Project Tanks - BigBear
- Thread starter Mr James
- Start date
Mr James
Premium Member
Re: Project Tanks - BigBear
I would ditch the smaller powerheads (800gph & 400gph) and use them down the road for something else. You may want to look into purchasing some Sure Flow mods that turn a regular Mj1200's (Mj1200's do about 300gph normally) into 2000+ gph. I have two Mj600's and they may be too much flow on my tank. I may need to down size some. Also look into Tunze Streams. I know they cost money, but unless you move the water around at the deeper depths, your tank will never come alive and you will continue to throw money down the drain. Reef tanks are no easy task and aren't easy on the budget either.
As far as the return pump, it should be rated to match the drains to the sump. What are the sizes of those drains?? Obviously if you put a bigger return pump on than what the drains can handle, you will overflow the main tank. Beasides, the main return pump is not intended for flow. Flow comes from other siources.
Link: Click Me
While I am thinking about it, what is the substrate?? Sand, gravel, bare bottom?? If sand, how deep??
Yeah, I figure a closed loop would be difficult on your system. But a couple of big flow powerheads would do the trick. Get the types that have magnets and attach them to the overflow. Do not use suction cups as they will certainly fail while attached to plastic.
Use PhotoBucket as your host for the pics. It's free. Can be locked so nobody copies or alters the pictures. And they automatically resize when posting here. I use it for all my pictures.
I am surprised, from what you ave said about light and parameters, that it is still going strong. Got pics of it??
Also while I am thinking of it, get a TDS meter to test your DI water. Should be at 0 TDS. If not, time to change the media.
I would ditch the smaller powerheads (800gph & 400gph) and use them down the road for something else. You may want to look into purchasing some Sure Flow mods that turn a regular Mj1200's (Mj1200's do about 300gph normally) into 2000+ gph. I have two Mj600's and they may be too much flow on my tank. I may need to down size some. Also look into Tunze Streams. I know they cost money, but unless you move the water around at the deeper depths, your tank will never come alive and you will continue to throw money down the drain. Reef tanks are no easy task and aren't easy on the budget either.
As far as the return pump, it should be rated to match the drains to the sump. What are the sizes of those drains?? Obviously if you put a bigger return pump on than what the drains can handle, you will overflow the main tank. Beasides, the main return pump is not intended for flow. Flow comes from other siources.
Link: Click Me
While I am thinking about it, what is the substrate?? Sand, gravel, bare bottom?? If sand, how deep??
Yeah, I figure a closed loop would be difficult on your system. But a couple of big flow powerheads would do the trick. Get the types that have magnets and attach them to the overflow. Do not use suction cups as they will certainly fail while attached to plastic.
Use PhotoBucket as your host for the pics. It's free. Can be locked so nobody copies or alters the pictures. And they automatically resize when posting here. I use it for all my pictures.
I am surprised, from what you ave said about light and parameters, that it is still going strong. Got pics of it??
Also while I am thinking of it, get a TDS meter to test your DI water. Should be at 0 TDS. If not, time to change the media.
bigbearcrain
New member
Project Tanks
Project Tanks
Mr James
Do you think we should post the original message.
Have looked Locally for the Mod kits. But no avail. Reef tanks not an easy task. Mine has been a chore getting fined tuned. The Churches will even be a larger chore it seems.
The drains are 2"
The substate is a combination of Sand about 50 lbs and crushed coral 150 lbs. I dispise crushed coral which the gobie chomps on and is most likely what is causing the high calcium. With every mouthfull of crushed coral he leaves a plume of dust. All together about 4 inches. Wish i could get that junk out of there.
Yes the suction cups have failed and sucked up corals.
Here is the Link to the Photos at photobucket
http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg47/bigbearcrain/
The picts of the Clam dont do him justice since the darn gobie knocked him over again and almost buried him again.
The DI was replaced 2 months ago so im thinking its in fairly decent shape.
Hope this helps a little.
Project Tanks
Mr James
Do you think we should post the original message.
Have looked Locally for the Mod kits. But no avail. Reef tanks not an easy task. Mine has been a chore getting fined tuned. The Churches will even be a larger chore it seems.
The drains are 2"
The substate is a combination of Sand about 50 lbs and crushed coral 150 lbs. I dispise crushed coral which the gobie chomps on and is most likely what is causing the high calcium. With every mouthfull of crushed coral he leaves a plume of dust. All together about 4 inches. Wish i could get that junk out of there.
Yes the suction cups have failed and sucked up corals.
Here is the Link to the Photos at photobucket
http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg47/bigbearcrain/
The picts of the Clam dont do him justice since the darn gobie knocked him over again and almost buried him again.
The DI was replaced 2 months ago so im thinking its in fairly decent shape.
Hope this helps a little.
Mr James
Premium Member
Re: Project Tanks
Re: Project Tanks
Yes, good idea. Here is a link to the origianal thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1328824
Probably not going to find it locally, like at an LFS (Local Fish Store) in case you didn't know that word. I bought mine from Premium Aquatics. Check em out.
