New prop system plans.

[Rendos]

I wish I had something better than Powerpoint to make this diagram in, but you get the idea. These will both be for SPS. I am getting the tanks at a great price from a store that is going out of business. Let me know what you think.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/36151614-L.jpg

[Schadiest1]

Pretty nice setup. Please post pictures when you have them available.

[wastememphis]

That looks nice!!! I'm buying those lights for my 65gallon tank, do you already have them? If so, do you like them?

[Rendos]

wastememphis...I run a Ocean Light over my clownfish tank, and love it. That is why I bought these for the prop system.

[29reef]

Use an Iwaki 30 rather than that T-4 they add way too much heat to the water and are going to have to be replaced/ cleaned often with the high ca levels for a SPS. you are also leaving out 3 very important peices of equipment for a prop tank. a refugium, a ca rxr, and a chiller. Good image tho....

[Rendos]

I have done this for years...this is just a new setup for me. I run my prop tanks in the house and the Iwaki pumps are WAY too loud. The Velocity pumps are completely silent. I have no problem doing normal maintenance on all my equipment, so cleaning the pump is no big deal. As for refugium...I do not see any need for one. I run several tanks (mostly SPS) and do not have a refugium on any of them. Chiller will be used, but not in the diagram. It is a 1/4 HP inline unit. I run a calcium reactor on my main display, but will dose Kent CB part A & B on the prop system. Thanks for the input though.

[zanemoseley]

Why are you using 2 tanks instead of one larger one?

[tekknoschtev]

I've actually considered a very similar setup - or rather AM considering a similar setup for our new house. I like the idea of seperate tanks, so I can add on a tank as I see fit. I'm a college student to the budget is low, and I'll be aquiring parts for it until the summer. My plan is to have the return split and have it t-ed off for several tanks but plug the ones I'm not using. That way, if I fill up a 20L or the rubbermaid underbed units that I plan on using, I can just add another one on and put the return line to it. In addition, this allows me to take a tank down if I dont need it. If I have a problem in the tank, I can shut it down, close the ball valve on the return or cap the return off and fix the problem - or save on electricity for lighting it :p

By the way, I'm pretty impressed with your diagram using powerpoint. It looks like a nice setup.

[reelheel]

Rendos...looks great...I only see one potential area for improvement...you didn't specify if you would be using any additonal means of water flow inside the tanks, but if not, I'd go with a lot more flow than the one T4 is going to give you.
Also, from my experience, bare-bottomed setups are great for prop systems...they really allow you to make changes/clean the systems really easily...not to mention they allow you to have really turbulent flow for your SPS.
Just some pointers but I'm sure you've already got these covered...

[Rendos]

Two tanks because they are on sale...really cheap...I can separate corals...mother colonies in one tank for grow out, and frags in the other...plus I always end up putting fish in my frag tanks...this way I can get two fish that would normally not go well together. I plan on having powerheads in the tanks for extra circulation...I would do a closed loop, but I have bad luck with too many holes in tanks.

[ZURCSREEF]

Looks like a nice little setup, very similar to mine...

[doodoobrown]

hey rendos. i have purchased two of daves tanks too. i am going to setup something similar but havent completly decided yet. probably do zoas in one and sps on the other. they where hard to pass up for the price

[coralfarm'n]

Just 1 suggestion...I would put the tanks back to back...then only use 1 light ...if possible, mabey a 400 watter

[Rendos]

coralfarm'n -
Thanks for the suggestion, but some of us are restricted in how tanks can be setup due to space limitations. They just can't go any other way. As far as lights, they are too shallow for 400 watters, and I already have the Ocean Lights.

I picked up an AquaMedic nitrate reactor from Dave today...it looks like this...
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/37219210-M.jpg

I will be converting it into a skimmer...it already has a recirculating pump...I will just add a needle wheel pump, and a collection cup. Looks like an easy conversion. I hope it will look like this when I am finished.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/37219512-O.gif

[coralfarm'n]

I see said the blind man :)

Just a point of order though : The tanks are not to shallow for 400 watters and sps, I have used them before( same tanks), you can raise/lower the hieght as the bulb ages, or limit the duration.

But if you already have the 250's its a no brainer...just that your bulb replacement cost will be double.

