View Full Version : 40 Gallon Breeder reef tank build...
mmittlesteadt
03/07/2015, 08:50 PM
I'm new to the forum, but after a brief introduction here, I am starting a thread to show progress on my 40 gallon breeder tank.
I don't have room for a larger tank, so I realize I have to keep the size in mind regarding stocking. I am taking my time with this. While I am accumulating the necessary equipment, I am fixing up a cheap All Glass stand and building a canopy for it.
I already have an Eshopps PSK-100 Skimmer, a BRS 4 stage 75g/D RODI and a dual 3 foot flourescent light fixture. I plan on adding two more LED light strips as well and a powerhead among many other things.
Below is a pic of my refurbed stand and canopy. The stand had no lip around the top edge to frame in the tank bottom, so I added that as well as more trim along the bottom. The canopy does not have a lid to open, but it is very lightweight (though braced) and easily lifts off to work with the tank. The entire stand and canopy will be painted black and then faux finished to look like dark red/maroon granite.
I plan on only keeping soft corals, inverts and a few fish. I'm kind of new to reefkeeping so I'm reading up, asking lots of questions and taking my time.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/cabinet.jpg
noj3333
03/07/2015, 09:03 PM
Good start so far... 40 gallon breeder is a very good tank for a reef.
mmittlesteadt
03/07/2015, 09:17 PM
Good start so far... 40 gallon breeder is a very good tank for a reef.
Thanks. I have a 65 gallon tank, but I don't like the height of it and don't have the room for anything larger at this time.
I thought the 40 breeder was of sufficient size to provide some water stability and giving me room to create a small reef...without breaking the bank...or my marriage. LOL. Although my wife is very supportive and loves the look of reef tanks.
noj3333
03/07/2015, 09:55 PM
you should think about drilling the tank for an overflow, and adding a sump (unless I just can't see the overflow in the pic).
kmbyrnes
03/08/2015, 06:14 AM
I agree about the 40b.
Using one a QT for the survivors of an ich outbreak in a 125 I purchased up and running.
Every day I think this has great dimensions for a reef.
Hmmmm, what would the wife say ........
mmittlesteadt
03/08/2015, 09:28 AM
you should think about drilling the tank for an overflow, and adding a sump (unless I just can't see the overflow in the pic).
I'm going to forego a sump. I plan on adding a HOB power filter, but it will only be used for things like phosphate absorbing packs, or activated carbon, etc. The protein skimmer will be my filtration.
I thought about a sump, but really it's just overkill and difficult to manage in the cabinet I have.
mmittlesteadt
03/08/2015, 05:24 PM
Here's a few updated progress pics of the stand and canopy. I'm just painting them gloss black now before faux finishing them.
Note that it looks like there is plenty of room for a sump, but the center braces are really more in the way. This is just a cheap All Glass stand. It is solid and will hold the tank just fine...I just wanted to dress it up more and add a canopy.
The stand with doors off...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/stand.jpg
The doors. Note they are the slotted boards of those cheaper AG stands...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/doors.jpg
Because of the slotted doors, I created a similar pattern in the canopy front...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/canopy.jpg
These will be treated with a dark red faux finish so they look like dark red granite.
mandarin_goby
03/08/2015, 05:35 PM
Nice setup, I'll be following! I love the dimensions of 40bs.
stingeragent
03/08/2015, 08:50 PM
Nice, just started a 40 breeder build myself. I decided to go with a sump for my 3rd salty tank ever. I'm using a 20 long for the sump.
mmittlesteadt
03/08/2015, 08:52 PM
Nice setup, I'll be following! I love the dimensions of 40bs.
Thanks. I do too. I can't have a much larger tank. And I do have a 65 gallon that has an identical footprint, but for a reef I prefer the lower height of the 40 gallon breeder.
I might possibly setup my 65 gallon as a freshwater tank for Discus, or maybe even a saltwater FOWLR...but that's in the future.
For now I really love the width and depth (front to back) of this 40 Breeder.
I got the first step of the faux finish painted on over the black of the stand, canopy and doors. Here's a few pics in poor lighting...
Canopy close-up...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/faux1.jpg
Stand at a distance (sans doors)...Note the added trim to the top and bottom of the stand (you can see the trim added to the stock black stand at the top of my thread)...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/faux2.jpg
mmittlesteadt
03/09/2015, 08:13 AM
We have new carpeting coming in this week (hopefully within the next couple of days) so I'm hoping to get this all set up in the newly remodeled living room this week yet.
Then I can start thinking of actually doing something with the tank itself. We just got some new rock in (not live rock) so I can start playing with aquascaping soon.
mmittlesteadt
03/14/2015, 04:37 PM
Finally got the stand and canopy built and painted. The new carpet is in and after a bit of furniture moving the tank and stand are now sitting, ready to go. It's all level (with a little bit of shimming, but not much).
I'm going to take my time planning some aquascaping with some rock shelves that are coming in, so I'll just keep reading meanwhile. No rush to get water in it. Just taking my sweet time with it.
Here's a pic of the new tank, stand and canopy...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/ec.jpg
fraggin corals
03/14/2015, 08:22 PM
Very nice! I am running a 40B as a reef and love the size and room of the tank. One word of caution would be that if you are going sumpless, keep an eye on the build up of organics and 'stuff' on the water surface. You'll be surprised how much can build up and block some light into the tank.
mmittlesteadt
03/14/2015, 08:35 PM
Very nice! I am running a 40B as a reef and love the size and room of the tank. One word of caution would be that if you are going sumpless, keep an eye on the build up of organics and 'stuff' on the water surface. You'll be surprised how much can build up and block some light into the tank.
Thanks. I'm going to be running an Eshopps HOB PSK100 skimmer, a HOB power filter (circulation only and if necessary act. carbon, phosphate removal, etc.), a 1000gph circulation pump.
I also will not be adding very many fish to this. I'm more interested in all the other creatures. This will not be a tank packed with too much of anything. I want it to look like a huge tank by maximizing positive and negative space, rather than overstocking it.
This is a quick sketch of my aquascaping idea thus far...lots of shelves in kind of a spiral staircase, which will add more hiding spots and places to put coral without crowding the tank with lots of rock that would create dead spaces. Of course it will change once I get the rock and see what I have to work with. Realistically, there won't be that many shelves...this is just an idea in progress with this sketch being the first one that came to mind. I won't even put the rockwork in my tank until I have it planned out very well. My idea is to provide maximum filtration and circulation, but a minimum of life requiring it.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/reefsketch.jpg
chillwill007
03/14/2015, 09:32 PM
Very nice I want a 40 breeder as my first tank so im gonna be watching this build close
ZeeSparrow
03/15/2015, 07:44 AM
I like your aquascaping plan. Open with lots of potential for coral placement.... plus shadows and hiding spots. Nice.
mmittlesteadt
03/15/2015, 08:16 AM
Thanks. I'm really liking this rock design (I found here) as the base, but want to add some spiral staircase shelves around it. Kind of a mix of this pic and my sketch.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/this.jpg
mmittlesteadt
03/15/2015, 08:43 AM
I played around with that pic in photoshop and came up with something like this. It will be more open than this, because I think the one on the right is still too chunky. I'll open it up more and add more hollows and tunnels throughout it.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/design.jpg
ZeeSparrow
03/15/2015, 08:57 AM
Oh yeah I like your inspiration pic, too. This looks like a great start!
mmittlesteadt
03/15/2015, 09:40 AM
My tank still sits empty while I plan this out. My LFS (which happens to be in an Ace Hardware where I run the Frame Shop and get everything at cost...;)) is getting me some customized shelf rock, made to order for me from Bulk Reef Supply (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-tonga-shelf-dry-live-rock-3-fc60305c9e5e6f19c6be173b9dd7b448.html).
I'm still waiting on my RODI system from there as well (should be in this week). I'm in no rush to even fill my tank with water. I'm just enjoying the process as this takes shape. Being an artist, aquascaping is my favorite part of the whole thing. I used to do it a lot with FW planted tanks too...thinking about how the plants would grow out and what it could look like down the road. This design has to also take into account what the corals will look like, so I'm still researching different corals now as well.
mmittlesteadt
03/18/2015, 05:09 PM
Here's my first base rock set loosely in place. This will be modified of course. Still looking at it and thinking about it.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/rockstart.jpg
mmittlesteadt
03/18/2015, 05:16 PM
And here's my photoshopped pic, being photoshopped into my aquarium. So far, so good...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/Aquascape1.jpg
Kaydubya
03/18/2015, 05:21 PM
Great job on the stand, looks really good. Coming along very nice.
mmittlesteadt
03/18/2015, 05:38 PM
Thanks. Photoshop is great for planning out my aquascaping. Hopefully I keep my patience and take the same care when it comes to stocking my tank with living things!!!
ZeeSparrow
03/18/2015, 06:16 PM
Are you going to photoshop corals into place on the structure you create? I think that would be a great way to share the vision you have. [emoji6]
mmittlesteadt
03/18/2015, 07:03 PM
Are you going to photoshop corals into place on the structure you create? I think that would be a great way to share the vision you have. [emoji6]
Yeah, probably. But they will have their own ideas as to their best location. ;)
Once I get the rockwork all in place, and after I get the tank filled and cycling, that's when I'll look closer into the varied soft corals and where they might go.
Photoshop is great in that you can move things around visually without having to put yourself (or other life forms) through the hassle of actually moving them. One can also figure out future growth potential and increase the size to see how they might look later on.
ZeeSparrow
03/18/2015, 07:46 PM
Yeah I like that idea. Might have to do the same myself. I'm still curing my rock and have yet to build the stand, so I am a bit behind you in my build. I'm also not much of an artist so having that ability (moving pictures around without risk) is very appealing. My tool will be paint.net... Free program similar to photoshop.
mmittlesteadt
03/19/2015, 08:17 AM
Yeah I like that idea. Might have to do the same myself. I'm still curing my rock and have yet to build the stand, so I am a bit behind you in my build. I'm also not much of an artist so having that ability (moving pictures around without risk) is very appealing. My tool will be paint.net... Free program similar to photoshop.
There is a better free program available that is almost identical to Photoshop called Serif PhotoPlus. Works with layers so you can move them around and the free version has most of the best, useful Photoshop tools.
ZeeSparrow
03/19/2015, 11:18 AM
I'll have to check that out when I get home. Thanks!
mmittlesteadt
03/19/2015, 03:04 PM
Send me a PM with a link when you start a thread about your tank.
ABnormalAZ
03/19/2015, 05:14 PM
I would do a sump... Thats my bigest regret. I have a 30gallon bow front and you run out of room or take away from the viewing area with all of the gadgets. I also did a CPR HOB fuge..
mmittlesteadt
03/19/2015, 06:55 PM
I would do a sump... Thats my bigest regret. I have a 30gallon bow front and you run out of room or take away from the viewing area with all of the gadgets. I also did a CPR HOB fuge..
Well, I don't really have room for one with my stand. But I have tons of real estate off the back of my tank as it sits in a corner (but the tank is rectangular, so there is lots of space and the canopy hides everything).
Eshopps HOB PSK-100 skimmer, HOT Magnum canister filter (for just circulation or carbon as needed), with plenty of room for a HOB refugium if I ever go that route, etc.
Really I have lots of room off the back yet almost nothing under my tank that would allow for a sump of any usable size AND elbow room to work in it. It's easier to work up top in this arrangement. About the only thing I might do is put a 10 gallon QT under it. That I might have room for.
Besides, this is not going to be a heavily stocked tank and there is not much for gadgets that are going to be that unsightly.
In the future? Who knows. It's not like I wouldn't love a huge tank and sump with all the bells and whistles someday.
mmittlesteadt
03/20/2015, 08:40 AM
I purchased a bunch of dry rock (actually reef safe skeleton, not "rock" as it were). I bought a masonry blade for my table saw and I cut one piece with my regular wood saw blade and it went through it like nothing, but I don't want to dull the blade.
I also bought some DryLok Fast Plug and will be putting together my rockscape with it. Since I do not have my tank set up yet and it will need to cycle anyway (so I have plenty of time) I will do some testing as to the effectiveness and safety of the DryLok and report back.
mmittlesteadt
03/21/2015, 06:24 PM
Worked on the rockwork today. I made four separate rock structures using fiberglass rods and the DryLok cement.
In the pics I have each tower numbered. They each can stand alone without being propped up by another rock structure. They are each sawed completely flat on the bottom, don't rock and are very stable. They are placed directly on the glass. Numbers 2 and 3, while looking a bit unstable on their own, are not. They are difficult to knock over but are purposely built so that if they tip in any direction they would towards each other. So, number 2 leans towards number 3 and number 3 leans back into number 2 and they meet very tightly in the middle. I did this so I would not have to place them both glued together in the tank. Yet, they are completely balanced and stable standing on their own.
Though a little difficult to see, there are a lot of flat shelves coming out at different angles as well as overhangs and tunnels. There should be a lot flow throughout the structures and lots of room all around and in between.
Front, straight on...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/front.jpg
Left side angle...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/left.jpg
Right angle, a little more from the top where you can see more space and depth...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/right.jpg
And one from the side...you can see how there is space and an overhang between 3 and 4...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/side.jpg
mmittlesteadt
03/22/2015, 08:12 AM
Putting the sand in today. I got Carib Sea Aragonite which is already pre-washed so I don't have to wait until I get my RODI to rinse it.
mmittlesteadt
03/22/2015, 06:51 PM
What a difference in appearance it makes having the sand in! Looks so much like a landscape now.
After looking it over for a day, I shifted the rock around a little bit to make the pattern flow better. Subtle, but better to me...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/sand.jpg
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/sand2.jpg
ZeeSparrow
03/22/2015, 07:52 PM
Looking good! I really like the left side angle pic.
mmittlesteadt
03/22/2015, 08:34 PM
Thanks. I'm already thinking of future growth and coral placement. I'm still learning about it all, but I've been reading for almost a year about reef keeping (after 35 years of planted freshwater).
I'd like to put some kind of showpiece soft coral that likes a lot of light and current on top of that mushroom-like rock on the left.
There will be a 1000GPH circulating pump in the front upper left, pointed back across the rockwork.
Addiction
03/22/2015, 10:01 PM
You may not even need to run a skimmer. Just run carbon and phosphate remover.
mmittlesteadt
03/23/2015, 08:38 AM
I already have an Eshopps HOB PSK-100 skimmer. I also have a HOT Magnum canister with dual outputs and that will be used more for water flow (one outlet pointing up at the surface and one pointing down at the left rock structure. I may run carbon and/or GFO in it as needed. Then I also have a 1000 gph circulation pump (pointing across the face of both structures left to right) in addition to the skimmer's outlet tube pointing at the right structure.
That is something I'll have to play with as I add corals and see what works best.
Basically when it comes to filtration and water flow, I prefer to have more than I need and scale back if necessary, rather than skimp out and only have it be adequate. I still do not plan on overstocking and will keep the stocking minimal.
I've seen too many people try to put too much in their tanks with "just enough" filtration.
chillwill007
03/23/2015, 11:15 AM
Very nice can u get some pics of ur lighting set up please
mmittlesteadt
03/23/2015, 11:52 AM
Very nice can u get some pics of ur lighting set up please
I have three Aquatop 24" LED fixtures. Two are Actinic Blue and one is a Daylight 7000k/10,000k combo.
I went with 24" on my 36" tank because I did not want excessive light towards the outer edges of the rockwork.
My reason for using the Aquatops is because where I work (Ace Hardware with a huge pet department) they are running these three fixtures over their reef (soft corals) tanks and those corals are thriving/growing and look beautiful. Plus I get them for cost.
I know there are better and more expensive options out there, but I know these work for what I want to keep given real world results in these other tanks.
