Pictures of Bomber's barebottom SPS tank and related equipment

[sps si]

it certainly is bare :lol:

nice looking tank though - how long has it been running and what is your rock structure built up on?

 

[MiddletonMark]

That white bottom is `starboard' ... very similar to cutting board material, but the stuff he's using is actually from boating-uses.

The thread detailing this setup [and eventually a number of places to get this material, other folks who used it in different colors] ... is at:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=223301&highlight=starboard

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And Gregt is dead on with the skimmer - BB's main requirement is getting the detritus/etc out of the tank ASAP.

Unlike a DSB, which is `sinking' and storing the detritus, poop, food residue, phosphates ... BB is base on a high-flow, detritus-suspension, wet-skimming removal of all such products from the tank as quick as possible.
This quickly removes all phoshphates from the system ... and will get other compounds gone before they have a chance to break down [instead of dealing with nitrate reduction, this removes things before they have a chance to break down and cause nitrates ... or at worst while they're in the process of such].

Key to this all is the big, efficient skimmer ... as it's the main `removal' technique for all this crud. I find dumping my skimmer cup in my toilet is the best method for `processing' phosphates and nitrates ... far better than leaving them in the tank [for algae/etc to go to work on].

 

[invincible569]

I love the clean and ogranized look! It looks awesome! Cant wait to see it when the SPS have encrusted and grown out. Keep us updated

 

[Bomber]

Connie, Malcomb finally met his maker. I have to tell you, as much as I loved Malcomb, it had become his tank and I will never have another big angel in it.

jackson, all they need is to get excited for the processes to take place. I'm not trying to reduce zoox for color, I'm going for growth.

PAW I think we're already there. I don't see any earth shattering equipment changes coming to reduce nutrients in closed systems. Going skimmerless would be going backwards and back to the days of Lee and the "Natural Aquarium". No one could keep his systems running either because of nutrient/phosphate build up.

Mark's right. Where do nitrates come from? It you remove it before it gets there, why would you have nitrates?

 

[Bomber]

I love the clean and ogranized look! It looks awesome! Cant wait to see it when the SPS have encrusted and grown out. Keep us updated

Take a closer look at the picture of the blenny.

The rocks are getting encrusted with corals already.

 

[Nek]

Do you notice a salinity constantly fluctuating with the wet skimming????

 

[Bomber]

Do you notice a salinity constantly fluctuating with the wet skimming????

Nek why would it fluctuate?

I take out about a 1/2gal of skimmate a day. Most of the time I just add RO/DI for evaporation. About once a month I'll test for salinity and bump it back up by adding salt water instead of RO/DI to replace evaporation.

In a month it will drop to around 1.023-4 from 1.025.

 

[joeychitwood]

" Pictures of Bomber's barebottom ......."

No. That would be this:

 

[BoomerD]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
joeychitwood, well done!

 

[melev]

No. That would be this:

ROFLMAO!!!!

 

[cbonito]

Bad time for the plane to hit a bird.

That's one tidy tank, greg!
The stags look great.
Wish I could see the colors!

 

[Nek]

Nek why would it fluctuate?

Constantly taking out water (wet foam) and adding fresh would cause the fluctuations, although I would assume negligable by your reply.

 

[Bomber]

Naw you just replace the water lost with salt water or fresh water, which ever you need at the time.

 

[Chondro]

Awesome, finally got see the equipment on my favorite tank!

What do you feed the fish and corals, and how often?

 

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Very beautiful tank Jerel and have seen it several times and gone through a few changes.

I as well plan to go BB in the future with alot more water flow. I never thought I would ever see the day that I would say that. Gregt is right about not letting the "poop" get settled anywhere in the tank.
Johnny

 

[Paul-sn]

I have a few questions.

How long has the tank been setup? Is it old, or is it new?

Also, is it only half-stocked? It seems to be pretty empty compared to most tanks on RC (in terms of corals, and especially rocks)? Do you plan on filling it out, or just letting your corals grow in?

 

[sumpfinfishe]

Sweet setup
I'm interested to see the long term effects from using the Starboard!
Great pics

 

[SPC]

Constantly taking out water (wet foam) and adding fresh would cause the fluctuations, although I would assume negligable by your reply.

I have been running my skimmer to take out about 1/4 gallon/day, Nek. I have a 5 gallon bucket that I keep ASW mixed up in and just add as necessary.

BTW, with a larger system there isn't as big a worry about fluctuation but on a smaller system I would imagine this might be a concern.
Steve

 

[Bomber]

Paul, Look at the Starboard Reef thread. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=1604658#post1604658

I pulled the DSB and started the tank over in July.

I just want to grow big coral heads this time.

Shoot, I lose more than 5gal a day in evaporation.

Thanks guys!

 

[ElDiablO]

beautiful tank Bomber !!! congratulation clean lookin SPS reef what hapen to youre queen angel ?