View Full Version : 130 gallon Propagation Workshop
INTRO:
I have been keeping a salt water tank for 5 years. Its a 29 gallon mixed reef that is drilled with a 10 gallon sump/fuge below. This system is heavy on sps and i have been running out of workable room within the tank. I have been fragging the quicker growing corals for store credit at local LFS. Its proven to be worth the time, so I've chosen to expand my efforts into a propagation system.
THE PROJECT:
So we have this weird room in our basement that we have referred to as the dexter room. Its a somewhat plumbed bathroom with a sorta shower and a sink with hot and cold water. This has been where i set up my RO/DI system and made my salt and top off water. We'd love to finish our basement at some point with a 300 gallon mixed reef display that would be piped into the prop shop. But for now our focus will be on this propagation system. One regret from my 29 gallon build is not keeping a thread on reef central so i thought this would be prime time. Thanks for following along and offering insights...
Next up Gear and Assembly
GEAR:
I have seen numerous people have great success with the Rubbermaid stock tanks, so i bought the 100 gallon option. For the grow out area i have ordered a 2 foot by 4 foot hydroponic tray. Lighting will be a 400watt Giesemann MegaChrome Crystal 17500k with Lumatek ballast. 2-300watt eheim heaters trying to have a somewhat redundant system. The return pump is an eheim 1048 submersible pump. For filtration I am planning on just using live rock and running gfo/gac. The dry live rock is coming from reefcleaners.
ASSEMBLY:
The assembly stage is where we are at currently. A buddy and i have built a rack to suspend the live rock in the water column for maximum water flow. The rack is built out of 1/2" PVC and egg crate. We have done a leak test on the rubbermaid and found a slow drip at the drain plug so we have siliconed the gasket.
I am going to try and post pictures a different way. There seems to be some issue with my pictures uploading. So here we go:
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/d6540f67-e286-43f2-a786-e86395b65460_zpsnlrwbtcj.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/d6540f67-e286-43f2-a786-e86395b65460_zpsnlrwbtcj.jpg.html)
The remodel of the fish room is slowly taking shape but here is the barebones that I'm currently working with
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/e887ca7a-7294-42b0-86f3-b6f5b355d3bd_zpsb670ysxa.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/e887ca7a-7294-42b0-86f3-b6f5b355d3bd_zpsb670ysxa.jpg.html)
I'm expecting my rock and flood tray to arrive tomorrow. I will start cooking the rock in the 100 gallon tub with a heater and some pool cleaner. Also i will start building frame work for the flood tray to sit over top of the 100 gallon tub. I'm excited to start running the electrical for the DJ strips, hopefully this room has nice wire management:spin3:
JonezNReef
07/07/2016, 02:30 PM
Pictures in your last few post aren't showing up. Sounds like a cool idea...Im subscribed
Can't wait to see what you have going
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/429D7B2F-5F2B-4312-A7BB-CBDEEE79C764_zpssrw9a0o7.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/429D7B2F-5F2B-4312-A7BB-CBDEEE79C764_zpssrw9a0o7.jpg.html)
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/6FD074C6-59BE-420F-B938-F5BBE33255F2_zpsfx8tsfzv.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/6FD074C6-59BE-420F-B938-F5BBE33255F2_zpsfx8tsfzv.jpg.html)
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/69414032-95E7-47D0-912A-8C56149D17F7_zpsinwj7t3i.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/69414032-95E7-47D0-912A-8C56149D17F7_zpsinwj7t3i.jpg.html)
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/78ACB353-1A55-4284-B21E-F910E03167AA_zpsnk6a297p.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/78ACB353-1A55-4284-B21E-F910E03167AA_zpsnk6a297p.jpg.html)
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/C2EFA80A-3326-45E3-A7A0-8C8EDECFE06A_zpswoldci1t.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/C2EFA80A-3326-45E3-A7A0-8C8EDECFE06A_zpswoldci1t.jpg.html)
JonezNReef
07/12/2016, 08:57 PM
I like the suspended rock idea. I never really considered doing that to the rock in my sump, but I might have to "borrow" this idea LOL. I like the 100 g Rubbermaid too. I plan on using that as the heart of my future set up. Can't wait to see the hydroponic tray up and running
I will do an in depth posting this weekend as I hope to get this system built. I have half of the room painted but I still need to finish the frag tray stand, plumb, run elec, final leak test, seal the floor, clauk any joints, etc...