That sounds good!!
Crushed coral is awfully course and is know to be a nitrate trap. I took mine out of my 125g many years ago. I will never use it again.
You still should get a TDS meter to know what your water is at.
Re: Project Tanks
Yes, good idea. Here is a link to the origianal thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1328824
Probably not going to find it locally, like at an LFS (Local Fish Store) in case you didn't know that word. I bought mine from Premium Aquatics. Check em out.
That sounds good!!
Crushed coral is awfully course and is know to be a nitrate trap. I took mine out of my 125g many years ago. I will never use it again.
You still should get a TDS meter to know what your water is at.
bigbearcrain
New member
Origainal Message:
Help nutrient staved tank
Hello
I have just been asked to take over care for 480 gal reef tank. Tank is 1 to 2 years old. Goby has caused the rock to fall and covered most of the rock.
The live rock has been starved of any nutrients and has been basically just looked like base rock. I reciently started adding some Iodine and have seen a little coraline starting to surface. On wensday I will be removing all rock and fish. I will be putting platforms in and replacing Rock and fish on friday.
My question would be is there a way to soak the rock in a higher dose of Iodine and other minerals to help the revive the rock over the period of the 2 days it will be out of the tank and in drums of the salt water its coming out of? Of course that solution would not be placed in the tank as i will be doing a 25% water change. This tank was without a change for over 6 months.
If so please advise with ratio, any advise will be throughly thought threw before proceeding.
Second Of My Message
Hello
The tank dimensions 4' x 4' x 5' center colum were overflow and excetera are. Light is 4 250 watt halites. Octupuss skimmer designed for 800 gallon tank. crappy sump/refisum setup. RO inline to keep topped off.
My experience with reef systems is shakey at time but do spend lots of time reading. First tank over 20 years ago for about 5 years moved back east and within the last 2 years have begun reef tanks all over.
Time is of the essance as this is a Church Aquarium. The funds are limited at this time so im looking at probly 200 a month with water changes filters, food exc...
Again i will say this tank was neglected...I understand no quick fixes. Also in the process of setting up and 150 gallon fish only system at the church.
i will take pics of tank tonight and attempt to post pics.
3rd part of my message
I have posted the pics of the Church's tank. Please have look. These are my test results from tonight using hagen master test kit.
Amonia .1 mg/l
Nitrate 7 mg/l
Phosphate 2 mg/l
pH 8.5
Nitrite .1 mg/l
kH 200 mg/l
Iron 0
Calcium i quit testing when it was over 1300 or i have a bad set of test. Ran this test twice
Last of my other message
Tank dimensions were estimated. actual size is 48" x 49" x 46" with a 1 foot colum going up center. with 50 gal sump/refusium
Since i started testing and trying to get things up to par over the last month water quality has improved greatly.
Lighting is (4) 250 MHL and (8) 39 watt compacts
More about tank: (((The reef was already setup))) There are a few softies very few now. seems like the only thing that has survived is the Mushrooms & a Galaxy. There are 13 rather large tangs, 1 fox face, 1 racoon butterfly (coming out soon), a goby that has reacked havock on the tank some added after the rock was in place, Lawnmower blennie and a few damsels. About 30 small hermits reciently added. 10 or so Snails.
The Tank is setup with RO/DI and membranes were replaced 3 weeks ago. The Calcium was tested again this evening with my home test still over 1000 mg/l. kH registered 190 mg/l that was the only real variation in the two test.
I dont not have Kalk drippping as present. But will as a soon as i can get it.
How in the world can i get the Calcium level down?
By the way anyone care to donate?
Help nutrient staved tank
Hello
I have just been asked to take over care for 480 gal reef tank. Tank is 1 to 2 years old. Goby has caused the rock to fall and covered most of the rock.
The live rock has been starved of any nutrients and has been basically just looked like base rock. I reciently started adding some Iodine and have seen a little coraline starting to surface. On wensday I will be removing all rock and fish. I will be putting platforms in and replacing Rock and fish on friday.
My question would be is there a way to soak the rock in a higher dose of Iodine and other minerals to help the revive the rock over the period of the 2 days it will be out of the tank and in drums of the salt water its coming out of? Of course that solution would not be placed in the tank as i will be doing a 25% water change. This tank was without a change for over 6 months.
If so please advise with ratio, any advise will be throughly thought threw before proceeding.
Second Of My Message
Hello
The tank dimensions 4' x 4' x 5' center colum were overflow and excetera are. Light is 4 250 watt halites. Octupuss skimmer designed for 800 gallon tank. crappy sump/refisum setup. RO inline to keep topped off.
My experience with reef systems is shakey at time but do spend lots of time reading. First tank over 20 years ago for about 5 years moved back east and within the last 2 years have begun reef tanks all over.
Time is of the essance as this is a Church Aquarium. The funds are limited at this time so im looking at probly 200 a month with water changes filters, food exc...
Again i will say this tank was neglected...I understand no quick fixes. Also in the process of setting up and 150 gallon fish only system at the church.
i will take pics of tank tonight and attempt to post pics.
