New Prop system, pics included

[rickyfins]

I have started working on my new prop system as I have run out of places to put frags and colonies are growing well enough to frag now. The 15gal rubbermaid under my 55 is getting too crowded and hard to access.

I have decided to go big but basic as far as only using stuff I had laying around for the most part. I still need to clean out the dungeon so if anyone is looking for anything let me know. I may be throwing things away soon if I don't get rid of them!


Sump- 100gal rubbermaid
frag tanks- 2 50gal rubbermaids
skimmer- top fathom (250?)
lighting- 2X400W XM 20k MH
pump-Dart?(not sure yet I do need a pump yet)
fuge- 29gal drilled twice, once for each frag tank
egg crate of course
and a few seio pumps
Calk reactor(need tank and regulator only)

Now for pics and explanations:

Now only the fuge is in place it is in picture one on the right(29gal drilled 2 times).

This pic is of the 2 50gals and where they will be placed after the 2X4 frame is built to support them. 1 1/2 inch drains flared out to 3 inches for maximum surface skimming.

Next 3 pics are what is in the sump right now. I had to take down my 55gal and my 40gal breeder to do this setup. They were where the sump and fuge are now. I think accessiblity will be made much easier than the former setup, plus it will be easier to keep the large amount of water heated and chemically in balance. Rose anenome in one pic and a red(orange)blue mushroom in the other, those are really sweet, I am just waiting for him to grow big enough to chop up.

Thanks for looking and please comment, give me opinions, and yell at me about all those electrical cords, by the way that is another reason why I am doing this, I am starting to get stuck in spagetti every time I want to work on my tanks in the dungeon.

thanks again,

Rick

 

[rickyfins]

P.S. yes that is a rock beauty in picture 2 and yes he is in a reef, and no he hasn't eaten any corals yet. SPS, LPS, and softies all in that tank and he loves it! He is eating sponges regularly.

thanks,

Rick

 

[wee-reefer]

Ya owe me some frags man! Looking good. Or at least better than last time I saw it

 

[rickyfins]

Thanks Jen, does the fuge look familiar? It was one of the tanks you made me take. I know how long you must have waited for the pics to load so THANKS A BUNCH for commenting!!!!!!!

I will hook you up anytime! I should be coming over to your area sometime either this week or next week! I can probably spare a few things if your in desperate need!

I have been working hard on the dungeon, but I still need to get rid of a lot, especially if I ever get the clowns going like I want. Check around for me up your way! I must get rid of a lot but I don't have the heart to throw things away!

thanks again,

Rick

 

[rickyfins]

I guess there isn't anyone else who cares! lol JK

I am having fun with this project anyway, I am not sure if I can finish it with all the other stuff I need to get rid of but I may have enough room in the storage unit if I reorganize it. I will see, I have to go down there anyway.

thanks,

Rick

 

[Fizz71]

I have a similar setup as you do..although I'm not currently holding frags in it...the big thing I did different is I added tons of live rock to the bottom of the tub, and made my racks closer to the surface. This added more water volume to my system as well as a place to store cheaply purchased used LR (also adding more capacity to my system). And also cuts back on depth for light penetration.

I built a pvc tray that looks like an upside down suspension bridge to hold the egg crating and keep the corals near the surface. I also built a second rack to hold my skimmer.

When I move I will do the same thing although I will ALSO try to put a DSB in there so I can take it out of my display tank. Right now I have high flow around the bottom to keep settling at a minimum.

The Rubbermaid tanks are sweet...and cheap too...my only complaint is that they are not threaded on the inside of the drain...it took some plumbing skills but I finally got the thing working as an actual sump that feeds into a smaller container before returning to the tank.

--Fizz

 

[wee-reefer]

Yeah, I recognise that tank anywhere! I could use my skimmer back...please don't throw it out!! And all two of us care But we care a bunch!!

 

[cinnamongirl]

I care too I just care a little slower then the other two ;-)
I plan on setting something up in my basement, too, but I'm working entirely too much! If only there were an extra 5 hours in the day, or at least one more day in the weekends!

 

[TomRep]

I'm tagging along as well. I currently have three racks in my basement for breeding clowns and food etc. I am someday hopefully going to get into coral prop., but not right now.
Tom

 

[rickyfins]

Cool, Tom Maybe we could get some pics of your setup? Thanks all who have commented, and Fizz for the critique. Fizz there will be live rock in my sump but the eggcrate will be on the bottom or very close to the bottom of the system without sand. I am employing a remote DSB in the fuge. The fuge is in the first pic and will be plumbed to both prop tanks for direct feeding the system without pump interference.

