drummereef's 180g in-wall build

[psteeleb]

Looks great Brett

I'd probably opt to set up a mini mangrove/DSB tray in there using a small tupperware type container. Maybe something like 24"x 12" x 6-8" deep that is self contained so the tank could be easily cleaned of other detritus etc. I'd also elevate it just below the water level so you could keep live rock under it. Just a thought, again looking great. :thumbsup:

 

[tredreef]

With a tub that big I would definitely try a deep sand bed.. It would be a shame not to.
The benefits from a dsb are worth the try.

Looks great Brett

I'd probably opt to set up a mini mangrove/DSB tray in there using a small tupperware type container. Maybe something like 24"x 12" x 6-8" deep that is self contained so the tank could be easily cleaned of other detritus etc. I'd also elevate it just below the water level so you could keep live rock under it. Just a thought, again looking great. :thumbsup:

I agree! with that size of a refugium, a DSB will be very beneficial, but only if the whole bottom of the tub is used. In order for a DSB to really make a difference it needs to be at-least 1/3 the size of the display. Otherwise the natural nutrient reduction benefits of the refugium will not be fully utilized.

Lookin good so far Brett. Keep up the updates, your a pro.:thumbsup:

 

[drummereef]

With a tub that big I would definitely try a deep sand bed.. It would be a shame not to.
The benefits from a dsb are worth the try.

Thanks Henry, I'll look into that.

very nice set up i have 20' long wall right against my garage and i want to set up similar and i am trying to convence my wife but so far no luck

Ha! Just show her my setup and she'll turn around and thank you for being not being a nutter. :lol:

Looks great Brett

I'd probably opt to set up a mini mangrove/DSB tray in there using a small tupperware type container. Maybe something like 24"x 12" x 6-8" deep that is self contained so the tank could be easily cleaned of other detritus etc. I'd also elevate it just below the water level so you could keep live rock under it. Just a thought, again looking great. :thumbsup:

That's a great idea. I'm battling some space issues if I incorporate all three; rock, macro, and mangroves. I do like the idea of growing some mangroves, I think it would be fun but need to figure out how I can manage all that stuff in what is quickly becoming a small space. I think Dennis (d2mini) did something similar with his mangrove setup so I'll do some more research.

I agree! with that size of a refugium, a DSB will be very beneficial, but only if the whole bottom of the tub is used. In order for a DSB to really make a difference it needs to be at-least 1/3 the size of the display. Otherwise the natural nutrient reduction benefits of the refugium will not be fully utilized.

Lookin good so far Brett. Keep up the updates, your a pro.:thumbsup:

Thank you tredreef.

 

[Nanook]

Yeah, DSB would be perfect. Your denitrification would be second to none and your little algae blooms would disappear as well.

 

[drummereef]

UPDATE:


Rock is in along with 48 gallons of saltwater! Still need about 5-10 more gallons to get the water level high enough to overflow the drains, but I'm going to let the rock settle in for a couple days before I connect it to the system. With the rock spread out on the bottom of the tank I will have ~12" of free space above the rock. So, you can see where I'm having some space issues... If I "partition" the free water space above the rock, left side / right side, I would possibly be able to incorporate a mangrove area and macro area - and just let the rock hang out in the bottom of the tank. It wouldn't get much light down there but I'm not sure that matters. Any input would be welcome.

Here's the pics...

 

[Nanook]

Mangroves don't do much for nutrient removal, but if you want something green sticking out of the water go for it

 

[drummereef]

Yeah, DSB would be perfect. Your denitrification would be second to none and your little algae blooms would disappear as well.

Mangroves don't do much for nutrient removal, but if you want something green sticking out of the water go for it

Thanks for the info Dave. I didn't know that - but I've always thought they look cool though. :lol: How much water space is needed to grow Chaeto? Are there other varieties of macros that do better for nutrient reduction besides Chaeto? So you are saying DSB, rock on top, and macros floating in the free space above that?

 

[Nanook]

Thanks for the info Dave. I didn't know that - but I've always thought they look cool though. :lol: How much water space is needed to grow Chaeto? Are there other varieties of macros that do better for nutrient reduction besides Chaeto? So you are saying DSB, rock on top, and macros floating in the free space above that?

Just a DSB without rock or chaeto would do wonders. If that was my stock tank, I would put about 4-6" of sand, low-moderate flow and a few pieces of rock spaced out for critters to live in and under. The DSB would do all the work by itself, but a nice selection of macros would be a nice addition. I personally prefer grape macros...small green grapes that vines through the rock.

 

[Nanook]

The Tang Heaven Red that IPSF sells is great food for herbivores as well.

