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kien
07-08-2009, 05:36 AM
I guess I am upgrading. My current tank is a 90 gallon (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=53648). New tank will be 150 gallons at 72" long by 24" wide by 20" deep. At one end there will be an external overflow box built. The overflow box will house 4 1" standpipes for herbies (two main and two secondaries). Eurobracing will have two holes drilled at the opposite end of the tank to drop down two 1" return outlets.

The story so far:

Current tank that was the previous room divider has been moved.. The new tank has been ordered and the stand has been framed.
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/livingroom-2.jpg?t=1266520894 (http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/livingroom.jpg?t=1266520875) http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/P7070235-1.jpg?t=1266515110 (http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/P7070235.jpg?t=1247030719) http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/P7070238-1.jpg?t=1266515223 (http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/P7070238.jpg?t=1247030806)

================
= Table of Contents =
================
Green = Pictures
Blue = Points of Interest

* 2009.07.08 - Return line and general design (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=433572&postcount=8)
* 2009.07.20 - Painted stand and sump equipment (skimmer, return pump) + cutting baffles (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=436148&postcount=16)
* 2009.07.20 - Building a 3 chamber sump (refugium, return, skimmer) (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=436149&postcount=17)
* 2009.07.20 - Stand topper (ikea counter top); tank into place; tank details (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=436152&postcount=18)
* 2009.07.24 - Plumbing the Herbie overflow - tank side (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=437090&postcount=32)
* 2009.07.24 - Plumbing the Herbie overflow - sump side (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=437091&postcount=33)
* 2009.07.24 - Return line plumbing (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=437092&postcount=34)
* 2009.07.28 - Testing the plumbing (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=437776&postcount=37)
* 2009.07.28 - Sump overflow due to return line siphon prevention measure (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=437777&postcount=38)
* 2009.07.31 - Return plumbing partial redo (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=438408&postcount=68)
* 2009.08.05 - Open top canopy (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=439387&postcount=73) - Extreme aquascaping (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=439408&postcount=78) - Tank transfer (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=439440&postcount=85) - First FTS (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=439532&postcount=92)
* 2009.08.09 - How to build a DIY GFCI outlet (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=440146&postcount=103)
* 2009.08.16 - Tank stand doors/cover with Ikea cabinet doors (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=441672&postcount=115)
* 2009.08.16 - Overflow box silencer (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=441678&postcount=117)
* 2009.08.16 - New Sunlight Supply Maristar light fixture installed (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=441679&postcount=118)
* 2009.08.16 - Full in-room tank shots (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=441684&postcount=122)
* 2009.08.30 - Profilux Plus II ex Installed - Under tank wiring - Tank chiller fan (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=444506&postcount=132)
* 2009.08.30 - Misc coral photos (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=444512&postcount=134)
* 2009.11.04 - Profilux View II; Moon/Sunrise/Set LED light (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=460854&postcount=161) - Profilux 3 head dosing station (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=460858&postcount=164)
* 2009.11.04 - Coral and fish, full tank, top down photos (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=460864&postcount=168) - Underwater videos (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=462728&postcount=193)
* 2009.12.30 - Hydor Performer 700 skimmer cup mod 1 - o-ring replacement (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=476608&postcount=225)
* 2009.12.30 - NP-BioPellets start (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=476609&postcount=226) - Misc coral photos Set 1 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=477444&postcount=230) -- Set 2 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=477446&postcount=231)
* 2010.01.02 - Clown fish spawning (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=477622&postcount=238)
* 2010.01.15 - Hydor Performer 700 Skimmer cup mod 2 - drain to external skimmer collection bottle/container (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=481699&postcount=248)
* 2010.01.19 - NP-BioPellets Week 2 update (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=483322&postcount=256) - My homemade fish food (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=483333&postcount=257)
* 2010.01.20 - Fish stock photos (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=483367&postcount=261)
* 2010.01.22 - Two Little Fishes sponge mod - thinning the sponge (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=484224&postcount=271)
* 2010.02.09 - NP-BioPellets Week 4 update (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=490428&postcount=276)
* 2010.02.16 - new fish additions (Borbonius anthias, Sunburts anthias, Hawaiian Flame wrasse) (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=492727&postcount=289)
* 2010.02.18 - Hydor Performer 700 Skimmer cup mod 2b - replacing external bottle with old hang on filter (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=493420&postcount=294)
* 2010.03.08 - Making Alkalinity and Calcium additives for dosing Randy's Two Part (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=499780)
* 2010.03.18 - New Vertex UF-15 Media reactor for NP Bio Pellets (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=499784)
* 2010.04.01 - April 2010 Featured Tank of the Month !!! (http://www.canreef.com/ftotm/apr10/)
* 2010.04.14 - Profilux II to Profilux 3 upgrade kit installation (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=510593&postcount=359)
* 2010.04.14 - 131g FOWLR add-on Build! (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=510597&postcount=360)
* 2010.04.16 - Bubble Magus 220CS skimmer upgrade (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=511304&postcount=388)
* 2010.04.19 - New Bubble Magus in action (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=511836&postcount=396)
* 2010.04.23 - Vertex UF-15 Media Reactor re-plumb (plumbing hard line) (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=512952&postcount=398)
* 2010.05.02 - 131g completion and Full Reef Photos (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=515948&postcount=425)
* 2010.05.05 - Baby Blue Linckias ??? (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=516784&postcount=437)
* 2010.05.17 - My Reef Photography Tips, Tricks, Equipment (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=519642&postcount=463)
* 2010.06.07 - Coral Photo Spread Set 1 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=525295&postcount=469) -- Sets 2&3 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=525297&postcount=471) -- Underwater Reefscape (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=525426&postcount=478)
* 2010.06.15 - Polypropylene Mesh/Screen Tank Cover (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=527917&postcount=501)
* 2010.06.18 - Reef Silhouette Pictures (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=528512&postcount=516)
* 2010.09.15 - SPS DEATH! :( (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=548996&postcount=540)
* 2010.10.04 - Using The Hanna Phosphoate Checker (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=553688&postcount=567)
* 2010.10.08 - Full Room Tank Shots (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=554675&postcount=575)
* 2010.10.09 - The Phosphate Philes - Phosphate levels in various foods (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=555089&postcount=584)
* 2010.10.12 - Baby blue Linckia update (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=555783&postcount=607)
* 2010.10.15 - Reef Coral Photos (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=556661&postcount=617)
* 2010.11.22 - Thalassoma Lutescens - aka The Banana Wrasse! (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=567360&postcount=629)
* 2011.01.06 - January 2011 - Update with FTS' (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=579726&postcount=639) - Coral p0rn (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=579735&postcount=641)
* 2011.02.01 - Tank Videos Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=m95IjIzlL9U) & Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOe4C71fFxE&feature=player_profilepage)
* 2011.03.19 - Coral and Clam pr0n (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=600039&postcount=731)
* 2012.01.24 - King and Queen Angel pics (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=675031&postcount=846)
* 2012.01.28 - Sump deep cleaning fun. (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=676450&postcount=859)
* 2012.01.29 - Full Tank Shots (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=676826&postcount=873)
* 2012.10.19 - Fall Tank Update - Summer Coral Crash and Tank rehabilitation: Part 1 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=756290&postcount=922) - Part 2 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=756986&postcount=941) - Fish Photos (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=757036&postcount=950).
* 2012.11.05 - Corals and Inverts: Part 1 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=761396&postcount=980) - Part 2 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=765638&postcount=1026) - SPS Collection: Part 1 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=765667&postcount=1030) - Part 2 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=765746&postcount=1051) - Part 3 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=765947&postcount=1060) - Full Tank Shot (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=765958&postcount=1064).
* 2012.12.12.12:12 - Radion and Kessil 350W review. (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=772730&postcount=1102)
* 2012.12.16 - GHL Mitras review (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=773837&postcount=1119).
* 2013.01.22 - Coral Macros (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=785561&postcount=1175) and FTS (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=785565&postcount=1179)
* 2013.02.19 - Clam Spawning (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=794738&postcount=1212) - Clown spawning (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=794795&postcount=1222)
* 2013.03.16 - Herbie to BeanAnimal Overflow Conversion. (www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=802955&postcount=1237)
* 2013.03.17 - Coral Photos Set 1 (www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=803197&postcount=1260) - Set 2 (www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=803262&postcount=1277)
* 2013.06.22 - Calgary River Floods !! (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=827493&postcount=1298)
* 2013.07.14 - Flood recovery update, 4 year review, photo spread. Set: 1 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=831830&postcount=1334) - 2 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=831860&postcount=1342) - 3 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=832063&postcount=1351) - 4 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=832281&postcount=1354) - 5 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=832495&postcount=1360) - 6 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=832712&postcount=1364) - 7 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=832867&postcount=1374) - 8 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=833101&postcount=1380) - 9 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=833227&postcount=1390)
* 2013.09.26 - The Reef Prayer Reactor (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=847647&postcount=1459)
* 2013.09.27 - Fall photo spread. Set 1 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=847665&postcount=1461) - 2 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=847753&postcount=1467) - 3 (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=847809&postcount=1475).
* 2013.10.01 - 1 Year growth sequence photos (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=848723&postcount=1498)
================

fishytime
07-08-2009, 12:44 PM
And so it begins....:biggrin:

plutoniumJoe
07-08-2009, 02:32 PM
Good luck to you and keep us posted. I love reading journals that start from concept and have plenty of pictures.

Malibu
07-08-2009, 06:02 PM
I see you are taking care to make sure your stand is level... is your floor level? :wink:

I am excited to see your new build, though, as I have just set up a room divider as well...

michika
07-08-2009, 06:06 PM
Awe! Its another member of the V-Dub club!

I like where this is going!

kien
07-08-2009, 08:16 PM
I see you are taking care to make sure your stand is level... is your floor level? :wink:

I am excited to see your new build, though, as I have just set up a room divider as well...

Oh man.. that floor is so not level. In fact, that orange level is no longer with us due to that fact. After taking that picture I went to lean on one of the corners. The stand rocked and sent the level flying 3 feet to its death :cry: I was using the level for measuring actually. I did haul the stand into the house to make sure it was level where it will finally sit and thankfully it is :-)

(mental note: next level I purchase is not going to be made of plastic).

mseepman
07-08-2009, 08:49 PM
Looking forward to this build as it's a smaller version of what I'm planning. When you say holes drilled in the eurobracing at the "opposite end" you mean opposite from the overflow. How do you plan to pipe the water to the other end without the pipes looking terrible?

kien
07-08-2009, 08:55 PM
Yes, the return outlets will be at the opposite end from the overflow box. I hope that works out because that is hellof-a-lot of travel :-)

The pipes are going to run up the side with the overflow box and then across the top of the tank along the long edge eurobrace until they meet up with the elbow and bulkhead at that opposite end. The tank is going to have a canopy to hide the pipes. Lights will sit on top of the canopy much like my current 90 gallon.

here is a highly detailed schematic of what I have planned. The red line is the return pipe. It will be 'T'ed off somewhere so that I can run one on either side of the long edge.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/tank_scheme.jpg?t=1247087026

K.

mseepman
07-08-2009, 11:11 PM
So, I still have a bunch of questions just because this is so close to what I'm doing. What are you planning to run as your return pump? What are you planning to stock? Are you planning to use anything at the overflow end for flow? Lastly, are you planning a sand bed or a bare bottom?

kien
07-09-2009, 01:47 AM
So, I still have a bunch of questions just because this is so close to what I'm doing. What are you planning to run as your return pump? What are you planning to stock? Are you planning to use anything at the overflow end for flow? Lastly, are you planning a sand bed or a bare bottom?

