Starting a new 90 Progress will be updated

[johng723]

I've been reading along and am definitely enjoying reading your progress! I'm glad you posted the steps as I'm looking into getting a larger tank in the near future. Good luck and I'll be sure to tag along!

 

[vader88]

Great Pics Dano... I'm doing almost the exact same build your are with the exception mine is a wave tank, fuge is a bit bigger and will go halide. I'm praying that I can keep a good temp without a chiller since I'm going with Halides. I'm debating on going with a internal or external pump to cut down on the heat. Leaning towards a Ocean Runner 3500 since they draw more watts, I'm guessing less heat. Oh, the main reason I replied. Are you running the the skimmer that came with the fuge or is a different one ? I'm debating on which skimmer to get but not sure of the dimensions my fuge will accept ( being delivered Thursday ). I'm between a Euro-Reef 135 and Octo 220 .... people are saying same performance for 100 bucks less... if not a problem can you measure the inside length and width of the skimmer department ?

Thanks

 

[zibba]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10700437#post10700437 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dano999
I have kept the lights on 12/12 which would explain the algae. I also have a light over the fuge 12/12. The skimmer did nothing for a week but has been pulling a lot over the last few days.

I have some ideas for fish and coral stocking but first the clean up crew.

I just ordered the following.

Scarlet Hermit Crab - Qty 6
Nassarius Snail - Qty 6
Cerith Snail - Qty 6
Astreas Snail Qty-6
Peppermint Shrimp Qty -2
Bumblebee Snail Qty -6

I bumped up my nassarius and am very happy with the results. I added about 20 so far and they are keeping the sand free of most detrius. I'll probably add another 20 in the future. I think you have a good start for your tank, you can always adjust at a later time.

 

[Mavrk]

Good start. You may want some trochus snails, they are fast and furious at eating the algae.

I need some nassarius snails.

 

[Dano999]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10704331#post10704331 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vader88
Great Pics Dano... I'm doing almost the exact same build your are with the exception mine is a wave tank, fuge is a bit bigger and will go halide. I'm praying that I can keep a good temp without a chiller since I'm going with Halides. I'm debating on going with a internal or external pump to cut down on the heat. Leaning towards a Ocean Runner 3500 since they draw more watts, I'm guessing less heat. Oh, the main reason I replied. Are you running the the skimmer that came with the fuge or is a different one ? I'm debating on which skimmer to get but not sure of the dimensions my fuge will accept ( being delivered Thursday ). I'm between a Euro-Reef 135 and Octo 220 .... people are saying same performance for 100 bucks less... if not a problem can you measure the inside length and width of the skimmer department ?

Thanks

The Aquafuge Pro comes with an internal skimmer which I am currently using. It's seems to be pulling a lot of protein but I think I will need to upgrade in the future. Unfortunately the area in the skimmer compartment is only 4 1/2" wide and 11 1/2 deep (internal). There are also acrylic supports in the skimmer area so it is not completely empty when you remove the skimmer portion. I will probably either add an external skimmer or go with a different fuge with a larger sump area to and a internal skimmer.

Here's a picture of the skimmer in action. I have a drain tube going into a container for the excess.

The internal pump adds some heat maybe up to 2 degrees. It's OK with my unit as my temp rarely gets above 81. I have a clip on fan blowing on the sump area where the pump is located.

 

[vader88]

Thanks ALot.....my fuge is being delivered tomorrow and measure 36x16x18. I believe the internal baffles aren't set in place so I can move them to accomadate a larger skimmer ( hopefully ) .... and wow...thats alot of foam

 

[Dano999]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10705886#post10705886 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zibba
I bumped up my nassarius and am very happy with the results. I added about 20 so far and they are keeping the sand free of most detrius. I'll probably add another 20 in the future. I think you have a good start for your tank, you can always adjust at a later time.

Since I didn't want to over load I got $61.00 worth from eTropicals.com. They provide free next day shipping for orders over $60.00 when you choose the "build your own" package.. This way I can add more without paying the additional shipping charge. I priced it out versus other sites and they came out equal to or cheaper.

 

[Dano999]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10707026#post10707026 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vader88
Thanks ALot.....my fuge is being delivered tomorrow and measure 36x16x18. I believe the internal baffles aren't set in place so I can move them to accomadate a larger skimmer ( hopefully ) .... and wow...thats alot of foam

Let me know what you get because as I said I may be upgrading and would like some suggestions from others. I bought this fuge without a lot of research and I may regret it. So far it's ok but if my bio load get too high I will have to change it out. $500 wasted or maybe I can get a few hundred back on the used market. I think it's good for 55 to 75 gal but 90 may be too much.

Most of the foam you see outside the skimmer is from the return into the fuge. It also creates a lot of noise (sounds like a hot tub)and so far I have tried two mods I found on this forum without any change. The problem is the confinements of the skimmer area.

