Gixxer Family Reef-180 Upgrade

[worm5406]

Yeah it is... My upgrade from 120 to 180 with an actual sump instead of canisters and HOB's was a never ending item. Well I thoguht at least. Until I moved the last fish/snail I did not think it would ever end.

 

[Tim gixxerman]

Well I fixed the corner today, and built the sump today!

 

[worm5406]

Nice I picked up my glass to fix my sump today at lunch. I'll be doing some sump work too.

Hard to see... What are your up and down sequence for the baffles?

 

[Mrs. Gixxerman]

Nice I picked up my glass to fix my sump today at lunch. I'll be doing some sump work too.

Hard to see... What are your up and down sequence for the baffles?

I was waiting for my husband to chime in on this one, but he hasn't. He and I had a go around last night about his sump design after I saw the pictures. LOL

Will post a better picture tonight with a flow explaination. I could try and explain it now, but it would be easier with the picture.

Crappy weather will force us likely indoors today so Tim is going to route the edges for the trim on the canopy. I finally get to see everything up close and personal this afternoon and find little things that bug me so I can bug him. Haha...the joys of being a wife. I've been banned from the new house while I've been contagious with the fever. Although now I've moved on from an ear infection to a head cold. *sigh* Damn weather. Want to work some more on the rock design, so I'll have to claim a small corner of the garage to do some more sculpting. :bounce1:

 

[worm5406]

Yeah it really rained good here last night. I think we are in the clear for a few days.

I am going to work on my baffles today. Was busy over the weekend.

 

[Mrs. Gixxerman]

When it rains...it pours. My son is sick...so that means I am staying home with him, while Tim does more on the build. Poor little guy. He caught whatever bug I had/have and is feeling pretty rotten tonight.

A few little things from tonight.

Here is the canopy with it's upper and lower trim on.


We hit a snag the other night with the corner trim. Because of the way the lid lifts, the corner trim was hanging up on the upper side trim. Tim tried a few fixes and managed to correct the problem.


Here is the layout of the front door panels, and side false door panels. The two center doors will be used for easy access to feed. The two side false doors will be decorative only. This is to keep it uniform to the stand. The wood strip that is inbetween the door frames and the bottom trim is just there for placement purposes while he marks for the doors.

 

[Mrs. Gixxerman]

As promised...a better picture of the sump design.


I have to admit...I was a little concerned with his sump layout. The shorter baffle...well baffled me. LOL I couldn't figure out how the center refugium section was going to maintain the water level, convinced the the smalled baffle was going to cause problems. Once I saw it in action, it made more sense.

Here is a short video of the water flow through the sump. Just click on the image. The first section will house filter socks. Second section is for the skimmer. Next is the refugium and the last is for the return. It works pretty good...and Tim got to try out the new return pump.

 

[Mrs. Gixxerman]

Next, I need to purchase the membrane for the new RO/DI unit. Tim will finish the trim on the canopy and some touchups on the stand. Then we'll paint the inside of the canopy and stain the outside. Sometime during all of this, we'll start seeding my new rock sculptures in a rubbermaid tub with some larger rock from the 75 gallon. Just to help the process a long a bit.

In the meantime, I still need to solve the ATO container for the stand. My plan B isn't going to work I think. We need to do a test fit and see what happens, but my concern is the eventual plumbing in the stand will prevent us from using our current 35 gallon barrel. The barrell is too wide. But we'll see.

Then after that, we'll start getting everything together for the plumbing and I'll order the Apex. The clock is ticking...

 

[worm5406]

Nice good progress so far!!

Thanks for the sump diagram. The short piece does make sense once you see it moving.

I have 1/2 mine done with baffles.

I got my ATS in today too.

 

[Mrs. Gixxerman]

Small update on the build. Things have slowed down at this point as Tim has been finishing up little things on the stand and canopy.

Trim is done:




And first coat of stain:









These pictures are a few days old. Tim has already put the second coat of stain on the canopy and a second coat of polyurethane on the stand. Yes, I know...I've fallen behind on my posting responsibility. Although...LOL...I'm not sure anyone else is reading this but Worm. If anyone else is following just nod your head so I know you are out there.

I've ordered the RO membrane for the new system, and filter socks for a custom made holder Tim made for the sump. Tim also siliconed the overflows back into the tank. Next step will be getting the tank back onto the stand so we can finalize sump/ATO container placement and start plumbing it. Oh and we still haven't solved the ATO problem yet. I have a few more leads to try and maybe I can get a suitable one that I think will work.

As it gets closer to the actual stock transfer I'm getting more and more nervous. I'm still waiting for Murphy's law to kick in and something go drastically wrong. We are still trying to figure out the logisitics of transfering the rock and livestock to the new tank. I'm not sure how it will all work, and I need to research a little bit more as it gets closer. I don't want to jeopardize the fish and corals on a stupid mistake that could have been avoided. Don't borrow trouble right? Right...