I love questions about my setup so ask away! Makes me think about all the details that I sometimes neglect to think about :-)

Return pump will be a QuietOne 6000. I currently have a QuietOne 3000 and love how quiet it is.

At the overflow end I will reuse my two Koralias 2's for now. I will replace them with a Vortech MP40 by the end of the summer though (hopefully).

I had a deep sand bed (4") in my 90 gallon. When I moved it last weekend I kept the sand out of it because I planned on using the sand in the 150. After seeing the 90 for a few days now all bare bottom I have to say I am loving it. Thus I am going to go bare bottom for the 150 and will sell/give away my rubbermaid tub of live sand that's sitting in my living room :-) I'd like to cover the bottom of the 150 with maybe a sprinkling of sand, some zoas, green stars and mushrooms.

As for stocking, everything in my current 90 gallon is going to go into the 150. For fish I have a Blue/Regal/Hippo tang, yellow tang, pair of perculas, six line wrasse, flame angel, watchman goby, pair of chromis', lawnmower blenny and some inverts like shrimps, an urchin and hermit crabs. The only new addition I am planning is possibly a purple tang or powder blue.

mseepman
07-09-2009, 05:43 AM
Sounds great. I would be surprised if those K2's could give you the flow you need though. I assume you are mostly sticking to softies?

kien
07-09-2009, 06:41 AM
Oh those K2s are definitely getting swapped out. They are barely enough for my 90 gallon. I have a few SPS' :-) They will have to tough it out until I replace the K2s with at least one Vortech MP40. I thought about getting K4s but I know that I want the Vortechs eventually so I'm just going to save up and go straight to the Vortechs and try to live with the K2s until then. I might have to stick my hand in the tank and stir it vigorously every day for a bit.. :lol:

mseepman
07-09-2009, 04:03 PM
I might have to stick my hand in the tank and stir it vigorously every day for a bit.. :lol:

Haha...At least you're willing to do the work.:lol:

I recently purchased a MP40W but I haven't installed it in my 70 yet. I might do so on Sunday and see how it goes.

mike31154
07-09-2009, 04:18 PM
Yow, Mark you have an MP40W in your hot little hands but are able to wait until Sunday to install it? Talk about patience! They're so relatively simple to slap on, although take care with the alignment & spacer setting for glass thickness. I recently added a second MP40W to my 75 and it's great. I previously ran the single one at long pulse, full power and with a quiet room, it was quite audible ramping up to full speed. Now with the two, I'm able to run them around 75% power, making things noticeably quieter. Flow is much better at the previously 'other' end of the tank as well. When you get yours going, I'm sure you will see a lot of stuff getting kicked up that you didn't know was in there!

kien
07-09-2009, 05:49 PM
Yow, Mark you have an MP40W in your hot little hands but are able to wait until Sunday to install it? Talk about patience! They're so relatively simple to slap on, although take care with the alignment & spacer setting for glass thickness. I recently added a second MP40W to my 75 and it's great. I previously ran the single one at long pulse, full power and with a quiet room, it was quite audible ramping up to full speed. Now with the two, I'm able to run them around 75% power, making things noticeably quieter. Flow is much better at the previously 'other' end of the tank as well. When you get yours going, I'm sure you will see a lot of stuff getting kicked up that you didn't know was in there!

Sweet! I'm really looking forward to picking up an MP40 now. Too bad I just dropped $500+ on a protein skimmer. Next paycheque maybe :-) Speaking of protein simmers.. I need to go pick that up. I got a call yesterday that it was in and ready for me. Its the Hydor 700. I will be picking up my QuietOne 6000 and a 55 gallon tank today as well in preparation for the sump build this friday/weekend.

kien
07-20-2009, 07:49 AM
It was quite a debate.. black stand or white stand. In the end I ended up going with a white stand. Our living room has white leather couches and the stand being as large as it is would probably look like a huge black hole in the middle of the room if I went black.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3431.jpg?t=1248075159

While the paint on the stand dried I decided that it was time to tackle the sump. Fortunately all my sump equipment was on hand (very important when you are building a sump!). I picked up the skimmer first. I haven't even fired this thing up yet and I'm already in love with it. Hopefully it does not let me down.

Hydor Performer 700

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0001.jpg?t=1248075320

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3430.jpg?t=1248075422

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3441.jpg?t=1248075467

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3446.jpg?t=1248075494

Originally I was going to go with a QuietOnes 6000 but ended up walking out with a Mag18. I'm such a sucker for an upsell. This thing is heavy!

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3444.jpg?t=1248075560

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3445.jpg?t=1248075592

Now we just need some baffles. I decided to go with acrylic panels. They are easy to obtain and to work with. All you have to do is measure up your panels. Score your lines with a straight edge of some sort and a scoring knife. I like to run 5 scores on either side of the panel. Then, snap! If you're like me and not quite strong enough (or too chicken) to snap the panel (where you scored it) by hand, just wedge it in between two pieces of 2x4s and step on it.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3437.jpg?t=1248075805

It all went pretty smooth. Here they are, the baffles!

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3438.jpg?t=1248075967

kien
07-20-2009, 08:12 AM
Okay, so everything for the sump is read to go. At first I was going to go with a 55g. After getting it home and shoving into the stand I decided that I wasn't really happy with it. Even though I have tonnes of room under the stand I still found the 55g a tad tall for my liking. A quick google pointed me to the 45g. It is only 2 inches shorter than the 55g but those two inches made a difference. That's 2 more inches of easy skimmer cup cleaning!

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3447.jpg?t=1248076313

Time for a dry fit.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3451.jpg?t=1248076479

From left to right we have the 'fuge, bubble trap, return section, bubble trap, the skimmer/overflow drain section. And here's all the equipment in their respective compartments.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3456.jpg?t=1248076529

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3457.jpg?t=1248076555

Okay, looks good. Time to commit with some silicone.

*** DISCLAIMER: This will be the ugliest siliconing job you will ever see. Please don't judge me by the aesthetics of the result ***

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3463.jpg?t=1248076585

Okay, so it is ugly but it gets the job done!

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3462.jpg?t=1248076777

Overflow grill for the 'fuge.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3461.jpg?t=1248076816

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3460.jpg?t=1248076874

But... will it hold water???

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0017.jpg?t=1248076923

Fuge holds water!

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0019.jpg?t=1248076965

So far so good.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0024.jpg?t=1248077010

kien
07-20-2009, 08:34 AM
Back to the stand. Now that the paint has dried it is time to move it into the house. Originally I had a sheet of 1/2 inch plywood which I was going to use for the top but decided I wanted something a little nicer. I was at Ikea looking for ideas for skinning the stand when I came across some counter tops. A nice one and a half inch slab of MDF, awesome. I went with one of the Numerar counter tops that happened to be just the right size at 73" by 25". No cutting required. While I was there I also found some cabinet door panels that I will use for the stand as well. More on that later.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3464.jpg?t=1248077860

This is always a good sign!

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3466.jpg?t=1248077886

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3468.jpg?t=1248077911

Now that the stand is (somewhat) ready let's get that tank in here. Let me just say, damn that thing is heavy! It took 4 of us to get it in and out of my car and onto the stand and it wasn't all that much fun, but my crew and I pulled it off.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3477.jpg?t=1248077989

A 1/2" sheet of pink styrofoam sits between the tank and the top of the stand for cushioning. The edge of the styrofoam was spray painted silver to match the trim and the top of the stand.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3479.jpg?t=1248078184

It sure is a lot bigger in person than it is on paper.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3480.jpg?t=1248078239

To recap, it is 72" long by 24" wide by 20" deep/high. Here's the external overflow box.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3482.jpg?t=1248078281

Two of the four 1" overflow holes. My plan is to have 1 drain straight into the 'fuge, merge two of them into a 1.5" pipe to drain into the skimmer section with a gate valve, and then the 4th hole will be the emergency drain.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3483.jpg?t=1248078313

And here are the two 1" returns drilled into the eurobrace at the opposite end from the overflow.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3486.jpg?t=1248078699

I put in a special request to move these holes far enough away from the glass panel so that I could easily maneuver a magfloat around the glass without interference.

Clay&Chey
07-20-2009, 08:41 AM
looks good i love my divider tank. Are you going to continue the stand up the back wall conceiling your overflow and return. hidden pipes is the way to go

kien
07-20-2009, 08:47 AM
I might, if I can be bothered :-) The exposed plumbing never bothered me when I had my 90 gallon there, and the 90 gallon was 2 feet away from the wall! :lol: But ya.. I will add that to my "to-do" list and see if I get around to that finishing detail towards the end (pun intended!).

Navarchus
07-20-2009, 09:06 AM
Looks promising

Delphinus
07-20-2009, 03:04 PM
Coming along nicely!

banditpowdercoat
07-20-2009, 03:27 PM
Now that the stand is (somewhat) ready let's get that tank in here. Let me just say, damn that thing is heavy! It took 4 of us to get it in and out of my car and onto the stand and it wasn't all that much fun, but my crew and I pulled it off.



HUH??!! Did He say CAR? What you drive, a Hearse?? LOL. I need to see pics of that!!

mseepman
07-20-2009, 04:15 PM
This build is looking so good!! The tank looks great where it's going. Are you happy with the build quality? I'm always wondering because I haven't decided who will build my next tank yet.

In looking at your sump, I see you did something similar to what I did on my current sump (but on a bigger scale) and the first problem that I encountered (about 3 months in) was that acrylic doesn't stick to silicon/glass and some of my baffles started falling over. I haven't fixed it yet, but you might want to research what others have done to combat this.

Delphinus
07-20-2009, 04:52 PM
Kien's just being modest. He actually carried the tank strapped to his back on his crotch rocket motorbike. I offered to help him carry it home but he was insistent he do it himself. At work on Friday he was using the tank as his coffee mug!

Eb0la11
07-20-2009, 05:15 PM
Looking good Kien. Definitely like Colby's work on tanks. I might go with him for my next tank, but I have a feeling that wont be for 4-5 years haha.

One thing your build shows is that I need to learn how to use my camera cause my shots look like garbage compared to yours.

kien
07-20-2009, 05:42 PM
...Are you happy with the build quality?

.. was that acrylic doesn't stick to silicon/glass and some of my baffles started falling over. I haven't fixed it yet, but you might want to research what others have done to combat this.

I am very happy with the build quality. I have inspected every inch of it and it just looks fabulous all around. Polished edges are nice and smooth, silicone is nice and clean, walls are nice and straight :-)

I was somewhat paranoid about this too so I may have over engineered the baffles.. ie, I put gobs and gobs of silicone on.. hehe! That's why it looks like the baffles were installed by a monkey. Did I mention that there were gobs?

Kien's just being modest. He actually carried the tank strapped to his back on his crotch rocket motorbike. I offered to help him carry it home but he was insistent he do it himself. At work on Friday he was using the tank as his coffee mug!

