My new 120

[Chrisrush]

Well, I think that it was somewhere around 60 lbs. of base rock from hirocks and about 30 or so lbs. of LR that I got from a guy in Houston. I saw your post about the open top tanks, I'll have to post one.

Chris

 

[NoSchwag]

Please do

Have you by any chance seen this auqascaping design? It almost reminds me of what you are doing.

http://www.reefland.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7726

It's the 4th one down.. This is what I am using for inspiration for my 120.

 

[tgunn]

Hey Chris,
Nice setup! I like the aquascaping; I was thinking of something similar for my tank. I think the diagonal "canyon" through the tank will add lots of depth to the viewing experience...

Question about your gravity-based auto top off.. Are you worried about the auto-top off failing on at any point? I suppose you could always valve down the output so that even if it stuck open it would only keep adding water very slowly.

Tyler

 

[Chrisrush]

Tyler, I'm a little worried about the gravity top off system, but with everything, something could always go wrong. At least with this system, there is only 1 part that could fail, unless gravity somehow forgets to work and then we've all got a problem. The float valves will seal off any h2o if they are submerged, so I don't think they can fail as easily as a float switch. I have thought of putting a solenoid and float switch as back up but I need to get some other things worked out first.

With the diagonal canyon, that was the goal, to try and make the tank look deeper than 24". I think that I kinda accomplished that. I wanted to make the 2 islands a little taller, but I didn't have the rock work to do it. Maybe I'll DIY some rocks to fix my problem.

NoSchwag, those are some pretty neat set ups. That 4th one down is real nice. I'll post a picture of my open top canopy if I've got some pictures on this computer since I'm on the road this week.

Chris

 

[tgunn]

Tyler, I'm a little worried about the gravity top off system, but with everything, something could always go wrong. At least with this system, there is only 1 part that could fail, unless gravity somehow forgets to work and then we've all got a problem. The float valves will seal off any h2o if they are submerged, so I don't think they can fail as easily as a float switch. I have thought of putting a solenoid and float switch as back up but I need to get some other things worked out first.

True enough, something can always figure a way to go wrong. The solenoid and float valve would be a simple peace of mind if you go that route. I do like the gravity fed top off though; much simpler than the pump based systems lots of people use...

With the diagonal canyon, that was the goal, to try and make the tank look deeper than 24". I think that I kinda accomplished that. I wanted to make the 2 islands a little taller, but I didn't have the rock work to do it. Maybe I'll DIY some rocks to fix my problem.

Definitely.... It's also a nice spot for fish to swim through. I always find it much more realistic when depth is used like this in a layout. Otherwise things can start looking quite 2-dimensional.

Heh, just watch out with the DIY rocks; mine are at 9 months and still spiking the pH. :lol: I guess the cement here in Canada never cures.

Tyler

 

[Chrisrush]

Wow, 9 months, that's quite a bit more than I thought it would be. I was going to make a couple of branching pieces using 1" PVC and covering it in concrete. I made a few but the concrete was too heavy, so I need to re-do them with a lighter mixture of concrete.

I was trying to avoid the rock wall type look. I kinda had that on my last tank and it drove me nuts since I couldn't get any good flow behind the rocks. The way that I have it set up now, my penductors flow in a clockwise loop so that everything is constantly moving. I don't think the softies like it, but they will just have to learn.

I think that I'll stick with the float valve/gravity system right now and then see how things pan out later. My wife had to refill the reservoir last night, which means I'm evaporating about 2 gallons per day, which is a bit more then I would have liked, but I guess that's what an open top will get you.

I'm hoping to finished my DIY kalk reactor this weekend if my uniseals come in so that I can finish the top off system. I plan on having the reservior dump water into the kalk reactor via gravity and then from the kalk reactor to the sump via gravity all operated on the float valve.

 

[tgunn]

Wow, 9 months, that's quite a bit more than I thought it would be. I was going to make a couple of branching pieces using 1" PVC and covering it in concrete. I made a few but the concrete was too heavy, so I need to re-do them with a lighter mixture of concrete.

It must be the cement I'm using. Everyone else seems to get it done in 6 weeks. I just dumped my bucket outside yesterday and I couldn't see through the cement scum on the top.

The branching PVC covered in concrete should work well and cure very fast....

I have a feeling some of my larger rocks are probably holding up the curing. I should probably chuck them out and stick with the smaller rocks...

Some of my first rocks were quite heavy; just takes practice with the mixture...

I was trying to avoid the rock wall type look. I kinda had that on my last tank and it drove me nuts since I couldn't get any good flow behind the rocks. The way that I have it set up now, my penductors flow in a clockwise loop so that everything is constantly moving. I don't think the softies like it, but they will just have to learn.

Did you have things stacked against the back before? Either way the wall type structure would be much tougher to get good circulation around...