 

[vader88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10707113#post10707113 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dano999
Let me know what you get because as I said I may be upgrading and would like some suggestions from others. I bought this fuge without a lot of research and I may regret it. So far it's ok but if my bio load get too high I will have to change it out. $500 wasted or maybe I can get a few hundred back on the used market. I think it's good for 55 to 75 gal but 90 maybe too much.

Most of the foam you see outside the skimmer is from the return into the fuge. It also creates a lot of noise (sounds like a hot tub)and so far I have tried two mods I found on this forum without any change. The problem is the confinements of the skimmer area.

it wasn't listed when I got it, but judging by the size minus the baffling ... this should hold roughly 35 gallons of water, I believe yours is 17 gallons. I actually got mine of ebay and it says some assembly required. That may be ... put the whole thing together yourself. LOL....anyway, if that is the case you can set the inside to you liking. I think I paid 155 which is alot if it's just the acrylic, but I don't have a table saw so I'm basically paying the guy to sell it. I'll have it up and together by tomorrow, I'll post some pics and dimensions for you.

 

[Dano999]

Thanks

I don't mind some assembly but as you say if it's just a bunch of acrylic sheets that need to be cut it could be a problem.

Looking forward to seeing it and your comments.

 

[kevin vara]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10629844#post10629844 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Linkblaze
I like it too, at least to my noob eyes...when I start setting up my tank I'm definetly going to make sure I start with a couple of large pieces like this. I've been lurking on this thread a lot since stumbling on on this website and deciding to set up my own tank. The pictures have been a big help and I've been using this thread as sort of my "basis" for determing which topics I need to learn more on.

You're definetly providing a real service to at least one newbie. Bravo, and keep up the great work.

I agree 100% thanks dano999 keep up the great work this really helps us newbees alot :bum:

 

[Dano999]

Day 30

I received my first installment of my clean up crew. The friggin FedeX driver dropped them off at 10:30 (the service was for before 3:00) and did not even knock on the door. He just left them on the porch (it was upside down, the box said live fish, fragile this side up). It wasn't until 2:30 that I noticed they were there.

Ok I'm done venting.

The first thing was to open them in a dimly lit area. Then I let the bags float in the tank for about 20 minutes.

Next I set up a drip line using airline hose and some office supplies.

I used a 5 gal bucket, set at an angle to insure the water would cover the crew, with an adjustable outlet. I started the syphon and adjusted to about 4 drops per second. Don't ask me how I counted 4 drops per second. I just followed the acclimation guidelines at Etropicals.com. I tied a knot in the line to help with the adjustment. Next time I'll use a finer drip valve.

Next I placed the crew in the bucket with the bag water and let the water drip from the tank go for 30 minutes. I then removed half the water and repeated the drip for another 30 minutes.

It's a good thing my relatives left on Sunday since they thought I was growing rocks in my tank. If they saw these guys they would think I just bought a bunch of smaller rocks.

After acclimating I placed the crew in the tank and threw the water in the bucket away. A few snails took off and were at the other end of the tank in seconds. Also a few scarlet hermits immediately started eating the green algae. The two shrimp pretty much disappeared to the back of the tank. They were certainly alive. Most of the crew just lied there or were moving real slow. I will have to keep an eye out to see if any didn't make it. FRIGGIN FEDEX GUY!!! OK I'm better now.

I made a note to acclimate the hermits separate next time as one started attacking a snail in the bucket. At least it appeared so.

NH4 - 0.0
NO2 - 0.0
NO3 - 0.0
PH - 8.03
Ca - 560
PO4 - 0.0
dKH - 10.5 (Reduced by 10% from test reading based on this article that just came out. click here
Sal - 1.024
Temp - 79.7

 

[vader88]

Dano, got the kit in today ... looks pretty staight forward. I'm waiting for the solvent to cure before doing baffles. It is all seperate pieces so you can set up anyway you like. Looks like we're paying for just the pieces to be cut, they seem to be very precise.

 

[Dano999]

Sounds good. Honestly this is what I would prefer since you can make the areas the size you really need.

Let me know how it goes.

 

[barngeatbayman]

FEDEX blows, UPS I find to be much better these days

 

[Dano999]

I agree. My UPS guy is great. FedEx always seems to have issues.

 

[khoivo1]

hey,,,if you want to sell your refugium,,,let me know,,i buy it from you,,,i been looking around but has not find anything fit my space,,,let me know ok,,thanks

 

[Dano999]

The fuge is fine it's the built in skimmer. It may be a while since it's fine for the bio load I currently have. It's pulling skim pretty well I just have doubts it can handle a 90 gal with a large load.

I am also looking to see if I can add an external skimmer like the Aqua C EV-180 to the existing fuge.

 

[mlblover126]

man, nice tank just tagging along in Corpus, come down here to find stuff just ask melev! find clean up crews and take a little vaction hell spend money down here, i spend money to go the 'stros!!! ust go to padre island and find turbos and peppermint shrimp!!! use the beach just q tank'em

 

[Dano999]

I was reading about getting clean up crews locally even at Galveston. I hear the Peppermint shrimp are pretty abundant.

What kind of Turbos can you find?