A Reef Tank in the Desert - +/- 1,400 gallon system

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by v1...rotate

Looking great so far. Will be following along.

Can you elaborate more on your statement above regarding less algae build up on the glass due to having LED's?

Thank you

V1...rotate - Thank you for following along!

I can't tell you why LED's produce less algae on the glass and I may have to suggest that my son test this hypothesis on his next science report that he does in school each year.

All of the posts that I have read on Reef Central and The Reef Tank suggest that with LED's their is less algae to clean on the glass. Is it true? Ask me in another month I don't know if LED's produce a different wavelength that algae likes or what the reasoning is.

I am going to file this question away.

-Dan

[sh8g8delik]

I will be filing this thread away for when i retire and hopefully saved appropriately to be able to have a build like this. This will be my blueprint, and instead of Arizona, it will be Hawaii. To live in a dream....

[allsps40]

Moving so fast.

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by sh8g8delik

I will be filing this thread away for when i retire and hopefully saved appropriately to be able to have a build like this. This will be my blueprint, and instead of Arizona, it will be Hawaii. To live in a dream....

Thank you sh8g8delik! Hawaii is definitely beautiful but nothing replaces what I have here in the Desert! Thanks for following my tank build!

[brettinteriors]

To the best of my knowledge it is against the law to own coral in Hawaii.

[sancho153]

I think I know of why theres less algae!

less light spread before the water so less light on the glass.
Reason behind this statement is that I noticed I had been getting a ton of algae buildup on my front glass. Could not figure out why I was having to clean it every couple of days...cause? lights were tilted slightly back and shining on the front glass. So I assume as stated before that the tight pattern of light from leds can technically cause less algae IF they are aimed correctly

Originally Posted by danfeig

V1...rotate - Thank you for following along!

I can't tell you why LED's produce less algae on the glass and I may have to suggest that my son test this hypothesis on his next science report that he does in school each yea

All of the posts that I have read on Reef Central and The Reef Tank suggest that with LED's their is less algae to clean on the glass. Is it true? Ask me in another month I don't know if LED's produce a different wavelength that algae likes or what the reasoning is.

I am going to file this question away.

-Dan

[Chromey316]

Originally Posted by brettinteriors

To the best of my knowledge it is against the law to own coral in Hawaii.

So just rent them, And put them back when your done.

[BigOldReef]

Dan,

Having had my list of failures and mistakes.... while you can, consider having a lip added to the filter sock holder on 3 sides, so that if a sock was to clog because of food, kalk accident, coral spawning, clam spawning or you happen to go out of town, then the water is for sure directed only into the sump and not over the sides.

It's an easy fix for what has a big potential of making a mess and wreaking havoc on your system and your house.

Just my .02 cents.... Which in this economy isn't worth too much

Dave

[paja 55gl]

Originally Posted by danfeig

several of you have asked what am i going to do about lighting. Especially with a tank that is 48" deep. Lighting is one of the primary issues that i have spent considerable time investigating, questioning and comparing.

At first, there was no doubt in my mind that i was going to go with 400 watt metal halides. What other choices did i have with a tank this deep? Look at chingchai's and all of the other deep, deep tanks.

Then i started reading more about led's. All of the reef and aquarium magazines were reporting on them and there were numerous reports written by dr. Sanjay joshi that made a strong case for options to mh. It was clear to me that the waive of the future was heading towards led's.

I started weighing the pros & cons between mh, vho's, and led's. They were plentiful. Yes, my electric bills would be significantly higher with metal halides, but then there was the heat i would have to deal with; the additional fans and chillers. How about growth? How about color?

Cost certainly entered the equation but it was not the deciding factor. I really became impressed with a number of larger reef tanks that were using led's. They weren't necessarily as deep, but, the colors of their tanks and growth of their corals were very rich.

I started contacting all of the led companies along with the authors of the numerous lighting reports we have been seeing in the reef keeping and aquarium magazines. The question was asked, what would you recommend for a 48" reef aquarium?

