Coral Tank from Canada (1350gal Display Tank)

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massman said:
Hey Pete

Good job so far.

Keep the waterchanges up on the rock. You cannot overdo it.
Once levels are good, introduce an eel or two into each barrel, a lunare wrasse and a harlie.
I would have sat all the rock on eggcrate suspended off the bottom so detritus and whatever can fall off the rock, and be drained out the base. This is how we do it at a commercial level.
We also then drain all the water, and set up a misting/sprinkler system to keep the rock moist. This causes crabs etc to come out of the rock in search for the water below, falling through to the eggcrate and below making them easy to separate.

Be sure to regularly change the position of your circulation pumps to avoid "dead" spots.


IMO ditch the CL setup, I've personally never been a fan.
Inefficient ie loss of too much flow through spreading the returns. Use too much power, noisy, bulky, a lot of expensive fittings, more moving parts, more leaking parts, and more parts to clean/service/replace.

Stream flow is far better for all organisms. Try to come up with a solution of all the cords leaving the aquarium in one place maybe through the highpoint in rockwork, or through a bulkhead etc.
Even the large stream linked/suggested earlier looked great.

I thought of suggesting the use of an oloid for water movement, but I'm not sure if you have somewhere appropriate to put one though.:sad2:

Anyway here is some info on it. They are quite effective.
http://www.oloid.ch/indextop.php3?js=1

For lighting, I think the use of plasma arc lamp is the way to go. Its called seashine.

http://www.straylightoptical.com/seashine/seashinepreliminarybrochure.pdf

And vids showing its impressiveness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqYl0ksLlho

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k8Ec7cNAgg

I think you're going about this in the right way. Lots of good info here.
Personally I think the naming of 4 "Grand Masters" as 4 different parts of your scape is a bit naff, however, if this is your way of paying homage to influences/inspirations to you, then fine, though getting the "peanut gallery" :lol: to vote on the final two is kinda defeating the purpose.

I know you keep reiterating thats it not about money but rather husbandry etc but unfortunately this isn't the case.
I understand and respect your modesty, as this is an endearing quality, and you certainly have won my respect with your humbleness.
Unfortunately the fact is you need the money to buy the best equipment, lighting, and most importantly livestock to create the most impressive displays whom you refer to as "Grand Masters".
Do you know how much livestock has died in Dave Saxby's tank? More than most people will ever buy in 10 lifetimes, but you know what, the second it's dead, a new impressive piece takes its place. That my friend is $$.
This does not mean that his husbandry skills are no good, rather, this is nature taking its course, life and death. I have a lot of respect for David, and Chingchai as they are both very good at what they do, but don't kid yourself that it has not all about the dollar to create the best displays.

Anyway, on a side note, I saw this lighting rig for a pool table, and thought you might like it, given the aquatic theme you got going on!
http://www.neolurker.com/index.php/2010/03/14/interactive-pool-table-with-fire-and-water-effects/
Click to expand...

Thank you massman for all the comments, suggestions and references. I will check all this out. I am always pleased to hear an Aussie has checked in. The pool table lighting is certainly a neat diversion.

Peter
 
elijaher said:
Need to bring your salinty up to at least 1.023. I don't see any heater. What's temp of the water?
Click to expand...

There are four heaters, two in each tank. The temp was 78 before the rock and i suspect there will be a drop and then a steady regain to a target of 76. There is also a large stand alone heater to maintain ambient temp at 72. I think the target was set at 1.021.......I have to check it tomorrow when I check the name of the salt. I'm pretty sure I'm on skimmer duty as well.

Peter
 
everyone has their own system for acclimating live rock. Most retail stores use a spray system where the rock remains exposed to the air. While this system does flush out crabs and worms and increases nitrification due to the added oxygen, I prefer an ebb & flow system whereby the vat fills and drains in cycles. This works well with two vats. As one fills, the other drains.

Elevating the rock on milk crates to separate crabs and detritus as massman suggested is a good idea. I used to keep the rock in milk crates so I could shake out detritus every few days. Setting up a power washer with saltwater works well for really dirty rock.

If you got an ozonizer with the RK2, you should hook it up to the temporary skimmers you have for the rock. Better still, drag the RK2 over to the vats. You don't need or want a protein skimmer on the tank when it's cycling, but the rock needs it now more than ever.

I didn't see any big pieces. Did you get some show size rocks?
 
It looks like Deep Ocean salt from the pictures. It's fine for live rock, but the calcium, magnesium, and DKH levels are too low to use it for an SPS tank.

The salinity should be 1.024- 1.025. 1.021 is still too low for invertebrates.

I like air lifts. but you should use lift tubes with elbows rather than bare airline, as the rising bubbles will collect on the rock and kill non-photosynthetic inverts like sponges and sea squirts.

If you have a controller already, set it up to monitor PH & Redox potential. A DO meter would also be handy for dissolved oxygen readings throughout the vats.

A smell test will let you know how your rock is acclimating. Any signs of hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) and you know you need to increase dissolved oxygen and redox potential.
 
mr.wilson said:
everyone has their own system for acclimating live rock. Most retail stores use a spray system where the rock remains exposed to the air. While this system does flush out crabs and worms and increases nitrification due to the added oxygen, I prefer an ebb & flow system whereby the vat fills and drains in cycles. This works well with two vats. As one fills, the other drains.
Click to expand...

Shawn,
This is exactly what I was trying to convey, albeit in a poorer form.
Leave the rock in the water. Drain from the bottom through a filter removing loose detritus/crabs etc, whilst misting/sprinkler on top. Leave for an hour or so simulating a "low tide", causing most critters to leave their holes in search for the lower water line.
Refill, then go again.