Also this will be a low load system only stocking one to two fish per bay for bug control(wrasses). So really there won't be much of a bioload for nitrate buildup and capacity will be great with this design. I will be overskimming it with probably 2 skimmers(two styles).

thanks,

Rick

 

[Fizz71]

It wasn't a critique...just a comparison. Our two setups have two separate purposes. The MAIN purpose of my setup is a large volume sump..I don't have a sump under my tank..this beast is plumbed into the system as my sump/fuge feed/heater hider/skimmer hider/etc. The prop part is an after thought.

--Fizz

 

[rickyfins]

Well thanks again anyway Kev.

I should be posting new pics this weekend after I get some more done. But for your viewing pleasure, check out these pics of what I just purchased from DR. MAC

I must give credit to the perosn who took these photos. That would be Dr. Mac, I just saved these off his site before he removed them.

Thanks,

Rick

 

[Barney121]

Nice pics! You planning to keep all those, or give them to all us good friends in NCPARS?

 

[rickyfins]

opps, darn multiple posts!


rick

 

[rickyfins]

opps

 

[rickyfins]

ITS MOVING ALONG NOW!!!!!!!!!

ITS MOVING ALONG NOW!!!!!!!!!

Here are some images of what I have done today! I will be moving the sump so that it is more accessible. I should have one bay up and running later this evening. I will upload more photos tomorrow and won't get the second bay done and have it running till after the swap. I still need a pump to run everything all at once to minimize power consumption.

Thanks for looking and please comment and give me ideas, this is still a work in progress!

thanks,

Rick

 

[rickyfins]

Corals

Corals

Thanks Scott. Once I see how big they are, (they will be here tomorrow), I may have frags for the swap but I am not sure till they get here. But if they are small I will wait until the spring swap to make frags.

I want to make something clear to all those who may be interested and I don't want to sound like a jerk at the same time but...

I will not be charging top dollar for frags, most frags will be a Max of $30, I don't believe in taking you for all you are worth and giving you small 1/2 to 3/4 inch frags. If you think I am ever too expensive at the swap let me know. I am a wheeler and dealer myself and know how hard it is to find some of these things.

thanks,

Rick

 

[sixpackrt]

Re: Corals

Re: Corals

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8382429#post8382429 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rickyfins
Thanks Scott. Once I see how big they are, (they will be here tomorrow), I may have frags for the swap but I am not sure till they get here. But if they are small I will wait until the spring swap to make frags.

I want to make something clear to all those who may be interested and I don't want to sound like a jerk at the same time but...

I will not be charging top dollar for frags, most frags will be a Max of $30, I don't believe in taking you for all you are worth and giving you small 1/2 to 3/4 inch frags. If you think I am ever too expensive at the swap let me know. I am a wheeler and dealer myself and know how hard it is to find some of these things.

thanks,

Rick

is this for ncpars member's only?

 

[rickyfins]

Hey Ron what's up and how are ya?

Yes, I offer my frags to NCPARS members at swaps and trades cheaper than I do nonmembers/trades/sell from RC, it is just a perc to being in the club, plus the shorter transit time, more like friends getting together, and no hassles with shipping make it easier for me to do it this way.

For nonmembers of the club have no fear, you still won't be paying top top dollar for frags, but it will be more than I offer them to members of our club. If your local, join the club, its a great cause, plus you will meet new people and see a lot of different corals most LFS don't carry.

I don't sell many frags but the tank will need thinned out soon.
This hobby is a lot of fun, and not meant to pay the bills. LOL Keep on Reefing!

thanks,

Rick

 

[rickyfins]

REEF PLUGS

REEF PLUGS

I just got done making my first batch of reef plugs yesterday, and a second batch today. I am still playing with the mixture of sand/gravel, and Portland cement. I have posted these on fragswapper as well for those of you in the club that are growing out. I really like the larger size but haven't got to use the smaller ones yet, they are my own design. The larger ones are almost the size of the bottom of a solo cup. The smaller ones I feel would be good for soft corals. I like something really sturdy for those SPS corals. Here are some pictures and a link to them posted on fragswapper.

Fragswapper listing

thanks,

Rick