50g SPS build
- Thread starter cpllongjk
- Start date
Look forward to pics.
Extra water volume will be good for the acros.
Herbie plumbing shot from Frag tank.
Frag FTS (Still need to figure out the frag rack situation and lighting.)
Frag Tank Overflow. Just 1/4" Smoked Glass. Since it is a frag tank and I don't plan on putting in any fish I refrained from using acrylic and teeth. I can always add them down the road if needed. I plan on putting a strainer on the 1" drain tomorrow.
Right now the return pump is still a single Eheim 1260 3/4" return split between the display and frag tank. I've always wanted to dial down the flow on the main display and welcome the decreased gph going to the main display. It was fun adjusting the dual herbies to work together. Every now and again my frag tank will gurgle if the frag tank somehow gets more water than usual.
Look forward to pics.
Extra water volume will be good for the acros.
When I get the lighting figured out I was thinking about having the lights on reverse so my pH stays up. I've always had lower pH because the wife likes to shut the house up and likes it warm in the winter. In summer time as long as it stays in the 90s I will leave the house open with fans on but in 100+ weather I will always turn the AC on and set it to 80ish.
So far fans have done an excellent job and should do a much better job this year since I have twice the surface area to evaporate from and cool the tank.
Lighting Question:
My wife told me a few days ago she really loves my tank and stand size. She does not want me to upgrade and if I end up having to replace the tank she wants me to get the same size and maybe get rid of the overflow box in the corner. I would end up putting on a ReefSavvy Ghost Overflow on the back wall or having one made custom for me.
I have 2 options as far as lighting goes:
1. Get a 6x24 dimmable sunpower and 1 more xho actinic reefbrite to replace the display lighting and the current fixture will go over the frag tank. One nice thing about this scenario is I could replace all 6 bulbs on the display every 6 months and then put those bulbs over the frag tank for another 6 months of use. This would give me 1 year out of my bulbs with reduced risk of burning corals when I do a bulb change out. It would also allow me to light my frag tank. No matter how I look at it, this option gives me 1 year bulb life (120-130 dollars a year).
2. Get a 4x24 or 8x24 Hybrid Powermodule for the main display. The problem with the 4x24 is I would be confined to this one tank for a very long time and would have to upgrade the lighting in order to upgrade the tank. I also don't like how the leds on the hybrid are dead center since my rockwork is in 2 columns and there will be almost no corals in the center of the tank. IMO this means wasted lighting. The good thing about the hybrid is how sleek it looks. It would replace my xho reefbrite addon. The last thing is the cost. The 2 fixtures are way too expensive for what you get IMO. I would love the customization but to be honest I can probably achieve the same thing with a dimmable sunpower since my reefbrites are dimmable.
Cost of a 6x24 dimmable sunpower is $530 and the cost of a 4x24w hybrid is $1097, over double the cost. The 8x24 hybrid is $1281. What do you all think?
Last edited:
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
I would certainly go for the 6x24watt unit. That option is much cheaper. Yes, the hybrid is a very nice light, and if money is no objection, by all means go for it. But like I say, I would go for the 6x24watt Dimmable Sunpower, add the XHo Reefbrite on the front, and get a normal Reefbrite for the back.
IMO that would be the sensible option. I base this on having owned the 6x24w Sunpower, and now owning the ATI LED Powermodule. -Which is a great light btw, but in your circumstances, that is what I would do.
Your idea to use the lamps for 6 months on the display and a further 6 months on the frag tank is a very good idea too. The cooled T5 tubes can certainly be used up to a year on a display even, so using on a frag tank is no issue.
Just my 0.2
Ok, so a guy from my local club came by today with the PAR meter and we took some PAR measurements. Looking good. The 24" xho actinic strip gave me 100 PAR at the water's surface.
He also looked at areas I was worried about with the tank. He told me he had several similar spots on his 90g and to not worry. I am taking his advice and will monitor the situation closely. In any case, the frag tank is setup now and if I have an emergency there will be a place for my frags to go.
I will start filling the tank with frags ASAP! Here we go!
He also looked at areas I was worried about with the tank. He told me he had several similar spots on his 90g and to not worry. I am taking his advice and will monitor the situation closely. In any case, the frag tank is setup now and if I have an emergency there will be a place for my frags to go.
I will start filling the tank with frags ASAP! Here we go!
Thanks, got them all from local reefers today. Sold my vertex omega 150 and broke even on all the frags.
BTW. I am thinking about dumping the zeovit media and replacing it with biopellets. I have a TFL 150 reactor and maxijet 600 which I will mod with a 1/4" john guest fitting on the top cap. I will make the reactor recirculating and the venturi on the maxijet will suck water in while the 1/4" will return water to the sump. This mod should allow me to control both the rate of tumble and the flow of water through the reactor so I can fine tune the nitrate and phosphate drop.
