My 24g Aquapod

[ReeferRyan]

Well I have begun setting up a 24g Aquapod, and I thought I would share the process.

I do not have the tank yet, but I built most of the stand today. Once I get the tank, I will trim the top and bottom panel to match the shape of the tank. Here are a few pics. The stand will eventually be painted black.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/PICT0016.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/PICT0018.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/PICT0017.jpg

And with the door just stood in place...
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/PICT0019.jpg

I will post more pics as the tank progresses

[CPT. MURPHY]

Great start! Looking forward to updates.

CPT.

[ezcompany]

you might want to move it away from the TV, that area's gonna be cluttered and wet ;) well at least mine is!

[ReeferRyan]

It's my fiance's TV so I am not worried about it :lol: My 75 didn't cause any problem so I don't foresee any problems here. I have a small room that I am going to use for storage, mixing water, etc and I am hoping to have the area around the tank free of tank clutter.

[ReeferRyan]

Well I have accomplished a little so I thought I would update. I shaped the top and bottom of the stand to match the shape of the tank, sanded everything, and painted it. Here are a couple of pics of it (no mid progress pics of it, sorry)


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/IMG_1659.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/IMG_1658.jpg


I also modded the tank before I filled it for more flow.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/IMG_1661.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/IMG_1662.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/IMG_1663.jpg
I also changed out the stock return pump for a MaxiJet 1200.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/IMG_1665.jpg
Here is what it looks like with the top closed
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/IMG_1660.jpg

As you can see in a couple of the pictures, I had a hydor on the return line but have since decided not to use it because I did not like how it sprayed water out of the tank.


I removed all of the filter media that came with the tank and will be running PhosGaurd, ChemiPure, Purigen, activated carbon, and filter floss in the first chamber and live rock rubble in the second.

Here is what the tank looked like with sand and water.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/IMG_1671.jpg

[slam308]

Reefer,
How much sand is that?
I ordered 30 lbs. and I'm trying to get an idea of what that'll amount to.

[saltycreefer]

Looks nice so far. I like how you upgraded the flow.

[ReeferRyan]

slam308- That is twenty pounds. It doesn't look like it in the picture, but it mostly piled in the middle. Once I spread it out it is about two inches deep all around. Roughly the depth of the sand in the middle front of the tank in the picture above.

saltycreefer- Thank you very much

[slam308]

Thanks Reefer

[ReeferRyan]

No probem

[slam308]

Couple more questions...
The maxi-jet doesn't look like the MJ 900 or 1200 in the F&S catalog, is yours different than the MJ powerhead, or is the piece in your pic just the "guts" of the powerhead? Or a differnt animal all together?
Also, what are you planning on putting in your tank?
How much is the total water volume?
I'm sure I'll think of more questions, but that's it for now, lol.

[Jasonf08]

Awsome stand!!

[ReeferRyan]

slam- They are standard maxi jets ordered from MarineDepot. What you see in these pics is just the barebones part of the pump. Here is a pic of what it is basically. http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/maxijet.jpg
Sorry that the pic is so crappy but I did it in like five seconds in paint.:D I have since added the slotted cover that comes with them because I wanted space between the intake of the pump and either the filter bags (chamber 1) or the llive rock rubble (chamber 2). I am using a maxi jet 900 for the mod and a 1200 for the return pump. Working great so far.

As far as stocking goes, I am planning a lot of zoanthids, some LPS, a squamosa clam, rainford goby, yellow wrasse, blue assessor, red firefish, and maybe a green chromis for color.

Total water volume is right around 20 gallons right now, but I have yet to put in any of the rock I have cooking.



Jasonf08- Thank you

[slam308]

How much rock are you planning on?
I'm going to order the 22 lb. pkg from F&S.
I don't know anything yet about corals, so some of your answer doesn't make sense yet, but, I'm learning.

[ReeferRyan]

I am planning on roughly 20-25 pounds of rock. I overloaded my 75 with rock and had no room to put sand loving creatures, and I am not making that mistake again.

Which corals are you unsure about?

