New Coral Farm build in Oz
- Thread starter bdepp
- Start date
bdepp
New member
we discovered yesterday that we had low KH, about 6, so we had to scramble it get it up to 10. Not sure about calcium yet but we started dosing kalk today. measuring tomorrow
Progress today....
I had to paint the stands today... I hate painting stand i've found out. but i guess it's for a good cause. even if nobody is going to see them.
The room is now all wired up and powerpoints wired in to the switchboard, so no more running off a single powerlead.
we installed the middle set of tanks today as well & plumbed them in too.
panorama of the room
some of the tanks we have left
Parts to throw out
And i got some fragging done
Progress today....
I had to paint the stands today... I hate painting stand i've found out. but i guess it's for a good cause. even if nobody is going to see them.
The room is now all wired up and powerpoints wired in to the switchboard, so no more running off a single powerlead.
we installed the middle set of tanks today as well & plumbed them in too.
panorama of the room
some of the tanks we have left
Parts to throw out
And i got some fragging done
bdepp
New member
picked up the last of our tanks today and no we arn't adding them to the room but we have them if/when the business grows.
went shopping today and and picked up some new equipment.
4x 900mm 8x39W T5 lights (4x actinic, 4x 10k globes)
3x 20,000k 250W SE halide globes
2x Joes Juice
and some banana's
we thought our other lights were 20k's but i was sorely mistaken after installing the new globes.
we plan on putting the new T5 lighting modules in our "good systems" to propogate mushrooms and ric's and other assorted softies.
everything is starting to come together. still lots to do but most of the hard work is done (we think) and the "fun part" is in sight.
went shopping today and and picked up some new equipment.
4x 900mm 8x39W T5 lights (4x actinic, 4x 10k globes)
3x 20,000k 250W SE halide globes
2x Joes Juice
and some banana's
we thought our other lights were 20k's but i was sorely mistaken after installing the new globes.
we plan on putting the new T5 lighting modules in our "good systems" to propogate mushrooms and ric's and other assorted softies.
everything is starting to come together. still lots to do but most of the hard work is done (we think) and the "fun part" is in sight.
A few simple qiuestions maybe i jumped the gun and didnt read the whole thing. Why not use natural sun light and cut 3/4 of or Your utility bill down ? its a metal building correct? It looked like they had a strip of skylights across the top. You covered it? I would have used the natural sunlight that was already there and gathered it down using some solar tubes. Little costy up front but in a few months would have been coverd by offsetting the electric bill. Most places that arent green houses wish they were due to the electric bill. IMHO 
seth&angelle
New member
Looks like it is coming along very nicely.
waynem
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14357127#post14357127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tquick
Why not use natural sun light and cut 3/4 of or Your utility bill down ? its a metal building correct? It looked like they had a strip of skylights across the top. You covered it? I would have used the natural sunlight that was already there and gathered it down using some solar tubes. Little costy up front but in a few months would have been coverd by offsetting the electric bill. Most places that arent green houses wish they were due to the electric bill. IMHO
I was thinking the same thing, lots sun in sunny in QLD why not use it.
thebiggster
New member
Is the Joes Juice to get rid of the Aptasia that Coral Plantations had all thru there systems. I remember buying some live rock of them & it was covered in the stuff. Peppermint Shrimp Solved that problem
bdepp
New member
yes the aptasia are from coral plantations we think. we only have 6 or so in the system, so not much of a problem. just stocking up "just in case".
We wish we could use natural sunlight,we really do, but we can't. it's a commercial property and our landlord (who is very good to us) didn't even entertain the idea for a second. if things get bigger and we move out, a greenhouse or natural sunlight are on top of my list.
