4' x 4' x 2' build

[mxett]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11587783#post11587783 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by OnlyCrimson
What do you plan on keeping in here? I also think you need to upgrade your skimmer. Honestly, that is a very small skimmer.

Medium Sensitivity
A medium organic stability is usually found in mixed aquaiums inhabited with soft and stone corals (LPS). Filter-feeding animals. sponges, et cetera, are found there frequently well. For these aquariums, a reduction of about 20% of the skimming capacity is calculated. A skimmer for 1000 liters (264 gallons) should thus be used for an aquarium about 800 liters (211 gallons) which has this kind of reef design.

This pretty much sums up what I want to do with the tank - light to medium stock of fish, lps and a few sps.

Again, I agree the skimmer is on the smaller size, but at the moment this is what my budget allows. I realise almost everyone on RC seems to like to put $2000 skimmers on 90g's (ok slight exageration), but for me I am happy to use a moderate skimmer with phosphate removal using a reactor, and nitrate removal using a deep sand bed.

If after some months I feel this is struggling I will upgrade the skimmer when finances (and my female family manager) allow.

 

[mxett]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11587885#post11587885 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Ill leave it for another thread, as this one should be about your tank, but I wanted to clear up a little....

First of all, I would hardly call Ron the definitive authority on DSB's. There are many others out there, and not all agree with him. Ron is first and foremost a scientist with respect to invertebrate morphology, ecology, and behavior. I just say this so you keep an open mind, not to attack Ron in any way.

Did you read the article by Randy?
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/feature.htm

interesting, eh? I realize its for a RDSB ( I have had one too), not display... the silicates dissolve into the water, and there are algaes which can suck it right out of the sand, as well as glass FWIW.

Starfish, sand sifters, snails, etc... silica doesnt dissolve when ingested... and these critters do ingest sand. Instead it sand-blasts their insides until they die. A piece of calcium based sand in a gill, mouth, or digestive tract can dissolve with acids so its not dangerous. It also has rounded edges... silica is literally shards of glass. Perhaps I should take up the issue with Ron himself. Im kinda shocked he would approve of its use.

I asked my GF, since she was born in Sydney and grew up there, and she wonders why you dont find a secluded beach or something and just collect some sand there.

I was going to use white, triple washed , fine river sand.

I read the article. yes it is very interesting, but doesn't discount the use of silica, just mentions under some circumstances you may get diatoms. Do you have a source for your comments on invertebrates and the damage silica can do to their digestive tracts?

 

[mxett]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11587866#post11587866 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ricks
Is it just me, or does that stand look a little undersized?? I would put some more bracing, maybe some cross bracing between the legs. That's a lot of weight and if it gets moving sideways, could be trouble. I know I would sleep better...

Nice build..

Very observent.

When I odered the stand I asked that it be fairly plain, because I wanted to add side panels myself. The lfs were adamanat that the stand was the correct strength for the tank, and with 9 legs, the load should only be 100kg per leg, which is fine.

However, adding panels to the sides was also going to stabalise the stand from lateral movement. When the tank was filling i noticed that i could slightly wobble the stand without too much trouble. I indeed did lose some sleep over this! I don't intend to attach the sides for some weeks so to help stabalise the stand I have installed 8 'heavy' cross braces to the legs. This has all but eliminated any lateral movement. It now feels rock solid, and will only get stronger when the side panels are added.

This brings me to my next photo post.

The tank is now totally full, sump added, salt added, plumbing tested and a thin layer of crushed marble substrate added.

I have been running the sump flow through a 1 micron filter sock and the water has cleared up significantly already.

 

[mxett]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11588485#post11588485 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kydsexy
im gonna have to agree with hahnsmeister on the topic of the sand. it was the first thing to catch my eye on your list haha you're in Aussie, you have an infinite resource to sand and rock. aesthetically, im surprised that you chose that rock, it's much more freshwater like to me. my yellow bullheads perch on it allll day long. as far as finding that rock, how close was it to the hotel? I'm so jealous, i spent my sophomore year summer in college in Australia. You're one lucky man.

haha, after snorkeling down there, i wish i never left. good luck with the tank. as mentioned, keep an open mind

and what is a RDSB? i have a 6" DSB, is it gonna be more than that?!? makes me nervous lol! good luck again

I collected this rock in New South Wales, a long long way south of any reef. Again, eventually it will be almost entirely covered by either LR, coral or corraline algae.

