Dan's 30Br Upgrade Build Thread

[dan10342]

Hey all,

I thought this would be a great opportunity to begin my new build thread. I put this new tank together over the course of the month, and i think I finally have enough pics to make this thread worth while.

First however, i would like to say R.I.P to my 18 gallon DIY reef, as it was torn down to accommodate the new 30 breeder.

RIP
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/FTS-1.jpg

Now onto the actual build:

[dan10342]

First, lets begin with the tank itself.

Its a standard 30 breeder.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/tank.jpg
I was going to do this tank lookdown style, but found the dimensions just right to be a peninsula regular side lookthrough style!

i also got a DIY sump from another hobbyist.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/100_5561.jpg

not the prettiest thing, but it does its job well.

[dan10342]

third lighting:
decided to go with a luminarc mini.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/100_5318.jpg

i ended up getting a different ballast than the one i originally planned on using. the new ballast is an icecap in a PFO housing. works decent, so we'll see.

the bulb itself is a Radium 20k. I like it, because its just the right balance between blue and white, AND is not dim like many other 20ks i've seen in the works.

[dan10342]

lighting continued:

I ended up mounting my existing powerbrites from the 18 over to the luminarc.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/100_5550.jpg

I need 2 more though, to get full coverage over the 30 breeder.

I also ended up hanging the luminarc from the ceiling.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/100_5573.jpg
not too shabby...

[dan10342]

here is a pic of the tank all setup... mad sand storm, and i hadnt yet turned the return pump on. (mag 5)
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/tankside-1.jpg

the overflow seen here is a Glass holes kit.

the Fan, is a cheapy from wal-marts.

[dan10342]

Corals that were transferred from the 18.

I only ended up transferring 4 corals to the new tank. the rest were sold off. I wanted to pretty much start this tank on a new clean slate. I only saved my favorite LPS corals. The new corals will be all SPS i think, or LPS maybe.

coral 1: Blue hydnophora
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/hydno-2.png

[dan10342]

coral 2: Snowy rivers blasto

vendor pic
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/snowyriverblasto_LRGJPG.jpg

right after coming out of the bag after shipping (bad pic)
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/blasto.jpg

[dan10342]

coral 3: Rainbow Brain
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/brainpic2.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/flash.jpg

[dan10342]

Coral 4: Branching orange hammer coral (Creamsicle hammer)
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/creamsicle.jpg

remounted him to a disk for now (closed up to show its branched)
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/100_5574.jpg

[dan10342]

anyway last but not least: tank plan sketch
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/mockup.jpg

i would like to make this vision a reality come next christmas. hopefully it can be done!

thanks for looking and more to come soon,
dan

[Bonta]

I wanna be the first to say GORGEOUS !!

[m12x13adass]

anyway last but not least: tank plan sketch
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/mockup.jpg

i would like to make this vision a reality come next christmas. hopefully it can be done!

thanks for looking and more to come soon,
dan

Looks great. Can't wait to see how it turns out! I love the less is more approach.

[bs21]

Your last tank was great so i'm sure this will be exciting. like the corals you bought.

[creed]

How do you like the powerbrites and which ones do you have?

Chaney

[dan10342]

Thanks all!

creed, i like the powerbrites. they make the corals pop really well. i have the 460 actinic ones.

however, there have been reports lately, of long term usage of these, creating burn spots on corals. this is often a mixture of both, the LED's being too close to the water surface, AND being on too long.

[creed]

Do the powerbrites put out a significant amount of light? I was thinking of adding them to my 20 gal which is lit by a 250 radium bulb so I could have some light before and after the halide goes off. Could you post a pic with just the powerbrites on?


Chaney

[dan10342]

here is a quick cell phone shot.

the halide was off (taken 1 day after tank was setup... so mind the closed corals). (mind the empty tank, like i said im taking this build very very slow... im trying to keep the initial cycle at a minimum)
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/1129091542.jpg

[creed]

Thanks!! They are much brighter than I thought they would be.

Chaney

[dan10342]

Thanks!! They are much brighter than I thought they would be.

