180 Gallon Reef Tank build!

[Itaysworld]

Thank for the detailed explanation Ryan - I kinda figured that I was asking one of those proverbial questions that everybody has slightly different take on. I'm just trying to gather as much information as I can.

At the moment I have the skimmer set to have a relatively low water level, and I'm just getting the bubbles spill every 5 mins or so.

The ball valve from the sump to the skimmer is actually closed down quite a bit, so I think that I'm not skimming as much water as I'd like to. I'm going to reconfigure the return from the skimmer to the sump so that it doesn't elbow up as high. I think I'm losing a lot of efficiency there.

I realize I don't have a great picture to show for it (I'm at work), so this is the best I could do:

I think if I lower the 'height' of where I get back into the sump, or even drill a hole into the sump and have the return go straight in I'll be able to skim better. I may be wrong (and would love to hear opinions), but I just hate to see the ball valve to the skimmer closed almost all the way - makes me think "I could be skimming more".

Nonetheless, I'm skimming, and at the current level I'm emptying the bottle of skimmate once every 30 hours or so, with icky brownish/greenish stinky water in it, so its doing something and the tank is getting clearer

Wow - I just noticed I'm rambling - enough about that! Apologies to your 'bleeding eyes'

The plumbing was really tricky, specially once it was all done and I had a leak in one of the elbows going from the bulkheads to the dart... what a nightmare that was!

I haven't checked if the OM is still moving, but will do so as soon as I get home tonight - have not heard any loud noises, so I'm hoping it is running smoothly -- it would be a real pain in the #@!! to have to remove/replace it...

These are the eductors I'm using, and yes with locline... I hope this doesn't turn into a problem.

Last but not least... I have not started any tests yet, my LFS guy is mentoring/helping me and we decided to wait a couple of weeks before starting to test things.

I just want the smell to go away! And thanks for the comment on the aquascaping - it took a while to get the bali alor rock, but I'm glad I waited. I'm very happy with the end result, though as I look at it more and more I wish I had left a little more 'open water' space... I may have to 'reconfigure' some rock at some point.

Thanks and a gold star for all who actually read this whole monologue!

Itay.

 

[Itaysworld]

A couple more components installed

A couple more components installed

Hello -

Small update - I have added an auto top off unit, DIY calc reactor (reusing a fresh water sand filter) and activated carbon canister to help clean up the water.

The cables are an absolute mess, but I had a long day at work and didn't have time to tidy them up. I will do it this weekend, because its driving me crazy by just looking at the pictures!

I also installed the RO unit in the garage.

Tank is still smelly, but definitely clearing up more and more!

All the pics can be seen here:
http://itaysworld.com/blog/2008/06/19/reef-tank-additional-components-installed/

And here are 2 full tank shots (full tanks, but empty still):

Cheers , Itay.

 

[Stenopus]

Hi,
first, you don't have anymore liverock in your system 'cos amonnia killed all living creatures on rocks. Second, you don't have to start skimmer immediately, because you don't have enough useful batteries in system if your skimmer failed or it is out of order. Don’t think if you take water from a cycled tank that you have done something big. Many mistakes in beginning of your hobby adventure.

 

[Sceadu]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12784810#post12784810 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stenopus
Hi,
first, you don't have anymore liverock in your system 'cos amonnia killed all living creatures on rocks. Second, you don't have to start skimmer immediately, because you don't have enough useful batteries in system if your skimmer failed or it is out of order. Don’t think if you take water from a cycled tank that you have done something big. Many mistakes in beginning of your hobby adventure.

Way off the mark on your comments Stenopus. The guy had jumped in with both feet on this. A 180 for his first salt water Experience. There is and will be plenty of life in the live rock all the way through the cycle. Small critters bristleworms and such. I think hes doing a great job and the tank looks great.

Considering you have less than 100 posts and only 6 months experience you should be careful what you say.

Oh and Ive never seen batteries in a saltwater tank before...:eek1:

Keep up the good work mate..Ill be in the backround watching the progress for sure.

 

[streetjudge79]

LOL... batteries in a saltwater tank.... I about fell off my chair laughing. That was funny!

 

[Itaysworld]

Well, I sure am glad Sceadu and streetjudge79 got to chime in before I saw the comment from Stenopus...

That would have thoroughly ruined my Friday morning!

I'm glad I'm not doing EVERYTHING wrong

I see Stenopus made a similar post on adam's 70 gallon build... must be on a 'you're live rock is not live' tour.

