Zero's upcoming frag tank man-cave

[SantaMonica]

Most people who get their scrubbers working good have trouble keeping macro's. And I don't think you'd want to use chaeto to trap particles... that's a main drawback of chaeto, if it could survive with a scrubber in the first place. Also a surge is not needed for a scrubber; only use one if you like it for your tank.

If you really want macro's, you probably don't want a scrubber. A seahorse tank with lots of macro's and light will filter most of the nutrients. Interestingly, using macro's for a seahorse tank was the original idea where the waterfall scrubber came from

 

[zeroinverse]

Most people who get their scrubbers working good have trouble keeping macro's. And I don't think you'd want to use chaeto to trap particles... that's a main drawback of chaeto, if it could survive with a scrubber in the first place. Also a surge is not needed for a scrubber; only use one if you like it for your tank.

If you really want macro's, you probably don't want a scrubber. A seahorse tank with lots of macro's and light will filter most of the nutrients. Interestingly, using macro's for a seahorse tank was the original idea where the waterfall scrubber came from

I had wanted a surge to reduce need for circulation pumps since I have to pump water into my reverse sump anyways may as well use gravity "potential energy" convert to kinetic energy.

With the surge, I want to drive microfauna from reverse sump into the growout tank. With ATS, I get small pods. With macroalgae, there may or may not be as much adult/juvenile pods getting into the surge to get washed down to growout tank.

That's why I wanted both ATS for juvenile pods and "WOULD LOVE" to have a macroalgae growout (to share with fellow reefers). And the macroalgae naturally begs the desire to have sea horses!

Any thoughts on how I can configure system to accomplish ALL of that?

(since it's be in the garage, it'd probably run a bit cooler which is also good for certain sea horses) --> note: never kept sea horses myself yet.

 

[zeroinverse]

Maybe I do some macroalgae surge system so I grow macroalgae that gets "rinsed out" periodically by surge. Only question is how do I prevent sea horses from getting sucked into the surge inlet.

 

[AMAYEU]

... By not mixing sea horses and surges...haha. LoL.

 

[zeroinverse]

... By not mixing sea horses and surges...haha. LoL.

Anyone know if sea horses live in high nitrate waters?

Maybe I divert some of my return flow to a slow flow moving macroalgae area where I grow some pods and feed to increase nitrates, and the bulk of return flow through DSB and then to the surge.

 

[Reef Bass]

There was a club member some years ago who kept seahorses. I believe he lived in marin, like Mill Valley or something. Any long time members remember his name?

 

[Grant W]

Its getting interesting Ron.

 

[elensius]

>> There was a club member some years ago who kept seahorses. I believe he lived in marin, like Mill Valley or something. Any long time members remember his name? <<

I can't remember if Dan was also his actual name, but I think his screen name was TikiDan (maybe)?

 

[zeroinverse]

Its getting interesting Ron.

It's my fun & share tank

 

[Grant W]

Right on. :thumbsup:

 

[northbay-reefer]

>> There was a club member some years ago who kept seahorses. I believe he lived in marin, like Mill Valley or something. Any long time members remember his name? <<

I can't remember if Dan was also his actual name, but I think his screen name was TikiDan (maybe)?

Tikidan has sold his tank and moved on last year I think.

 

[TikiDan]

i still lurk

I miss my ponies

I used a single vortech in the center on the back for main circulation (set on a low pulse)
and then had a pretty low flow return pump as well. And still, it was almost too much flow. The ponies would not fair well in a surge environment.

P.S. I'll b e back in the game eventually

 

[northbay-reefer]

Glad to see you are still in it. Come to our meetings and hang out with us sometime.

 

[TikiDan]

No current tank but am looking at moving towards Sonoma

 

[zeroinverse]

Tikidan: welcome. And I hope to have a seahorse subsystem eventually.

UPDATE

I disassembled the glass for my propagation tank. For some reason, the oxime-cure silicone was not hardening properly. Maybe too old. I am going to redo it with acetyloxy-cure silicone from Hole Depot. The vinegar-smelling stuff (GE Silicone I). I used some for another application and it was already dried and pretty strong.

NOTE: for reference, never use GE Silicone II. It has mildew retardant chemical and will leach into your tank. GE Silicone I (one) is ok to use.

 

[zeroinverse]

Too bad my tank is not ready yet! Otherwise I would try to get these!

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/for/3485287633.html

I have twenty two week old seahorses (hippocampus Erectus) that need a new home. Please be experienced at raising seahorses or have researched the subject well. They are currently eating baby brine and copepods. Culturing copepods will be required for successful rearing. I can provide a starter culture. As this process can be time consuming, I am currently not able to take on the commitment. Seahorses: $40 for all Copepod starter (~500): $20

 

[gonzalez78]

Wow such a great deal only $2 a horse. You should jump on it and then sell them again for a huge profit

 

[lokii_37]

To bad you can't swoop on those. That would be a great opportunity and then later you could share the wealth.

On a side note. With the correct size heaters they should be able to keep the water temp in line. My tank is in my garage and when I checked the temp it was 78.8F this morning. Outside it was a cozy 30F

 

[zeroinverse]

Lokii, I am worried about electrical heating bill since I already run 432 watts of 8-bulb T5. So I need to find a way not to have to run another 200-400 watts of heaters that are always ON in the garage.
-----
So I am trying my best to enclose and insulate with reflective foil and styrofoam.

Styro bottom insulation (below glass tank) and reflective bubble foil on sides. This will help retain heat a bit.

Here is my "refurbished" glass tank setup. Did a 20% fill water test and notice silicone may not have fully cure in between glass. So I will give it another week. Used acetyoxy silicone this time.

 

[lokii_37]

Have you looked into the garage door insulating panels. I have heard they work well. I have been thinking about getting some but haven't pulled the trigger on it yet.