I can take photos of them...but these are just the Aquatop 24" sitting right on my glass top.
mmittlesteadt
03/23/2015, 03:32 PM
Someone asked how I made the rocks. I took some pics of the progress, but once I really started getting into it, I forgot to keep taking photos. Below is kind of a sequence into the construction.
I bought a bunch of interestingly shaped rocks knowing I was going to use them as the base, or break them apart.
I started off with really four basic shapes, the foundation of it, if you will. These four main rocks were sawed flat on the bottom with my table saw and a masonry blade. It would have been easier if I could have kept them wet, but it was cold out in my garage and it did the job.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/rock1.jpg
I found one interesting mushroom shaped rock that caught my attention and I knew it would be perfect for the standalone rock form on the left. You can see it "pinned" in place by a fiberglass rod (a little bit of the orange rod showing...driveway marker rods). There is no cement in place yet...just propped and supported by the rod only.
On the right, the two main base foundation rocks were cut flat on the bottom and cut a bit only where they meet in the middle so they fit flush to each other. These two rock were not going to be cemented to one another but "leaning into" each other, because they stand upright on their own. If they would happen to tip (very difficult to do, they can only tip into each other but only with A LOT of force).
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/rock2.jpg
In the next pic, the yellow outlines are where the rock shelves were added, using the myriad of leftover pieces that I had cut into flat slabs or small chiseled pieces. I tried to use ones that were not flat on both sides so they had a more natural appearance.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/rock4.jpg
In the finished pic, the large rock structure on the right is actually 3 separate freestanding rock structures I made that are just set together to look like one large "island".
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/sand2.jpg
mmittlesteadt
03/24/2015, 08:27 AM
I have decided to use my unused 65 gallon tank as a sump for my 40 gallon breeder display tank. I have my 40 gallon sitting in my living room that was newly remodeled with new paint and carpeting. The more I thought about it, the more I like the idea of not having to top off my display tank or do water changes in my living room.
There was no room under my display tank in the stand for even a smaller sump that would leave me any room to work. However, my 65 gallon tank will sit in the basement right underneath my display tank in the living room. I can run lines from my RODI storage container for an ATO in the sump, as well as a siphon clean tube to my utility sink in the basement only a few feet away.
I have a friend that has the tools to drill my 40 gallon breeder for bulkhead fittings.
I'm new to sumps and I've been reading up on them, but any help about sumps would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
mmittlesteadt
03/24/2015, 10:49 AM
Never used my Eshopps PSK-100 HOB skimmer, so I'm boxing it up and trading it for the PSK-100 In-Sump one instead. That will allow me to not have to have a taller inlet chamber. There are benefits to being patient and planning things out well in advance.
LeRenard
03/24/2015, 11:15 AM
Doh, commented about skipping a sump. That'll teach me not to check how many pages there are. I just did my 36 with all HOB gear and now I'm switching it all out for a sump in my basement just like you. You won't regret it- all that stuff really clutters up the tank really quick. Enough that my wife was calling it a science experiment.
mmittlesteadt
03/24/2015, 11:33 AM
Doh, commented about skipping a sump. That'll teach me not to check how many pages there are. I just did my 36 with all HOB gear and now I'm switching it all out for a sump in my basement just like you. You won't regret it- all that stuff really clutters up the tank really quick. Enough that my wife was calling it a science experiment.
Well, I originally went with all HOB...but after we cleared out the basement and redid our living room with new paint and carpet...I got to thinking (I know...that leads to trouble...LOL).
I really like the idea of having very little mechanical clutter in the tank, and to not have to top off or do water changes in the living room is REALLY appealing! Not to mention all the other benefits. My 65 gallon tank will never be used for anything as I HATE tall tanks for display tanks now.
mmittlesteadt
03/29/2015, 05:48 PM
Well, I'm taking two steps back to take one step forward. But in the long run it will be well worth it.
I took out all my rock aquascaping and all the sand. Because tomorrow a friend is drilling out my tank for two drains and a return, so I can use my 65 gallon sump in my basement. Yeah baby...a 40 gallon breeder display with a 65 gallon sump for it!
Built a new stand for the 65 gallon sump with a solid shelf below it for a QT tank. Hanging above my sump will be my RODI gravity fed ATO. Lots of things still in the planning stages. I'm working out the details of my plumbing and trying to decide details for my sump...like just how big can I go for my refugium? :D.
Meanwhile, I just keep on reading and planning, and reading and planning some more.
mmittlesteadt
03/30/2015, 09:31 AM
Putting a 65 gallon sump in the basement below my display tank will work out perfectly. It will only be 6 feet away from my utility sink. My RODI unit will be mounted over the sink on the wall.
I'm going to use my Python hose and connect it to my faucet (when needed) with a drain line permanently sitting in my sump. To do water changes will simply be a matter of connecting the python to faucet and turning the water on and run it until it empties my sump down to a predetermined water-change water line mark.
Then to fill it, I will have a container of pre-mixed saltwater right next to my sump. To fill the tank with fresh saltwater for the water change, I will only have to connect the fill hose (also mounted to my sump) onto the pump (that is already sitting in the saltwater container for stirring) and pump the new water back into the sump, back up to the normal water level mark.
A container of pure RODI water will be above my salt mix container and I will use a gravity fed RODI ATO. My RODI unit will have it's pure water return line going to my RODI container.
Very little work to maintain perfect water conditions. And all of this will be in my "lab" where I have a recliner next to my sump and bookshelf. No more bucket hauling for this guy!
This is turning into my dream fish room, but my display tank will be upstairs in the living room requiring very little disturbance to the inhabitants as i will only need to basically scrape algae and feed.
:D
vokrey09
03/30/2015, 03:40 PM
65 gallon sump!? That is awesome, so much more added water volume.
I've had my 40breeder setup for almost 2 months now and love it. Still have to finish the stand, just haven't found the time. It is located in my bedroom, I was afraid of the added weight/flooding up here so I went sumpless.
mmittlesteadt
03/30/2015, 04:10 PM
65 gallon sump!? That is awesome, so much more added water volume.
I've had my 40breeder setup for almost 2 months now and love it. Still have to finish the stand, just haven't found the time. It is located in my bedroom, I was afraid of the added weight/flooding up here so I went sumpless.
Yes a 65 gallon sump in my basement for my 40 gallon breeder display tank upstairs in my living room! Not only more water volume, more live rock, more sand and a huge refugium. I'll also have automated top off in the sump, almost automated water changes (again in the sump).
Just drilled the holes in the floor of my living room (right next to the edge of the walls (very little carpet moved for the holes) and ran my 1" PVC down to my tank. The drain and return pipes almost line up perfect with my sump. Return line will need two 45 degree elbows (below floor) as it's just off center a bit (had to get around a cold air return in the basement ceiling). And I will also use flexible tubing from the tank fittings to the PVC as well as from the PVC downstairs to the sump.
Another side benefit of having my sump in the basement is the "built-in" chiller. My basement is about 10 to 20 degrees cooler than my living room, which will make it easy to keep the tank temps where they need to be during hot summer months. Of course, in the winter, I may need to insulate the tank and pipes in the basement, but that's easy enough to do if it's even needed. The room has a furnace vent in it so it is heated and controllable.
SpikeDangles
04/02/2015, 02:42 PM
Amazing rock work! I'm in the planning stage for my 40b right now as well. I'm going to build an extra wide and extra tall stand to accommodate a 20L sump and small shelves for reactors/dosing components as well as some type of ATO tank. Intrigued by the gravity fed method your using, I'll have to read up on it.
I'm blown away by that rock work though! I was planning on cutting my rock with a chop saw with a masonary blade, how difficult was it to use a tablesaw?
Are you planning to cure your rock through "cooking" it? I was informed about this by a local reefer who told me that dry rock can leach phosphates like a mother.
Awesome build and I will definitely be following along!
mmittlesteadt
04/02/2015, 02:55 PM
Amazing rock work! I'm in the planning stage for my 40b right now as well. I'm going to build an extra wide and extra tall stand to accommodate a 20L sump and small shelves for reactors/dosing components as well as some type of ATO tank. Intrigued by the gravity fed method your using, I'll have to read up on it.
I'm blown away by that rock work though! I was planning on cutting my rock with a chop saw with a masonary blade, how difficult was it to use a tablesaw?
Are you planning to cure your rock through "cooking" it? I was informed about this by a local reefer who told me that dry rock can leach phosphates like a mother.
Awesome build and I will definitely be following along!
Thanks! My table saw cut through the rock fairly well with a masonry blade, but I was dry cutting it...lots of dust and harder to cut, than when wet. Just didn't want to deal with water too.
Dry rock can leach phosphates, yes. How much? Depends. I'm not too concerned as I'm in no rush to fill my tank full of fish and creatures anyway. I"ll just keep testing the phosphates and do water changes. The water changes will be easy once I get all my equipment for my sump in order.
I'm just taking my time and getting everything in order. I should be getting my tank drilled for my drain and return lines this Sunday. After that's done I can start planning my DIY overflow box (which I will cover with some kind of rockwork to make it look like an overhanging rock shelf instead of an acrylic box). Especially now that all my equipment is in my sump and not in the tank.
I'll post things as I go along. Send me a link to your build thread as you go along...I like to see how others do their tanks.
mmittlesteadt
04/06/2015, 07:13 PM
Borrowed my friend's diamond hole cutter and drilled out the holes for my bulkheads. Made a template out of 1/4" acrylic and used plumber's putty to make a dam around the hole area and the acrylic just sticks right over it. I kept overflowing the hole in the acrylic with cold water and the dam held the water in place while I drilled. I taped the backsides of the holes.
Very easy to do and very clean cutting. Right now I have a coat of black paint drying on the back.
Also got my RO/DI unit from Bulk Reef Supply (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-4-stage-value-plus-ro-di-system-75gpd-1.html) today! I'll be adding two filters in front of it. A 10 micron household Carbon filter and then a 5 micron one which will go in front of the 1 micron one which is the first stage of the BRS unit.
Getting closer. Now that the bulkhead holes are drilled I can now get my plumbing finished up and run to my sump. Then it's on to the sump work.
mmittlesteadt
04/07/2015, 10:51 AM
I'll be siliconing in my corner overflow tonight...just one piece of glass at an angle in the left back corner. Then I'm going to make a false rockwork cover with a few ledges to mimic my other rockwork, to hide it.
chillwill007
04/07/2015, 11:30 AM
That should look nice
mmittlesteadt
04/08/2015, 08:32 AM
Now that my tank is drilled and the overflow is siliconed in place, I decided to create a false rockwork that goes in front of my corner overflow (to hide that), but instead of just rectangle to cover the overflow, it will arch over (all along the top back) to the other corner where it will arch back down the right side a little bit, which will also hide my return bulkhead.
With the back of the tank painted black, some 3D ledges on it will give the appearance of the back going into a cave, while also providing hiding places for fish and invertebrates, yet a couple of ledges for even more coral.
xcghjh
04/08/2015, 09:47 AM
Nice, just started a 40 breeder build myself. I decided to go with a sump for my 3rd salty tank ever. I'm using a 20 long for the sump. http://financehotela.com/yellow/images/54.gifhttp://financehotela.com/yellow/images/30.gif
mmittlesteadt
04/08/2015, 10:05 AM
Thanks. I did not have room for a sump under my stand and fortunately that was a blessing as I have it in my newly carpeted living room, and I had a 65 gallon tank unused in my basement. As it turns out I have space in my basement right under my 40 gallon display tank in the living room.
So, the 65 gallon sump will be in the basement. Long ago when I hatched this idea of having a reef tank, it was going to just be a 40 gallon display tank with everything hanging off the back. It just grew from there.
Got a build thread yet?
mmittlesteadt
04/10/2015, 08:30 AM
I'm going to do some further aquascaping with a rock wall to cover my overflow and my return. BUT...this is not going to be a full back wall. This is going to be an arch spanning from my overflow to the other corner on the other side to make it look like a cave (back glass is painted black). It will also have ledges and overhangs that create great visual line flow as well as enhancing water flow throughout the back of the tank.
mmittlesteadt
04/10/2015, 11:14 AM
http://financehotela.com/yellow/images/54.gifGood start so far... 40 gallon breeder is a very good tank for a reef.http://financehotela.com/yellow/images/30.gif
Thanks. I have limited space so a huge tank is out of the question. I have a 65 gallon tank, but it's going to be my sump in my basement. I'm sure most people would use the 65 for the DT and the 40 for the sump, but I HATE tall tanks now. And besides, having a larger sump than DT gives me all kinds of advantages.
Not the least of which is being able to stock the 40 without having to sell my house to finance it. ;)
Kyle461
04/10/2015, 11:15 AM
I think the ability to have a large sump is really cool! I find myself staring at the sump more often than the DT.
mmittlesteadt
04/10/2015, 11:28 AM
I think the ability to have a large sump is really cool! I find myself staring at the sump more often than the DT.
Yeah, I'm a big time DIYer and I love designing things and equipment and such. I'm putting the sump in my "fish room" in my basement where I'll do all my "work". It will be my lab. I will also be able to have a really nice sized refugium. I'll keep a QT under it, a frag tank next to it, a desk, recliner, bookshelf for my aquarium books and mags, a utility sink, ATO, almost automatic water changer.
Yeah, I'm really digging the thought of having a large sump in the basement. Still all in the planning stages (except the tank, stand and plumbing through the living room floor into the sump, are in place).
mmittlesteadt
04/10/2015, 08:07 PM
Well, my bulkheads are installed, overflow is siliconed in place and this is the start of my arch wall that will hide my overflow and the return.
Crappy pic of the overflow and bulkheads...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/overflow.jpg
Couple of shots of the layout of the styrofoam. Almost all of this will be carved away, so it looks WAY thicker and bigger than it will end up being. Most of it will be thinner that even the single layer, but I wanted to start with it large and carve ledges and overhangs in the right places. I will also be cutting out a huge chunk for the cave (where it's X'd out on the styro in marker). And of course, one the left, I will cut down the artificial rock wall below the overflow's top so it does not interfere with water flow and no animals will crawl into it.
Very little of this styro will remain. Most of it will end up being carved away. And no, the pipe sticking out will not be there...it is only a placeholder for where the return will come out under the fake rockwork.
The whole thing will be covered in black pond foam after it's carved out.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/arch1.jpg
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/arch2.jpg
mmittlesteadt
04/11/2015, 10:27 AM
Further sculpting...lots more will be removed. This is just basic shaping before the main chunks get siliconed together for the final shaping...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/arch3.jpg
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/arch4.jpg
mmittlesteadt
04/11/2015, 12:41 PM
Now that the basic structure is shaped, I siliconed all the 2" pieces together. I built a platform out of luan that mimics the aquarium's glass walls and the 45 degree overflow glass wall so I can work on it out of the tank and apply pressure without the styro coming apart (and later when I go over it with the black spray pond foam and aragonite).
Having worked with styrofoam (foamular) for museum work as well as freshwater aquariums, the key to getting it to stick together and stay under water (because it wants to float) is to not treat the silicone so much like a glue, but rather an anchor.
You drill holes in the styrofoam and fill the holes with silicone and then also put silicone between the pieces. After it cures the foam cannot separate (or lift off the glass later when glued into the tank) because first of all, silicone adheres VERY well to styrofoam, but also the siliconed filled holes act like plugs that the styrofoam cannot pull out. The key here is also to take a propane torch and melt the styro around the holes so that it becomes extremely hard like a hard plastic.
This is also done when gluing it to the glass walls. The 2" thick pieces here are also "pinned" in place by siliconing fiberglass rods into the pieces. You drill through both pieces, fill the hole with silicone and then drive the rods into the holes (deep enough so you don't expose them by further sculpting and also it gets pinned at the thickest parts of the sculpture.
