1500 gal. Reef from Start to Finish...

[bmwardo]

I can't remember the Model of the main camera that we like to use (and it doesn't show up in the pictures) but I think it is this one:

http://www.axis.com/products/cam_213/index.htm

Since this aquarium is actually at a Networking company they have set all of this up and just given us certain access. I can tell you that (just like taking pictures) if you can get the camera as straight on as possible to the tank the better, maybe it is something more portable that you could move into place while away. That zoom, pan and tilt has been an awesome feature, and the image quality is good enough for us to zoom down 12 or 13 feet to check the floor for water leaks.

As far as the computer interface, it is a bit hard for me to judge because I am on a slightly slower internet or a slower computer or something because it seems choppy and dial-up like, however, on Cris' computer it seems very smooth and you actually get video (rather than an updated shot every 5 seconds on mine). It is very easy to control the cameras though.

Hope that helps, if you need any specific info about programs they use to set it up I can be the middleman.

 

[Dudester]

It looks like a nice device, thanks so much for the link and all of the information, very helpful.

Mike

 

[Marc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12889394#post12889394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crisc
Equipment List:

• Aquatic Design Habitats Inc. custom 300 gallon sump.
• Dual My Reef Creations MR-C4848 quad beckett protein skimmers w/ Reefloâ"žÂ¢ Hammerhead gold pumps.
• Reefloâ"žÂ¢ Hammerhead return pump.
• Dual Tunze® Turbelle Stream 6301.
• My Reef Creations CCR-824 Dual Calcium Reactor.
• Aquamedic KWS 5000 Kalkwasser Stirrer.
• Aquamedic 1000w titanium heater.
• Current Prime 1hp chiller.
• Emperor Aquatics® 300w HO ML uv sterilizer.
• Spectrapure® maxcap 180gpd ro/di.
• Aquatec 6800 RO Booster Pump
• (2)Current 4x54w T-5 Nova Extreme fixtures with Giesemann Pure Actinic and Actinic+ bulbs.
• (3)Sunlight Supply® Reef Optix® 4 reflectors driven by Galaxyâ"žÂ¢ electronic ballasts.
• Reefluxâ"žÂ¢ 12000k 1000w bulbs.
• Neptune Systems AquaController III w/direct connects, Aquasurf, Lunar LED system, Socket expansions, PX1000, and Aquanotes.
• Water Bug 200 and (5) water sensors.
• Den Hartog 600-gallon holding tank.
• Reefloâ"žÂ¢ Hamerhead for the water tank.
• Direct link to building central air conditioning and exit vent.

The UV and return pump:

MRC Calcium reactor:

Skimmer, Kalkwasser Stirrer, CO2:

Fish Room photos:

Lighting:

crisc,

I noticed that you used My Reef Creations skimmers instead needlewheel skimmers. Are the My Reef Creations skimmers good quality built skimmers? How well do they work? I was thinking of building my own Volcano skimmer but it would cost more money and time to build so I was interested in the My reef creations MR-C4848 skimmer. How well do these skimmers perform especially with the new line of Reeflo gold pumps???? Are these skimmers worth the money???

Thanks,
Marc

 

[crisc]

Hey Marc-

I really do like the MRC skimmers especially with the 4 becketts. This model is great and for the money it has exceeded our expectations. There are some minor shortcomings with becketts but well worth the extra tinkering. Mainly salt creep that builds in the air intakes. I really need to do so searching here on RC to see what people have done in the past to help with this issue. I do recommend getting the waste collectors as well.

The reeflo gold hammerheads seem to run these skimmers with ease. They were pretty new when we purchased them for this system but we have been pleased. I think that the needle wheel skimmers are getting better with the updated pumps and needlewheels that are coming out today but I would probably choose the same skimmers for this application if I was doing it again tomorrow. We are starting a new project in the coming weeks with smaller display tanks so these skimmers would be overkill. I think we will be using Orca250's for this new project, I have heard some good things about the Orcas and seem to find myself gravitating to the Reeflo big pumps to produce more bubbles with every project.

Are you working on a big project here in Colorado? I see that you are/have been in the bus, Ocean Journey or Downtown Aquarium?

Dudester: I hope Brandon had answered your questions. I would love to take more credit for the cameras but the company where this aquarium is located is a networking company. We discussed cameras a few times and one day we walked in and found it in there ready to go. Along with the other 30 security cameras in the hallways, exterior etc. If I can get the owner on the thread I will let him chime in and explain in more detail.

Cris

 

[Reefski's]

i have the MR-C4848 skimmer as well. mine is on a regular Hammerhead pump.

it is a great skimmer. easy to work on and maintain. puts out a lot of dark skimmate. get the large collector to go with it. mine takes about a week to fill up.

i also have one of their Ca reactors and Kalk reactors. all very easy to set up and use.

 

[maxxII]

How do you like the Aquamedic KWS 5000 Kalkwasser Stirrer? Any issues with longevity or performance?

Nick

 

[Marc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14375792#post14375792 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crisc
Hey Marc-

I really do like the MRC skimmers especially with the 4 becketts. This model is great and for the money it has exceeded our expectations. There are some minor shortcomings with becketts but well worth the extra tinkering. Mainly salt creep that builds in the air intakes. I really need to do so searching here on RC to see what people have done in the past to help with this issue. I do recommend getting the waste collectors as well.

