August 2005 update: My 29G

[GunMoto]

I'm logging in an August 2005 update of my 29G, so here you go:

(Sorry, the pics are low quality...)

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771080505-002.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771080505-034.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771080505-045.jpg

Previous May 2005 pics:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=587445

Previous February 2005 pics:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=528775

Here are the specs again: Tank specs: 30x12x18; 29G; acrylic; cobalt blue back
Stand height: 30"
Canopy height: 12"
Lighting: ReefOptix III 250w HQI pendant w/AC14k bulb; 8-hour photoperiod
Fans: two (2) 4" IceCap fans w/temp-sensitive speedcontrol
Sump: 10G acrylic; w/100 micron filter sock
Skimmer: EuroReef ES5-2 w/gate valve mod
Heater: WON ProHeat II 150w (useless with the Cali heat!)
Return pump: Mag 7
Chiller: JBJ Arctica 1/5hp
Circulation: three (3) SEIO M620's
Dosing: 2-ch peristaltic pump dosing 2-part Ca & alkalinity
Pinpoint pH monitor
DIY auto topoff
DIY flourescent moonlightadditional info:
45lbs fiji live rock
40lbs live sand (aragonite)Thanks! :)

[K9]

WOW! Outstanding, phenominal tank! Those acros are sweet! Thanks for sharing the pics :D.

[GunMoto]

Originally posted by K9
WOW! Outstanding, phenominal tank! Those acros are sweet! Thanks for sharing the pics :D. Thank you for the compliment! ;)

[GunMoto]

Here's my 29G's progression from its initial beginnings...

June 2004:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771062404.jpg

July 2004:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771072904.jpg

August 2004:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771082404.jpg

[GunMoto]

September 2004:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771092504.jpg

December 2004:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771121304.jpg

January 2005:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771012705.jpg

[GunMoto]

February 2005:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771GunReef2005-_273_.jpg

May 2005:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771050505-043.jpg

August 2005:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771080505-002.jpg

[GunMoto]

^^Thanks for letting me share... :)

[bigtank]

:thumbsup:

What kind of fish is that orange one?

[Sugar Magnolia]

Phenomenal growth!! Great stuff!

[nodbugger]

I wish I had the money to add corals to my 29, I have only been able to spend money on things that make algae go away.

[gfk]

that black thing in the top middle which im guessing is in place of an over flow... what is that, and is there any benefits to that then adding an intank overflow? any problems? im planning out a 29 gallon to upgrade from my 20 soon, havent seen that before

[nodbugger]

How wide of a flow are the seios? My maxi-jets just shoot out a small jet, and well my fish don't swim around much. I only have two 1200s, normally only one is running, the other is placed behind the rock, gets all the junk out of there.

[nodbugger]

Originally posted by gfk
that black thing in the top middle which im guessing is in place of an over flow... what is that, and is there any benefits to that then adding an intank overflow? any problems? im planning out a 29 gallon to upgrade from my 20 soon, havent seen that before

My lfs has all their tanks set up exactly like that, all going to a central system.

[Genin]

wow that is some great progression there. you have had phenominal growth with your corals. beautiful tank.

[GunMoto]

bigtank - Thanks! The orange fish is a female orange lyretail anthias.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771MyReef2005-_116_.jpg

[GunMoto]

Sugar Magnolia - Thanks! :)

nodbugger - There's no rush in stocking a 29G. Take your time, there's only so much room ya know, lol. Money-wise, trading or purchasing frags from other reefers is the most economical method to acquire corals IMO.

You've got the right idea with an MJ1200 preventing dead spots behind your rockwork. With the SEIOs, the outputs are dispersed (more so than an MJ1200). However, I think the strength of the outputs between a SEIO m620 and an MJ1200 are almost equal. I suggest a SEIO m820 at the minimum if your corals can handle the current (depends if you're keeping SPS, LPS, softies or any combination thereof). I chose three (3) SEIO m620's for its low power consumption and my fish love swimming against the current of the SEIOs.

gfk - Adding to nodbugger's comment, it's just your typical bulkhead (1-1/2") with a plastic strainer (screw-type). It's works similar to an overflow, it just doesn't skim the water surface as much, since water can enter in the water column. Here's what it looks like on the other side:

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771021505-002.jpg

Benefit? Simplicity perhaps, but I chose this design over what I felt was an eyesore for an external overflow, or the reduced room from installing an internal overflow. But what do I know, I have three (3) SEIO's in my display. :lol:

Genin - Thanks for the compliment! I hope with my continued husbandry, I can maintain favorable results.

[gfk]

so in theory i could do that and put it at the top of the water and it could skim the surface

[nodbugger]

My tank is more than a year old, with trying to fix algae problems and other misc. money expenditures, I have no money left to get any corals. also add in that the nearest LFS is a 25min drive and their prices are ridiculous. I don't think they ever have anything under $50.

[gfk]

where did you get those rubber tubes on your return holes? i want ones that Y off but i forget what they are called and the website to get them from

[gamer]

i was curious gun if your intake to your sump makes any noise?

[yamaha racer]

post a pic of your bike! me and my family are in to bikes, i have a dirt bike (yz 250) and my bro has a street bike it a triumph tt 600 and it is an actual street bike, crotch rocket

[GunMoto]

gfk - Yes, you can set up your overflow in this manner also. Most of the plumbing was pieced together from LFS's, HomeDepot and Marine Depot (http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_plumbing_parts__index.asp). The flexible tubing on my returns are 3/4" vinyl tubing and are split using a male barbed "Y." How large of a sump do you plan on running?

nodbugger - I feel your pain. I've spent a fair amount of money into my 29G. I would love to have a calcium reactor, but I (attempt to) refuse to spend any additional money, unless my tank is in dire need of it. It's similar with LFS's here as well, prices are typically in the +$40 range for SPS corals. Perhaps there's a larger network of reefkeepers here available for resources.

gamer - Not much. The overflow goes directly into a filter sock and is the only noise the sump creates with the random bubbles collecting into it. Overflow and sump noise is surpassed by a EuroReef skimmer, which IMO, is loudest (in relative terms) piece of equipment in my setup.

[GunMoto]

yamaha racer - Hey fellow motorcyclist! ;) Here's a pic from the 2002 season of WSMC.

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/2568wsmc061602_001.jpg

[lgoins]

Those are some amazing pictures, I was wondering what type of auto top-off you're using.

[GunMoto]

lgoins - I used a standard switch from CaliforniaReefs (http://www.californiareefs.com/forsale.htm). Then added a second float switch for redundancy, as shown in the pic below:

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771MyReef2005-_254_.jpg

The auto topoff switch operates an MJ400 placed in a ~4 gallon rubbermaid container, partially seen at the bottom of the pic below:

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/58771MyReef2005-_253_.jpg

There are other topoff units from online retail or you can make your own, DIY.

[gfk]

i plan to use a 10 gallon sump. so far 1 inch bulkhead for drain, 2 1/2 inch for returns probably a mag 7 or mag 9 through a SCWD and then one Y on each return bulkhead

[dlemons1]

bump

[GunMoto]

gfk - I'm also running a 10G sump. The 1-1/2" bulkhead overflow compliments the flow rate of the Mag 7 I'm currently running. Do some research on the SCWD. I've read others experiencing long term reliability issues with their units. A "Y" would do fine with your two (2) 1/2" returns and then you can use a powerhead or two to create additional flow. If you don't want pumps in your display, a closed loop should be in order. ;)

[skylsdale]

How's this tank evolving?

[Taikimoto]

Holy necro batman, lol.