 

[worm5406]

These pictures are a few days old. Tim has already put the second coat of stain on the canopy and a second coat of polyurethane on the stand. Yes, I know...I've fallen behind on my posting responsibility. Although...LOL...I'm not sure anyone else is reading this but Worm. If anyone else is following just nod your head so I know you are out there.

Those pictures look good. The stain and all turned out great. how thick/coats of poly did you do?

Nodd... Yes of course I am reading this. HAHAHA.. Look at he views. There are other people also... hahaha

I've ordered the RO membrane for the new system, and filter socks for a custom made holder Tim made for the sump. Tim also siliconed the overflows back into the tank. Next step will be getting the tank back onto the stand so we can finalize sump/ATO container placement and start plumbing it.

What RO are you using?
Good on the sump. Nice to see the progress.

IDK about your setup but I ended up taking off my filter socks and letting the sump take care of what is in it. But I have cut back on my food and cut all the PH/pumps off during feeding and SPOT feed. Less to come down the return side.
How are you going to do the ATO? Apex? autotopoff.com?

Oh and we still haven't solved the ATO problem yet. I have a few more leads to try and maybe I can get a suitable one that I think will work.

I am using my apex and a 5ml doser pump along with a float.

As it gets closer to the actual stock transfer I'm getting more and more nervous. I'm still waiting for Murphy's law to kick in and something go drastically wrong. We are still trying to figure out the logisitics of transfering the rock and livestock to the new tank. I'm not sure how it will all work, and I need to research a little bit more as it gets closer. I don't want to jeopardize the fish and corals on a stupid mistake that could have been avoided. Don't borrow trouble right? Right...

DIP those corals in coralrx or revive(?) as you swapp them over too.

That will get their annual DIP in just incase. hahaha...

Check Check Check.... Checklist, buckets, fish nets, hahahaha.... It will be good. I was scared too when I moved mine from 120 to 180. I was afraid there would be some chemical missing or added and the fish would end up floating. BUT... they did perfect. I did end up cutting the bio load DOWN when I did the swapp. I took the chromis that had been with me from the start to the LFS. They were becoming over aggressive and needed to go.

I did get my two blue hippo's on that same day though.

How much new rock are you adding? How is the cycling coming for that?

 

[Mrs. Gixxerman]

Those pictures look good. The stain and all turned out great. how thick/coats of poly did you do?

Nodd... Yes of course I am reading this. HAHAHA.. Look at he views. There are other people also... hahaha

Thanks! Love the stain. I'm so happy with it. He did 2 light/medium coats, but had issues with bubbling of the polyurethane. He had to light sand out a few spots and redo it. And glad to see the nod! LOL...we aren't well known on the forum, plus this build (while seriously cool for us) is probably relatively tame to everyone else. Nothing new and spectacular to the build.

What RO are you using?
Good on the sump. Nice to see the progress.

IDK about your setup but I ended up taking off my filter socks and letting the sump take care of what is in it. But I have cut back on my food and cut all the PH/pumps off during feeding and SPOT feed. Less to come down the return side.
How are you going to do the ATO? Apex? autotopoff.com?

I am using my apex and a 5ml doser pump along with a float.

We are going to go ahead and use the RO unit that came with the tank. I purchased the 100 gpd membrane and a restrictor. We were sorta thinking outloud last night, and we only have a 55 gallon holding tank for salt water, and it's going to take us three to four days just to fill up the tank. My gawd...that just blows our mind. Compared to the 75 gallon we did before! Granted with the 75 gallon, not having ANY way of knowing what we were doing wrong, we used tap water, and mixed the salt directly into the tank. ROFL...that was a two week nightmare getting all of the salt (that sunk to the bottom) to disolve. Looking back, I'm amazed we didn't crash our tank in the first 6 months we had it running.

Thanks on the sump props! We currently use filter socks on our 75 gallon and have for a while. They seem to work well, and we have enough of them to rotate them out so there's no rush to clean them.

The ATO control will come with the APEX we are going to get. (my next purchase) but we're still struggling on finding the container to house the top off water. Still researching it, and I'll figure it out. Eventually. I'm being probably unreasonably picky about what type of container to use, but damnit...I don't want to find myself irratated with the container a month after everything is setup and I can't get it out because of where it's located in the stand. *sigh* I'm going to have to figure something out and soon. The clock is ticking.

 

[Mrs. Gixxerman]

DIP those corals in coralrx or revive(?) as you swapp them over too.

That will get their annual DIP in just incase. hahaha...