I was very impressed with four different companies:

Reeftech
ecotech marine
orphek
ecoxotic cannon

each company offered many different benefits and all were confident that they could serve my needs. I was very close to pulling the plug with reeftech and their prometheus units. Bennytheblenny has been using them on his 36" deep tank and has been impressed. I liked their software controllability. They even offered to fly down to tucson to install. Orphek has been updating their lines of led fixtures. Nineball seems very happy with them on his "coral tank from canada" build thread. Ecoxotic's 100 watt cannon pendants are very, very powerful.

Who did i go with? I ended up choosing 12 units of ecotech marines xr30w's. Several reasons but they really stood out above all the rest. Most importantly, the company has been around for some time and stands behind their product. Their lights are upgradeable as technology changes. Wireless compatibility. The color spectrum that they offer is great! David00061 has been very pleased with his 12 units on his "mixed 500 gal. A.g.e. Build. 12 unit led radion lights" build thread and has documented some impressive growth.

Again, i recognize that i have a very deep tank. If i don't feel that i am getting enough light on the bottom of the tank or too low of par readings, it will be easy to add a couple of the 100 watt cannon pendants.

[img][/img]

dam....very nice:-)

[srusso]

wow...............

Just wow............

Tagging along for the ride!

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by BigOldReef

Dan,

Having had my list of failures and mistakes.... while you can, consider having a lip added to the filter sock holder on 3 sides, so that if a sock was to clog because of food, kalk accident, coral spawning, clam spawning or you happen to go out of town, then the water is for sure directed only into the sump and not over the sides.

It's an easy fix for what has a big potential of making a mess and wreaking havoc on your system and your house.

Just my .02 cents.... Which in this economy isn't worth too much

Dave

Dave:

Thank you for the advise. I will discuss the issue with Michael from Simply Elegant Aquatics. He designed the sump and has been handling all of the acrylic work.

What you suggest certainly makes a lot of sense. A lip or little wall directing any overflow into the sump certainly would be easy to fabricate.

Thank you for the suggestion!

Dan

[danfeig]

Today has been the quietest day thus far since all the action began with the reef build.

More work was completed in the "fish room", mostly all cosmetic. The biggest item accomplished today was the tiling of the cantera stone surrounding the aquarium to match our stone fireplace, mantel and hearth. Once this was completed, we were able to finish vacuuming up all the drywall dust and returning our living room furniture.

The picture doesn't give the canter frame complete justice because it was taken at night and the stone is still a little wet.

[IMG][/IMG]

Here is another picture of the balance of the living room which is on the opposite wall of the aquarium. The stone matches perfectly!!!

[IMG][/IMG]

Wednesday we should be completing the balance of the drywall and painting in the fish room and we hope to begin filling the aquarium with RODI water on Thursday.

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by BigOldReef

Dan,

Having had my list of failures and mistakes.... while you can, consider having a lip added to the filter sock holder on 3 sides, so that if a sock was to clog because of food, kalk accident, coral spawning, clam spawning or you happen to go out of town, then the water is for sure directed only into the sump and not over the sides.

It's an easy fix for what has a big potential of making a mess and wreaking havoc on your system and your house.

Just my .02 cents.... Which in this economy isn't worth too much

Dave

Dave:

I heard back from Michael. He has always planned on installing a bracket system under the holes for the filter socks so that any overflow due to clogging would stay in the tank.

Glad you are watching my back.

Dan

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by srusso

wow...............

Just wow............

Tagging along for the ride!

Originally Posted by paja 55gl

dam....very nice:-)

srusson & paja - thank you both for the comments and following along. Good to have you here!

[danfeig]

I looked at the Protein Skimmers the same way I looked at the lights. I spent a lot of time reading the forums on the Large Reef Tank builds, sent a lot of emails out and asked a lot of questions.

There were several companies whose products were strongly considered:

Reef Dynamics (formerly Euro-Reef)
Bubble King
ATB
Reef Octopus

In the end one company seemed to stand out and that is what I decided to go with. Deltec's 3070 External.