[slam308]

[i]
Which corals are you unsure about? [/B]

Pretty much all of them. I'm still working on fish and LR. The reef tanks I've seen are gorgeous, but I'm not even close to going that route yet.
I do have a wish list for the tank, but in reality, I want a stable tank with a couple clowns and maybe a pistol shrimp, ywg pair.
Anything else is a bonus.

[ReeferRyan]

Bonus about corals=no bioload!!!

You can have as many of them as you want and they will not mess anything up.

[slam308]

Lol, yeah, but I have to be able to keep them alive! Don't think I'm there yet.
I assume they're harder with different additives (iodine? calcium?) Also, I'm not getting the MH lights, so I don't know that I could do them anyway.

[ReeferRyan]

I have the standard lighting. Power compact is capable of sustaining everything, including some SPS although the growth would be very very slow. Additives are fairly necessary but I use the bare minimum

[slam308]

I hope to get there one day, but at this point I think it's a bit much to add to the mix.
I know there's SPS and LPS, but I don't know which is which. I think the open brains, mushrooms and stuff like that is cool looking, but I'd feel more comfortable waiting on anything like that.
The tank would have to be fully cycled before adding anything like that, right? How about a couple month wait like you do for an anemone?
I've also heard about some corals harming other ones. I'd have to do a bunch more research beforehand.

[ReeferRyan]

Since you are just starting out, you might want to start with softies. Mushrooms, xenia, and the like are really easy to care for and you pretty much cant kill them. They also grow really fast.

Yes, you need to wait until your cycle is over before you add anything really. The only things that can survive through a cycle really are damsels and snails. You have to wait so long for anemones because they require extremely high quality water conditions.

You can PM if you have any questions about certain corals or care for them. I had everything in my 75, and all was healthy and happy.

[icenine2005]

That stand looks great... and yep, start with softies and just go slow.
You're off to a good start.

[Reef-Emperor]

Hey ReeferRyan,

I dig your modd to the water flow! I have an Aquapod 24g myself and I'm planning on the same thing. However, I was wondering what where the parts you used, part size, and where did you buy your parts for this project? Also, how did you modd the stock return hole?

Thanks for your help!

[ReeferRyan]

icenine- Thank you.

Reef Emperor- Thank you. I ordered a 1/2 inch bulkhead, 1/2 inch locline parts, and the maxi-jets from Marine depot. I went to Home Depot and got the 90 degree barbed fitting in the sprinkler plumbing aisle. Finally, I used some clear hose I had laying around (I think it is 5/8") For the added pump (the loc line side) ll I did was drill a hole for the bulkhead, install the bulkhead and 90 degree fitting, and installed the locline parts. After that I had to do was drop in the powerhead and run the hose between them. Took about ten minutes or so and if you look, there is already an extra hole in the hood with a grommet for the power cord. I do not have any pictures of that 90 degree fitting, but it is barbed on one side, and threaded on the other and it threaded inside the bulkhead, not outside. Hope that helps.

As for the return pump, I simply pulled out the stock pump, dropped in the Maxijet, and installed the stock hose. No extra parts or anything.

[Reef-Emperor]

ReeferRyan!

For the bulkhead, I was wondering did you order the heavy duty or the standard grade? (double threaded)

Thanks again!

[ReeferRyan]

This is the one I ordered.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idProduct=FT1131

Double threaded

[slam308]

Thanks for the great description Reefer, I just placed my order with MD this morning!
Hubby checked out the tank this afternoon, no visible damage.
Things are looking up!

Soft corals, are those LPS or SPS or some other initials??

[slam308]

Holy Mackeral!!
I'm in for it now. Just placed my last orders. One for $250 from F&S. Everything from a thermometer to the power strip with the timers. Another order for $100 or so for the LR.
At this point, it'd be cheaper to send them to SeaWorld for a week and get this out of their systems! Thankfully, I'll enjoy it myself. I'll tell ya, if my mother-in-law, who we live with (grrrr) wasn't shelling out more than half of the dough, the kids would be getting lego's and candy canes and be happy with it.
I'm exhausted....

