180 build from scratch!

[michika]

I sent reefaquariumnut a PM with a few questions about his skimmer. I'm hoping that I can get the answers I need and maybe place an order just after the new year for some of this equipment.

I'm just waiting on a reply about the international shipping thing. I don't want to be paying just as much in shipping & duties as I am paying for the product.

 

[jnarowe]

lots of people with the Volcano. and seriously, just have someone pick it up for you.

 

[michika]

I was thinking of making a trip down south for a weekend, and then taking it back as luggage. I feel cheated out of not being able to head to MACNA.

 

[michika]

This is kind of what we are hoping to do for our big system. However ours will be in wall. The shape is about right though! Tank!

 

[jnarowe]

I really like that dosing system.

 

[michika]

I am starting to debate such a system as the way to go.

 

[jnarowe]

more stable for sure.

 

[michika]

Reactors have done so well for me in the past though, so I am hesitant to stray.

I'd need to figure out how dosage is calculated, and how adjustments are made. I'd also need to re-work my budget to make a change like that. I'd need to source out the appropriate chemicals and figure out how much it would cost me to run on a system of our proposed size.

 

[Phillybean]

Gotta give props for the sump. It's amazing that he can make that in the house! I could barely make a 7" x 7" x 3" overflow! Gj!

 

[michika]

Kevin can make anything in the house...its a bit scary actually. The new house is going to have a workshop for this kind of stuff in the future.

 

[jnarowe]

budget?

 

[kar93]

Will you be building the 1k from scratch too? That tank is amazing in the link you provided but is that really enough light for a tank that big?

 

[michika]

Yup we will. We figure we will need some outside help on reinforcing the floor, but everything else should be good.

I'd need more lighting then the tank in the link. We are strongly debating two 250w or 400w MH bulbs on light movers moving the length of the tank, and a collection of T5s for regular lighting. The other option is 7x 250w MHs, which I would like to avoid.

Our initial tank set-up budget is 10-15K. That includes materials, salt, and rock. We are guessing at a monthly cost of $150-$250 in water changes, and dry goods, but this does not include utilities.

 

[kar93]

I think the light movers would be a good idea. LA do the same in their coral holding facilites so it might just work.

 

[michika]

I'm hoping it will cut down on the cost of running the tank if we just go with a couple of MHs. I'm really nervous about the cost of this system, so I'm doing everything I can to find cheap ways of running it without cutting corners.

We finalized the idea that we are going to go with a coast to coast overflow. For returns we are about 90% sure we will go with pumps from Reeflo, and 2 or 3 4-way Oceans Motions. I would love to squeeze that number down to 1 8-way, but I'm trying to plan for as the SPS grows in and the flow it will need then. This is where the Reeflo pumps will come into play, they will be dialed back initially and then opened up as things grow.

The next thing I need to look at in terms of saving energy is all the little pumps I use; top-off, kalk. mixer, etc. Right now I use a variety of maxi-jets. I need to find a better alternative if I can.

I'll also be including 2 vor-techs for their battery backups.

 

[michika]

Well we've been outbid...again. We aren't having much luck finding any new replacement properties so far. Every time I look at my Vlamingi tang I feel guilty knowing that our disappointing search is pushing back it getting the large home it deserves.

In the mean time I'm trying to source out more SPS, and clams. I am also actively looking at bringing in more rock to seed. The plan is to add about 10-15 more lbs in the display in the form of shelf pillars, and hopefully about 30lbs into the new sump.

The sump is STILL sitting in our "entryway " (haha its so full of material its hard to enter), as we are still waiting on a 2" bulkhead. This is the second time I've been held up due to late or non-arriving plumbing parts.

Alright so now onto the good things;
- Lots of growth to be had in the SPS and the clams when my chemistry is in check
- Its starting to cool down here so the chiller is running less, yay for smaller utility bills!
- Fish are all happy, healthy and plump. I don't think I will be adding any more fish until we set up our next system. I think the hierarchy is stable and good as it is, and I don't want to disrupt it.
- The RKE head unit's enter button started working again spontaneously. We are still checking it regularly and keeping our lighting off of it.
- There is no more cyano in the system

 

[michika]

I have killed GSP again...this is the one piece of livestock I can't keep alive. I've probably tried like 30 times by now, and it never makes it. I never thrives in my SPS systems. Everyone tells me about how its such a horrible plague, etc. etc. but I like it and its the one thing I can't seem to have.

Anyways in better more happy news we are bidding on a house today. Its not the one we originally wanted and lost, but I think in the end it will be a better choice. There will have to be some basement renos to make the appropriate spaces for the large system, but in the end it should be worth it, assuming our bid is accepted.

Look! A clean reflector!

 

[jnarowe]

Catherine,

what people aren't telling you, is that GSP shouldn't survive in a true SPS tank. There wouldn't be enough food in the water column. Just like I cannot grow rics or most LPS...your water is too clean for GSP. Consider it a badge of honor!

Mine (I have encrusting and finger GSP) is growing fine, but it is in the direct path of where I add food to the tank.

 

[psteeleb]

do you think it's posible that any of your corals or live rock was ever dipped using Fluke tabs? It's a for sure way to kill off xenia and GSP in a tank.

 

[jnarowe]

really? first I have heard of that.