My Ultimate Multi Mantis System(s)

[Kharn]

In the past I haven't really liked skimmers which was one of the reasons I designed my original system to be quite basic and only have inhabitants (particularly corals) that could 'survive' within such a system (Shrooms, Zoas & Hardy LPS).

Whilst my success was well with these few other inhabitants their growths were somewhat nonexistent...In order to provide for other inhabitants such as and specifically corals I had to upgrade and mixed with the knowledge I have gained about stomatopods since I first started I began to rethink my current working system.

I knew that if I was going to go down the skimmer road again I wanted to get something INSUMP rather then HOB as my success with the Deltec MCE HOB series was nothing but bad and likely all my fault either way the skimmer would just never "settle" it would either never pull enough foam or always pull too much and overflow, Deltec is to trusted for me to believe it was the skimmer so I stick with myself being the fault...

Having said all this and in order to take the next step in my system I bought some skimmers from another trusted maker Marine Sources Red Devil Super Cone Series, here is one with a coke can beside it to demonstrate the size difference, something I am still amazed at!



Seeing these skimmers has turned me my fears from phobia to anxious & eager! I really can't wait to see these bad boys in action as I read such great things about them online.

I need to wait for my tanks to be built before I can see these beasts in action, not only do I hear good things about the skimmer but a lot about the pump series too, "very quiet" "1/2 the power usage".

[Kharn]

[Kharn]

Here is a mock setup side view of how each stand will look after the filtration upgrade is completed.

Simple concept really...Bottom Display tank feeds water to Equipment Sump via LifeReef HOB Overflow, Skimmer in Equipment Sump does its job and the Return Pump also does it's job pumping water up to the Refugium Sump, where all the Bio-life filters the water further before spilling out and into the Top Display tank, spillage occurs simply via gravity with the Refugium Sump offset a couple inches above the Top Display Tank.

I like to think that one of the added bonuses of having the refugium at the end and gravity fed back into the Display System means, most if not all life will survive, no worries about Skimmers/Pumps etc. turning into blenders and chomping it all up.



More to come

[Maleci]

Hm those skimmers look a lot like my cs2 I run on my sps reef. What pump are they running? the pks-1000's are really nice pumps.

[Kharn]

They run on the DEVIL SP3/13W

[SantaMonica]

Another way to avoid chopping things up, is to try to use only airlifts instead of water pumps.

[Kharn]

Went for a bit of a throw out this 'arvy with my brother got some nice new stuff and a much anticipated catch as well!

Ok so there is a little bit of a selection here at least they like to school together...


Flathead(s) not the yanky catfish Flatheads but the Ozzie weird as hell, bottom dwelling, yummy tasting, lazy, predators ! I got 2 of them this is the largest it's buried itself in the sediment with it's ugly mug pressed up against the front of the tank.


More to come

[VaultBoy]

Hello Kharn. I have missed you on the reefuge so I tracked you down on here! How are things going with the mantis menagerie?

[Kharn]

Originally Posted by VaultBoy

Hello Kharn. I have missed you on the reefuge so I tracked you down on here! How are things going with the mantis menagerie?

Hello VaultBoy

Sorry to of just up and left that other forum but things were becoming to 'threatening' and I don't feel like fighting so I just leave...(not the first local AUS forum I have left either)...

Ironic how a very few can ruin it for very many...

Things have been going as they always have with the systems except I have finally begun my plans for the "Ultimate Upgrade" having already upgraded all the lights to much more powerful coral life supporting LEDs & purchased 3 large skimmers along with some small pumps (returns & caves).

All that is left is, the HOB overflows, the PowerHeads & the Filtration Tanks/Sumps themselves.

Once this is all done it will no long be the Ultimate Multi Mantis System but the Ultimate Multi Mantis Reef!

I am planning to do a "carpet of grass" for STAND C seeing as the tanks are so slim and only hold sand (no live rock & def no coral) but I want some color and I thought a "sea grass bed" would look AWESOME!

Minos has shifted gears entirely, from unsure about his survival to the now new start and most active spearer surpassing Morgoth & Leviathan, for the first time ever I witnessed a large spearer exit it's burrow to chase down live prey (so much for sit n wait) best part is....I got a LOT on camera, am just making a Minos dedicated film, he has certainly become a living engine of destruction and those eyes of his with the horns in the middle... just make the whole package that little bit extra creepy o_O...

There has been a new inhabitant as well but only a 'nano' species getting to less then 50mm long in the process of obtaining it though I also found a great little addition to the overall systems to further increase stocking size my LFS sold these little HOB tanks they are of a tough strong plastic, I don't foresee nano species braking it but at the same time they hold...4.2L a good amount and being only 26cm Long they work out well dimension wise! I made everything in "feet" including the individual compartments for like STAND A.

So basically there are 6 compartments in STAND A (300mmL ea) I can effectively hang 6 of these HOB tanks off that 1 stand for 6 individual nano species , there is no bright lights back there so no algae builds on the container which makes for easy photography/filming, many bonuses....OH and those HOB tanks are only $20ea! STEAL!

So yeah whilst things are still the same there are also many new things happening.

Stay tuned as there is MUCH footage to be uploaded, including a VICIOUS impalement by the Leviathan on a whole 5inch long bigger then my finger fish, not only did both his dactyls completely penetrate the prey but if he had of yanked any harder when retracting back....he'd of completely decapitated the fish....

Almost 2 yrs on and I am still amazed everyday!!!

[Kharn]

Latest Short Film detailing my Spearers with a lot of new footage within it albeit specifically from Minos!

High Speed 400FPS select 1080p HD for best viewing.



Hope you enjoy