After my first build not so much rushing but not doing everything i wanted to do before I got the tank filled with saltwater. I'm planning on double checking the system thoroughly before the initial run.
I'll need to have a workable area to mix salt water in my 32gal Brute container which will be "Teed" into my RO/DI line that also runs to my 10gal Brute Topoff location. The space is tight, I'll take measurements and post them on here. I'm looking for feedback and ideas that will make my future endeavors easier also more enjoyable.
Thanks for your time...:beachbum:
JonezNReef
07/14/2016, 07:51 AM
Definitely take your time. I too have rushed into a build and regretted it later on. Sounds like you have things planned out.
We got more done with the stand for the prop trayhttp://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/6CF30701-608E-419B-B9AA-05ABE006E0E2_zpswn1rmyfe.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/6CF30701-608E-419B-B9AA-05ABE006E0E2_zpswn1rmyfe.jpg.html)
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/19BA1BB2-7E91-498A-929D-38FE13A14C70_zpsmwwgg8dz.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/19BA1BB2-7E91-498A-929D-38FE13A14C70_zpsmwwgg8dz.jpg.html)
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/5C4E2872-8AD6-4871-895B-AC01726D6FEC_zpssuqsg9gb.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/5C4E2872-8AD6-4871-895B-AC01726D6FEC_zpssuqsg9gb.jpg.html)
We also worked on the actually frame work that will hold the prop trayhttp://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/5EC15272-8BBF-4523-B4F6-66A9EAC26275_zpsoud6z0bg.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/5EC15272-8BBF-4523-B4F6-66A9EAC26275_zpsoud6z0bg.jpg.html)
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/D30F3B6A-484C-445C-9837-FA5BA1EB0F4C_zps23fi8zo2.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/D30F3B6A-484C-445C-9837-FA5BA1EB0F4C_zps23fi8zo2.jpg.html)
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/4E9C3E20-34A9-4203-AFB4-7C2562B98AEC_zpsv3khjb61.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/4E9C3E20-34A9-4203-AFB4-7C2562B98AEC_zpsv3khjb61.jpg.html)
Then we plumbedhttp://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/FFFFAE09-5EEC-422A-9DAF-07B725F4CFD2_zps6lrizgln.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/FFFFAE09-5EEC-422A-9DAF-07B725F4CFD2_zps6lrizgln.jpg.html)
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/363D7720-2485-47CC-9F6F-36046D1740D7_zpsm9fl54by.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/363D7720-2485-47CC-9F6F-36046D1740D7_zpsm9fl54by.jpg.html)
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/AF58E6A4-26E8-4352-832A-B4DCCC60D986_zps5hgahrga.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/AF58E6A4-26E8-4352-832A-B4DCCC60D986_zps5hgahrga.jpg.html)
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/7EA1E0EC-3D01-4176-955E-1E9AF85C601A_zps3ec4ooke.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/7EA1E0EC-3D01-4176-955E-1E9AF85C601A_zps3ec4ooke.jpg.html)
http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p404/jdcuperus/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/4A07D686-9B5E-4F5A-87E1-1641B0926C5C_zpseahwp10n.jpg~original (http://s346.photobucket.com/user/jdcuperus/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/4A07D686-9B5E-4F5A-87E1-1641B0926C5C_zpseahwp10n.jpg.html)
After running the system for a few days there are no leaks. Im still running straight tap water water at this point to make sure i like how the system runs. Also i figure that give the rock a bit of time to leech out and trapped phosphate.
The water in the prop tray ended up being at the perfect level which about an 1/8" below the rounded bevel. I have a 1" main overflow which is the the strainer at the end of the 90 degree fitting. Then there is an emergency 1" overflow which has the disc style strainer.
The flow from the return pump is enough to turn the water over regularly but not enough for internal tank flow. To address this problem i will be mounting two SunSun powerheads I can't remember what size they are.
As far as building and plumbing the bulk of the work is complete. There are some trim details that need to be addressed. More painting, a lot more painting, painting. White paint. A lot of paint. I be purchasing some panduit in black to keep the wire looking clean. I also ordered some blue LEDs for the base of the stand which should give the room a nice glow. So thats where ill leave it this week.
Reefer525XL
07/17/2016, 10:37 AM
That tray does't need to be supported from the bottom?
The predesignated places for the plumbing were the only four spots that touch any surface that the tray would sit on. So we framed the tray so the majority of its weight is supported on the exterior edge. But to re-enforce we placed 3/4" foam below the center of the tray.