Cheers
Marc
 
nineball said:
Thank you Ken, and I too would gladly remarry a marine biologist in heels but please lets not mention this aspiration to the present wife.........

Peter
Click to expand...

I could definitely wear high heels and attend university all over again if it got me a chance to hang out daily around this tank :) I'm also bald and male, but since the only two criteria needed were something I can do something about, I'm going to sign up for classes tomorrow :hammer:

Glad that you got your rock and it's all ok. I know that few events in my tank are as exciting as getting that...that's when you know you're really getting to the start of the journey.
 
I am along for the execution of the plan. I hope to learn a few things along the way. Kudos to you, sir for the recognition of chingchai. I will embrace his thread and read it carefully. I have been reading and studying different techniques and methods on RC for almost a couple of years now and still don't feel ready to start a reef build. I am close. Thanks for taking the time to post this awesome build thread and thanks chingchai as well.
 
mr.wilson said:
everyone has their own system for acclimating live rock. Most retail stores use a spray system where the rock remains exposed to the air. While this system does flush out crabs and worms and increases nitrification due to the added oxygen, I prefer an ebb & flow system whereby the vat fills and drains in cycles. This works well with two vats. As one fills, the other drains.

Elevating the rock on milk crates to separate crabs and detritus as massman suggested is a good idea. I used to keep the rock in milk crates so I could shake out detritus every few days. Setting up a power washer with saltwater works well for really dirty rock.

If you got an ozonizer with the RK2, you should hook it up to the temporary skimmers you have for the rock. Better still, drag the RK2 over to the vats. You don't need or want a protein skimmer on the tank when it's cycling, but the rock needs it now more than ever.

I didn't see any big pieces. Did you get some show size rocks?
Click to expand...

Yes there are some bigger pieces.....I just missed the pics because I was getting RO water for top off.

Dumb Question here...............

Are any of the crab hitch hikers good??????

Peter
 
Massman,
thanks for posting that info from stray light. Those plasma lights look incredible. Only thing is they currently don't provide any differnt spectrums like a 14k or 20K that is hugely sought out in this hobby. The numbers and details look good.

If you please come across further information, please share.

I have been researching and experimenting with a company in markham called accendo electronics at work. They produce a electronic ballast that produced way more lumens and footcandles than any other ballast on the market. The are CSA certified and produce little to no heat and are dimmable to 20%. There 250W ballasts produce more lumen then our 450W MH.Only thing is they don't make bulbs so i want to try and pair their special glogreen ballasts with a double ended 20 K bulb
 
mr.wilson said:
It looks like Deep Ocean salt from the pictures. It's fine for live rock, but the calcium, magnesium, and DKH levels are too low to use it for an SPS tank.

The salinity should be 1.024- 1.025. 1.021 is still too low for invertebrates.

I like air lifts. but you should use lift tubes with elbows rather than bare airline, as the rising bubbles will collect on the rock and kill non-photosynthetic inverts like sponges and sea squirts.

If you have a controller already, set it up to monitor PH & Redox potential. A DO meter would also be handy for dissolved oxygen readings throughout the vats.

A smell test will let you know how your rock is acclimating. Any signs of hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) and you know you need to increase dissolved oxygen and redox potential.
Click to expand...


Ok, a bunch of stuff here..........We did add salt....need to measure again. I will try and maintain 24-25 if possible. You are right it is Deep Ocean salt. I will investigate further for the DT and subsystems.

There seems to be a fair amount of water movement from the air lifts. (five per tank). Elbows may be a pain to convert to at the moment but perhaps later.

I have not set up a controller yet as I suspect I will get something the group feels matches the best fit for the configuration of the entire ecosystem when I finally step into the light with the latest design.

Smell test...... I was really prepared for the worst in that regard. I thought that the consequence was as certain as day after night. However, if anything, short of the foam container smell on arrival, the process has been a steady improvement to the point where there really isn't a discernable aroma except the slight increase in humidity. The two tanks are in the garage with only slight indirect light. The garage doors are closed but not airtight. I am assuming that I'm going to wake up some morning gagging but so far nothing.

The two skimmers are working? sort of, maybe, almost I think. The cups are sitting three quarters full with the colour and consistancy of tea with some traces of the tarry stuff on the bottom. Not sure what to do short of empty when full??

Peter
 
massman said:
Shawn,
This is exactly what I was trying to convey, albeit in a poorer form.
Leave the rock in the water. Drain from the bottom through a filter removing loose detritus/crabs etc, whilst misting/sprinkler on top. Leave for an hour or so simulating a "low tide", causing most critters to leave their holes in search for the lower water line.
Refill, then go again.

Cheers
Marc
Click to expand...

Are you guys suggesting that I need a third mixing tank or can I recycle the filtered SW because someone else can tell my wife she can't park in the garage. First I steal half her storage space for the fish room tank and now she has to leave her car on the street..........I think there's a message here that is going to be very very difficult for her to missinterpret!!!

Peter
 
cloakerpoked said:
I could definitely wear high heels and attend university all over again if it got me a chance to hang out daily around this tank :) I'm also bald and male, but since the only two criteria needed were something I can do something about, I'm going to sign up for classes tomorrow :hammer:

Glad that you got your rock and it's all ok. I know that few events in my tank are as exciting as getting that...that's when you know you're really getting to the start of the journey.
Click to expand...

I'm not touching any of that, on any level. But you are right, the rock is awesome and undeniably real.........

Thanks

Peter
 
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