Now if I could only find them batteries!

Thanks for your support guys.

Itay.

 

[hulley]

LOL...that was a good one! Your on the right track Itay. Another thing you could do to speed up the cycle is cover up the tank to limit the amount of light that gets in, that will help kill off any bad bacteria. If I remember right, benificial bacteria (the stuff that makes it "live") doesnt need light. I had a tank crash a few years ago and cured/cycled all my live rock in covered bins for 8 weeks, all the nasty crap died but the good stuff remained. I am by no means an expert and I learn something all the time but I think thats correct. Maybe someone could chime in.

 

[hulley]

BTW, I like the recirc mod, I think I'm gonna give that a shot!

 

[Itaysworld]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12793500#post12793500 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hulley
LOL...that was a good one! Your on the right track Itay. Another thing you could do to speed up the cycle is cover up the tank to limit the amount of light that gets in, that will help kill off any bad bacteria. If I remember right, benificial bacteria (the stuff that makes it "live") doesnt need light. I had a tank crash a few years ago and cured/cycled all my live rock in covered bins for 8 weeks, all the nasty crap died but the good stuff remained. I am by no means an expert and I learn something all the time but I think thats correct. Maybe someone could chime in.

Thanks Hulley! I'm keeping that room pretty dark. I thought about covering the tank with cardboard or something, but I like seeing it LOL. There's nothing in there but rock yet I spend a lot of time looking at it and admiring what I hope it can one day be.

I've seen such great aquariums on this forum - I can only wish I end up having something that looks like one of those!!

Look forward to some more comments/feedback from the rest of the usual crew.

About the recirculation mods... I'm very pleased with the performance of the skimmer so far! Obviously I don't have much if any bioload at the moment, but it has a TON of microbubbles and is doing a great job cleaning up my tank.

The water is clearer and clearer by the day, and the smell is practically gone away.

I look forward to starting testing the water this coming week and hopefully adding some hermit crabs to start helping on the clean up

Best, Itay.

 

[CHASDB]

Hi Itay, I have a OM 4way and Dart on my 120. I've had to disassemble the 4 way often due to that fine sugar sand getting caught in the drum. If a goby, jawfish or wrasse kicks up some sand near one of those flow accelerators it will spray across the tank and get picked up into the intake of the pump likely causing the drum to get stuck and start clicking as the magnets brake free. If it happens just shut off pump/4 way and top off, close your ball valves and get a wet vac ready. As you crack open the union fittings suck up the water with the vac. Once you remove the 4way, remove the 2 screws on the motor plate then the 4 on the magnet drive plate. you may have to use a dowel to knock out the drum from the bottom, clean it and reassemble. Open the valves one by one, check for leaks and add salt water as needed. I have heard Paul has undersized drums available to allow sand to pass without seizing up, I hope you already have one as it will save you some aggravation.

I'm happy your tank is clearing up and smell is going away. I cycled rock in a tub in the garage and my wife kept asking if a cat or possum died in there.

Enjoy watching your tank cycle, you will see all kinds of life that you will probably forget about once you start stocking. Pods of all sorts and be on the look out for bad hitchhikers like apatasia and manjoes.

Happy reefing -Charles

 

[RyanEG]

Italy I have a Bermuda BPS-8c that I am going to running on my 180 I have one question and one comment.

Where did you get the plans for the recirc mod? Any idea if they have one for the 8c?

When I was reading up about the 8c Bermuda says the the output from the skimmer can NOT be elevated at all, it must be run with no rise back to the sump.

Not criticizing just wanted to point it out. Im not expert by any means.

So far I love my Bermuda, Im running it on a stock tank with about 125lbs of live rock that i picked up.

 

[hulley]

I fully understand wanting to see the tank! Where did you get the pump for your recirc mod and what model is it? Sorry if its on your web page, I'm having my first cup of coffee right now..

A couple things that would be good to add would be a six line wrass and peppermint shrimp. They both are great at taking care hitchhikers namely aptasia, and they are reef safe.

 

[Endy0430]

cool looking setup..will be tagging along

 

[Itaysworld]

Charles - thank you for the detailed explanation of the OM.
So far I have nothing stirring up the sand so it has been working like a charm.

I will definitely be keeping my eyes (and ears) open to any abnormal sounds or a change in performance of the OM unit. Luckily the 4 intakes are located behind the rock formations and I hope that if someone ends up picking up a whoosh of sand (not sure what unit a whoosh is, but lets pretend its enough to cause some trouble) I hoping it will settle or hit something before making it into the intakes. We'll see!