[FateX8]

looks like its gunna be a nice set up
cant wait to see it up and running

[Rendos]

Well, with everything else that is going on, I haven't had much time to work on my prop tanks, but here are a couple of pictures to keep the thread alive. I have the tanks somewhat cleaned up, and have made the overflow boxes.
20 gallon long sump.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/38570652-L.jpg
33 gallon prop tanks...
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/38570657-L.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/38570662-L.jpg
Overflows inside...
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/38570646-L.jpg
Overflows outside...
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/38570670-L.jpg
All tanks in my garage...
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/38570664-L.jpg

I hope to get started on the stand/rack for this setup this weekend. It will all be plumbed together with my existing clownfish system...40 gallon cube.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/33703580-L.jpg

[picture the reef]

Any more good deals on these tanks. I would like to expand a prop system.:)

[Rendos]

I think they are all gone.

[Rendos]

I got some work done on my stand this weekend. I got it mostly done, but still have to change the back out to s different material, and add a bottom. This stand is going in my house and my wife will not allow it to look like anything less than the other aquarium stands...soooo...Here are a couple of pictures.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/40437134-L.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/40437117-L.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/40437125-L.jpg

[Rendos]

A couple of pics with the tanks on the stand. Still a lot more to do, but it is coming along.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/40568433-L.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/40568443-L.jpg

[doodoobrown]

i like the looks of it so far. i built a stand this weekend too. mine doesnt look as nice as yours though

[CoralNutz]

Looking good. :thumbsup:

Is the tank on the left a little taller or does it just look like that?

[Rendos]

Thanks!
It is taller, but I got the tanks used so I'm not complaining.
Here is the new bottom installed and painted.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/40848401-L.jpg

[Rendos]

I got the stand done and started working on the plumbing. I also got the overflows installed in the tanks. Here are updated pics...
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/41232117-L.jpg

http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/41232112-L.jpg

[Rendos]

I am nearing completion on this project finally. I have one last thing...connect the two sumps together. Then fill with water and hope for no leaks.
I have the starboard (cutting board) siliconed in...waiting for it to cure.

http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/43157931-L.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/43157906-L.jpg

[bond007069]

Nice set up

I switch from a T4 pump to a PXC 40..........and the temp Increased a couple of degrees.

my only con about the pump was the calcium buildup.

[tekknoschtev]

The setup is coming along nicely. I scored some 30 breeders from a local store and I hope to get them running in a very similar fashion, except I cant afford the MH lighting so I'm going to try and see how ODNO works, and if that doesnt work I'm going T5s.

I cant wait to see how yours works out. Its looking pretty good right now.

[Rendos]

Thanks. I started filling the tanks last night, but ran out of RO/DI water. My unit is home now producing more H2O. Hopefully it will be running tonight. I will run it for a couple of days with just fresh water to leak test everything. Then by the weekend I can hopefully start adding salt.

[Whaledriver]

tekknoschtev
Check out VHO's for a non MH prop system. They are very cost effective with Icecap ballasts. I dont want to start up about the color or merit of the lighting, I just think that it is one of the best values when you consider costs over time. Look up the Garf site or find a cost study. Good luck with 300 breeders, sounds cool.

[tekknoschtev]

Whaledriver, thanks. Right now the ODNO is going to have to do.

Any updated pictures of the tanks with water? Hmm?! I realized after I placed the tanks side by side to clean them that, like yours, they are off by about an inch. Very odd coincidence :p At any rate, I hope things are working out for you. Cant wait to see some corals in there (and I bet you cant either).

[Rendos]

Whole system.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/44186516-L.jpg
Frag plugs.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/44335963-L.jpg
More frag plugs.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/44335959-L.jpg

[tekknoschtev]

Very nice and clean setup! I like the look of the black used on the bottom of the stand. overall a ver nice setup.

[Rendos]

Thanks. I am disappointed in one thing about the setup...I can't open up my return pump all the way...the drains can't handle it. I may drain them down a bit and drill one more drain in each. I would rather do it now then wait until they have a bunch of frags in them. I really hate that the 2 existing drains won't handle the 1200 GPH flow, but they just don't cut it. I will think on that tonight and possibly drill tomorrow.

Any other suggestions on how to increase flow in this setup would be greatly appreciated.

[Rendos]

I figured it out. I will 'T' off the prop tanks return pump and use it to return water to the attached Clownfish tank. That way I get rid of one submersible pump also. Maybe that will in some small way help with heat too.

