65 gallon build

[5380]

I picked up a 36x18x24 rimless tank made by Miracles constructed with a 1/2 starfire front panel and 3/8" float glass around. I'm in the equipment planning stage at this point. I have big questions on the sump/skimmer selections I have made.

Current USA 250w halide 4x24w T5 24" fixture (up for sale, if it won't sell i'll use it)
700 gph overflow (at what height should I place the top of the teeth?)
3/4" SCWD for returns
MP20-> MP40w or MP40ES
Sump (eshopps rs200) vs 20 Long tank
Skimmer? ABT hang on ? I have a tunze 9002 which would work for a while
Apex or profilux down the road, chrontrol timers until then.

Stocking is to be primarily LPS/zoo's and a few clams, no sand but plenty of LPS to near the front glass so it doesn't look barren. Two clowns, and target mandarin, maybe a cheap gramma or something colorful that if it jumps I won't care.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on the equipment list.

 

[5380]

 

[Johnny C]

The guys at Miracles did a good job on the tank... the setup reminds me of one I know.

The overflow teeth should on the GH kit should be about 1'' from the edge of the glass. The E-Shopps RS200 sump would work well, but you can probably get away with the RS100. An MP20 (IMO) is lackluster and if I were you I would use either (2) MP10's or one MP40. As for a skimmer, why HOB? An in-sump skimmer would work much better and less of a PITA. Good luck on the project!

 

[jaybfresh]

I have a rimless miracles also, and the teeth from the overflow are only about 1/4" down. I run my water level about 1/2" from the edge and its always the first thing people comment on.

Although when snails get up to the top, water splashes over them and I get some spillage. Doesnt happen often though

 

[solRNY]

Very nice looking tank

 

[5380]

The abt multiuse can be used in or out of sump the goal here is to make sure my purchase will fit into the cabinet. Seems like a nice cone skimmer, but quite expensive.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

tunze 9002 on a 65 clam/zoo/LPS display should be fine- just make sure to do an occasional water change.

 

[5380]

i'm searching for a heavy duty bulkhead fit a 1 1/2" hole and 3/4" scwd. It would be a bonus if a 90 degree elbow came off the bulkhead. Just can't find the plumbing in b' lo

 

[5380]

The bulkheads I was able to get locally are not nearly as sturdy as the heavy duty bulkhead I received with my glass cages tank a few years ago. The rubber gaskets bulge out under a hand tightening, I also added the 90 degree elbows and when tightening them down the bulkheads will actually shift around on the rubber gasket. I actually think they are a little undersized, not really pleased, its a bit unsettling. I think in order to accommodate the heavy duty bulkheads I would need to redrill the tank, as the holes were made with what I think is a 38mm holesaw. Tomorrow the glas-holes overflow will be ready for install and I will leak test on Saturday. The temporary sump will be a 20L with a tunze 9002, and by the end of the month I am going to upgrade to a 30 gallon sump with a deltec 600 AP. Any help with the bulkheads is much appreciated, I am really uncomfortable having a 2nd story apt with a potential source of a leak. I am getting closer and closer to just selling the tank and downsizing to an elos mini.

 

[5380]

I'd like to buy a used 29gallon tank to run as the sump if anyone has one around / for sale.

 

[5380]

I ended up getting a 20xh and buying glass baffles. Do I really need three baffles or could I get away with two for a bubble trap??

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

you shouldn't need 3 baffles

 

[Dave VG]

It depends on what your plans are for it. Yes you could get away with just two baffles as a skimmer compartment and bubble diffuser that is if you plan on just utilizing it as a sump only. Now if you think you may want a refuge now or maybe down the road that's a different story. My 40B sump/ Refugium has four baffles in it. The first section witch is for the skimmer has one baffle followed by two more used as a bubble diffuser followed by a half a baffle on the end of that for a media rack and one to create a section for the refugium in the middle and the return pump section at the end. I'm sure you could do this with a 20 as long as you don't have a humongous skimmer that is. It would just be smaller sections.

Heres a pic.

 

[redrider911]

How's the build coming?

 

[5380]

Fair warning the video is darn noisy so turn down your speakers!

Finally up and running now for about a week.



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My equipment list updated from last time:
65 G miracles, GH700gph overflow, SCWD return, and mp40ES
20XH sump, AP600 skimmer, Eheim 1262 return

 

[jfl14609]

Awesome I love the flow

 

[5380]

i am too chicken to leave it in short pulse while I'm away =)

 

[Johnny C]

Everything looks great! I see you found out how to dial in that Vortech- be careful with it, I learned the hard way! :lol:

 

[5380]

It's bad to be an acan in my tank apparently. A couple of my acan's are suffering following the move to the new tank. Sucks a bit cause I think a lot of things could be the potential culprit.

1) 150w just upgraded to a 250w halide + 4xt5. I don't see pigment break down which I think is common with overly bright light.
2) I had a clam die two weeks ago while on vacation which was the original impetus.
3) I have a clown that will dig his face into the flesh of the coral and rip a peice off.
4) Wider/higher temp swings without the chiller hovering between 80 and 82 (I think this is my most likely culprit). Chiller is offline because of a broken barb.
5) Flow could also be an issue the vortech is running in reefcrest random most of the time at 80%.

I am going to install the chiller tonight I think even though it has a broken barb I don't think I can afford to wait.

 

[5380]

My acans continue to recede and I really have no reason for them to be failing.
Params:
Nitrates 10
Mag 1350
Alk 9dk
Ca~400

My new theory is that the maxima clam that I lost over a month ago was maricultured or wild. Whatever it had filtered during it's life was released and absorbed selectively by the coral. At the time of the clams downfall I wasn't running carbon. Any thoughts?