Anyway, the styrofoam pieces are sitting waiting for the silicone to skin over so they won't move when I go at it later with my drill. At this point it is not necessary to let the silicone cure completely...just enough so the pieces don't move. You'll notice I have my "spade" bits on the work surface. These are ideal sculpting tools as they not only drill various size holes in the styro, but also cut it down to further shape it, and best of all (given I'm making fake dry rock) they do a great job of "tearing" chunks out of the styro. When that part is done, I go over the entire thing with my propane torch and melt the styro even further until it is exactly how I want it.
It still looks thick and chunky, but it will not when I'm done. It will be quite thinned out and much more sculpted further. It's only there to be a "base" for the black pond foam. I will only need to use one can of the pond foam because while the pond foam expands, I will not allow the black pond foam to expand much because as I go over this with it, I am going to dump a lot of aragonite onto it and press it down while it's still sticky and trying to expand. I'm not using the pond foam as much for shape as I am for putting a thick skin of it over my styrofoam. Stay tuned.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/arch5.jpg
mmittlesteadt
04/11/2015, 08:05 PM
OK...here's the styro after using the spade bits in the drill and melting it for further shaping with the propane torch.
If the foamular wasn't pink and wasn't subject to UV degradation, I'd leave just as is, because I really like how it turned out.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/arch6.jpg
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/arch7.jpg
But since it needs to be covered, I did that black pond foam and before it could expand too much, I threw aragonite all over it and then as it started to set up I pressed it into every little hole, crevice and contour I could feel. I just kept going over and over it that way so it is really nothing more than a thinner coat of black foam all over the styro.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/arch8.jpg
mmittlesteadt
04/12/2015, 07:53 AM
And the artificial rockwall is complete. Just need to silicone it in place.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/rockwall1.jpg
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/rockwall2.jpg
chillwill007
04/12/2015, 11:12 AM
Wow that looks great how about u make a 2nd one for a 40 breeder so I can have one lol
reenact12321
04/12/2015, 03:42 PM
Very cool work. Your artistic and engineering skill are way beyond mine. I'm doing a 40 Breeder too, it's working, but it's a bit more on the mechanical side lol
mmittlesteadt
04/12/2015, 05:33 PM
Thanks. I have a ton more work to do on the sump (mechanical) end of things yet. Not much point in having nice aquascaping if I can't keep all the creatures alive and happy.
But the Display tank is close to being done.
mmittlesteadt
04/15/2015, 07:53 PM
Finally have the display tank plumbed. The problem with it being in the corner and running the plumbing through the floor is that there is almost no access to the back of the tank when it is setup and in place.
And because of it being in the corner and the placement of the bulkheads it is not a straight drop through the floor. So...I had to find some good flexible hose, but spa flex is too stiff, as is braided vinyl. Hard PVC is not an option. I found some great flexible hose at my pool store. This is not the cheap "vacuum cleaner" hose, but very solid (yet VERY flexible) tubing that is easily attached over my 1" PVC and held by hose clamps.
I talked with my plumber and my pool guy and they said barbed fittings were not necessary.
Now I can finally get my aquascaping put back in and then get on with the "business" end...my sump.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/plumbing2.jpg
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/plumbing1.jpg
mmittlesteadt
04/17/2015, 08:20 AM
Tonight my wife has a party so i have the whole night to work on getting my sump designed and at the very least getting the plumbing coming from the floor of my living room down to my sump finished up. going to get two gate valves and get that part of it done.
Now I just have to figure out just how much room to make each compartment...drain with skimmer/refugium/return and how high for the baffles.
mmittlesteadt
04/19/2015, 06:24 PM
I have the plumbing done up to the rim of the sump. Still need to determine baffle spacing and height, so the plumbing into the sump is not done yet.
Yes, I have ball valves for now. They will be replaced with gate valves in the future. So there are no unions. For now I will just use braided vinyl hose and hose clamps. The ball valve for the drain is a 1 1/4" on the 1" line. Since the pump has a 3/4" outlet, I'm going to just use a 1" ball valve on the 1" line. All can easily be replaced if need be.
Foamcore board is taped in place to give me an idea of where to put (and what dimensions) the 1/4" thick glass baffles. The left one will be 15" high and the right one will be 14" high.
1st Chamber (on the left) will be my drain/skimmer section (7.7 gallons), the middle will be my refugium (20 gallons) and the last one on the right will be my return section (7.2 gallons). The return section also has my HOB HOT Magnum that will only be used for carbon/GFO if need be.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/sump.jpg
mmittlesteadt
04/21/2015, 07:43 PM
40 Gallon Breeder Display tank is now re-aquascaped. I took some crappy pics in bad lighting.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/Final/final-far-left.jpg
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/Final/final-left.jpg
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/Final/final-front.jpg
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/Final/final-right.jpg
ZeeSparrow
04/21/2015, 08:49 PM
That looks great! Love the last two pictures.
I'm getting close to starting my build thread. Finally have my stand done, just need to move tank inside (after painting the back with plastidip). Plumbing and baffles are next!
mmittlesteadt
04/21/2015, 09:22 PM
That looks great! Love the last two pictures.
I'm getting close to starting my build thread. Finally have my stand done, just need to move tank inside (after painting the back with plastidip). Plumbing and baffles are next!
Thanks. First two pics are of the left side where my overflow is. That's the reason for the artificial rock wall.
The entire structure is quite hollow throughout with many caves, crevices, overhangs, ledges, etc. The pics don't really do it justice because while one angle shows some caves, it makes other areas look solid, but they are not.
My main reason for this new design is to create many places for creatures to live, hide and feel safe, yet still be in my line of sight depending on what angle I choose to look.
Send me a link when you get your thread started.
I'll be back at the sump next, trying to get baffles in place.
mmittlesteadt
04/21/2015, 09:32 PM
Before rock wall (everything was going to be HOB, no sump, no overflow)...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/sand2.jpg
After rock wall (overflow, everything in 65 gallon sump in basement under display tank in living room)...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/Final/final-right.jpg
mmittlesteadt
04/21/2015, 09:46 PM
I forgot to add one pic...it's a shot from above the tank. It shows that the rock structure is far more open than the other pics show. More pics will come when sand is back in and that will help (along some better lighting for the photos).
Top view...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/Final/final-top.jpg
Kyle461
04/22/2015, 08:48 AM
I cry every time I see your product of hard work and planning. Definitely will be a model of what I should do (planning wise) with my next tank. Kudos!
mmittlesteadt
04/22/2015, 08:53 AM
I cry every time I see your product of hard work and planning. Definitely will be a model of what I should do (planning wise) with my next tank. Kudos!
Thanks. You'll notice I still do not have sand in it. I have four large rock structures, and there are 4 "loose" rocks that are simply placed on those structures. After looking at it last night, I will be moving some of those loose rocks to create more ledges and overhangs in the front, and not go as high in the back. The main structures will still remain in place however.
I normally am not a patient person, but I am taking my time with this and do it up right. I'm kind of enjoying the process of it all. It will get filled and stocked when it is ready to be. Hard to hold off though!!! :D
mmittlesteadt
04/22/2015, 11:55 AM
Good start so far... 40 gallon breeder is a very good tank for a reef. http://financehotela.com/yellow/images/54.gifhttp://financehotela.com/yellow/images/30.gif
Thanks.
I agree. With the space in our living room we were limited to a 3 ft. long tank. I HATE tall tanks, and much prefer wide tanks for landscaping. The 40 gallon breeder seems to be the perfect compromise...not too large, not too small and wide enough front to back to do some decent aquascaping.
mmittlesteadt
04/22/2015, 07:48 PM
Alright! Changed some rocks around and got back to my original aquascaping idea with kind of a "spiral staircase" effect with multiple ledges, caves, overhangs and plenty of open space in and around the entire rock structure.
Lots of places for coral. Lots of hiding places for creatures (that are all still in view by me at various angles). Lots of flow throughout the entire tank.
From the left (overflow side, overflow weir at the top left...not seen here)...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/Final/left.jpg
Front view...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/Final/front.jpg
From the right (return side)...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/Final/right.jpg
And a shot from the top (partial, as taken through the front glass only)...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/Final/top.jpg
mmittlesteadt
04/23/2015, 08:42 AM
Close to being done with my display tank. Just need to make an easy to remove cover for my overflow.
Also need to find the best GPH circulating pumps for it.
On to finishing up my sump! I'm getting so close to filling with water I can almost taste the saltwater. :D
mmittlesteadt
04/24/2015, 08:32 AM
In my research I came across a very interesting article (among many)...
"Water Flow is More Important for Corals Than Light" (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/1/aafeature)
Now I am rethinking the whole circulation thing.
I am going to leave my return in the top right of my tank shoot straight out to the front right corner. There I have a 1000GPH Maxi-Jet Pro 900 pointing across my rock down to the left, where i will have a smaller 256GPH pump point across (and a little up) the back of my tank behind my rockwork. There will then be another smaller 256GPH pump on the right bottom pointing to the front wall (in the same manner as the left one does along the back wall).
This will create a huge gyre in my tank sweeping in a circular fashion all around my rockwork.
mmittlesteadt
04/25/2015, 11:07 AM
Whoo-hoo! My 1/4" thick glass came in today. I run the frame shop at Ace Hardware (where we also have a pet department so I can get things at cost) so I can cut my own glass to fit.
I can now work on my sump today and get the baffles siliconed on place! After that I just need to finish up my ghetto gravity fed ATO, get my skimmer put in place at the right height (need to make a stand for it to raise it up) and of course I have to get my RO/DI unit mounted above my utility sink first, but I'm getting real close to filling my display and sump with actual WATER. Been a long (but very worthwhile) wait.
mmittlesteadt
04/25/2015, 08:40 PM
I am now baffled. The sump has the baffles siliconed in place and is curing. The display tank is ready to rock'n'roll. Just about everything is in place.
Just need to figure out my ghetto gravity fed ATO, somewhat automatic water change system, and get my RO/DI unit installed above my utility sink.
Almost there! Now I am starting to lose a little of my patience. ;) Been about a year since I first contemplated doing a reef tank and a good six months of heavy research, and about three months planning out and building my entire system.
Sitting on the launch pad awaiting final checks...
ZeeSparrow
04/27/2015, 01:44 PM
3....2....1.... blast off!
I just started my build thread (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2499447) this morning. I've been keeping pace with you for the most part, though not quite doing things in the same order. I'm hoping I get some feedback on my plumbing so far, so I can cement the pipe and fitting with a little more confidence in the next day or so. I also need to figure out my aquascaping as I haven't looked at my rock in anything but a bucket for the past month. My husband has been teasing me that at the rate I'm going, it will be next year before I put water into the tank! HA!
Hopefully he's wrong............ ;)
mmittlesteadt
04/27/2015, 03:52 PM
3....2....1.... blast off!
I just started my build thread (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2499447) this morning. I've been keeping pace with you for the most part, though not quite doing things in the same order. I'm hoping I get some feedback on my plumbing so far, so I can cement the pipe and fitting with a little more confidence in the next day or so. I also need to figure out my aquascaping as I haven't looked at my rock in anything but a bucket for the past month. My husband has been teasing me that at the rate I'm going, it will be next year before I put water into the tank! HA!
Hopefully he's wrong............ ;)
I have been getting the same response from my wife...only she calls it my "fish tank", which has seemingly taken forever. I'm almost there.
Sorry if my pics aren't showing. I just switched webhosters and the nameservers haven't updated yet. They'll be back up shortly.
mmittlesteadt
04/30/2015, 01:12 PM
Display tank and sump are completed.
I just order an Eshopps Float Valve (http://www.eshopps.com/products/accessories/19085/) for my ATO.
I will be setting up a gravity fed ATO using a 5 gallon covered pail, and the float valve. I've been reading all kinds of failsafe methods for ATO's but really mine will be so easy and foolproof even a caveman could do it!
My ATO bucket rests on a platform right next to my 65 gallon sump with the bottom of the bucket being about an inch above the tank rim. This will be connected to a small ball valve and then onto the Float Valve in my return chamber. I will use the ball valve to only allow a trickle of RO/DI water for top off so should the float stick open it will take some time to fill the return chamber.
My return chamber holds 7.7 gallons of water and my pump will still operate in about 1.5 gallons.
I'm going to set it up so that the return chamber runs with about 5 gallons at water level. This will give me 2.7 gallons left should my float stick open, meaning if the entire 5 gallon RO/DI bucket empties into the 70 gallons total (sump and display) over a period of days, I will only be diluting my salt mix by roughly 4 gallons of fresh water.
If my float sticks closed, I still have 3.5 gallons of evaporation time before my pump runs dry. It is unknown at this time what my evaporation rate will be, but it will not drop the water level at a faster rate than I can catch unless on vacation...but my sump is in my basement and I'm coming up on humid season so it will not evaporate as fast as it will next winter, so I can address it at that time.
Worst case scenario is nothing will flood and salinity will fluctuate a bit and even at that, only if I am gone for an extended period and unable to check it. Even then I have a friend who can check on things and knows what to do.
mmittlesteadt
05/01/2015, 12:03 PM
Finally got sumpin' done. ;)
The sump is done. I'm just waiting on my float for my ATO so I can hook that all up. I also need to buy some more aragonite and rock for my refugium.
You'll see in the pic where my refugium is, I have two raised baffles that are bubble traps but also to direct water flow down through the bottom of my refugium. I also have two small 2" high baffles on the bottom (can barely be seen) directly under the raised baffles. That is to keep my sand contained within the refugium and also you can see egg crate light diffuser that will rest against those upper and lower baffles of the fuge to prevent chaeto from getting into my return area. I will have a small power head in my refugium to keep circulation going separate from the regular sump flow. Water flow is indicated by yellow lines. The Yellow circle arrows show where my powerhead will circulate my refugium and keep my chaeto tumbled.
My HOB HOT Magnum canister filter will only be used for carbon or GFO if needed. I need to extend the inlet and outlet of it to reach into the water of the return section. On the right is my ATO Reservoir bucket above my 5 gallon salt mix water change bucket. I will have an RO/DI line running into my ATO or Salt Mix W.C. buckets (whichever needs manual filling at any given time) and I will have a Python running from my utility sink (not pictured...behind wall to the right) to the return chamber and a pump in the Salt Mix bucket to facilitate manual water changes more easily. Everything was designed with failsafes in mind.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/SumpDone2.jpg
mmittlesteadt
05/02/2015, 01:53 PM
Managed to figure out a mini bulkhead using some stock 1/2" plumbing along with some nylon and rubber washers. Just need to reduce it down to the ATO float tubing size.
mmittlesteadt
05/04/2015, 06:15 PM
I have my dry rock and sand in my refugium. The refugium is 27 gallons. This will give me room for chaeto, some small pots for mangroves, and supplementing the existing dry rock with live rock for culturing copepods. Water flows over the drain/skimmer baffle and under the second (raised) baffle on the left, through the egg crate diffuser and rock over to the right side (set up similarly) under the first baffle on the right and then back up over the return baffle. The egg crate diffuser is to prevent chaeto from getting into the return chamber. I will have a very small powerhead for circulation and tumbling the chaeto in the refugium. You can see my ATO float valve in the upper right behind the return section baffles.
You can just barely see the skimmer on the far left, and the return pump on the far right.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/refugium.jpg
And I have my Eshopps ATO float valve in place. You can see my shut off/flow valve that will be connected to my ATO reservoir (5 gallon pail) and the float valve. I just need to figure out the best way to connect the 1/2" PVC to the 1/4" tubing on the float valve.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/ato.jpg
mmittlesteadt
05/05/2015, 10:19 AM
I figured out how to connect my 1/4" float valve inlet to my ATO reservoir 1/2" valve outlet.