LOL! nice :-)

Looking good Kien. Definitely like Colby's work on tanks. I might go with him for my next tank, but I have a feeling that wont be for 4-5 years haha.

One thing your build shows is that I need to learn how to use my camera cause my shots look like garbage compared to yours.

Thanks! Ya, as I said already, I'm very very pleased with his work. It was worth every penny and let me tell you, there were quite a few pennies involved!

I'm looking forward to plumbing this bad boy up during the course of this week. Targeting Sunday to start water testing it.

kien
07-20-2009, 05:52 PM
HUH??!! Did He say CAR? What you drive, a Hearse?? LOL. I need to see pics of that!!

Well, okay, it was a large car! Nissan Murano, with both the rear seats down and both the front seats pushed as far forward as they could possibly go! :lol: It was fun driving the tank home with my steering wheel in my gut.

Eb0la11
07-20-2009, 06:08 PM
Where are you going to be looking for most of your plumbing parts. I went to home depot and the selection was lacking a bit. Lots of copper parts and typical piping parts like 90 degree bends and 45s but some of the other parts are missing. I couldnt find any gate valves that were pvc and no ball and socket spray parts along with other ones I need for my setup.

xtreme
07-20-2009, 06:30 PM
Rona has a better selection of PVC than HD. You should be able to find most of what you need there. The only thing they won't have are gate valves if you are planning a herbie.

kien
07-20-2009, 07:28 PM
I picked up some gate valves and some misc attachments from Red Coral last weekend. I picked up a nice green ball valve from Rona on the weekend as well (I have this thing for green stuff). Colby is providing me with the bulkheads for all my holes. He also suggested that I check out Western Pump. They are literally 5 minutes from my house (on 114st near Barlow Trail SE), so I'm going to stop in on my way home from work one of these evenings and check them out. Although, as xtreme said, Rona has the largest selection I have seen so far, minus the gate valves and bulkheads.

kien
07-24-2009, 09:35 AM
Okay, so after 4 trips to Rona, a failed trip to Home Depot (how can a hardware store not have 1" PVC pipe ??? ) and 3 trips to Western Pump, I finally collected all the parts I needed. The plumbing wasn't difficult, but there were many challenges that needed to be thought out, drawn out, solved and executed.

Here's my loot! Gate valve from Red Coral, bulkheads from Elite Aquatics. I like to spread the wealth :-)

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3689.jpg?t=1248427549

So first up are the stand pipes for the 4 drains (two primaries, 1 to fuge and 1 emergency). Simple enough.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3694.jpg?t=1248427749

Next I tackle the main drain. I have two 1" drains that I wanted to merge into one 2" pipe so that I can use one gate valve on it. I believe a 1 1/2" pipe will flow more than two 1" pipes. Here's what I came up with.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3697.jpg?t=1248427693

North and South views
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3695.jpg?t=1248427847 .. http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3696.jpg?t=1248427875

I was happy with it so I attached the gate valve and the elbow into the sump.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3700.jpg?t=1248427967 .. http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3703.jpg?t=1248428028

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3702.jpg?t=1248428054

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3711.jpg?t=1248428133

kien
07-24-2009, 09:46 AM
The other two drains went pretty much the same way, minus the gate valve and the merging. Here you can see the trio of drains. That forth pipe in the back there is the return, more on that later! One thing I just noticed is that I should put a gate valve on the line to the fuge. I'm not convinced that this is 100% necessary but I'll probably attach one in the end.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3726.jpg?t=1248428260

One tricky thing I had to tackle was how to run the fuge line while still giving myself enough clearance for the skimmer cup. The sump is only 12" wide and that skimmer is huge! In the end I just slanted the sump so that the fuge line was running at an angle towards the fuge.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3713.jpg?t=1248428425

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3715.jpg?t=1248428544

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3723.jpg?t=1248428565

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3739.jpg?t=1248428614

kien
07-24-2009, 09:56 AM
Lastly I worked on the return line. At first I was going to run it with a bunch of 90 degree elbows, but after playing around with the wider elbows with the return lines I decide to make a 90 degree turn with two wide elbows to give it more of a gentle turn.

Here's the return line running up the back side and top. In the end I'm not sure if it'll make a huge difference in flow but I figured every little bit helps!

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3733.jpg?t=1248428792 .. http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3735.jpg?t=1248428927

One thing you may have noticed is that there is no check valve on the return! Honestly, I am not a fan of check valves. I've used them before and after time they just get gunky and don't close properly. Instead, I will be drilling holes into the back of my two return nozzles so that it breaks the siphon in the event of a power loss. I'm currently using this method on my 90 gallon tank and it works quite well. Yes, the nozzles can get plugged with gunk too but it is much easier to clean the nozzles than it is to clean the check valve.

Here it is snaking around the front end and dropping into the tank.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3731.jpg?t=1248428983

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3734.jpg?t=1248429029

Something else you might notice is that I am not using bulkheads for the two return nozzles. I have the bulkheads for them but when I started working on it I quickly realized that the entire return line on top of the tank would have to be raised a few inches off the glass if I used the bulkheads. I didn't like this because then I would have to support the return line with something. Also, it would be a pain to reach into the tank on that side if the return line was higher. In the end I opted not to use those two bulkheads and just shoved the return nozzles right into the holes in the eurobrace.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3732.jpg?t=1248429047

So that's the plumbing in a nutshell. It wasn't rocket science but you do need to plan it out and remember to measure twice and cut once! Or, if you're like me, just run out and buy more PVC (but not from Home Depot because for some reason they don't believe in PVC).

Here are a couple of full tank shots to wrap up this stage.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3742.jpg?t=1248429075

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3743.jpg?t=1248429195

Navarchus
07-24-2009, 05:54 PM
Looks very tidt and neat!!!
Just make sure that you connect the return pump to the return pipe via flexible tube.
It will help to prevent pump vibration going to the pipe and making irritating noise.

kien
07-24-2009, 06:02 PM
Yup! That's why that bit is empty right now. I have all the barbed fittings to hook up a flexible tube but need the flexible tube :-) It also makes it easier to maintain the return pump in case I need to service.

kien
07-28-2009, 06:28 AM
So I finished up some details on the plumbing that I didn't get done last time. Here's the return line plumbed.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1373.jpg?t=1248761842

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1375.jpg?t=1248761923

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1379.jpg?t=1248761945

Here's the ball valve for the bypass in case I needed to throttle back the return pump. In the end I didn't need to open it at all but it might come in handy. It simply dumps the return back into the skimmer section.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1374.jpg?t=1248762022

I also decided to add a gate valve to the fuge line.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1376.jpg?t=1248762075

And away we go! .. with fingers crossed..

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1381.jpg?t=1248762186

Thankfully the tank held water. The stand did not collapse, or bow for that matter. The overflow box took the overflow and the standpipe drains drained!

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1387.jpg?t=1248762353

Here they are, draining, herbie style.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1386.jpg?t=1248762300 .. http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1388.jpg?t=1248762384

The main drain doing its thing.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1382.jpg?t=1248762439

And the fuge drain..

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1383.jpg?t=1248762483

kien
07-28-2009, 06:36 AM
I was quite happy with how the system ran. Very quiet and no issues save for this one minor one.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1391.jpg?t=1248762506

Yes, that is a small leak from that fitting. I guess there wasn't enough teflon. Instead of reapplying it I ended up siliconing all the threaded barbed fittings just to be on the safe side. In order to do that though I had to shut the system down and take those barbed adapters out and dry them. A great opportunity to do a power failure test!

This is what the sump looks like after a powerfail and the water has drained back into the sump.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1394.jpg?t=1248762712

There was definite lack of flood water on the floor which everyone in the house appreciated. The water in the main tank only drained down as far as the bottom edge of the overflow weir. To break the siphon from the returns, these holes were drilled into the sides of the return nozzles which are at the same level as the bottom edge of overflow. In normal operation the water rises above these holes by about a half an inch. This prevents air from being sucked into the return line and shooting bubbles into the tank.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1393.jpg?t=1248762891

So now I wait for the silicone to dry and power it up again tomorrow. If all goes well I will flush the tank and sump and fill it with salt water instead of that nasty tap water.

Clay&Chey
07-28-2009, 08:11 AM
Just wondering isn't a guy supposed to avoid hose clamps like that due to major rust issues??

Navarchus
07-28-2009, 11:37 AM
Looks good!
I would move the whole tubes above the sump. That way if you have a leak from some reason, all the water will go to the sump.

04scoobysti
07-28-2009, 12:57 PM
Just wondering isn't a guy supposed to avoid hose clamps like that due to major rust issues??

+1
I've use them (sold as stainless steel hose clamps), never submerged them, and usually the screw starts to rust.

kien
07-28-2009, 02:01 PM
Just wondering isn't a guy supposed to avoid hose clamps like that due to major rust issues??

Ya, these "stainless steel" clamps are interesting like that. I use them all the time on my garden plumbing, pond plumbing and all my past aquariums. Some of them rust and some don't even after years of service. I figure if any of the clamps in the sump start to rust I'll just replace them. But hey, wouldn't they just become phosphate removers at that point? :lol: Otherwise I don't really know what to do about them. I've never seen plastic ones and I don't trust zip ties for this application. Any suggestions for something else to use??

banditpowdercoat
07-28-2009, 03:47 PM
remove metal hose clamps, will rust and contaminate water. Ocean Aquatics has plastic clamps http://oceanaquatics.com/store/category/34/360/Clamps/
Use electrical tape or black paint to cover up the clear hose. it WILL get algae covered inside and restrict flow, requiring frequent cleaning. Just dont use tape below warerline
You might want to put a union on the return pump as well? Not sure how tough those hoses are to remove from the barbs. Mine are really tough. the pump will need to come out for cleaning

Other than that, looks great :D

Eb0la11
07-28-2009, 07:43 PM
Nice work Kien. You're moving along fast. Not sure how you managed all the updates when you had a wedding! Im hoping I'll have all my parts by the end of the day and will start the build tonight or tomorrow most likely. I'm hoping to fill this weekend. We all know that timely goals in this hobby usually arent met, but at least Ive set one! haha

Malibu
07-28-2009, 09:19 PM
I have read that soda water or carbonated water will lower the DKH. As to whether it could harm your fish - I'm uncertain, not knowing very much about salt systems. However, I would assume that it's like any other water parameter and any high or low level can be bad...

kien
07-28-2009, 10:32 PM
I have read that soda water or carbonated water will lower the DKH. As to whether it could harm your fish - I'm uncertain, not knowing very much about salt systems. However, I would assume that it's like any other water parameter and any high or low level can be bad...

??????????

JDigital
07-29-2009, 12:26 AM
Looking great! Almost too good to put anything in it.. Nice pics as well.

Navarchus
07-29-2009, 01:12 AM
B.T.W i think you sould use silicon tube not pvc one.

kien
07-29-2009, 01:29 PM
B.T.W i think you sould use silicon tube not pvc one.

Well, it is a little late now to rip everything out and switch over to silicon :-) What's wrong with PVC anyway? My PVC pipe says it is potable (printed on the side of the pipe).

Malibu
07-29-2009, 02:30 PM
Hmmm... sorry about that carbonated water post. Somehow it posted that here instead of another thread.

