Myka's 69 SPS Tank 2015

[plyle02]

Thanks!



Bubble King Double Cone 180 with RD3 Speedy pump.

So I got a FedEx box from aforementioned "random Kijiji guy".

I opened the box, and found this inside:

Hello,
Best wishes on your build, hope everything goes as planned. As far as the skimmer goes, I have the same, but I believe one size larger, mine powered by the eheim 1262. You will not be disappointed, this is simply the best performing skimmer I have used yet. Like most skimmers, set it to your sweet spot, and watch the collection cup grow daily, great skimmate, and luckily for me, I have to overfeed to keep NO3 up.



So this is skimmer number two. It is an Austrian-made (not US version) ATB 840 Econo Small with Eheim 1260 pump - well to the best of my research that's the model anyway. Compared to the skimmer inside the Royal Exclusiv bag, this ATB doesn't look very impressive - though I can see the design is smart. The very large bubble plate and smooth skimmer body all the way up to the top of the skimmer appears as though is should provide as non-turbulent flow as possible, so this is promising. This is the first ATB skimmer I've ever seen in person and I'm interested to see how it performs as some people claim it rivals the Royal Exclusiv skimmers.

The sump on my 50-gallon tank isn't big enough to accommodate the ATB, so it's having a vinegar bath right now. Maybe I'll haul it down to the shop and put it in one of the FO tanks and see what it does.

 

[Myka]

Plyle...that's great to hear! It doesn't look like much.

Great macro shots, I need a macro lense for my NEX5. Love the SPS, nice color.

Thanks! I've taken a few half decent shots...not many. Just the stock lens on my Canon G9.

 

[Aquattro]

Ok, I'll follow along here Sick of that Canadian board anyway -lol More pics!!

 

[Myka]

Ok, I'll follow along here Sick of that Canadian board anyway -lol More pics!!

Ya the moderators over there are jerks!

I'll see what I can find to take pics of.

 

[Aquattro]

Ya the moderators over there are jerks!

I'll see what I can find to take pics of.

Tell me about it!

I'm starting to think required equipment for reefing is a good macro lens.

 

[MrSandman]

So this is skimmer number two. It is an Austrian-made (not US version) ATB 840 Econo Small with Eheim 1260 pump - well to the best of my research that's the model anyway. Compared to the skimmer inside the Royal Exclusiv bag, this ATB doesn't look very impressive - though I can see the design is smart. The very large bubble plate and smooth skimmer body all the way up to the top of the skimmer appears as though is should provide as non-turbulent flow as possible, so this is promising. This is the first ATB skimmer I've ever seen in person and I'm interested to see how it performs as some people claim it rivals the Royal Exclusiv skimmers.

I have a US made ATB 840 and its been a great skimmer for me. One thing i am curious about is the pump on it. Mine comes with a Sicce. Do the Austrian ones come with Eheims? Has it been modified?

 

[Myka]

I have a US made ATB 840 and its been a great skimmer for me. One thing i am curious about is the pump on it. Mine comes with a Sicce. Do the Austrian ones come with Eheims? Has it been modified?

Yes, mine has an Eheim 1260 on it. It just has a simple venturi (see the pic below). I believe the ones with the Eheims are older versions, and the Sicce is the newer version, but in all honesty, there are SO many versions of this skimmer that I'm not completely clear on this.

 

[Myka]

I made a few modifications and decisions to the final design of the tank. The order is in now, so no going back!

- 3 side low-iron PPG Starphire glass
- trimless
- the 3 bulkheads are grouped in the center of the overflow now rather than the two ends, and decided to have the return drilled for 3/4".

So far, I'm still happy with my sump V3.1 design, but haven't had the time to figure out measurements for the glass. It looks like life has settled down a bit now (I hope!) so I plan to get this ordered up this week and work on the sump this weekend.

I am building new kitchen cabinets for the house this year. The lower kitchen cabinets will be low-gloss slate grey (uppers are gloss white), and I'm building the tank cabinet to match, and will add a drink ledge for beer made of rough sawn walnut to match the flooring. Now I think of it, the stand color will match the SCH80 plumbing pretty close! Haha!

The ATB comes apart very well for cleaning!

Here's the GHL Stand Alone Doser for the 69...

Here are a few critters that will be making the transfer to the new tank.

 

[Oldude]

Looking forward to seeing what you do with this one Mindy. I'll be tagging along.

 

[CHSUB]

who is in picture with you, that makes you look "important"?

 

[Scotty freddy]

Looking great so far Myka you were right there are some similarities

 

[Myka]

Looking forward to seeing what you do with this one Mindy. I'll be tagging along.

Hey Greg! I don't know why you call yourself old. I can't wait for the weekend to get to work on it!

who is in picture with you, that makes you look "important"?

Of course I look important, it's the "important person handshake pose". In the photo with me is Jean-Michel Cousteau. He was the speaker at the banquet at the MACNA in Dallas in 2012.

Looking great so far Myka you were right there are some similarities

Thanks Scotty. Yes, similar size, similar lighting, same skimmer (don't tell anyone "what's in the bag" from my previous post haha ). The ATB is really just an experiment - I got it at a great price, and I've never seen one in person, so I figured it was a good opportunity.

 

[reefmutt]

Hey Myka! Being a fellow maintenance guy... Uh... Person, I'll be following along to watch you go.
Love the set up so far.
I'm especially interested to see how the beer ledge turns out.

 

[Scythanith]

Good to see this blossom on RC

 

[Myka]

Hey Myka! Being a fellow maintenance guy... Uh... Person, I'll be following along to watch you go.
Love the set up so far.
I'm especially interested to see how the beer ledge turns out.

You're part of the "dry skin up to the shoulder" club! Haha! Do you have some tank journals?

Good to see this blossom on RC

:wavehand:

 

[reefmutt]

You're part of the "dry skin up to the shoulder" club! Haha! Do you have some tank journals?

Ha! I became a lizard yeeeeaaaars ago.

Here's a link to my thread.. You may need a cup of coffee (or two) to get through it all. But it's about to get more interesting: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2459858

You've shown us the atb.. When do we get to see the bubble
King?
By the way, I absolutely love that deep water acro you posted below the royal exclusive bag..

 

[Scotty freddy]

Thanks Scotty. Yes, similar size, similar lighting, same skimmer (don't tell anyone "what's in the bag" from my previous post haha ). The ATB is really just an experiment - I got it at a great price, and I've never seen one in person, so I figured it was a good opportunity.

Don't worry I can keep a secret :lol: good choice though they are awesome skimmers and worth the extra $$$

 

[Myka]

Here's a link to my thread.. You may need a cup of coffee (or two) to get through it all. But it's about to get more interesting

You've shown us the atb.. When do we get to see the bubble
King?
By the way, I absolutely love that deep water acro you posted below the royal exclusive bag..

Awesome, I'll check out your thread when I get a few mins - about to get more interesting? Oh the suspense!

When I go get the skimmer I'll take a pic of it.

Don't worry I can keep a secret [emoji38] good choice though they are awesome skimmers and worth the extra $$$

Going by price alone, it better outperform the ATB by a good shot! That's not really fair because the ATB is a few years old. Hehe.

 

[Myka]

There has been a minor modification to the tank...it's now going to have a one-piece polished Starphire eurobrace. Can girls be "ballin'"??

 

[Buddhatank]

That sounds fancy can't wait to see