The float itself is pretty good. The acrylic mounting bracket is great. From the reviews some have said it is flimsy and leaks and I can only assume they didn't hook it up right (or maybe theirs actually was faulty).
One thing I did not like about it was the supplied 1/4" tubing which is very stiff and fits into a very wiggly connector. But that really wasn't an issue for me anyway as I needed a different connection to my ATO reservoir's 1/2" outlet.
So, resourceful person that I am, I found a mod for it. The top part of the float's connection screws into the float. The hole for the supplied tubing is 1/4" but the outside of the connector is 1/2" and perfectly round and about 3/8" long. So rather than put tubing inside the connector (as it is supposed to be), I found some 1/2" (I.D.) very flexible tubing that I put over this connector. You can see it in the photo below.
1. The water inlet connector that gets screwed into the float valve base.
2. The new soft flexible 1/2" (I.D.) tubing over the connector.
3. A nylon squeeze clamp over the tubing to secure it.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/tube.jpg
Then with just a little pipe tape over the connector threads, the connector is then screwed back into the float valve base and can now easily be connected to 1/2" PVC pipe (or larger with an appropriate fitting).
I tested it and it performs flawlessly. No leaks and the float works as intended in a test outside of my sump.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/floatmod.jpg
Which will be hooked up to my ATO reservoir's valve outlet pipe...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/atoconnect.jpg
mmittlesteadt
05/05/2015, 04:44 PM
Since I'm not going to be filling my tank until the weekend, I thought I'd do a little more tweaking of things.
I want to use my hinged glass top, but I don't want condensation and I want to minimize salt creep on it. I also don't want to just use egg crate diffuser for a top as I want to put my LED light strips directly on the glass, and I don't want an open top. I want the power cords for my circulation pumps to come straight up out the top to minimize their submersion and the amount of salt creep on them as well.
So...I'm using both...egg crate diffuser and my glass top. I cut a piece of the diffuser to fit the rim of my tank and then cut out an opening for easy access for things like feeding, scraping the front glass, etc. The glass sits on top of the diffuser. There is plenty of ventilation and with my sump in my much cooler basement I'm not too concerned about overheating of the display tank and my sump will act as a built in chiller.
The top of the water level will be a good 3/4" below the egg crate sitting on the lip of the frame. The glass will be sitting about 1 1/4" above the water line this way, with ventilation all around the glass. The cords to my pumps come straight up yet under the glass. None of the water flow will be directed up to create a lot of turbulence. I have an 11" long, straight glass (no teeth) weir to my overflow and my sump is open and I have a skimmer to all help with gas exchange.
Egg crate diffuser cut to fit...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/eggtop.jpg
The hinged glass on top with my three light strips (one daylight, two actinic)...The blue tape blocks off stray light where I don't want it in back on top. Not sure if I want or need to cut out the egg crate where the lights sit. May not be an issue.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/glass.jpg
ZeeSparrow
05/05/2015, 07:09 PM
Nice! I'm still trying to decide if I want to do egg crate top or get the mesh from BRS and make a screen for it. Not sure the egg crate is sufficient to protect jumpers... As I don't have the glass to help.
Soon...........;)
mmittlesteadt
05/05/2015, 07:17 PM
Thanks. Yeah, I really had been thinking for a long time on what the best approach would be for the top. That's why I hadn't done anything with it yet. I read, read and read some more. I considered the pros and cons of all the different tops.
So I figured I'd go with both and maximize the benefits of each. The glass is totally safe (for the fish and my lights). The egg crate offsets the issues with the glass causing condensation and salt creep (to a point...there is ALWAYS some salt creep). The open sump and skimmer eliminates the need for gas exchange in the display itself (although it still will be taking place there too).
Like everything else with my build...every single component of my entire system has been given the utmost scrutiny. This has been the most amount of patience I have ever had in any endeavor. If I've done anything wrong or haven't found a better way to do it, it's not for a lack of trying.
ZeeSparrow
05/05/2015, 07:29 PM
I hear you. It's getting quite difficult for me to continue to be patient with the setup aspect, particularly equipment now. I'm so close to having everything I planned, the last few items are nagging! I did order the lights today. I chose to go with the Reef Breeders Photon 48. Kessil are supposed to be incredible but I just couldn't justify the added expense, especially as I would also "need" a controller for them. But now I have to figure out the top!
Does it ever end?!! LOL
mmittlesteadt
05/06/2015, 12:46 AM
I hear you. It's getting quite difficult for me to continue to be patient with the setup aspect, particularly equipment now. I'm so close to having everything I planned, the last few items are nagging! I did order the lights today. I chose to go with the Reef Breeders Photon 48. Kessil are supposed to be incredible but I just couldn't justify the added expense, especially as I would also "need" a controller for them. But now I have to figure out the top!
Does it ever end?!! LOL
My friend's Kessil came with it's own dimmer and settings switches right on the fixture. You don't need a controller. And you can still plug them into a timer.
The color, intensity and shimmer is just gorgeous. When I upgrade I am going with Kessils.
Apparently it does NOT ever end. LOL.
ZeeSparrow
05/06/2015, 05:14 AM
But aren't they manual switches? So you set the intensity at a particular level and that's how it runs whenever it is turned on by the timer. I like the idea of being able to adjust the intensity throughout the day automatically, to simulate sunrise/sunset and all that fun stuff. To do that, I would "need" a controller for the Kessils... "need" truly being more of a "want" in this case.
I also haven't seen the Kessils in person and after discussing with my husband, chose the less expensive option that I think will do what I need AND what I want. Besides, since I haven't seen them in person, I am not sure I would like the shimmer. (I realize this may make me sound delusional. I'm okay with that. I have to justify this decision somehow. LOL) It also gives me another $500-800 that I'm not spending on lights/controller for inhabitants. This is a VERY GOOD thing. :lol2:
mmittlesteadt
05/06/2015, 09:45 AM
But aren't they manual switches? So you set the intensity at a particular level and that's how it runs whenever it is turned on by the timer. I like the idea of being able to adjust the intensity throughout the day automatically, to simulate sunrise/sunset and all that fun stuff. To do that, I would "need" a controller for the Kessils... "need" truly being more of a "want" in this case.
I also haven't seen the Kessils in person and after discussing with my husband, chose the less expensive option that I think will do what I need AND what I want. Besides, since I haven't seen them in person, I am not sure I would like the shimmer. (I realize this may make me sound delusional. I'm okay with that. I have to justify this decision somehow. LOL) It also gives me another $500-800 that I'm not spending on lights/controller for inhabitants. This is a VERY GOOD thing. :lol2:
Yes they are manual switches and a dimmer control on the fixture itself. I do believe they will also work with a controller though. Not 100% on that.
Once I saw the Kessils on the 220 gallon tank where I work, I was drooling for them. Yeah, they are expensive. But that shimmer effect is so real that I almost want them just for that alone as it makes the tank so gorgeous even without anything but water in it.
But there are so many options with LED's these days that just didn't exist not all that long ago, so you really can't go wrong unless it's the cheapest LED's meant for freshwater tanks. I'm just using three Aquatop 24" strip LED lights (as that's what is over the coral tanks where I work and the corals are gorgeous and growing). I have one full daylight and two actinics and it is almost too bright for the living room (of course that's with an empty tank).
By the way, I don't work at a LFS. I run the frame shop and gallery at an Ace Hardware that has a HUGE pet department so I get everything at cost. I can get a $320 Kessil for $170. But that's still $170 I don't have. ;)
I've already spent about $1000 (at cost) on my setup. The wife would kill me if I upgraded to Kessils right now. She keeps calling it my "fish tank" (in a sarcastic, not too happy way), but its really for the whole family and it's a reef tank that will have a few fish. LOL.
ZeeSparrow
05/06/2015, 09:51 AM
From what I've read, the Kessils work with controllers. But I don't have one and haven't planned to get one. At least not unless there is a "need".
How much would a $320 Kessil at cost for $170 cost to ship? (Kidding!!). [emoji1]
I quit checking my total spent when I exceeded $2500. [emoji15]
mmittlesteadt
05/06/2015, 10:05 AM
From what I've read, the Kessils work with controllers. But I don't have one and haven't planned to get one. At least not unless there is a "need".
How much would a $320 Kessil at cost for $170 cost to ship? (Kidding!!). [emoji1]
I quit checking my total spent when I exceeded $2500. [emoji15]
Yeah, I'm at about $2000 retail prices, but I also already had a lot leftover from my freshwater days, like the 65 gallon aquarium for a sump, some powerheads, lights, heaters, etc. At some point you almost have to stop checking how much you spent or you'll wonder if you've gone totally insane for spending that much money on a "fish tank". LOL.
I wish I could get discounts for other people, but my employer would kind of frown on that.
mmittlesteadt
05/08/2015, 12:15 PM
Tank is being filled with RO/DI water as I type this!!!
What a long time of planning, building and modding things to get to this point. I got the tank and started thinking about how to go about it on March 6th (though I've been researching having one for about a year).
Wow, I know how slow RO/DI units are but watching my sump getting filled with water is like trying to fill an aquarium with a squirt gun! Time to think about other things for a day. LOL.
I'm filling my 65 gallon sump (in the basement) all the way to the top and then using my return pump to fill the display tank upstairs in my living room.
Kyle461
05/08/2015, 12:19 PM
How big is your return section of the sump? You only be able to drain up to the DT in that specific increment.
mmittlesteadt
05/08/2015, 12:30 PM
How big is your return section of the sump? You only be able to drain up to the DT in that specific increment.
The return section of my sump is 7.7 gallons, but there will be about 28 gallons of water in my sump above the return baffle (the shortest one) with the sump full of water.
So I basically can pump about 33 gallons up to my display tank before the sump needs a few more gallons to top off my 40 gallon display tank (taking into account about 5 gallons of displacement with rockwork) and have the water levels where they should be for the sump and display tank.
Kyle461
05/08/2015, 12:35 PM
The return section of my sump is 7.7 gallons, but there will be about 28 gallons of water in my sump above the return baffle (the shortest one) with the sump full of water.
So I basically can pump about 33 gallons up to my display tank before the sump needs a few more gallons to top off my 40 gallon display tank (taking into account about 5 gallons of displacement with rockwork) and have the water levels where they should be for the sump and display tank.
Nice. I didn't think to calculate excess above the return baffles. Need to do that with my sump to know limitations.
mmittlesteadt
05/08/2015, 12:44 PM
Nice. I didn't think to calculate excess above the return baffles. Need to do that with my sump to know limitations.
Yes, I took all that into account when I decided to use my 65 gallon for a sump in my basement. Most people have larger display tanks than their sumps. I'm lucky in that I have huge drain and return sections, a 27 gallon refugium and even with all that I could still almost drain my display tank without flooding my sump (even though I'd only lose about 3 gallons in my display into my sump before the siphon would break).
Clownfish Chris
05/09/2015, 07:17 AM
I have just read this thread, and I am pressed by the whole thing. The self control, the research, and the methodical approach has paid off greatly. Cant wait for more! Subscribed.
mmittlesteadt
05/09/2015, 07:34 AM
Thank you. It has been quite a long journey. Patience? I have none, but this reefkeeping adventure has taught me a lot about patience. And this is coming from a 53 year old guy with four kids! LOL.
mmittlesteadt
05/09/2015, 10:55 AM
Display tank is full, Sump is full to where it needs to be. Now I'm just toying with the valves to balance drain and return with my Herbie.
Note to self... spend a little cash and get a damned gate valve! God, the ball valves are really touchy to dial in slightly. I can get them close but they are not real good about fine tuning.
All systems are a go however. My system is totally dead silent, both in my display tank in my living room and my sump in the basement. Good flow through it. Angling my baffles just a tad really helped the water trickle down the glass instead of crashing over into the next chamber. My pump in my sump (Dr. Seuss?) can barely be heard either.
This is a MAJOR advancement in my reefkeeping! ;) 3 long planning months and it is fabulous to have water flowing through my system!
ZeeSparrow
05/09/2015, 11:43 AM
Yeah!!! Celebrating with you.
Definitely get the gate valve for your main drain. That was the one item for my plumbing I had to order online. Seriously irritated me to have to wait to put that together but glad I did. Especially as I have that manifold. No way I could have dialed that in with a ball valve.
mmittlesteadt
05/09/2015, 01:11 PM
Yeah!!! Celebrating with you.
Definitely get the gate valve for your main drain. That was the one item for my plumbing I had to order online. Seriously irritated me to have to wait to put that together but glad I did. Especially as I have that manifold. No way I could have dialed that in with a ball valve.
Thanks!
I got it pretty tweaked right now. I have barely a trickle of water entering my emergency siphon...like just a dribble and it is staying consistent.
But yeah...ball valves are hard to fine tune. Just when you think you moved it j-u-s-t far enough, click! and it's too far. :uzi:
Pretty good right now. Everything is totally silent. I have to check that everything is running...including the water flow.
mmittlesteadt
05/09/2015, 02:46 PM
Hard to get a good pic of the whole tank, stand and canopy but here it is, all filled and waiting to be cycled.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/water.jpg
Closer view of the tank. See? It really does have water in it.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/water2.jpg
And my operational sump. I don't have my ATO or float hooked up yet as I waiting for a day to make sure the water levels remain constant. So far, so good.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/sumpwater.jpg
ed102475
05/10/2015, 05:49 AM
I skipped ahead and see you added the sump / refugium great. I llike the color of your stand and canopy. Your aquascape leaves room for great flow and lots of coral placement. Great job. Here are a few pics of my 40 breeder.
ed102475
05/10/2015, 05:55 AM
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mmittlesteadt
05/10/2015, 10:04 AM
I skipped ahead and see you added the sump / refugium great. I llike the color of your stand and canopy. Your aquascape leaves room for great flow and lots of coral placement. Great job. Here are a few pics of my 40 breeder.
Very Cool. I especially love the Microsoft Windows Overflow. ;)
I see you have the Eshopps Skimmer. Which one is that? I have the PSK-100. How long has yours been running?
I think 40 gallon breeder tanks are the best compromise between volume, size, and shape. Not too large, but a great footprint for aquascaping and obviously easier to stock (on the budget especially) and yet still are large enough to be impressive.
ed102475
05/10/2015, 10:15 AM
Very Cool. I especially love the Microsoft Windows Overflow. ;)
I see you have the Eshopps Skimmer. Which one is that? I have the PSK-100. How long has yours been running?
I think 40 gallon breeder tanks are the best compromise between volume, size, and shape. Not too large, but a great footprint for aquascaping and obviously easier to stock (on the budget especially) and yet still are large enough to be impressive.
It is the eshopps s-120 cone skimmer. The tank and skimmer have been up and running 8 months. It took time to break it in and is touchy after a water change. It is a good skimmer just takes time to dial in and balance out .
mmittlesteadt
05/10/2015, 10:19 AM
I plan on keeping mostly soft corals. I'm still researching what I'm going to put into my tank regarding fish.
I know for certain that one of the first fish I will get is a Diamond Watchman Goby. I love their behavior and look. I really love that they are sand sifters. At some point later on I will get a Lawnmower Blenny. Another cool fish with interesting behavior.
That should take care of the lawn and garden staff. Before I put anything else in it, I am going to have to hire some others for maintenance duty...i.e.- the clean up crew. Once they are all established and I've added some coral to the scene, I'll think about some others to inhabit my reef.
My short list (which is still really in research mode) is...
firefish
clownfish (not sure on species yet)
Royal Gramma
Cardinal (Banghai or Pajama)
And while I know they aren't ideal in a reef, I'm still considering a dwarf angel...Flame? Coral Beauty? Lemon Peel? Maybe not a dwarf angel, but I'd really love to have one larger specimen that is the "featured attraction" so to speak.
mmittlesteadt
05/10/2015, 10:22 AM
It is the eshopps s-120 cone skimmer. The tank and skimmer have been up and running 8 months. It took time to break it in and is touchy after a water change. It is a good skimmer just takes time to dial in and balance out .