[levon15]

have any pics of the plumbing on your overflows?

the back of the tanks?

What size bulkheads did you use ?

[doodoobrown]

what are you doing for biological filtration?

[Rendos]

levon15 - 1" bulkheads. Little overflow box inside each tank. Pictures are posted earlier in the thread (I think).

doodoobrown - it will be hooked in with my existing 40 gallon clown tank. I also plan on adding some live rock to the sump, and some live rock will be in the tanks...mostly rubble rock for zoos, and other softies to attach to.

[bond007069]

should you run the prop tanks seperatly and go through a cycle before you connect to the main tank?

[Rendos]

That is how they are running right now. Of course, with no livestock in the tank yet, there will be no cycle. I am going to the LFS this week to get some liverock to put in the prop system.

[Rendos]

I finished all the plumbing, electrical, everything. The tanks are completed. Now to add some liverock to the sump, and put frags in. I actually already have a few frags in one of the prop tanks that I got at our club meeting last night. I didn't have anywhere else to put them.
New system.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/45274291-L.jpg
Completely tied into the clownfish tank.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/45274296-L.jpg
DIY skimmer pumping out the foam.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/45274310-L.jpg

[Rendos]

Got a few frags in one tank and 3 mother colonies in the other...
Frags...mostly SPS, a zooanthid, and a few LPS.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/45928451-L.jpg

Mother colonies.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/45928454-L.jpg

Green bird's nest frag...
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/45617825-M.jpg
Blue millepora...
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/45612615-M-1.jpg
Brown/purple base SPS with green polyps.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/45612618-M-1.jpg

It's a start.

[bond007069]

looks great nice frags

[Rendos]

Well, I thought I was going to add a calcium reactor to this system, but instead I got a medical dosing pump from eBay really cheap, and thought I would give that method a try. So far...it has been really easy to set up, and even lets you know just how much you have dosed. Here are a couple of pictures. I am using it with Kent Marine Tech CB parts A & B.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/48074813-M.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/48074816-L.jpg

[Rendos]

A few updated pics of coral frags...growing...growing...growing.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/48740408-L.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/48740411-L-1.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/48740417-L-1.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/48740419-L.jpg

[RevHtree]

Wow very nice!!

[BrianPlankis]

Awesome! I see you are mounting the frags on their side for increased growth :) Keep the pics coming :)

Brian

[Rendos]

Thanks.

Yes, I like mounting frags horizontally...they put down a better base than when mounted vertically. The encrusting makes for a stronger frag down the road IMO.

[Rendos]

Here are some updated pics of the corals I am propagating in my system.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/51895740-M.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/51895756-M.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/51895747-M-1.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/51895758-M.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/51895762-M.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/51895765-M.jpg
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/51895769-M.jpg

[BigEasy]

Rendos,
I have a few not so brilliant questions if you don't mind. I'm doing the same thing with a 20L.
1. Your light bar: those look like 1x2 pieces going vertical, correct? What did you use to secure the ends of the bar to the wood and the bar to what appears to be an L bracket?

2. You used starboard in the bottom I assume for reflectivity. Where did you get it and do you think it is helping and was worth it?

Thanks,
Steve

[Rendos]

1. Vertical boards on light hanger are 1X3's. The shower curtain rod I bought to hang the lights came with the L bracket things built on to it. I just used a screw to attach it to the boards.

2. I got my starboard from:
http://thecuttingboardfactory.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?

It does reflect, but is getting covered with coralline...which I knew it would...but makes for super wasy removal of detritus when doing water changes.

[BigEasy]

Thanks for the info.

[BigEasy]

OK have another dumb question. I'm having problems with my drain creating a siphon. What did you do to prevent a siphon and flushing noise from your drains?
Thanks
Steve

[Rendos]

I have external Durso standpipes.

[Rendos]

I started noticing my corals losing color. I think it was due to the intense 250 HQI lights over such shallow tanks so I switched my lighting to 175 watt bulbs. Here are a few pictures.
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/56679725-M.jpg

http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/56679728-M.jpg

Merulina
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/56679804-M.jpg
Nice table acro
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/56679806-M.jpg
Orange encrusting monti
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/56679809-M.jpg
Purple encrusting monti
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/56679811-M.jpg