20gal rimless coral/frag tank

[Tyson]

:smile:20 Gal Rimless BB Coral Tank Build
Hi everyone, i finally got in my 20gal coral frag tank.
I started this tank build with the idea that i would try to grow my SPS and ultra rare LPS corals in a safe and growth only system, while i slowly build my future rimless 180gal.

The system so far, is as fallows.

Coral tank: 24x24x8 corner overflow (from GlassCages.com).

lighting: 1x250watt lumen max 3 pendant from sunlight supplies, with a 14k no-name Japanise DE MH.

Flow: still kind of up in the air, right now I have two korlia hydros (a 3 and a 4) I can use. But i want to go to something else soon maybe Tunze nano stream.

Return pump: Mag drive 7 pump (700GPH).

Skimmer: Remora with a maxijet 1200 pump.

Filteration: plaining on a ZeoVit RX (2months from now).

[Tyson]

http://http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/155291Tyson_pics_633b.JPG

[Tyson]

some more pics

[Delphinus]

Wow 250W over 8", that will be a mondo bright system. Although I like how you've done it with the extra height so you can work in there and be able to look down on stuff.

I have a 24x24x12 frag tank (although I run it for carpet anemones not frags) and a single 175W using an Iwasaki 15k. I like the setup but I have the light only about 6" above the tank so I'm unable to look down on the tank. I definitely like your setup idea in this regard.

The one thing I've found with my tank - it is also rimless like yours (and to be honest, I don't think I'd do rimless again because of this problem) - but because I also have fish in the tank, there tends to be some slight splash effect and the water is constantly finding a way over the glass. I have to clean the outside all the time, and every few weeks I find a good little puddle underneath because it has wicked up one of the powerhead lines or something similar.

And another problem with having fish in such a shallow tank - far too easy for them to jump. So I have a piece of eggcrate sitting on top. It looks like butt. :( I take it off for pictures but for the most part I find myself wishing I had a different shaped tank for my carpets and clowns.

But it would work GREAT for a frag tank. Yours will be a sweet little setup for you! Good luck! I can't wait to see what the flow is like with the Koralia's or the Tunze. I just use regular old-skool powerheads.. the prop style water movers would be better as long as they don't cause a wave to splash over the sides or something like that.

[JDigital]

Sweet looking tank. I love the rimless look, soo clean. I have never seen a 4 legged fuzzy fish before tho, tank looks to small for him. :mrgreen:

[Tyson]

Thanks Delphinus, i had the 250watt over my old 30gal tall sps tank, but the light shape wasn't ideal for the tank dem's so i had this new tank custom built by Glasscages.com.

Sorry about the attachment pics, I have more but i'm still trying to get the pics to post with out attaching them like files.

[JDigital]

Sorry about the attachment pics, i'm still trying to find out how to post the pics with out attaching them like files.

Make an account on www.photobucket.com :smile:

[Tyson]

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/155291Tyson_pics_594b.jpg

[Tyson]

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/155291Tyson_pics_596b.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/155291Tyson_pics_597b.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/155291Tyson_pics_598b.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/155291Tyson_pics_601b.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/155291Tyson_pics_603b.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/155291Tyson_pics_605b.jpg

[Tyson]

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/155291Tyson_pics_609b.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/155291Tyson_pics_610b.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/155291Tyson_pics_614b.jpg

The purification system...........

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/155291Tyson_pics_618b.jpg


With a post DI filter.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/155291Tyson_pics_620b.jpg

[Tyson]

The best part.:biggrin:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/155291Tyson_pics_627b.jpg

Alittle salt for flavor.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/155291Tyson_pics_633b.jpg

I'll post some more later tonight.

[Tyson]

Make an account on www.photobucket.com :smile:

Thanks JDigital.:smile:

[LeeR]

needs some clams

[Delphinus]

That looks awesome.

Is that a Koralia in there then? How does the flow look? The fanning-out pattern of the output isn't creating too much surface disturbance? I mean, of course it's good to have agitation but you wouldn't want splashing for example.

[Tyson]

That looks awesome.

Is that a Koralia in there then? How does the flow look? The fanning-out pattern of the output isn't creating too much surface disturbance? I mean, of course it's good to have agitation but you wouldn't want splashing for example.

