A ~19,000 Gallon Aquarium

[allsps40]

what the University does is pump continually into the system. that seems better than running the pump to "filter" the water more than one pass through the sand filter.

the way they do is to pull the water through the sand filter and pump that water above their system where it gravity feeds to the tanks and back to the sea.

This may be a great idea for a system this large. Maybe look into changing your filtration. Instead of filtering the water in the pool have a few large pool sand filters, UV and Ozone cleaning the NSW before it enters the reef pool and basically be doing a constant water change with new clean NSW :dance:

 

[nahham]

This may be a great idea for a system this large. Maybe look into changing your filtration. Instead of filtering the water in the pool have a few large pool sand filters, UV and Ozone cleaning the NSW before it enters the reef pool and basically be doing a constant water change with new clean NSW :dance:

I went to a company that does commercial water treatment. The sand filters where HUGE: they are definitely larger than my 300 gallon skimmer and takes nearly 600 kgs (1,322 lbs) of sand. It will allow for up to 7,000 GPH which could change the total water volume (~45,000 gallons) 3.5 times a day. A bit extreme?

I always recycle a bit of the water from the tank and mix some new sea water with it. I also have the capability of actually shutting off the NSW source in case of pollution or red tide.

 

[kinlayan]

Sand filters are more for mechanical filtration and wont really help the phyto bloom as much as Ozone and or Uv would long term.
Mr Wilson gave good solutions as well.

 

[wjgeese]

At the risk of getting flamed (which I'm sure I will) I'd like to voice my opinion on this cess pool of a tank. The only thing this tank has going for it is, yes it is cool that it is BIG...but that's where it ends. I feel bad for the inhabitants of this tank that are taken right out of the sea to be put into this nasty environment. I have yet to see this tank look even slightly good -- always green...always full of algae...yet more fish and more corals go in.
Just my $.02

 

[FancyDirty]

thats a big algae scrubber

 

[reeffiji]

That is pretty big refuge!!!

 

[nahham]

Algae filters can do wonders, but I haven't seen any evidence that they work any more efficient out of the water or through the use of screens.

I dont want to discourage you, but mangroves are another inefficient method of nutrient export and assimilation of nutrients. They look nice and have their place in the ecosystem so I would use them, but if you are still managing water quality, then place them in planters above the tank on a drip watering system and fill that cement tank with caulerpa indigenous to the area. Macroalgae will take off in their.

I'm trying to find caulerpa but can't seem to get enough amounts for it to flourish in the tank. The hair algae takes over in the fuge.

I don't want to sound like a broken record, but one of your major issues is the spectrum of light at such shallow depths. A colour temperature corrective shade cloth will filter out much of the 510-630 nm light that is causing the phytoplankton to proliferate.

You never sound like a broken record. I am still looking for a proper shading material that is easily available but still haven't found any.

I assume your phosphate levels are high? Lanthanum chloride dosing is the most cost effective and rapid method of starving algae of nutrients in such a large system.

I haven't checked but will do and let you know.

Collecting local Rotifers will help consume the phytoplankton naturally and add to the food web.

Interesting, I'll look into this. If I'm not mistaken, the marine center I frequently will be able to jump start the process.

... And when all else fails, ozone and UV will easily handle the problem.

If you had the choice of going with either a UV, ozone, or sand filter, which will you choose and why?

What do you feed the tank with? Perhaps this is a source of phosphate as well.

Bread, squid (especially the fish farm) and shrimp (sometimes).

 

[nahham]

Sand filters are more for mechanical filtration and wont really help the phyto bloom as much as Ozone and or Uv would long term.
Mr Wilson gave good solutions as well.

MrWilson always have some good advice. I'm trying to convince him to come over for a couple of weeks to chill and help with the tank but he doesn't seem to like 50+ degrees (Celsius)

 

[nahham]

At the risk of getting flamed (which I'm sure I will) I'd like to voice my opinion on this cess pool of a tank. The only thing this tank has going for it is, yes it is cool that it is BIG...but that's where it ends. I feel bad for the inhabitants of this tank that are taken right out of the sea to be put into this nasty environment. I have yet to see this tank look even slightly good -- always green...always full of algae...yet more fish and more corals go in.
Just my $.02

I believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, that does not necessarily mean I agree or think it is remotely 'correct'.

