Retail type system

T

Troll

Premium Member
Didn't get a response on the main thread but assumed someone here might use them for grow out....

Anyone know of where to get the acrylic systems typical of retail LFS that are acrylic with dividers for flow between each of the boxes?

I've googled everything I can think of with no hits.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
You might try searching for commercial / wholesale type cube systems too...just a though.

FWIW, I tend to stay away from acrylic in most applications - it scratches and scuffs way too easily and buffing that stuff out is beyond a royal pain to accomplish...i.e. 3-4 hours for 1 scratch ;) Build a glass system - probably cheaper too.

Matt
 
Very pricey stuff, if it it's for an actual retail store where looks really matter then it's probably the way to go, but if it's just for "behind the scenes" work you can pick up used systems from closing stores or remodeling chain stores for pretty cheap. OR as Matt said just build it out of glass tanks, that is usually the least expensive way to go by far. Just design it so any tank can be removed/ replaced if needed. Even here in So Cal with a high risk of earthquake damage I simply can't justify the cost of acrylic. JMO ;)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8544021#post8544021 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Troll
Thanks guys. Seeing the prices, I'll be going glass unless I find a local LFS going belly up.
Click to expand...

Since your in PA, Pet Supplies Ples country, try asking one of them if their upgrading. I know a guy who owns 8 of them in PA, and I know he upgraded some of his stores recently.
 
Nothing too crazy. Had pairs of true percs and bangaiis in my former 186 display that sprung a leak about 2 months ago. Raised young of both on occaison but in separate 5 or 10 g tanks which were a maintenence headache and on a makeshift shelf.

Since I'm getting a new display (60x30x30) and have to replumb the entire system, was originally planning on plumbing in drilled 10 g tanks (maybe 2 or 3)...having each of them connected via a gate valve, but also a return to the main system (with a gate valve also). In this way, I figure I could cut off flow in the tank via gate valves when I needed to and return flow when applicable. Connected to my system of over 325 total gallons (display plus fuge plus sump) I figured the excess nutrients from these growouts wouldn't even be noticed in the system as a whole.

This would allow me to replenish the tank(s) with system water (of consistant quality) by slightly opening a gate vale, and similarily get rid of dirty water into the main system or into the drain.

Haven't started any of the work yet, was just thinking that if cheaply aquired and with the layout of my space, one of the acrylic systems might work out.....after seeing the prices, I'll pass and go this route.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8544314#post8544314 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Troll
I figured the excess nutrients from these growouts wouldn't even be noticed in the system as a whole.
Click to expand...

Having just finished reading Wilkerson's book, your idea instantly reminding me of something she tried, basically doing a rearing tank attached to a 125 system. I think she said it took about a week before the ammonia and nitrite had risen in the entire system to the point of causing difficulties with her broodstock.

Just 2nd hand $0.02.

Matt
 
Found an acrylic scratch remover/polish that works pretty good. i.e. less that two hours per scratch Matt :) Use it at work to clean hazy/faded/scratched auto headlight assemblys. I can get the actual name if theres an interest, I think it's a 3m product, let me know and I'll get details.....Carl
 
I would NOT attach a breeding/ growout system, even a small one, to a reef tank. Your reef depends on stability and generally does not feature anywhere near the biofiltration you need for growout. A few bangaii babies sure, but not several hundred clownfish :D JMO, I'd keep the tens seperate, take water from the reef periodically and add new water to it. Use the reef water for the growout.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8544314#post8544314 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Troll
I figured the excess nutrients from these growouts wouldn't even be noticed in the system as a whole.

This would allow me to replenish the tank(s) with system water (of consistant quality) by slightly opening a gate vale, and similarily get rid of dirty water into the main system or into the drain.
Click to expand...

This can absolutely be done, but it's critical that you have the ability to drain the growout tanks. As MWP and David M stated, heavily populated growout tanks aren't a very good idea to run inline with a display system. Unless, of course, you have a truely huge refugium/lagoon/biofilter also inline.

It can certainly work, but make sure that your drain line in the growout tanks has a tee - one line going to a waste drain, one line going back into the system. It does mean you'd have to do manual water changes, unless you utilized some motorized ball valves on the growout drain lines and had a saltwater reservoir attached to the system, either with the same controller that's doing the other ball valves on the growout tanks or with some simple float switches in the main sump.

It can be done, but it will require a little bit of planning and investment.
 
My big thing is that if a water quality issue crops up, it's going to be even harder to control it given the overall increased water volume! You're going to have to change far more water to keep the nitrates in control, but instead, if running the grownout tank by themselves it's volume is less and nitrates etc can run amuck without damaging the reef - according to experienced breeders ammonia and nitrite are seldom issues for juvenile fish (aka they can tolerate quite a bit with no ill effects) but the same can't be said for corals and adult fish.

Even if you automate the "water changing process" as AquaticFins describes, you're still going to have to do copious water changes to keep your reef alive, yet you won't see any major benefits on your grow-out side. I know that's hard to believe, but after reading Hoff and Wilkerson and seeing how RPI does it (was borderline shocked how many fish are in a grow out system) I think they know exactly what they're talking about.

FWIW,

Matt
 
Matt -

After reading lots, plan on plumbing system water into the growout (with valve) , but drains (with valve) will all go to sewer and not back into the system.

At least this somewhat lessens the bucket carrying for water changes in the growout but doesn't compromise water quality.
 
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