Looking clean
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http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160719/3920d78fc837902183dc9de799bdab9e.jpg
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Looking clustered
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160719/19c14660467d2a32648858e5e108cd99.jpg
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E.litvin
07/20/2016, 08:35 AM
awesome little fish shop, coming along very nicely
As far as livestock....
I was thinking a sixline up top along with a lawnmower
For the 100 gallon I was thinking a kole tang and a one spot foxface
Any thoughts or recommendations?
JonezNReef
07/22/2016, 06:56 AM
Sounds good. If you plan on target feeding the top you might want to double think the 6 line. I had one that used to steal food from my coral after I would feed. Not saying all 6 lines do this but mine drove me nuts doing that.
A kole tang is one of my favorite fish and Ive been considering a lawnmower for my frag tank too but have heard of a few nipping at zoa's, but i might try one out anyways. If it doesn't work out I was considering some mollies in the frag tank for a form of algae control.
Ive never had a foxface before but have heard good things about them.
Reefer525XL
07/24/2016, 09:28 PM
Whats the height of that tray if you don't mind me asking
Teaserhttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160725/14fcef866c68a01377726ade7d824756.jpg
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Whats the height of that tray if you don't mind me asking
The tray it's self is 8" deep
Reefer525XL
07/25/2016, 10:24 AM
The tray it's self is 8" deep
Thank you!
reefguyty
07/25/2016, 07:24 PM
Looks like a great set up!
JonezNReef
07/25/2016, 07:37 PM
Things look like they are starting to come together
Things look like they are starting to come together
Yeah I think so too. A little more painting and what not. But I'm ordering salt tomorrow. So I got that going for me, which is nice. Hope to get salty this weekend. I gotta trim up the 29 she's getting outta hand. :lolspin:
JonezNReef
07/25/2016, 09:41 PM
Yeah I think so too. A little more painting and what not. But I'm ordering salt tomorrow. So I got that going for me, which is nice. Hope to get salty this weekend. I gotta trim up the 29 she's getting outta hand. :lolspin:
That's awesome! And it's always a good problem to have when your corals need a trimming! You will have to get some more pics and videos up to show what all you have accomplished.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/3e187dc4c865b0882ce4d71df0aa12e4.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/681b5065743a4e36323073c8cf55108f.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/4b678cbfb3d95809c575e1ac920af347.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/56b8b9df6f1a53a1949dbd65acd3344c.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160728/5cebf33ba7dbd746515a94a065a0ed36.jpg
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My brother in law just hooked it up with some black 2" slotted wiremold!! So that lays the ground work for my wire management. Still have some touch up to do with the paint brush
I will be draining the tap water out of the system. I'm going try and water the garden, house plants, roses,etc. But I'll start making ro/di water Thursday night, which will probably take all weekend to fill with my 75gpd unit. Anyways salt comes on Friday and I'll start cycling when her and the 10gal ato bucket are filled.
Thanks for your time.
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mr9iron
07/31/2016, 05:34 PM
I'm liking your Dexter room. What type of light are you using?
I'm liking your Dexter room. What type of light are you using?
Thanks! I'm using a 400w mega chrome 17500k on a lumatek ballast
So this weekend we emptied the tap water out of the system and started making ro/di water. Three days later the water column is filled and salt is added. I used fluval "cycle" 250ml to get this cycle going. Also I added a cocktail shrimp. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160801/adca8534a3ded215a514210445ebe45e.jpg
I bought a new ammonium test kit to check my levels for spike. It's only been a few hours so I consider this test somewhat of a control..http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160801/5203bcec8f6c9975d56aef9027255441.jpg
Also I'm using a filter sock to catch suspended particulate. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160801/17d9a13d0c63bd8363b98b99b468e2f6.jpg
Look at that water movementhttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160801/0455b09158473acb19adcdc58cf5b010.jpg
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mr9iron
07/31/2016, 07:20 PM
Thanks! I'm using a 400w mega chrome 17500k on a lumatek ballast
Very cool!
Second day of cyclehttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160802/eee70261047fe57f215654a8f8190991.jpg
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https://vimeo.com/177318995
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JonezNReef
08/03/2016, 01:45 PM
Looking good
lifeoffaith
08/03/2016, 02:12 PM
Nice!
Just have to show off the 29DT http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160805/270dc8dc63a93172f735558f2b8d9118.jpg
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Does anyone think I should put substrate in the 100 gallon sump?