We wish we could use natural sunlight,we really do, but we can't. it's a commercial property and our landlord (who is very good to us) didn't even entertain the idea for a second. if things get bigger and we move out, a greenhouse or natural sunlight are on top of my list.
bdepp
New member
we went and got water today to fill the rest of the remaining tanks. So everything is now in!
these are the new lights we picked up
This stuff is what is spare... and rubbish
this came in one of the tanks we bought. he was in some dirty water but we saved him
Not sure how this little guy got in but gecko's always seem to pop-up around the place
these are the new lights we picked up
This stuff is what is spare... and rubbish
this came in one of the tanks we bought. he was in some dirty water but we saved him
Not sure how this little guy got in but gecko's always seem to pop-up around the place
bdepp
New member
I realise i havn't given you guys much of the specs on the setup, so here ya go.
2x main prop tank glass (1000 Litres total system including sump)
8x child prop and holding tanks fibreglass marine ply (4 systems equalling 400L per system)
Main Prop System
5000L/h uno pump
filtration from live rock and live sand
150w heater
hang on back skimmer (not sure of brand)
3x 250W halides running 20K globes on tank 1
2x 250W halides running old globes (maybe 10k) on tank 2
All systems are coolered via a/c in room. keeps temperature stable from 24-26C
Child/holding are in a cycling phase ATM so no tests as such yet will update soon
2x main prop tank glass (1000 Litres total system including sump)
8x child prop and holding tanks fibreglass marine ply (4 systems equalling 400L per system)
Main Prop System
5000L/h uno pump
filtration from live rock and live sand
150w heater
hang on back skimmer (not sure of brand)
3x 250W halides running 20K globes on tank 1
2x 250W halides running old globes (maybe 10k) on tank 2
All systems are coolered via a/c in room. keeps temperature stable from 24-26C
Child/holding are in a cycling phase ATM so no tests as such yet will update soon
Machado deSousa
New member
I´ve just read the thread from the beginning and I'm looking forward for updates. How are you going to renew the air in the space to avoid pH problems? With a/c you keep the humidity and temperature in line inside the room but you need to exhaust the vicious air (saturated with CO2) and admit fresh air (rich in O2). Nice thread.
bdepp
New member
hi machado.. i'm glad you like it. it's nice to have such kind words from the "master of propogation". any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated
As for renewing the air, we currently have a window open but have been thinking about putting in an exhaust fan. i wasn't aware that it could affect pH, so i think we might instal it sooner rather than later.
As for renewing the air, we currently have a window open but have been thinking about putting in an exhaust fan. i wasn't aware that it could affect pH, so i think we might instal it sooner rather than later.
Machado deSousa
New member
I liked the expression "master of coral propagation"!
If the atmosphere of your room is rich in CO2 you'll have a lot of CO2 dissolved in water because the gases exchanges and, consequently, a chronic low pH.
Cheers,
If the atmosphere of your room is rich in CO2 you'll have a lot of CO2 dissolved in water because the gases exchanges and, consequently, a chronic low pH.
Cheers,
miatawnt2b
New member
How about running the air intakes for the skimmers to the outside? That way the skimmers are constantly pulling in fresh air and injecting it into the water.
Neat build btw.
Neat build btw.
Machado deSousa
New member
I´m talking about gases exchanges (CO2 and O2) between the room ambient air and aquarium water, via water surface. I don't rely on skimmers for gas exchanges.
Cheers,
Cheers,
bdepp
New member
we had the door open all day today to ensure that we flushed the room and changed the air. We are keeping a window open so we think for now the air should be being changed often enough.
Was looking at your system again last night Machado, and i think we need to increase the size of our skimmer.
Was looking at your system again last night Machado, and i think we need to increase the size of our skimmer.
benjabba
New member
In my small little fish room in my garage I found I was having Ph issues related to gas exchange. I also use a window mount AC unit. At first I started keeping the door to the fish room open but it wasnt enough. I know have my skimmer's venturi hooked up to an airline that runs outside my house and I have a large airpump outside the house aswell. The addition of these two things has helped alot but I still think I am going to need to add an intake/exhaust fan system to constantly refresh the air in the room.
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