You, I believe, are mistaken on so many levels. Here is a short list of some of the wrong things you said:

1. 'nasty enviroment': Let us check the parameters: pH usually higher than 8 most of the time. salinity 38 ppm, which is lower than the 40+ ppm at the sea next to the tank. Temperature always a couple of degrees colder in summer and a couple of degrees warmer in winter. Redox always over 200 (Over 300 most of the time). I won't go into details on the water parameters from where I catch the fish, but they are far from these, the fish are moving from a crappy motel to a 4* hotel. So I don't really understand where you get that impression from. All the fish in the tank are local fish and are used to the poor water conditions, so if I just keep circulating water from the sea without doing anything to it whatsoever it wouldn't be considered a 'nasty environment'.
2. 'slightly good': That is definitely your opinion. I'm not saying the tank is perfect in any way, but it is much more than slightly good: I have people come over that sit for hours in front of the tank and won't move until the lights shut-off.
3. 'always green...always full of algae: Did you see the last video I posted? Do you see the tank green? full of algae? The tank hasn't been green since last summer, and admittedly it is a bit green now, but it just started a couple of days ago, 'always' is a bit of a stretch. The water was quite clear for the longest period of time.
4. 'more fish and more corals go in': Again look at the video? Do you see the tank full of fish without a swimming area? Full of corals maybe? I have yet to pick a coral that didn't come up with the anchor and place in my tank.

thats a big algae scrubber

Seems it is not big enough. Will expand if it works though. I like to experiment

That is pretty big refuge!!!

I think the refugium is so big it needs its own circulation :lmao:

 

[bullitr]

I think ozone with sand filter will works wonders
My tank algae bloom dies after introduction of ozone in just few days
Sunshine pool supply have the ozone needed for relatively cheap than anything out there
Just have ORP probe you will be fine
Good luck .

 

[brockboi]

MrWilson always have some good advice. I'm trying to convince him to come over for a couple of weeks to chill and help with the tank but he doesn't seem to like 50+ degrees (Celsius)

Damn Canadians!

 

[A Reef Scene]

Have you thought about using large swimming pool sand filters. I worked on a tank that was 10,000 gallons, crazy high bio load and the water was crystal clear.(not out side though) I would think if you had 6 of the 21 inch size that might do the trick. The bad part is you will need 6 large pressure pumps like a 2 or 3 hp.

 

[maroun.c]

Hey Nahham,
Long time no see.
I see you're looking for Caulerpa? I can get you some from my fuge on my next trip to Dubai, in a couple of weeks. I'm sure it woun't even be visible in your pool (meant your fuge) but I have some really fast Caulerpa Prolifera which I'm sure will fill it up in no time. Also got some Grape caulerpa and another type I still got to ID. Could also get you some Cheato if you're worried about macro alga getting sent back to the sea as it doesn't release spores for reproduction.
As for for Live rotifers the guys did a couple of group buys for live food so maybe check with SPY or Nick to see if you can order some live rotifers...

 

[Motaz]

i had the pleasure of being invited by Nahham to see his tank and setup.... and must say its massive when you see it, and looks great....

keep up the great work.......

 

[mr.wilson]

MrWilson always have some good advice. I'm trying to convince him to come over for a couple of weeks to chill and help with the tank but he doesn't seem to like 50+ degrees (Celsius)

Hey, let's see how you do at -40 in Canada. It's the same in celsius or fahrenheit when it drops that low, and does it really matter when it's that cold anyway? :smurf:

 

[mr.wilson]

I'm trying to find caulerpa but can't seem to get enough amounts for it to flourish in the tank. The hair algae takes over in the fuge.