[ReeferRyan]

Soft corals are things that don't really have a calcium based "skeleton". Things such as mushrooms, xenia, kenya tree, and leathers. LPS are things like frogspawn, candycane, and brain corals. They are mosly calcium, but they have large polyps (thus the name :)) that they use to feed. SPS are pretty much all calcium and have very tiny polyps that they use to feed.

Examples...

Softies- Mushrooms (http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=966&parent_category=4&category_search=62&root_parent_id=4)
Christmas Tree Coral (http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=976&parent_category=4&category_search=62&root_parent_id=4)
Cabbage Leather (http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=433&parent_category=4&category_search=62&root_parent_id=4)

LPS-
Green Brain (http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=364&parent_category=4&category_search=62&root_parent_id=4)
Frogspawn (http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=406&parent_category=4&category_search=62&root_parent_id=4)
Sun Coral (http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=366&parent_category=4&category_search=62&root_parent_id=4)

SPS-
Staghorn (http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=1845&parent_category=4&category_search=62&root_parent_id=4)
Montipora Capricornis (http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=756&parent_category=4&category_search=62&root_parent_id=4)
Hydnophora (http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/product_info.php?products_id=1731&parent_category=4&category_search=62&root_parent_id=4)


I am pretty sure that zoanthids are considered softies, though they are kinda considered a class all by themselves.

[ReeferRyan]

Haha hang in there, it is definitely worth it if you take your time and do things right.

[ReeferRyan]

Well, not a whole lot has changed, but I thought I would post a few more pics. The cycle is almost over, and the diatoms have started, but my cleanup crew should make short work of that.

First off, this is the sand I used. It is a 20 pound bag of CaribSea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/PICT0014.jpg

Now just a couple of pics of the tank as it sits now
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/IMG_1725.jpg
pardon the flash
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/IMG_1726.jpg

and finally the diatoms
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/IMG_1728.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/New%20Aquapod%20pics/IMG_1729.jpg

The damsel is only in there to help cycle the tank. He is going back to the LFS tomorrow. I plan to aquascape the tank tomorrow night after the fish is gone to avoid disturbing anything while removing him. Feel free to comment or ask questions:cool:

[slam308]

I noticed in earlier pictures the right side of the back wall, when facing the tank, has a whole line of open slats from top to bottom. It also looks like there are sliding covers that cover these slats. Which ones should be opened or closed? What is the difference?

[ReeferRyan]

You are correct that there is a top to bottom grate that flows to the back and that there are slats to control flow. I left them all there which leaves about an inch at the top for water to flow through. I like mine this way because it skims the surface better and makes for a cleaner water surface. If it were possible to have the top and bottom open only, I would like that but they are all in the same groove so you pretty much take them out from the top down.

[gotboostedvr6]

goodluck

[ReeferRyan]

Ran into a problem today. Found three of my snails in the back chambers and one had been killed by the pump. Anyone else had this problem? What did you do? I want these things to stay in the diplay because I am counting on them to clean it up.

[slam308]

Little tiny leashes??

[ReeferRyan]

Lol

[ReeferRyan]

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/Joke.jpg

[Mishri]

on another persons thread on the same tank he added some extra plastic to the top back to prevent fish/snails/crabs from climbing into the back area.. should be this thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=774417

hope that helps (dunno if you can do that mod now that its filled though.

[slam308]

Reefer,
LMAO! Exactly what I pictured.

[ReeferRyan]

Well I finally got around to updating. My tank has changed quite a bit in the last several days. My aquascaping is done, and I am very happy with it. It is very open with tons of caves and arches. I have added some frags and more are coming Tuesday, and I have added a fire shrimp, a cleaner shrimp, and a yellow wrasse. Anyways, here are the pics

Full Tank
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/PICT0008.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/PICT0009.jpg
Front Right cave/arch
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/PICT0010.jpg
Front Left cave/arch
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/PICT0011.jpg
Left Side
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/PICT0012.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/PICT0013.jpg http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/PICT0014-1.jpg
Rockwork looking down from the front
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/PICT0015-1.jpg
Right Side
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/PICT0016-1.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/PICT0017-1.jpg

Notice how there are not any spots where the rock is packed together. That is what I was going for and I think it turned out pretty well. Comments always welcome

[slam308]

Very nice!!
Are you going to stick your rock together with some kind of putty, or just hope it stays?
Will those little bits of corals (what are they?) grow off the discs and cover the rocks, or do they just stay like they are? How long would it take them if they do spread out? Assuming everything stays well, of course.

