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

[RIGUY314]

I was finally able to set up my Genesis Renew system today. I am reading right now how to do the programming, however on manual mode, it works great.

Attached are couple of pictures of where I installed the system. I attached the 1 Gallon Reservoir (metering) buckets to the frame surrounding my Quarantine Tanks. I have the buckets approximately 6' off the ground.

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In a nutshell, the bucket on the left side will fill up with freshly made SW out of one my 200 gallon storage/mixing tanks. If too much water goes into the bucket, it will overflow back into the storage tank. The bucket on the right side fills up with water from my sump. Same process as with the other bucket. Too much water from the sump will overflow back into the sump. Flow into the reservoir/metering buckets are being handled by two small Eheim pumps.

When both buckets are full and any excess or overflow drained, the freshly made SW will dispense into my 90 gallon rock tank which drains into my sump. The bucket filled with the sump water will drain outside.

I have plugged the control panel into one of my EB8's on my Apex. Power to that circuit will shut off if my Floor/Flood Sensors are tripped or if my sump is running low.

My initial plan is to program the unit to perform 10 gallon water changes every 24 hours or 70 gallons per week. I will still be doing my regular weekly maintenance and will gravel vac and manually drain more each week. As I get comfortable with this system, I may increase my automatic water changes.

it looks like a cool system. if you could post updates on Genesis it would be great. I was reading on their products on their site. Did you by any chance bundle it with their Storm ATS?

 

[ZaReefer]

Beautiful looking tank and really interesting read, all 73 pages of it. Out of sheer interest how much do Convict Surgeons go for in the States? Reason I ask is because we catch them locally in the rock pools here and are considered really common. It's strange seeing them being bought.

 

[danfeig]

I believe I'm speaking for everyone but keep on livin out dream with that said I think
A crosshatch would look beautiful in your system!

Have u thought of doing a time lapse video? I would love to see it!

Thanks nanoohio!

I appreciate the compliments! I can't say that I'm living the dream, but, I definitely have the support of my wife and family.

I like crosshatches, just worry about my sps.

As far as the time lapse video, great idea! We've been saving all of the video footage that we shoot. I actually need to have Griffin come out and shoot some pics and video footage!

 

[ejpreefer]

Looking good

Looking good

What a great build thread. I think having two Sohals in one tank might be tough. I have a 8 inch one and he rules my 180 gallon. They are pretty fish.

Keep us posted.

 

[nanoohio]

Thanks nanoohio!

I appreciate the compliments! I can't say that I'm living the dream, but, I definitely have the support of my wife and family.

I like crosshatches, just worry about my sps.

As far as the time lapse video, great idea! We've been saving all of the video footage that we shoot. I actually need to have Griffin come out and shoot some pics and video footage!

Your more than welcome! The energy that chingchai's crosshatch had made me really intrigued to purchase a trigger.

That sounds like a plan to me would love to see it.

Do u have a full stock list? Curious about all the life you have in there.
Keep up the great work and giving us all motivation to improve our tanks as yours is the reason I decided to switch to a reef.

Joe.

 

[danfeig]

Their free, Their Free

The Achilles are Free

Good Luck, I hope all goes well for you Dan

Joe

Hey Joe.

They are doing very, very well! They are both acting like best buds. They swim together everywhere, don't fight or nip at one another.

The Powder Blues, Clown Tang or any of my others have no idea whatsoever.

Thanks!

 

[danfeig]

I LOVE the Achilles Dan, how are they acting with all the others in the tank?

wow Dan amazing! I'm glad your fish are doing great and fending for themselves. i'm truly happy for you bud and wish many more good things! Awesome man, truly awesome!

Very nice pics! I love Achilles tangs

Love the pairs, very well done

Thanks guys!

They are really, really doing well! I hope that my success continues and that I am someday able to acclimate the Sohals together and into the main display!

 

[danfeig]

Dan for reference, I got my Achilles in May of last year with the Orange Dash on its rear similar to yours.

The Orange is now a sizeable teardrop, and I don't think I feed mine as well as you feed your tank.

Dave B

 

[danfeig]

Dan for reference, I got my Achilles in May of last year with the Orange Dash on its rear similar to yours.

The Orange is now a sizeable teardrop, and I don't think I feed mine as well as you feed your tank.

Dave B

We'll see Dave. They are two of my favorable fish! I have been enjoying watching them all weekend! Little by little they are getting more comfortable in my main display. Yes, I enjoy feeding so I am certain that won't be a problem.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Sorry to inform you Leroy, FedEx won't allow drivers to wear earrings. :sad2:

That is perfectly fine. To be your delivery man is the sacrifice I am willing to take. Heck I'll wear a tutu with high heels and sing a jingle and would still be honored to be your driver. :jester::jester::jester:

I do want to say thank you for your passion in the hobby and getting me through this time. I know I cant replicate your tank but your ideas or the way you handle things, but I can say that it has made me a better reefer and even more a better person.

 

[guezei]

Wonderful aquarium. I have to say you are a very brave sole for having such a large glass aquarium.