What I meant to say was if you want metal clips you can try aluminum or copper as neither of them will rust...

inkslinger
07-29-2009, 03:01 PM
sweet lookin setup kien, just one question...i see there is no center bracing(very observative of me) any issue of that thus far...everyone stand i see has both a front and back center brace and i wanna redo my stand under my 100g and really dont want the center braces allowing access to a neater sump design... anyway, any problems with yours.

kien
07-29-2009, 03:22 PM
sweet lookin setup kien, just one question...i see there is no center bracing(very observative of me) any issue of that thus far...everyone stand i see has both a front and back center brace and i wanna redo my stand under my 100g and really dont want the center braces allowing access to a neater sump design... anyway, any problems with yours.

That is one concern that I definitely had with the stand. I followed the same plans that just about everyone else on the web uses to build their stand, found here (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1169964). The guy who came up with the plan says the centre supports are not needed. I've been keeping an eye on it since I filled it and I am getting no deflection at all. I realize that this doesn't mean I will *never* get any deflection though. At any rate, I am not as worried as I used to be. I think it helps a lot that I used a 2x6 for the top supporting rails (actually a must if you are running 72 inches) and on top of that there is a thick 2" slab of very rigid MDF that the tank rests on. I do have 2x2s cut already that I might put in, each 12" from either side so that the long span is no more than 48 inches. I don't plan on putting a centre brace right in the middle of my 72" span though.

If you build your own stand, be sure to use wood glue. It makes the whole thing much sturdier.

banditpowdercoat
07-29-2009, 03:25 PM
centerbraces are not needed, My 150g stand has no center legs. Ive built a few other 6' stands for others with no center legs. But then, shallower tanks, like a 12" tall frag tank, They need more legs on the stand

Dez
07-29-2009, 03:27 PM
That is one concern that I definitely had with the stand. I followed the same plans that just about everyone else on the web uses to build their stand, found here (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1169964). The guy who came up with the plan says the centre supports are not needed. I've been keeping an eye on it since I filled it and I am getting no deflection at all. I realize that this doesn't mean I will *never* get any deflection though. At any rate, I am not as worried as I used to be. I think it helps a lot that I used a 2x6 for the top supporting rails (actually a must if you are running 72 inches) and on top of that there is a thick 2" slab of very rigid MDF that the tank rests on. I do have 2x2s cut already that I might put in, each 12" from either side so that the long span is no more than 48 inches. I don't plan on putting a centre brace right in the middle of my 72" span though.

If you build your own stand, be sure to use wood glue. It makes the whole thing much sturdier.

Sorry to hijack your thread kien.....my 150 sits on a 76" stand only supported on either end with 2 x 6 as a top rail. (My 150 is only 5' long). I don't think there's a concern with 2 x 6. My very first tank was a 90 gallon (4') and all I did was stacked cinder blocks 3 high on either side, slapped a piece of wood on the cinder blocks and that's what the tank sat on - NO top rail at all. Hope this helps.

kien
07-29-2009, 03:33 PM
centerbraces are not needed, My 150g stand has no center legs. Ive built a few other 6' stands for others with no center legs. But then, shallower tanks, like a 12" tall frag tank, They need more legs on the stand

Sorry to hijack your thread kien.....my 150 sits on a 76" stand only supported on either end with 2 x 6 as a top rail. (My 150 is only 5' long). I don't think there's a concern with 2 x 6. My very first tank was a 90 gallon (4') and all I did was stacked cinder blocks 3 high on either side, slapped a piece of wood on the cinder blocks and that's what the tank sat on - NO top rail at all. Hope this helps.

Sweet! I am a lot less worried now and won't be employing those 2x2s, thanks guys! :-)

kien
07-29-2009, 04:21 PM
Nice work Kien. You're moving along fast. Not sure how you managed all the updates when you had a wedding! Im hoping I'll have all my parts by the end of the day and will start the build tonight or tomorrow most likely. I'm hoping to fill this weekend. We all know that timely goals in this hobby usually arent met, but at least Ive set one! haha

The wedding was only a day :-)

One thing I have learned is that you *never* have all the fittings/parts until you are actually done! I have lost count of how many times I've been to Rona, Western Pump and Red Coral (for parts). Also, I now have a bunch of extra fittings that I ended up not using :-)

Dez
07-29-2009, 04:58 PM
The wedding was only a day :-)

One thing I have learned is that you *never* have all the fittings/parts until you are actually done! I have lost count of how many times I've been to Rona, Western Pump and Red Coral (for parts). Also, I now have a bunch of extra fittings that I ended up not using :-)

I returned $110 worth of plumbing yesterday and I still have a boxfull of plumbing from a different store that I have to go return....

kien
07-29-2009, 08:14 PM
So I am having a heck of a time trying to decide what to do about my flow..

I know that at the end of the tank where the returns are I am going to put at least one koralia 4 in a corner and direct the flow diagonally into the tank. What I can't decide on is what to do at the other (overflow) end of the tank. I want to use one or two Votech mp40s but I only have 3 inches of clearance on either side of my overflow box. This means that if I were to install a Vortech it is going to have to sit right beside the side panes of glass with its flow blasting down the sides of the glass as illustrated below..

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/vortechplacement.jpg?t=1248898269

My concern is whether or not I am going to get enough flow through the centre of the tank. Tank is 24" wide. If I used Koralias I could easily point them more towards the centre of the tank. I don't want to put a vortech at the other end of the tank because this is a peninsula viewable on 3 sides. A koralia at that end I can tuck away in a corner but a vortech.. probably not.

JDigital
07-29-2009, 08:57 PM
I think you above illistration will work just fine... why? because I assume most of your rockwork with be down the middle of the tank, so unless you want direct flow blasting your rockwork/corals at that end of the tank, I think you will be just fine with 2x mp40's positioned like your pic. Remeber Vortechs have a nice wide flow pattern... plus you will have your 2 returns (which I assume are adjustable for direction) and the K4 at the other end of the tank, which you could mount in the middle...

Piscez
07-29-2009, 11:43 PM
Don't worry about the flow with the MP40W's the control you get has a very broad range to suit almost anyone's needs. I have a single in my 72 bow in short pulse mode at approx 50% power I'm generating a 2" wave and it's aimed directly at my rock work. The width field on the MP40W's is amazing,

BTW your setup is looking really good! nice pics.:popcorn:

Navarchus
07-30-2009, 02:22 AM
I think you should go with a couple of Tunze 6105 and the new 7096
I had them and I was very satisfied, I can’t tell the same on my couple of mp40 gen2, noisy and unreliable

JDigital
07-30-2009, 02:27 AM
I don't understand when people say Vortechs are noisy?? I have one in my bedroom and I can never hear it... :biggrin:

Navarchus
07-30-2009, 03:46 AM
how long do ypu have it?

xtreme
07-30-2009, 03:57 AM
I don't understand when people say Vortechs are noisy?? I have one in my bedroom and I can never hear it... :biggrin:

Not saying I don't like them, but I can definitely hear them. What mode do you have yours on? I have one on Reef Crest and one on Lagoon and I can sure hear them ramp up. I have also run into the reliability issue recently...

JDigital
07-30-2009, 11:30 AM
Not saying I don't like them, but I can definitely hear them. What mode do you have yours on? I have one on Reef Crest and one on Lagoon and I can sure hear them ramp up. I have also run into the reliability issue recently...

I run reef crest at 100%. But only an mp20

kien
07-30-2009, 03:16 PM
I run reef crest at 100%. But only an mp20

I guess I will try one first and see if the noise bothers me. If not then I'll get a second. If so then I'll get a Koralia 6 or something equally powerful and ugly.

By the way, thanks for the K4! It is currently circulating my second 33g tub of saltwater that I'm prepping for the tank :-) Oh, and I'm still interested in those flat pieces so give me a quote :-)

Eb0la11
07-31-2009, 05:18 AM
So Kien do you have live rock in that sucker now? Is it cycling? Done any aquascaping? I'm planning on filling this weekend and if somehow I have no problems then ordering some live rock from tampabaysaltwater (hoping they ship to canada), you want to do a group order? Not sure if its cheaper or not but Im thinking of ordering maybe 30 lbs or so.

Then once I get it Im gonna lay it out pretty far apart to try to determine if I have any critters I need to dispose of before I add my livestock.

I see you're asking Carmen for stars too, when do you think its safe to put them in the tank? I guess after the cycle or are they hardy enough to go in with the live rock?

kien
07-31-2009, 08:41 AM
So Kien do you have live rock in that sucker now? Is it cycling? Done any aquascaping? I'm planning on filling this weekend and if somehow I have no problems then ordering some live rock from tampabaysaltwater (hoping they ship to canada), you want to do a group order? Not sure if its cheaper or not but Im thinking of ordering maybe 30 lbs or so.

Then once I get it Im gonna lay it out pretty far apart to try to determine if I have any critters I need to dispose of before I add my livestock.

I see you're asking Carmen for stars too, when do you think its safe to put them in the tank? I guess after the cycle or are they hardy enough to go in with the live rock?

Nothing in the new tank yet, but soon :-) I am targeting Sunday to move everything over from the 90 gallon to the 150. I think I have enough live rock for the new tank. The 90 was packed with rock and I want the 150 to look a little more open so I think I have just the right amount of rock for that.

I would consider the stars a part of your initial cleanup crew which you would put in after your tank has cycled. I'm hoping for little to no cycling since I'm just dumping everybody and everything from the 90 to the 150 and then topping it up with saltwater that I have premixed in tubs, sitting in my living room :-) If all goes well, everyone will just think it was a major water change and they magically have more room to swim. I will attempt to aquascape during the transfer, or the following day.

I got a message from Kevin with the tracking number for my new light fixture. According to FedEx it left Great Falls Montana a couple of days ago and should be here any day now! I wasn't expecting it so soon so this evening I scrambled to finish my canopy. The light fixture will sit on top of the canopy which will be 6 inches high.

I also redid a part of my return line. I got rid of the section with the metal clamps and made a new one with a couple of unions added.

Before.. and After..
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1395.jpg?t=1249029201 .. http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1397.jpg?t=1249029225

Here it is hooked up and ready to go.
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1398.jpg?t=1249029244

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1399.jpg?t=1249029428

For flow I was thinking of getting a couple of Vortech MP40s but now I am leaning towards a couple of Tunze 6105s. I've read enough reports about the Vortech being noisy now so I am hesitant. Also, I have a Profilux on order which can control the Tunzes so I don't have to buy a separate Tunze pump controller. Well, that's all for now. Sunday will be exciting, or traumatizing..

Coleus
07-31-2009, 06:56 PM
very nice build
________

Coleus
08-04-2009, 04:20 AM
update some picts pls :)
________

Lance
08-04-2009, 04:57 AM
Hmmmm. I have 2 MP40's and I don't find them noisy. Maybe a little at full throttle, but I run mine at about 75% in Reef Crest mode. I love them.


For flow I was thinking of getting a couple of Vortech MP40s but now I am leaning towards a couple of Tunze 6105s. I've read enough reports about the Vortech being noisy now so I am hesitant. Also, I have a Profilux on order which can control the Tunzes so I don't have to buy a separate Tunze pump controller. Well, that's all for now. Sunday will be exciting, or traumatizing..[/QUOTE]

kien
08-05-2009, 03:33 PM
So last Friday I finished up the canopy. Primed, sealed, painted, put on doors, cut out vents, etc. Everything was going swimmingly with my build.. then I went and slit my wrist. Not on purpose of course! Somehow I managed to brush my wrist across the end of my drill bit :(

Ouch!

