180 Gallon Reef Tank build!
- Thread starter Itaysworld
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Itaysworld
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13255334#post13255334 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chalk
Awesome tank build Itay - inspiration to us wanting to make the leap
Thanks Chalk!
All I can say is "Just Do It"!
... And speaking of the the Nike slogan... I just witnessed the Air Sally Lightfoot move - pretty cool!
I fed mysis shrimp a few minutes ago and one of the Sallys eyed a piece, ran and jumped off his rock into the water column, grabbed the shrimp and paddled back to the rock. Like the Michael Jordan of crabs!
I was in awe - never seen such a thing before. They're either acrobats, or just very hungry
Last edited:
Itaysworld
Premium Member
what is this?
what is this?
Hello -
I was watching the tank today and noticed something new in the overflows that I hadn't seen before. It looks like something is growing there.
Here are are a couple of pictures. Can anyone please help me figure out what it is, and more importantly if its friend or foe?
Thanks in advance!
I noticed a few of them. They're pretty small. You can see pods in the pics for size comparison.
what is this?
Hello -
I was watching the tank today and noticed something new in the overflows that I hadn't seen before. It looks like something is growing there.
Here are are a couple of pictures. Can anyone please help me figure out what it is, and more importantly if its friend or foe?
Thanks in advance!
I noticed a few of them. They're pretty small. You can see pods in the pics for size comparison.
Itaysworld
Premium Member
Update - Pictures
Update - Pictures
Hello -
Thought I'd share a few pics of my fish from today. I'm loving the tank more and more!
Everyone seems to be very happy and doing well.
I'd still appreciate an ID or guess as to what is growing in my overflows (see previous post - thanks!).
Blue Spot Jawfish defending his burrow:
Tiny tiny Hippo Tang eating algae (notice size compared to the algae clip):
Center of attention, posing and im-posing Foxface Rabbit Fish:
Flame Fin Tang, getting really nice coloring and spots:
Black Percula Clowns looking for their soon to be host anemone:
And last but not least, and speaking of the anemone, if you recall my new (introduced almost 2 weeks ago) RBTA crawled into a hole and has been hiding since. Today I got back from work and it was peeking out of its hideout! Hopefully it will be coming out fully in the next few days.
Here it is today:
Best regards,
Update - Pictures
Hello -
Thought I'd share a few pics of my fish from today. I'm loving the tank more and more!
Everyone seems to be very happy and doing well.
I'd still appreciate an ID or guess as to what is growing in my overflows (see previous post - thanks!).
Blue Spot Jawfish defending his burrow:
Tiny tiny Hippo Tang eating algae (notice size compared to the algae clip):
Center of attention, posing and im-posing Foxface Rabbit Fish:
Flame Fin Tang, getting really nice coloring and spots:
Black Percula Clowns looking for their soon to be host anemone:
And last but not least, and speaking of the anemone, if you recall my new (introduced almost 2 weeks ago) RBTA crawled into a hole and has been hiding since. Today I got back from work and it was peeking out of its hideout! Hopefully it will be coming out fully in the next few days.
Here it is today:
Best regards,
Itaysworld
Premium Member
They are great- very entertaining to watch and observe.
Oh - yes - you definitely want a DSB - my 2 Jawfish have already moved a good amount of sand and dug up a whole set of burrows and caves under rocks. I don't see how they could do this without a good DSB.
One other thing I wanted to comment on, I have 2 of them and while I thought 6ft of tank would be enough for them to find their own place and perch peacefully, they are quite territorial and I've seen them fighting (locking jaws) a few times already.
Hopefully after a little more time (they've only been in for 1 week) they'll settle down and be less confrontational and coexist a bit better.
If I were to judge by the rabbit fish and tang's behavior the first couple days I could've never guessed they'd be inseparable buddies like they are now!
Itaysworld
Premium Member
Heya.
Here with a quick update, more like a short rant, and while I'm at it, posting 2 pics of my softies.
