My Tank Thread (Take3) ★Total AUTOMATION★ DIY Doser, Sump, AlgaeScrubber, WaterChnges

[JonezNReef]

Hey, I just realized, I can do some additives in the Frag Tank

LOL!
Looks like your set to go with the frag tank. What do you plan to use for filtration besides water changes? Do you plan on having fish in the frag tank?
I just recently decided to set up a ATS. Looks like it will be a good way to monitor nutrient levels without having to test so much. Plus I am running GFO at the moment and hope that once the ATS is online I can take the GFO off.
Your frags that are to the left and right look good with nice color.
I know I have had my share of losses to STN and RTN too and some you know why and others are elusive

 

[Wally.B]

LOL!
Looks like your set to go with the frag tank. What do you plan to use for filtration besides water changes? Do you plan on having fish in the frag tank?

100% no fish. That is extra work: feeding, cleaning, pollutants. Strong lighting and Uneaten...Food Waste triggers Algae.
I know I setup a mini Frag tank not to long ago and it was a Total Algae mess after a few weeks.

I want the Frag Tank to be prestine. (A hospital to possibly save a Bleaching Frag, like what just happened).
The nutrients will be the Water Change water, which will contain processed nutrients.

MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF CORAL FOOD Just a little Once a week Some Addtivies like Polyp Booster Nothing else :strange:


As far a filtration, since No fish. Probably just Carbon, if I decide to go with a Rubbermaid sump. Very simple.
I have a Hang on Remora Pro Skimmer, that nobody wants to buy (listed on Ebay for 3 weeks), maybe that can be added at the back.

Possibly the Frag tank can be made with no drain, and just a baffle to filter in the back. (THat's my hope).

I was originally thinking Acrylic 8" depth, till this Kijjiji Tank showed up for sale.
I like the Glass and the 12" depth.

I'll fool around with some prototypes. This is no rush. My Display-Tank is a Frag-Rank right now.

THE Goal with the FRAG TANK is to EXTEND the AUTOMATION, NOT MAKE more "Manual" WORK.
The SPS tank (may) Water Change directly into the FRAG TANK (Two controllers somehow synced [A 2nd Push Button] ).
What water I take out of Frag Tank will be Thrown Away.

 

[Wally.B]

LOL!

I just recently decided to set up a ATS. Looks like it will be a good way to monitor nutrient levels without having to test so much. Plus I am running GFO at the moment and hope that once the ATS is online I can take the GFO off.

Good Choice. I believe in ATS. I've proven it works. Bit messy as it ages, but then the Algae becomes Macro and easier to maintain.
You won't regret it. Depending on your design. All are pretty good. Ramp up lighting, till you reach 18+ hours a day.

 

[Wally.B]

RED DRAGON (Frag #6)

In my first SPS tank Attempt, I did manage to keep a Red Dragon alive for a few months. Eventually I killed it along with the rest of the SPS.

This last attempt, I tried like 5 Red Dragons, and each time I found a different way to kill them.
LED light Burned, Too long in Revive Dip, Alk Spike, , Bad Placement, etc (Twice in less than 12 hours after bringing home)

So with things better, I'm trying one more time.

Placed nice and low on Kong Rack, abot the same level as Pacman that is similar species and doing very well.

 

[Wally.B]

FRAG TANK (Update) Fooling around with Some Circulation Options (Tap Water Testing)

First and foremost, I'm glad I went with 12" depth VS the 8" I was planning.
The extra depth gives option for more circulation Power, but distributed.

That's the one thing that's wrong with my 65Gal DT. Things are too tight.

So I borrowed my Jebao CP-24 from DT and threw in a couple of MaxiJets.

A little fish flake food, and I can see how flow works.

If I go with a baffle I'll lose a few inches, but that will still be good with only 1x 150W MH bulb for some varied PARS.

I can vary more with the extra depth by having multi-level Egg Crate.

 

[Wally.B]

THIS (Frag Tank Idea) is Failure in the Waiting ( Destined for Doom ), but will give it a try.

Sure I got excited, since I've always wanted a Frag Tank. And it is a good dimension.
When I visit people's Frag Tanks, I've been more impressed in the Frag Tanks then the DT's (in a certain way).

-> Such Packed Variety of Frags.
-> Easy to take Photos from Above/Side.
-> Easy Access.
-> Better degree of control on Lighting Levels and Circulation.


But the more I think about it and what it takes for success (which I haven't achieve with SPS), then more I realize the Frag Tank won't work.

