How not to build a 750/1500 gallon build thread-Khaosinc 3/5/71-8/30/11

[reefroverwilson]

Allrighty then. I have followed this thread for awhile noe though I havent been an active participant(wasn't there for the donations)all I can say is patience, perserverance and a butt load of fortitude. You got it goin on Khaos. This is what makes our hobby(or investment,LOL) one of many heart filled or torn practices. We as reefrers are compassionate not only twords our hobby but fellow hobbiests. I am a Marine first, biker second and a reefer forever. Keep up the ideas and keep us posted Khaos, but most importantly "keep yourself the way you want to be kept!"

 

[johnike]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15561268#post15561268 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dc
And for the record, replying badly to the negative comments is not any better. Just ignore them and report as some did, thank you BTW.

Thanks, Debi. You are so right. [Puts tail between legs]

 

[gsxunv04]

I am glad you are feeling better Khaos, keep up the good work, and keep taking it easy!

Any news on water change system layout/ideas?

 

[CUfishfan]

Khaos- I was reading GlassReef's build (Building my 375g Glass Reef) and he has set up a continuous water change system... I think with peristaltic pumps. It's a different approach (instead of doing a WC every week, it's a continuous process to minimize shock to the system). I wonder if it would also limit the size of holding tanks necessary? I'm sure there are other costs that might not outweigh the space-savings, but it could be worth a look.

 

[nmbeg]

Well I guess I am not really sure what's the problem with the current water change system.... just taking up too much space? If that's the case, the only way to fix that is to get taller tanks (like the cylindrical ones other people suggested). Otherwise, it seemed like your current system would make water changes a lot easier, right?

I am also working on a continuous water change system for my 125. Gonna hook up a cheap, used IV pump (you should know all about those, khaos) from ebay. actually 2--one for in, and one for out. only problem is that you need IV tubing for that (it's not a simple peristalic pump where you can stick in any tube... you need special IV tubing)... khaos you might have some lying around from the PICC pump.. i don't know if it was the same type.

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=pl...3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=infusion+pump&_osacat=0

(this is not my listing--I bought one myself and make no money off of this)

anyway, there is a article out there somewhere (by randy, I think), about the benefits of continuous changes

 

[techreef]

how do you age the new saltwater before using it on these continuous WC systems? that's a pretty cool idea, unless it requires constant upkeep on the human interaction in dumping salt crystals in water each day. I'm def interested in learning more. I'll look for GlassReef's build thread. Thanks for the idea guys.

 

[jenglish]

I think the drawback of the constant w/c is while they replenish lost minerals they do very little for managing nutrients so you need to have other means of dealing with nitrates and phosphates.

With a tank this large you really don't want to be needing to rely on 50% w/c to keep nitrates down anyway.... thats a pretty pricey waterchange

 

[nmbeg]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15563502#post15563502 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by techreef
how do you age the new saltwater before using it on these continuous WC systems? that's a pretty cool idea, unless it requires constant upkeep on the human interaction in dumping salt crystals in water each day. I'm def interested in learning more. I'll look for GlassReef's build thread. Thanks for the idea guys.

you just set up a 30-gallon bucket (or 250 gallons in khaos's case) with saltwater, age it is much as you like, and then hook it into the system so that 1-2 gallons (or 10 gallons in khaos's case) get pumped in over 24 hours continuously... and replenish the bucket in 2-4 weeks as needed. no daily input needed.

A separate "out" pump pumps out an equal volume of old tank water continuously. you need a peristaltic pump (there are double-headed pumps for this too) so that in=out. just don't let the "in" bucket go dry, otherwise the "out" pump will be taking water out of your system while this pump "in" puts nothing back in.

if you do 1 gallon per day in a 150-gallon system, you accomplish a 20% water change per month. (actually more like 17% due to the math of a continuous in/out exchange... read randy's article for more info).

ps. don't need to keep the water heated because so little goes in at one time.

