Timbo's 220G Dream Reef Tank Build

[Timbo3416]

How many circulation pumps should i put in the tank and what should my aggregate flow rate be for the two sump pumps? I have one 1100 GPH pump (Little Giant 3-MDQX-SC Pump) I plan on using for the refugium and will have to get another pump either submersible or external for the live rock fragment tank - any suggestions on how I should size that?

 

[Timbo3416]

your keeping that slimline background on the tank?

I know they are a massive pain to take off, it really depends on how much silicone was used.. but find out who made it and around when it was purchased, and contact them to make sure its actually reefsafe around the time it was purchased! I wouldn't take someone's word for it

I looked in detail at the background and there is no info on it at all. No brand, makers mark, copyright info - nothing. I know it is about 6 months old that is all I know - how do I determine if it is in fact reef safe or not?

 

[Timbo3416]

I put some 0 TDS water in the tank to test the seal on the bulkheads. So far so good with that. I kept track of how much so I can mix salt in it before I add the sand. Assuming everything holds water tight tonight I think tomorrow will be D Day for filling it.

I still need to pick a second pump for the live rock tank - with the refugium pump doing 1100 gph how much more turnover do I need? What size secondary pump would be best?

 

[Timbo3416]

Well I got the tank plumbed and filled and I am ready to move the fish. It took almost a week for the cloudiness to settle but is finally mostly has, when I move the second filter over I think it'll clear up the rest of the way.

Here is a picture of the filled tank waiting for live rock, corals and fish:

I am looking at a carbon reactor and a gfo and/or biopellet reactor - which would be better biopellet or GFO and why?

I put in 300 lbs of Fiji Pink sand and I am really happy with it. I got multiple 40 lb dry bags of the sand and 3 or 4 20 lb bags with the saltwater and nitrifying bacteria in it. I thought getting all 300 lbs with the bacteria in it was likely a waste of money, especially when I have all the live rock I do and with the refugium.

Its looking good and I am really excited to be at this point. I plan on getting some more fish the day after Christmas and using the 20 gallon tank I got with the tank as a quarantine tank. I've never used a QT before but with a tank this large I don't want to have an outbreak of anything. And I also plan on adding some expensive fish and don't want to risk them.

 

[dave.m]

a gfo and/or biopellet reactor - which would be better biopellet or GFO and why?

Get one reactor to do both. Use it for GFO for the first several months/year to get PO4 down on new rock and sand. As you eventually reach your total load of fish and corals and your PO4 goes down and stabilizes, change it over to biopellets to start feeding the corals and maintain NO3 levels. Trying to run biopellets to feed bacteria that need PO4 and running GFO at the same time to eliminate PO4 doesn't make much sense to me.

Dave.M

 

[Timbo3416]

Get one reactor to do both. Use it for GFO for the first several months/year to get PO4 down on new rock and sand. As you eventually reach your total load of fish and corals and your PO4 goes down and stabilizes, change it over to biopellets to start feeding the corals and maintain NO3 levels. Trying to run biopellets to feed bacteria that need PO4 and running GFO at the same time to eliminate PO4 doesn't make much sense to me.

Dave.M

So I took your advice and used the BRS gift card Santa brought me to get a dual Carbon and GFO reactor (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-gfo-carbon-reactor-dual.html, ) some of the high capacity GFO and some of the BRS ROX 0.8 Activated Carbon. I think that will help keep the tank clear and phosphate/algae free.

I also ordered a Powder Blue Tang, another Yellow Tang and 3 more Blue/Green Reef Chromis (I currently have 5 and like them in a school) for the tank as new stocking 1.0. The new fish will be here Friday and I am debating on setting up a QT or just putting them in the tank. I've never used a QT before and never been burned but as my investment increases I am thinking I am going to use an old 20 gallon I have as a QT. I'll just get some cheap paddle filter a small heater and an aerator. What are the time ranges folks are quarantining their fish? I've always just put the fish in the DT and never been burned. I've grown attached to the fish I have now and don't want to risk their health. When I was doing freshwater it wasn't such a big deal either as I feel you can see sick freshwater fish easier (maybe just my misconception) but what are the thoughts on the board on QTs? A must? Not really?

 

[Timbo3416]

I got my existing live rock, anemone, fish and electric blue hermit crabs moved to the new tank. All that is left running in the old tank are the stony corals and the snails. I am going to move them soon so I can move the refugium to the new tank. I have the 40 breeder I got on Craigslist running with a little over 20 lbs of live rock rubble.

Tank with Fish moved in:

Live rock filter tank:

My helpers (my wife dressed them up - poor guys)
Dutch:

Rudy:

 

[Timbo3416]

It's been a while without an update, I've been working 82 hours a week on average for 6 weeks in a row but I have made some progress.

I got some additional live rock from bulk reef including an amazing toad stool shaped piece that is the centerpiece of the tank now:

I finally got a Powder Blue Tang (that is the fish that motivated me to upgrade out of my 55G reef tank. This picture doesn't do the fish justice it is absolutely beautiful.

I installed my 48" Metal Halide/Actinic fluorescent Fixture (1 or 2 more MH and 2 more 48" fluorescent actinic bulbs still coming).

I got a dual reactor from BRS and am using their high capacity GFO and BRS Bulk Premium ROX 0.8 Aquarium Carbon.

More shots of new rockscaping:

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums...3-AD7A-4E34-842D-E2000BAB1D14_zpsde7cf2cl.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums...2-E55B-4DA4-91AA-39835D6D44CD_zpscnzs3jc7.jpg

 

[Timbo3416]

I also installed some screens over the overflows after a blue green reef chromis got sucked down an intake pipe.

 

[dave.m]

No tank is complete without a powder blue! :thumbsup:

Dave.M

 

[Timbo3416]

So it is time to upgrade my protein skimmer. I have the Reef Octopus NWB110 skimmer currently and that isn't big enough for this tank. What would the best in sump skimmer be for my application?

I was looking at the Reef Octopus POV DC2 Space Saver Protein Skimmer - but I am wondering if there is an option that is as good or better for less than the $780.00 price tag that model carries? Perhaps one of the Diablo skimmers or another brand altogether?

 

[Timbo3416]

I had a bit of an issue over the week. My Powder Blue Tang had some white spots on his side near the head and even on one eye. I did some research and thought that ParaGuard would be the perfect solution for treating the fish in the display tank without killing anything or impacting the live rock I have in the tank and in the filter sump. (I didn't want to put the fish back in the quarantine tank and stress it out further). I put in the ParaGuard as directed and everything seemed fine day 1. Day 2 I put in another dose and it seemed my snails looked unhappy so I moved them to the 55 gallon tank I still have set up (no fish in it). Apparently it was too late as the snails all died, which was a bummer because I had some nice big snails.

On the bright side, it did cure whatever issue the Powder Blue had, so I guess I'd trade keeping the $100 fish alive for $20 in snails, but I am still disappointed I killed them.

So, lesson learned - ParaGuard doesn't impact live rock or fish but it is deadly to snails.

Still looking for advice on Protein Skimmer (see post #31 in this thread).