A tank full of caulerpa will do wonders. You can grow it fast and harvest it for human consumption, fertilizer, or fish food. Make sure it is local caulerpa or it may/will infest the neighbouring sea. They have that problem at the Monaco Aquarium. http://bonniewmon.tripod.com/killeralgae.html

I am still looking for a proper shading material that is easily available but still haven't found any.

The shipping may be high, but you will save resources in the long run. Chlorinet blue.
http://www.signaturesupplyonline.com/

Interesting, I'll look into this. If I'm not mistaken, the marine center I frequently will be able to jump start the process.

You can buy dry starter cultures and have them shipped to you.
http://www.reedmariculture.com/product_instant_zooplankton.html
http://www.brineshrimpdirect.com/c193/Rotifer-Cysts-Saltwater-or-Freshwater-c194.html

If you had the choice of going with either a UV, ozone, or sand filter, which will you choose and why?

I only get one? If the problem is phytoplankton blooms, then I would go with UV. If the problem is bacteria, viruses, organic waste, and free-floating algae entering your tank form the sea, then I would go with ozone. If the problem is detritus and clarity, then I would go with a sand filter.

I think phytoplankton blooms are going to be a fact of life with the direct sun, high organics, heat waves and semi-closed system, so UV would be my main weapon of choice. I would buy a metal halide UV unit from Aqua UV in the Viper series... http://www.championlighting.com/home.php?cat=1383

Sand filters only work if you frequently backwash them. You could incorporate an automated backwash every few hours with replacement water coming from the sea. Your Profilux controller can switch an actuator valve to do this easily.

The Delzone T3 ozonizer is 230v ready and very efficient. They cost under $100 and provide about 300mg/l/hr. I would use 5 units and run them on a power bar connected to the profilux ORP control (plumbed into your skimmer air intake). If you do the actual math, you require 8500 mg/l/hr, but that's getting into a big noisy industrial unit. Five units 1500 mg/l/hr will work with your skimmer size and will probably run 24/7. Since it is outside, residual ozone gas isn't a problem. Ozone leaves bromide ions behind so running the ozone in your skimmer and then post carbon filter would be a good idea. Norit ROX .08 carbon is the best and probably available locally. http://www.norit.com/

Bread, squid (especially the fish farm) and shrimp (sometimes).

While bred probably isn't going to cause water quality issues, it isn't the most nutritious diet for the fish. Most of your fish are omnivores, eating meat & algae. Try to find a good local source of dried or fresh seaweed that they like. A cost effective seafood mix can be made in a bender. Use whatever is seasonal and local. Don't worry, I'm not talking about using your fish farm stock

There are algicides like symazine that work, but I would keep away from dangerous (carcinogenic) chemicals. If you use a water clarifier (coagulant) like Kent Marine Pro-Clear, do so rarely and keep in mind it lower the dissolved oxygen level.

Again, your water quality is limited by the seawater being imported. If you start off with high TOC (carbon) then it will only be further concentrated in your system. This is where a smaller UV, ozone, and particulate filter can be used to treat incoming water. A slow steady flow is easy to filter. It may be easier to polish the seawater than process your tank water over and over.

Public aquariums treat incoming water with lanthanum chloride, then use a post mechanical filter to collect the sediment. Try your local pool store and make sure it is pure. http://www.poolsonly.com/natural-chemistry-phos-free/prod_309.html

 

[msr224]

At the risk of getting flamed (which I'm sure I will) I'd like to voice my opinion on this cess pool of a tank. The only thing this tank has going for it is, yes it is cool that it is BIG...but that's where it ends. I feel bad for the inhabitants of this tank that are taken right out of the sea to be put into this nasty environment. I have yet to see this tank look even slightly good -- always green...always full of algae...yet more fish and more corals go in.
Just my $.02

Wow, you really can be rude on the internet. Who would have thought.....

Nahham does not need any defending but I am sure your first tank was perfect? Or second tank? Or any of your tanks for that matter. Nahham has been very open to suggestions, ideas and even criticism along the way. Albeit prior criticism was useful unlike your mindless banter....

