Mike de Leon
New member
Well good luck to you. Hope all goes well!
My 400G Through-wall "deceptively deep" tank
- Thread starter Spaced Cowboy
- Start date
Spaced Cowboy
South Bay Reefer
I'm finally getting some time to carry on the build. It's been a rocky 5 months :
- After having beaten cancer once, my mum got a second case - different from the first. This time they went ballistic on it, so she's been going through hell for the last 4 months or so. She's getting to the end of the treatment regimen now, so that weight is starting to lift. We're a close family, so this has been an awful time for all of us.
- Simultaneously, a massive workload dropped on me from work. Seriously, getting in every weekday at 7:30am and leaving at 8:30am for months on end does not a happy life make, especially when you're working at weekends as well. There is life at the end of the tunnel, though, and things are beginning to calm down a bit.
In lieu of any real progress, I'm just going to put down some thoughts and observations from the last 5 months or so:
- The new tank has managed just fine during this enforced hiatus. I started to work on it properly last weekend again, and apart from a slightly-slimy plastic hose/tube where water had pooled inside, everything was actually surprisingly good.
- The fish in the shed (which were supposed to be there for a maximum of 2 months or so) have happily managed for the last 8 months... I thought I was being completely over the top when I set up an automatic water-change system for such a "temporary" solution, but it's really helped me out.
- I really wish I'd gone for a deeper overflow on the back of the tank. When I was designing it, I asked if anyone knew why the standard overflow was ~12" deep and didn't get any responses. Now I know. If you make your overflow too shallow, you get little whirlpools of air making their way down to the BeanAnimal intakes, and your silent solution is suddenly very noisy. I've pretty much fixed it, and now I hear the scream of air being sucked in maybe once every 6 weeks or so for only a few minutes, but that first month was very frustrating.
- Peristaltic pumps that can pump 1 gallon of water in less than a minute are *loud*
- Everything always takes longer than you think. I'm actually making progress again now, and yesterday I needed a 3/8" to 1/2" double-ended hose barb connector to join two different sized hoses. I have 10 of these somewhere, but I have no idea where
If I'd got stuff done sooner, I'd still have the location of things "in cache" and it wouldn't be a problem. Now I'm delayed again waiting on Amazon to deliver...
In terms of what I've actually done over the last couple of weeks, I'm still trying to make sure everything is organised well in the fish-room, since it's so tiny. For some, an organised fish room is a goal, for me it's a necessity.
So, the auto-change system was already installed, but it was in the place of where the quarantine tank will go, and was just sitting on a shelf. The original plan had been to mount the controllers on the wall above the (admittedly tiny) sink. That meant some sort of housing secured from above because I can't screw anything into that area of the wall - there's a shower immediately behind it, and there's a 40" long "niche" in the shower wall which is inset into the wall so there's no gap within the wall to screw screws into.
So, with the aid of my CNC machine, and some 80/20 I came up with:
<center><img src=http://0x0000ff.com/reef/control-panel-1-closeup.jpg></center>
The 80/20 provides the framework, and it may not be clear, but it's a cabinet - that's the front of the door that you're looking at, it swings open to the right. The left-hand side is the freshwater top-off, and the right hand side is the tank-water-out/NSW-in control.
You can see the diamond-like pattern as the CNC machine drilled away the surface of the starting piece of wood to get it to be flush with the 80/20 metal. It also made slots from the wood piece which insert into the 80/20 T-Slot so the wood is secure.
Here's a couple of views of it in situ, showing a bit more of the wiring/water-routing (still needs a bit of tidy-up, but I need longer wires for that)
<center><img src=http://0x0000ff.com/reef/first-control-panel.jpg></center>
... you can actually see the hinges on the above photo, and here's a shot around to the right of the control panel (as you look at it) showing how things are all routed cleanly...
<center>
<img src=http://0x0000ff.com/reef/tidied-up-water-routes.jpg></center>
Finally, a view of the front of the tank with the newest rock tower still to colour-up. The tank needs a clean, but that's today's job. It's a bit weird, but I'm actually looking forward to doing something that normally would be a grind - just because I get to *choose* to do it, rather than get guilt-tripped/blackmailed/forced into it...
<center><img src=http://0x0000ff.com/reef/new-rock-added.jpg></center>
Simon.
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Swope2bc
New member
Glad to see you getting back at it!!! Unfortunately I cannot see any photos on here... Did they not post or is it just me?