Yes i feel luck, I love everything about Australia! Thanks

 

[jjackson]

love the size... I am currently building one this size.

 

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11591080#post11591080 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mxett
Medium Sensitivity
A medium organic stability is usually found in mixed aquaiums inhabited with soft and stone corals (LPS). Filter-feeding animals. sponges, et cetera, are found there frequently well. For these aquariums, a reduction of about 20% of the skimming capacity is calculated. A skimmer for 1000 liters (264 gallons) should thus be used for an aquarium about 800 liters (211 gallons) which has this kind of reef design.

This pretty much sums up what I want to do with the tank - light to medium stock of fish, lps and a few sps.

Again, I agree the skimmer is on the smaller size, but at the moment this is what my budget allows. I realise almost everyone on RC seems to like to put $2000 skimmers on 90g's (ok slight exageration), but for me I am happy to use a moderate skimmer with phosphate removal using a reactor, and nitrate removal using a deep sand bed.

If after some months I feel this is struggling I will upgrade the skimmer when finances (and my female family manager) allow.

Its not on the light side, its inadequate IMO. Like I said, Im running a 9010 on a 125g with light fish load (6 fish) and medium coral load (SPS frags, but no big colonies), and it is not enough for this system. For $500 USD you can get the MSX 250, which I think would do a good job on your tank. With the 9010, you will be constantly struggling to control the water quality, and end up doing frequent and large water changes, almost as if you were running skimmerless. Why waste the cash? You can run it skimmerless for a bit, wait one more month save up an extra $100 or so, and get a skimmer that will actually work on your tank. Not trying to nag, just hate to see you waste your hard earned $$

 

[mxett]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11592093#post11592093 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcliffy2
Its not on the light side, its inadequate IMO. Like I said, Im running a 9010 on a 125g with light fish load (6 fish) and medium coral load (SPS frags, but no big colonies), and it is not enough for this system. For $500 USD you can get the MSX 250, which I think would do a good job on your tank. With the 9010, you will be constantly struggling to control the water quality, and end up doing frequent and large water changes, almost as if you were running skimmerless. Why waste the cash? You can run it skimmerless for a bit, wait one more month save up an extra $100 or so, and get a skimmer that will actually work on your tank. Not trying to nag, just hate to see you waste your hard earned $$

I already have the 9010, from my previous reef. I will wait a few months then consider upgrading. Thanks for your input.

 

[mxett]

Well, last night and this morning I have created a 'T' frame from aluminum framing, from Bunnings (our homedepot). I have attached my 2 luminarc mini's, and an old reflector I had, all running 250w MH globes ( two 10,000k and one 14,000). I have suspended them from the ceiling via hooks and chain. I like the look of an open top and the exposed lights, so I don't think I will add a canopy at all.

I plan to replace the old white reflector with a luminarc mini, once they are in stock here soon. Hopefully should be any day. They have been saying that since early December.

I also made a syphon from my overflow to the filter sock (which is replace every 3 days). The syphon is made from simple garden watering system piping, with 2 valves and a smaller flexible piping to allow easy priming. All in all the tank is so much quieter, with almost all flow going via the syphon, and what is remaining going via the standpipe. Simple. Thanks to whoever thought of this idea.

I have also installed my 9010 skimmer, phosphate reactor and tunze calcium reactor. The phosphate reactor, running phosban, also empties in to the filter sock, so any tiny pieces that leave the reactor don't end up in the sump or tank. You may have noticed that the sump has no baffles. I have had no issues with microbubbles, and the flow through the sump is nice and strong, so at this stage I am happy to leave it.

I also have installed a fan next to the overflow, which blows over the top of the tank. This does a good job of displacing the heat from the MH's (and for $25 who could complain). At this stage I don't think I will need a chiller, as the room the tank is in is well air conditioned, and I haven't seen the tank temp rise above 27 with all lights on for a 4 hours or so now. The fan is almost non visible(to a shorty like me), because I can barely see over the tall stand and tank.

Well thats it for now. Should be able to get the livestock in, in the next day or two, so I think soon you will see a reef, not just a tank of non porous rock.

 

[mxett]

OK

After a night and morning of stocking, all my stock from my 4 x 18' x 2 are in the new tank! YAY.

Fish: 3 Blue-green chromis, oscellaris clown, lawnmower blenny and foxface rabbit fish.