There was no need for that post. If you have something useful to say or constructive to contribute then by all means, step on the box. Barring that... don't bash a guy for trying, learning and being willing to accept that he must change.

What can you expect though....small tank envy......:worried:

 

[gawf4fun]

Wow, you really can be rude on the internet. Who would have thought.....

Nahham does not need any defending but I am sure your first tank was perfect? Or second tank? Or any of your tanks for that matter. Nahham has been very open to suggestions, ideas and even criticism along the way. Albeit prior criticism was useful unlike your mindless banter....

There was no need for that post. If you have something useful to say or constructive to contribute then by all means, step on the box. Barring that... don't bash a guy for trying, learning and being willing to accept that he must change.

What can you expect though....small tank envy......:worried:

Well said MSR224! I too wanted to snap back at the original poster, but you've managed to say it so much more eloquently than I could have.

 

[nahham]

I think ozone with sand filter will works wonders
My tank algae bloom dies after introduction of ozone in just few days
Sunshine pool supply have the ozone needed for relatively cheap than anything out there
Just have ORP probe you will be fine
Good luck .

Good to hear. I already have a Profilux IIIex with a redox probe so that is no problem. Plumbing everything will be. I should draw something up and post for everyone to chip in their thought.

all i can say is......outta control. Impressive build mate....WoW

Thanks, I'm glad you like it. Hopefully it will look better soon.

Have you thought about using large swimming pool sand filters. I worked on a tank that was 10,000 gallons, crazy high bio load and the water was crystal clear.(not out side though) I would think if you had 6 of the 21 inch size that might do the trick. The bad part is you will need 6 large pressure pumps like a 2 or 3 hp.

The sand filter I saw was HUGE. However, I've seen a study that relate the depth of the sand media to higher percentages of filtration. I'm leaving the technicalities to the water treatment company.

Hey Nahham,
Long time no see.
I see you're looking for Caulerpa? I can get you some from my fuge on my next trip to Dubai, in a couple of weeks. I'm sure it woun't even be visible in your pool (meant your fuge) but I have some really fast Caulerpa Prolifera which I'm sure will fill it up in no time. Also got some Grape caulerpa and another type I still got to ID. Could also get you some Cheato if you're worried about macro alga getting sent back to the sea as it doesn't release spores for reproduction.
As for for Live rotifers the guys did a couple of group buys for live food so maybe check with SPY or Nick to see if you can order some live rotifers...

Hello maroun. It has been a long long time. We need to meetup a catch up on stuff. Very nice talking to you today .

i had the pleasure of being invited by Nahham to see his tank and setup.... and must say its massive when you see it, and looks great....

keep up the great work.......

Thanks Motaz. The pleasure was all mine. It was a pleasure having you and Kyle over for a bit. We need to do it again when the weather it a bit more tolerable.

Hey, let's see how you do at -40 in Canada. It's the same in celsius or fahrenheit when it drops that low, and does it really matter when it's that cold anyway? :smurf:

In cold weather, you can wear more stuff, I know it is not comfortable and I hated -10 degrees. In hot weather though, there is a limit to what you can take off

 

[Opcn]

At the risk of getting flamed (which I'm sure I will) I'd like to voice my opinion on this cess pool of a tank. The only thing this tank has going for it is, yes it is cool that it is BIG...but that's where it ends. I feel bad for the inhabitants of this tank that are taken right out of the sea to be put into this nasty environment. I have yet to see this tank look even slightly good -- always green...always full of algae...yet more fish and more corals go in.
Just my $.02

It's always green and full of algae because the local sea water is full of Nitrates, Phosphates, and DOC's. It's a safe bet that it's nasty polluted water just out side of his tank too. The UAE is a shipping hub essentially, lots of boats going through dumping things. The fish come from a dirty place, and the OP puts them in a dirty place, one he is trying to clean up, it's not his fault that the ocean is being polluted, and he certainly hasn't done anything wrong by not fixing it.