A ~19,000 Gallon Aquarium

[nahham]

I am so bad with updates the past couple of months and I apologize. Here is a small update for you.

As you might recall, the fish farm had a leak that required me to continuously pump water from the sea (in small quantities). We finally decided we have to fix this and we started doing that. Here is several photos:

This is a photo showing the fish farm before embarking on the repair. The cement blocks are separating what will be a mangrove farm (hopefully).

This is after a couple of days when the water was half drained.

After the water was drained and waiting for the rest to dry up.

The fish farm is prepared and a coat of primer is applied.

This photo is taken after a coat of sealant is applied. There will be 2 - 3 more coats.

Nothing really exciting but at least it is an update

 

[mr.wilson]

Did you try the Xypex or Penetron sealer? It looks like it. If you did, keep spraying it with water as it dries to help it climb into all of the pores.

 

[raw88gt]

that walkway always make me nervous no supports under it!

 

[willandmelsreef]

bumpy update

 

[nahham]

Minor Update: Firm Farm & Others

Minor Update: Firm Farm & Others

Hello,

I totally forgot to update this here:

The fish farm is done. Initial observation show that there is no leak. I'll have to wait for a while to make sure though.

The fish farm now has three main sections: The mangrove/sand area and two separate areas to keep different kinds of fish. I'm filling it up again today and will start moving the fish from the aquarium to the fish farm so that work in the aquarium can start.

I also commissioned the building of the acrylic head. Here is how it should look:

I had some local reefers over today and listened to some very interesting ideas and suggestions; things I haven't thought of before.

Finally, I'm planning to build some DIY rock. The main ingredients I throught I needed:

1. Cement
2. Rock Salt
3. Crushed Oyster Shells

I cannot find any rock salt (at least not soluble ones) and having a hard time finding any crushed oyster shells. I was wondering if I can just pick up some of the oysters shells I have in front of my house and 'crush' them, would that work? Also, some recipes didn't use rock salt or any alternative, how important is rock salt, what can I replace it with? Styrofoam maybe?

 

[nahham]

Did you try the Xypex or Penetron sealer? It looks like it. If you did, keep spraying it with water as it dries to help it climb into all of the pores.

I think I've read this a bit too late I hope the people that worked on it know what they are doing though.

 

[nahham]

that walkway always make me nervous no supports under it!

What is the worst that could happen?
It falls or fails and some fish die

 

[dave.m]

Nahham, search on-line for recipes for "aragocrete". There are many different recipes. It is basically concrete mixed with arogonite sand to create homemade reef rock to save money. It takes a long time to cure to the point where the concrete is not sucking all the CO2 out of the water, sending your pH levels crazy.

The idea behind the rock salt is that it would dissolve in water after the rock has cured, making your finished rock more porous. It is not necessary, and would alter your water parameters for salt for a while. Similarly, the oyster shell is not necessary, and could potentially be a source of unwanted nutrients. If you use it from your front yard you might introduce unwanted pollutants.

Dave.M

 

[sreefs]

I have used macaroni noodles instead of rock salt, this does the same thing the macaroni dissolves in the water as you cure your rock and makes it more porous.
Pat

 

[sarmo]

you can also use rice. i get oyster shell from the feed store. it is used by chickens to provide calcium to make their eggs shells thicker and harder.

 

[mr.wilson]

I would use concrete blocks and cover them with concrete. I don't think the rock salt is necessary. Perlite and or local sand is all you need for aggregate. Using 10% silica fume will help with finished strength, shaping, and resistance to saltwater. I use fibreglass strands to limit shrinkage and cracking and to make it stronger. Don't add too much water to the cement, as it will weaken it.

 

[nahham]

Nahham, search on-line for recipes for "aragocrete". There are many different recipes. It is basically concrete mixed with arogonite sand to create homemade reef rock to save money. It takes a long time to cure to the point where the concrete is not sucking all the CO2 out of the water, sending your pH levels crazy.

The idea behind the rock salt is that it would dissolve in water after the rock has cured, making your finished rock more porous. It is not necessary, and would alter your water parameters for salt for a while. Similarly, the oyster shell is not necessary, and could potentially be a source of unwanted nutrients. If you use it from your front yard you might introduce unwanted pollutants.

Dave.M

I've read quite a bit about it but I found different people doing different things. To cure, I'm planning to drop it in a reef close by for a while. How long do you think should be enough?

I have used macaroni noodles instead of rock salt, this does the same thing the macaroni dissolves in the water as you cure your rock and makes it more porous.
Pat

I thought of macaroni as well, but for the amount of rock I'm making, I'll need quite a bit.

you can also use rice. i get oyster shell from the feed store. it is used by chickens to provide calcium to make their eggs shells thicker and harder.

Yeah that was the first place I started calling (feed stores). They still thought I was crazy asking for crushed oyster shells though

I would use concrete blocks and cover them with concrete. I don't think the rock salt is necessary. Perlite and or local sand is all you need for aggregate. Using 10% silica fume will help with finished strength, shaping, and resistance to saltwater. I use fibreglass strands to limit shrinkage and cracking and to make it stronger. Don't add too much water to the cement, as it will weaken it.

As always, a very articulate answer. I never read anyone using concrete blocks though. What do you think about curing it in a reef? How long?

 

[ps3gamer]

that walkway always make me nervous no supports under it!

I would not be concerned by it at all unless you start to wheel heavy machinery across it. I was a formwork carpenter for many years and saw a lot more dubius designs hold up for many years as walkways.

 

[dave.m]

To cure, I'm planning to drop it in a reef close by for a while. How long do you think should be enough?

To harden will only take a week, but for aragocrete to fully stabilize can take a couple of months. I do not think dropping them into a wild reef will speed the process at all, but it will help inoculate your rock with lots of good and bad wildlife for a very realistic reef experience in your tank.

Dave.M

 

[mr.wilson]

I use Basf Emaco s88ci marine cement or mix my own to be more cost effective for large projects. Silica fume and a polymer wetting agent and plasticizer will speed up cure time and PH stability. You need to dry cure the rock for 28 days then soak it for a week in seawater. You can correct ph with fresh seawater or muriatic acid, whichever is cheaper for you. Ph increase is the only concern as the added calcium will be beneficial and limited.

I would build the "skeleton" out of concrete blocks then add some spray foam for texture and shape. Cover with at least 2" of concrete. The silica fume will help it stick. If you leave each block flat on the bottom you will not need a crane to lift the whole structure, as it will fit back together in your tank.

I would save your resources and place the rock directly in the tank or better still, drain the tank and do it right. This will allow you to make a stable permanent structure that is well thought out and arranged. You can set your Profilux controller to add fresh sea water whenever the ph goes above 8.5.

Do you get red/purple vitamins algae in your tank? If not, then you can tint the concrete or paint it to add reef colours. You can use cement to bond smaller rocks or blocks together for stability. Don't use too much foam or it might float

 

[nahham]

Fish Trap Bounty

Fish Trap Bounty

I was surprised today with the fish I caught in my trap: 5 yellow-bar angels and 2 other fish. The angels ranged from small (2 inches) to large (10 inches). Here is a sample of the 3 middle ones:

The photos does not do them justice. They are much more colourful but the sun was setting.

 

[sarmo]

those will be a nice addition to your tank. how is the fish farm doing? is it still holding water?

 

[bullitr]

That's one of my favorite fish

 

[nahham]

those will be a nice addition to your tank. how is the fish farm doing? is it still holding water?

So far so good. It does not seem to be leaking anywhere

 

[nahham]

That's one of my favorite fish

Come by.. I can give you a couple