3rd part of my message
I have posted the pics of the Church's tank. Please have look. These are my test results from tonight using hagen master test kit.
Amonia .1 mg/l
Nitrate 7 mg/l
Phosphate 2 mg/l
pH 8.5
Nitrite .1 mg/l
kH 200 mg/l
Iron 0
Calcium i quit testing when it was over 1300 or i have a bad set of test. Ran this test twice
Last of my other message
Tank dimensions were estimated. actual size is 48" x 49" x 46" with a 1 foot colum going up center. with 50 gal sump/refusium
Since i started testing and trying to get things up to par over the last month water quality has improved greatly.
Lighting is (4) 250 MHL and (8) 39 watt compacts
More about tank: (((The reef was already setup))) There are a few softies very few now. seems like the only thing that has survived is the Mushrooms & a Galaxy. There are 13 rather large tangs, 1 fox face, 1 racoon butterfly (coming out soon), a goby that has reacked havock on the tank some added after the rock was in place, Lawnmower blennie and a few damsels. About 30 small hermits reciently added. 10 or so Snails.
The Tank is setup with RO/DI and membranes were replaced 3 weeks ago. The Calcium was tested again this evening with my home test still over 1000 mg/l. kH registered 190 mg/l that was the only real variation in the two test.
I dont not have Kalk drippping as present. But will as a soon as i can get it.
How in the world can i get the Calcium level down?
By the way anyone care to donate?
bigbearcrain
New member
Shooooooo
Just finished taking all the Live Rock out of the Tank. Cought the darn gobie. Put a stand in that i made of pvc and pond foam for extra support. No more rock slide crashes I hope. Pit all Live Rock back in tank. Meanwhile doing a 25% water change. Wow 14 hours. Dont do that much work when im at work. Will post some pics on the photobuchet site tomarrow.
Just finished taking all the Live Rock out of the Tank. Cought the darn gobie. Put a stand in that i made of pvc and pond foam for extra support. No more rock slide crashes I hope. Pit all Live Rock back in tank. Meanwhile doing a 25% water change. Wow 14 hours. Dont do that much work when im at work. Will post some pics on the photobuchet site tomarrow.
bigbearcrain
New member
Hello
He is the link of the redue.
http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg47/bigbearcrain/Reduing the tank/
Would like some feed back. And will post pics of tank when it clears.
He is the link of the redue.
http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg47/bigbearcrain/Reduing the tank/
Would like some feed back. And will post pics of tank when it clears.
bigbearcrain
New member
Is there anyone who reads this forum?
Mr James
Premium Member
I was hoping for more responses from your area. Maybe they go some place else??
I am fearing that you may run into some of the same issues i did when I announced Iwas setting up a "church tank". I won't go into the details, but I can say that RC was much younger and the responses from the people were less than mature.
You may want to reverse my idea and take it back out to one of the main forums. Sorry for suggewsting this, I thought it would stir up the groups around you.
I am fearing that you may run into some of the same issues i did when I announced Iwas setting up a "church tank". I won't go into the details, but I can say that RC was much younger and the responses from the people were less than mature.
You may want to reverse my idea and take it back out to one of the main forums. Sorry for suggewsting this, I thought it would stir up the groups around you.
Where is this at? Sorry, most of us locals post on the LMAS.org message board.
I have been on RC a bit lately so I thought I would check in. Good thing I did
I am the VP of LMAS and the webmaster. We are heading to Inland Aquatics on 3/15 for our march meeting. In April, we will be meeting at Sandys in Louisville. Stop by!
I have been on RC a bit lately so I thought I would check in. Good thing I did
I am the VP of LMAS and the webmaster. We are heading to Inland Aquatics on 3/15 for our march meeting. In April, we will be meeting at Sandys in Louisville. Stop by!
lReef_lKeeper
lReef lKeeper
i guess i need to subscribe to this forum !! i had no idea that anyone was posting here and i forget about it because it is tucked away in the land of lost forums.lol
so where IS this tank at ?? if you need help managing it, i am sure a few of us could get together and help you out.
so where IS this tank at ?? if you need help managing it, i am sure a few of us could get together and help you out.
bigbearcrain
New member
This tank is at the On Fire Christian Center. 5627 New Cut road. I can arrange for viewing anytime after 6 pm.
bigbearcrain
New member
The Churches tank is in need of some TLC inwhich i have started giving. The tank is almost barren of corals now. Would love any help. Also would love some really good advise, You would really need to see this tank.
bigbearcrain
New member
guess i need to post on lmas.com ea
bigbearcrain
New member
i would like to bring it back to life. its starting to bloom with some algeas. it just seems blaaaaa with out some corals. but i need of some good advises expecially water flow. people are saying it looks better now than ever before but i would have to disagree. no corals.
bigbearcrain
New member
The Ca is now reading 440 and the alk is 4.0. As far as corals i would like to see a variety. Little this little that. Dont think my lights will do for SPS's. LPS and Softies are great though
