Triple-S Fish Ranch - 1700gal 164†x 48†x 56†SPS peninsula build
- Thread starter pmrogers
- Start date
biodegraded
New member
Paul, I'm interested in you putting UV on your RO and SW holding tanks. What are the reasons for that?
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Maybe to prevent algae growing in the SW tank and RO tank. Especially if its getting hit by direct sunlight. I am guessing though too.
Scooters83
New member
Wow is this the new sealife America lol
Good luck with your build mate.
Good luck with your build mate.
Thanks, Roni. I've added a 4' arch to the aquascape. Pics in my next update post.
The UVs are to inhibit algae and harmful bacteria growth. I read a thread a few years back in which the water change reservoir developed a toxic bacteria that was causing harm to the fish and corals. Either the salt mix wasn't killing the bacteria, or was killing it but causing it to release toxins. I think I may have had the same thing about 10 years ago when I had a period of time where parameters were perfect, but corals and fish were declining even as I ramped up to 40% weekly water changes. I flushed the reservoir with bleach and the problem cleared up over the next month. Could have been coincidence, but I decided not to risk it with this system.
Thanks for joining the thread JavyJaverson, BfishLpond, Scooters83. I will wait to get a bit further along for a video tour. Right now things are too messy to make for a sensible tour-- the photos I'm posted are carefully framed to hide the chaos
Early January Update: aquascape, controller setup, PAR readings, DT plumbing
Early January Update: aquascape, controller setup, PAR readings, DT plumbing
It's been a busy few weeks since my last update, or at least it feels that way to me. I'm now to the phase where I need to do 95% of everything myself, so progress is likely to be even slower for those of you following along. Sorry!
Since the last update:
Timfish brought over his PAR meter. Preliminary readings look good. Bottom of the tank, 90 inches from the lights is getting 175 in the middle, 75 at the edges. Midway up the reef structure is running about 250, and the top of the tall spire-- about 45" from the lights-- is at 440.
Tim also helped me get the rock arch into the tank, and I'd say aquascaping is now about 90% done. I'll add a low island or two after I'm done walking around in the tank for plumbing work, and may try to treat the overflow wall with a shallow 'cliff' effect of rubble and aragacrete with a small shelf or two, but this is largely the structure I plan to go with.
Pictures:
Apex Controller Install
I'm pleased to present this boring photo after embarrassingly many hours of work. My previous controller installs were a mess of wires running every which way, loops of excess hanging from hooks, etc. I decided to give network cable channels a try for this install and am pleased with the result. To further neaten up the power cables, I cut all cords to length and terminated with right angle hubble connectors that allow for any angle of rotation on the output. This picture isn't quite finished as I ran out of cable channel. I ordered more to clean up the remaining cables.
Canopy return lines and vacuum system plumbing
Another ridiculous time investment with very little to show. The bottom 1.5" pipe is for the sea swirl on the far end of the tank, the top line with 3 valves is for the vacuum cleaning system. Rather than use a hose and bucket to siphon clean the sand and rocks, this line will provide a continuous siphon back down to the fish room. Each valve will have a 6' length of 3/4" hose attached that hangs on the canopy wall above it. Each hose terminates in a quick release connector used to attach cleaning wands. So all I'll need to do to clean the sand is connect a wand and turn the valve above. The output of the siphon can be directed either to the drain or to one of the filter socks in the sump.
Aquascaping
Added a 4' arch between the two pillars. Also added a small arch to the right edge of the large pillar to provide additional stability.
Arch and Right Pillar Closeup
Left Side
Aquascape Back View
Aquascape Above View
QT and Refugee Rack
I don't have the heart to evict the few pathetic survivors of the great crash, so they are squatting in one of the QT tank bays. I will revisit this decision after the other 3 bays are running smoothly as QTs.
Early January Update: aquascape, controller setup, PAR readings, DT plumbing
It's been a busy few weeks since my last update, or at least it feels that way to me. I'm now to the phase where I need to do 95% of everything myself, so progress is likely to be even slower for those of you following along. Sorry!