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1407.jpg?t=1249486361

Actually, I think it looks worse than it really was. Nothing a can of spray on bandage can't fix up.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1411.jpg?t=1249486380

Anyway.. enough of that. On with the show!

kien
08-05-2009, 03:42 PM
Right, so the stand turned out pretty good. Well, at least I like it. I used the exact same plans as I did with my 90g tank. Basically we have 8 1x2 leg supports with panels attached to both of the short sides (overflow and return). Cutouts on both of those panels to support a fan cooling system (air in one end out the other to provide laminar air cooling if needed). The top rails are 1x4s for a frame braced by 1x2s running along the long edge. Pretty stiff and stable. The combo light fixture will sit on top of the canopy. nearly 6 foot long panels attached by hinges for access.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2751.jpg?t=1249486755..http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2752.jpg?t=1249486775

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2753.jpg?t=1249486797

Both of the long panels on the canopy open for easy access to either side.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2755.jpg?t=1249486836

The 1"x3" panels that I used for the top part of the canopy was pretty flimsy so they needed some sort of support, especially for a 6 foot span. My original gut feeling was that I was going to have to put a leg or two in the middle on either side. I really didn't want to do this because i liked the clean wide open space that I had for working with. What I came up with was a brace using a 1x2 screwed into the 1x3 top panels. The 1x2 sits on its 1" side so it is nice and stiff. It really only needs to support the weight of the doors, which aren't that heavy. Even though the combo light will be sitting on top of the canopy the legs of the combo light actually sit on far ends which are supported by the legs, so no worries about sagging or stress on that long 6 foot run. You can see the brace that I painted gray just behind the doors.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2756.jpg?t=1249486853

And finally, a full tank shot from the living room.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2757.jpg?t=1249486872

mseepman
08-05-2009, 04:37 PM
This is a great build. You've done a really nice job with that canopy.

Thanks for documenting so well, you've given me a few ideas on how I want to do things in my new tank.

Dez
08-05-2009, 04:43 PM
Beautiful work there. Don' even need fish, I could stare at those pictures all day.....well maybe not all day, but you get the point.

Every build has injuries hey? I put a robertson #2 bit right through my thumb while building my stand.

kien
08-05-2009, 05:10 PM
Thanks guys :-) I'm trying to document as much detail as possible just for that reason. Before I ventured into this build I combed through just about every build thread in the Tank Journal section. I have nearly all of your builds subscribed to and they all gave me great ideas for how I wanted to set up this tank. So really I'm just paying it back :-)

JDigital
08-05-2009, 05:12 PM
Loving your build Kien... Mostly because of those excellent photos.. :lol:

kien
08-05-2009, 05:50 PM
The time has finally come. This is probably the one aspect of any build that is on everyone's mind before they even get started.. the aquascaping! It has kept me awake at night for many many moons now (that and the whole worrying about leaks and flooding). So many great examples out there. Do I stack, epoxy, rod, zip tie, spray?? Do I do an apple stand, bonsai tree, mounds, lagoon ? Lots of stickies and napkins with funny looking squiggles on it that may or may not resemble live rock were sacrificed. Here's how it went down.

I decided to break up my aquascaping into 3 sections. Each section would be aquascaped in a fashion that I saw appealing from other examples and my past history with rock work. It ends up being a little bit of a mash up but I liked the end result.

The first grouping, closest to the overflow is a stacking of rocks with bridges and caves. I call them, the Caves. However, I didn't want to just stack the rocks like I did in the past. For one, I never did like the idea of putting live rock right on the glass. I know its fine and everyone else does it but that's not for me. I also wanted to stand the base rock up in more interesting stances rather than relying on their widest most stable side. Okay.. so how to do that? First I needed an anchoring system for my base rocks. What I came up with was the use of acrylic frag plugs, plugged into the bottom of the rocks, with the acrylic plugs glued to a sheet of acrylic that would sit on the glass. What I needed to do first was to make a some what level surface for my frag plugs. I simply rolled the rock around until I decided on which part of the rock I wanted to sit on the ground. If that part of the rock wasn't perfectly flat, I just took a chisel and made it flat(er). I used an acrylic sheet to test for flatness as I chiseld away.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2764.jpg?t=1249492981

Once I was happy with its flatness I choose 3 points where the frag plugs would go and proceeded to drill the holes for the frag plugs.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2760.jpg?t=1249493225

Note: If you ever try drill live rock, take it slow! Start out with a smallish pilot hole, then work your way up to your final hole size/drill bit. If you start off with your largest bit right away chances are you will end up fragging your live rock.

Once the hole was drilled I tested the hole to make sure it fit my frag plug snuggly.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2761.jpg?t=1249493324

Then I proceeded to do the remaining holes. Once all of my holes were drilled and plugged with the frag plugs, I lined up the acrylic sheet again to make sure it was still level/flat. It wasn't so I simply made some holes bigger and and filled them with epoxy to straighten the plug. At this point the plugs simply sit into the holes, they are not secured in the holes in any way. I wanted to be able to place the rock onto the plugs later after I had put the acrylic base sheet into the tank first.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2770.jpg?t=1249493438 .. http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2769.jpg?t=1249493626

Once I was happy with the fit I put gel glue (loclite from home depot) onto each of the frag plugs and place the entire structure onto the acrylic sheet where I wanted it.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2771.jpg?t=1249493672

I had to hold it in place for a few seconds to let the glue dry enough so that I could then lift the rock up from the frag plugs, leaving the frag plugs behind.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2763.jpg?t=1249493777

I repeated the whole process for the 4 legs of my main support legs for the Caves.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2773.jpg?t=1249493843

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2774.jpg?t=1249493882

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2776.jpg?t=1249493925

Next I had to decide what the upper structure of the Caves was going to look like and how to attach them. Again, I didn't want to just lay or stack rock on top of the base rock. What I decided to do was to make acrylic dowels of various lengths. These are dowels made out of a 1/2" acrylic rod (hallow).

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2779.jpg?t=1249494202

The upper rock was light(ish) so I didn't feel like I needed an entire rod inserted into the rock. Once I knew where I wanted a piece to attach to, I drilled a hole into each piece that was the size of the dowel. Inserted the dowel and set them together. For a little extra security I used epoxy and/or zip ties to fasten them together.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2780.jpg?t=1249494161

Finally, once I was happy with all my varous sub structures I put the sheet of acrylic into the tank and then started to position all of the base rock onto their corresponding support plugs. I'll admit, it was tricky to line up the holes again.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2781.jpg?t=1249494297 .. http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2782.jpg?t=1249494438

kien
08-05-2009, 05:51 PM
And here they are, the Caves.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2783.jpg?t=1249494484

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2787.jpg?t=1249494690

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2788.jpg?t=1249494713

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2786.jpg?t=1249494734

kien
08-05-2009, 06:06 PM
Next up was the middle section of the tank where I wanted a bonsai tree like structure. I knew that this pieces was going to sit funny and be very top heavy so i didn't want to rely on the previous method for securing rock to the acrylic sheet. Instead I just picked out the largest and heaviest rock I had in my collection and used it as my base rock. I then epoxied and zip tied various flat pieces together to make the arms or branches of the tree.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2792.jpg?t=1249495370

Here again I am using an acrylic dowel to help secure an arm of the bonsai tree.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2793.jpg?t=1249495391

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2794.jpg?t=1249495708

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2800.jpg?t=1249495433

There are two arms in total with a vary large flat tonga piece that sits on top. Huh.. I thought I had taken a picture of of the entire structure but I guess I didn't. I guess you'll have to wait until the full tank shot to see it. Sorry, here's a shot of me drilling live rock, enjoy.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2795.jpg?t=1249495494

lastlight
08-05-2009, 06:24 PM
Thanks for the step-by-step I really like how you've secured the rocks to the acrylic base! Where do people get their acrylic from? I need a bit to make a filter foam tray to sit before my return pump...

kien
08-05-2009, 07:33 PM
Finally, in the last section I wanted to make a lagoon with low(ish) terraces that hovered over the sand. One criteria here is that I did not want the appearance of a heavy base rock supporting the terraces. Instead, I used a slab of tavertine as my anchor and drilled holes into it where I would insert very long and thick rods to support my terraces. If you've never seen or worked with tavertine, it is a very very dense and heavy rock! They use it to build buildings! I would then cover up the exposed acrylic with rubble epoxied to it. The tavertine is a tan colour that perfectly matches the sand bottom.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2801.jpg?t=1249495943

I guess now is a good a time as any to let the cat out of the bag. Way back in the beginning I had made a decision to go bare bottom. Well, after staring into my 150 for the past few weeks and then seeing the aquascaping come together I decided that I truly am not a bare bottom kind of guy. Sure it looks cool, but I think sand looks better, more complete and natural. The decision to put some sand on the bottom helped me to put all the pieces of my puzzle together. For example, I can now hide those acrylic panels that I glued my live rock too and I can partially burry the travertine slab so that it blends in with the sand.

Anyway, here's one of the terraces drilled.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2802.jpg?t=1249500394

And here they are built up.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2803.jpg?t=1249500441

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2805.jpg?t=1249500475

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2807.jpg?t=1249500504

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2808.jpg?t=1249500523

Note: When dealing with live rock you have to work quickly. What I had on hand was a tub with heated salt water from the tank that I could use to dunk the rock into every now and again to keep them moist. Unfortunately this made for a very messy rock building session.

kien
08-05-2009, 07:36 PM
Thanks for the step-by-step I really like how you've secured the rocks to the acrylic base! Where do people get their acrylic from? I need a bit to make a filter foam tray to sit before my return pump...

I got my acrylic panels from Home Depot (sump panels), and Rona ( base panels for aquascaping). Same stuff and pretty much the same price. It's just that sometimes they are out of stock.

Acrylic plugs from Red Coral :-)

Acrylic rods from Industrial Plastics and Paint (http://www.ippnet.com/)

Midknight
08-05-2009, 07:48 PM
Totally love the way your doing this. Gives me a lot of ideas also. :wink:

kien
08-05-2009, 08:03 PM
It is probably safe to say that moving/changing tanks is the most hated task for any aquarium hobbyist. Typicaly you set out with some sort of a plan or process. You execute it and then somewhere along the way there are hiccups, some bumps, bruises, sweat, tears, perhaps a little blood, and a few colourful metaphors thrown in for good measure. I have moved tanks many many times now, and each time I made note of something I learned that worked well, or was an EPIC FAIL. This tank move went quite smoothly as a result. Here's how it went down.

1. First I mixed two 33 gallon tubs of salt water. I heated and circulated this water so that it was the exact same temperature as the Old tank. That's a totally of 66 gallons in tubs. There was another 25 gallons in my premix Brute tub in the basement on hand and a full 55g of RO/DI water just in case. You may have noticed this tubs in some of the build picture.
They're sitting next to the display tank.

2. After fishing out some of my live rock to build the Cave structure I then proceeded to pump out water from the Old tank into the New tank.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2790.jpg?t=1249501545

3. Once I had enough water in the display tank (probably about 5 inches of water), I put a heater into the New tank and made sure it was heated. I like to run 77 degrees F. I also put in a power head to circulate the water in the New tank.