I think that I'll stick with the float valve/gravity system right now and then see how things pan out later. My wife had to refill the reservoir last night, which means I'm evaporating about 2 gallons per day, which is a bit more then I would have liked, but I guess that's what an open top will get you.

I think it'll work just fine. As with anything, regular maintenance and monitoring will go a long way to keep it working properly.

I'm hoping to keep the majority of my evaporation at the sump in the fish room; I guess I better install that vent and intake down there one of these days...

2 gallons of evap seems like lots but I guess it's best to evaporate to help keep temps down. That gives me a rough guage for what I can expect to evaporate on my tank....

I'm hoping to finished my DIY kalk reactor this weekend if my uniseals come in so that I can finish the top off system. I plan on having the reservior dump water into the kalk reactor via gravity and then from the kalk reactor to the sump via gravity all operated on the float valve.

Make sure to post plent yof pics; I'm always interested in DIY projects.

Tyler

 

[Chrisrush]

Sure, I've got some pictures, but I'm waiting on the finished project pictures. Once I finish the kalk reactor, it's time to finish the ca reactor. Of course, I still need to find a co2 bottle and regulator. I'm waiting on Digital Aquatics to release the new ReefKeeper w/ pH control before I fire up the ca reactor. I think that the tank will be fine w/o it but it would help it become more stable.

I'm not sure that 2 gallons is accurate, but it's the best that I could figure after talking with my wife. When I get home on Friday, I'm going to mark the reservoir tank and see how much I lose per day. I still need to work on the tank temp as well, since I'm currently fluctuating b/w 81 - 84 degrees throughout the day.

In my old 58 gallon tank, the rock was stacked against the wall, but in this one, since I've gained an extra 6" of depth, I was able to put the rocks more in the middle of the tank.

Have you thought of putting the smaller rocks in the back of the toilet? That way they would get a daily flush of fresh water to help w/ the curing processs. I'm hoping to cover the pvc w/ minimal concrete to help w/ the curing.

Chris

 

[tgunn]

Sure, I've got some pictures, but I'm waiting on the finished project pictures. Once I finish the kalk reactor, it's time to finish the ca reactor. Of course, I still need to find a co2 bottle and regulator. I'm waiting on Digital Aquatics to release the new ReefKeeper w/ pH control before I fire up the ca reactor. I think that the tank will be fine w/o it but it would help it become more stable.

Okay, sounds good.

I think a Ca and Kalk reactor are things I'd like to DIY down the road. I had thought initially to try DIYing my skimmer but ended up just buying one...

I'm not sure that 2 gallons is accurate, but it's the best that I could figure after talking with my wife. When I get home on Friday, I'm going to mark the reservoir tank and see how much I lose per day. I still need to work on the tank temp as well, since I'm currently fluctuating b/w 81 - 84 degrees throughout the day.

Well, as a rough estimate it does give me a bit of scale as to what I can expect.

Heh, I'd suggest more fans to keep things cool, but more evap may not be the best.

In my old 58 gallon tank, the rock was stacked against the wall, but in this one, since I've gained an extra 6" of depth, I was able to put the rocks more in the middle of the tank.

That's why I opted for a 28" deep tank; the extra space can only help with aquascaping. I know I could've gotten a 6 foot tank that was around 16" front to back for around the same price, but I'd rather have the depth.

Have you thought of putting the smaller rocks in the back of the toilet? That way they would get a daily flush of fresh water to help w/ the curing processs. I'm hoping to cover the pvc w/ minimal concrete to help w/ the curing.

I'm leary about my toilet tanks; the water here causes brown algae/slime to grow on the inside of the tank. :lol:

Although thinking of it, perhaps I'll stick some rocks in my sump pit. It cycles around every 15 minutes. I'm surprised I didn't think of that before!

Later,
Tyler

 

[Chrisrush]

Well, sometimes it just takes a little push. I've heard of the toilet trick before but I haven't done it yet. I just have to wait till the wife is gone before I try it out. I don't think that she would like it too much if the toilets were full of rock.

I'm very happy w/ the 120 gallon tank that I've got. I would have liked an extra 4" of depth, heck I'd take an extra 4' if I could figure out a way to do it.

I'm going to install a 120mm fan over the sump to help evaporate some more h2o and keep the temp down. I think that I'll run it when the halides are on though, since that's when it cranks up the heat the most. Of course, running the skimmer 24/7 doesn't help with the heat either.

I found the kalk reactor plans online that call for pvc and 4.5" acrylic tube. Real easy to assemble, but installing the recirc pump (mj 600) has been a little bit of a pain. The ca reactor is based on wmtasker's design here on rc. Very easy and inexpensive design.

Chris

 

[tgunn]

Well, sometimes it just takes a little push. I've heard of the toilet trick before but I haven't done it yet. I just have to wait till the wife is gone before I try it out. I don't think that she would like it too much if the toilets were full of rock.

Just don't use too small of rocks and have 'em get swept into the bowl. Otherwise someone may think they need more fibre!