Zoanthid:
Question for whomever knows: Do zoanthids have 'muscle control' over the whole mass of polyps? I thought each was relatively independent of each other, but its the second time that I notice that the arrangement of polyps has moved and changed shape slightly.
There was actually a smaller piece of rubble with a few polyps and it seems to have been repositioned in a more gathered and organized fashion than I last left it. Never had a zoa before, so was wondering is someone can explain!
Frogspawn:
- - o - -
begin rant:
EVAPORATION . . . what a pain in the @$$!
Ever since I hooked up the 2 fans in the canopy my evaporation level has gone up significantly. I guess the added gas exchange and air movement accounts for it.
I just upgraded from my under-the-stand trashcan to a bigger bin, thinking I'd be gaining more days, but I guess I miscalculated the increase in volume the bin holds vs. the trashcan and underestimated the volume of evaporated water per day.
Notice my "full" (right below the lid level), and "day 1" mark. I have since marked day 2 and day 3 and they seem to be pretty equidistant. I also have a summer/winter label, where I plan to mark seasonal evaporation and see if its consistent.
I'm glad my wife was ok with added eyesore of the bin. I'll have to see if that's the set up I keep or not...
I gained about a day and a half, and now have to fill up every 3 1/2 days. Unfortunately every time I fill up my ATO I have to run a rubber hose from the garage through the main door, connect to my mag drive pump that sits in my BRUTE barrel in the garage, fill, drain, roll and hang the hose twice a week.
It's doable, but together with cleaning the sump socks, these are the 2 most tedious parts of the tank maintenance routine.
I will be traveling on business in a couple of days and I'll be leaving my tank duties to my wife. She will have to change socks once and fill the ATO once. Feed daily and probably empty skimmate once. I'm sure she'll do just fine!
Here with a quick update, more like a short rant, and while I'm at it, posting 2 pics of my softies.
Zoanthid:
Question for whomever knows: Do zoanthids have 'muscle control' over the whole mass of polyps? I thought each was relatively independent of each other, but its the second time that I notice that the arrangement of polyps has moved and changed shape slightly.
There was actually a smaller piece of rubble with a few polyps and it seems to have been repositioned in a more gathered and organized fashion than I last left it. Never had a zoa before, so was wondering is someone can explain!
Frogspawn:
- - o - -
begin rant:
EVAPORATION . . . what a pain in the @$$!
Ever since I hooked up the 2 fans in the canopy my evaporation level has gone up significantly. I guess the added gas exchange and air movement accounts for it.
I just upgraded from my under-the-stand trashcan to a bigger bin, thinking I'd be gaining more days, but I guess I miscalculated the increase in volume the bin holds vs. the trashcan and underestimated the volume of evaporated water per day.
Notice my "full" (right below the lid level), and "day 1" mark. I have since marked day 2 and day 3 and they seem to be pretty equidistant. I also have a summer/winter label, where I plan to mark seasonal evaporation and see if its consistent.
I'm glad my wife was ok with added eyesore of the bin. I'll have to see if that's the set up I keep or not...
I gained about a day and a half, and now have to fill up every 3 1/2 days. Unfortunately every time I fill up my ATO I have to run a rubber hose from the garage through the main door, connect to my mag drive pump that sits in my BRUTE barrel in the garage, fill, drain, roll and hang the hose twice a week.
It's doable, but together with cleaning the sump socks, these are the 2 most tedious parts of the tank maintenance routine.
I will be traveling on business in a couple of days and I'll be leaving my tank duties to my wife. She will have to change socks once and fill the ATO once. Feed daily and probably empty skimmate once. I'm sure she'll do just fine!
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Itay,
Is there any way you could run a RO/DI line through your attic? I'm going to run a line over my drop ceiling then down in between the wall behind my tank which will feed a reservoir via a float valve. I'll never have to top off my tank.
