The Supersump is installed!!

[Spiffyguy]

Yeah finally got the super sump, ie the in tank sump, installed in the 55. I had to lower the overflow from 1/4 inch to a full inch to keep up with the 2 Mj900s. I fear they may be TOO much flow lol. Had tested it with some 400s and they were much too weak. After the bubble trap the water moving into the return area may be a bit too turbulent and I might need to put some poly filter in there to slow it down and keep bubbles form as water evaporates.

I can replace one of the 900s with a 600 I guess, i would have to buy ANOTHER powerhead. I have a bunch I am not using right now lol. But I think once I put some flare nozzles on and some spinning Hydors it may work out good. And for those who have no clue what I am rambling about I did not take any pictures....I took video lol.

Clicky here 17mb WMV

Suggestions, things that look scary or otherwise random jabber?

 

[capncapo]

I don't believe you Scott!

I need pics for proof.

 

[Spiffyguy]

PICS!!!!! Let me tell you about a new fangled thing call MOVING pictures. Us younguns like to call it a MOOOOOvie

 

[capncapo]

You young uns don't plan on living long do you?

I've said it a thousand time ....those moving pictures will never catch on!

 

[Spiffyguy]

lol true true. I used to own a boom box that had a single cassette AND an 8 track. I hear you.

 

[capncapo]

OK .... I admit that it looks pretty slick but what's with all of the commercials in the movie? THe sound at the end woke me up.

What are you planning on keeping in the tank?

Those cassette things will never catch on either. If you want true sound quality you need to hunt up another 8 track!

 

[Spiffyguy]

Well I have a plan....That may be my downfall but I have a plan. I am thinking about putting some rocks and sand in there. maybe a fish or two

I am going to get a package from TBS. Probably a 40 gallon. The display area is about 41 inches long. So based on the tank volume calculator it comes out to 40.5 gallons. I will move my 2 Kathy Clowns from the 24 gallon over. from there not to sure. I am still working out lights and the rest. here is what I got so far...as you can tell I am very busy at work lol

Lights - 36" fixture. To hood or not to hood that be the question. Can't use legs since one will be over tank. So not really sure what to do yet. I would want the hood open in the back to allow for airflow and my hang on protein skimmer. Here are my light options so far.
1. Tek Light - 6x39 234W $274 (no bulbs)
2. Cad Light - 6x39 234W $300 (bulbs included) Clamp for side of tank.
3. Aquactinics -= 6x39 234w $322 (no bulbs)



Protein Skimmer - hangs off the overflow edge. Only have about6-7 inches of space for it. the pump will need to pull from the first chamber and retunr there too. I will have some polyfilter that will help with micro bubbles as well as trap any large particles.
1. Remora
2. ?

Heater I am thinking a 300 watt finnex if I can find one and that should get it done. If I need more flow I will get one or two of the new Hydor streams. The 900s kick some flow though and with the Hydors and flare nozzles I may only need 1.

I need to move my treadmill though since that is where I am gonna put the tank. Also need to get the power distro all set up but I can do that after the tank is cycling. I may get a AC jr instead of timers. Not sure yet. Still a ways off. I want to get the tank up and rolling so I can order my TBS before the waters warm as you tend to get more Isopods with warmer waters.

 

[Im Lon 2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9320265#post9320265 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capncapo
OK .... I admit that it looks pretty slick but what's with all of the commercials in the movie? THe sound at the end woke me up.

:lol: The whole time I'm turning up the volume and thinking what no sound... Good thing I had the volume up all the way, near the end I might have missed it!! :eek2:


Looks good!!

 

[Spiffyguy]

Lol I didn't have any music to put to it and I was in a hurry. The end is already made I just toss it on.

I am interested in these Cadlights as an alternative to making a hood but I am concerned about them clamping to the side of the tank. Clamping to the tank just sounds scary. Anyone heard anything about these lights?

I am not finding any good alternative for the skimmer other than the Remora. Everything else is either in sump or the footprint will be too wide.

 

[Im Lon 2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9320323#post9320323 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Spiffyguy
Lights - 36" fixture. To hood or not to hood that be the question. Can't use legs since one will be over tank. So not really sure what to do yet. I would want the hood open in the back to allow for airflow and my hang on protein skimmer. Here are my light options so far.
1. Tek Light - 6x39 234W $274 (no bulbs)
2. Cad Light - 6x39 234W $300 (bulbs included) Clamp for side of tank.
3. Aquactinics -= 6x39 234w $322 (no bulbs)

You should stop by rich1972 and check out his new 6x24 watt over his 90gallon.. It blows away is old 250w MH.. And one bulb came in broke, due to shipping. http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-T-5-HO-36-6-...7463639QQihZ018QQcategoryZ46314QQcmdZViewItem I like it, Thinking about switching mine to 8 x 80 T5's but you would have to look at it and see for yourself.

 

[Spiffyguy]

I certainly have my mind set on T5s for sure. I don't want the heat or the power usage of the MH. I like the Tek's because they have individual reflectors and the Tek II reflectors should be out soon which are supposed to be even better. the price is decent and The Reefstop has the best price I have seen on them. Also if I upgrade to a 6 foot tank I can buy a second unit and roll.

