Steve's 228G ... my reeftank 2.0

[Buccaneer]

Greetings reefers :) ... it has been a few years since I last had a reeftank. (almost 10yrs actually) last tank was a 330G inwall DIY wood tank ..
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/330G.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/330G.jpg.html)

had it up and running for about 5 years till we decided to move to the house we are in now. Setup a temp 270G in the unfinished basement but because it was unfinished we rarely went down to see it so I sold it all off (except for rock, metal halides, pumps etc)

So the new tank is a 228G starfire :)

Due to space under the staircase I could only go 6 feet long and just got it installed in the wall yesterday ... starfire glass on 2 sides ... changed center overflow to side overflow ... will have black panel to cover right side when I am not in the fishroom

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/tank2.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/tank2.jpg.html)



equiptment

228G starfire tank - 72Wx30.5HX24D side overflow
fishroom 12ft X 4 ft
sink
RO filter
various pumps from previous tanks
tank drilled for closed loops and eductors
4 X 400W metal halides (may use 2 or 3 on this tank)
electronic ballasts (used to run T12 but may switch to T5)
curve 9 skimmer
40G quarantine tank
50G species only/chaeto tank plumbed into main source


Have a couple of small sumps but will likely have one built more suitable for this tank

Bleach/vinegar of rock from old tank to start tomorrow ... will take several weeks

Pictures of progress to follow :wink: ...

It will be a slow progress due to other projects ongoing in the house (theatre, bsmt bath/steam room and drywall/finish/heat garage)

stay tuned :biggrin:

[Buccaneer]

Doing a manufactured stone surround on front drywall area between doorway and black acoustic panel covering doorway access to fishroom

[andestang]

It's been 10 yrs already, wow how time goes by. This looks like its going to be a nice build.

[Buccaneer]

It's been 10 yrs already, wow how time goes by. This looks like its going to be a nice build.

Hey Mike ... long time no see

[Buccaneer]

So I had a bunch of rock from the old tank that I had stored outside for the last decade :lol: and after reading about phosphate issues with dead rock I decided to do all methods to clean the rocks

1) vinegar soak - 1 week
2) bleach soak - 1 week
3) acid soak - 12 hours (that ended this morning)
4) fresh water soak - started today and will go for a week
5) salt water curing - for a few weeks - add skimmate for bacteria along with heater and powerhead - covered so no light gets in

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/rocks%201.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/rocks%201.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/rocks%202.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/rocks%202.jpg.html)

[asylumdown]

looks like an awesome start.

IMO adding skimmate to your freshly bleached and acid dipped rock is sort of defeating all the work you did getting them cleaned up. The bacteria will arrive no matter what you do, there's no evidence out there that says adding skimmate will either add the kinds of bacteria you want, or will speed up the cycling process in any meaningful way. It's a bit like meticulously dry-cleaning a suit then dipping it in used toilet water before you wear it.

[reefwars]

looks like an awesome start.

IMO adding skimmate to your freshly bleached and acid dipped rock is sort of defeating all the work you did getting them cleaned up. The bacteria will arrive no matter what you do, there's no evidence out there that says adding skimmate will either add the kinds of bacteria you want, or will speed up the cycling process in any meaningful way. It's a bit like meticulously dry-cleaning a suit then dipping it in used toilet water before you wear it.


i agree with adam , i get people coming in now i bet on a weekly basis asking me for skimmate and i always have that puzzled look on my face lol


to have a bacteria free system you would have to put some serious measures in place , the process is hard to stop permanently

[Buccaneer]

Well it was a employee at Concept that suggested it :question: oh well ... I am at least a week away from that decision but thanks for the input :wink:

[reefwars]

Well it was a employee at Concept that suggested it :question: oh well ... I am at least a week away from that decision but thanks for the input :wink:


yeah i knew that hence the calls i get all the time lol ..... i argue the point all the time , we dont always see eye to eye on things and this is one for sure lol

i still have yet to have someone explain the science to me behind it but i can guarantee it wasnt me who said it lol people go and throw skimmate in their tanks but yet dont understand why?

i guess though lol

ask me my thoughts on drip acclimating!!! youll find i dont agree with the others here on that one either lol

im an old reefer though so maybe im due to be taught a lesson lol

[kien]

Great start !