4. With 5 inches of water in the new tank I had enough water to move some corals. Using a tupperware container large enough to hold a coral colony with some water I placed colonies one at a time into the container and transported them to the new tank, making sure that they were never exposed to air. I know that they are fine with air exposure but I figured the whatever I can do to minimize the the stress of the tank moving the better!

5. I repeated this process until I ran out of room and then proceeded to pump more water into the New Tank.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2789.jpg?t=1249501752

6. Once more rock was exposed in the Old tank I took them out and worked on them (aquascaping) for the new tank. (see previous posts on aquascaping).

7. I repeated steps 4-6 until everyone was moved from the Old tank to the New tank. By now the Old tank was empty and the new tank was half full of the Old tanks water. Slightly cloudy. No one was very happy but none the worse for wear. I did not do all the aquascaping as i went along. For example, the last arm of the Bonsai and the Lagoon rocks I just left sitting at the bottom of the tank to be worked on later (after all the water was filled).

8. At this point I proceeded to pump in water from the tubs of premixed salt into the New tank. Slowly. It was like a water changed to them. Although a very hefty 50% water change. The tank was a little cloudy but it cleared up pretty quick.

9. Once the water began to overflow into the sump I turned it on and away we went!

10. I then transferred the refugium from the Old sump into the refugium of the New sump. Mostly just sand, live rock rubble and a ball of chaeto that doesn't seem to want to grow very well for some reason.. mental note, need more chaeto.

The next day I put my old 48" light fixture on top of the canopy. I am still waiting for my new 72" light fixture to free itself from the evil clutches of Canadian Customs. I also cleaned and added a dusting of sand to the tank. The sand clouded things a big.

Well, that's pretty much it in a nutshell. I don't have any pics of the full tank yet because it looks really funny with the 48" light fixture. The new fixture should be here any day now..

In the meantime, here are some shots of the sump in action.

The skimmer skimming..

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2811.jpg?t=1249502407

The 'fuge fuging..

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2810.jpg?t=1249502386

and the sump sumping.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2812.jpg?t=1249502448

mseepman
08-05-2009, 08:05 PM
Again, some great ideas and excellent detail in your photography. Keep sharing those ideas with us!

kien
08-05-2009, 08:08 PM
Two full days have passed now and everyone is doing great. Corals, SPS, LPS, zoos are all open, fish are swimming eating, exploring. Here's a crappy led moonlight night shot until I get a proper shot with the new lights in.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2815.jpg?t=1249502878

see how funny it looks with the old light fixture on it ? :-)

JDigital
08-05-2009, 08:25 PM
Damn! Love the aquascape! :mrgreen: Tank looks awesome Kien!

kien
08-05-2009, 08:32 PM
Damn! Love the aquascape! :mrgreen: Tank looks awesome Kien!

Thanks :-) And thanks again for the lagoon terrace pieces ;-) I didn't really want to cook them and I didn't really need them to be "live" so I sterilized them.. did you know that dead coraline fluoresces a brilliant red under actinics?? Looks cool :rofl:

JDigital
08-05-2009, 08:44 PM
Haha! No problems, nice to be part of this build. :biggrin:

kien
08-05-2009, 08:46 PM
Haha! No problems, nice to be part of this build. :biggrin:

Your Koralia 4 is in there too, adding a little flow support :-) Now.. if your Diamond Watchman Goby and Royal Gramma Basslet could make their way to my tank that would be great! :lol:

kien
08-06-2009, 02:56 AM
Okay, as promised, here are some daytime pictures. Still using my old 48" light so the lighting in the tank is oddly unbalanced. Also, nothing is secured to rocks as i'm still working on figuring out where corals will live.

East view aka the Terraced Lagoon

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2819.jpg?t=1249526550

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2821.jpg?t=1249526638

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2823.jpg?t=1249526663

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2832.jpg?t=1249526692

Northern view of the Caves

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2837.jpg?t=1249526716

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2857.jpg?t=1249526881

The Bonsai

South View
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2854.jpg?t=1249526921

North View
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2861.jpg?t=1249526850

Full tank North Face
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2838.jpg?t=1249527073

South Face
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2840.jpg?t=1249527121

Two new cleaning stations
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2851.jpg?t=1249527161

Another cleaning station and the flowerpot hanging out in the lagoon
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2848.jpg?t=1249527223

JDigital
08-06-2009, 03:02 AM
Very Nice! Wow... :mrgreen:

Carmen
08-06-2009, 03:06 AM
DOUBLE WOW!! And I LOVE the aquascape Kien! It's gorgeous!

Navarchus
08-06-2009, 03:26 AM
Congratulations for a well done job!
Good luck

Eb0la11
08-06-2009, 05:29 AM
Hey Kien, how deep is your sand bed? Im debating between a DSB and SSB.

Coleus
08-06-2009, 06:31 AM
Wow, this is so nice.
________
Lesbian vid (http://www.****tube.com/categories/26/lesbian/videos/1)

mytank90
08-06-2009, 11:04 AM
all i can say is wow what a very nice looking tank

kien
08-06-2009, 01:21 PM
Hey Kien, how deep is your sand bed? Im debating between a DSB and SSB.

I had the same debate! I was even going to go bare bottom. In the end I went with a shallow sand bed of 0 to a max of 1.5 inches in my lagoon. So ya, it starts at at 1.5 inches at one end of the tank and gradually tapers down to just a dusting if sand at the other end. The powerheads have cleared a couple of spots of sand but I don't mind. I suspect once I get a couple of gobies in there that there will be a few more clear spots. I just love how the halide light shimmers on the sand and how it reflects light back up. Makes the tank a lot brighter.

hummer
08-06-2009, 02:19 PM
Great looking tank Kien. I spent the last hour at work reading your build journal. :biggrin: Busy day...
I was just browsing for ideas for a new tank in my basement if I ever decide to develop it. Got a lot of great ideas from your thread. Amazing!

lastlight
08-06-2009, 03:56 PM
The rockwork looks incredible! I'm hoping I can find some nice shelf pieces as well when the time comes.

mseepman
08-06-2009, 04:39 PM
What a great build! The full tank shots are amazing with how you've done the rockwork. Thanks for sharing with us.

kien
08-09-2009, 10:39 AM
So I'm sitting here looking at my fancy schmancy new tank and decided that it would really suck if it exploded (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1547948&perpage=25&pagenumber=1). Thus I decided to install a GFCI. I know I should have done this at the start, and I intended to but for some reason it fell off my radar. Okay, so there are a lot of options. Buy a GFCI outlet and replace the main one in the wall with the GFCI. Or do I buy one of those GFCI powerbars ?? Lucky for me my dad had a GFCI outlet kicking around that he wasn't using. I was going to replace the wall receptacle with it but then decide that it would be nice to maybe leave the wall the way it is, and run a line under my tank and maybe use a GFCI powerbar instead.. Well, then it hit me. Why not make my own!

I ran out and picked up some supplies. A cable and a 3 prong plug, outdoor electrical box and weather proof cover.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2863.jpg?t=1249813653

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2864.jpg?t=1249813707

It was quite easy actually, and everything came with instructions.

First I stripped one end of my waterproof wire for the plug.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2867.jpg?t=1249813776

Then openned up the plug and inserted the appropriate wires into their respective slots.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2868.jpg?t=1249813813http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2869.jpg?t=1249813839http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2870.jpg?t=1249813856

So now we have a plug.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2871.jpg?t=1249813881

I siliconed the base of the plug (where the wire inserts into it) for good measure.

Next I ran the other end of my cable into the electrical box where my receptacle will go.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2873.jpg?t=1249813928

Insert said receptacle and attach the wires as per the instructions from the receptacle.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2874.jpg?t=1249813960

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2875.jpg?t=1249813983

Screw in the receptacle.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2876.jpg?t=1249814011

Now we put on the weatherproof box.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2877.jpg?t=1249814035

Attach the cover to said weatherproof box.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2879.jpg?t=1249814059

Voila! one GFCI power outlet. Not quite a powerbar but anything I plug into it, including a power bar or two will be GFCI'ed. Incidentally I have two powerbars that I will be plugging into it.

I plugged it in to make sure it worked of course. Orange light means it has tripped. It comes this way. Press the reset button to reset/untrip it.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2884.jpg?t=1249814087

Plugged my 'fuge light into it and we have power!

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_2886.jpg?t=1249814131

The whole process was actually quite simple and didn't take very long at all, except for having to pause after each step to take those darn pictures.

Leah
08-09-2009, 11:13 AM
Clever!

mseepman
08-09-2009, 04:02 PM
Just remember that it's in your best interest to not run everything on that GFCI in case it trips...leave at least a powerhead or two off of it.

kien
08-09-2009, 09:21 PM
Just remember that it's in your best interest to not run everything on that GFCI in case it trips...leave at least a powerhead or two off of it.

Agreed! That's why I decided not to install the GFCI into the wall. This way I still have the wall receptacle to use for non-GFCI'ed (backup) stuff like you said. I am going to install a weatherbox over the non-GFCI wall receptacal as well.

Eb0la11
08-10-2009, 02:26 AM
Hey Kien, where did you get your DJ-8 thing? Did you have to order it? Id like to get one.

kien
08-10-2009, 02:32 AM
Hey Kien, where did you get your DJ-8 thing? Did you have to order it? Id like to get one.

Sorry, I have no idea what a DJ-8 is but if you are referring to my GFCI thing-a-Ma-jig, all parts came from Rona.

Eb0la11
08-10-2009, 02:36 AM
I meant one of these things as your power strip. I thought I saw one in your system, I could be wrong and havent looked back to verify:

http://askville.amazon.com/SimilarQuestions.do?req=Power+strip

kien
08-10-2009, 02:47 AM
I think that power strip must be in someone elses build because it isn't in mine :-)

I will be using a Profilux digital 6 socket and 4 socket powerstrip once I get my Profilux controller up and running. Right now everything is just plugged into a regular powerbar.

Coleus
08-10-2009, 03:38 PM
you are very creative Kien. 2 Thumbs up.
________
2005 lexus cup (http://www.toyota-wiki.com/wiki/2005_Lexus_Cup)

Delphinus
08-11-2009, 05:42 AM
Great looking tank Kien. You've been busy!

fooser
08-12-2009, 03:46 AM
Kien, this has given me a lot of great idea (your ideas that is :P) for my new build coming up. I almost feel like I should get your help doing it up. I will for sure steal some of your ideas for your baserock building. Just wanted to say your doing an awesome job. Thanks for all the pictures too! Really liking it.

Anthony

kien
08-17-2009, 05:07 AM
Kien, this has given me a lot of great idea (your ideas that is :P) for my new build coming up. I almost feel like I should get your help doing it up. I will for sure steal some of your ideas for your baserock building. Just wanted to say your doing an awesome job. Thanks for all the pictures too! Really liking it.