40b mixed reef build with 40b sump
Reef Octopus 110 classic skimmer
Duel jaebo wave makers
Jaebo DCT 12000 return pump
300W Chinese Blackbox LED modified to run on APEX
40b mixed reef build with 40b sump
Reef Octopus 110 classic skimmer
Duel jaebo wave makers
Jaebo DCT 12000 return pump
300W Chinese Blackbox LED modified to run on APEX
Spaced Cowboy
South Bay Reefer
Fish lover
Member
Nice work , Following!!
maxxII
Super Housemonkey!
I can see the images Simon.
Sorry to hear of your troubles...first someone runs you over in a car and now your mother and work....
One foot in front of the other and take care of your family. The rest will sort itself out as things go along.
Tank looks great, and I love your attention to detail.
Sorry to hear of your troubles...first someone runs you over in a car and now your mother and work....
One foot in front of the other and take care of your family. The rest will sort itself out as things go along.
Tank looks great, and I love your attention to detail.
Spaced Cowboy
South Bay Reefer
It's possible your browser is somehow confused and has cached the "confused" state - try pressing the shift key as you click on reload, that usually maps to a "ignore what I think I've already got cached, and just try to reload everything" mode.
Thanks! and welcome to the thread
Maxx2: Thanks for the kind words
On a different note, and I meant to mention it in the "thoughts and observations" part above - those Maxspect Gyre XF150's are unbelievable in terms of flow. I have 2 of them in the tank, one at each end, but I only have 1 of them turned on. If I set it to more than half-powered, the sand just *disappears* at the other end of the tank. This is a fairly large tank (480 gallon or so, IIRC) so that just blew me away.
Generally I used to think you couldn't have too much flow in a tank, but I guess this was because I was never exposed to a device that could generate quite so much as these XF150's do...
I'll probably remove the second one and keep it as a spare - it'll simplify the wiring to the control panel as well. The Gyres can run in reverse, so I'm planning on setting them to do about 1/3 power forwards for 2 minutes and then 1/3 power backwards for 2 minutes, to try and minimize the sand removal at the far end, and to get a rather-cool swaying of seaweed/etc in the tank
Simon.
Spaced Cowboy
South Bay Reefer
I figured as much, but was hoping to get the wavy back-and-forward motion of the bendy stuff in the tank. Well, maybe it'll make the changeovers more fun to see if I do it for longer between direction-changes.
I'm really not worried about the water movement though - it's huge. Perhaps that's because I don't have too much rock in the way, but the current in the tank is actually quite strong if I put my hand in and turn it perpendicular to the flow.
PS: I'm in the process of moving all the images to a new webhost, it *ought* to be transparent (they'll be on both for a week or two, by which time the DNS ought to have switched, but if y'all suddenly can't see any photos, that's probably why).
Simon.
Spaced Cowboy
South Bay Reefer
In Soviet Russa, tank quarantine you!
In Soviet Russa, tank quarantine you!
So, I was all set to start moving towards livestock going into the tank this weekend. The two quarantine tanks from BulkReefSupply had been sitting in the hallway taking up space for a week or two and the space was finally clear in the fish-room.
When I had taken delivery of the tanks I'd done a quick once-over to make sure they were ok, and they looked fine. Somewhat like...
... however once I lifted them out of the box, it quickly became clear that something was rotten in the state of Denmark... Here's the first tank...
... and here's the second:
The second one I haven't even taken out of the box and removed the clingfilm. Both of them have failed in the exact same way - the front side has delaminated from the rest of the tank.
I don't want these in my fish-room any more (strange, because I always thought Reef Octopus were a reasonably good brand. Still, even if I just got unlucky, I don't want trust them any more. The thought of 60 gallons (I have two of them) of water to clean up doesn't thrill me. I've asked for a refund (even if in store credit). We'll see how that goes.
So, it's back to the drawing board. I want acrylic for drill-ability, it's just easier, and Bulk Reef Supply don't have any more "empty" tanks - the rest of their sumps have dividers etc so I'll have to find somewhere else to get my quarantine tanks from. Sigh.
Still, it's not as though there's nothing to do. I got a bunch of critters from reefcleaners, and although last night I thought one of the fighting conches wouldn't make it (he hadn't moved in 8 hours or so), this afternoon he was raring around the place, so that was good. I also noticed this guy... Posted about him on the 'WFT is this thread, but no bites as yet..
I'm also, as I write, acclimatising the few fish which were in the shed awaiting this day, so they'll go in the new tank in a couple of hours, and there's always the UV steriliser to get up and running...
Not to mention another controls cabinet to build, the reef-controller to plug in, etc. etc. Busy Busy Busy.
Simon.
In Soviet Russa, tank quarantine you!
So, I was all set to start moving towards livestock going into the tank this weekend. The two quarantine tanks from BulkReefSupply had been sitting in the hallway taking up space for a week or two and the space was finally clear in the fish-room.
