37 Gallon Reef Development
- Thread starter Dendrobates
- Start date
Dendrobates
New member
Got another empty ro/di unit today to join with the 2 stage from before. I plan on doing a BRS chloramine mimic unit since the canisters really don't matter between brands. Picked up a filter wrench, new gaskets for the canisters and I've been doing some research on a DIY flush valve for the r/o membrane and will look into some TDS meters to run on it.
Thanks for the starting platform turkeyty!
I'm waiting until next week to skin my stand, since I don't have a table saw and would like these cuts to be a lot more precise than what my circular/jig saws can accomplish. Got some stain and sealer from RandoReefer, can't wait to see it all together.
Thanks for the starting platform turkeyty!
I'm waiting until next week to skin my stand, since I don't have a table saw and would like these cuts to be a lot more precise than what my circular/jig saws can accomplish. Got some stain and sealer from RandoReefer, can't wait to see it all together.
RandoReefer
Randy_BRS
Nice RO/DI unit! +1 Turkeyty!
My RO/DI has a flush valve, if you want to take a closer look next time you're there. Should also have inline check valve and auto shutoff.
My RO/DI has a flush valve, if you want to take a closer look next time you're there. Should also have inline check valve and auto shutoff.
Dendrobates
New member
My progress on the stand has been going a bit slow lately. I've got the basic power tools, but for the trim work, I'd like to use a table saw to make sure everything fits perfectly. A friend of mine offered to help me out this coming week so hopefully I can get it squared away.
In the mean time I figured I may as well mess around with the aquascape for the tank. Nothing is final yet, but when it is, I will be adhering the rock pieces with epoxy putty. I'd like the entire structure in the display tank to be dry rock and then will use a few choice pieces of live rock and some tiles in the sump to seed the dry rock. This is my first lay out that I've been somewhat pleased with. My goals so far have been to avoid a huge rock wall and go for a more minimalist approach to the rock work, making everything serve a purpose and to take advantage of the 24" height while still trying to create a little depth working with only 12".
Original i wanted to have an overhanging rock branch in the aquarium to mimic the bonsai style of aquascaping, but it's proving difficult with little space. I have one area on the lower left that i may be able to build off from and create a larger elevated ledge. Messed around with some coral placement ideas just to have a general idea. This whole thing may get scraped, but I've got picture proof if I ever need to return to it. green=softies, yellow=LPS, red=SPS, blue=NPS Doing this will also give me a head start on the powerhead placement in the aquarium
Also had a brain wave for a frag rack out of a piece of dry rock that didn't make it into my main scape. I'd like to put magnets on the shelf to elevate it on the upper left corner of the aquarium and drill holes into it for frag plugs. This would avoid any eggcrate making it's way into my display.
I have a line on a few 29 gallons to swap out for the sump and have plans to incorporate the ATO reservoir into the sump design to increase usable space beneath the aquarium. The sellers don't seem to rushed o get the wheels turning though...
In the mean time I figured I may as well mess around with the aquascape for the tank. Nothing is final yet, but when it is, I will be adhering the rock pieces with epoxy putty. I'd like the entire structure in the display tank to be dry rock and then will use a few choice pieces of live rock and some tiles in the sump to seed the dry rock. This is my first lay out that I've been somewhat pleased with. My goals so far have been to avoid a huge rock wall and go for a more minimalist approach to the rock work, making everything serve a purpose and to take advantage of the 24" height while still trying to create a little depth working with only 12".
Original i wanted to have an overhanging rock branch in the aquarium to mimic the bonsai style of aquascaping, but it's proving difficult with little space. I have one area on the lower left that i may be able to build off from and create a larger elevated ledge. Messed around with some coral placement ideas just to have a general idea. This whole thing may get scraped, but I've got picture proof if I ever need to return to it. green=softies, yellow=LPS, red=SPS, blue=NPS Doing this will also give me a head start on the powerhead placement in the aquarium
Also had a brain wave for a frag rack out of a piece of dry rock that didn't make it into my main scape. I'd like to put magnets on the shelf to elevate it on the upper left corner of the aquarium and drill holes into it for frag plugs. This would avoid any eggcrate making it's way into my display.
I have a line on a few 29 gallons to swap out for the sump and have plans to incorporate the ATO reservoir into the sump design to increase usable space beneath the aquarium. The sellers don't seem to rushed o get the wheels turning though...
Dendrobates
New member
Did manage to rinse some aragonite and mess with it in the tank. Rocks are now all epoxied together and were laying flat enough on the bottom that I opted for no eggcrate. Trying to to the age old "substrate sloped to the rear of the tank" to increase depth. Wish I would have gotten a cube...
Better quality pictures will be soon enough,b ut for the time being, phone camera does ok for rocks and supplies.
p.s. anyone know of an mp10w floating around? Would like another to pair with mine, the mp20 is a bit too beastly.
Better quality pictures will be soon enough,b ut for the time being, phone camera does ok for rocks and supplies.
p.s. anyone know of an mp10w floating around? Would like another to pair with mine, the mp20 is a bit too beastly.