The reeflo gold hammerheads seem to run these skimmers with ease. They were pretty new when we purchased them for this system but we have been pleased. I think that the needle wheel skimmers are getting better with the updated pumps and needlewheels that are coming out today but I would probably choose the same skimmers for this application if I was doing it again tomorrow. We are starting a new project in the coming weeks with smaller display tanks so these skimmers would be overkill. I think we will be using Orca250's for this new project, I have heard some good things about the Orcas and seem to find myself gravitating to the Reeflo big pumps to produce more bubbles with every project.

Are you working on a big project here in Colorado? I see that you are/have been in the bus, Ocean Journey or Downtown Aquarium?

Dudester: I hope Brandon had answered your questions. I would love to take more credit for the cameras but the company where this aquarium is located is a networking company. We discussed cameras a few times and one day we walked in and found it in there ready to go. Along with the other 30 security cameras in the hallways, exterior etc. If I can get the owner on the thread I will let him chime in and explain in more detail.

Cris

Hi Crisc,

Yeah I used to work for the Downtown Aquarium of Denver when it was formelry Ocean Journey at the time. It was years ago but I still like to brag about it. :rollface: :rollface: :rollface:
I am looking for a large skimmer for my home aquarium. It is a 500 gallon FOWLR tank with a few hardy toadstool corals and some mushrooms. I have one leapard shark, one bamboo, and a large emperor angel about 12" long now. I use a 4 foot tower wet dry system that I built myself that works unbeleivably well with very little nitrate accumulation. I would like to upgrade my skimmer to something else and at first the volcano skimmer turned my head, but the parts and materials to build one are hard to come by and very expensive. So I am currenlty debating on a larger ETSS or the My reef creations c4848 skimmer. Jeff at Lifereef offered to build me a large 10" diamater 72" tall mazzie venturi skimmer, but he wants $2000.00. Not easy to save money in this hobby. By the way what filtration are you using on the 900 gallon fish only system???

Marc

 

[TandN]

Any updates ?

 

[martinphillip03]

Does this system have a back up generator?

Marty

 

[Corndork2]

very, very cool

 

[spongebob281]

What are your QT methods? Did you ever find out the moorish idol's cause of death? I have one myself that's doesnt have the same vigor at feeding time.
Nice tank BTW

 

[cinserrajr]

An absolutely stunning tank, and a dream one at that. I absolutely love the Anemone island. I am hungry for more pictures...

-Carl

 

[Tecdiverfl]

Great Job That tank look great

 

[WWodyz]

Amazing!

 

[tomasz]

Wow, great looking systems. How are you being able to keep the fish room so clean?

 

[crisc]

Hey guys, sorry for the late reply. We have been feverishly working on our new project which will be open on memorial day. Not as big, but pretty cool project.

Everything with the aquarium has been cruising right along. We are really starting to get some good coraline growth the past few weeks. It has taken its own sweet time to come in, but it is here.
We added a few new fish including a White freckled tang (Acanthurus maculiceps), a few bar gobies and couple more green chromis to boost the school. The sps corals seem to be taking off as well, hopefully we can get them to grow mostly vertical and take up some room. We changed out the lights from the Coralvue 12k's to Radiums. The 1000w radiums seem to be great so far, I need to get my lux meter over there and take some readings. The tank was a little blue, so we changed out a few of the t-5's to "actinic whites". It really did the trick.

The late replies to your questions:

maxxII: The kalk stirrer has not been running for a while. I just ordered the solenoids to use the Aquacontroller to control the flow to the stirrer. We have them in other accounts and they have worked well for us.

martinphillip03: The company has a industrial battery backup system for their business. The monitor networks and have to be online rain or shine. We are wired into the battery as well so if the power goes out we are covered, the company gets an alert and they alert us. There are plans of a diesel generator soon, as a backup to the backup.

spongebob281: I do all of the QT at my facility. I stock a bunch of different meds for the fish but really try to use as little as possible, I think the stress from the meds really wear on the fish overtime. The idol was lost due to the water line from the water tower, 240feet to the fish only system. It is aquapex poly tubing and it is my belief that the seawater was contaminated with this plastic during water changes. It is the only thing that I can think of. We also had a really weird black algae on some of the artificial corals that would not come off. I've seen some stuborn algaes in my time but nothing like this. I think it was caused from this pipe plastic. We have since replaced it with normal vinyl tubing and no more issues. He still wants to have an idol, I just want to be ready to convert the darn thing to prepared food. It takes some serious effort!

tomasz: We really try to clean the filter room as much as possible. I really don't like seeing a great reef tank and the filter system is a nightmare. My client does take a lot of people back there to look since a lot of people are curious, we feel it is also a reflection of our service "inside and out".

We will take a few more photos in the coming weeks and post them up here for everyone.

And, we do appreciate the kudos on the aquariums!

Cris

 

[Gig 'em]

amazing! your system is stunning

 

[reefkoi]

awesome job cris, I'd love to see some updated pics! I run 1,000's myself and use Helios 20K bulbs because they are so cheap, I'm considering trying the Radiums this next go-around so I'd like to see the color.

Chris

 

[jdallred]

Hey Cris, any updates on these two systems? Any updated pics?

 

[crisc]

Hey Joe-

Moving back home yet? I was just thinking about updating the photos to show some growth we have had. Everything has done quite well over the past year. I will bring my camera today and snap some updated shots.

Are you coming out for the holidays? Say hello to Heidi!

Cris