We carry Eshopps where I work. I run the custom frame shop at an Ace Hardware and we have a huge pet department. All of the tanks have Eshopps skimmers on them and they seem to work very well.
intyme
05/10/2015, 05:20 PM
Just photoshop some fish and coral and you'll be good to go! :)
ZeeSparrow
05/10/2015, 05:53 PM
Just photoshop some fish and coral and you'll be good to go! :)
Lol I was thinking about doing that with coral just this morning. Although I probably still will do so ....
mmittlesteadt
05/10/2015, 07:18 PM
Don't think I hadn't considered that! :D I photoshopped everything else I was envisioning. Part of me being an artist, designer and engineer I guess.
I'm actually quite content to just let the tank sit now. My only concern for the next 4 weeks is stability. Stable water levels, salinity and temps. Making sure my ATO works precisely as intended.
I'm not even that concerned about cycling right now. I'm going to probably just ghost feed and not even measure anything at all for a while. I'm in no rush to put living things into it, and I know that if I put food into it, it has to break down and go through the nitrogen cycle, whether I'm aware of where it's at in it's cycle or not. I've decided that testing it over the first few weeks is really only for my own impatient reasons. At some point I'll test it and see how it's coming along.
So for now, it's just maintain stability. That's my goal. Just make sure there are no swings with the parameters and my ATO functions properly to help with that. I just added another cup of IO Reef Crystals in my sump and I'll test it again tonight to see how close I am to 1.026. I was still a tad low earlier today.
But my water level is constant (even though my overflow level fluctuates slightly throughout the day between my main drain and emergency). Temps are staying at 78 degrees. ATO functions properly. Skimmer works (but still needs to break in and there is nothing to skim yet). Circulation pump is keeping the water in the refugium moving very well in a circular pattern (for the eventual chaeto to keep it tumbled). Circulation pumps in the 40 display tank seem to keep the water flowing as I wanted.
My lights are on a timer and work as expected. Just really cheap Aquatop 24" LED strip lights. Two actinic, one daylight. The same setup over our coral frag tanks where I work is making those corals quite happy, thriving and growing. Eventually I'm going to upgrade to Kessils. Could have bought one Kessil at cost for what I spent on these three strip lights. Oh well. These will work for quite a while...only going for softies anyway.
All in all a very successful weekend with the system.
RichJohnston83
05/10/2015, 09:44 PM
love the aquascaping!!
mmittlesteadt
05/11/2015, 08:27 AM
Thanks!
mmittlesteadt
05/13/2015, 02:51 PM
Updated pic of my operational sump and ATO setup. Tank is cycling now.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/sump2.jpg
ed102475
05/15/2015, 05:24 AM
Looks good what ATO system are you using?
mmittlesteadt
05/15/2015, 08:34 AM
Looks good what ATO system are you using?
A 5 gallon bucket and an Eshopps float valve. That's it. Cost me about $25 total. I have a shut off valve on the bucket which I have dialed way back so it only trickles to the float valve. It is completely failsafe. Gravity fed. No pump or switch, so no electronics to fail.
The float really can't stick either open or closed, but even if it did stick open the valve on the bucket is set to trickle water at a rate where it would take almost two days to drain the 5 gallons into my sump (and I have about 70 gallons total water volume between the display tank and sump) so the SG would take a while to change. Also, if it were to stick closed, my evaporation is showing about a 3 gallon loss per 6 days. Again not a deadly change in SG.
It would take an 2 extra gallons of pure ATO RO/DI water to drain before it would top off my return chamber, and about 5 gallons to evaporate down to where my pump would start running dry.
I've read over and over again about people not trusting mechanical float valves and instead using electronic switches, pumps and what not. THAT I do not trust. I spent a lot of time calculating this ATO system.
ed102475
05/16/2015, 05:57 AM
Simple and easy . Sometimes is the best way to go. I wish I had the room you have under your stand to do something like that.
Isaacs55
05/16/2015, 06:16 AM
Hey do you have gate valves or ball valves? I have ball valves on my system right now. I got it tuned and everything in about 5 min...but then I accidentally nudged on the return ball valve and have been trying to fine tune it back and forth to get it even again ever since....gah I may add a gate valve to my drain line and return line. Hopefully it helps. Last night I was literally trying to fine tune it for 2 hours straight, I didn't even realize how long it was until I looked at the clock! Trying to match my drain and then trying to match my return....blah blah process..I'm not about that life lol
Isaacs55
05/16/2015, 06:19 AM
So now I'm going to have to re measure how many gallons an hour my system will run after I fine tune it with gate valves. Also might make an extra pvc line that will connect to my drain line for easy water changes...seen it on a fellow reefer video
mmittlesteadt
05/16/2015, 07:31 AM
I'm using ball valves. What a b^tch to fine tune!!! I'd get it ever so close to perfect and "click"...I'd shoot past where I wanted it and have to start over. Yeah, I should have just gotten gate valves, but nobody around here has them in anything larger than 3/4" and I didn't want to buy them online AND pay shipping (which was half the cost of the valves!).
I hear you...I spent an entire day of trying to fine tune it. I got it close and then just went and did other things until the system settled down a bit and then made more "fine" adjustments (which is an oxymoron with ball valves). Ugh! But my system is stable and fine now.
mmittlesteadt
05/16/2015, 07:23 PM
Everything is running smoothly. One week into it and SG is stable, as are the temps. Water levels are stable. ATO is running smoothly. Takes 6 days to lose 5 gallons due to evaporation, which my ATO handled flawlessly. Only takes a little over an hour to refill the ATO Reservoir with fresh RO/DI.
I could easily take a two week vacation and have someone come by and do nothing more than take my extra 5 gallon pail (that I would already have filled with RO/DI) and fill my ATO reservoir with it. All I really need once I have livestock is an auto feeder.
Really I never go anywhere where I'm gone longer than a few days. This year will be the first time we'll be taking a vacation and be gone for five days. Won't even need a tank sitter for that.
mmittlesteadt
05/18/2015, 05:26 PM
Well...it appears that my main drain has a mind of its own and I was getting a little too much flow down my emergency. I tried to make a small adjustment and of course, with a ball valve, there is no such thing as a small adjustment.
Out went the ball valve and in went a brand new gate valve. So easy to adjust. Still tweaking it a bit, but at least I can make micro adjustments. Should have put a gate valve in on the main drain from the get go. Lesson learned.
ZeeSparrow
05/18/2015, 06:55 PM
Hey at least you got that changed before too long. I am still messing with mine rather regularly, trying to get it where I don't hear the waterfall but the emergency is dry. I'd even be happy with a trickle at this point, as I know my main drain is closed up pretty well. I knew I would have these issues though, as long as I am running GFO off the main pump. And I am just now starting to dial in my skimmer.
How's the cycle coming?
Isaacs55
05/18/2015, 07:03 PM
Well...it appears that my main drain has a mind of its own and I was getting a little too much flow down my emergency. I tried to make a small adjustment and of course, with a ball valve, there is no such thing as a small adjustment.
Out went the ball valve and in went a brand new gate valve. So easy to adjust. Still tweaking it a bit, but at least I can make micro adjustments. Should have put a gate valve in on the main drain from the get go. Lesson learned.
Nice!!! Yea I'm adding gates to mine in a few weeks. I'm leaving my ball valves for on/off use. Especially cuz I'm adding a line for easy water changes so all I have to do is put a bucket down and turn on/off and then rotate it back. I'm trying not to do too much work every week cuz I'm working on finding time to hang out with my wife and son lol its hard to balance both.
http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag423/isaacjtorres24/Mobile%20Uploads/20150511_164526_zpswilwup0m.jpg (http://s1374.photobucket.com/user/isaacjtorres24/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150511_164526_zpswilwup0m.jpg.html)
Isaacs55
05/18/2015, 07:08 PM
Hey at least you got that changed before too long. I am still messing with mine rather regularly, trying to get it where I don't hear the waterfall but the emergency is dry. I'd even be happy with a trickle at this point, as I know my main drain is closed up pretty well. I knew I would have these issues though, as long as I am running GFO off the main pump. And I am just now starting to dial in my skimmer.
How's the cycle coming?
A solution to your overflow could be to change to 1 1/2 inch drains and then slowly close them? You would Get more flow but still would be able to fine tune your drain to where there's no noise.
mmittlesteadt
05/18/2015, 09:56 PM
I don't think it matters how large the drain pipes are. After a certain point, only so much is going "down the drain" to match what is coming in from the return pump. Either the pipes can handle it or they can't.
Based on how far my main drain was closed off with the ball valve, I could probably have gotten by with a 3/4" drain (even if I left my emergency a 1" pipe) and I'd still probably have to close that off a bit. A larger pipe (like 1.5") would just need to be closed further still.
One interesting thing about switching to a gate valve on my main drain is that I no longer have to also use the valve on my return pipe. The ball valve on my main drain was so hard to turn that I had to slow my pump down a bit as well with that line's ball valve. Now my pump (and return line) is wide open (increasing flow) and the only thing controlling all flow now is the gate valve on my main drain line.
I have it adjusted perfectly now. Its staying put at the water mark I taped on my tank (for checking my overflow level).
I purposely drilled for bulkheads on the back of the tank for using the Herbie. My overflow is on the left and return on the right. I put my main drain line about 4" from the bottom (with the 90 degree elbow and strainer turned down to where the bottom of the strainer is just off the bottom of the tank) and the emergency is about 7" above that (with the 90 degree elbow turned up). The top of the emergency elbow is about 1" below the weir of my overflow and the water level in my overflow is about at the bottom of the emergency elbow now. I have about 7" of water level to adjust in between, though I prefer it remain somewhat of a constant.
I should note that I siliconed my glass overflow into the corner at a slight angle (as I did with the baffles in my sump) so that no water falling over the edge splashes. It only gently cascades over it in total silence. The water doesn't really "fall". It just gently runs down the glass because of the slight angle. My system (both the display tank and the sump) is so quiet that if you closed your eyes you would think it was not functioning.
I split my return on the right side of the display tank from the 1" return line into two 3/4" pipe fittings using a reducer. It goes from the reducer down to a 3/4" "T" which is pointed down (causing water flow behind my rockwork down by the sandbed) and then I added a 3/4" 45 degree elbow onto the end of that (which is pointed up causing gentle turbulence on the display water surface, but also directs it towards the middle of the tank glass and then reflected back to the other side of the tank towards my weir).
In my sump, my drain chamber has the skimmer churning up the water, and both my refugium and return chambers have circulation pumps in them keeping the surface moving. Of course the refugium has the larger pump (for tumbling chaeto).
Lots of water movement (both in the water column and the surfaces), but no splashing or gurgling anywhere in the system. It is dead silent.
I have yet to test my ammonia. It has been a little over a week since I dosed it to 3 ppm and added the SeaChem Stability daily. Added the last of that today. I'll test my ammonia tomorrow and see where it's at. I only added the Stability to kick start the biofilter, not in order to rush things along, but because I am using all dry rock at this point. I would guess the ammonia level has dropped some, but I'm in no rush. Well, I am but nature has its own schedule. :D
mmittlesteadt
05/20/2015, 09:18 AM
Water level has remained stable and dialing it in was a breeze with the gate valve.
mmittlesteadt
05/20/2015, 04:50 PM
While my tank is cycling, I decided to revisit my display tank, lighting and canopy.
Even with the eggcrate under the glass top, with the heat wave we had there was still condensation under the glass. I DO NOT want that, and I want to keep salt creep at a minimum.
So...I decided to forego a glass top altogether. I thought about "jumpers" and how to prevent possible escapes. My canopy fits tight around the front and sides so there is no jumping out through that, but the back is wide open. So I'm removing the glass top and the egg crate.
But I still had to have some way of having my light strips over the top of my tank and have them protected. I run the frame shop at Ace Hardware and having access to acrylic and a professional cutter, I brought in my 1/4" thick piece of acrylic that I was originally going to use for a top and cut it down and glued it together to make a strip light holder that easily mounts onto the inside of the rim.
And here it is...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/lighttray.jpg
I'm going to add just a small strip of eggcrate behind this along the back rim, just to prevent anything from jumping out the back. My removable canopy fits over all of this.
mmittlesteadt
05/20/2015, 07:57 PM
Checked my cycling tonight...
Ammonia is down to .5 ppm (was at 3.0 ppm after initial dose).
Nitrite is at 5.0 ppm
Nitrate is at 20 ppm
I'll test again tomorrow to double check the tests, but it is getting cycled.
ZeeSparrow
05/20/2015, 09:33 PM
That looks great! Bet you're happy to see some progress in the tests.
mmittlesteadt
05/20/2015, 10:10 PM
Thanks.
Yes I am, but I expected some progress on that front. I am a little surprised by the drop down to .5 on the Ammonia. Thought it might still be a little higher, but now I can test to see when it drops to 0 and then add a bit and see how long before it's consumed.
Seeing this high of a nitrate reading already is a little surprising but everything just kind of goes its own way.
I can get a CUC dirt cheap at work and I have a local source for chaeto where I can get a pretty decent sized ball for $5. Or a huge ball of it with pods for $20.
I also found a great source for dried seaweed. My LFS can get the normal prepackaged stuff meant for the aquarium trade, but one of the guys there told me to just go down to the Asian food store where they sell a ton of it to wrap sushi. I can get about 20 times as much for the same price as pet stores sell it for.
mmittlesteadt
05/21/2015, 08:30 AM
I am really stoked. I went and ordered a Kessil (http://www.kessil.com/aquarium/Saltwater_A160_Tuna_Blue.php) for my display tank.
Should be here where I work tomorrow. Can't wait to get it over my tank! I walk past them in the pet department every day and the 220 gallon reef tank they are over is just hypnotizing. That tank has the bigger Kessils, but my friend here has the same one I'm getting and it covers roughly the same size tank I have. It covers a 24" diameter, but I'm using 24" strip lights now, as I don't want any light on my 36" tank to go beyond the 24" in the middle anyway.
ZeeSparrow
05/21/2015, 08:54 AM
Sweeeet! Can't wait to see it. :D
mmittlesteadt
05/21/2015, 09:01 AM
Sweeeet! Can't wait to see it. :D
No kidding. I've barely used my strip lights since I only now am cycling my tank (no need to use them yet), and they're still good as new so I'm returning them for the Kessil, which at my cost, will actually cost me a little less than my three strip lights combined. :thumbsup:
I would have just ordered a Kessil from the get go, but where I work they weren't carrying them at the time.
The shimmer from the water surface is just breathtaking. Heck, we all joke here that just a tank filled with water and one of these Kessils is good enough. To heck with putting anything in the tank. LOL.
It is so much better in person (the animated gif below from Kessil does not do it justice, at all)...
http://www.kessil.com/images/aquarium/product/a150w_002.gif
mmittlesteadt
05/21/2015, 09:45 AM
Nice, just started a 40 breeder build myself. I decided to go with a sump for my 3rd salty tank ever. I'm using a 20 long for the sump. http://financehotela.com/yellow/images/106.gifhttp://loanwebfast.com/green/images/42.gif
Thanks.
Cool. Post up a link to your build thread so we can follow it. It's always nice to check out others tanks as they are in progress...to get ideas or pass the time during cycling, etc. ;)
mmittlesteadt
05/22/2015, 08:28 AM
Ugh. The guy in the pet department just placed the order for my Kessil only this morning so I won't get it until Monday. Damn. If he would have gotten the order in by 3:00 yesterday I'd have it today and have all weekend to mess around with it.
