Tank of the Month - December 2002
- Thread starter Skipper
- Start date
AcroporaUK
Premium Member
Hi all reefers
Sorry for not responding earlier, but I have been very busy over the last few days.
First of all, thank you all for your kind comments.
To answer your queries:
1. The moorish idle has only been in the tank for about 2 months, so its still early days.
2. The fox faces were removed from the tank, long ago, they grew large very quickly and when they started to eat the soft corals they were removed. When they were first introduced they fought one another and one died, but the others eventually became compatable.
3. The sump has a single 250w 10K MH light.
4. This tank has never had problems with phosphate, but then again it has always had phosphate remover (Rowaphos). I am rather surprised how little comment has been made about the phosphate remover, as I see that this is one of the main reasons why the tanks has been sucessful.
5. My friend Jeremy Simmonds from STM Sevenoakes, has taken some more fantastic pictures of the tank.
http://community.webshots.com/user/acroporauk
go to the set of pictures 'Reef Tank Dec 2002'
Hope this helps, any more queries, please let me know.
Regards
Martin
Sorry for not responding earlier, but I have been very busy over the last few days.
First of all, thank you all for your kind comments.
To answer your queries:
1. The moorish idle has only been in the tank for about 2 months, so its still early days.
2. The fox faces were removed from the tank, long ago, they grew large very quickly and when they started to eat the soft corals they were removed. When they were first introduced they fought one another and one died, but the others eventually became compatable.
3. The sump has a single 250w 10K MH light.
4. This tank has never had problems with phosphate, but then again it has always had phosphate remover (Rowaphos). I am rather surprised how little comment has been made about the phosphate remover, as I see that this is one of the main reasons why the tanks has been sucessful.
5. My friend Jeremy Simmonds from STM Sevenoakes, has taken some more fantastic pictures of the tank.
http://community.webshots.com/user/acroporauk
go to the set of pictures 'Reef Tank Dec 2002'
Hope this helps, any more queries, please let me know.
Regards
Martin
melev
Well-known member
Martin!
Thank you so much for that link to the other pictures. Now I feel much more satisfied.
I'd never even heard of a phosphate reactor until I saw yours. Keeping things simple (that should read : INEXPENSIVE), I simply dose 10cc of both parts of B-Ionic every day, so I've not tried a Calcium reactor yet, nor have I attempted Kalkwasser. So yours is yet another expensive addition for my future super tank. <grin>
When I saw picture #2 on that link, I thought it was a huge carpet anemone. (It is yellow in color.) But after seeing it a few more times, I'm guessing that is a giant leather, right?
Those pictures are excellent quality. It would be really nice if by chance they could have captions perhaps. Or maybe you could write a short description and insert the link for each picture here on RC. I know, I know... you have enough work taking care of your great tank as it is, but I have to tell ya, I'm hear to learn. So get busy!
And thank you for answering my question about the sump lighting, not to mention that picture that lets us see it a little better up close. I like that you found a way to make use of only 250w MHs over this tank (and under)... I read so often about 400w bulbs, so it is nice to know it is very much possible to successfully run a tank that doesn't require the highest wattage available.
Did you ever incorporate that new sump (the white one), or is that still in progress?
Thank you so much for that link to the other pictures. Now I feel much more satisfied.
I'd never even heard of a phosphate reactor until I saw yours. Keeping things simple (that should read : INEXPENSIVE), I simply dose 10cc of both parts of B-Ionic every day, so I've not tried a Calcium reactor yet, nor have I attempted Kalkwasser. So yours is yet another expensive addition for my future super tank. <grin>
When I saw picture #2 on that link, I thought it was a huge carpet anemone. (It is yellow in color.) But after seeing it a few more times, I'm guessing that is a giant leather, right?
Those pictures are excellent quality. It would be really nice if by chance they could have captions perhaps. Or maybe you could write a short description and insert the link for each picture here on RC. I know, I know... you have enough work taking care of your great tank as it is, but I have to tell ya, I'm hear to learn. So get busy!
And thank you for answering my question about the sump lighting, not to mention that picture that lets us see it a little better up close. I like that you found a way to make use of only 250w MHs over this tank (and under)... I read so often about 400w bulbs, so it is nice to know it is very much possible to successfully run a tank that doesn't require the highest wattage available.
Did you ever incorporate that new sump (the white one), or is that still in progress?
SquidwardTentacles
New member
Truly awesome! An inspiration for my soon-to-be little 125.