Yes, it's a koralia nano, it's a great little pump for my 8gal nano but in the new coral tank i think i need more power just because of the dimentions of the tank. The return outlet does fan out but it doesn't create any surface problems, the pump itself is not very powerful (700gph) with 2 feet of head to over come. It pretty much pours out.

In some of the pictures i took this morning (not posted yet) i have a koralia 4 (too blow the newly added salt around) in the tank and it doesn't put water out side the tank or splash up, I think it's still a bet much for the future frags in that tank so i'll most likely find some kind of power head in the middle for this system.

[Tyson]

So new pics.:biggrin:


http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics713.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics714.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics715.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics717.jpghttp://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics720.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics724.jpg

[Tyson]

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics725.jpg

New corals move in.:smile:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics727.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics731.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics732.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics738.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics744.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics755.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics756.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics749.jpg

The chem shop.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics730.jpg

[Keri]

VERY nice!!!

[JDigital]

Good choice on the beer!

PS: Looking good. :mrgreen:

[Tyson]

Thanks guys, I think ill pick up some acros, live rock and egg grates this week.

I want to use the LR as a kind of natural baffle in the sump to block fine air bubbles from getting to my return pump.

[Tyson]

bump

[mark]

bump

your build thread, got to bump with pictures.

[Tyson]

pics of some new sps acros i just picked up from golds.:biggrin:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010280.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010281.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010288.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010289.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010293.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010295.jpg

[Tyson]

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010179.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010180.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010189.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010199.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010191.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010227.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010235.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010296.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010280.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010293.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010289.jpg
sorry if i posted any doubles, Ill post the ZEOVit intro and the after pics tomorow.:biggrin:

[Tyson]

ok to more..:razz:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010263.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010262.jpg:wink:

[Delphinus]

mmm nice stuff!

[Tyson]

Enter Zeovit............

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010003.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010002.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/CopyofP1010050.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/CopyofP1010047.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/CopyofP1010037.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/CopyofP1010016.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010023.jpg

[gillsandfins]

How's the tank working out for you? I saw you post and decided to get one the first one I got was a 48x48x16 which I pick up on March 22nd 2009 and I'll be picking up my new 24x24x10 sometime in April.

This is my older brother (left) and the glass cages guy (right)
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8074/p3220021.jpg

This is the stand I built for the tank.
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1985/p3220027.jpg

I really liked your coral tank so I wanted to see how it was working out for you. Do you have any current pics?

Thanks

Jake

[Tyson]

gillsandfins,

Thanks, the tank is doing fine i recently added a new protein skimmer http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/IMG00535.jpg

The remora skimmer i had before just wasn't cutting it, the MSX 160 has been great and @ a great price. I do have some more recent pics then what's there but nothing new, i've had some problems with flat worms and because of my old remora skimmer not removing what it should, some bio film problems. All and all he tank is coming back now, most of the coral browned out or had some STN, but things are turning around.

here are some new but not so new pics i had kicking around.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010022-2.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010023-1.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010014.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010030-1.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010031.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010017.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010001.jpg

[Tyson]

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics540.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/Tysonpics541.jpg

[Tyson]

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010013.jpg

the tips on this piclopora where just turning pink before everyting when south.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee19/ty1e/P1010004.jpg

[Skimmerking]

WOW man that is looking great, make me want to get a shallow frag tank for my system.. Hmmmmmm i need a new job in the fish room...:mrgreen:

[gillsandfins]

Glad to here your tank is doing well. It's never fun to have to deal with the unexpected problems. My brother-in-law has a flatworm problem right now. I recommended a sixline wrasse they should take care of it pretty fast. I see you added some substrate since the last pics. Looking good!!

[Tyson]

thanks Gillsandfins,
I used flatworm ex and boy o boy did it work, i saw two or three little ones that survived the first dosing so i dosed again; i didn't think of the impact of not doing a water change even though there was like 3 left, i thought because theres only 3 i can't get high toxin die off levels from just 3 worms.
well the next day or two i had a little STN happening, so after i did 5 jumping jacks pulling my hair out i made up 2- 4gal buckets of H2ocean water; seems to have stopped, so far all is good.
The pram's read like this;

Cal 390-400ppm
Mag 1350-1430ppm
Alk 7-8dkh
K+ 390-400ppm
Temp 79.8F
Salinity 1.025