Chaney

while they are indeed bright, the cell phone pic exaggerates it considerably. :) (imagine the pic without the bright white glare)

in real life, there is just an overall dark blue hue to the whole tank when the halides are off. (though the last 6 inches of the tank on each side are a bit darker than the middle)


however that said, its all based on how high off the water they are. here is an old pic from july.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/100_4890.jpg

as you can see, they are TOO close to the water surface, and they create very bright spolights. (even when the t5s i was running we ON)

[creed]

Dan,

Which glass holes overflow is that? Are they hard to install and is the hole in the box already drilled? I was thinking about getting one for my tank but it has already been drilled with a 1" bulkhead with a strainer in it near the top of tank. I wouldn't want to buy one if the hole won't line up with the hole already in my tank.

Chaney

[dan10342]

Dan,

Which glass holes overflow is that? Are they hard to install and is the hole in the box already drilled? I was thinking about getting one for my tank but it has already been drilled with a 1" bulkhead with a strainer in it near the top of tank. I wouldn't want to buy one if the hole won't line up with the hole already in my tank.

Chaney

They are fairly easy to install. the hardest part is actually getting it together in the tank. There is little room to tighten the nut inside the box.

You can probably call gl*******s and ask for a custom box, so you can get one to fit your existing setup. (they a premade with the hole drilled in the box, however if you call them, they will probably custom make one for you, and drill the hole where you want it :)) their customer service i've heard is top notch, so its worth a try!

[dan10342]

unbelievable... the word filter ****** the word gla$$holes.

[nona]

here is a pic of the tank all setup... mad sand storm, and i hadnt yet turned the return pump on. (mag 5)
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/tankside-1.jpg


B-Ionic rules;-)

[dan10342]

^^ LOL good observations! :) BTW you had a gorgeous tank!

[nona]

^^ LOL good observations! :) BTW you had a gorgeous tank!

I appreciate it Dan. I want those blastos so bad...

[dan10342]

I appreciate it Dan. I want those blastos so bad...

:)

[dan10342]

No real updates here.

I thought ... since this thread wont really be starting up again until christmas time, i would share the beautiful reef that was my inspiration.

hope you like:

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/TRS_FTS.jpg

the center arch structure is gorgeous
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/TRS_rightcenter.jpg

Thanks to a local hobbyist for taking these pics. (i take no credit for them at all)

-dan

[mnml]

those blastos are sickkk!!! :bigeyes:

[chris.rivera3]

I like the pictures for inspiration...i'm sure your tank will come out just as nice...can't wait to see it come together

[nona]

This tank is absolutely gorgeous.

[dan10342]

Yeah, the 180 inspiration is a real beauty. its hard to see in the pics, but the arch in the front is a free-standing structure, and is not connected to the back aquascape at all.

to make it clear, i am going to try and mimic the 'idea' of the front structure. i love the open look it has. (although mine will be a broken arch like the sketch i drew up on page 1)

thanks for looking everyone,
dan

mnml,

thanks!. those blastos might be dead though... not sure. i do hope they are still alive :/ when i get home, i hope to see nice puffy heads.

[dan10342]

Here is a xmas break teaser. cant wait to get new pics.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/brain-1.jpg

small cell phone pic of a tiger pencil drawing i did. Anyone want a fish drawing?
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/1209092054a.jpg

[pimpinitup6969]

damn dude the drawing is AMAZING! The tank is coming along great!

[Arthurjc]

the tank looks crazy cool, I like all of the corals in the tank!

[dan10342]

Here we go. update.

the scape has been finished, and i am preparing to stock the tank. there are lots of pods already, no fish yet, and the diatoms and stuff are gone.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/DSC_0009.jpg

recovering
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/DSC_0007.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/hammer-1.jpg

scape is finished and awaiting corals
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/dslrfinal.jpg

thanks for looking,
dan

[nona]

Very nice Dan, very nice indeed...BTW did you score those blastos from Reefkoi?

[dan10342]

Thanks nona!

update:
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/brain-2.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/blastomussa-1.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/hydno-3.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/monti.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/acro.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/FTS-4.jpg

BABY HEADS!!
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/babyheads.jpg

[mjk0301]

what size GH overflow did you use?