Invertebrates: 5 large turbo snails, many smaller turbos (offspring), smaller brittle stars, a sea urchin (stubborn bugger)

Corals: a selection of sps and lps - acro's, elegance, zoanthids, acan, pocillapora, montipora, pipe organ, frogspawn, bubble and some zoo's.

I plan to keep only this livestock for the next few months as the tank parameters settle in.

I must say I am really happy the way it has turned out!

It looks 10 times better in person too. i've had a lot of "wow's" from family and a few visitors!

The new inhabitants love the new bigger home and all corals seem to be thriving so far. Here are some pictures.

 

[matthew5664]

Looks grand mate, think you did a good job of it!

 

[mxett]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11607076#post11607076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by matthew5664
Looks grand mate, think you did a good job of it!

Thanks old chap!

 

[martinphillip03]

Nicely done

Marty

 

[Alphabet]

Very nice, water is crystal clear! How often are you cleaning that filter sock or are you replacing it?

 

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11592110#post11592110 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mxett
I already have the 9010, from my previous reef. I will wait a few months then consider upgrading. Thanks for your input.

Ah you didnt mention that, wondered why you were so set on it That sounds like a good plan if you already have it.

 

[mxett]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11608675#post11608675 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Alphabet
Very nice, water is crystal clear! How often are you cleaning that filter sock or are you replacing it?

Thanks. I was amazed how quickly the water cleared!

I have 4. They are replaced every 2 to 3 days.

 

[mxett]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11575261#post11575261 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
I read you plan on putting silica in the RDSB... bad move. Silica is glass, and therefore it doesnt breathe very well at all like aragonite. Also, the glass may seem fine and soft on our skin, but its murder on fish gills, as well as any other organisms that have to live in it. Also, the acids that develop in a DSB/Plenum allow phosphates to bind with the calcium in aragonite: without the aragonite, this wont be possible and you will have a phosphate factory.

So I would suggest two things...
1. make the RBSB from aragonite, perhaps a coarse grain for about 3", and then a screen on that and topped with a finer grain (not sugar arag though, but .5-1.5mm arag) on top for 2-3".
2. make it a plenum. research is showing that in the long term, DSB's act as nutrient sinks, but when they fill up, they can backfire. The reason is that they lack the large open anoxic zone of a plenum. So get out the eggcrate! The two DSB's I ran were both plenums, and the cool thing was that I had a pipe running under the plenum with a valve to drain it. This was cool because once a month or so I could drain off a bit of that foul water from in the plenum, detritus, etc... to keep it from clogging up. I only did maybe a gallon at a time, usually 1/2 that, but Im sure it kept the plenum in much better shape because it prevented buildup.

Just for the record, and for anyone else thinking of using silica sand for either a dsb or rdsb, both Dr Ron Shimek, and Anthony Calfo, agreed that silica sand was an appropriate and acceptable choice of sand, when quizzed.

 

[jay24k]

Couple of my inputs. Everything looks great. Can't comment on the skimmer but I have the same going on a 3'x3'x12" prop tank.

The stand doesn't need those additional braces imo. Most people don't realize that just 3/4" wood could hold that tank up easily. If it is for your peace of mind, then that's fine.

Silica sand I'm surprised so many people are ignorant on. It is 100% fine and actually has been debated several times. It not only provides a more diverse life but nothing has been shown to say it is bad. Please provide concrete proof. I've used it throughout my SW reefing and have had no issue. In fact, my tank has been more stable then several in my area who have the exact same setup (tank, skimmer, pumps, lighting) but used aragonite. The buffering abilities are miniscual at that. Hey we all have our budget and in my prop tank, I'll be using silica sand as well.

Keep the pictures coming.

 

[aquasport24]

Do you have any plan to reinforce the stand ? It doesn't look very sturdy..

 

[jay24k]

I fail to see how it doesn't look sturdy. He says he is going to wrap it so if anything, that will tie it in together but I don't see any of those beams splitting ANYTIME soon.

 

[ricks]

I to am one for overkill and peace of mind. One of the first pictures has (3) small children next to the tank.... The problem I noticed was with the possible lateral, not vertical integrity. Some of the photos show (1) screw holding a vertical and lateral brace together...

Also I don't see where wrapping the stand with a screw on shell will increase it's load bearing capacity.. I would leave the cross braces on, but that's just me...

Happy Reefing