Is there any way you could run a RO/DI line through your attic? I'm going to run a line over my drop ceiling then down in between the wall behind my tank which will feed a reservoir via a float valve. I'll never have to top off my tank.
Itaysworld
Premium Member
Oh man, so jealous!
I don't have a way to do this, at least not a pretty one. My tank is on the main floor, we have a finished basement under the living room, hardwood under the tank and high ceilings and a foyer between the garage and the living room.
I really wish I could... The only thing that may work is having a the RO/DI unit mounted somewhere close to the window of the living room, and perhaps running the polyurethane hose in through the window and into my top off reservoir and somehow install a float switch that would control the water supply to the RO/DI.
Not sure if that's possible, nor if the logistics in my house allow for it. I'd have to check if I even have a spigot close on that side of the house...
I'll look into it. Thanks for the idea Chad!
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Spectra pure sells an auto shut off system consisting of a check valve and an auto shutoff valve. When it senses pressure backing up in the line caused by the float valve closing, it shuts off the feed so you don't waste gallons and gallons of water. It works great and is inexpensive. I'd either drill a small hole in the floor next to the base board and run a line through your basement, or drill a small hole through the wall to the outside, just fill it with sylicone to seal it. Either hole would be easy to patch up if you ever need to sell your hose. If you put a hole in the wall I'd drill it at the same level as the power sockets in the room. That way you can get a cover from home depot and it will just look like there's an electrical box behind it.
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Sorry I didn't notice the "finished basement" part of your post. Scratch the basement idea. I'd seriously consider running a line to the outside. It would make maintenance on your tank SOOO much easier.
Itaysworld
Premium Member
Great info Chad. Thanks again.
I wish I had thought of this or planned better. When I had the joists reinforced for the tank, and i had all the dry wall in the basement ripped out under the tank I should have run a polyurethane hose up through the drywall to the living room, just like you say. I would've been able to do it without drilling any holes in the baseboard nor to the exterior.
Live and learn! I'll keep it in mind for my next build. Whenever that may be. For now I will research the Spectra Pure system and my options at home.
Best,
Itaysworld
Premium Member
Thak you Vaz! It's great to read comments like yours! I hope you enjoyed reading the progress. I tell you, its been quite a ride so far!
Thanks again!
Itaysworld
Premium Member
So I researched the specrapure product (http://www.spectrapure.com/St_alc_p4.htm), and while its not the one they recommend for aquarium top offs, I think it would be the one to go with.
I'm trying to envision how this would work, and I would still need 2 float switches. I to the sump to regulate the water level in the system and the other to turn on and off the RO/DI supplying my top off.
I would still be filling a reservoir under my tank, to then go through the kalc reactor before going into the sump.
I like that product because it can turn on and off my RO/DI water supply (I need to check that its compatible with my coralife unit).
After looking at the outside of my house I discovered that I could actually pull this off! I have a spigot about 10 feet away from where the tank is located, AND there is a hole drilled for an old cable box, so there is coax coming into the house. DING DING DING BINGO! I could cut the coax, remove the silicone and use the hole to thread the polyurethane hose into the house.
The one thing that is troubling me is how to deal with cold temperatures in the winter. I'm pretty sure everything will freeze solid and probably rupture the hoses and RO/DI unit.
Does anyone know of a way to insulate a RO/DI unit and hoses outside? I was thinking I could maybe build an encasing box or something that would stay out of the elements and perhaps have it heated somehow... I think this is going to be complicated.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Itay, I can't help you with your cold weather issue but you have the top off system worked out perfectly. The reason for having a redundant top off reservoir is to prevent a massive amount of freshwater from entering your tank should the float valve ever fail. The idea is that you have a more reliable system designed for constant changing levels in the sump handling your tank top off needs. A float valve will eventually fail in a sump. I'm going to use the tunzes osmolator for sump top off. BTW I'm positive the spectrapure unit will work with your ro/di.