When I had taken delivery of the tanks I'd done a quick once-over to make sure they were ok, and they looked fine. Somewhat like...
... however once I lifted them out of the box, it quickly became clear that something was rotten in the state of Denmark... Here's the first tank...
... and here's the second:
The second one I haven't even taken out of the box and removed the clingfilm. Both of them have failed in the exact same way - the front side has delaminated from the rest of the tank.
I don't want these in my fish-room any more (strange, because I always thought Reef Octopus were a reasonably good brand. Still, even if I just got unlucky, I don't want trust them any more. The thought of 60 gallons (I have two of them) of water to clean up doesn't thrill me. I've asked for a refund (even if in store credit). We'll see how that goes.
So, it's back to the drawing board. I want acrylic for drill-ability, it's just easier, and Bulk Reef Supply don't have any more "empty" tanks - the rest of their sumps have dividers etc so I'll have to find somewhere else to get my quarantine tanks from. Sigh.
Still, it's not as though there's nothing to do. I got a bunch of critters from reefcleaners, and although last night I thought one of the fighting conches wouldn't make it (he hadn't moved in 8 hours or so), this afternoon he was raring around the place, so that was good. I also noticed this guy... Posted about him on the 'WFT is this thread, but no bites as yet..
I'm also, as I write, acclimatising the few fish which were in the shed awaiting this day, so they'll go in the new tank in a couple of hours, and there's always the UV steriliser to get up and running...
Not to mention another controls cabinet to build, the reef-controller to plug in, etc. etc. Busy Busy Busy.
Simon.
maxxII
Super Housemonkey!
That's an Asterina starfish Simon.
Some people state they eat corals.
Some people state they are perfectly fine.
I've gone out of my way to pull them out each time I find one in my tanks just to be safe.
If they become a problem in your tank you can always get a couple of Harlequin shrimp to eat them...assuming your other fish dont eat the Harlequins....
ETA - Glass is able to be drilled, and it's really not that difficult either.
I would really consider just getting a couple of 40 breeders and drilling them for your QT tanks. 55 gallon tank are almost universally tempered glass all over, so they are NOT drillable.
Some people state they eat corals.
Some people state they are perfectly fine.
I've gone out of my way to pull them out each time I find one in my tanks just to be safe.
If they become a problem in your tank you can always get a couple of Harlequin shrimp to eat them...assuming your other fish dont eat the Harlequins....
ETA - Glass is able to be drilled, and it's really not that difficult either.
I would really consider just getting a couple of 40 breeders and drilling them for your QT tanks. 55 gallon tank are almost universally tempered glass all over, so they are NOT drillable.
Spaced Cowboy
South Bay Reefer
Thanks
There's no coral in there at the moment, and they've now disappeared off the front glass, so I guess if I see them again I'll see how it goes. If it's one of the fast-reproducing ones, maybe the shrimp is the way to go.
I have about a 66% success-rate with drilling glass. I've done it 6 or 7 times and 1 in 3 times I do it wrong (once, spectacularly). I guess I'm just a klutz, because other people seem to have no problems...
Understood, and acrylic *is* more expensive, but in the past I've even drilled holes into the sides of acrylic tanks without taking them down, and I think with the water-dam thing for drilling glass, that'd be a lot more effort. I don't *forsee* any need to drill these after the fact, but if it ever turned out to be useful to do so, I'd be happier if it were acrylic.
Anyway, I have to wait to see what Bulk Reef Supply say on Monday - they're shut at the weekend.
Cheers
Simon
Theokie
New member
So, I was all set to start moving towards livestock going into the tank this weekend. The two quarantine tanks from BulkReefSupply had been sitting in the hallway taking up space for a week or two and the space was finally clear in the fish-room.
When I had taken delivery of the tanks I'd done a quick once-over to make sure they were ok, and they looked fine. Somewhat like...
... however once I lifted them out of the box, it quickly became clear that something was rotten in the state of Denmark... Here's the first tank...
... and here's the second:
The second one I haven't even taken out of the box and removed the clingfilm. Both of them have failed in the exact same way - the front side has delaminated from the rest of the tank.
I don't want these in my fish-room any more (strange, because I always thought Reef Octopus were a reasonably good brand. Still, even if I just got unlucky, I don't want trust them any more. The thought of 60 gallons (I have two of them) of water to clean up doesn't thrill me. I've asked for a refund (even if in store credit). We'll see how that goes.
So, it's back to the drawing board. I want acrylic for drill-ability, it's just easier, and Bulk Reef Supply don't have any more "empty" tanks - the rest of their sumps have dividers etc so I'll have to find somewhere else to get my quarantine tanks from. Sigh.