Well, I'm sure there is some bacteria in skimmate, so they're not wrong, I guess :lol:

[Doug]

:wave:

[Buccaneer]

:wave:

sup :biggrin:

[Buccaneer]

Soaked rocks in fresh water for last couple weeks ... changed water and then refilled with salt water 4 days ago ... added heaters and recirculation pumps ... still undecided on whether to add skimmate :lol:

Tank update ... hole in the wall is all trimmed out ... vapour barrier installed in 95% of fish room ... overflow is installed and 2 bulkheads for closed loops installed

Left to do: main tank
acquire and install bulkheads for overflow
install sump/skimmer/heaters/UV
install RO unit
plumb the overflow to sump
plumb and install pump and eductors for closed loop
install return pump and return line with eductor
test circulation with fresh water
add shallow sandbed
build aquascaped rock structures
build canopy for lights

Left to do: miscellaneous
setup 40G QT tank with own HOB filtration
setup 50G species only tank and plumb to main tank
install ramp/walkway across back of tank for easier access into tank

[Buccaneer]

Left to do: main tank

acquire and install bulkheads for overflow - done
install sump/skimmer/heaters - done
plumb and install pump and eductors for closed loop - done
test circulation with fresh water - done
add shallow sandbed - done
install RO unit
plumb the overflow to sump
install return pump and return line with eductor
build aquascaped rock structures
build canopy for lights

Left to do: miscellaneous

setup 40G QT tank with own HOB filtration
setup 50G species only tank and plumb to main tank
install ramp/walkway across back of tank for easier access into tank

buy UV filter - anyone selling one locally pm me

[gregzz4]

Welcome back !

How about instead of using skimmate you try something such as Seachem Stability or Microbacter7 ?
Throw a raw shrimp in the tank to rot until it starts to fall apart (week?) then remove it/repeat, or ghost feed - just add fish food every 3-5 days
And use one of the above or similar liquids at the same time.

Or you could pee in your tank :rolleyes:

Just my $0.25

[MitchM]

I recommend against the skimmate as well.
There's a ton of phosphorus in that stuff.
Sounds like a nice build.

[Buccaneer]

Thanks fellas ... will leave peeing in the tank as a last resort :lol:

[MitchM]

Well, if you do, be sure to measure ammonia afterwards to 4 ppm.:mrgreen:
Myself, I just use ammonia from the grocery store.

[Buccaneer]

Well I will cross that bridge when I get to it :lol:

Hooked up RO unit last night and started filling tank (50g/day so a few days left to fill) ... also hooked up the drain lines for the overflow and 2/3 of the beananimal drain

[Buccaneer]

OK ... progress :lol:

Left to do: main tank

acquire and install bulkheads for overflow - done
install sump/skimmer/heaters - done
plumb and install pump and eductors for closed loop - done
test circulation with fresh water - done
add shallow sandbed - done
install RO unit - done
plumb the overflow to sump - done
install return pump and return line with eductor - done
build aquascaped rock structures - done
build canopy for lights
install float valve for water top off
setup skimmer and adjust sump water level


Left to do: miscellaneous

setup 40G QT tank with own HOB filtration
setup 50G species only tank and plumb to main tank
install ramp/walkway across back of tank for easier access into tank - done

buy UV filter - anyone selling one locally pm me

Pics to follow

[Buccaneer]

So aquascaping is complete (till I change it again :) ) still playing around with closed loop eductor locations for even flow

setup skimmer and adjusted water level in sump by having the skimmer overflow into a bucket till it stopped and started to strip the water ... about 9.5" ... works really between 9 and 10 inches

Will take some shots of tank room when I get it cleaned up

Trim around tank going up next ... then working on lighting (currently just a couple cheesy 24" shop lights )

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/updated%20tank.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/updated%20tank.jpg.html)

[Buccaneer]

