The Journey - 300+ Gallon System Build - Picture Heavy

worm5406 · Feb 9, 2014

Nice!!! I like the setup.

Which paint did you use? High heat? Or enamel to reflect the light?

Are the fans on thermostats?

What are you going to control those with?

How many zones are setup?

OK.. sorry for all the questions.

bpcardona · Feb 11, 2014

worm5406 said:
Nice!!! I like the setup.

Which paint did you use? High heat? Or enamel to reflect the light?

Are the fans on thermostats?

What are you going to control those with?

How many zones are setup?

OK.. sorry for all the questions.

Thanks. I used Kilz white paint. My thoughts here were to add a vapor barrier. If that accomplished that, I don't know. The fans are on thermostats and they are from a online company called Coolerguys. The product is called:

COOLERGUYS POWER SUPPLY (2A) & PROGRAMMABLE THERMAL CONTROL KIT

The lights have only two zone, one for my "whites" and one for the "blues".

worm5406 · Feb 11, 2014

Ahh OK on all of that.

Very nice. I have two more weeks of QT on a bunch of frags I got, then my Radions will be over my 120. I am debating on what color to make the ceiling inside that section, there will be a canopy over it to help redirect it too.

worm5406 · Feb 20, 2014

So... What does it look like?

How does it work?

What would you change on it?

worm5406 · Feb 28, 2014

So how are the lights doing?

worm5406 · Mar 21, 2014

Any updates??

bpcardona · Dec 28, 2014

It's so hard to believe that it has been almost a year since my last post. I have been lurking, but since the birth of my son I have had very time to post.

With that all said, I am no going to pretend that I never left by reviving an old tread. I was looking at my original sketch up of the system and don't think it turned out to bad. I had a few changes but all and all the design was solid. The false backing (sliding doors hiding the pumping) could use some redesign. The groves that I router out simply isn't enough to hold the doors in place. I still haven't decided on a canopy. I have designed about four, some with stained glass, and other simply solid wood. I just need to commit.

Display

The "œFish-room" slash glorified garage turned out pretty solid as-well. The sump needs an update, because I didn't account for enough "back-flow". I have purchased the 55 gallon tank, but the glass shop I bought cheap glass from closed. The QT system is on its third redesign (I am hopeful for this one). I have blown through 4 Reeflo Triton pumps (they have made good on all). Recently I have spent some time organizing my wires and flexable tubing in an effort to improve the look. Still I have a bit more to do. I also have decided to close in the bottom of the work bench area to make thing look more stream line.

"Fish-room"

bpcardona · Dec 28, 2014

Since the move to the larger tank, my coral are much happier. I have gotten much more growth in one year then I ever did in the smaller 54 gallon. I believe this is a result and better husbandry. This system is mostly "œautomated" making it much easier and more enjoyable for all. To follow are some progression shots.

Dec 2012

Dec 2014

Sept 2012

Dec 2014

Sep 2012

Dec 2014

May 2013

Dec 2014

bpcardona · Dec 28, 2014

And few more coral shots

Oct 2013

Dec 2014

Some newer additions:

bpcardona · Dec 30, 2014

Looking for some advice:

I added a 48" strip of Reefbrite XHO to my lighting setup. I love the color pop that it has added. It is subtle with the T5s on, but I can certainly see a difference. When the "whites" and "blues" are both on I cant see much difference, however when the "whites" turn off....POP! Also if I run the Reefbrites alone the color are amazing. Ideally I would like to cut back the run time on my T5 actinics, but I am unsure of the consequences. I would like to hear any improvement that could be made to my light schedule. It is currently as follows:

Lights______On_________Off

Reefbrite: _____9am ________ 10pm

T5 Blues:_____10am ______ 10pm

T5 Whites:____12am _______ 2pm

BILLYO382 · Dec 30, 2014

hows the dosing pump auto water change been working? do you doe by calcium reactor or dosing cal & alk & mag or just allow the daily water changes to meet demands for corals? thanks

bpcardona · Dec 30, 2014

BILLYO382 said:
hows the dosing pump auto water change been working? do you doe by calcium reactor or dosing cal & alk & mag or just allow the daily water changes to meet demands for corals? thanks

Honestly, I would never go back to manual water changes. That $275 pump has improved my enjoyment of this hobby 100 time over. I would all way get how frustrated with the making, checking, and bucketing of water. I don't worry about that anymore. In fact, from time to time I need to remind my self that the system needs my attention. For example, I have let my RO/DI filter run to long and caused 55 gallons of water to be made with a 7 TDS reading. I disposed of the water. Also the stability of my tank parameters has stockily improved. No more swings in salinity, temp, or nitrates.

To quote Randy Holmes-Farley on the matter,

These changes are slightly less efficient than single batch water changes of the same total volume. A continuous water change of 30% exactly matches one batch 26% water change. As with very small batch water changes, these have the advantage of neither stressing the organisms (assuming the change is done reasonably slowly), nor altering the water level in the aquarium. The ease of doing such changes automatically also makes it far more likely that busy or lazy aquarists will actually do them.

Regarding dosing my tank, I have relied on my quality saltwater to provided me diminished nutrients ---- until now. My coral population has grown to the point where I need to dose. I have purchased a three head pump, and have picked out the containers. I am waiting until the holiday season is over to order the containers (the builders seemed swamped and I was in no rush). Check out these holding tanks. A lot of thought has gone into the construction and the people running the place are great to deal with.