The main reason for Pending Failure are:

-> Nutrient Import
-> Nutrient processing
-> Nutrient/Toxins Export.

I would really need to have fish, to keep the nutrient levels up, and I don't want a 3rd tank with Fish to feed.
And where would bacteria thrive?

I could join the Frag tank to my DT, but then I'm again low on fish, and the 65 Gallon DT isn't made for more fish.

But, I'll give it a try. After all the Tank cost about the price of a frag.
I will not invest more money as I starting thinking (that is when I stopped myself).

I'll just use the parts that I have, which does include a skimmer, the old Fixture, and old bulbs, and the circulation, return pumps.

I'll try the original Idea, which is to use Water Change Water (which I extract twice a week).

The key experiment is "Will the frequent Water Changes, be enough to run a Frag Tank".

Plus if needed, I'll start using up the Corals Foods, Addtitives. (Which I don't think I'll ever use in DT ever, from what I see happening right now).

I have two doser heads that are spare, and if ALK/CALC starts dropping, I'll just top it up.

I'll get some cheap frags, and if DT corals grow to Fragable size I'll frag them as Frag Backups (If this Project lasts that long).

My expectation will be failure, and if things fail, I lose nothing, but gain some fun building something, which I Enjoy.

 

[JonezNReef]

Since you are using water from water changes wouldn't that water contain many of the nutrients that are in the DT. I think if you put some LR in a small sump ( i put mine on a egg crate shelf to keep in off the bottom of the sump to help avoid build up) that would give bacteria a place to live. I have always had fishless frag tanks when Ive had one up. My current frag tank is fishless but is tied into the same system as my DT.

I think with a small protein skimmer, a little LR, doser to keep ALK and Cal in check and good flow with water changes and it could be quite successful.

 

[Wally.B]

Since you are using water from water changes wouldn't that water contain many of the nutrients that are in the DT. I think if you put some LR in a small sump ( i put mine on a egg crate shelf to keep in off the bottom of the sump to help avoid build up) that would give bacteria a place to live. I have always had fishless frag tanks when Ive had one up. My current frag tank is fishless but is tied into the same system as my DT.

I think with a small protein skimmer, a little LR, doser to keep ALK and Cal in check and good flow with water changes and it could be quite successful.

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

You actually gave me an idea that I didn't think about.

I do have extra live rock in my other Tanks sump, but as mentioned, I don't want to bring in stuff from my LPS tank.
It has colonial hydroids, but I could treat with Fenbendazole (which I tested in an experiment and it workd).

https://www.r e e f 2 r e e f.com/threads/here-it-is-fenbendazole-use-against-hydroids.214950/page-16 (remove spaces in w w w ._____ URL)

However when I setup the SPS DT I wanted ideal biological filtration in the sump and I created a BIO wall.

In the FRAG tank, I will baffle a mini section, and borrow a bit of Marine Pure BioMedia. It's already seeded. It's more porous than LiveRock so even better.
I also have the SPS Sump Refuge, loaded with clean Crush Frags of the past. A sprinkle of them will also be beneficial.

Plus since I drop ZeoBak once a week into SPS tank, I can do a drop of ZeoBak into Frag tank to keep Bio refreshed.

Thanks for the inspiration.

 

[JimON]

Love the bio-wall! Great idea!:celeb1::celeb2::spin2:

 

[Wally.B]

Yeah, thanks to you triggering the Bio-Wall Idea, I'm a bit more confident.

Here is my first attempt at the Prototype.

I'm building the Frag Tank to be STANDALONE/INDEPENDANT, but also work with a SUMP.

I will be able to go either way, depending how things go in the long run.

Here is what I mean.....

Before I design the Baffles, I need to understand a few things:

-> How high will water be when Overflow is running (that will determine box height)
-> How much will it drain (Is the 10 Gallon enough).
-> I have the RLLS DB8i Skimmer (That is too large, and I wish I could trade it for a decent smaller skimmer). That will take take time.
------> But the DB8i needs to be in 8" of Water to run properly
------> So I Wonder is 4 inches of Sump Spare Space enough for drain?

About to fill with TAP Water and find out what it runs like.

I bet the SUMP will Flood if I were to fill 8". I'll start with 1/4 full and see.

 

[Wally.B]

GLAD I HAD THE TWO "SHOP VACS" on Standby (Both Tank and Sump Flooded)

I was prepared.

I expected the SUMP to overflow and it did. The table rim held the water, and Shopvac was quick cleanup.