Check Check Check.... Checklist, buckets, fish nets, hahahaha.... It will be good. I was scared too when I moved mine from 120 to 180. I was afraid there would be some chemical missing or added and the fish would end up floating. BUT... they did perfect. I did end up cutting the bio load DOWN when I did the swapp. I took the chromis that had been with me from the start to the LFS. They were becoming over aggressive and needed to go.

I did get my two blue hippo's on that same day though.

How much new rock are you adding? How is the cycling coming for that?

This kinda leads me into the logistics part of the plan that I'm not sure how it's going to work. Primarily what I needed to do the most research on in order to get everything planned out.

Currently we have 100 lbs of live rock (well established) in the 75 gal. We purchased about 85 lbs (give or take 5 lbs) of new dry rock to seed. I used it to make a few of my base rock sculptures for the aquascape. We will be using all new sand for the bottom of the display. We currently have crushed coral in the 75 and I can't stand it. We do have a good amount of regular sand in the refugium part of the sump.

Ultimately I want to have everything transfered to the tank by July 1st. We are going on vacation, and I don't want to have to worry about two tanks (both the 75 and the 180) while we are gone. The 180 will be safer for vacationing because it will be on the apex, and we can monitor it from afar. Plus, the new house is on a backup generator which is actually wired into the home's electrical box. It will kick in automatically the moment power goes out. I can feel comfortable leaving knowing that if there are any power outages the tank will be safe.

Keep in mind we plan on having the new tank ready to get wet by May 1st(hopefully). First we need to frag the current corals off the main rock and get them prepped for moving to the new tank. After that...my plan sorta falls apart.

So here are my concerns:

1. Do we move half of the rock from the 75 gal to the new tank to seed the 85 lbs of dry rock allowing for a cycle for a month before moving the livestock and coral over?
2. Do we move everything over from the 75 gal to the 180 at one time, depending on the sump/refugium and the 100 lbs of live rock to stabilize the remaining 85 lbs of dry rock in the tank and monitor for a mini cycle?

If we DO move half of the rock from the 75 gal, that leaves about 50 in it. We only have 5 fish, but I don't want to screw with the chemistry in our 75 just to speed up the 180. Ugh...I just don't know how this works.

Any thoughts? The more the merrier. I just don't want to hurt my little tank family through lack of proper planning.

 

[jrod738776]

could you provide the specs and more info on the steps to making your sump? I have a 55 gal that I am looking to build into something similar to yours.

 

[worm5406]

HAHAHA.. When I first setup my 120 I used TOWN tap water/chlorinated. I used the stuff for fresh water to remove the chlorination.

I was a REAL newb then. I am surprised I got anything to grow/live/survive.

I have a 75gpd rodi and yeah it does take a while. I got 2x 33 gal brute trash cans for waterchanges and I filled them up when I was getting my 180 ready.

In some of my videos, that is why it took so long between fills.

For a ATO I got a 7gal water container. It has a hole in it for vacuum and the hose I have fits PERFECTLY in it for the ATO pump/doser. I got two of these from amazon: Reliance Products Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container

They work perfectly. Handle on top and everything.

In some of my shots you can see it below beside the sump. The BLUE container.

 

[worm5406]

This kinda leads me into the logistics part of the plan that I'm not sure how it's going to work. Primarily what I needed to do the most research on in order to get everything planned out.

Good planning. I made a list up of all the items I had to do and it kept me on track. Of course I kept adding to it.

Currently we have 100 lbs of live rock (well established) in the 75 gal. We purchased about 85 lbs (give or take 5 lbs) of new dry rock to seed. I used it to make a few of my base rock sculptures for the aquascape. We will be using all new sand for the bottom of the display. We currently have crushed coral in the 75 and I can't stand it. We do have a good amount of regular sand in the refugium part of the sump.

That will be good but see below.

Ultimately I want to have everything transfered to the tank by July 1st. We are going on vacation, and I don't want to have to worry about two tanks (both the 75 and the 180) while we are gone. The 180 will be safer for vacationing because it will be on the apex, and we can monitor it from afar. Plus, the new house is on a backup generator which is actually wired into the home's electrical box. It will kick in automatically the moment power goes out. I can feel comfortable leaving knowing that if there are any power outages the tank will be safe.

Are you worried about who ever is house sitting and having a new tank?

Keep in mind we plan on having the new tank ready to get wet by May 1st(hopefully). First we need to frag the current corals off the main rock and get them prepped for moving to the new tank. After that...my plan sorta falls apart.

Hummm today is MAY 17. You are 17 days late.

So here are my concerns:

1. Do we move half of the rock from the 75 gal to the new tank to seed the 85 lbs of dry rock allowing for a cycle for a month before moving the livestock and coral over?
2. Do we move everything over from the 75 gal to the 180 at one time, depending on the sump/refugium and the 100 lbs of live rock to stabilize the remaining 85 lbs of dry rock in the tank and monitor for a mini cycle?

