Tanglovers 60g Rimless NPS Build

[tanglovers]

Well figured I would start a thread, I just added water to our 60g rimless build we did in our upstairs living room. For those who know us, all our other saltwater tanks are downstairs and the upstairs has been a 'water' free zone. Well time to change that.

We were going to do an Elos Mini (bought the tank and everything), then started aquascaping it to quickly find out it as just too small. We decided to go a 60g tank. Originally this build was going to be LPS and clams but now will be mostly NPS with a couple clams and LPS - if they do not like the frequent feedings it will go to all NPS likely.

Tank Stats So Far:

Tank: Miracles 60g - 36" x 22" x 18" (L x W x H), starfire on front and both sides. Black back and internal overflow with single 1" drain and 3/4" return line. Black Silicone, glass is about 7/16" thick.

Sump: Standard 15g Glass Tank, bubble trap with baffles

Stand: I built it, 2x4 stand skinned with 1/2" plywood, paiinted with oil based paint, gloss white to match our upstairs trim. There is a removable front that I am in the process of painting.

Skimmer: Bubble Magus NAC7 Cone In Sump Skimmer

Return Pump: Eheim 1250, just enough to turn it over, rest of flow will be intank

Intank Flow: Two Vortech MP10 wES

Lighting: Single 12" Aqua Illuminations Module, this will allow for a few LPS without lighting the whole tank and potential issues for the NPS. Light tree was DIY using come 1/2" conduit and some paint.

Auto Top Off: Elos Osmocontroller and a 5g glass tank reservoir under the stand

Ca/Alk Control: DIY Two Part Dosing with Drews Dosing Pumps

Rock and Sand: Rock is all Marco Rock that has been cut and epoxied together, roughly 30 lbs. Sand is Carib Sea Special Sea Floor Grade - 40lbs 'seeded' with 10lbs Aragalive.

Here are a couple quick shots from before I put the water in - now it is all cloudy:

Sump setup, cords are not all organized yet. We are upgrading our downstairs system and this will utilize an Apex controller, once this is done, this rimless tank will also be controlled with the same controller.

 

[tanglovers]

Now for a few questions for you NPS gurus:

I am planning on utilizing a syringe pump stored in a beverage cooler. Any thoughts or suggestions on this? This would be located on the other side of the wall of the tank (our bedroom walk in closet).

How much flow do NPS like? We are looking at doing a mix but a fair amount of sea fans and tubastrea until we get good at those then get into the harder to keep items. One of my wet sides for the MP10s was making a squealing noise so Ecotech has a new one on its way for me.

Total system volume is going to be around 65 gallons after rock and sand displacement. I am planning on 5g two time a week water changes but unsure if this will be enough. I can easily increase if needed.

We are planning on a couple angels (of course), and a mix of lots of small fish. Ones that we can not do in the downstairs 520g that will either get lost due to the size or the triggers will eat as a snack

 

[tanglovers]

I have plumbed into the return a split and ball valve. One my large SPS reef downstairs I use carbon and GFO 24/7. I have a TLF Phosban reactor I could hook into this system but was unsure if you guys generally do that with NPS or not.

 

[Aquabacs]

Set-up is looking good! Welcome to the darkside of aquarium keeping For the syringe pump you might want to ask the other Mike (uhuru) since he has experience with using them. If the pump is in the closet behind the tank, I am not sure how munch of an issue it will be with the spoilage of food in the line to the tank or the required amount of pressure actually to get the food to the tank.

Non-photosynthetic corals do like high flow but you need to keep into consideration the orientation of the corals and rock work so that your feeding methods are used efficiently. Around 100x a hour is good point to work around.

For carbon that is optional; some of us use it some dont, but a common trend is that we dont use GFO.

Using water changes for nutrient export work very well, it takes time to find the delicate balance for each system. You can start out at with 5gal x 2, might be better off at 10 x 2 on a 65 but it all depends on you feeding/ bioload. As with everything remember to test, evaluate and adjust as needed.