 

[danfeig]

Those Achilles look amazing. I am glad to hear they are getting along and sticking together. I hope your new Sohal starts eating.

So when are you going to put a webcam on the tank so we can watch it and drool?

Thanks dotcommer!

Both Sohals are doing well. They are both eating and swimming around. I still have them separated by the egg-crate and they will remain that way for at least another week before I start putting them together for short periods of time.

I have been observing closely one of the pectoral fins on one of the Sohals. I thought one had a little something, perhaps cauliflower, on its fin. It looks as if it may have fallen off. It's eating very well and acting normally. All of its food is being soaked in garlic, selcon or other vitamins and I also lowered down the flow to my UV so the water is getting more exposure to the light. It's probably nothing.

As much as I would like to run a webcam, I don't think it would be possible at my house without some serious upgrades to my internet. Where we live, cable or DSL isn't offered. Too much rock! My internet is basically "beamed" to me by a friend of mines ISP company. When I turn on my webcam, it means my kids can't be watching Netflix, Huluplus and all of the necessities of teenage life.

 

[Reloadeddevil]

Awesome build

 

[danfeig]

Other than a big aquarium you are doing something no one else can achieve with the 2 Achilles and sohals. Only Chingchai is the only person I know that had 2 Achilles at the same time in his tank. Then again he also had 2 Gem Tangs also.

Wayne,

You really know how to "build a guy's esteem up." You actually made me blush. I'd really love to have two Gem Tangs in my tank. I just can't see spending that kind of money today, let alone finding them on the market.

My beautiful wife does like the Black Tangs or Black Longnose Tangs. They are also very beautiful fish! I have strongly considered purchasing a couple of small ones and introducing them before my Sohals. I have a feeling though that my Purple Tangs would not be as welcoming to them.

Any type of comparison to Chingchai or his achievements is quite an honor. He never had as many tangs as I do.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Wayne,

You really know how to "build a guy's esteem up." You actually made me blush. I'd really love to have two Gem Tangs in my tank. I just can't see spending that kind of money today, let alone finding them on the market.

My beautiful wife does like the Black Tangs or Black Longnose Tangs. They are also very beautiful fish! I have strongly considered purchasing a couple of small ones and introducing them before my Sohals. I have a feeling though that my Purple Tangs would not be as welcoming to them.

Any type of comparison to Chingchai or his achievements is quite an honor. He never had as many tangs as I do.

Just telling it like it is Dan. Just telling it like it is.

 

[danfeig]

A double header this week, both Thursday and Friday. Hope all goes well with the Sohal.

Joe

It was definitely a busy week Joe. It should be much quieter this week, perhaps I will get some live shrimp sent out for Thursday, but, I will heading to Tulsa Friday morning for the weekend.

The Sohals are good. Thanks!

 

[danfeig]

hope those tangs do better then your wildcats did!! Im just kidding they played pretty good but those buckeyes are real good ball team. sucks it had to be a buzzer beater but on a good note your tangs look healthy and good! hopefully they will become friends here pretty soon!

Thanks HunterBryan!

I hope they do well together too! It will be trying I am sure. Not as much as my Wildcats were this year, but they will be trying.

The good news...They have a lot of time in their QT! I am in no hurry to put them together or to put them in the main display!

 

[reef_of_flames]

Thanks dotcommer!

Both Sohals are doing well. They are both eating and swimming around. I still have them separated by the egg-crate and they will remain that way for at least another week before I start putting them together for short periods of time.

I have been observing closely one of the pectoral fins on one of the Sohals. I thought one had a little something, perhaps cauliflower, on its fin. It looks as if it may have fallen off. It's eating very well and acting normally. All of its food is being soaked in garlic, selcon or other vitamins and I also lowered down the flow to my UV so the water is getting more exposure to the light. It's probably nothing.

So you have a UV sterilizer AND you're running ozone?

 

[Hawg Pharm]

Dan, I hold you completely responsible for what has transpired today. While I am holding out for my in-wall project to correspond with a den remodel, I did decide to set up an tank just to get my feet wet, so to speak. I have sent out orders in all different directions. Of course, it will take weeks for my tank order to come in, at which point I will have a room full of equipment ready to go.

Just so the world knows, it was your build that put me on this path. If my wife seeks retribution, I'll be needing your physical address.

But seriously, I've learned so much from this thread, and countless others, just how interesting and exciting this hobby can be. Plus, I'll be teaching my 15 year old son chemistry this summer as part of the project in preparation for his AP class this Fall (a stretch at justification).

As for my first attempt, I went with a 187g with a 45g sump/fuge. I figure I have to crawl before I can walk.

Anyway, thanks a lot. I figure my life will never be the same.

 

[danfeig]

Sohal Update

Sohal Update

My Sohals tonight are on fire!

Even though they are separated by the egg-crate, they have been going after one another all day/night. It's as if there is one tang performing in front of a mirror. When one tang goes up, so does the other. Down - the other files suit. Up, down, sideways....

I made a short video with my iPhone for everyone to see.

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