Anthony

Hehe, thanks :-) Sure, ring me up anytime. Glad to help!

kien
08-17-2009, 05:15 AM
Finally got around to skinning the stand last weekend, and it looks something like this:

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3539.jpg?t=1250485763

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3540.jpg?t=1250485785

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3541.jpg?t=1250485811

There are seven 24" panels in total that skin the stand. They are simply cabinet doors that I got from Ikea a while back. Not cheap but they were the only things I could find that matched exactly the look I was going for. A nice smooth glossy finish. As you can see here they are simply held in place by 4 magnets. No hinges here.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3532.jpg?t=1250485928

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3530.jpg?t=1250485951

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3531.jpg?t=1250485969

Gravity also helps to keep them in place by resting them on the baseboard at the bottom of the stand.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3534.jpg?t=1250486015

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3537.jpg?t=1250486037

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3538.jpg?t=1250486057

kien
08-17-2009, 05:19 AM
GFO and Carbon reactors daisy chained with a maxijet 900.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3529.jpg?t=1250486267

kien
08-17-2009, 05:28 AM
So my overflow is/was rather noisy for a herbie. The herbie part of it was working fine but what ended up happening was the eggcrate grill of the overflow created 15 streams that poured into the overflow causing quite splash. It wasn't so bad when the water level in the overflow box was higher up, but when it was half way full it was quite noisy. I had to take action and this is what I came up with.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3549.jpg?t=1250486567

It is simply a cut piece of filter floss that I draped over a sheet of egg crate inside the overflow box. The water flows over onto the filter floss and then gently flows down. It is quite an effective silencer. No matter what the level of the water is in the overflow box, it is dead silent now.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3545.jpg?t=1250486675

Here you can see all those little streams that used to gush into the overflow box. Now they gently flow.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3548.jpg?t=1250486698

kien
08-17-2009, 05:35 AM
Here are some full tank shots with the new light fixture. It is a 72" Maristar with three 250 watt HQI Ushio 14Ks with four 39watt HOT5s Aquascience 22Ks. I'm quite happy with this combination. The Ushios to my eyes are nearly pure white, then the Aquascience 22Ks give it that extra punch of blue, but not too much blue. The are driven by Galaxy ballasts.

South View..
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0781.jpg?t=1250487105

South East View..
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0798.jpg?t=1250487141

East View..
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0458.jpg?t=1250487207

North East View..
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0797.jpg?t=1250487240

North View..
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0790.jpg?t=1250487272

Yes.. that is a heck of a lot of glass to clean :sad:

kien
08-17-2009, 05:40 AM
Some random shots around the reef..

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0785.jpg?t=1250487385

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0788.jpg?t=1250487426

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0789.jpg?t=1250487446

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0791.jpg?t=1250487468

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0795.jpg?t=1250487496

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0794.jpg?t=1250487517

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0799.jpg?t=1250487584

MikeP
08-17-2009, 05:43 AM
Very nice! It looks great :)

kien
08-17-2009, 05:43 AM
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0810.jpg?t=1250487640

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0811.jpg?t=1250487659

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0812.jpg?t=1250487675

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0813.jpg?t=1250487690

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0815.jpg?t=1250487706

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0816.jpg?t=1250487723

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0817.jpg?t=1250487798

kien
08-17-2009, 05:50 AM
And finally, this is what the tank looks like in my haus.

from the living room..
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0445.jpg?t=1250487870

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0451.jpg?t=1250487969

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0452.jpg?t=1250488129

from the dining room..
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0446.jpg?t=1250487887

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0447.jpg?t=1250487924

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0448.jpg?t=1250487950

from the stairs..
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0450.jpg?t=1250488001

from the foyer..
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0478.jpg?t=1250488029

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0477.jpg?t=1250488054

Navarchus
08-17-2009, 05:58 AM
Fantastic….fabulous……amazing…..

Eb0la11
08-17-2009, 08:35 AM
Possibly a dumb question, but keeping in mind Im still only setting up my first ever SW tank, which of the corals in this latest post of pics are SPS?

Also, what special requirements do SPS need? Im trying to figure out if, after my tank has a few months to develop, I can get some SPS corals?

I have an coralife aqualight pro with three 250W MH and four 96W blue actinics along with moon lights.

I do not have a UV sterilizer or calcium reactor yet. Are those required? Let me know what else SPS needs including dosing if any?

Eb0la11
08-17-2009, 08:37 AM
haha, also, on the first post of this page in the last picture, what is the black squiggly worm swimming away from your coral thats over top of the white rock? Im sure its nothing but just funny it got in the shot :razz:

kien
08-17-2009, 09:37 AM
haha, also, on the first post of this page in the last picture, what is the black squiggly worm swimming away from your coral thats over top of the white rock? Im sure its nothing but just funny it got in the shot :razz:

It is probably a piece of poo :-)

which of the corals in this latest post of pics are SPS?

Also, what special requirements do SPS need? Im trying to figure out if, after my tank has a few months to develop, I can get some SPS corals?

I have an coralife aqualight pro with three 250W MH and four 96W blue actinics along with moon lights.

I do not have a UV sterilizer or calcium reactor yet. Are those required? Let me know what else SPS needs including dosing if any?

Pics #1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 are SPS. SPS stands for Small Polyp Stony corals. This means they have a hard calcium skeleton with small polyps which extend out from skeleton. If you look closely at them you can see their tiny little polyps. LPSs are Large Polyp Stony corals, like in picture #3, where they have a calcium skeleton as well but their polyps are much much larger :-)

Your light fixture will be sufficient for growing SPS. However, light isn't the only factor. They also need very clean and well skimmed water so investing in a good quality skimmer is a must (in my opinion; others may disagree). Lots of people dose chemicals, I do not (yet). Nor do I use a Calcium Reactor but lots of people do. I do not use a UV sterilizer either, although some people swear by them. Are they required? Well, that depends who you talk to :-) They are not required for me, but some may feel they are required. Maintaining a proper temperature, salinity, PH, alkalinity, all very important as well.

Leah
08-17-2009, 12:45 PM
It is gorgeous! I love your house lay out too. What amazing job you have done it is just
incredible.

mike31154
08-17-2009, 06:03 PM
Definitely a beauty. I like the choice of white on the stand & hood. What type of paint/finish is that? And you've also decided to have the light fixture above the canopy? Kind of a neat idea too, but would you care to elaborate on the reason behind that decision? I realize it's a fixture not a retro light set up, but it does throw a lot of light into the room the way you have it set up.

shrimpchips
08-17-2009, 07:09 PM
Love the monster on your couch. We have an Eric and a Beth living on ours.

kien
08-17-2009, 07:20 PM
It is gorgeous! I love your house lay out too. What amazing job you have done it is just
incredible.

hehe, thanks :-)

Definitely a beauty. I like the choice of white on the stand & hood. What type of paint/finish is that? And you've also decided to have the light fixture above the canopy? Kind of a neat idea too, but would you care to elaborate on the reason behind that decision? I realize it's a fixture not a retro light set up, but it does throw a lot of light into the room the way you have it set up.

The canopy is painted in a glossy enamel from a spray paint can :-) The stand doors/skin is an Ikea cabinet door "Abstrakt" that was already painted and finished in a smooth high gloss finish.

Actually there quite a few reasons why I went with this design for the canopy and light combination.

1. I wanted to be able to remove the top easily to gain access to the tank for maintenance. I can just pull the light off, then the canopy. Neither are very heavy. I would not have minded hanging the light if I didn't have a two story vaulted ceiling over the tank :-)

2. I also wanted to vent the heat from the tank out the top of the canopy. There are a lot of canopy designs where the light is right inside the canopy and it is completely enclosed. With that design you typically have to install fans or something to help vent the heat. Well, with this design there are lots of avenues for heat ventilation. I did install vent holes on either end of the canopy in case I too needed to install fans for extra air flow but because the top is completely open, it seems enough heat is escaping out the top and I have not had any heat issues with my tank.

3. Having the light sit outside and on top of the canopy also helps to keep the light fixture itself cool. This should help prolong the life of the fixture and bulbs.

4. The lights are high enough away from the surface of the water as to prevent splashing onto the light and developing salt creep. I hate cleaning out light fixtures and with this design I only have to wipe the glass every few months instead of every few days or weeks even.

Agreed it does produce a bit of light spill but not as much if you see it in person. The camera is very light sensitive so it exaggerates that light spill more than what you actually see. In the end it is no different than if you hung the light from the ceiling which many people seem to like to do as well :-)

kien
08-17-2009, 07:23 PM
Love the monster on your couch. We have an Eric and a Beth living on ours.

We found Kenji at a fair in Cabbage Town a couple of years ago. He was hiding in a box of "one of a kinds" with a bunch of other Monsters :-)

kien
08-30-2009, 09:05 PM
Got the brains of my Reef operations up and running. Here she is, the Profilux Plus EX II. Apparently I have a Salinity alarm..

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1003.jpg?t=1251665977

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1004.jpg?t=1251666012

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1008.jpg?t=1251666031

And here's what all the electrical looks like. A bit of a mess right now but once I'm happy with the connections I will tie everything up neat and tidy.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0995.jpg?t=1251666089 .. http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0998.jpg?t=1251666106

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1002.jpg?t=1251666136 .. http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1005.jpg?t=1251666164
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0999.jpg?t=1251666222

There is also an acrylic panel that separates the sump/water top off section from the electrical section. I took it out to take these photos.

kien
08-30-2009, 09:24 PM
And here's a laundry list of what the Proflilux does for me today..

* It monitors Salinity, pH, Temperature, Water level of my top off reservoir, and ORP (once the probe arrives),

* It controls and times my lights (Actinics and Halides and Refugium light), oh and moon lights (once they arrive). Will have moon lights programmed on a standard moon cycle.

* Keeps my temperature in whatever range I want. Currently it hovers between 78 and 80 degrees F. If it drops below 78, my heaters switch on. Once it hits 79, heaters switch off. No more worry about stuck heaters! If the temp raises to 81, these bad boys kick in..

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1020.jpg?t=1251666571
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_1023.jpg?t=1251666590

* The controller is plugged into an old router that I hacked up to turn into a wireless digital bridge. You can actually get a wireless adapter for the profilux but it was too expensive, so I made one from the old router. I have email alerts set up to email me every 4 hours with the current stats of the tank (lights, probe readings, etc..). There is also an automatic email sent whenever a measured value is outside of and acceptable range. Temp too high, I get an email, temp too low, I get an email, water in auto top off too low, I get an email! This fall I plan on working on a native iPhone app to monitor and control the profilux from my iPhone!