 

[drummereef]

Just a DSB without rock or chaeto would do wonders. If that was my stock tank, I would put about 4-6" of sand, low-moderate flow and a few pieces of rock spaced out for critters to live in and under. The DSB would do all the work by itself, but a nice selection of macros would be a nice addition. I personally prefer grape macros...small green grapes that vines through the rock.

The Tang Heaven Red that IPSF sells is great food for herbivores as well.

Cool, thanks for the advice. I already have 50lbs of rock... that's the problem. :lol:

 

[drummereef]

UPDATE:


After a long journey the fuge is finally online. :dance: I also moved forward with the lighting. I used a standard 10" Brooder Light, some 1/16" wire rope and fittings, and a little diy. I appreciate all the help guys, I think it turned out really well. :thumbsup: Here's the pics.


Here's the 1/16" wire rope and ferrule fittings which secure the loop that attaches to the Brooder Light.

The track from the light rack ended up almost dead center on the fuge tank which was a perfect mounting point for the Brooder Light. I cut a small piece of PVC board to fit inside the track, which also slides easily for adjustment. Then I used an eye bolt and a couple washers and nuts to secure it to the PVC board. From there it was just making another loop in the wire rope and securing it with the ferrule.

**NOTE: The duct tape is temporary. Just using it to get an idea how high the lamp should be off the water before I crimp the ferrule.

The whole enchilada.

I also added 2x 4" mesh socks on the drains. The splashing wasn't terrible with original elbows I was using, but now it's nonexistent. I also poked a hole or two in the them to help the little critters through but keep the bubbles in.

 

[drummereef]

Question... How high should the compact fluorescent bulb be off the water surface to be most effective growing macros? Trying to balance keeping it as low as possible to avoid light bleed but also keep it a safe distance away from the water as well.

 

[shaggss]

**NOTE: The duct tape is temporary. Just using it to get an idea how high the lamp should be off the water before I crimp the ferrule.

fffuuueeeeewwwww, that was lucky! I almost had a heart attack!

Looking good Drummer! Sorry can't help with the light Qs though

 

[psteeleb]

Question... How high should the compact fluorescent bulb be off the water surface to be most effective growing macros? Trying to balance keeping it as low as possible to avoid light bleed but also keep it a safe distance away from the water as well.

I'd go for about 12 -18"
maybe rig up a yoyo to your chain so you can raise and lower it but the chan acts as the failsafe

 

[d2mini]

Looks great!
You're really making full use of the volume of that rubbermaid container, too.

 

[naprestsleep]

My light is 4-6" off the water. I have to clean salt buildup off occasionally but no issue with the water breaking the glass or bulbs malfunction

 

[tredreef]

Brett,

What did you use to mount the filter socks to your sump with?

 

[drummereef]

fffuuueeeeewwwww, that was lucky! I almost had a heart attack!

Looking good Drummer! Sorry can't help with the light Qs though

Ha! Gotcha. Thanks shaggss.

I'd go for about 12 -18"
maybe rig up a yoyo to your chain so you can raise and lower it but the chan acts as the failsafe

Thanks for the tip! :thumbsup: I'll play around with it.

Looks great!
You're really making full use of the volume of that rubbermaid container, too.

Thanks Dennis.

My light is 4-6" off the water. I have to clean salt buildup off occasionally but no issue with the water breaking the glass or bulbs malfunction

Thanks for the info naprestsleep. Good to know even with the bulb that close there's no real issue.

Brett,

What did you use to mount the filter socks to your sump with?

I used my trusty Uniseals once again. :rollface: The pipes draining in to the sump are 1.5". If you put a 1.5" Uniseal on the pipe, placed where you like it, a 4" filter sock will slide perfectly over the uniseal. The internal ring/clip (don't know exactly what it's called) holds them in place. I'll post a pic of the setup in a bit...

 

[drummereef]

UPDATE:


First macroalgae additions. I added some Chaeto to start and was also able to get some Red Gracilaria as well. I will say the Red Gracilaria is a pain in the rear to work with. It's little sprigs, almost like the Curly Endive you put on a salad. Attaching it to the rock was quite a bit of work so I'm hoping the stuff attaches and grows without much maintenance. It comes highly recommended as a macro so I have high hopes it will be a positive addition to the fuge though. Here's the pics.


Difficult to get a good shot of the macro with the light on, but here's a first attempt.

Red Graciaria. I tried to attach it to the rock as best as I could, hopefully it will be OK. :strange:

Chaeto. Hard to mess this stuff up.

 

[Vlado4x4]

Brett i´m sure you allready posted, but are you planning on having a algae refugium because of no3 and po4 levels ? Have you added live bacteria to the refugium ?
I´m trying to do something like yours because of no3 and po4 issues, but was wondering if you used sand or miracle mud at all.

Sorry if allready posted and sorry for my english