Dendrobates
New member
May have to change the name of the thread to the "Chameleon Build" with how much of my original plan changes over time. Ditched the 20H sump in favor of a 29 gallon to incorporate the auto top off reservoir inside the actual sump, this should clean up the area under the stand and give me a few more gallons of total water volume. Made sure all of my components can be removed with the sump in place and should be getting some baffles cut this week to get the ball rolling.
I've been truck shopping here lately to replace my current Jeep that's more of a toy than a dependable daily driver, and sadly it takes priority over the reef. Can't wait for it to be over with...
Here's a rough outline of the sump, still need to determine measurements and exact volumes in each compartment.
And how she sits in the apartment, my friends have been jokingly asking me when the bearded dragons are arriving... all rock and sand with no water!
The 29 gives me just enough room to mount some electronics above and to the side as well as run a reactor on the right side for GFO/carbon.
I've been truck shopping here lately to replace my current Jeep that's more of a toy than a dependable daily driver, and sadly it takes priority over the reef. Can't wait for it to be over with...
Here's a rough outline of the sump, still need to determine measurements and exact volumes in each compartment.
And how she sits in the apartment, my friends have been jokingly asking me when the bearded dragons are arriving... all rock and sand with no water!
The 29 gives me just enough room to mount some electronics above and to the side as well as run a reactor on the right side for GFO/carbon.
Dendrobates
New member
This thread may be in for another name change, "Snail's Pace." Spent the winter truck shopping and messing with my vivariums instead of focusing on the reef. Never really had it in its permanent spot, so didn't want to move a full set up.
This week it's been placed in the correct spot and I'm going to try and get some work done on it before the weekend. Siliconed a few baffles in the sump, running plumbing and filling the display are my main goals.
Teaser shot from yesterday, I'm one glass piece short, but should have that by Thursday. She's been dry for at least 4 months, think I owe the aquarium a drink!
This week it's been placed in the correct spot and I'm going to try and get some work done on it before the weekend. Siliconed a few baffles in the sump, running plumbing and filling the display are my main goals.
Teaser shot from yesterday, I'm one glass piece short, but should have that by Thursday. She's been dry for at least 4 months, think I owe the aquarium a drink!
Dendrobates
New member
Hammered out the baffles this afternoon. Went with my latest plan on using a 29 gallon, making the sump in about 20 gallons and the remainder for the auto top off reservoir.
I'll start adding my components and substrate for the refugium tomorrow once the silicone has cured completely.
I'll start adding my components and substrate for the refugium tomorrow once the silicone has cured completely.
RandoReefer
Randy_BRS
Digging the ATO reservoir! Progress!
Dendrobates
New member
Well, missed my water deadline, but have been getting some more detail worked finished in the mean time. Really want this to be simple, clean, and extremely safe. All of my electrical components are going into the shelf and I have plans for a template to mount the ATO and NO controllers onto.
Nearing completion on the refugium light, still needs a splash of paint before I start with the return plumbing and reactor placement. It's a hardware store LED floodlamp, in a 5000K variety, was going for energy efficient, longevity, and minimal heat output.
That's all for now, should have a BRS box this week for a few more goodies.
Nearing completion on the refugium light, still needs a splash of paint before I start with the return plumbing and reactor placement. It's a hardware store LED floodlamp, in a 5000K variety, was going for energy efficient, longevity, and minimal heat output.
That's all for now, should have a BRS box this week for a few more goodies.
Dendrobates
New member
Checklist for completion:
-Run plumbing drain/return
-mount canister inside stand and connect to return line fork
-Source a new LED light to replace the 2xt5 on it currently
-jaebo dc return pump?
-paint?stain?
-level
-mount MP controllers and Tunze ATO controller to board in middle shelf
-wire all electronics to middle shelf
Every1jockzjay
New member
Sc 301!!! Got one on my 36 bow its a beast!!! Water changes are just for water chemisty with that thing...water is mint, i would also run small amount of gfo and carbon...looks great tho goodluck
Every1jockzjay
New member
I would look into a diy led fixture...be carefull with "white" leds they have a veryyyyu small spectrum compared to mh or t5...def go with alot of blue some green and a little red with white to just make the color pleasent to your eyes... The blue and green will do most of the growing...i tell people to mimic the AI vega i really like the light combo on that thing....i wouldnt say white is bad but u def dont wanna overload it, many people will tell you leds arent good but you just have to do your research and do it correct....i bought a square foot aluminum heatsink from ebay 2 50w royal blue and 2 20w white turned down alottt...im adding rgb chips and turnin my blue down a tad ...im not a pro, novice at best so people may disagree but i jus want to add some insight on leds and how to get good spectrum bc whites alone are far from full spectrum...white isnt a color, blended colors look like white to our eyes...leds are complicated bc a white led is basically yellow, yellow light is good but u need more blue amd green that it doesnt provide enouph of...thats the best i can do without talking about things i dont kno for sure...just sayin do ur research before buying a premade fixture and if u diy then experiment and have fun loll...just dont blast white thinkin its all the colors of the rainbow like sunlight lol
Dendrobates
New member
Glad to hear other like their SCA skimmers, I read lots of reviews and a pretty lengthy thread on here about user's experiences.
