Coral Tank from Canada (1350gal Display Tank)

[mr.wilson]

Any chance you can share the "fish order"details to keep the excitement at the normal unaceptable level?

This isn't the update you want to hear, but we have a parasite and bacteria problem in the Mars QT systems. It is effecting primarily the green chromis and anthias, but we lost the Regal Angel this morning, probably due to the elevated ammonia level.

Green chromis commonly get a protozoan (parasite) called Uronema aka Red Band disease, which is often followed by a secondary bacterial infection (vibrio anguillarum). Hyposalinity usually complicates the matter and quickens their demise, even though it works as a treatment for another protozoan called Cryptocarion which most of you are all too familiar with.

A popular treatment for Red Band disease is metronidazole (Flagyl) given in the food. Quinine and malachite green also help. I dosed metronidazole, praziquantel, and copper before the fish even got here, but they arrived with the problem so it was too little too late. Peter is picking up some neomycin tomorrow for the vibrio infection and I will mix metronidazole into some food.

The wrasse and goby system (Mars #2) is fine and it only has metronidazole (no copper or prazquantel).

I did two 50% water changes on the Mars #1 today because the ammonia level spiked. I also added Seachem Prime. This wasn't a surprise considering we went from one fish to lots overnight. The situation was exacerbated by the fact that I removed the live rock, siphoned the sand thoroughly, heavy feeding and we've had some dead fish pollute the water.

 

[Kubaaas]

Dear Peter & Shawn,

It is my first post on RC. I've gone through your thread from page 1 to page 250 over the last month or so reading every post. It has been truly inspirational. I'm not sure if was more frustrating trying to catch up to see where you are at now - without missing any of the details along the way (no peeking ahead) - or getting to the end and now waiting for new updates

I was at my local LFS last week and heard the owner discussing your project with some of the customers. While that may not initially sound unusual, I am based across the Atlantic in Warsaw, Poland. Just thought you'd appreciate the feedback that your work is recognized and discussed worldwide.

I am currently migrating from a small 40g tank to a 500g system and am particularly interested in your discussions around the application of biopellets and culturing live food.

I will continue to follow the thread and would like to wish you continued sucess with your unique system and best practice approach.

PS: As I understand, there is no dedicated "benthic zone" so far within your set-up. Having read quite a lot of Mr. Wilson's opinions related to the topic, I would imagine that this is something that you would have considered/discussed. Is there a plan to implement anything in this regard?

PPS: When and how can I preorder Mr. Wilson's book?

EDIT: Just saw in the meanwhile your update related to parasite and bacteria problem. Very sorry to hear that and hope you can recover quickly.

 

[Scej12]

This isn't the update you want to hear, but we have a parasite and bacteria problem in the Mars QT systems. It is effecting primarily the green chromis and anthias, but we lost the Regal Angel this morning, probably due to the elevated ammonia level.

Green chromis commonly get a protozoan (parasite) called Uronema aka Red Band disease, which is often followed by a secondary bacterial infection (vibrio anguillarum). Hyposalinity usually complicates the matter and quickens their demise, even though it works as a treatment for another protozoan called Cryptocarion which most of you are all too familiar with.

A popular treatment for Red Band disease is metronidazole (Flagyl) given in the food. Quinine and malachite green also help. I dosed metronidazole, praziquantel, and copper before the fish even got here, but they arrived with the problem so it was too little too late. Peter is picking up some neomycin tomorrow for the vibrio infection and I will mix metronidazole into some food.

The wrasse and goby system (Mars #2) is fine and it only has metronidazole (no copper or prazquantel).

I did two 50% water changes on the Mars #1 today because the ammonia level spiked. I also added Seachem Prime. This wasn't a surprise considering we went from one fish to lots overnight. The situation was exacerbated by the fact that I removed the live rock, siphoned the sand thoroughly, heavy feeding and we've had some dead fish pollute the water.

There's the backup and validation for your QT system. It's already paying for itself...! Good on you both for including such a responsible step in this project budget.

I'm sure you'll get on top of it quickly.

Regards,

SJ

 

[fla2341]

I agree. QT helps to eliminate/avoid main display contamination and eventual loss/stress not only to the inhabitants but to their keepers.

 

[mr.wilson]

In any event - looks like you have all of the right tools/equipment which you will eventually tweak toward perfection. That to me is the most interesting and rewarding part of this hobby - so have fun for all of us looking on with excitement:wave:.

I've learned a lot reading about all of the trials and tribulations presented on the N/P thread, as well as my own tinkering with the system on a 500g prototype I'm working on. This is why I am able to assemble the thoughts above; offered up for your consideration if desired. Feel free to correct any misinformation as this whole thing is just one great big learning experiment that we all enjoy immensely!!