I have to cut a hole in my canopy for it, so it's not just a matter of it being plug and play, so it's going to take me some time. Hmmm...kind of like everything else with this hobby. :D
Oh well.
mmittlesteadt
05/23/2015, 07:53 AM
Cycling is coming along...
Ammonia is down to .1 ppm (was at 3.0 ppm after initial dose and down to .5 last time I checked it).
Nitrite is still at 5.0 ppm
Nitrate is still at 20 ppm
Once my Ammonia and Nitrite hits the magic "0", I'll dose Ammonia back up to 1 and see how long it takes to bring them down.
Getting close. And I'll have my new Kessil ready to go as well. Then it's finally time to add a bit of a CUC (even if I have to supplement with some seaweed for a bit).
ZeeSparrow
05/23/2015, 08:08 AM
Bummer about the order being delayed. These things happen though, right? And like you said, it's teaching you (more) patience.
mmittlesteadt
05/23/2015, 08:44 AM
Bummer about the order being delayed. These things happen though, right? And like you said, it's teaching you (more) patience.
Doesn't help that its Memorial Weekend and nothing gets delivered Monday. Figures. I have time this weekend to mess around with it, but no light fixture. Then when the fixture comes, I'll be extremely busy all next week..day and night.
Patience? I still have none. But I am learning to deal with not having any. :D
ZeeSparrow
05/23/2015, 09:23 AM
:facepalm: I was wondering about your Monday delivery with the holiday.
mmittlesteadt
05/24/2015, 05:09 PM
Ammonia is down to 0 ppm :D
Nitrite is still at 5.0 ppm
Nitrate is still at 20 ppm
I'm going to guess that since my nitrites haven't gone any higher, that they will just now slowly start coming down as the nitrobacter population gets more established.
Starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel...hoping it isn't a train. ;)
Grizz717
05/24/2015, 08:22 PM
I'm with you. My Params are:
Ammonia - <.25
Nitrite - <.25
Nitrate - 10
Can't wait until they're at 0. I make a trip to Jacksonville every other week and one of the stores there have a great selection on Fish and corals. The tank should be ready for some new guests (corals) on my next trip in two weeks.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2503345
Martini5788
05/24/2015, 08:44 PM
I never saw my nitrites get to 5 ppm. Your tank is gonna be super cycled when it's done. Be ready for the nitrates to be very high.
mmittlesteadt
05/25/2015, 07:21 AM
I never saw my nitrites get to 5 ppm. Your tank is gonna be super cycled when it's done. Be ready for the nitrates to be very high.
Nothing a water change and a huge ball of chaeto in my fuge won't solve. :D
I've got it planned out. I also expect with all the dry rock I used to have phosphates leach out over time, even though I blasted it with a water hose to clean out all the loose stuff (and there was a lot that came loose leaving tons of holes and openings in it, and soaked it for a very long time in strong vinegar baths and rinsed it all again).
But, I have a 27 gallon fuge in my sump and I am going to grow macro algae in it to help with nitrates and phosphates.
It's all just a big experiment really. The key is understanding the process, being patient and planning scenarios out way in advance and then just let nature take its course. She's going to do what she's going to do.
In all the years I've kept aquariums, one thing I've never done is rush things, nor panic under any situation. It's all good.
mmittlesteadt
05/25/2015, 07:23 AM
I'm with you. My Params are:
Ammonia - <.25
Nitrite - <.25
Nitrate - 10
Can't wait until they're at 0. I make a trip to Jacksonville every other week and one of the stores there have a great selection on Fish and corals. The tank should be ready for some new guests (corals) on my next trip in two weeks.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2503345
Cool. I run the frame shop at Ace Hardware and we have a huge pet department, and we are quite heavily stocked with saltwater (fish and reef) and fortunately for me I get everything at a tad over cost. :D
Plus I only live 5 minutes away so bringing livestock home is not a big journey for them. Almost from their tanks to mine.
Grizz717
05/25/2015, 07:56 PM
I wish our Ace Hardware had a Pet Department. That is a short trip home. You could almost put it in a bucket and then straight to QT.
mmittlesteadt
05/27/2015, 12:59 PM
I am sitting here at work looking at my new Kessil A160WE LED light. Yeah! :dance:
Can't wait to see it over my tank tonight. I'll still have to figure out how to mount it on, under, or over my canopy, but I can least sit and zone out on the shimmer of my otherwise empty tank tonight. :D
Grizz717
05/27/2015, 05:21 PM
WooHoo!!
ZeeSparrow
05/27/2015, 05:26 PM
^^what he said. [emoji1]
JamesHolt
05/27/2015, 06:35 PM
Will that one kessil be enough for an anemone in a 40g breeder?? I dont know anything about them is why I am asking
mmittlesteadt
05/27/2015, 07:25 PM
Sorry for the poor pic, and I literally just set the light on my old strip light tray and took the pic. No adjustment to the light was done.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/kessil1.jpg
It is sitting about 3" above the water. When I held it up to about the height of the top of my canopy (where it will be mounted) it covers the entire tank side to side, but the corners are shaded, which is exactly how I want it to be. I can't believe this much light comes from this little light that is smaller than a soda can.
Grizz717
05/27/2015, 07:31 PM
Cool! See..tomorrow did come! LOL
mmittlesteadt
05/27/2015, 07:38 PM
Cool! See..tomorrow did come! LOL
Yeah, but it's today! And today is a good day. ;)
mmittlesteadt
05/27/2015, 07:51 PM
I need to get this mounted properly. The shimmer is very relaxing, and my walls and ceiling are shimmering now too. Need to get the canopy back in place.
ZeeSparrow
05/27/2015, 08:10 PM
Every day is a good day. Today is a shimmering good day!
mmittlesteadt
05/27/2015, 09:31 PM
Here's a quick video of it with it turned almost completely down and the spectrum adjusted to just a tad above actinic...
Really poor video with my cheap camera...
Shimmer (https://youtu.be/2CMqqFlAgk8)
You can see how low the light is. With the canopy over the tank and the light shining through an opening I'll make when I mount it, the light will sit about 8" higher and the whole tank will be lit, except in the corners (where I don't want the light anyway).
ZeeSparrow
05/27/2015, 10:12 PM
I need to watch this again on my PC. But it looks pretty darn amazing on my phone. Can't wait to see it all set up!
Kyle461
05/28/2015, 07:18 AM
The blue "shimmering" effect is very apparent through the living room window when I drive up to my house. I've always wondered what the neighbors think is going on in my house....
mmittlesteadt
05/28/2015, 08:22 AM
The blue "shimmering" effect is very apparent through the living room window when I drive up to my house. I've always wondered what the neighbors think is going on in my house....
I thought the exact same thing! LOL. Far beyond head shop black light posters, huh? :spin2:
mmittlesteadt
05/28/2015, 09:27 AM
I need to watch this again on my PC. But it looks pretty darn amazing on my phone. Can't wait to see it all set up!
Videos online (all of them, regardless of quality) just do not do justice to the beautiful, relaxing effect it gives off. The rock and sand in the tank just looks like one were snorkeling or scuba diving in the real ocean with the sun shining through the waves at the surface.
While the light does help this effect because of it being almost more like a spot than a flood or a strip light, it is the turbulence of the water surface that creates it. Want it to be more active? Just increase the turbulence at the surface. Less? Dial back the flow to the surface.
Martini5788
05/28/2015, 09:43 AM
I thought the exact same thing! LOL. Far beyond head shop black light posters, huh? :spin2:
When I first moved here and setup my tank the military police came to my house to make sure I wasn't growing anything illegal haha. I live on the main road in the neighborhood( it's on base) and apparently quite a few officers called them so they had to come check it out lol
Kyle461
05/28/2015, 10:05 AM
When I first moved here and setup my tank the military police came to my house to make sure I wasn't growing anything illegal haha. I live on the main road in the neighborhood( it's on base) and apparently quite a few officers called them so they had to come check it out lol
I always feel like officers will pay me a visit soon due to the amount of water I'm discarding in the yard and the equipment I'm dragging into the house constantly.
mmittlesteadt
05/28/2015, 10:09 AM
Careful...they may never leave! LOL. It really does have a hypnotic effect.
mmittlesteadt
05/28/2015, 10:29 AM
Last night I could not put my lift-off canopy over my tank with the light sitting over the tank. I'm not leaving it there anyway, but seeing the shimmer on the walls and ceiling got me thinking.
I still want to use my canopy, and originally I was just going to cut a hole in the top for the light to just be set on it and shine through the opening. But everytime I wanted access to the tank I'd have to take the light off, then the canopy.
Now that I've seen the shimmer (and the wife loves it too), I'm going to use the top off one of my old mic stands (I'm also a musician) and attach it to a board running up the back of my stand. Won't need to buy a gooseneck then.
Then I'm going to cut a large "U" shape out of the top of the canopy so there will still be a shelf running around the top of it, along front and sides, but completely open in the middle. We like to put plants and such on the canopy because it helps make the entire tank, stand and canopy look like a nice piece of furniture. I'll also be able to just slide the canopy off when needed and leave the light in place. I can then also easily feed without taking the canopy off and we will still get the added benefit of the shimmer.
mmittlesteadt
05/30/2015, 07:24 AM
Testing 1, 2, 3...
A benefit of being a musician is having some spare band parts lying around. I didn't buy the gooseneck for mounting my Kessil light fixture. So I used one of my old mic stands.
Completely adjustable in all directions including the height. I'm going to cut an opening in the top of my canopy so I will still get the shimmering effect on the walls and ceiling, which we enjoy a lot. I mounted the stand to the back of my tank stand/cabinet.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/lightmount.jpg
mmittlesteadt
05/30/2015, 08:09 AM
Cycling is moving along. Should be able to add a small CUC soon.
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 1.0 (down from 5.0)
Nitrate - 10.0 (down from 20.0) Added a ball of chaeto from my LFS for $5 and my nitrates are already down.
Things are going the way I thought they would.
mmittlesteadt
05/30/2015, 11:03 AM
I still wanted my canopy over my tank, but I also still wanted the shimmer on the walls and ceiling, so I made a cutout in my canopy. I needed to anyway as I wanted to be able to pull my canopy off without having to remove the light. But I made it circular so the light on the ceiling is this rounded shape of shimmering light.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/canopycutout.jpg
Grizz717
05/30/2015, 11:07 AM
Looks real nice! Are you going to QT your CUC?
mmittlesteadt
05/30/2015, 11:20 AM
Looks real nice! Are you going to QT your CUC?
Thanks!
Probably not seeing as they will be the only inhabitants for a while. What would I be quaranteening them from? There is nothing else in the tank yet, so they would essentially already be in a QT.
I still have to set up a QT below my sump.
Grizz717
05/30/2015, 07:42 PM
Supposedly ich. reading on the forum says QT everything from CUC to last invert, fish and coral. Just curious on your take. I figure it'll be six to seven weeks before fish so why worry.
mmittlesteadt
05/30/2015, 07:56 PM
Supposedly ich. reading on the forum says QT everything from CUC to last invert, fish and coral. Just curious on your take. I figure it'll be six to seven weeks before fish so why worry.
Yes, the whole idea of QT is to safeguard both the existing population and the new additions, so I'm not really sure what the point of using a QT for the CUC is, as I doubt anything else will be going in for a good long while after them.
ZeeSparrow
05/30/2015, 08:13 PM
Love that cutout! Looks sharp.
mmittlesteadt
05/31/2015, 06:50 AM
Thanks. And the resulting half moon shape of light cast on the ceiling with the shimmer is awesome. I fall asleep on the couch in the living room at night because its so relaxing to look at. And I don't have anything in the tank yet! LOL.
But soon. I'm dosing some ammonia today to bring it up to 1 and see if it comes down in 24 hours. Nitrites are almost nonexistent now. Then I can get a CUC and feed them and wait it out a bit further before adding anything else.
mmittlesteadt
05/31/2015, 08:19 AM
Because I used all dry rock for my tank (although I'll be getting a bit of live rock for my fuge soon) I thought I'd check my phosphates to see if I have any leaching out of the rock.
I did blast my rock with a hose and got every tiny little bit of loose stuff off and out of it, and then soaked in a vinegar bath and blasted it again. It was amazing how much came off of it. I mean it's all clean (no dead stuff in it obviously) but I was able to get tons of it to come off, where it opened up all kinds of porous spots. Small holes became large holes, and large holes became caves and it really got every bit of loose bits off and out of the rock, before I even put it in my tank.
Still, I've read so much about dry rock leaching phosphates into the water over time. Well, I've had it in my tank for a month now and after doing a test my phosphates showed 0. So I'm not too worried about it leaching out and if it does over time, I will have plenty of chaeto and mangroves in my fuge. Plus I plan on having some pulsing Xenia which also loves phosphates.
Everything is going according to plan. My patience has been tested, but it's also paid off in every way. No surprises.
mmittlesteadt
05/31/2015, 08:22 AM
I did go and get a 13 gallon bucket for my ATO reservoir. My 5 gallon bucket was doing it's job, but the amount of topoff varies week to week. It was lasting anywhere from 4 to 6 days depending. With a 5 day vacation coming up this next month I wanted to be sure my topoff doesn't run out before I get back. So I'll be replacing the reservoir today and that should safely give me anywhere from 6 to 12 days worth of RO/DI topoff.
mmittlesteadt
05/31/2015, 11:41 AM
Got the 13 gallon bucket connected up. So now I should be good anywhere from 6 to 12 days for ATO. I feel better knowing that even with a high rate of evaporation I'm covered during a vacation. Still need to get an autofeeder before the end of June. That should make my setup pretty much automated.
We will still have someone come by and check on things but they shouldn't have to touch my reef setup. Just check on our cat and my parrot.
My nitrites are barely showing on a test, so I dosed my ammonia back up to 1ppp. Now I just have to see how quickly the bacteria consumes it. If it's gone tomorrow evening I should be ready for my CUC (which I will feed because I have absolutely no algae yet, but assume it might start kicking in).
mmittlesteadt
05/31/2015, 12:27 PM
Ready and waiting for some living things to be added. This week???
Note that this pic was taken in the early afternoon on a sunny day (no direct sun in the room) and my Kessil light is just barely on. I have the color to be full daylight, but the intensity is set to just above turning it off. You can just barely make out the Kessil under the red flowers. The fish on top (with the pink fins and big open mouth, to the left of the Kessil) is my 10 year old daughter's sculpture of a fish (which looks like some kind of fish that belongs in the ocean). Seemed appropriate to put it up there. LOL.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/ready.jpg
Martini5788
05/31/2015, 01:29 PM
Wow that looks awesome!
mmittlesteadt
05/31/2015, 01:42 PM
Thanks. I'm hoping it continues to look even better once I get some coraline algae, and some living things in it, like corals, inverts and fish!
It's nice and all, but I'm wanting to start stocking it. Patience is always being tested! LOL.
Martini5788
05/31/2015, 01:55 PM
Yeah I'm still waiting on my coralline, 8 months later. I upgraded my lights recently(
Well I bought new lights, haven't installed them yet) so I'm sure it will happen soon enough and then I will be complaining about it like everybody else haha
mmittlesteadt
05/31/2015, 02:41 PM
Yeah I'm still waiting on my coralline, 8 months later. I upgraded my lights recently(
Well I bought new lights, haven't installed them yet) so I'm sure it will happen soon enough and then I will be complaining about it like everybody else haha
Do you have anything in there with coraline on it now? I'm getting some small chunks of live rock with some on it to kind of get it going. Unlike bacteria, I think you need to have something put in there that has some on it, for it to start growing. And it can be the smallest of specs, like even just a tiny spot on a snail's shell.
And yes, it will grow on everything until it starts becoming a nuisance...but it sure looks better than all white rock!