I'm very happy w/ the 120 gallon tank that I've got. I would have liked an extra 4" of depth, heck I'd take an extra 4' if I could figure out a way to do it.

I'm very happy with this general size tank as well. So far things have been very manageable in terms of setup and options for aquascaping, etc. The extra 4" of depth I got only because I went with a custom tank (cheaper than a stock AGA tank where I live)...

I'm going to install a 120mm fan over the sump to help evaporate some more h2o and keep the temp down. I think that I'll run it when the halides are on though, since that's when it cranks up the heat the most. Of course, running the skimmer 24/7 doesn't help with the heat either.

I'll probably just use a cheap clip on fan for my sump, but that's the fish room.

Your skimmer adds that much heat? I wouldn't have thought it would...

I found the kalk reactor plans online that call for pvc and 4.5" acrylic tube. Real easy to assemble, but installing the recirc pump (mj 600) has been a little bit of a pain. The ca reactor is based on wmtasker's design here on rc. Very easy and inexpensive design.

Well, I look forward to seeing the finished results. I'll have to build one down the road once things are all up and running for me. Until then it'll be somewhat manual calcium dosing. :lol:

Thanks,
Tyler

 

[Chrisrush]

More fiber and less concrete indeed.

I was going to try and re-use my 58 Oceanic when I got married, but I found a great deal on the 120 that I couldn't pass up. So that's what I ended up with. Best decision so far.

Yea, it does seem to add 2-3 degrees to the tank. I need to figure it out. I have a MR-2 run by a PCX-55 and it seems to really crank up the heat. When I get home on Friday I'm going to take apart the beckett injector and pump and see if something is blocking them. Might be putting too much stress/back pressure on the pump causing undesirable heat.

You'll probably be fine with normal h2o changes for a while until you get into LPS or SPS corals. Unless you have a corraline bloom, you should be fine w/o dosing.

Chris

 

[Chrisrush]

Time for a little update:

I finished my DIY calcium reactor the other day. Hooked up the Co2 to it and it's running pretty steady right now at 60ml/min effulent and a bubble rate of 75 bpm. I'm working with a vendor to get my pH probed fixed, they sent it to me dry. According to milwaukee, the probe is ok to be dry, but I still can't get the right readings on the pH controller.

I was also able to finish the cabinet next to the tank that would hold the ballasts, power switches and calcium reactor. Turned out pretty good for $30. I would have liked to have the door match the rest of the kitchen, but I didn't want to shell out any more $$$.

I had Lowes cut me the panels for the skin on the tank. I went with 3/4" oak which I will stain and affix velcro to them. After looking at the stand w/ the plywood resting up against it, my wife and I think that we will install 2 large doors on the front panel so that we don't have to remove the front panel everytime we want to get under the tank.

I have a few new SPS/LPS corals since the last update but I'm now on a $$ hold for a few months to recoup the costs of the ca reactor. I plan on taking some pictures of the existing corals today to see how the growth compares w/ the ca reactor online.

Anyways, here's a few updated pictures. I reworked some of the wires from the light hood as well.

Door closed:

Door open:

Close up:

Let me know if you have any questions or need some more pictures.

Chris

 

[Chrisrush]

I thought that I would post some of my corals to get a good idea of how they are starting off compared to a few months w/ the ca reactor.


Here are a few shots of my existing corals that hopefully will take off w/ the addition of the ca reactor. Hopefully the kalk reactor will stop leaking and I can get that online this week as well.

Green tip

Montipora digi

Corraline at last (2 months)

Zoos (Melev's Mean Greens)

More zoos (I thought the blues were toast)

Candy cane

Rics:

To be continued....

 

[Chrisrush]

Candy cane

Monti cap (purple tipped)

Monti cap (purple tipped green interior)

Pink millipora

Purple millipora

Red monti cap

Green hydrona (sp?)

Bottle brush

That's all the SPS and the majority of the other corals in the tank. We did get 3 new PJ cardinals that are a lot of fun. Hopefully the tank will start to mature and we can get a tang of some sorts and a pair of mandarins.

I also forgot that I added a new buddy to the household. His name is Red and he is as lazy as the come.

Chris

 

[Sindjin]

Looks great. I love the organization under that tank!

 

[Chrisrush]

Thanks. Good luck with your tank. I saw you posting on Tyler's thread (tgunn).

Chris

 

[Sindjin]

Thanks... Im so anxious! I have to lay tile in the family room then the wood in the living room (which is where the tanks going). In the meantime Im planning and taking my time...collecting my equipment.

 

[Chrisrush]

Sounds good. Make sure you take precautions for the fish tank and the spilt water when you are laying that new wood in the living room.

Chris

 

[Sindjin]

no worries! Im putting a drain in the middle of the floor, LOL!
Kidding.

I was planning on a large sectional rug where the tank will be.
Other than that... just plannin on some good luck! Actually, we're doing laminate so if it does get wet it will be a bit more durable than actual wood.