Cheers & keep up the great work!:beer:

Sheldon

The fun part about this hobby is forgetting stuff as quickly as you learn it. I'm able to recall the basis of many of these ideas, but not the whole concept. I find this clears away the conventions making room for new ideas. New ideas aren't always fruitful, but they are certainly entertaining. If you haven't noticed by now, I'm more of a stater than a finisher

If I remember correctly, the process of converting ammonia to nitrite, and nitrite to nitrate (nitrification) is called assimilation. The final step in the nitrogen cycle whereby nitrate is converted to nitrogen gas or back into nitrite is called dissimilation.

Bob Goemans advocates a greater barrier layer between water and sand. A plenum adds this second layer. In my opinion, a Jaulbert plenum also adds a benthic zone (dark anaerobic zone) where non-photosynthetic invertebrates can thrive and reduce nitrate and phosphate as they polish the water. Benthic and cryptic worms, sponges and sea squirts can be just as efficient as bacteria with respect to nutrient assimilation and the added biodiversity offers further benefit. A sand bed greater than 4" deep would cause the lower plenum to become anoxic (less oxygen than hypoxic). Each layer of sand holds a microenvironment of bacteria that consumes oxygen. There is a limit as to how deep a sand bed can be before there are diminished returns. Some say you can go as deep as 24", while others claim it is closer to 6".

The throughput of a denitrifying media reactor will regulate the dissolved oxygen rate. The Aqua-Medic until comes with a probe holder so you can use an ORP meter to set the flow to <250mv. The closed loop pump assures that thee are no dead spots where water can become anoxic and hydrogen sulphide can settle. Alternatively, you could use a dissolved oxygen probe & meter.

My idea of "feeding/breather" tubes in overflow box sand beds furthers the exploration of the barrier layer between sand and water. Alternatively, perforated tubes full of sand may prove to be more efficient, but this is purely experimental.

You raise a good point with the need to use GFO with an NP Biopellet reactor. I don't know how limiting low nitrate levels are to the bacterial bed, but the absence of one major nutrient will undoubtedly effect the ability to consume another.

Back when Big Al's Aquarium Services was servicing the 5,000 gallon marine tank at the Mandarin restaurant, they decided to backwash a sand filter that had never been cleaned. Apparently the sulphur smell was so bad they had to evacuate the whole restaurant for the rest of the day :celeb1:

 

[Scej12]

Let us know how it all turns out. If it helps any, I believe the forum I was reading about the orp rigging to control the denitrator was new jersey reefers if memory serves correctly. The proponent, spoke about switching the bnc connectors on the orp probe to have it control negative values.... eventually everyone lost interest as no one was able to duplicate the negative control based on his instruction...

FWIW - I did try a similar setup (breather tube in overflow) on a 600g freshwater tank that I installed a few years ago. In my case I used a very deep (>28") gravel bed over a plemun; and used a dual drain with one outlet pulling from below the plenum and one pulling from above. I took it apart after about 8 months or so because I was experiencing regular ammonia spikes in the entire system. Once removed, the ammonia spikes ceased to occur. The failure could have been because the bed was simply too deep even though there should have been a significant enough throughput... Anyway, just offering up a little of my own mishap for your consideration as you design your own application.

Regards,

SJ

 

[mr.wilson]

Dear Peter & Shawn,

It is my first post on RC. I've gone through your thread from page 1 to page 250 over the last month or so reading every post. It has been truly inspirational. I'm not sure if was more frustrating trying to catch up to see where you are at now - without missing any of the details along the way (no peeking ahead) - or getting to the end and now waiting for new updates

I was at my local LFS last week and heard the owner discussing your project with some of the customers. While that may not initially sound unusual, I am based across the Atlantic in Warsaw, Poland. Just thought you'd appreciate the feedback that your work is recognized and discussed worldwide.

I am currently migrating from a small 40g tank to a 500g system and am particularly interested in your discussions around the application of biopellets and culturing live food.

I will continue to follow the thread and would like to wish you continued sucess with your unique system and best practice approach.

PS: As I understand, there is no dedicated "benthic zone" so far within your set-up. Having read quite a lot of Mr. Wilson's opinions related to the topic, I would imagine that this is something that you would have considered/discussed. Is there a plan to implement anything in this regard?

PPS: When and how can I preorder Mr. Wilson's book?

EDIT: Just saw in the meanwhile your update related to parasite and bacteria problem. Very sorry to hear that and hope you can recover quickly.