Still, it's not as though there's nothing to do. I got a bunch of critters from reefcleaners, and although last night I thought one of the fighting conches wouldn't make it (he hadn't moved in 8 hours or so), this afternoon he was raring around the place, so that was good. I also noticed this guy... Posted about him on the 'WFT is this thread, but no bites as yet..
I'm also, as I write, acclimatising the few fish which were in the shed awaiting this day, so they'll go in the new tank in a couple of hours, and there's always the UV steriliser to get up and running...
Not to mention another controls cabinet to build, the reef-controller to plug in, etc. etc. Busy Busy Busy.
Simon.
I've been doing the foam PVC Acrylic combo for awhile and the only time I see them fail like that is when a "normal" chemical weld is attempted (Weld-On 3, 4, 16). Most manufacturers list a two part like Weld-On-40 is needed when joining these two dissimilar materials. Or they need to do a plastic weld with a hot air gun, but looking at the failure, its a chemical weld. The Solvent welding solutions are really good at softening one material or the other, but they really don't do a good job of doing both, which then doesn't result in a cross link bond.
Also looking on the Coral Vue website, this line of products has been retired/discontinued, so it appears they may have had a few failures.
Spaced Cowboy
South Bay Reefer
I'm not dead!
I'm not dead!
and neither is the tank.
Thing is, I've been working 12-hour days for pretty much the last year and everything else has had to go on hold. I work in Apple R&D and although it's an amazing job, sometimes the schedules are brutal.
There is light at the end of the tunnel though - big demo on Monday and then another 3 months or so for me, and I'll be off this project and onto something more normal.... At which point, updates^W life will resume.
Anyway, the reason I'm posting is that my fighting conch isn't dead either! He disappeared about 5 months ago, and I'd given up all hope for him; yesterday my wife calls me over "Simon! Simon! Simon!", and I saw him bounding around the tank again as if 5 months of inactivity just didn't happen!
I'm absolutely convinced he hasn't been coming out at night - the sand is completely undisturbed normally, and there's now a huge hole where he unearthed himself, not to mention all the tracks he leaves as he moves.
Is this normal behaviour for a fighting conch ? Or have I not been feeding him properly, or what ?
Simon
[not dead yet]
I'm not dead!
and neither is the tank.
Thing is, I've been working 12-hour days for pretty much the last year and everything else has had to go on hold. I work in Apple R&D and although it's an amazing job, sometimes the schedules are brutal.
There is light at the end of the tunnel though - big demo on Monday and then another 3 months or so for me, and I'll be off this project and onto something more normal.... At which point, updates^W life will resume.
Anyway, the reason I'm posting is that my fighting conch isn't dead either! He disappeared about 5 months ago, and I'd given up all hope for him; yesterday my wife calls me over "Simon! Simon! Simon!", and I saw him bounding around the tank again as if 5 months of inactivity just didn't happen!
I'm absolutely convinced he hasn't been coming out at night - the sand is completely undisturbed normally, and there's now a huge hole where he unearthed himself, not to mention all the tracks he leaves as he moves.
Is this normal behaviour for a fighting conch ? Or have I not been feeding him properly, or what ?
Simon
[not dead yet]
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Spaced Cowboy
South Bay Reefer
Normally, Dave, your posts are a model of clarity and perception. This time, however, I confess to being a mite confused... Perhaps it's too early in the morning and I need more coffee.
Yeah, that sounds like it's worth a try... [exits, stage left]
Simon
dave.m
Active member
Sorry, not everyone on this planet shares my sense of humour and sometimes I forget.Spaced Cowboy said:
There are few questions on this planet that haven't been asked before on RC, and this one is no stranger. Here's one that may help. I was especially impressed with the one about the welk. The upshot of the thread is that conchs may go to ground for a while if they aren't getting enough to eat. Try adding a sheet of nori tied to a rock on the bottom of the tank. Make sure your conch isn't the type that eats snails.
HTH
Dave.M
Spaced Cowboy
South Bay Reefer
Thanks Dave
In all fairness, I was just so amazed it was there that I hadn't though to go search on the site. Probably should have done that first...Ok, so in the interests of not leaving any uneaten nori on the bottom of the tank, I might get some fishing line, and I have magnetic hose clamps I could tie it around, then I can put the nori in between the magnets and haul it back out if it turns out that it doesn't get eaten. I can dangle it down behind one of the rock towers and you'll never know it was there...
Admittedly, with a tang in the tank, it's pretty unlikely that it wouldn't get eaten, but as you know, the bottom of the tank is hard to reach, so better safe than sorry
The Conches are Fighting Conches, not Queen Conches - I've never seen them eat anything other than stuff on the sand.
Cheers
Simon
