from the overflow will be going through the fuge.

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/dual.jpg

[Tswifty]

AquaC Remora Running:

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/remora2.jpg

The LFS actually had a small clump of cheato in today (go figure):

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/l2.jpg

I HATE the layout of the sump, and ended up ripping a baffle out, without the water reacting the way I wanted it to... It's a mess, I'll fix it eventually.

But it works, and that's all that matters... I'm just glad it's finally done.

I also took my 4 x 54 watt finnex unit off the tank... the 2 - 54 watt bulbs with the SLR reflectors are more than adequate light for the whole tank.

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/l3.jpg