AcroporaUK
Premium Member
Hi all
Just to respond to the query about the aditional sump, yes it is on line now, adding another 350 gallons. Nothing to add other connected to the original sump, with a turm over of 500 gallons per hr, totally enclosed in 2" polystyrene, may put some living rock into it at some time in the future.
Regards
Martin
**corrected spelling errors** Skipper
Just to respond to the query about the aditional sump, yes it is on line now, adding another 350 gallons. Nothing to add other connected to the original sump, with a turm over of 500 gallons per hr, totally enclosed in 2" polystyrene, may put some living rock into it at some time in the future.
Regards
Martin
**corrected spelling errors**
Skipper
Last edited by a moderator:
AcroporaUK
Premium Member
Hi all
In response to your queries:
1. There is only one way to catch fish from my tank and that is to use a trap, its an all glass tank about 15" long 10" high and 10" wide, the end pane of glass has been replaced with one which can be raised up and down in runners, like a guillotine. cannot remember how to spell it. If is doesn't work immediately, the fish soon get used to going into it at feeding time.
2. The glass is cleaned at the moment about every 4 days.
Hope this helps
Martin
In response to your queries:
1. There is only one way to catch fish from my tank and that is to use a trap, its an all glass tank about 15" long 10" high and 10" wide, the end pane of glass has been replaced with one which can be raised up and down in runners, like a guillotine. cannot remember how to spell it. If is doesn't work immediately, the fish soon get used to going into it at feeding time.
2. The glass is cleaned at the moment about every 4 days.
Hope this helps
Martin
visualscapes
Premium Member
Your tank is stunning! Another great pick for TOTM!!! :thumbsup:
Martin, Fantastic example of what can be done with lot's of knowledge, initiative, patience, effort & money (Damn - the neat stuff always costs $$ doesn't it
)
Please Please go into more details about your phosphate remover unit. I've never seen one before and I'm in the process of battling microalgae currently. Just what I need!
Thanks,
Happy Holiday
Jeff
)Please Please go into more details about your phosphate remover unit. I've never seen one before and I'm in the process of battling microalgae currently. Just what I need!
Thanks,
Happy Holiday
Jeff
AcroporaUK
Premium Member
Hi all,
JUst thought I would give you some more details on the phospahte reactor (remover) as there seems to be a few queries.
As installed:
Approx dimentions 4" x 4" x 3' may be 4' high, made out of Perspex
Water pumped to the bottom of the reactor through a 10mm rigid tube, pasted in the corner.
Water flows out of a 1" ABS pipe at the top.
The next bit isn't easy to explain, but two pieces of perspex are stuck to the botom, at opposing angles, to stop any dead spots.
The bottom has a good handfull of toy glass marbles to help spread the water. Above the marbles the is a layer of open celled foam.
I have found that the foam is necessary as turning the pump off, originally, sometimes drew Rowaphos up into the 10mm tube, and turning the pump back on, was not always possible to clear the blockage.
At the top of the reactor, there is another layer of foam and floss.
Hope this helps
Martin
Two pieces of
JUst thought I would give you some more details on the phospahte reactor (remover) as there seems to be a few queries.
As installed:
Approx dimentions 4" x 4" x 3' may be 4' high, made out of Perspex
Water pumped to the bottom of the reactor through a 10mm rigid tube, pasted in the corner.
Water flows out of a 1" ABS pipe at the top.
The next bit isn't easy to explain, but two pieces of perspex are stuck to the botom, at opposing angles, to stop any dead spots.
The bottom has a good handfull of toy glass marbles to help spread the water. Above the marbles the is a layer of open celled foam.
I have found that the foam is necessary as turning the pump off, originally, sometimes drew Rowaphos up into the 10mm tube, and turning the pump back on, was not always possible to clear the blockage.
At the top of the reactor, there is another layer of foam and floss.
Hope this helps
Martin
Two pieces of
Hi Martin, Thanks very much for the explaination concerning your DIY phosphate reactor.
Two more questions though:
1. What flow rate are you aiming for. Looks as though the OEM recommends a low flow rate?
2. "Two pieces of" What?? You started a new sentance just after your Sig...
Two more questions though:
1. What flow rate are you aiming for. Looks as though the OEM recommends a low flow rate?
2. "Two pieces of" What?? You started a new sentance just after your Sig...
Just Fishing
New member
Great setup! I enjoyed the tour.
Frick-n-Frags
New member
McFlurry spoons, very cool.
That whole setup is some serious stuff there. AWESOME!!!!!!!!
That whole setup is some serious stuff there. AWESOME!!!!!!!!
glass shevles
glass shevles
Do you have any diagrams on how you built this ?