Pictures to come soon.
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Why the change from Zeovit? The system definitely works. Is it convenience aspect?
Yeah, a recirculating reactor is the way to go. Try and locate the outout of the pellet reactor as close as possible to the skimmer intake.
Be prepared for possible Cyanno battles...seems to be a common thing with Pellets. Also, make sure you start off with 1/3 or less of the recommended amount of Pellets. Those manufacturers guideline are way too high.
Honestly, I think zeovit and biopellets are too effective at reducing nitrate and phosphate.
The reason for the change is the recirculating mod or being able to fine-tune the biopellets and how much nitrate and phosphate they take out of the water. I see one fundamental flaw with the zeovit and "traditional" biopellet reactors; You really don't have a good way to measure the flow rate through the reactor and flow rate is essential to the health of the system.
Example... I took the output elbow off my zeovit reactor a few days ago and found my flow was reduced to 1/4 what I wanted it to be. I am wanting to set it and pretty much forget it for several weeks. If my reactor gets clogged and slows the flow and I have loss of tank inhabitants as a result, this is not a good thing. What if I went on a vacation? Can I actually trust my reactor for a week or two? Right now, NO!
By looking at the recirculating biopellet reactors at reefdynamics it seems that the only way for the system to go out of wack is if your output valve fails somehow. By controlling the amount of water I am feeding through the reactor I will be able to slow down or speed up how much nitrate and phosphate I strip from the tank. I plan on using 1/4" input and return from the tank so I have a very slow rate of consumption. My system is already ULNS, what I would like to do is safely raise my levels and then hold them steady with biopellets.
Does this all make sense or am I off my rocker?
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Sounds good. I've never used a recirculating reactor, so dont have any experience in usage, but what you propose sounds thought out.
I am sorry for this late reply.
I have been so busy lately that I haven't had a moment to write. Where to begin... We found out my dad's cancer came back in June and ever since I was spending as much time as possible with him, helping when possible, or taking care of him. He ended up passing away on October 25th.
I had my tank going really nice and growing very well before that happened. I bought several high priced sps, all of which were doing excellent, only to see everything die due to neglect. I am at a crossroads now. My wife and I are moving by the end of December into one of my dad's houses that he left me. I can either pack up the tank and move it, downgrade to a 50g cube, or break everything down and get out. I am finding it so difficult to make a decision because I love this hobby but lack of time and money lost over the years is soooooo discouraging.
I hope you all have some insight.
Jared
I have been so busy lately that I haven't had a moment to write. Where to begin... We found out my dad's cancer came back in June and ever since I was spending as much time as possible with him, helping when possible, or taking care of him. He ended up passing away on October 25th.
I had my tank going really nice and growing very well before that happened. I bought several high priced sps, all of which were doing excellent, only to see everything die due to neglect. I am at a crossroads now. My wife and I are moving by the end of December into one of my dad's houses that he left me. I can either pack up the tank and move it, downgrade to a 50g cube, or break everything down and get out. I am finding it so difficult to make a decision because I love this hobby but lack of time and money lost over the years is soooooo discouraging.
I hope you all have some insight.
Jared
BfishLpond78
FUPA
I'm very sorry for your loss. Cancer is a tough one to battle, especially when you're on the sidelines. I give you a lot of credit for being there. I am in a similar situation with my father. Keep your head up.
I think you should continue the tank and be involved in something that you love. I believe your father would want that to be the way. Keep the tank simple and don't go after the high prices gems.
Again sorry to hear if your loss, my prayers are with you and your family.
I think you should continue the tank and be involved in something that you love. I believe your father would want that to be the way. Keep the tank simple and don't go after the high prices gems.
Again sorry to hear if your loss, my prayers are with you and your family.
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Jared, I am so sorry about the passing away of your father.
I can sort of relate to your situation because I lost my father to cancer as well many years ago. My uncle was told a few weeks ago that he has about 4 months to live because cancer is spreading through his body.
I know in situations like this you would tend to think its not worth having a tank right now...but I would advise keeping your current setup and just keep it ticking over...until you are ready to start keeping corals and SPS etc.
I would actually put a bit of effort into taking the tank over to the new place and then set everything up. After that all you need to do is keep the topoff container filled regularly and nothing much else. You can sell off any corals that you may still have, but keep the tank running.
Selling up and rebuying stuff later on increases adds to your losses so far. I was thinking of shutting down or selling up many months back due to illness/work/family etc...but glad I kept the tank running.
I hope things get easier for you. Good luck, and report back when you feel upto it.
