Hey guys! Been a while..
Not a lot to report I'm afraid. Been very busy with work and the holidays. I've also been waiting on a sump for the 180. Can't really get started without the sump.
I fixed the Oceans Motions 4-way problem. It had been shaking every 15 seconds, making a bunch of noise. Paul had me drill some holes on the solid parts of the drum to relieve some water pressure. Result is, there's less flow on the open ports, but no more shaking. So I'm happy.
I got my first lesson in dipping and quaranteening corals. I lost a green digitata to Monti eating Nubibranches. I noticed some recession on the base. On closer inspection I found egg clusters. I tossed it and dipped all my corals in revive. Haven't seen any evidence of them in over a week. Hopefully I dodged a bullet. We'll see.
The digitata was one of several corals I picked up at a frag swap. I didn't have anything to dip them in at the time. My tank was practically empty so I figured there wasn't that much of a risk.
I've decided to convert my nano to a coral quaranteen tank. Add that to my to-do list.
I also handled the heat from the halides. I installed 4 clip-on fans. Three in the canopy (one for each bulb) and one over the sump. They're on a timer that starts them an hour after the lights come on, and turns them off an hour after the lights have turned off. The temperature only goes up a half a degree. Looks like I won't be needing the chiller lol. None of this would be possible though without my auto top off system. It was a lot of work to get everything dialed in but it was SO worth it.
I received an email from a fellow RC member. Thought I'd post his questions and my answers in case anyone else had a similar question:
Hi
I was reading your thread about your tanks at your office. I am also building a tank at my office. 180 inwall. I cannot decide between glass and Acrylic. The acrylic would be custom and cost me $1000 more then a starphire oceanic standard size tank. I am planning to keep this a softie tank with fish. I want to keep it as simple as possible.
I see you went with acrylic and glass. Seems like you did not like acrylic , do you still feel this way? Can you give me advice?
It alos looks liek you used 2 Vortex on the back of the tank? I was thinking of using one and pointing it the long way of the tank. How is 2 at the back pointing forward working? Do you keep them throttled back?
My idea if I go glass is to have 2 seaswirls at the back from the returns and a vortex or maybe 2 at the back like yours.
If I go acrylic it will be drilled for closed loop.
Thanks
Tony
Tony,
Glad you ask. Wish I could talk to me 6 months ago lol.
As far as glass vs. acrylyc, I prefer glass. Thing is, the answer isn't that simple.
My acrylic tank was very easy to work with. Very light, very easy to drill. It's very clear right now but it's also very new. I haven't caused any major scratches just yet, but small ones are popping up all over the place. I have no idea how or when I caused them. I haven't even started using a magnet cleaner. I'm satisfied with my acrylic tank but I do wish it was glass. Just because I know there'll be many more scratches to deal with in the future. I also don't like how carefull I have to be all the time.
There's something to be said about the safety factor of an acrylic tank. Acrylic tanks have less of a chance of leaking or blowing out on you. That doesn't mean however that acrylyc tanks are bullet proof. I've seen several pictures of acrylic tanks that have busted a seam.
That's why I say if you're going to go glass, buy new, and buy from a high quality builder with a warranty. I rarely hear of problems with the better built glass tanks. I've heard plenty of horror stories with brand new glass tanks blowing out and causing thousands in damage.
My glass tank was made by Lee Mar. The build quality is excellent. The empty tank alone is a work of art.
Now glass is heavier. It's more difficult to move around and work on. You have to ask yourself though, how much time are you going to spend moving your tank?
I have yet to fill my glass tank with water. I'm still waiting on the sump. So I can't tell you if I like having two vortechs on the back. I'm confident though that I'll be happy with it. I own a vortech already and I love it. More than enough flow for a 2' x 3' area, trust me.
If I was doing an in-wall I would place the pumps on the sides. The only reason I'm placing them on the back is to hide them. My tank is 3-side viewable. I don't want to see pumps hanging on the sides. You'll see when you get the pump though. It doesn't matter which way you point them. They create flow everywhere.
I will never build a closed loop ever again. Very energy inefficient and a major pain to install and maintain. Save yourself the hassle, don't do it.
I also wouldn't waste money on sea swirls. Use that money to buy another vortech. I bought two sea swirls and ended up selling them. That one's up to you though. I don't think you need them but they wouldn't hurt, they're aren't a bad product. Just more money spent, one more thing to install, one more thing to break. Also, I'd focus less on getting flow from your returns. I've found that low flow through the sump is best.
I spent a lot of time, energy and money on several methods of flow. The Vortech is by far my favorite. Build your tank around it and you'll be happy.
Also, get a eurobraced tank. The center brace on my acrylic tank sucks.
Regards,
Chad