Mike

 

[tanglovers]

I had not thought about the food spoilage in the line, good point. I also have a tunze calcium dispenser here that could be easily modified to top off some food during top off. I would be looking for something more frequent then this though.

I had not realize 100x turnover is what was needed, looks like the MP10s might get sold and a couple MP40s will be on there way..... I think the best I could do with the 10s is around 55-60x turnover.

Bioload (fish) will be moderate not real high but not low either.

 

[WSI2406]

Nice start so far. I can't wait to move into my new house and get started all over again. I agree with Mike on the flow. NPS love the flow. I can't wait to see the tank up and running.

Timeless1

 

[tanglovers]

I am looking at going with the bubble magus dosing pump and refrigerator idea that Aquabacs is using, I like this over the syringe pump idea. Will be ordering this setup shortly, tank is cycling and the fish should be going in likely the middle of August.

Will also be upgrading to 2 MP40wES heads instead of the 10s.

I finished the front of the stand today so it now looks more finished.

With 100x turnover rate, how do you guys keep your sand in place and how do the fish tolerate it? Only ones on my list I am unsure about the flow with are the red spot cardinals.

 

[tanglovers]

Well MP10s are gone and the MP40s will be here in a week or so.

Going to pick up a fridge tomorrow to start changing the return plumbing to accomodate a fridge with dosing pumps like Aquabacs utilizes.

Tank is still cycling and the skimmer is almost broken in. Going out of town for a a little while, once we get back the first fish will go in if the tank is ready.

 

[Dejavu]

Looks like your off to a good start. Can't wait to come over and see it in person.

 

[flying_dutchman]

Nice start, love the rimless

Only ones on my list I am unsure about the flow with are the red spot cardinals.

from what I've read, they do better in high flow tanks. But you should dubble check with a person with actual experience.

 

[stunreefer]

That is a sexy beast Scott :thumbsup:

 

[flying_dutchman]

Any updates?

 

[tanglovers]

Tank is coming along nicely. I swapped out the MP10s to MP40s. Very nice flow in there now.

I have an Avanti fridge, bubble magnus doser and venturi sitting here to plumb into the return.

As for livestock there have been some nice additions. A very dear friend if stepping back from the hobby for a bit so there are a couple new additions from him (Stunreefer) - 2 of his rhizos, 2 dendro colonies, his bandit angel and sunburst anthias were added to the tank and are all doing very well.

The tank is running right at about 70 degrees. There are currently a few LPS in the tank that we are seeing how they do and we are upgrading our main reef these next couple weeks.

I am planning on adding a pair of chaoti leopard wrasses and candy basslets to this tank and that will likely round out the livestock. I may consider a pair of multibarred angels and pairing the bandit. Obviously this is pushing the fish load but keep in mind there is a 520 gallon display, 900 gallon system in my basement (well will be in a couple weeks lol), tank gets moved in 9/25.

 

[wteran]

pics please...

 

[tanglovers]

Here are a few quick pics, long way to go. Not adding a lot more NPS until the continuous feeding is up and rolling. Tank has settled in at running about 69-70 degrees without a chiller!

 

[Aquabacs]

Off to a good start :beer:

Mike

 

[michael_cb_125]

Looks great!

I love the whole look of the tank.

~Michael

 

[tanglovers]

Update, not a whole lot of good without pics but I will work on getting some new ones.

Fish have changed some. The pink skunk clown pair was removed, the anemone did not like the colder water temps.

Current Fish:

Pair of Bandit Angels
Pair of Chaoti Leopard Wrasses

The LPS have also all been removed as they as well did not like the cooler water. I have added a few more non-photos, another 15-20 heads of dendros, a few spiral corals and a couple gorgonians. I have not hooked up the auto feeder yet and hopefully will be doing so shortly.

 

[E.intheC]

Great looking tank! Do you have any updated pics?

 

[tanglovers]

Here are a couple new fish pics: