40g rimless, shallow SPS tank

[Chrisrush]

I was hoping to continue my 60g (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1188739&perpage=25&pagenumber=1) tank that I had in Dallas, but upon moving it to storage and then to Austin, the front corners of the tank were chipped. The tank still holds water, but I don't feel comfortable having the tank in a rental house. So, I figured that I would buy or build another tank. I was originally going to buy a 100g AGE tank in Houston, but after talking with my wife, I decided to use my old glasscages sump (24x24x16) as a display tank. This tank fits perfectly on my stand and after a few modifications (drilling a hole and attaching an overflow), will work nicely as a display tank.

I painted the back of the tank with black and dark blue but I have no idea how it will work until I get water into it.

Some equipment specs:

40 gallon display (24x24x16)
700 gph overflow with 1.5" drain from gl*******s.com
20g long sump
ATI sunpower 6x24w T5 fixture
ATB 840 v1.5 skimmer (delivered soon hopefully)
Profilux controller with dosing station (bailing method)
Grey Seas Aquatics Kalk reactor
10-15g top off tank
2 - 35g water storage tanks in the garage (still finishing up plumbing on these)
Ocean runner 3500 return (~600 gph)
2 - 6055s tunze pumps
2 - 6025 tunze pumps modded
3/4" sea swirl for the return

I'm not sure what tunze pump I will run in the tank, I will see how much flow is required. I'm going to run a shallow sand bed (seaflor grade sand) along with minimal rock work in the display (due to short height). I will put additional rock in the sump as needed.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow, but I wanted to get the tank log started.

[Chrisrush]

Got the tank hooked up today and have rocks, sand and water in it. I'm working on the light fixture and it should be up tonight. Then I'm going to sit back and wait for a few weeks until around Labor day until I get my corals. I may buy a fish or two, but who knows.

On to some pictures:

Tank with sand
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/with_sand.jpg

Close up with Seaswirl and glass-overflow.com drain and blue/black background
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/top_seaswirl.jpg

Tank with rock (about 75lbs of rock, there will be much less when I aquascape.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/first_rock.jpg

From office doors
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/side_shot_40g.jpg

Simple plumbing (1" drain, 1" return)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/plumbing_.jpg

[Chrisrush]

Stand with Profilux in drawer and 2part solution containers
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/drawer.jpg

GSA kalk reactor
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/gsa_kalk_reactor.jpg

ATI sunpower (6x24w)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/sunpower.jpg

Still waiting on my skimmer (hopefully this week).

[mullinsd2]

Looks really nice and clean. Look forward to your scape.

[0k.]

This is going to be quite a nice tank when it's filled with candy! Have you got to play with the controller much?

[Chrisrush]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15541133#post15541133 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mullinsd2
Looks really nice and clean. Look forward to your scape.

Thanks. I figure 2-3 big rocks in the display and the rest in the sump, but who knows, could just be 1 rock in the display and the rest in the sump.

[Chrisrush]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15541170#post15541170 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 0k.
This is going to be quite a nice tank when it's filled with candy! Have you got to play with the controller much?

Yeah, I had the controller on my old tank. I can't wait to get it back up and running. Hopefully I can tonight. I need to bring home my work laptop to set it up remotely. I'm a little worried that I won't have enough outlets though, so I might have to get creative.

[LobsterOfJustice]

How do you like the dimensions? I'm thinking of getting a 24x24 rimess from GC but cant decide on 16, 18, or 24 height. I will be using 250w MH.

[drtrash]

Have you ran that light before? Looking for feedback on output?
Looks like a fun build

[m3fan8ic]

sweet setup, can't wait to see it running

[Chrisrush]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15544295#post15544295 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LobsterOfJustice
How do you like the dimensions? I'm thinking of getting a 24x24 rimess from GC but cant decide on 16, 18, or 24 height. I will be using 250w MH.

It was originally my sump, so it worked out perfectly for that application. If I were to order it again, I'd probably go with 18", since 1" is for sand, and 1" is where the overflow starts, leaving me with only 14" of water space.

I had a 24x24x24 and I really liked it, it was rimless as well. If I hadn't dropped it, I'd still be running it.

[Chrisrush]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15544686#post15544686 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drtrash
Have you ran that light before? Looking for feedback on output?
Looks like a fun build

Haven't run it before. I've read some good reviews on it though. It looks quite impressive from the 5 minutes that I've run it. I hope to get it up on the conduit tonight.

[Chrisrush]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15545105#post15545105 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by m3fan8ic
sweet setup, can't wait to see it running

Thanks. Me too.

[Chrisrush]

Got the light up last night. I couldn't get the 1/2" conduit to look good, so I scraped the idea and just hung it from the ceiling. The included hardware from ATI worked very well. I drilled 2 holes into the ceiling, inserted some drywall hangers and screwed the mounting hardware into the ceiling. Turned out pretty well. The fixture is 6" off the top of the tank and 7" off the water. Should be just about right with the amount of water volume that I have. I"ll post some pictures tonight. I really, really like this fixture (perhaps even a bit in smitten.)

[rando45]

wow, cant wait to see what the future holds with this tank

[Chrisrush]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15558070#post15558070 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rando45
wow, cant wait to see what the future holds with this tank

Thanks rando. We will see.

[reefermike1]

sweet tank. been planning on getting either that same tank or the 24x24x18 from glasscages. also trying to decide weather or not to use black silicone and if i need starphire or not. whats your opinion?

i really like the look of your tank though and that sea swirl looks like it would work out perfect.

[Chrisrush]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15558469#post15558469 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefermike1
sweet tank. been planning on getting either that same tank or the 24x24x18 from glasscages. also trying to decide weather or not to use black silicone and if i need starphire or not. whats your opinion?

i really like the look of your tank though and that sea swirl looks like it would work out perfect.

For the height, depends on if you plan on having sand or not and what type of lighting. I would have liked an extra inch or two, but I had no reason to buy another tank. With 1" of sand and 1" of space between the top of the tank and the water, I'm at 14" of water height. Not really that much when you think about it.

If the height of the tank will be below eye level, no reason to go with starphire. I'll be looking down on my tank for the most part, which is a nicer view than through the glass anyways.

The sea swirl should work out quite nicely again. I really like having one on the tank

[Robb in Austin]

I've yet to see a "In Austin now" thread on ARC! Hint, Hint!

The tank looks good!

[rando45]

didn't see if you wrote this yet, what kinds of corals you planning on putting in there?

[sus]

"...shallow SPS tank"

[Chrisrush]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15558627#post15558627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Robb in Austin
I've yet to see a "In Austin now" thread on ARC! Hint, Hint!

The tank looks good!

Thanks Rob. I'm working on it. I have a hard enough time maintaining 2 tank threads.

[Chrisrush]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15559335#post15559335 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rando45
didn't see if you wrote this yet, what kinds of corals you planning on putting in there?

It will be primarily SPS. With the limited height of the tank, I'd like to put some acans and chalices on the bottom, but we will see.

[Chrisrush]

As promised, pictures of the new light

Lights off, no flash
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/light_no_flash.jpg

Lights on, no flash (I really like this color combo)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/tank_new_light.jpg

[redhanded77]

looks awesome. what bulb combo?

[Chrisrush]

I'll have to go look. Can't remember off the top of my head. I believe there is a ProColor, a super actinic, a blue +, maybe a duo and 2 others. I'd like it to be a bit bluer, but this will due for now.

[unbreakable]

love this tank, looks really slick

[Chrisrush]

Thanks Ruben.

I got the Profilux controller up and running today. Had a really difficult time getting it connected to my PC. I got most of the bugs worked out and I think that I'm rolling now until the skimmer gets here.

[Chrisrush]

Well, skimmer got delayed. For some reason or another, nobody told me that the skimmer was coming Fed-Ex and not USPS. I had it shipped to my PO box, which Fed-Ex doesn't do, so the skimmer was returned to LA. The shipper sent it back yesterday and I hope to get it tomorrow.

[unbreakable]

anything new?

[NateDizzle]

sweet thread chris, wondering if you are finding 6 bulbs enough spread for your 24" width of your tank, i got a similiar tank 36" by 24" and 18 high and was thinking of getting the sunpower 6 bulb also but worried it might not light it front to back enough as the fixture is only 13" wide. Let me know your thoughts.

[eb8919]

Thats a really clean set up...I cant wait to see this thing stocked.

[Chrisrush]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15616371#post15616371 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by unbreakable
anything new?

Got the skimmer and kalk reactor up this weekend. I think my probes are shot and I need to work on the ATO. I'll try and snap some pictures of the skimmer tonight. It is quite amazing, quiet and powerful.

[Chrisrush]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15618227#post15618227 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NateDizzle
sweet thread chris, wondering if you are finding 6 bulbs enough spread for your 24" width of your tank, i got a similiar tank 36" by 24" and 18 high and was thinking of getting the sunpower 6 bulb also but worried it might not light it front to back enough as the fixture is only 13" wide. Let me know your thoughts.

It is plenty of light. I don't need to light the front or back glass. I plan on putting the corals/rocks in the middle of the tank, and the sunpower is plenty strong for the 15" of height that I currently have.

[Chrisrush]

I originally thought that my pH, temp and level control probes were shot. I was all ready to order some new ones, then I looked and I realized that I plugged the temp and level probes into the wrong spots. No wonder I was getting an inaccurate reading. Good error handling by the Profilux though, instead of displaying a temp, it output ***. The level output had me a little concerned though, as it stated everything was ok, when in fact, it should have displayed an error.

