30gal Bimac Setup

[MFish]

I have an empty 30gal in my basement and I decided to use it as a ceph tank instead of a reef. Also, I have the new Ecosystem filter. I've been working with marine setups at work [I work at the LFS] and decided to try a bimac.

So, here's what I was going to do [please correct me if you see something wrong]

2" sand bed
PVC piping for hiding spots
20lbs of LR
The ecosystem filter, I'll add a carbon pad [cut-out of a pond carbon pad filter] or carbon bag if the bimac inks
NO-36" flourescent [50/50 Bulb]
NO-24" flourescent [Red bulb for night viewings]

 

[XxAngelzDustxX]

I have no experience keeping cephs but I do remember reading somewhere that it's a recommendation not to have sand in this type of set up.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[MFish]

I've seen pictures of peoples ceph tanks with sand in them, though.

Example: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=117386

 

[cephalopoder]

This sounds like a very cool set up. I have never used a true eco system filter but the refugium is the same concept and they work fine. Keep a eye on PH and oxygen drops at night if the eco system light is not on 24 hours a day or on oposite cycles from the tank lights.
I would still cycle the ank for a few months and make sure you keep us posted on your progress!
chris

 

[MFish]

Great

I was planning to keep the Eco light on 24 hours a day. WE do this in work.

At work we have it on a 20-high with Hippocampus Kuda [Black Seahorse, and Yellow Seahorse[color morph]] and blue-stripe pipefish. Also, the tank has LOADS of copepods and other pods. Sometimes the tank temperature would be almost 95 [it gets HOT in the fishroom over the summer] and all the corals lived, as did the seahorses and pipefish.

This is one of the reasons I chose the Ecosystem for my ceph tank.

If anyone would like more information on the Ecosystem filters, please drop me a line, I have experience with all of the hang-on and sump models of the Ecosystem.

 

[OctoMonkey]

Hi

You may already know this, so apologies if i miss-read, but if the temp in your fish house rises like that again this summer that the bimac will probably not cope so well as the corals did.

The temp that most people aim for is normally mid sixties to mid seventies at most, or thereabouts... lower is better as the octopus will be less stressed and live longer...

cheers
Colin

 

[MFish]

yea..that was in the LFS I work at. The 20gal w/ ecosystem didnt have a chiller.

My bimac tank is in my basement, which never gets above 75

 

[OctoMonkey]

okay dokey