Witam Kuba,

Good to hear from the other side of the Atlantic. I lived in Krakow for a year and a half while I built the Krakow Aquarium. I made a few trips to Warsaw and had a back stage tour of the new Oceanarium at the Warsaw Zoo. You can put in a good word to Andrej the director if you visit I'm trying to convince him to let me renovate the penguin exhibit.

I'm seeing more and more new reef products coming out of Poland, particularly Poznan Gdynia and Gdansk. It looks like the focus will be on Poland and slowly move away from Germany and China.

 

[Jgrimm]

MAINTENANCE TEAM UPDATE :fish2:

As everyone already knows we have made huge progress in the fishroom, we have now simplified all of our lives by putting together a Legend for our newly configured control panel this will be mounted on the wall beside the control panel so that no unecessary mistakes occur.

We have also now produced a checklist and job list for each of the 2 days of the week that we (maintenance team) come in, which are Tuesdays and Fridays. We have also produced an operating manual that goes into depth for each sector of the tank and fishroom; this includes ideal operating levels, numbers, flow etc... and also any troubleshooting if it is not functioning at peak efficiency.

unfortunately at this time these files are too large to upload to the site :sad2: so we are going to take pictures and submit them that way. this will come forth soon. Peter will be posting the pictures by tonite.


jamie :dance:

 

[nineball]

Just like he said............

Just like he said............

MAINTENANCE TEAM UPDATE

As everyone already knows we have made huge progress in the fishroom, we have now simplified all of our lives by putting together a Legend for our newly configured control panel this will be mounted on the wall beside the control panel so that no unecessary mistakes occur.

We have also now produced a checklist and job list for each of the 2 days of the week that we (maintenance team) come in, which are Tuesdays and Fridays. We have also produced an operating manual that goes into depth for each sector of the tank and fishroom; this includes ideal operating levels, numbers, flow etc... and also any troubleshooting if it is not functioning at peak efficiency.

unfortunately at this time these files are too large to upload to the site :sad2: so we are going to take pictures and submit them that way. this will come forth soon. Peter will be posting the pictures by tonite.


jamie

Questions or comments?

Peter

 

[dantimdad]

I don't see the key switch and big red button for launch on that panel.

 

[Russter]

Are those bungee straps holding up the cabinet doors?

 

[nuccadoc]

I think two keys are required and you have to turn them simultaneously.

 

[mr.wilson]

I don't see the key switch and big red button for launch on that panel.

Just an N2o button for No3.

 

[nineball]

I don't see the key switch and big red button for launch on that panel.

That's because one of the Brothers Grimm carries a briefcase with the launch codes and follows me everywhere..........

Peter

 

[nineball]

Are those bungee straps holding up the cabinet doors?

yes but we tested them with the tallest member of the maintainence team and they hit their heads on the floor only one in four times!!!!!!

Seriously we are waiting for a machine shop solution to arrive for a permanent solution to the canopy doors.........and its not bungie chord its sailing rope!!!Designed for a marine environment.

Peter

 

[Russter]

yes but we tested them with the tallest member of the maintainence team and they hit their heads on the floor only one in four times!!!!!!

Seriously we are waiting for a machine shop solution to arrive for a permanent solution to the canopy doors.........and its not bungie chord its sailing rope!!!Designed for a marine environment.

Peter

Sailing rope sounds much better than bungee cords. Do they sell it at Canadian Tire? :lolspin:

 

[nineball]

Sailing rope sounds much better than bungee cords. Do they sell it at Canadian Tire? :lolspin:

No but the boat that came with it is too big to be pulled by the Bentley. So we keep it in the driveway and just pretend...........


Peter

 

[Russter]

No but the boat that came with it is too big to be pulled by the Bentley. So we keep it in the driveway and just pretend...........


Peter

I think you will need to put that big boat in the lake and sail it up to Thunder Bay in the summer to pick me up and sail me back so that I can come see your amazing tank. You can even bring Mr. Wilson along so that he can drive while we "discuss" some fine wine.

 

[mikebpeters]

Your Checklists look very thorough and will seem pedantic at times, but if you follow them you will never go wrong. I am in the AirForce and we use checklists all the time. There is always a temptation to think that you know your job so well that you don't always need your checklist, and that will likely be true - most of the time. Of course, the one time you miss something will be the one time that 'it' needs attention so scrupulous use of checklists in complex environments certainly gets my vote!

 

[Spirofucci]

Wow!!! Amazing as always. My wife is addicted to General Hospital and I....well, I have this site!

It looks like the bros Grimm have their work cut out for them for a long time! But, Peter, there has been many a mention through out this thread regarding a fish room girl including interviews and some sort of ladder test. I think a live feed of the interview process should be in the works! After all this is OUR tank!!!!

JK!

A big thanks from the lurking peanut gallery!

-mark