[Chrisrush]

Well, I got my SPS a buddy in Dallas over Labor Day weekend. Most of the SPS corals had a rough time. I ended up tossing about 70% of them and I think that I'll probably end up losing about 90% when it is all said and done. All the LPS, rics and zoas look great though. I'm sure my new tank didn't help things either. Might be taking a break from SPS for a while, or at least the high dollar pieces.

[unbreakable]

why were there problems with the SPS?

[Chrisrush]

Got some coral pics that I took recently. The tank is doing well, getting the kinks out of it. I have picked up a few more zoa and LPS corals. I got all the acros out of the tank and I'll let it sit w/o SPS for a few months, hopefully that will stabilize things as well.

Here are a few pictures of the corals and perhaps some fish.

Acan:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/acan.jpg

Same just different mouth:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/acan_2.jpg

Another acan:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/acans_3.jpg

Green/yellow zoas:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/alien_eye_zoas.jpg

Blastos:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/blastos.jpg

Frogspawn?
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/frog.jpg

[iwishtofish]

Beautiful corals! Do you have a recent FTS to share, so we can see your aquascaping?

[Rich D]

love the acans. That could be a hammer coral that you think is a frogspawn...

[theyammieguy]

Really nice. I'd like to see a FTS with the background.

[Eel-byte]

Great looking tank!

[Shorasp30]

Looks great, keep it up!

[Chrisrush]

Beautiful corals! Do you have a recent FTS to share, so we can see your aquascaping?

The aquascaping hasn't changed since the previous page. I'll snap another one tomorrow though.

[Chrisrush]

love the acans. That could be a hammer coral that you think is a frogspawn...

Yeah, it probably is a hammer.

[Chrisrush]

Really nice. I'd like to see a FTS with the background.

Great looking tank!

Looks great, keep it up!

Thanks all. I've got some other montis coming on Wed. I'm thinking about getting another clown for my jumper and maybe another small fish or two.

[Chrisrush]

As requested, here are some aquascaping pics. Pretty hard to aquascape a shallow tank to make it look larger. I am also finding out that most of my LPS do not like the intense light that the PM provides. I will hopefully find some SPS that will tolerate the high light or I'll try and raise the light (or both).

Front
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/full_tank_12_09.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/full_tank.jpg

Left side
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/full_tank_side.jpg

Right side
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/full_tank_right.jpg

[Leonardo_]

It looks very nice Chris! I love the look of the stainless steel Sunpower over the rimless tank :)
I think Acropora will do great under this amount of light. If you notice paler colors, you can always shorten your photoperiod, or only light the tank with all T5's on a few hours a day.
Raising your pendant can also make a difference, like you suggested.

Keep us updated :)

Leonardo

[Chrisrush]

It looks very nice Chris! I love the look of the stainless steel Sunpower over the rimless tank :)
I think Acropora will do great under this amount of light. If you notice paler colors, you can always shorten your photoperiod, or only light the tank with all T5's on a few hours a day.
Raising your pendant can also make a difference, like you suggested.

Keep us updated :)

Leonardo

Glad to have you on board Leonardo. Hope all is well with you. I have caught up on your thread and I am anxiously awaiting your next tank.

I would actually like to upgrade to a 36x36x20 tank, but we will see how things pan out in 2010. We may be moving in the summer so I'd hate to move another tank that I just set up. One of these days I will get to see a tank turn 2.

I think I will try and raise the pendant tomorrow to see how it looks. I don't want much light spread in the room though, since that is my office.

[Chrisrush]

I raised the lights up a few inches and nothing seems to be affected, neither good or bad. Tough to tell though, since my skimmer has been off line for the past 2 weeks. I get the pump back today so hopefully I'll be set tonight.

[mjk0301]

How do you like your sea swirl? I was thinking of getting one for my upgraded 40B that i am building now but not to sure sine i am considering a MP20 at the same time.

[Chrisrush]

How do you like your sea swirl? I was thinking of getting one for my upgraded 40B that i am building now but not to sure sine i am considering a MP20 at the same time.

I like it at times. When I had my taller tank, it worked better. With this tank, since it is so shallow, I have the rock work higher than before and the seaswirl tends to shake the rock and that has me a bit worried so now I have the seaswirl stationary.

[Chrisrush]

Wife got me an Olympus underwater camera for my birthday. Still getting used to it, but it is a nice addition. Small and compact, should travel well.

These are the best pictures I could get out of it right now. Pampee, got any tips?

I have been slowly adding some more acros, got a bunch from acropoorer the other day. Gave me a huge chunk of pink milli. Things are going well with the tank, trying to hook up my dosing pumps so that I don't have to manually add Alk/Ca.

Pink Milli (still adjusting to the tank)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/pink_milli.jpg

War Coral (also seen is the ORA purple plasma, and ORA Red Planet on the right)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/war_coral.jpg

Blastos and others

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/blastos-1.jpg

Zoa island

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/zoas_mushrooms.jpg