2300G Cylinder - Preview

Diablo,
I have been interested in your tank build for the seemingly years it's been going on. I was wondering if you could talk about the intended use of a crypto tanks. Specifically the benefits, how you arrived at the size of yours and how that relates to the size of your system I.e( percentage of tank size), and how it operates on day to day( things such as flow through it and the like including what you are going to stock it with)

I am very interested in implementing as many segments of the the reef as I think that this will go a long way to improving the success of a system.

i agree ... i am interested how this all fits together and benefits the system as well
 
The cryptic zone in my reef system is based on the study and writing of Steve Tyree, and uses a system which he calls the "Environmental Gradient" system.
The Environmental Gradient is the name for a completely natural method of captive reef tank filtration. Primary filtration of dissolved organics and pelagic bacteria within this new filtration method is performed by living sponges and sea squirts. Berlin style reef aquaria utilize a protein skimmer to remove dissolved organics, but lack any natural method to control pelagic bacterial densities. The use of living sponges and sea squirts presents a much more natural method to maintain captive reef aquaria. Additional advantages of this new method are its low operational costs combined with the inherent ability to maintain a more diverse assemblage of macro organisms.

Essentially, this area will accommodate sponges and sea squirts which play a role in filtration by consuming
  • Pelagic (free floating) bacteria
  • Dissolved organics that are not attracted to water-air interfaces, and hence cant be skimmed out

The benefits are clearer water and potential reduction of pathogenic bacteria that can cause coral disease.

Key to the design is darkness (<1% of surface luminosity) and very low flow.

I believe Mr Tyree runs some of his aquaria without skimmers at all, based on this method

I intend to construct it a bit like a bee hive, with substrate "trays" I can lift in and out. From time to time I will be able to lift these out and give angel fish a munch on their preferred diet.

As to sizing, no clear guidelines have been given. A bit like lit-refugia, the bigger the better. Some of Steve's research systems used "sponge scrubbers" that were 1/3 - 1/2 the size of the main tank. I do not have the space, so 160G was all I could accommodate, which is only ~6% of my system size.

This tank will be the only tank without a sand bed. At the low flows required, a sand bed could eat up all the oxygen and introduce particulates that would clog the pores of sponges.
 
You may want to look into mr.wilson's mixed refugium idea, with cheato on well-lit the top half and a vertical lattice of egg crate for growing sponges et al in the lower dark half.

Dave.M
 
Im from tassie... So is that where all the woods gone too :blown: nice setup how many litres is the intake bringing i per hour?
 
I'm from Tassie... So is that where all the woods gone to?

Only a very small percentage of it... I wipe my butt on the rest!

As an aside for our overseas friends, Tasmania is Australia's southern most island state and is home to some of Australia's most beautiful old-growth forests and not surprisingly, furniture timber...[Tasmanian Myrtle, Huon Pine, Blackwood, Black-hearted Sassafras, Silver Wattle, etc] there is an ongoing desire from corporate interests to cut it all down and chip it for paper products.

how many litres is the intake bringing in per hour?
Using pump curves and engineering tables to calculate dynamic head, I am expecting a flow of 26,000 lph (6,870 GPH). This will turn over the full tank volume every 20 minutes.
 
This tank keeps me up at night thinking about my next build. I can't remember if you said already but Ill ask aging. What are you planing on keeping? I ask because the water turn over is not very fast. If you are going heavy on the SPS and/or a high bioloads, wouldn't you want more turnover?
 
More questions.
Do you have a running tank right now, if so, can we see some pics?
How are you planing on stocking this tank?
 
This tank keeps me up at night thinking about my next build.

I hope you don't lose too much sleep!

What are you planing on keeping? I ask because the water turn over is not very fast. If you are going heavy on the SPS and/or a high bio-loads, wouldn't you want more turnover?

Mixed reef with a bias toward Acropora, Montipora, Anthias and fairy wrasses.

3x per hour turn-over through the sump and skimmer is plenty. If you were to do a search, you would find many recommendations of between 1 and 3 times per hour.

The circulation in the display, however, is much higher.

If both hydro wizards and Abyzz eco420s were on flat chat, I would have 58x per hour flow. I have not intention of running at this level, other than in surges.
 
haha yes tassies wood is prime :) that many litres an hour eah! thats good... I installed a pump today that turns that much water every minute!!! IT was for a boat :) :bounce3:
 
Part of me wants to be envious. But, a greater part of me can't help but smile and be happy for you. It seems you are getting to have a dream come true. That, my friend, is a good thing no matter the monetary costs.

Can I afford something like this? No way. Would I do this if I could, absolutely!

Luckily, I can afford broadband and a great computer so, at least, I can live vicariously through you. :)

Steven
 
Hi all, sorry for the big pause on updates... moving house has taken 3 or so weeks of my spare time.

A couple of photo updates.

The aquarium surrounds now varnished and looking schmick; dining table in the foreground:
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The dining table acquired while taking a holiday in the Hunter Valley (wine region north west of Sydney)

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Frag and utility tanks in foreground; buffet (made by me in southern myrtle) in the background.

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Miscellaneous pics of the lap pool and equipment. Being tiles at the moment... half complete. More pics on the weekend.
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Incredible.

The wood throughout the home is really impressive.

I'm looking forward to seeing water in BOTH the tank and the pool!
 
That dining table looks really smart. It's so seldom we get to see those great Aussie hardwoods here.

It's good to know things are progressing apace. When do you think the tank will be ready to get wet?

Dave.M
 
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