But the Cadlight is neat because it hinges. And if the output is just as good I think it would cover anything I wanted to do in the 55. I really am not sure lol. Mounting I guess is my mian concnern. With the combo of bulbs out there I think I can find something that will look good for me.

 

[mpcart]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9320323#post9320323 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Spiffyguy
Well I have a plan....

I am going to get a package from TBS. Probably a 40 gallon. The display area is about 41 inches long. So based on the tank volume calculator it comes out to 40.5 gallons.

I have TBS rock in my tank and, while I don't regret getting it, I don't think I'll do it again. The color of the rock looked great for about a year but eventually most of the sponges, tube corals, barnacles, etc faded away. I got some great corals with the rock, but overall I don't think it was worth the premium to me. My biggest issue is with my sand. It's basically a rubble pile - crushed coral, shells, small pebbles, etc. and I'll be replacing it when I move my tank next month.

Another thing to consider is that, with a small tank, it is more important to get rocks that "fit" together well. That's easier to do if you can go to an LFS or get the rock from another reefer.

I don't think you'll be disappointed in the TBS - it was a lot of fun waiting on the shipments, going to the airport, and spending all night setting it up - the amount of life on the rock (at first) is absolutely amazing and adds a lot of excitement to setting up a new tank. But it is expensive and has some downside.

You are more than welcome to see my rock if you want.

Good Luck, and here are some pics when I first got it.

-Mike

 

[Spiffyguy]

MPcart thanks for the info on the rock. I have heard there is a bit of die off as the rock ages. I worked it out on the package and without shipping it is not a bad price. I have seen the rock at some of the local stores and I am willing to take the chance on TBS. I have heard they have great communication so I will let Richard know my tank size and make sure I don't get any boulders that won't fit.

 

[mpcart]

Good to hear. I'm sure you'll be pleased. For what it's worth, I got my TBS rock 2 years ago before the "red tide" that wiped out a lot of their gulf rock. I haven't kept up with them so I don't know if they are still supplying from the same area.

Communication was awesome. I was on a business trip in Europe when they called and said they had rock in. They got my schedule and found a plane that was arriving within an hour of my plane landing in STL. It was great that they were willing to coordinate delivery times.

-Mike

 

[Spiffyguy]

wow that is very nice. I am looking forward to it. Even the bad crabs and shrimp. It will make the whole thing all the more fun lol. I am sure I will be cursing later but right now it sounds fun. Just need to hurry up and finish the tank lol.

 

[Spiffyguy]

I shot an email off to the guys at Cadlights to get more information on the 36" fixture that clamps on the side of the tank. It seems interesting and would be a good fit I think for the tank provided it doesn't stress the glass too much. If I didn't like seeing the fixture and the top of the tank I can always make a simple rim of wood around the edge of the tank to hide everything. Cosmetic really. That may work.

I do plan on covering the tank with egg crate since my female clown thinks she is a high jumper. I also need to make a cover for over the sump. I think I am going to fit in a piece of poly filter above the returns because as water evaporates it starts to create bubbles and they end up as micros in the tank. I may need to fit an auto top off into the mix too.

 

[Spiffyguy]

I think I am 90% sure that I will be getting a Tek light. I have read that the Cadlights don't reflectors which I find very weird. I think the 6 bulb version will fit over the 55. It says the acrylic shield is 11.75 so I am guessing the light portion is that size. Total fixture width is 15" though so that may pose a problem fitting it into a hood. DOes anyone have a Tek light that they can measure the light opeing to confirm it will fit?

Thanks

 

[Spiffyguy]

I took some more pictures. I know how everyone likes pictures

I put a single row of eggcrate along the top of the falsewall to keep any jumpers out of the sump. Cut some eggcrate to fit over the overflow opening too. It was painted before I glued it in so it got a bit milky. Also you can see the piece of acrylic I used to raise teh false wall. I am going to try to spray it once I am done water testing everything. Should make it look a bit better. Also put a scrap piece of acrylic over the sump area. It started to fog up once I put the heater in. Maybe that will help with evaporation.

Here is a shot of the whole tank. I have cut eggcrate for over the top openings. Also cut some material called Coroplast for the back of the tank and to wrap around the sump area. It is held on with some pieces of velcro. I think it came out looking nice.

I am planning out my electrical needs as far as plugs and timers. I will only have one outlet to plug the whole tank in so I will be using one of those DJ switch units. I plan on building a nice looking box to sit in the stand with all the timers and such. I am not sure if this would work right but I want to wire up a GFCI outlet and use that to plug my lights into. That way if it trips it does not take out the whole tank. Not sure if that is doable. here is another picture

I am come to the conclusion it will be easier for me to just buy a 48" fixture and use the legs instead of a hood. I have two choices, a Tek light or an Aquactincs. And with the Tek whether to go 4 or 6 bulbs. I am concerned about the 6 bubl being too wide to even feed the tank. I guess if it is up on legs there will be a 3" gap. Any thoughts on those fixtures?

Thanks

 

[saltycreefer]

I dont get it.

 

[Spiffyguy]

don't get what?