A Reef Tank in the Desert - +/- 1,400 gallon system

[Aaeolien]

Just amazing. Finally got thru all 79 pages. Just an incredible tank. I am pretty inspired to get my next build goin. Of course it's only going to be a 40 breeder with a 20 sump. Lol. Keep it up Dan I love reading about it.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

:smokin::smokin::smokin: Those are some pimp SPS colonies there.

 

[dotcommer]

Those colonies look great. Thanks for the pics

 

[danfeig]

Awesome build - been following for a while and am quite happy you have shared so much with us. I am actually moving down to the desert myself (Scottsdale) and will have to up my reef game... a lot... ... okay - a ton.

How is the ritteri nem coming along? Has it settled into a nice spot and holding on?

Although they are quite finicky - once those guys are stable and rooted - they make a gorgeous addition to the aquarium (until they grow, grow, grow!)

Hi Siasi. Thank you very much for all the compliments. Welcome to Arizona!

The ritteri is okay, not great. I actually moved her back into one of my QT's to see if she would do better under T5's. Hopefully I will have her back in the main display soon!

If you ever make it down to Tucson, let me know!

 

[danfeig]

Excellent build.

Thanks!

 

[danfeig]

So basically why your sayin is its like watchin a nat geo documentary on a real reef seeing the schools defend their homes and such. I saw one where a smaller school of powder blues were grazing an area and then a massive school of convicts came in even though they were highly outnumbered easily 100:1 they still defended their area. It's amazing what you have done! This is down right impossible probably but you should try and video a scenario like that I'm sure everyone would love to see it!

Keep doin what your doin cuz were all takin notes!
Joe.

Thanks Joe!

As soon as Sam gets back to Tucson from school, I am going to have him set up a video camera to record 24 hours of footage that we can then edit down and show some of the things that make my mouth fall wide open.

 

[danfeig]

Well Dan, I am jealous. Mike and everyone else at SEA told me there are beautiful tanks here in Tucson, but wow yours is great. The photos of your setup were great also gave us all a real good look at how it was done. I am hoping I will have my funds soon so I can have mine looking halfway like yours soon.

Thanks Wyspur!

Are you here in Tucson? I appreciate the compliments. We have a lot of nice tanks here in Tucson!

What type of build are you planning? I know that you are saving up funds. There is plenty of used equipment here as well. Let me know if I can help!

 

[CHSUB]

danfeig,

looking at you sps', i noticed a unicorn tang. iirc you do pairs of tangs? 2 unicorns, 2 sohals, 2 clowns, 2 orangesholders, 2 etc. etc. etc....do you worry in a year or two you will have to remove some? i realize your breaking new ground here, but those are some huge fish.

 

[cgonser]

I have a question, and I haven't seen it explained anywhere...on the lock line returns coming through the bottom of the tank, how do you keep the whole tank from draining in case of a power outage, are there check valves involved? I'm hoping to take on a large custom build soon and want to incorporate a similar return into my build. Any info/advice would be great!

 

[Made2Rock]

I have a question, and I haven't seen it explained anywhere...on the lock line returns coming through the bottom of the tank, how do you keep the whole tank from draining in case of a power outage, are there check valves involved? I'm hoping to take on a large custom build soon and want to incorporate a similar return into my build. Any info/advice would be great!

I'm not sure how Dan has his setup but making sure you do not have a setup that will create as siphon is IMPORTANT. So let me address a few of them.

1) If you have PVC lines going up, over and down into the tank you can drill a small hole just below the water line. If you lose power this will siphon a little water and then break the siphon once the hole is exposed.

2) Watch pumps. If you lose power water can go in either direction thru the pump so they can turn into a siphon.

3) Closed loops should be a problem.

In most cases the display tank will be above the sump. So when power fails some water will drain from the display back into the sump. You will need to ensure your sump will handle it. In Dan's case he has almost 21 gallons per inch in his tank. He has to make sure of 2" will drain his sump must be able to handle 42 gallons.

If your sump can not handle it, bad things happen......The wife will not be a happy camper and fish funds become harder to get. :spin1:

Joe

 

[worm5406]

Small correction

3) Closed loops should be a problem.

3) Closed loops should not be a problem.

This is because, hense the name closed, they never drain into one area or another. They are truly closed until you crack the valve when doing maintenance.

 

[cgonser]

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So if I understand this right, one drain is apart of the closed loop system feeding the bottom returns. The other drains are what flow through the sump and rest of the system?

 

[danfeig]

I am speechless :eek2:
Looking forward to more pics and updates.
By the way those radions look great, sorry if you mentioned this before but did upgrading the radions provide additional color and/or growth?

You should get a few GHL mitras and do a comparison for the high end LED phanatics, just kidding :lol:

Thanks Ed!

I have noticed that the lights are actually a tiny bit brighter and more crisp! Definitely more crisp!

I need to get a par meter to see what my readings are 4' 8" below the fixtures. My LPS on the bottom of the tank due appear to look a little more "plump."

 

[danfeig]

Stunning!

WOW! :beer:

Dan your tank looks outstanding and what you've done with those fish so far is beyond what I thought was possible. I feel really really fortunate to have you in Tucson as a fellow reefer, and I'm excited to see what you'll do next. How's the Idol doing, still strong I hope?

Thanks guys! The Idols are still doing great Brett. Thanks for asking!

 

[danfeig]

There's a LFS you can get six fish from? I can't even get one.

Brett,

There will be. Coming to a neighborhood real soon!!!

 

[SPotter]

I thought I read something about you starting a new venture!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[jjk_reef00]

Does FexEx friday have any plans for a DaStaCo calcium reactor?
Looks like an amazing piece of equipment:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132682

 

[Made2Rock]

Small correction



3) Closed loops should not be a problem.

This is because, hense the name closed, they never drain into one area or another. They are truly closed until you crack the valve when doing maintenance.

Thanks worm, I missed by only 3 letters. Love the explanation

 

[Crazy_Beaver]

Does FexEx friday have any plans for a DaStaCo calcium reactor?
Looks like an amazing piece of equipment:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132682

I ve only have read the best for those!

 

[worm5406]

Thanks worm, I missed by only 3 letters. Love the explanation

LOL


It's good.. just didn't want someone new to read it and never come back to see a correction. LOL...