<a href="http://buildinganobsession.com/products/large-dosing-container" title="coral-3.jpg by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://static.squarespace.com/static/5210341fe4b09a53f3442e58/521fd5e3e4b00215529c09d7/522d0491e4b04879e6b84af1/1378682020736/IMG_9092.JPG?format=1000w" width="800" height="534" alt="coral-3.jpg"></a>

http://buildinganobsession.com/products/large-dosing-container

bpcardona · Dec 31, 2014

Perhaps the changes are to subtle to see in the photographs, but I assure you that there is a change. John at FAOIS (LFS in Tampa area) helped me pick out the color for my 8 light system, and I have been very happy with it. I have been getting great growth from my T5s and my current schedule. So way change it up? Well, I felt some LED envy. I see the fluorescent colors in other tanks and in picture here, and most the time there under LEDs. That said, I am not convinced that total LED conversion is best. The obvious option was to supplement the T5s. After a great deal of research, I decided on these Reefbrite XHO. I do not regret it at all, and plan to add one more strip.

I can see a deference with the T5s running, but the true "pop" comes when the T5s go out. I am truly impressed at the power of this 48" strip of LEDs, and would recommend them to anyone looking to supplement there lighting.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/16158762845" title="coral-3.jpg by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7571/16158762845_ac6b72e72b_c.jpg" width="800" height="344" alt="coral-3.jpg"></a>
Middays and Actinic

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/15972997257" title="coral-1.jpg by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8614/15972997257_989a6924cf_c.jpg" width="800" height="341" alt="coral-1.jpg"></a>
Actinic only

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/15972693179" title="coral-4.jpg by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7505/15972693179_53597da42a_c.jpg" width="800" height="324" alt="coral-4.jpg"></a>
Actinic and Reefbrite XHO

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/16158021312" title="coral-5.jpg by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7498/16158021312_691068623f_c.jpg" width="800" height="343" alt="coral-5.jpg"></a>
Reefbrite XHO

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/15972996969" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7466/15972996969_f7cb4047fd_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Untitled"></a>
Mounting

woodnaquanut · Dec 31, 2014

bpcardona said:
Looking for some advice:

I added a 48" strip of Reefbrite XHO to my lighting setup. I love the color pop that it has added. It is subtle with the T5s on, but I can certainly see a difference. When the "whites" and "blues" are both on I cant see much difference, however when the "whites" turn off....POP! Also if I run the Reefbrites alone the color are amazing. Ideally I would like to cut back the run time on my T5 actinics, but I am unsure of the consequences. I would like to hear any improvement that could be made to my light schedule. It is currently as follows:

Lights______On_________Off

Reefbrite: _____9am ________ 10pm

T5 Blues:_____10am ______ 10pm

T5 Whites:____12am _______ 2pm

Are the whites really on from noon to 2PM? I am assuming the 12am is really noon (12PM) not mignight (12AM). Oh for a 24 hr. clock! :lol2:

bpcardona · Dec 31, 2014

woodnaquanut said:
Are the whites really on from noon to 2PM? I am assuming the 12am is really noon (12PM) not mignight (12AM). Oh for a 24 hr. clock! :lol2:

Hahaha, that's why I can never get my alarms right:lol:.

Regarding the whites, yes they are only on from 12pm-2pm. I reduced this from a longer photoperiod becuase I noticed some beaching of my corals. I probably should increase this in 30min increments and see if I have positive results.

Trainwreck618 · Jan 1, 2015

Your aquascape looks great! I really like open scapes, it's way more manageable. Also your garage sump room is clean! Gives you plenty of room to work on whatever project comes next.

bpcardona · Jan 1, 2015

Trainwreck618 said:
Your aquascape looks great! I really like open scapes, it's way more manageable. Also your garage sump room is clean! Gives you plenty of room to work on whatever project comes next.

Thanks so much. I think that open space is a design piece often overlooked. I also wanted to provide more swim area for my inhabitants. As for the garage/sump room, I have spent some tim in there making improvements. This was the area of my build that got rushed, and as a result last the attention to detail I wanted. However I am happy with it and enjoy working/playing in there.

Babyfaceur · Jan 1, 2015

Let us know how the dosing containers work out for you.

bpcardona · Jan 1, 2015

This happens to be my third redesign of the QT system. Keep in mind this is in my garage and I live in Florida, therefore I must have a chiller. Also this setup is to be samples, due to the lack of space under the tank. (Truly I could make room for a sump, but would rather not.) My first had only a HOB filter and I wasn't happy. My second had egg crate separating some bio balls and the drain. This however proved to be disastrous when the first fish to be QTed went in. My unbelievably colorful Potters Wrasse decided he could fit through the egg crate. He was damaged beyond repair and died 2 days later. So I had to redesign"¦.again.

This time I chose to make it more similar to the system I like, my display. I decided to build it with a three stage "œin-tank" filter. Meaning that I wanted a stage with a filter sock, one with bio material, and a third for a float switch. So I went to work. I drilled a 4in hole into a small piece of glass, praying to the lords it would break. I cut some groves into the top of the glass to allow for overflow, silicone it all in and water tested. It all worked great. I have the second chamber half full with bio balls and the top half with CPR's Bio Bale. I had preorder Dr Tim's one and only, and 8oz bottle, to begin the cycling process. I am currently on day 5 and have seen zero changes.

bpcardona · Jan 2, 2015

Today was all about my wifes elementary classroom tank. I need to bring this tank back to glory. Check out her build.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2315808

The Journey - 300+ Gallon System Build - Picture Heavy

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