But so did the Frag Tank.

The TANK flooded (Because the MAG 8 is too strong) and Oveflow not fast enough. (I have a Ball Valve that I can close down).

The SUMP Flooded after I turn things off (my mistake). I put the return hose too deep into Tank and It's siphoned backward, draining Frag Tank.

It should go better next time.

 

[Wally.B]

FRAG UPDATE (Overall Pretty Good. Couple Dead. And something "New to me" )

Yes, I expected these two to die they way the been from the beginning. They came from a Stressed Tank that had a "Away from Vacation ALK accident".

But one is doing pretty good, it even encrust the Plug, and growing onto rock.

I'm new to SPS doing well, so don't know if these two white TIPS on "Red Planet" are Bleached tips, or New Growth.
I think it's new growth, since it's showing PE all over.

All the Other Frags are stable.

 

[Wally.B]

2nd FRAG FRAG (Test RUN) PERFECT!![/COLOR]

I switch out the Mag 9.5 with the Mag 2.5 that I used for Semi-Manual Water Change.

It runs just right. Valve Fully Open.

And the 10 Gallon Sump is good enough to handle drain, if I design the return not to Siphon.

Time to design the Baffled box.

 

[JimON]

Heh heh... You're welcome!:beer:

 

[Wally.B]

Phosphate Drops bit more (on Low GFO run) ATS Harvest Affected


PO4 has dropped to 0.04 ppm. I assume this drop will slow down.
GFO is barely a tiny trickle, and may be time to turn off soon.

ATS used to produce 5-10x more Algae.
But at least it's still doing something.

The snails are Cowrie are extra active looking for food in ATS.
Fine with me, since they are polishing it nice and tidy.

The Scrubber is no effort to clean. The clumps I just pick up. No screen scrubbing needed.

I just turned up the ATS photoperiod to 22 hours, from 20. See what happens.

 

[Wally.B]

FRAG TANK (Baffled Return Box) Prototype

Almost ready to be silicone together (only the Outside and First Chamber)

The Baffles will be adjustable.

The reason for the Extra Height above tank is to have space for splashzone, and eliminate any possibility of a Siphon back to sump.

I was going to originally go Rectagular, but like my sump, going Polygon shape make better use of space.

Still plenty of room for Bio-Wall, Floss, whatever is needed.

Will be interesting to see the flow with the Funnel design, out into the open section. Will is swirl like a whirlpool, be a quite zone at the back. (We'll see)

With rectangular Shape Egggrate there will be a space when the box flows out, and a gap that fish will be able to get under/over the crate.

I am using "CLEAR" Acrylic since that is all I have in thicker. Plus nice to see inside.
But I do thin "Black" Acrlyic that I will make side/top covers, to prevent "Algae Growth" inside (since lighting will be Strong)

 

[Wally.B]

FINAL FRAG TANK (Return Box) Before Silicone and Holes, etc.

I'll sleep on this before bonding with Silcone tomorrow.

It will never be this clean looking ever again.

This is the Permanent Structure.

I will be adding, Covers, Drain Holes, Adjustable Baffles and Trays.

 

[reefmutt]

Hey Wally.. phew! Just got through the last few pages. I'm exhausted!!!
I need a nap from reading about all the work.
Without any biomedia or bioload, nutrients shouldn't change much in the frag system. The water change water will bring in nutrients. The corals will pull a bit but not a large amount. Probably a tiny sprinkle of reef roids in the frag tank will probably keep them happy. Once in a while..
I think it's a good system.
Watching your frags.....

 

[Wally.B]

Matt,

Thanks for your blessing. I do look forward to the new setup.
It will begin as a QT, since I really need a NEW FISH for other tank.

The problem I have is I got 7 Blue Green Chromis's. All at the same time.
One by one, they pick the weakest and won't let it eat.
They all grew up and are big, but now I have only 3.
Last week one was missing during feeding time, and he showed up dead, tail chewed off.

So my decision is to mix things up. Plus I only have 5 fish. 3 Chromis, 1 Algae Blenny, and 1 Longnose Hawkfish. (90 Gal)
I had a Powder Blue Tang for 12 years in that Tank.
He will take charge. He is blue so similar.
I have one on hold at local Fish Store, and he will christen the Frag Tank.

 

[reefmutt]

THe powder blue certainly will take charge. One of my all time favorites.
I've never had success with a group of chromis.. same thing always happens. I think they need to be fed a ton to stay fat and lazy.