Since the last update:
- Apex installed
- Started fish room perimeter plumbing
- Moved 90gal refugee tank into fish room
- Plumbing progress above display tank
- Aquascape 90% completed
- Dry PAR readings
Timfish brought over his PAR meter. Preliminary readings look good. Bottom of the tank, 90 inches from the lights is getting 175 in the middle, 75 at the edges. Midway up the reef structure is running about 250, and the top of the tall spire-- about 45" from the lights-- is at 440.
Tim also helped me get the rock arch into the tank, and I'd say aquascaping is now about 90% done. I'll add a low island or two after I'm done walking around in the tank for plumbing work, and may try to treat the overflow wall with a shallow 'cliff' effect of rubble and aragacrete with a small shelf or two, but this is largely the structure I plan to go with.
Pictures:
Apex Controller Install
I'm pleased to present this boring photo after embarrassingly many hours of work. My previous controller installs were a mess of wires running every which way, loops of excess hanging from hooks, etc. I decided to give network cable channels a try for this install and am pleased with the result. To further neaten up the power cables, I cut all cords to length and terminated with right angle hubble connectors that allow for any angle of rotation on the output. This picture isn't quite finished as I ran out of cable channel. I ordered more to clean up the remaining cables.
Canopy return lines and vacuum system plumbing
Another ridiculous time investment with very little to show. The bottom 1.5" pipe is for the sea swirl on the far end of the tank, the top line with 3 valves is for the vacuum cleaning system. Rather than use a hose and bucket to siphon clean the sand and rocks, this line will provide a continuous siphon back down to the fish room. Each valve will have a 6' length of 3/4" hose attached that hangs on the canopy wall above it. Each hose terminates in a quick release connector used to attach cleaning wands. So all I'll need to do to clean the sand is connect a wand and turn the valve above. The output of the siphon can be directed either to the drain or to one of the filter socks in the sump.
Aquascaping
Added a 4' arch between the two pillars. Also added a small arch to the right edge of the large pillar to provide additional stability.
Arch and Right Pillar Closeup
Left Side
Aquascape Back View
Aquascape Above View
QT and Refugee Rack
I don't have the heart to evict the few pathetic survivors of the great crash, so they are squatting in one of the QT tank bays. I will revisit this decision after the other 3 bays are running smoothly as QTs.
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Check out FlexPVC's "no kink pond hose" for your clean up hoses above the tank. More flexible than braided vinyl tubing and it can not kink. I love the stuff for applications like that. It has a ribbed outer core to hold it's shape, but a smoother inner surface for mating with barb'd fittings.
http://flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?cart_id=12568638.11727&product=Black-No-Kink-PondFlexBTF
http://flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?cart_id=12568638.11727&product=Black-No-Kink-PondFlexBTF
bubblewood
New member
Absolutely speechless! Incredible build so far. As a custom high end woodworker I'm fascinated with the attention to detail on the wood work.
Excited to see your project unfold! Congratulations on a incredible build so far!
Joe
Excited to see your project unfold! Congratulations on a incredible build so far!
Joe
biodegraded
New member
I have certainly noticed the bacterial films that develop in my RO/SW container unless I use them right away. I am unsure if I've had any detrimental effects from it, but who knows. Thanks for the explanation.
Regarding the onus now being on you for further updates (no more hiding behind 'contractors'
), remember one of your triple S's is slow. Take your time and do it right. We're loving it!Seriously, I don't know how you've done it all.... this epic tank installation, your major building works around the house, this excellent thread you got going, your family life and presumably your work to pay the bills! Jeez you must have a secret twin brother hehe.
Anyway, you've got me hooked and I'm subscribed. Best of luck, not that you should need too much of it - your planning is absolutely amazing...so many things going on it truly boggles my mind.
I take my hat off to you and thank you very much for sharing. You've inspired me to make my first post after being on here for 6 years so all the best, Geoff
Anyway, you've got me hooked and I'm subscribed. Best of luck, not that you should need too much of it - your planning is absolutely amazing...so many things going on it truly boggles my mind.
I take my hat off to you and thank you very much for sharing. You've inspired me to make my first post after being on here for 6 years so all the best, Geoff
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JDavis3517
New member
Very beautiful build!!!! I'm ready to finish my little 300 gallon build after being inspired by this.
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