The skimmer is a monster and I am anxious to see it in action.

[IMG][/IMG]

[richpoolboy]

Originally Posted by thor109

I belive its spa flex, that is how I get my spa flex to bend anyway. I usually use a heat gun so I don't get any black marks.
This is on awesome build. I thought I was a big spender dropping 6k on my 240. Maybe one day I can do a 50k build.

this is not "spa flex" just sch 40 pvc. trade secret....lol

[richpoolboy]

very nice look with the tile, i couldn't picture it while i was there but seeing it is great!

[jjk_reef00]

Wow that skimmer looks crazy! Can't wait to see it up and running!

Can you describe the datails of the bracket system.

[TheFishTeen]

Excellent choice on the skimmer. The key to success with the Deltec skimmers is stability. Find the best balance between water/air input and output for the skimmer, and keep it like that as much as possible. When dialed in correctly they perform wonders, but if they're messed with they get finicky. A gate valve for the water feed (input) would help with the precision over a ball valve.

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by richpoolboy

very nice look with the tile, i couldn't picture it while i was there but seeing it is great!

Thanks Rich!

I ordered four more tanks from Michael for the fish room. I am hoping to have them by the weekend if not right after the holiday.

As soon as they arrive I will call you to set up an appointment for some more plumbing.

[shaggy]

Looking really good.... good choice on that Skimmer!

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by jjk_reef00

Wow that skimmer looks crazy! Can't wait to see it up and running!

Can you describe the datails of the bracket system.

We are going to begin filling with water tomorrow so I hope to have the skimmer operational this weekend.

Michael from Simply Elegant Aquatics will be here tomorrow and I will prod him more about the bracket system he will be employing with the filter socks.

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by TheFishTeen

Excellent choice on the skimmer. The key to success with the Deltec skimmers is stability. Find the best balance between water/air input and output for the skimmer, and keep it like that as much as possible. When dialed in correctly they perform wonders, but if they're messed with they get finicky. A gate valve for the water feed (input) would help with the precision over a ball valve.

Thank you! I am real excited. My current tank and my previous one both had Reef Octopus units. I have heard nothing but good reports about the skimmer. I appreciate your suggestion pertaining to the gate valve. Michael will be here tomorrow and I will share your suggestion with him and our plumbing specialist before it is hooked up.

[BigOldReef]

Dan,

I have an older Deltec dual pump skimmer and two friends with them and they have been great skimmers.

A little trick I did with mine and my friends, is we run the RO waste water through the skimmer collection cup, and then run the skimmer cup drain into the sewer line. It keeps the cup clean, and no bad smells.

I also saw, haven't tried yet, that Avast marine has really reasonably priced self cleaning heads for the Deltec skimmer. You might want to take a gander at that. With a self cleaning head and the RO waste running through the cup skimmer maintenance is reduced to removing snail shells from the pumps about every 4-6 months.

Dave

[danfeig]

Originally Posted by BigOldReef

Dan,

I have an older Deltec dual pump skimmer and two friends with them and they have been great skimmers.

A little trick I did with mine and my friends, is we run the RO waste water through the skimmer collection cup, and then run the skimmer cup drain into the sewer line. It keeps the cup clean, and no bad smells.

I also saw, haven't tried yet, that Avast marine has really reasonably priced self cleaning heads for the Deltec skimmer. You might want to take a gander at that. With a self cleaning head and the RO waste running through the cup skimmer maintenance is reduced to removing snail shells from the pumps about every 4-6 months.

Dave

Thanks Dave!

I think running the RO waste water though the collection cup might be a problem for me. A few different reasons.... First off, I am on a septic system and I am a little concerned about putting the sludge/waste into the septic. Wastewater isn't a big deal. #2 Pumping the sludge and water from the skimmer will also be a challenge. I am going to have to drain the skimmer cup into a large container which will be emptied in the desert.

I will check out the Avast marine self cleaning heads. I did look at the ones from Deltec but couldn't pull the trigger.