Martini5788
05/31/2015, 03:29 PM
Yes I do. It's the lights I'm sure. I had some huge pieces of rock covered in coralline. I'm not too worried about it, less maintenance for now haha
mmittlesteadt
06/01/2015, 01:19 PM
My makeshift bulkhead (made of regular pipe fittings and rubber washers) on my 5 gallon bucket ATO reservoir worked very well...on my 5 gallon bucket.
The same bulkhead on my new 13 gallon ATO bucket didn't fare so well. It was a slow drip, drip, drip. What to do?
Every small bulkhead I found (even the 1/2" ones) are still way too bulky (no pun intended) and wide for the curvature of a small pail. They work great on a flat surface but are far too big for the smaller circumference pails.
So what to do? Well, I found a very cheap solution that works perfectly. I bought one of those kitchen sink faucet sprayer holders (the kind that get mounted to the third hole on a kitchen sink) where the faucet sprayer just slips through the opening.
Well, it turns out that the mount for it just happens to be small enough to act as a bulkhead on a small pail!!! All you need are a couple of extra large rubber washers so when you tighten it to the pail, the washers take up the difference between the flat part of the mount and the curvature of the pail.
Then you wrap some pipe tape around the threaded outside (that the mounting nut screws onto and the faucet sprayer hose slides through) and then attach vinyl tubing to the outside of it with a hose clamp. You can then simply use an appropriate nipple reducer with a hose clamp to get it down to the size you need for your ATO to function.
I could have made this far more streamlined with less fittings, tubing and hose clamps but I just used what I had lying around and wanted to use my exiting 1/2" gate valve.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/bulkhead.jpg
mmittlesteadt
06/01/2015, 02:02 PM
After dosing ammonia back up to 1.0ppm yesterday, I just tested again and they are down to .25ppm and my nitrite is up to 1.0 again, which means things are being processed. I'll check again tonight or tomorrow morning and see if the ammonia is gone and where my nitrites are at.
Nitrate is still staying at 10ppm so the bacterial process and the chaeto are doing their intended functions.
Almost there, but I've waited this long, so I'll just hold off a bit until I get my Ammonia and Nitrite down to 0 again and a water change along with my chaeto should get my nitrates down to tolerable levels even if it isn't down to 0, then I'll order my CUC.
So-o-o-o close. But I'm waiting it out.
mmittlesteadt
06/03/2015, 07:36 AM
My tank has cycled! No Ammonia nor Nitrite and my Nitrate is at 10ppm. Just a water change and I can put in my CUC.
Unfortunately, as luck would have it I am literally working on projects now where I'm gone most all day and night over the next two weeks, so I have no time to even order anything nor acclimate them.
Ugh.
Kyle461
06/03/2015, 08:43 AM
Congrats! The addiction begins.
ZeeSparrow
06/03/2015, 10:40 AM
Careful you don't feed that tank so much that your nitrates rise while you're waiting. DAMHIK. lol
mmittlesteadt
06/03/2015, 01:57 PM
Congrats! The addiction begins.
I think I was addicted the minute I decided to go from everything HOB to a sump in my basement! Of course that's the equipment junkie talking. Yeah, now the addiction for stocking begins. LOL.
mmittlesteadt
06/03/2015, 01:59 PM
Careful you don't feed that tank so much that your nitrates rise while you're waiting. DAMHIK. lol
Yes, I will monitor the nitrates...gotta keep the little bacteria fed while I wait this out. I might just ghost feed a tiny amount instead of direct ammonia dosing. I'll have time to drop a pellet in, but that's about it.
Plus I do have my ball of chaeto going.
No, I won't ask how you know. ;)
ZeeSparrow
06/03/2015, 03:52 PM
Learning from others' mistakes. Man, you are wise. ;)
mmittlesteadt
06/03/2015, 03:55 PM
Learning from others' mistakes. Man, you are wise. ;)
Like I always told my kids...
Intelligence is having knowledge. Wisdom is applying it. ;)
mmittlesteadt
06/03/2015, 08:46 PM
Well, in addition to picking up some seaweed sheets from work before I left so I could ghost feed, I picked up two tiny red legged and two tiny blue legged hermits, along with four snails. Guess I'll be feeding more than ghosts.
Just could not wait any longer. My ammonia and nitrite are both at 0 and my nitrates are still at 10. I have the chaeto tumbling around my fuge doing it's job. I haven't seen any growth from it, but my nitrates went down from 20 to 10 and are holding at that. My fuge light is on a timer to run opposite my lights. I'll do a water change on Saturday when I have some time.
I didn't order a whole package of CUC from reefcleaners yet and in a way, I'm glad I didn't. I don't have algae or diatoms yet, so really I only have 7 tiny little guys to feed. Ill order a CUC once my tank begins it's algae bloom. At least if I do get algae going I'll already have something in there already.
I took one seaweed sheet and tore off pieces and jammed them into little holes of my rock and pushed some into my sand. Amazing how fast both the hermits and snails are. They've been motoring around my tank all night. One of them I think has made his way all around the entire tank at least once since I put him in.
Now I can wait. I at least have something to enjoy in my tank. It's like a big sigh of relief (in my best Dr. Frankenstein voice...) "Life! I have life!" :D
ZeeSparrow
06/03/2015, 08:55 PM
Woo hoo!
Once you start getting diatoms, those snails will really have their work cut out for them. I waited to place my order until the diatoms started and by the time they arrived (2 days later), the diatoms were in full bloom and hair algae was starting as well. It was amazing just how fast those diatoms really took off. Of course, my nitrates were around 20, though I've had GFO the whole time so no measurable phosphate.
Enjoy the activity!
mmittlesteadt
06/04/2015, 04:14 PM
Woo hoo!
Once you start getting diatoms, those snails will really have their work cut out for them. I waited to place my order until the diatoms started and by the time they arrived (2 days later), the diatoms were in full bloom and hair algae was starting as well. It was amazing just how fast those diatoms really took off. Of course, my nitrates were around 20, though I've had GFO the whole time so no measurable phosphate.
Enjoy the activity!
I am enjoying the crabs mostly, as are my wife and daughter. First time throughout this entire process my wife actually paid attention to the reef tank (which she mockingly calls my "fish" tank). I set it up for all of us so we'd spend less time watching TV and more time watching a real life "Discovery Channel" right in our living room.
I still have seaweed floating round and round in my tank. The flow is excellent as it makes complete circles around my rockwork without settling. It stays suspended in my water column. With my return outlets and two circulation pumps I have a perfect gyre going on.
Crabs and snails are all doing well today. Having something, anything alive in there sure helps with the patience.
nusalt_hobbist
06/04/2015, 07:09 PM
awesome tank. great job
mmittlesteadt
06/04/2015, 07:12 PM
awesome tank. great job
Thanks! Hope it still is 6 months from now, or a year and more! I want it filled with corals and fish and inverts as badly as anyone would, but I'm finding patience is not only a virtue, but in this hobby it is a necessity!
mmittlesteadt
06/07/2015, 06:10 PM
Well, I decided to get things going. Time will tell if I regret the decision, but thus far things are going well.
I purchased a wide variety of things for my tank over the weekend. This was what I got (the whole story to follow pics)...
Green Star Polyps (they do fully extend...they're just being camera shy at the moment I took this pic)...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/gsp.jpg
Kenya Tree (two of them, only pic of one)...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/kenyatree.jpg
Gonipora (Yeah, I should have known better)...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/gonipora.jpg
2 Ocellaris Clownfish (pic of one...both are tank raised and about 1" long)...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/clown1.jpg
Now despite my patience being tested to the nth degree, I've been pretty good about taking my time up to this point so many months later. But I decided that after I added my 4 hermit crabs and 3 snails (which were doing great...active, eating well, etc.) I wanted to add some fish.
Now while I do have a QT set up, I do not have any other fish in the display tank and have no plans to add any for a very long time. I didn't see the point of QT the clowns, when they were the only ones going in my dispay tank. Furthermore, everything I put in my tank was living together in the same tank at my LFS for a while now and I've been keeping an eye on it and how the tank was doing there.
My tests show no ammonia (any ammonia I added to test was removed easily within 12 hours), my nitrite is at 0 and my nitrate is down to 5ppm with the chaeto going and a water change.
I added the clowns and they were doing great (although I had initial concerns about the water flow being too much at first). They settled in. I decided to get some corals at my LFS from the same tank the clowns were in. About the only thing I'm concerned about is the gonipora, which I did not know was so difficult to keep. But, it's been doing great in the tank at the LFS for quite a while and is fully extended and flowing in the current and quite beautiful in my tank. I guess I will see how it fares. I'll do my best for it. It's not going to do any better in my LFS's tank regardless, so perhaps it may do as well as one can do in captivity.
I got the two clowns, the GSP, kenya trees and gonipora for $35. All are doing well in the tank. The corals respond to the light quite well, (although the GSP seems a bit finicky yet, sometimes all the way out, sometimes only part of it...). The clowns have been playing in the current and the moment food hits the water the clowns are on it and the hermits come running out of the rockwork. I have Spectrum pellets, dried seaweed and frozen mysis. Doesn't seem to matter what I put in...everything is very active going for it.
Now I think I'll just sit back and enjoy my tank and not add anything at all for quite some time. Any new fish I add in the future will go straight into the QT tank first, but so far so good with the new additions.
ZeeSparrow
06/07/2015, 06:50 PM
Wow I think I'm going to have to add goniopora to my list! Looks like there are a few color options, and it might work near the top of my tank. I'll keep an eye out for a purple or red one.
Sure hope those clowns do well for you. I likely could have put mine straight into the DT as well, but I did not want to risk introducing any diseases. After this qt it may be a while before I add any more fish, just to give me a break from all the water changes etc... As my qt is not cycled it's been a lot of work. I am sticking to my plan though.
Grizz717
06/07/2015, 07:43 PM
Mark,
Both you and Zee's tanks look great! Keep up the good work. I'll look up the gonipora also, though I probably won't add anything else at least until the weekend. :)
mmittlesteadt
06/07/2015, 07:53 PM
Wow I think I'm going to have to add goniopora to my list! Looks like there are a few color options, and it might work near the top of my tank. I'll keep an eye out for a purple or red one.
Sure hope those clowns do well for you. I likely could have put mine straight into the DT as well, but I did not want to risk introducing any diseases. After this qt it may be a while before I add any more fish, just to give me a break from all the water changes etc... As my qt is not cycled it's been a lot of work. I am sticking to my plan though.
Everything I've read on goniopora makes them seem to be very difficult to care for and not very long lived.
Now maybe they were older threads or articles and perhaps things have changed a bit over time. Maybe there is more success with them now. The one I got was a frag off another one, so whomever had it must have been successful enough to be selling frags.
Everything that is in my tank was together in my LFS's tank. In a way anything I'm introducing to my tank was already introduced in the tank they came from. Shouldn't be too difficult for them and cause any issues.
Now I just have to STOP for a while. :D
mmittlesteadt
06/08/2015, 02:16 PM
My GSP certainly doesn't seem real thrilled with where he is at. Just doesn't want to come out and play much. They are supposed to be pretty much the easiest thing to keep and it doesn't want to extend much. But then the goniopora is supposed to be the hardest and it is fully extended, colorful and seems to be loving my tank. Go figure.
You posted about the fish and corals yesterday, which means they're probably all in your display tank by now. So here is the flaw in your planning.
If your fish were to show signs of ich you can always take them out and treat them, no problems right? Maybe your fish do have ich but it stays dormant and doesn't unleash it's fury for a while.
The problem is you have now introduced ich into your display tank and sump with a living host. At any point between now and possibly never the ich can show up. This means 12 weeks of everything out of your tank, with your tank fallow.
It's a dice roll, and totally your call, it's really easy to see your excitement. The problem now though is even if you decided to pull your fish and treat them just in case, it's too late. The ich now exists in your DT. Hopefully this works out for you, but since this is the new guy forum I figured it worth pointing out so others understand the full risks before deciding to skip QT on their first fish addition because of excitement.
Also worth noting, many, many people dip/qt their frags before placing them into their DT for many of the same reasons you qt for ich/other badness.
So just something to keep in mind. You put a ton of planning into all of this, I would hate to see you pop up a thread in one of the disease sections in a few weeks because you took some seemingly innocent shortcuts at the end.
TL;DR Version for folks skimming: Do not skip QT, even for your first fish/frags without fully understanding the consequences.
mmittlesteadt
06/08/2015, 04:29 PM
You posted about the fish and corals yesterday, which means they're probably all in your display tank by now. So here is the flaw in your planning.
If your fish were to show signs of ich you can always take them out and treat them, no problems right? Maybe your fish do have ich but it stays dormant and doesn't unleash it's fury for a while.
The problem is you have now introduced ich into your display tank and sump with a living host. At any point between now and possibly never the ich can show up. This means 12 weeks of everything out of your tank, with your tank fallow.
It's a dice roll, and totally your call, it's really easy to see your excitement. The problem now though is even if you decided to pull your fish and treat them just in case, it's too late. The ich now exists in your DT. Hopefully this works out for you, but since this is the new guy forum I figured it worth pointing out so others understand the full risks before deciding to skip QT on their first fish addition because of excitement.
Also worth noting, many, many people dip/qt their frags before placing them into their DT for many of the same reasons you qt for ich/other badness.
So just something to keep in mind. You put a ton of planning into all of this, I would hate to see you pop up a thread in one of the disease sections in a few weeks because you took some seemingly innocent shortcuts at the end.
TL;DR Version for folks skimming: Do not skip QT, even for your first fish/frags without fully understanding the consequences.
I appreciate the comments and they certainly are understandable.
The ONLY reason I did it this way is because ALL of the inhabitants in my tank were together in the same tank at my LFS. After my purchases the only thing left in the LFS's tank were two more same sized clownfish. I've been keeping an eye on them for the past 4 weeks, even feeding them myself. Nothing else has been in that tank all that time.
The LFS is in the pet department where I work, and I've known the manager for over 30 years. When I started here, I worked in the pet department but now run the frame shop, but still help out in the pet department occasionally. There are only two people who have even touched that tank here at work...me and one other guy who runs the saltwater part. It really was almost my personal quarantine tank at work...LOL.
I would have done things differently if all of the inhabitants of my tank came from various tanks in the pet department, sharing all kinds of things (both good and bad). But really, I feel very confident in what I did (aside from getting the goniopora, which may or may not turn out alright given their history in aquariums).
mmittlesteadt
06/08/2015, 09:02 PM
I think I know why my GSP isn't extending its polyps much. Its spreading its purple base over the edges of the plug its on. You can see a bit of it going on in the pic I posted of it earlier but it now covers most of the plug and going over the edges on all four sides to boot.
Perhaps its just saving its energy for that. I expect it to come back better than it ever was.
I was talking with the resident salt guru at my LFS tonight. I am definitely a weed lover. I am wanting GSP, Xenia, Kenya Tree...all kinds of soft corals nobody else likes. But it suits me. I'm that way with my yard as well.
The neighbors use all kinds of chemicals to enhance their grass lawns and planted flowers. But the beauty nature gives them so freely? KILL IT! Me? I love all the plants nature gives me. So much so, that I purposely mow around patches in my lawn where I see new plants growing. After a while, these plants that just grow naturally in my yard becomes absolutely gorgeous (to me). Dandelions, Indian Paintbrush, Violets, clover, and my favorite is some kind of plant that grows about 3 feet high and blooms with the most beautiful purple bell shaped flowers that are taking over the southwest side of my yard.
I don't have to feed them, water them or buy and use any kind of insecticide, fertilizer, weed killer, etc. and I am blessed with natural plants just by letting nature do its thing.