I haven't decided on an LED unit yet, but have always contemplated building my own. I just figured I would first get a commercial unit and when I made my own, could improve on it for my needs. Seeing fixtures in action in person is my favorite way to differentiate the various models. If only I had the cash for radions...
I haven't decided on an LED unit yet, but have always contemplated building my own. I just figured I would first get a commercial unit and when I made my own, could improve on it for my needs. Seeing fixtures in action in person is my favorite way to differentiate the various models. If only I had the cash for radions...
Dendrobates
New member
Started on a bit of plumbing work, mainly the easy return part so when I've got it against the wall, I don't have to contort myself around to install it.
I will be adding a flex hose section to the return pump, then split for my refugium and carbo/gfo canister. The drain will be all flex hose so I can make some difficult angles.
I was hoping to have the room to mount all of my controllers the same way, but the newer mp10w controller is too tall with the power cords, so it will be mounted sideways.
Here's the template before painting and i'll be picking up some heavy duty velcro to attach the controllers to the board after wok today. There's just enough clearance for me to cover the entire front with a finished board attached via magnets.
Made a visit over to Ty's (user turkeyty) place last night and picked up 45 gallons of ro/di water to start the filling. The display held 33 gallons of water and I added some instant ocean to kick off the cycle. I did notice that if left to sit for 4 months, the sand becomes rather solid and the initial filling is very clear, but the powerheads have already started moving it around. Plan on adding some liquid beneficial bacteria tonight to help establish a decent population of nitrifying bacteria instead of leaving it alone.
This weekend the plumbing should be all sorted out and sump will be connected to the display. I really would like to try a DC pump with a controller so I have been waiting around to pull the trigger on that one. Maybe once my tax returns come in.
I will be adding a flex hose section to the return pump, then split for my refugium and carbo/gfo canister. The drain will be all flex hose so I can make some difficult angles.
I was hoping to have the room to mount all of my controllers the same way, but the newer mp10w controller is too tall with the power cords, so it will be mounted sideways.
Here's the template before painting and i'll be picking up some heavy duty velcro to attach the controllers to the board after wok today. There's just enough clearance for me to cover the entire front with a finished board attached via magnets.
Made a visit over to Ty's (user turkeyty) place last night and picked up 45 gallons of ro/di water to start the filling. The display held 33 gallons of water and I added some instant ocean to kick off the cycle. I did notice that if left to sit for 4 months, the sand becomes rather solid and the initial filling is very clear, but the powerheads have already started moving it around. Plan on adding some liquid beneficial bacteria tonight to help establish a decent population of nitrifying bacteria instead of leaving it alone.
This weekend the plumbing should be all sorted out and sump will be connected to the display. I really would like to try a DC pump with a controller so I have been waiting around to pull the trigger on that one. Maybe once my tax returns come in.
Dendrobates
New member
Thanks, looking forward to filling this guy with lots of Euphyllia and other LPS. Should be finishing up my sump tomorrow, weather is supposed to drop substantially so I'm working on indoors projects.
Dendrobates
New member
Managed to get the controller panel finished up and the vortechs wired up to help circulate the display. I haven't connected the sump to the display yet, so the ATO is not plugged in.
I'm leaving for a black footed ferret research survey from Tuesday-Saturday this week in western Kansas, so I had planned on having the sump operational by then, but I want to be around the house to watch it's first week to make sure everything goes smoothly so I will have to wait until next week.
BRS sent me some loc line for the return and a bracket to mount the carbon/GFO canister to. Also scored a slightly larger pump to run as the return and should be able to plumb in the reactor off the return line.
Some key points for my reference:
Water added (RO/DI and instant ocean) 03/13/2014
Heater added to display 79F 03/14/2014
Nitrifying bacteria added to display 03/16/2014
I plan on giving the liquid bacteria a few doses in the next two weeks and when the sump is hooked up, I have a few mature live rock pieces to stack in the refugium to seed the display.
I'm leaving for a black footed ferret research survey from Tuesday-Saturday this week in western Kansas, so I had planned on having the sump operational by then, but I want to be around the house to watch it's first week to make sure everything goes smoothly so I will have to wait until next week.
BRS sent me some loc line for the return and a bracket to mount the carbon/GFO canister to. Also scored a slightly larger pump to run as the return and should be able to plumb in the reactor off the return line.
Some key points for my reference:
Water added (RO/DI and instant ocean) 03/13/2014
Heater added to display 79F 03/14/2014
Nitrifying bacteria added to display 03/16/2014
I plan on giving the liquid bacteria a few doses in the next two weeks and when the sump is hooked up, I have a few mature live rock pieces to stack in the refugium to seed the display.
Cloudburst2000
Active member
I like your aquascape. I am not normally a fan of arches because they usually don't look natural, IMHO. However, the way you constructed your arches is very natural-looking. And I agree that it gives lots of options for coral placement and nice little nooks and crannies for fishies to hide.