[cherubfish pair]

Is this an sps or lps? I've never seen a coral like this.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/hydno-3.jpg

[dan10342]

what size GH overflow did you use?

it's the 700gph kit. I modded it to use 1 inch plumbing tho... so it can only handle 300gph.

[dan10342]

Is this an sps or lps? I've never seen a coral like this.

That is a branching hydnophora. I think hydnos are considered lps.

[cherubfish pair]

Are the torch corals actually flourescing?

[powers2001]

Updates?

[dan10342]

Update time its been a while. how is everyone doing?

pink acans
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/pinkdreams.jpg

LA lakers (mind the harmless flat worms)
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/lalakersrasta.jpg

purple hornets that need to color up
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/hornet-1.jpg

RASTA
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/rasta.jpg

hungry brain
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/hungrybrain.jpg

yellow centered bam bams
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/morezoos.jpg

[dan10342]

actinic acro
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/acromacro.jpg

kedds
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/keddsredds.jpg

RED LA lakers
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/redlakers.jpg

MR yellow (ik ik hes in a 30. you dont need to tell me its wrong lol)
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/yellow.jpg

one of three cardinals
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/cardinal.jpg

having a sexy time!
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/latenightfun.jpg

actinic zoos
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/smallzoofrags.jpg

[dan10342]

one more zoo
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/_DSC0468.jpg

thanks for looking,
dan

[theyammieguy]

Looks good.

[E.intheC]

looks real good Dan. Very 'minimalist' :thumbsup:

[dan10342]

thanks guys.

indeed the rock is minimalist. However, once corals fill in, and grow... and i add more, it wont be minimalist anymore :)

[E.intheC]

thanks guys.

indeed the rock is minimalist. However, once corals fill in, and grow... and i add more, it wont be minimalist anymore :)

Minimalist is a good thing (IMO anyway. A VERY good thing)... I'm sure your tank will look great when the corals fill out.

[dan10342]

:) :) :)

[theyammieguy]

Where did you get your LR?

[dan10342]

replaced the last of my daylights with 22k bulbs.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/ftsaquascience.jpg

i love the look now. :) colors pop really well. i think its enough PAR. especially since my tank is only 12 inches deep. (sps are 5-6 inches from surface)

any thoughts on why the hammer is still ****y?
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/hammer-2.jpg

i was thinking too much light since its been expelling stuff (brown stuff) since i switched to t5s...

alk was 11.
calcium was high 520.
temp is 79
SG is 1.026 measured with a calibrated refractometer. (calibrated to 35ppt)

oh and live rock was from the LFS. :)

[cherubfish pair]

You got me confused now. Is the tank in above pic same as tank in page 2? Just a much earlier pic?

[theyammieguy]

Hey Cherub,
Are you talking about post #27? That was his inspiration.

[dan10342]

Well here is a post valentines day update:

Got rid of a few corals, and also picked up some new ones :)

Got this as a cool freebie. I like it :)
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/cupcoral.jpg

better shot of the rainbow zoas
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/crazyzoos.jpg

new "mamer" coral
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/DSC_0015.jpg

Old brain 1
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/brain22k.jpg

The new brain
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/DSC_0027.jpg

FTS (diatoms all over the sand from flatworm exit)
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/newFTS.jpg

[TheSaltwaterGuy]

gorgeous tank. this is how i'd like my 29 to turn out. good luck from here on out! can't wait to see the finished product.

[dan10342]

Thanks.

Seems i accidentall deleted the FTS.

Anyway i got a bit DSLR happy and took a few extra pics.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/brain2.jpg

Pair of MAmers
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/actinicpairofhammer.jpg

Zoos
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/flamethrowerzoos.jpg

My new avatar
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/brain-4.jpg

FTS again
(sorry)
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/fts111.jpg

mind the diatoms. i need some GFO lol
-dan

[demeyer2]

I absolutely love your aquascaping and coral layout, beautiful. Less is more!

[dan10342]

Thanks!

Some LED shots for all you nano-reef enthusiasts!

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/acanled.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/LEDhammer.jpg

Been a while since i Posted this guy
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/hammerLED.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/widlfireled.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/brainLED.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd250/jjjo10342/deepwaterLED.jpg