trueblackpercula
New member
you got a PM
The "How to go Barebottom thread."
- Thread starter SeanT
- Start date
Tanksalot91
New member
Ok I will start off by saying great thread, I am cooking my rock as I write this. Now my first try at a BB tank was not thought out as well as it should have been. So I have to ask you guys what type of water movement methods are you using. I am having a hard time deciding between Tunze or an Oceans motions system. I know both are great options so I would like some feedback on the pros and cons of each system. My tank is an AGA 90 gal. The tank is not drilled which is why I initially opted for the Tunze. But I would like to see some details on how some of you are keeping your tanks so clean.
sherm71tank
Premium Member
Not one of your options but I use 3 X Vortech MP40W + about 500 GPH return pump. I run them in Reef Crest or a combination of Reef Crest and Pulse mode. Tank is a 90.
Tanksalot91
New member
I was looking into Vortech pumps also, I just forgot to mention it. I am not familiar with how these pumps work. Is it similar to the Tunze where a controller makes it pulse or change modes? Also where do you have the pumps located? Up top on bottom or both?
sherm71tank
Premium Member
They have a controller for a few different modes and all can be controlled from one unit. I have two of them on the bottom, one in the left front blowing across the front of the tank and one in the right rear for across the back of the rockwork. The third pump is in the top 1/4 of the right side tank wall about 1/2 way in to get the detritus to the overflow and filtration equipment..
The main advantage to the Vortech's is that the motor is out of the water so there is less heat, and no cord going into the tank (pain if you have euro bracing or acrylic tank lips).
The Tunze's can be tied into the Neptune aquarium controllers, while the Vortech's have their own controller. The Vortech controller has memory for only Night mode (50% of day speed). If the power goes out, you need to reset your night mode. You can plug the Vortech power into a timer, but this will totally stop the propeller instead of slowing it way down. You need 3 inches opposite of the Vortech, on the outside of the tank, so if your tank is close to walls, or if your stand has a full bottom, you might not be able to place it where you want to...
The Tunze's can be tied into the Neptune aquarium controllers, while the Vortech's have their own controller. The Vortech controller has memory for only Night mode (50% of day speed). If the power goes out, you need to reset your night mode. You can plug the Vortech power into a timer, but this will totally stop the propeller instead of slowing it way down. You need 3 inches opposite of the Vortech, on the outside of the tank, so if your tank is close to walls, or if your stand has a full bottom, you might not be able to place it where you want to...
skippyreef
New member
I did my fist change out on the rocks I am cooking and my god the stuff in the bottom of the tote was incredible. I still have some aiptasia on this rock that I am nuking with the changes.
Tanksalot91
New member
sherm & kaskiles
Great info thanks for the replys. One of my concerns is space behind the tank. I can fit a Vortech and a Tunze but I am not sure about an Oceans Motions. Plus Tunze and Vortech seem to use less energy to move great amounts of water.
Great info thanks for the replys. One of my concerns is space behind the tank. I can fit a Vortech and a Tunze but I am not sure about an Oceans Motions. Plus Tunze and Vortech seem to use less energy to move great amounts of water.
stunreefer
Reef Hugger
Question for anyone whos done this before (change SB to BB)... did you experience any level spikes or cycle of any kind due to removing the SB?
Im about to move and Im thinking this will be a good route to go...remove my SB and re-set up BB for the time being. I cooked all my current rocks a few months ago, and they're all in my sump (no light). My corals sit on a rack already in the DT, so all I'd have to do is remove the SB during the move, make sure equipment is up to par, and get a filter sock for the sump.
Im about to move and Im thinking this will be a good route to go...remove my SB and re-set up BB for the time being. I cooked all my current rocks a few months ago, and they're all in my sump (no light). My corals sit on a rack already in the DT, so all I'd have to do is remove the SB during the move, make sure equipment is up to par, and get a filter sock for the sump.
I did not cook my rock and the only spike I had was a coraline algae growth spike.