Ryan -- thanks for that comment - I kind of came to that conclusion myself by seeing the performance of the skimmer's return by elevating it. I'm planning a water change this week and will drain my sump, drill a hole in the acrylic, mount a bulkhead and run the return straight into the sump. That should help!

As far as the recirculation mod.. I don't have any plans for it. It was basically a recommendation from my LFS to 'supercharge' the skimmer and have it perform better.

The pumps on it are Eheim 1250 recirculation pumps. See some detailed pictures below... (way below )

Hulley - as always - thanks for your support. That's what's great about this forum. More often than not, it's me helping others in forums and places about things that I'm good at and here I am in a hobby I'm totally new at (not aquariums, but saltwater!) and I'm really glad to be able to exchange ideas, progress and tips. I've spent HOURS reading threads and gathering knowledge. If one could quantify the amount of great information and experience on here... wow

I love starring at my empty tank with bare rock This week I'll do some water tests and a water change and based on results will likely introduce some life!


Thanks to all again, and look forward to continuing this adventure with you all!

Best, Itay.


Here are the pictures of the skimmer modification:

 

[hulley]

Great pics! :thumbsup:

 

[Antiguan]

Tagging along for the ride.

 

[Itaysworld]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12801178#post12801178 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hulley
Great pics! :thumbsup:

Thanks... BUT...

If only it'd be FISH and CORAL I'd be taking pictures of!!! LOL :rollface:

All in due time. Patience. Patience. Patience

 

[Itaysworld]

Bermuda skimmer plumbing (out of sump)

Bermuda skimmer plumbing (out of sump)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12796493#post12796493 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RyanEG
When I was reading up about the 8c Bermuda says the the output from the skimmer can NOT be elevated at all, it must be run with no rise back to the sump.

Ryan -- thanks so much for pointing this out! Did a bit more research and found that precisely on the bermuda aquatics web site (http://www.bermudaaquatics.com/5C.htm).

Out of sump installation: When using model 3C and up OUT OF SUMP, be sure to plumb the output of the skimmer horizontally back to the sump. It can not be plumbed upwards to go over the edge. If it is necessary, set the skimmer on a raised platform. The expansion valve should be at the lowest height when you turn on the skimmer pump. If your skimmer comes with a gate valve, be sure to have it open all the way, and adjust from that point. If you follow these instructions, you can plumb your skimmer outside the sump

For anyone else using or about to use a Bermuda skimmer - keep this in mind! (and don't make the mistake I made or at least catch it early :bum: )

Thanks, Itay.

 

[Itaysworld]

I guess I'm still cycling

I guess I'm still cycling

Well guys, did my first water tests today. Results aren't all that good.

Tanks has been curing live rock and cycling for 20 days (since June 14) and here are the readings:

kH - 13°
Ammonia - between 0 and 0.25 ppm
Nitrite - 2mg/l
Nitrate - ~ 75ppm
Phosphate - 1.5 mg/l

I didn't test for pH or specific gravity at this point.

Next steps will be a large water change and some more patience....

Any other pointers or advice?

On the bright side, I got my e-mail confirmation with the Reef Keeper Elite shipment information! I should have it in my hands by this time next week!! Its slowly making its way across the country. I wish I had gotten faster shipping that UPS Ground

Oh well!

Happy 4th of July to those in the US!

Best, Itay.

 

[Itaysworld]

Re: I guess I'm still cycling

Re: I guess I'm still cycling

Opinions, recommendations, comments --- Bueller? Bueller? Anyone

Thanks in advance. Itay.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12877120#post12877120 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Itaysworld
Well guys, did my first water tests today. Results aren't all that good.

Tanks has been curing live rock and cycling for 20 days (since June 14) and here are the readings:

kH - 13°
Ammonia - between 0 and 0.25 ppm
Nitrite - 2mg/l
Nitrate - ~ 75ppm
Phosphate - 1.5 mg/l

I didn't test for pH or specific gravity at this point.

Next steps will be a large water change and some more patience....

Any other pointers or advice?

On the bright side, I got my e-mail confirmation with the Reef Keeper Elite shipment information! I should have it in my hands by this time next week!! Its slowly making its way across the country. I wish I had gotten faster shipping that UPS Ground

Oh well!

Happy 4th of July to those in the US!

Best, Itay.