Bryan's Starphire Build

[BryanS]

Hi everyone, I wasn't sure where to put this so I hope it's OK here. I've been a member here for a long time but haven't posted much or really done much with my tank. Now I am ready to build my dream tank.

Previously I've owned a 30 gal, 55 gal and currently have a 65 gal. I really didn't start from scratch on any of them though just took over were other left off. Pic of current tank.

I would really like to get some feed back, ideas and reccomendations for this build as I would like to "do it right" the first time.

Tanks specs 120 gal, Starphire on 3 sides with center overflow. (Bottom of tank is drilled for drain and return.

I know everyone likes pictures so let's start with the tank!

Next is the sump. It's an eshopps 25 gallon. (30x12x16)

Couple of questions, in my current tank I have live sand and live rock but there has been a hair algae problem.

Can I still use the rock and sand or should I treat them first? If I need to treat them how or what should I do?

I have another sump in my current tank, it's a 15 gallon. Can I use 2 sumps? Would this be better?

Thanks! BTW I painted the back of the tank today. (Black)

 

[NP_Reef]

the 65 looks awesome hopefully the new tank will turn out as nice.

 

[BryanS]

Thanks NP! I will do my best. I plan on having the stand made soon and also starting an LED build next month.

 

[7Dragons7]

How bad is the hair algae problem? There are several ways to look at this.

1. You could cook the rock. Takes many months to do. Not my first choice.
2. When transfering rock to new tank scrub every rock with a plastic brush and then keep the new tank extra clean.
3. Get all new rock and sand. You can seed you new sand with a cup or two of your old sand. You could also use some of you old base rock (Hair algae free most likely).

Good luck. This is a great tank to have.

What are you going to do for lighting?

 

[BryanS]

Thanks for the tips! For lighting I am planning on a DIY LED system. I haven't figured out the exact size or amount of LEDs yet though.

 

[Last Version]

Can't wait for your update.

 

[BryanS]

Well, I think I found someone to make a stand for me. I was going to do it myself but if I can get a professional to do it then I think I will let him. Still trying to decide on new rock vs my cooked rock and what to do about sand.

 

[BryanS]

The Stand

The Stand

Here are some pictures of the stand being made. If the weather gets better it will be stained in the next couple days.

 

[joel sandoman]

Nice looking stand and canopy. Love starphire!

 

[BryanS]

OK, now that my stand is almost finished I am looking to buy a few more items. Can someone give me a recommendation for skimmer? I plan on having a mixed tank with about 6 fish.

I am also wanting to buy a set of AI LED modules, they ones I am looking are first generation and they have been used for about a year. Any feed back here would be great as well.

 

[Sikryd]

I would cook the rock, if it was me - skimmer, heater, with no light for a month or two. It is more of a pain to get rid of pest algae, then to take care of it before it becomes a problem.

Are you using RODI? GFO?

I'd look into the reasons why you got hair algae in the other tank, then rectify it before you put this tank into action. It will save a lot of headaches in the long run.

 

[BryanS]

Thanks Sikryd. I starting cooking the rock last week. What about the sand? Should I get new sand or can I clean/cook my existing sand too?

 

[BryanS]

Can anyone tell me if I can run refugium in my sump?

 

[bankerboy350]

Had a real bad hair algae problem in my 90 gallon. I did the following:

1. Cut lights (t5) down to 8 hrs a day. Was running 12.
2. Went from two feedings to one feeding a day
3. Added Phosban reactor with phosban media

Hair algae was gone in about 2 months. No problems since.

 

[Shane Hoffman]

From looking at the pic of your sump I dont see how you could run a fuge in there. You may be able to add a baffle to have a small fuge, but then it would be so small I dont think the benifits would be worth the effort. You may have room under your tank to do a seperate 10 or 20 gall fuge. I would only reuse a 4 or 5 cups of old sand to seed the new sand.

 

[BryanS]

Few updates..First I got the stand yesterday and today I set it up. Also decided to give my rocks an acid bath. Did this two times and some hair algae is still on there. There going back into the garage with no light....

 

[BryanS]

Anyone have a skimmer recommendation for this set up? I have a $350 budget if possible.

 

[freshmeat]

Octopus extreme skimmer. Looking good Bryan.

 

[BryanS]

Funny you say that, I was just looking at this one: Reef Octopus Extreme 200
Protein Skimmer

 

[prop-frags]

Bryan, is there any way to get a bigger sump? Increasing your total water volume will help a lot.

For your rock, I would recommend a lot of water changes and frequent scrubbing and rinsing. I usually try to do the scrub and "dunk rinsing" several times a week, and then change the water out. Its a big hassle, but agitating it and dunking/rising will get all the crap out of there - it's the best shot at reducing the phosphates and "hair algae food" that is trapped in the rock.