[ReeferRyan]

No putty for the rock. I change my mind far too often to commit to something like that. :-) As for the corals, yes they will overgrow the disks and cover the rocks. I do not know how they will grow in my tank yet so I can not really say how long that will take. Zoanthids usually grow pretty fast, and they seem to be happy in my tank so it should not be too long. Assuming?!?!?! Of course everything will stay perfect! (yeah right)

[slam308]

Doing a Google search on Zoanthids......

[slam308]

Ok, my mind's in a hundred different directions.
I got some Chemi-Pure and I'm gonna get filter floss. I imagine I'll have, or make some LR rubble. I also have the parts for the water flow upgrade and a 900 and 1200 Maxi-jet on the way. I have the 75(?) watt heater. What goes in what section and in what order? I'm thinking...water comes in....filter floss, Chemi-pure pack, LR rubble....somehow to the next chamber??... then heater before it goes back in to the main tank. Which pump goes where? Is it obvious (like replacing a stock pump)

[kpk]

Looking good Ryan! I really like your rockwork. I hope in my upcoming tank I can make it with lots of "holes", caves etc.

Keep up the good work! Let's see some pics of those frags, lol!!!

[slam308]

Well, the moment of truth arrived. I'm now sitting downstairs at the bar, having a nice relaxing beer while the sand storm rages in the living room above me.
I can't thank you guys enough!!
The boys opened their presents around 9:30, assembled the stand, set the tank on top, and after a little bit of drilling and a quick trip to Lowe's and WalMart, we were adding water by 1pm.
I got the 22 lbs. of LR on Thursday (2 big rocks) that we'll add tomorrow morning when the water's clear. It's been sitting in a tub of saltwater with a heater and powerhead for two days.
I've only got the filter floss in the first chamber (right behind and against the intake) and I've changed it out 3 times to catch all the loose sand and crap floating around. Tomorrow I'll put the Chemi-Pure underneath a new batch of floss in the first chamber, and whatever LR rubble there is in the other one.
I've seen a number of different products by Fluval, and I'm not sure which one I should get.
Once again, I really appreciate all the help and the patience you have all given me in answering my questions and helping me learn about this new system.
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a great New Year. I don't know what I'd have done without your guidance.
Thank you.

PS-This doesn't mean I'm done bugging y'all!!

[slam308]

Okay, trying this for the first time...
Tell me if you see the picture.

<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r258/slam308/Picture016.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

[kg4izw]

Hey ReeferRyan,
I am unable to see your pics that you posted on the first page of this thread. The second page looks great, but on the first, all I get are tiny red "x".
I want to see how your did your drilling. It seems like a great idea.
paulb.

[ReeferRyan]

I have contacted the admin about allowing me to edit the links. For some reason, they no longer link to my actual photobucket. I will try to get it fixed tonight if thye let me.

[kg4izw]

perhaps you can repost them on this page . If this is possible, I would love to see a pic of the plumbing in the rear. I need to order my plumbing parts ASAP. I ordered my Aquapod24 150W HQI today.

[ReeferRyan]

Well, I guess they just deleted the pics rather than fix them. Oh, well. Here is a repost of the plumbing pics for anyone interested...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/IMG_1661.jpg http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/IMG_1662.jpg http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/IMG_1663.jpg http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e368/ReeferRyan/IMG_1665.jpg

[kg4izw]

perfect, that is precisely how I had pictured it. Thank you.
paulb.

[kg4izw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8711159#post8711159 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReeferRyan

I removed all of the filter media that came with the tank and will be running PhosGaurd, ChemiPure, Purigen, activated carbon, and filter floss in the first chamber and live rock rubble in the second.
] [/B]

Did you just toss everything in there, or do you need a certain order. I put some filter floss polyester in mine, but it wants to sink down and then the water from the inlet just runs around it.