So with my reef tank? Go ahead and dose your tanks with every kind of solution known to man. Me? I'm just going to let nature do its thing. I'll seed it with GSP, Xenia, Kenya Tree, Mushrooms and just let them totally take over my tank. Why? Because I really dig nature and that's why I wanted a reef tank. I'm not out to prove I can grow the worlds most difficult coral and to be some kind of reef demigod (apologies to reef experts...kudos to you for the knowledge you've attained to keep such difficult creatures. I can appreciate that aspect of the hobby).
A weed is just something that grows that the majority of the public has disdain for. Read my signature. That pretty much says it all.
mmittlesteadt
06/11/2015, 06:54 AM
Ugh. Looks like my little clownfish likes to pull a Nemo as he apparently likes to sleep in my overflow.
I do have eggcrate diffuser blocking my weir, but he's still small enough to get through it. He is always out playing with the other clownfish all day long and into the night, but the past two mornings I've found him in my overflow. He's easily netted from there and placed back into the tank, but damn...now I have to figure out some kind of way to block him, but not the water going over my toothless weir.
I see the advantage of having teeth along the weir, but I also know the benefits of a smooth weir too. Maybe he'll grow tired of having to be caught every morning. I've had freshwater fish where I've been able to alter their behavior (cichlids mainly), but I don't know that he'll catch on that he's not supposed to be in there. And maybe he really is Nemo and he's trying to escape via my filtration system.
ZeeSparrow
06/11/2015, 06:56 AM
I've seen Sk8r recommend plastic needlepoint canvas, stitched with fishing line.
mmittlesteadt
06/11/2015, 07:03 AM
I've seen Sk8r recommend plastic needlepoint canvas, stitched with fishing line.
Excellent! We have that in the craft section at Ace where I work. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what to use. I can't block the flow obviously, and he can't jump over the eggcrate (as it goes up to the cover). He's getting through the openings in the eggcrate.
When I designed it, I thought it through knowing the kinds of fish I would have. Didn't think at the time I'd be buying two tiny clownfish. They are both pretty little. Never was worried about snails getting through. They won't clog up my system the way it's designed. I'm more worried about my little guy.
Thanks for the tip!
mmittlesteadt
06/11/2015, 08:55 PM
Well, couldn't find any needlepoint canvas at work, but we had some very open cell foam that I put in behind my weir. It's not a permanent thing...just until the clownfish grow a little larger (OK...a lot) to where they can't fit through the openings in the eggcrate. Just need to rinse out the foam occasionally.
My GSP has spread and is coming back stronger than it's ever been in my tank. Very full and colorful. Can't seem to find the smaller Kenya Tree (wife said she saw one of the hermit crabs on it). Weird. The larger one is doing great.
My LFS is going to order me some different colored Xenia from ORA. Huge frags for only $12 my cost. They are also getting a new 500 gallon saltwater display tank. The pet department is really growing. The saltwater section has tripled in size in only a few months. It's great that I can get things a little over cost. :D
mmittlesteadt
06/12/2015, 01:11 PM
GSP has come back to life and is doing great now.
Day it was put in the tank before its polyps disappeared and the base started spreading...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/gsp.jpg
About a week later moved to a slightly different spot. If you look real close at the bottom of its base, right at the corner of the frag plug, you can see one of it "star" polyps pretty clear...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/gsp2.jpg
mmittlesteadt
06/12/2015, 02:05 PM
A bit blurry, but got a pic of both clowns in the same shot. They are just little ones...about 1" or so long.
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/clowns.jpg
One shot of mostly the middle of the tank. GSP on the left, Goniopora in the middle and the little Kenya Tree on the lower right (can't really see it)...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/midtank.jpg
I really love the Kessil A160WE. Killer light. I still can't believe one little light is putting out that much...and it's only at about 60%!!!
And finally one overall pic of the whole tank. It's really beginning to look more like what I envisioned. (you can see one little clown up near the top about in the middle)...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/tankshot.jpg
Grizz717
06/12/2015, 05:33 PM
Looks great Mark. beautiful set of clowns.
mmittlesteadt
06/12/2015, 06:35 PM
Looks great Mark. beautiful set of clowns.
Thanks! Yeah they are pretty entertaining clownfish. Even though one of them wanted to sleep in my overflow.
I've got my eye on so many corals and fish...ugh...PATIENCE!!! :hmm2:
Grizz717
06/12/2015, 07:07 PM
I know what you mean! Picked up a pair of Grade C Picasso Clowns and a pair of Bangai Cardinals tonight. Just put them in QT. Will post pictures tomorrow for you and Zee!
mmittlesteadt
06/12/2015, 07:48 PM
Looking forward to it.
ZeeSparrow
06/12/2015, 09:13 PM
Well, couldn't find any needlepoint canvas at work, but we had some very open cell foam that I put in behind my weir. It's not a permanent thing...just until the clownfish grow a little larger (OK...a lot) to where they can't fit through the openings in the eggcrate. Just need to rinse out the foam occasionally.
My GSP has spread and is coming back stronger than it's ever been in my tank. Very full and colorful. Can't seem to find the smaller Kenya Tree (wife said she saw one of the hermit crabs on it). Weird. The larger one is doing great.
My LFS is going to order me some different colored Xenia from ORA. Huge frags for only $12 my cost. They are also getting a new 500 gallon saltwater display tank. The pet department is really growing. The saltwater section has tripled in size in only a few months. It's great that I can get things a little over cost. :D
I am SO jealous. The cost savings you have... UGH! ;)
Thanks! Yeah they are pretty entertaining clownfish. Even though one of them wanted to sleep in my overflow.
I've got my eye on so many corals and fish...ugh...PATIENCE!!! :hmm2:
Seriously! I am fighting the urge so bad.... pretty sure I'm going to give in and buy stuff this weekend though. Just sayin'.
I know what you mean! Picked up a pair of Grade C Picasso Clowns and a pair of Bangai Cardinals tonight. Just put them in QT. Will post pictures tomorrow for you and Zee!
YES!!
Looking forward to it.
Exactly. I can't wait!! Clowns AND Cardinals! Woo hoo! I'm actually considering those cardinals for my next fish, too. Either that or pajama cards... not completely sure. One or the other is very likely to show up in my QT tank next week.
Mark... I think your tank looks great. I am amazed you have the Kessil at 60% though! I have my Photon at 35% max blues; will probably bump it to 40% this weekend. I'm not sure my candycane at the top of the tank will like it, though.
mmittlesteadt
06/13/2015, 07:56 AM
Yes, the Kessil certainly does throw some serious light out. I personally love the shadowing because of the way I want my tank to look, although I understand why many prefer their tanks to be fully lit.
At 100% it's just too much...it makes my living room look like an airport runway at night. :D
Swope2bc
06/13/2015, 04:59 PM
Well, I finally found your build thread (thanks to the link posted on Zee's) and read through it!! What a process you've gone through!
Because of your thread I've moved my tank to a new location and begun the contemplation of moving the sump to the basement. Hmm.... Lol...
If only I had time to work on it. At least I get to watch you guys while I wait!
Love the faux rock work, the aquascapeing, the stand/canopy, the light!!! Well, basically everything, great work! Following along now ;-)
mmittlesteadt
06/13/2015, 05:53 PM
Well, I finally found your build thread (thanks to the link posted on Zee's) and read through it!! What a process you've gone through!
Because of your thread I've moved my tank to a new location and begun the contemplation of moving the sump to the basement. Hmm.... Lol...
If only I had time to work on it. At least I get to watch you guys while I wait!
Love the faux rock work, the aquascapeing, the stand/canopy, the light!!! Well, basically everything, great work! Following along now ;-)
Thanks a lot! Yes, it has been a VERY long and tedious, but well planned out build. It taught me the value of patience, although I still have none. LOL.
Having a large sump, in my basement, actually makes this ALL worth it. If I had to do topoffs and water changes in my living room...ugh...it's not even worth going there. But having most all of the work being done in the basement is great and well worthwhile. It's my lab down there, away from everyone else. I can do all my maintenance without making a mess in my living room.
The single biggest decision I'm happiest with was putting my sump in the basement.
Swope2bc
06/13/2015, 05:58 PM
Mine, if I decide to stick with the current plan, will be immediately next to a utility sink too! I can drill for an emergency overflow and let it just hang into the sink, not to mention the ease of water change... It just makes sense :-)! I'll only have another 40b as my sump but the space limitations for ATO and every other need will disappear.
My wife didn't even balk when I suggested drilling holes in the floor! Oh, one more added bonus, my 1" full siphon on my bean drain will flow tons of water due to the drop lol.
mmittlesteadt
06/13/2015, 06:15 PM
Mine, if I decide to stick with the current plan, will be immediately next to a utility sink too! I can drill for an emergency overflow and let it just hang into the sink, not to mention the ease of water change... It just makes sense :-)! I'll only have another 40b as my sump but the space limitations for ATO and every other need will disappear.
My wife didn't even balk when I suggested drilling holes in the floor! Oh, one more added bonus, my 1" full siphon on my bean drain will flow tons of water due to the drop lol.
Yes. My 65 gallon sump is the exact same footprint as my 40 breeder and I probably could have used a 40 breeder for a sump, but I already had the 65 gallon tank. It's about 6 feet away from my utility sink and yes, it makes EVERYTHING easy. And the easier it is to do maintenance, the more likely it will get done. I never have to spend much more than a few minutes at a time to do anything with my tank.
Dkuhlmann
06/13/2015, 11:57 PM
Great job and I love the back wall that you made. I must have over looked it but what are you using for a return pump?
mmittlesteadt
06/14/2015, 09:42 AM
Great job and I love the back wall that you made. I must have over looked it but what are you using for a return pump?
An Aquatop 3600. Pretty quiet and even with a 9 ft. head from the basement I'm getting about 400-450 GPH flow on my return. I can get them cheap (as in slightly above cost) where I work so replacement would be quick and cheap if necessary.
Dkuhlmann
06/14/2015, 10:18 AM
An Aquatop 3600. Pretty quiet and even with a 9 ft. head from the basement I'm getting about 400-450 GPH flow on my return. I can get them cheap (as in slightly above cost) where I work so replacement would be quick and cheap if necessary.
WOW, sounds like quite a bit of flow for a 40b. But you do have a long way to go with your water. I only have about 4 1/2' tops so after looking I think the AquaTop SWP-2600 Submersible Pump, 740 GPH would be a better choice for my system. Good reviews and great price.
Do you have a video of your water flow?
mmittlesteadt
06/14/2015, 11:21 AM
Yes, I lose a lot with the 9 ft head and 45 degree elbows. It actually is working out great as I utilize my return with my circulation pumps for the tank circulation...
In mine I created a gyre (instead of pumps pointing right at each other). It makes the water circulate in a circle all around and through my rock. I don't have much for dead spots (just a few where you can see a little eddy where the fallen food swirls in little circles on the sandbed...where my hermit crabs love to come for lunch and dinner.). Food stays suspended in the water column and keeps going round and round my rockwork.
My return is split from a 1" into two 3/4" PVC...a tee with one part pointing down behind my rocks, and a 45 degree elbow with it pointing up and towards the front glass to create some turbulence on the surface, but also to blow the water off my front glass and over to my overflow. Then two circulation pumps (just 250GPH each) one in the back right pointing down and towards the front glass and the other towards the front and point down behind the rocks on the left. I had a larger pump in there, but it was way overkill.
Here's my return and my circulation pump on the right side...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/rightpump.jpg
And here's a pic of my overflow (weir is behind the eggcrate diffuser) and the left pump...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/leftpump.jpg
Dkuhlmann
06/14/2015, 12:00 PM
Looks amazing. I like the back wall rock work you made. Very nice!
mmittlesteadt
06/14/2015, 01:27 PM
Looks amazing. I like the back wall rock work you made. Very nice!
Thanks. The back wall is for more than just effect. It does hide my vertical overflow on the left, and makes a nice looking large cave in the middle back, but my return pipes are tucked in the upper right of it, and the right side also curves out at a 45 degree angle. This effectively rids the back tank of corners, so the water literally flows in a circular fashion around the back of the tank.
I purposely designed the back wall to create circular flow in a rectangular tank.
Dkuhlmann
06/14/2015, 02:33 PM
I agree with you and see that from the build. Great idea for sure. It's functional and attractive.
mmittlesteadt
06/14/2015, 04:09 PM
[Cyborg voice on]"Resistance is futile..."[Cyborg voice off]
OK...so I know I said I wasn't going to get any zoas, and yet here I sit, with a zoa in my tank. I swear I don't know how it got there. One minute I was shopping for a spray bottle and some vinegar for my wife and a new screen door handle I had to fix. Next thing I know I'm putting this guy in my tank...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/zoa.jpg
Isaacs55
06/14/2015, 04:13 PM
[Cyborg voice on]"Resistance is futile..."[Cyborg voice off]
OK...so I know I said I wasn't going to get any zoas, and yet here I sit, with a zoa in my tank. I swear I don't know how it got there. One minute I was shopping for a spray bottle and some vinegar for my wife and a new screen door handle I had to fix. Next thing I know I'm putting this guy in my tank...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/zoa.jpg
Great choice!! Zoas make a beautiful addition to any tank! Enjoy!
mmittlesteadt
06/14/2015, 04:49 PM
Great choice!! Zoas make a beautiful addition to any tank! Enjoy!
Thanks...wife wasn't too happy to have me come home with one extra "thing", but she's starting to enjoy the reef now and I think she's starting to see why I am so obsessed with it. She now actually checks things out in it. She's coming around. For the longest time it didn't look like much of anything...certainly not something I should be spending so much time on. Now? I catch her watching it almost as much as I do. :D
Isaacs55
06/14/2015, 06:23 PM
Thanks...wife wasn't too happy to have me come home with one extra "thing", but she's starting to enjoy the reef now and I think she's starting to see why I am so obsessed with it. She now actually checks things out in it. She's coming around. For the longest time it didn't look like much of anything...certainly not something I should be spending so much time on. Now? I catch her watching it almost as much as I do. :D
Haha that's what I'm hoping my wife will do also. She always complains that I'm spending too much time working on the "fish tank"...she'll come around lol
ZeeSparrow
06/14/2015, 06:33 PM
Lol! It looks great. Glad your wife is starting to enjoy it as well. My husband is doing the same. He was even concerned about the amount of flow on the Duncan I just added. Mwahahaha....
mmittlesteadt
06/14/2015, 09:39 PM
My family couldn't have cared less about the "fish tank" until it started having some life. Once I added the clowns they were all concerned the water flow was too strong for them to swim in, and then worried that some of the hermits weren't alive, then wondering if one of the corals were getting enough light. LOL.
Where was this concern and support when I was "spending too much time" designing my sump, or the aquascaping, or getting a different light? LOL. Kind of funny just how much goes into creating a reef tank in the home, yet somehow they are supposed to magically appear, and not cost anything. LOL.
Its all good though...they are enjoying it now just like I wanted them too.
mmittlesteadt
06/15/2015, 02:59 PM
I knew firefish were jumpers, but wow. Somehow this guy managed to jump in my tank!
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/firefish.jpg
shhh...don't tell anyone I'm not QT'ing. I'll tell you why I'm not later. ;)
Swope2bc
06/15/2015, 08:24 PM
Beautiful fish!! So they are jumpers eh? I wonder what fish I'll be able to keep with an open top lol...
ZeeSparrow
06/16/2015, 06:41 AM
Very pretty.
:hmm6:
mmittlesteadt
06/16/2015, 08:30 AM
Thanks. Another fish found its way into my tank. I don't know how this is happening, but its almost like my tank is growing new fish...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/twinspot2.jpg
Swope2bc
06/16/2015, 08:37 AM
Thanks. Another fish found its way into my tank. I don't know how this is happening, but its almost like my tank is growing new fish...
http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/twinspot2.jpg
Man, he is cool! I love how he blends into the substrate too.
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