If we DO move half of the rock from the 75 gal, that leaves about 50 in it. We only have 5 fish, but I don't want to screw with the chemistry in our 75 just to speed up the 180. Ugh...I just don't know how this works.

Any thoughts? The more the merrier. I just don't want to hurt my little tank family through lack of proper planning.

Personally I would move that rock over YES. 1/2 will help seed it and get it running. The new rock will start to cycle. It would really be best to start NOW and get some large trash cans/baby pool. and start the cycle with saltwater/heater/flow.

The 5 fish should be able to survive in the lower amount of rock. You may have to do more frequent water changes. And keep an eye on the ammonia.

It will take some time to cycle.

 

[Mrs. Gixxerman]

could you provide the specs and more info on the steps to making your sump? I have a 55 gal that I am looking to build into something similar to yours.

Hey there! Thanks for reading along. Not a prob...I'll let my husband know and he can respond to your question. He knows the baffle sizes and spacing between them and I'm not sure about the measurments. The sump was a complete surprise to me. I didn't realize how he was going to design it until it was done. He should be able to reply later tonight. He's at work this afternon/evening.

 

[Mrs. Gixxerman]

HAHAHA.. When I first setup my 120 I used TOWN tap water/chlorinated. I used the stuff for fresh water to remove the chlorination.

I was a REAL newb then. I am surprised I got anything to grow/live/survive.

I have a 75gpd rodi and yeah it does take a while. I got 2x 33 gal brute trash cans for waterchanges and I filled them up when I was getting my 180 ready.

In some of my videos, that is why it took so long between fills.

For a ATO I got a 7gal water container. It has a hole in it for vacuum and the hose I have fits PERFECTLY in it for the ATO pump/doser. I got two of these from amazon: Reliance Products Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container

They work perfectly. Handle on top and everything.

In some of my shots you can see it below beside the sump. The BLUE container.

I'm telling you it's a miracle our fish survived our ignorance. We are lucky to have a good LFS close by that we could bounce ideas off of, and of course we found this place several months into the beginning of our 75 gal. We saved ourselves a WHOLE lot of problems by following the advice of people on here...that's for sure.

The brute trashcans for the resevoirs are my backup backup plan. I want something that has gallon marks and is semi-transparent. I'm not convinced I can't find something that will work yet...I'm going to keep looking until I've left NO bucket unturned. That's the plan anyway. We were trying to have a large enough container that we didn't have to worry about the RO/DI unit running continually to refill it. I don't know...still working on that one. We have the 55 gallon drum that we were going to use for storing salt water for water changes so it would be good for several changes before having to refill. The 35 gallon will likely have to be used in tandem with the 55 in order to help with making enough salt water to fill the tank initially. Oh and my husband mentioned to me last night...oh btw, we need more salt. LOL Add that to my 'to buy' list.

 

[Mrs. Gixxerman]

Are you worried about who ever is house sitting and having a new tank?

Yes...sorta. Our club members are pretty scattered...and we had a couple of serious 'oops' on vacation the last couple of years. Not large FAILS persay...but enough to make me nervous. The dericho storms that blew through here last summer knocked us offline for about a week. It would just be easier altogether if we had everything moved to the new tank by July 1st.

Hummm today is MAY 17. You are 17 days late.

OOPS! Typo...that should have been June 1st. My bad! LOL

Personally I would move that rock over YES. 1/2 will help seed it and get it running. The new rock will start to cycle. It would really be best to start NOW and get some large trash cans/baby pool. and start the cycle with saltwater/heater/flow.

The 5 fish should be able to survive in the lower amount of rock. You may have to do more frequent water changes. And keep an eye on the ammonia.

It will take some time to cycle.

My husband and I were talking about going ahead and getting the dry rock wet now with about 10 or 20 lbs of live rock and just setting it up for a couple of weeks until we get the 180 wet. The reason I asked is that initially when we had the 75 setup we used about 35-40 lbs or so of live rock to start the tank. We saw practically NO cycle. This after monitoring the water levels for about 4 weeks. I've never tried using half live and half dry before. I think all but 2 or 3 peices in our 75 were live. We kept adding as we added more fish and more still when we switched from a cannister filter to a sump.

My concern was whether the time frame was doable. First and FOREMOST I don't want the fish to suffer from an uncycled or semi-cycled tank. I adore our 5 and they are my top priority.

 

[worm5406]

Hummm... A true cycle like that is going to take longer.

If anything, put the rock NOW in water and start the cycle. When it is time to move to the other tank, just move it, without the new rock. Then as it is ready move it to the new tank, you will be able to with out worry of hurting anything.

There will be enough bacteria to do the bioload in the new tank with no problems. BUT the cycling rock, if it is not done yet, will become a problem if it is not done cycling.

Hence to seed it and help the bacteria get onto the new rock during the cycle.