"I have also created internal shelves out of 10mm glass to support a structure at higher levels in the tank, and avoided filling the entire tank with rock. This enables me to maximize the water capacity and available swimming space for the fish."
thanks
glass shevles
Do you have any diagrams on how you built this ?
"I have also created internal shelves out of 10mm glass to support a structure at higher levels in the tank, and avoided filling the entire tank with rock. This enables me to maximize the water capacity and available swimming space for the fish."
thanks
AcroporaUK
Premium Member
Hi with regard to your query on how I built the internal shelves.
The are supported by two upside down T shaped stands, two pieces of glass, one about 6" x 6" siliconed to another piece 6" x say 10". Then the shelf just sits on top of this. All glass components are 10mm thick.
Hope this helps
Martin
The are supported by two upside down T shaped stands, two pieces of glass, one about 6" x 6" siliconed to another piece 6" x say 10". Then the shelf just sits on top of this. All glass components are 10mm thick.
Hope this helps
Martin
NewCrazyReefer
New member
New Reef tanks
New Reef tanks
I loved almost the whole article that you wrote and it is very inspirational to all the new tank enthusiasts. The last paragraph makes me feel as if you think that you were never in the category of beginner. Everyone that is starting their adventure with a new tank has to get used to all the testing, maintenance, upgrades, and all the peculiar things that go on. I see that you have over 30 years experience and you know what you are doing but I would find it hard to believe that you yourself did not make some mistakes in the begining. I have the luxury of having a friend that own an aquarium shop so I get a lot of advice from experienced people about what I need to do. I also like to do some experimenting on my own cause my saying is " If it works in the ocean there must be a way of making it work in an aquarium" This is proved by my daring addition of a Stars and stripes puffer into my reef tank. Of course I would not try to add a shark or something like that into it but I have the mindset to try new things. I am finding that there are certain corals that the puffer will bother and others that simply have no interest to him at all. I am jealous of your tank set up and someday I hope to be able to match it. I can not even think of tackling suck a project until I own my own home. I would hate to think of moving such a large tank as that if I were to move. I am thoroughly impressed and want to know if you by any chance have any updates on what you have done to your tank since your last post. Thank you very much for all of your good advice. The comments about the last paragraph are there just because everyone starts out partially blind to everything that a reef tank entails. The only advice I would give to someone so far about starting a tank of their own would be, Make sure you have time for it. Its not something that you set up and looks pretty. They require a lot of supervision, time, money and a lot more. I am new at this and I suggest that if you dont know someone already then get to be friends with your LFS. Pay attention to their tanks. Visit them repeatedly before taking any major advice. If you see different Corals, fish or Anenome in the same display tanks all the time then they are probably not very good at reef tanks themselves. I dont think that a good display reef tank should have replacements in it all the time.
New Reef tanks
I loved almost the whole article that you wrote and it is very inspirational to all the new tank enthusiasts. The last paragraph makes me feel as if you think that you were never in the category of beginner. Everyone that is starting their adventure with a new tank has to get used to all the testing, maintenance, upgrades, and all the peculiar things that go on. I see that you have over 30 years experience and you know what you are doing but I would find it hard to believe that you yourself did not make some mistakes in the begining. I have the luxury of having a friend that own an aquarium shop so I get a lot of advice from experienced people about what I need to do. I also like to do some experimenting on my own cause my saying is " If it works in the ocean there must be a way of making it work in an aquarium" This is proved by my daring addition of a Stars and stripes puffer into my reef tank. Of course I would not try to add a shark or something like that into it but I have the mindset to try new things. I am finding that there are certain corals that the puffer will bother and others that simply have no interest to him at all. I am jealous of your tank set up and someday I hope to be able to match it. I can not even think of tackling suck a project until I own my own home. I would hate to think of moving such a large tank as that if I were to move. I am thoroughly impressed and want to know if you by any chance have any updates on what you have done to your tank since your last post. Thank you very much for all of your good advice. The comments about the last paragraph are there just because everyone starts out partially blind to everything that a reef tank entails. The only advice I would give to someone so far about starting a tank of their own would be, Make sure you have time for it. Its not something that you set up and looks pretty. They require a lot of supervision, time, money and a lot more. I am new at this and I suggest that if you dont know someone already then get to be friends with your LFS. Pay attention to their tanks. Visit them repeatedly before taking any major advice. If you see different Corals, fish or Anenome in the same display tanks all the time then they are probably not very good at reef tanks themselves. I dont think that a good display reef tank should have replacements in it all the time.
Similar threads