So trim is up (just needs paint) ... inhabitants include Blonde Naso, Yellow Tang, Dussemeri Tang and pair of percs
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/4be5bb96-7326-4ed6-9472-560905e5cea7.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/4be5bb96-7326-4ed6-9472-560905e5cea7.jpg.html)

[Buccaneer]

Shot of the camouflaged doorway

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/IMG_6206.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/IMG_6206.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/IMG_6207.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/IMG_6207.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/IMG_6207.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/IMG_6207.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/IMG_6208.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/IMG_6208.jpg.html)

[Buccaneer]

Sink and RO unit

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/IMG_6209.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/IMG_6209.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/IMG_6218.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/IMG_6218.jpg.html)

[Buccaneer]

Fold down ramp behind tank

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/IMG_6213.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/IMG_6213.jpg.html)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/IMG_6211.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/IMG_6211.jpg.html)

Can see the returns for the closed loops more clearly here

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/IMG_6212.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/IMG_6212.jpg.html)

[Buccaneer]

QT tank cycling

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/IMG_6214.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/IMG_6214.jpg.html)

[Buccaneer]

Sump

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/Buk_A_neer/IMG_6215.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Buk_A_neer/media/IMG_6215.jpg.html)

[Buccaneer]

In the above pic the green garbage bin is my RO water storage with a float valve, pump and heater ... the bucket in front of that is circulating salt for water change.

Going through the usual cycles ... first was diatoms and a few days ago a spot or 2 of cyano so I have cut back from 3 X 400W MH to just the center MH on a reduced light cycle and so far it has held it back to one small spot down low that I blow off each night before lights out

Need to add a auto top off from the RO storage to the sump next

[Myka]

Looks good! Love the hidden doorway - I didn't even understand how it worked until you showed the pic of it open. :lol: I really like the idea of your boardwalk too, no ladders. Of course the Bob Marley banner is sweet too. ;)

Going through the usual cycles ... first was diatoms and a few days ago a spot or 2 of cyano so I have cut back from 3 X 400W MH to just the center MH on a reduced light cycle and so far it has held it back to one small spot down low that I blow off each night before lights out

IME, tanks do better at the beginning if you just run your actinics/blues for the first month, then slowly introduce the halides increasing by an hour a week or so. It really makes a big difference, and the blues seem to really get the coralline growing.

[Buccaneer]

Looks good! Love the hidden doorway - I didn't even understand how it worked until you showed the pic of it open. :lol: I really like the idea of your boardwalk too, no ladders. Of course the Bob Marley banner is sweet too. ;)



IME, tanks do better at the beginning if you just run your actinics/blues for the first month, then slowly introduce the halides increasing by an hour a week or so. It really makes a big difference, and the blues seem to really get the coralline growing.

Thanks!

All tank rooms should have Bob's music playing LOL

This is a restart from like 10 years ago ( except newer smaller tank/sump) so only lights I have running to begin with are my MH :wink: as they were at the top of the box I had on the shelf labelled "tank parts"... have 3 workhorse 7 ballasts and will be adding actinics in the future when I get around to buying some endcaps :biggrin: and wiring it all up

[Buccaneer]

So had a Ich outbreak from a Tang and it took out 8 fish ... remaining fish - Darwin clown, yellow chromis and algae blenny all survived hyposalinity treatment and are back in the tank and happy.

All inverts of course made it while tank was fishless but I was dealing with cyano as well while it was fallow for a couple reasons - one was old bulbs (spectrum) and the other was inadequate flow

Both problems solved by ebay ... 400W 20K bulbs X 3 shipped for under $85.00 and 1600gph powerheads X 3 shipped for $60.00

Also changed the rockwork from one large reef and a smaller one to 3 smaller reefs and a lot shorter so as to increase circulation around, behind and over the rockwork

I have a lot more sand area now which looks more aesthetically pleasing as well

Also got my calcium/alk/mag/ph levels balanced and dosing Kalk for topoff (found a bit of Kalk in a box from old tank)

PS if anyone knows where to find pickling lime locally please let me know

Pictures to follow

[Buccaneer]

Baby Blue Tang and Yellow Tang in QT tank for last cpl weeks