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Working on the cycle yet dosed 10mils of ammo yesterday for the second time in three days. I'm not getting any trace of nitrites but I'm running about 15ppm on nitrates. So once the ammo zeros out I'll pop a fish in the sump to feed the bacteria.
The wife let me down in the shop for a few hours on Friday so I cleaned up the wire and got a couple of lingering details finished up.
I'm excited to grab some stock at the mitten summer swap tomorrow. woot woot.
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awesome little fish shop, coming along very nicely
What coral is that in your avatar
Diatoms.... Nitrates....http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160902/04af7852da8dcbc52d5415c96c49a107.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160902/1653cd7cde74369b951e7e77d5185860.jpg
I threw some chaeto in the sump, it's from the 29s fuge. I also scraped some of the nasties and gunk from the fuge and added to the sump http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160902/451308b1f09e6b1e395e9a09be4e35ba.jpg
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BayouCorals
09/02/2016, 09:14 PM
The system is looking good. Do you have any ventilation in that room. Humidity could be a problem if not. We don't have basements in Louisiana so I don't know much about them. My last prop system was in a metal building with minimum insulation and 400 watt lights. In the winter condensation was terrible. Good luck with build.
I've tested for ammo, nitrites and nitrates. Everything is testing zero or undetectable amounts.
So I've added a sunset damsel that I've had for years, he's in the sump now. I've also added 3 snails.
I tested the following day for any nutrient spikes and none were present.
That being said we have our first addition of coral.....
12 confusa
6 frogs
1 garf
2 xenia
1 mushroomhttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160907/475aa69f7da726e6dc185dbd5658897b.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160907/8e9b516d3b4f1096752fd2a577a44564.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160907/704c1d8dbc48e756b0d13b6dda43d726.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160907/84ec8582ae534f9a8b4e0291e0dd2398.jpg
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Does anyone have livestock suggestions for the tray or sump?:crazy1:
I added 4 nassarius snails in the sump.. As of lastnight they were already having at the cyano.
Also I was checking out the rock in the sump and I saw numerous pods crawling around. I'm hoping that there might be enough "life" in the sump to support the addition of a lawnmower blenny soon. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160911/207a70d1826f32ef1fd3f18df044377e.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160911/b557c910218b4e9655e8ef3cb4eb1a65.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160911/b0e8dcc106e8c87a2c06547f4c5f3cc4.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160911/2e4d84ceeaf0ae96bffb0df30522d159.jpg
Not the best pictures but I'm tryin.
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Arc Katana
09/16/2016, 07:52 PM
For livestock, I've always been a fan of lawnmower blennies, they stay small enough so limited space isn't an issue. (And usually easier to find and cheaper than tangs) And to be honest, just about any blenny will eat algae save the Leo's. Some like Molly Millers get huge and mean.
With your 8" deep tray, I'd just go snails for algae control, no worries of them jumping :)
System looks great, like the attention to detail on the trim around the frag tray!
Livestocked! Sixlined wrasse is in the tray. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160919/ebe285ddf154c1864145d5a3a536315a.jpg
So I figure I should start fashioning some sort of safety grating. I used light diffuser with 1/2" pvc pipe for supporthttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160919/6854b484cec6cdda5fc8cfe7a0e84c55.jpg
Also I added in a red led light to grow the chaeto and caulerpa in the sumphttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160919/9b7854e7f8f8385986892c00e9aad02b.jpg
To reduce my nitrates I throw my gfo/gac reactor in the system so well will see if that brings them down to zero ppmhttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160919/03b288cce5d7ecc6449fc1967daecd3c.jpg
I have noticed that surface skimming would greatly help pull out suspended particles from turkey basting.... so that's on the to do list...
My regards
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mr9iron
09/25/2016, 04:30 PM
How will you implement surface skimming? I'm building a growoit system and have this same concern.
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NewbReefer316
09/25/2016, 04:46 PM
I've seen plenty of systems where they just use a piece of pvc in the middle of the tray to drain and throw some mesh netting, live plastic fence material, in there to add some skimming function.
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mountainraised
09/26/2016, 04:06 PM
Loving project Dexter. If I can get my wife to even enjoy one coral I feel this could be the next project to share the hobby with and provide subsidiary income to offset the need for a large collection of assorted corals.
Ranchhand02
10/12/2016, 08:51 AM
Nice set up
sayitfast
10/14/2016, 03:33 PM
Nice setup... has inspired me to try something similar.
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