 

[nmbeg]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15563616#post15563616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jenglish
I think the drawback of the constant w/c is while they replenish lost minerals they do very little for managing nutrients so you need to have other means of dealing with nitrates and phosphates.

not at all... a continuous water change takes out water just as much as it puts in.... nutrients are exported just as they would be with monthly w/c's.

there is an article out there by randy... but I can't find it. if i ever do, I will post it here.

but i don't think khaos is looking for a continuous w/c solution anyway... we are just hijacking his thread

 

[melev]

Here you go: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php

 

[khaosinc]

I'll look at anything.. I'm wearing one of them pumps everyday, and I can see the benifits of a system like that, and might look at it in the future. For now I need to keep costs to a minimum for previously mentioned reasons.

The main reason I took out the setup I had was simply because the location made it impossible to access 1/2 my sump and difficult to get at the station where I have the controllers for lighting ect. I could of moved those, but as I liked where they were hidden

My original idea was to have one of the 225 gallon tanks plumbed in to the system convieniently run at a level that would allow me to mix one bucket of salt at a time for a water change. Normally it would just cycle water through the system on a pump and overflow system, and when it was time for a water change, I'd kill the pump, drain, refill and mix the salt then turn the pump back on after it mixed for a day or so. I still like the idea, but I think I need a taller/skinnier tank for it to work in the space I have.

 

[jenglish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15563802#post15563802 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nmbeg
not at all... a continuous water change takes out water just as much as it puts in.... nutrients are exported just as they would be with monthly w/c's.

there is an article out there by randy... but I can't find it. if i ever do, I will post it here.

but i don't think khaos is looking for a continuous w/c solution anyway... we are just hijacking his thread

After reading the article the difference in nutrient removal is less than I would have thought but there remains a difference. 70 vs. 74%
I think we are at least hijacking his thread with an idea that may lessen his water storage needs... so it is well meaning hijacking at least :lol:

 

[khaosinc]

pictures are easier.....

These are the tanks I have (2 of them) They need to be framed in where ever they are. The framees they come with are to big to fit throught the door, and I haven't been motivated enough to cut them apart and re weld them in the house.

this is the space I have... other than where that tank is sitting now. one of my other requirements is that I'm not tripping over piping everrywhere other than my disorganized mess that seems to pop up in every corner. I'm thinking the auto top off will be better back there, its only a 55 gallon drum. I have it disconnected right now due to the mess it made while I was in the hospital

side note... most the cords sitting looking like they are ready to start an electrical fire on the floor are not actually plugged in to anything, I'm just disorganized.

 

[khaosinc]

while I'm at it... how about some tank pics....

needs a million corals and about 2 dozen fish.... that will come soon enough. I'm in no hurry. I figure its better to have a funtional and stable system first, and a few extra months for the tank to age won't hurt anything. I also finally decieded the astpasia monster needed to go... that rock is outside. Also got rid of about 30 of his friends....

full tank shot.... not easy in the room its in...

random in tank shot...

more

the side I still haven't gotten in to to clean up... and I really need to put the heaters in the sump... not that I've needed them.

 

[khaosinc]

and my little sump scavengers. I forget what they are. Some brackish catfish that was acclimated to full salt water. I took them on for someone that got bored of her tank.

the polyp eating coral banded shrimp... also religated to the sump.

 

[jenglish]

I believe that catfish is eye-ing that shrimp!

 

[khaosinc]

and my 'boneyard' of abandoned and future projects.... LOL

I really need to fix the old 225 gallon.... although I think it might just become a turtle tank.

 

[khaosinc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15564150#post15564150 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jenglish
I believe that catfish is eye-ing that shrimp!

given the history of that little brat... I think he might be eyeing the catfish...

 

[nmbeg]

you should open up a "reef junkyard" where people can just visit and pick up the parts they need for cash or a frag trade.

 

[khaosinc]

and one last pic I just stumbled over.... the 'bullet proof' linka....

Tink took the pic... I think its pretty cool.