Itaysworld
Premium Member
Hey everyone,
Been out of town for on a business trip and my wife has done a fabulous job taking care of the aquarium.
Sock changes, topping up the ATO reservoir, scraping and of course, feeding. Everything went great. Of course, murphy's law states that if something weird will happen, it will happen when I'm not here.
My wife noticed she couldn't see one of the Jawfish, and after a few days she was looking around when all of a sudden she spotted the little guy in the left cornerflo. We aren't exactly sure how long he was in there, but she fed him pellets and he was eating voraciously. My LFS guy came out and while trying to net the jawfish and return him to the display he casually made the leap, himself, back into the tank.
During the week I was out the 2 jawfish have been busy digging and causing some of my rockwork to shift and even fall. Fortunately its only been small pieces, but I'm hoping they stop, or else my bigger rocks may start to become unstable.
It was great to come back and enjoy the tank again. I watched my webcam as much as I could while I was away, but its just not the same
Oh! I was also very pleasantly surprised to come home to see the anemone finally coming out!! It's still moving, but has surfaced from its hideout and is now almost completely in the open:
I'm hoping the clownfish finally find it. And speaking of the clownfish, they are growing and have started engaging in a mating dance.
If you recall, the hippo tang and clowns are best of buddies, and swim around together all day. Its very funny to see the hippo tang trying to take part in the dance as well
Best,
Been out of town for on a business trip and my wife has done a fabulous job taking care of the aquarium.
Sock changes, topping up the ATO reservoir, scraping and of course, feeding. Everything went great. Of course, murphy's law states that if something weird will happen, it will happen when I'm not here.
My wife noticed she couldn't see one of the Jawfish, and after a few days she was looking around when all of a sudden she spotted the little guy in the left cornerflo. We aren't exactly sure how long he was in there, but she fed him pellets and he was eating voraciously. My LFS guy came out and while trying to net the jawfish and return him to the display he casually made the leap, himself, back into the tank.
During the week I was out the 2 jawfish have been busy digging and causing some of my rockwork to shift and even fall. Fortunately its only been small pieces, but I'm hoping they stop, or else my bigger rocks may start to become unstable.
It was great to come back and enjoy the tank again. I watched my webcam as much as I could while I was away, but its just not the same
Oh! I was also very pleasantly surprised to come home to see the anemone finally coming out!! It's still moving, but has surfaced from its hideout and is now almost completely in the open:
I'm hoping the clownfish finally find it. And speaking of the clownfish, they are growing and have started engaging in a mating dance.
If you recall, the hippo tang and clowns are best of buddies, and swim around together all day. Its very funny to see the hippo tang trying to take part in the dance as well
Best,
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Where ya been man? How's the tank?
Itaysworld
Premium Member
Hey Chad, hello everyone.
Sorry for being MIA. The last couple of weeks have been really hectic. (the typical 'lots of work' combined with family visiting, yadda yadda).
Things are progressing very nicely in my tank. All the fish are doing very well and have grown quite a bit. I have also added about 10 more SPS and LPS frags.
I have to take some updated pictures, because words don't do justice to some of the corals I got. I have 2 brain corals - a favia, and a lobophyllia as well as an incredible scolymia spp. that opens up every night and looks amazing. I added an acan frag, some milliporas, a few arcoporas, a challice, zoanthid and a montipora digitata. I love how the tank is looking with so much more color and variety. Some of the frags are growing nicely, too.
The only inhabitant that didn't do well in my tank is the RBT anemone I introduced about a month ago now. It moved around quite a bit, finally decided to come out, then went back into hiding and hasn't made an appearance in about 10 days. I used to always be able to at least see some of its tentacles through a crack in the rocks, but I can't see anything anymore. I suspect it may have not made it.
I'm still in need of fish, but I'm taking my time. My LFS is remodeling their tanks and I'm waiting for things to get back in order before ordering more.
A photo update is coming in the next couple of days - look forward to get back in the swing of things here on RC.
Best,
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