I do still have the odd aptasia and brown wafer algae which has been the disadvntage of not cooking but I had no choice as all my rocks were covered in expensive sps.
I do still have the odd aptasia and brown wafer algae which has been the disadvntage of not cooking but I had no choice as all my rocks were covered in expensive sps.
stunreefer
Reef Hugger
Awesome thanks adtravels. Im assuming you removed the SB in one foul swoop? or did you do it over the course of a couple water changes?
I removed about 1/4 of mine yesterday during a water change, and I plan to do another 1/4 this weekend, leaving 1/2 to remove on the move date. I guess its time to get some filter socks huh?
I removed about 1/4 of mine yesterday during a water change, and I plan to do another 1/4 this weekend, leaving 1/2 to remove on the move date. I guess its time to get some filter socks huh?
dieselgrk
New member
i fallowed this thread VERY carefully. i cooked my rocks for 3 months, large skimmer, TONS of snails, uv, etc. well the end result was huge ph swings from night to day. I blame this entirely on lack of sand. after 2 months of no polyp extension, no growth, and no color, and after losing 3 colonies and 5 frags with many more begining to fade off, i added sand back to the system. corals are much happier now. i dont see how people are keeping their ph up durring the nights using this style of system explained in this thread!
stunreefer
Reef Hugger
dieselgrk, do you use a Ca Reactor or Kalk reactor? How were you testing pH, a kit or a monitor?
I ask because I never look at my pH honestly...haven't tested it in years, dont have a monitor (I use a Profilux, but haven't bought the probe - haven't needed it).
Anyone else experinece what dieselgrk did?
I ask because I never look at my pH honestly...haven't tested it in years, dont have a monitor (I use a Profilux, but haven't bought the probe - haven't needed it).
Anyone else experinece what dieselgrk did?
![url]](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2F%5Burl%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Freefcentral.com%2Fgallery%2Fdata%2F500%2F113133IMG_1853.jpg%5B%2Furl%5D&hash=7ddec40c7f58cafd5c593e3abf2f507b)
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13370314#post13370314 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by adtravels
I removed it all in one go here it is after 2 and a half months
and here it was with sand
I dont get any swings as I use a sump with a fuge on an opposite light cycle to the display and dose a and b on an houly cycle 24 hours a day.
dieselgrk
New member
stunreefer...
I dose two-part and use a kalk reactor. Still I could not keep ph stable. Swings were between 7.6 and 8.2 daily. I didn’t use a fuge on reverse cycle since this style of system which the likes of joefish and bomber swear by, didn’t recommend the use of one. I monitored ph with a Neptune ph probe connected to a Neptune aquacontroller jr. which was calibrated every month and cross tested with salifert ph test kit every couple of weeks. I do think I may have had better success if I was using a calc reactor! But I’m not sure….
I dose two-part and use a kalk reactor. Still I could not keep ph stable. Swings were between 7.6 and 8.2 daily. I didn’t use a fuge on reverse cycle since this style of system which the likes of joefish and bomber swear by, didn’t recommend the use of one. I monitored ph with a Neptune ph probe connected to a Neptune aquacontroller jr. which was calibrated every month and cross tested with salifert ph test kit every couple of weeks. I do think I may have had better success if I was using a calc reactor! But I’m not sure….
SeanT
Premium Member
Just wanted to share this.
I have been "cooking" a batch of rock now for about 5 months to go in my new tank.
Truth is that the rock has been done "cooking" for a long time (I haven't done a water change on it for 6 or so weeks) but I have no place for the rock to go right now so I have just left it in the tub with nothing but a powerhead.
Today I began assembling my rock and I had to chisel a piece in half.
Look what I found...and to think some fear killing everything in this process.
I have been "cooking" a batch of rock now for about 5 months to go in my new tank.
Truth is that the rock has been done "cooking" for a long time (I haven't done a water change on it for 6 or so weeks) but I have no place for the rock to go right now so I have just left it in the tub with nothing but a powerhead.
Today I began assembling my rock and I had to chisel a piece in half.
Look what I found...and to think some fear killing everything in this process.