* Tunze controll! I have a couple of Tunze 6105s (one I bought new and one I bought used). With a couple of dedicated cables plugged into the profilux I can control both tunze just like the dedicated Tunze controller. Currently I have my two powerheads on an opposing sinus wave. They go from 20% power to 100% in 15 seconds on opposite cycles. At night the powerheads are cut down to half power.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/profilux_tunze.jpg?t=1251667767

Future: I plan on getting a dosing pump to hook up to the profilux.

kien
08-30-2009, 09:35 PM
Here are some scenes from the reef..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/3871426453_88e6eeed38_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2630/3872210276_5144285466_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3527/3872210482_9528487a34_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/3871427487_bc2172686f_o.jpg

kien
08-30-2009, 09:38 PM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2470/3872198946_cf0b10efe6_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2556/3872199392_c39cc7a251_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2469/3872199758_0f83e7e215_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/3871417105_693a79077a_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/3872200790_321284b004_o.jpg

kien
08-30-2009, 09:41 PM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2596/3871414183_95b75bc74d_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2448/3872203584_cf0a61b056_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3432/3872198614_22e626bf5d_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2476/3872196954_f0e358407a_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3871413877_4b7103d364_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2486/3871430453_8c873b0615_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3871418359_07c7cb43cb_o.jpg

kien
08-30-2009, 09:58 PM
Orange and Green Lobo..
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2605/3871413237_b108eb83f8_o.jpg

Tri-Colour open brain..
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3465/3872208556_f4872f5db0_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2447/3871425289_f217783332_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/3871425723_bef62e850a_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/3872209794_c01db0dde4_o.jpg

pink and green open brain..
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2428/3871427767_d3786db755_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2473/3872211426_c50d0ef468_o.jpg

kien
08-30-2009, 10:06 PM
This was a browned out tri-colour that I found at Red Coral. I saw that it had potential so I took a chance and now it has coloured up nicely..
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/3872195676_38fe7f5ded.jpg .. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2590/3872219456_bd662c2f15.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3872195982_3cfeebf497_o.jpg

Purple Nana
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/3871429967_93e05632cc_o.jpg

Teal Stag
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3871419313_2005d8b738_o.jpg

Christmas Millie Frag
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3871420859_7cc96dbf8a.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2587/3871421307_3edf1770e8_o.jpg

Pearlberry frag
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3871412945_31780a35d6.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/3871421517_d7162bf67f.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/3872213636_c218de3093_o.jpg

Skimmerking
08-30-2009, 10:08 PM
love your tank man looks really good . love the floors too im a hard wood man too.

kien
08-30-2009, 10:10 PM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2599/3872208240_d408534b2e_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2593/3871424439_3af705d456_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2581/3872212966_94ebd1f48d_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3872213198_71b00e93ae_o.jpg

Supposedly a Bali-Tricolour frag (but I got it from frag-a-lot so who knows)..
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/3872212592_aff54650db_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3871430857_25ef61d487_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2587/3871431671_0ca28f9e3f_o.jpg

Eb0la11
08-30-2009, 10:34 PM
Kien you son of a... haha lookin pretty fricken nice. Meanwhile Im pumped that I have live rock in my tank and my cycle has started and I got to flip on my lights for the first time over the tank today... haha

JDigital
08-31-2009, 03:16 AM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/3872213636_c218de3093_o.jpg

Is this a German Blue Polyp frag?


Fantastic Photos by the way.. :D

kien
08-31-2009, 05:23 AM
Is this a German Blue Polyp frag?


Fantastic Photos by the way.. :D

Thanks :-)

Well, it has blue polyps.. but I don't know where it hails from :-) hehe, to be honest I have no idea what type of frag it is. Could be an Austera ?

kien
08-31-2009, 05:26 AM
Kien you son of a... haha lookin pretty fricken nice. Meanwhile Im pumped that I have live rock in my tank and my cycle has started and I got to flip on my lights for the first time over the tank today... haha

If it makes you feel any better, you can't compare my build to yours. You are starting from ground zero, where as I had a major head start (as far as the stocking is concerned). Where you need to buy your rocks, sand, live stock, and build up your salt water and cycle your tank, I didn't (really) have to do any of that. I simply dumped everyone from a previous 90g to the 150 and topped off the water. I kept my rocks wet while I was working on them so there was little to no detectable cycle :-) Anyway, just remember, Rome wasn't built in a day :wink:

kien
08-31-2009, 05:30 AM
Okay, enough with the chatter, more pics!!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2635/3871420673_d63431b3d4_o.jpg

Acropora Loripes
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2521/3871435781_570c96ccdc_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2624/3872205894_7c91e711c1_o.jpg

Yellow and Green Acropora Cerealis
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/3872206008_d90e1c5faf_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/3871423065_139075d471_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2671/3871418051_95dd190860_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3872207118_7b01abe774_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/3872207450_d37fbcbdec_o.jpg

Delphinus
08-31-2009, 05:31 AM
Yeah ... ok that's it, I really do quit. Holy crap man. What do you do for a living BTW? I need a better job apparently. :p (I'm just sayin')

Nice stuff, what can I say ... wow, really wow.

kien
08-31-2009, 05:40 AM
Yeah ... ok that's it, I really do quit. Holy crap man. What do you do for a living BTW? I need a better job apparently. :p (I'm just sayin')

Nice stuff, what can I say ... wow, really wow.

I'm a computer geek by day. Company pays okay. I think we might be hiring, do you know anything about computers? :lol:

Youngster Dan
08-31-2009, 05:44 AM
Amazing photos, with an awesome set up. Looks good.

kien
08-31-2009, 05:53 AM
How about some fish.. (excuse the white spots everywhere, my goby decided that it was a great day to clean the entire sand bed )

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3872194560_71df783b42_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2577/3872216332_5d167eaa97_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3871431935_2623027479_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/3872215682_a91220eeea_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/3872215928_a2bc329525_o.jpg

Just Tanging around.. (they actually do get along quite well).
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2663/3871433519_71eca9a7cb_o.jpg

To infinity and beyond!!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2484/3872216814_2a1f500db5_o.jpg

kien
08-31-2009, 05:57 AM
My son's most favourite thing in the tank, the red reef starfish. We have an orange lenckia too but we never see him as he only comes out at night. This guy is out day and night and always on the glass.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/3872216208_eb3c85e6e1_o.jpg

Boomboy
08-31-2009, 09:42 PM
man i love this tank. i really love the caves in the tank the first section of rock, i bet the fish love to swim through out that alot. very clean setup, everything was thought through. i love this tank and your photos are amazing, really makes a difference for people who arent there in person. if only i had the money to do this.

mseepman
08-31-2009, 10:00 PM
I really do love this tank as well.

How are you liking the build quality on the Maristar fixture? Do the reflectors spread the light out enough that it would work on a 32" wide tank?

kien
09-01-2009, 02:19 PM
Hehe thanks guys :-)

I love the Maristar fixture. It is pretty sturdy. I can't see it falling into the tank anytime soon :-) To be honest I am not sure if it would be able to handle 32 inches width. It does my 24 just fine (with the fixture 10 inches above the water). I suppose if you raised the light a little more it would spread more. It is a pretty simple design and gets the job done though. What I don't like are the Galaxy Dual Ballasts. I have gone through two of them now. The first one had one side that only worked for 5 hours at a time. Returned it and got another one. The second one had one side quit completely after a week. I am in the process of returning that one now and just sticking with the Galaxy single ballasts. I have one of those for the third halide and it has worked like a champ since day one.

mseepman
09-01-2009, 07:14 PM
Thanks, good to know about the fixture and the ballasts.

I'm not sure I would really want to raise the light any higher than 10" as it starts to become difficult to balance PAR and wattage when you go higher.

I've always planned on going with LumenBright wides and supplimental T5 so that is probably what I will continue to focus on. It just would have been nice to get it all in a tidy package like the Maristar.

kien
09-01-2009, 08:17 PM
Thanks, good to know about the fixture and the ballasts.

I'm not sure I would really want to raise the light any higher than 10" as it starts to become difficult to balance PAR and wattage when you go higher.

I've always planned on going with LumenBright wides and supplimental T5 so that is probably what I will continue to focus on. It just would have been nice to get it all in a tidy package like the Maristar.

Ya, there are a lot of configuration factors that come into play. How deep is your tank, what kind of rock work do you have, etc. My tank isn't very tall, just 20" so the light could probably sit fairly without any problem. As it is my sand bed is blasted with quite a bit of light. I could probably grow SPS on my sand bed. I do have some pretty high ledges too, so a lot of my SPS are like 4 to 6 inches from the water's surface. I really do like the neat tidy package though. When I need to do a deep clean of the tank (corners and such) I can just pop off the light and put the whole contraption on the ground while I service the tank. Another thing I like about having the light a little higher is the lack of water splash/salt creep on the lights. I haven't yet had to clean the light at all, still pristine. On previous fixtures where I've had to situate the light closer to the water I had to clean the lights often which was a pain.

Phanman
09-01-2009, 08:27 PM
excellent work Kien! love the rock scaping and the clean look of your tank.

soapy
09-04-2009, 02:37 PM
The other day Kien sold me a nice little toadstool mushroom so I was over to his place to pick it up and saw the tank. Awesome setup, really good looking. Nice work Kien.

JDigital
09-04-2009, 05:35 PM
Hehe thanks guys :-)

I love the Maristar fixture. It is pretty sturdy. I can't see it falling into the tank anytime soon :-) To be honest I am not sure if it would be able to handle 32 inches width. It does my 24 just fine (with the fixture 10 inches above the water). I suppose if you raised the light a little more it would spread more. It is a pretty simple design and gets the job done though. What I don't like are the Galaxy Dual Ballasts. I have gone through two of them now. The first one had one side that only worked for 5 hours at a time. Returned it and got another one. The second one had one side quit completely after a week. I am in the process of returning that one now and just sticking with the Galaxy single ballasts. I have one of those for the third halide and it has worked like a champ since day one.


Sucks to hear about your troubles with the Dual Ballast.. I had the Dual 250 Galaxy as well on my 75G and it worked flawlessy for the 9 months I had it..

As mentioned.. Very nice tank! :mrgreen:

kien
09-04-2009, 06:50 PM
Ya Kevin mentioned that yours worked fine. I wished mine worked because it was nice to save an outlet with those duals. Just bad luck on my part I guess. Funny thing is Kevin lent me the previous defective one so now I am running both the failed ones on one side (of the ballast) each until my replacements arrive. Thanks Kevin!

robert
10-02-2009, 04:17 PM
Very nice setup and photos are fabulous. I really found some of your techniques very useful and inspirational. I will definitely apply some in my presently undergoing new built.
Cheers!

kien
11-04-2009, 06:29 AM
Well, tank is coming up on the 3 month mark so I figure this would be a good time for an update.

First up are some toys. A few weeks ago I ordered one of these display panels for my Profilux. It is nice to be able to glance accross the room and see what the tank is up to.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/4074610684_56128b3594.jpg

I also got one of these LED moon lights. What's really cool about it is it lets me program in sunrise/sunset (red lights), moon phases (blue lights), and lightening storms (white lights).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4074610748_a3c6599ff9.jpg

Finally, I also added a 3 pump dosing station to my rig. Profilux makes two versions of these, a standalone one and one that hooks up to the controller itself. I got the one that hooks up to the controller since I have the controller.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2656/4074610818_18b86e56fe.jpg

I wasn't sure how many pumps I wanted at first but after doing some research I decided all I really needed were 3. Alk, Calcium and Magnesium. Turns out I really only needed two. More on that later.

Delphinus
11-04-2009, 06:37 AM
That LED thing is KIT! Have you set it up yet? How does the sunrise/sunset look?

lastlight
11-04-2009, 06:46 AM
That View2 is one sweet piece of hardware! Christmas came early eh? I was going to get the stand-alone doser with 3 pumps later on too. Curious as to why you need only 2...

kien
11-04-2009, 07:03 AM
So even though I've had the doser for a little while now, I have only just recently started to dose. I am dosing Randy's Two Part, Baking Soda for Alk and Calcium from Littlesilvermax. I also ordered up some Magnesium from him but haven't dosed that yet.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/4073856739_6475f48eb0.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2510/4074615178_4d5beb490b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2626/4073856663_db2037b40b.jpg

To figure out how much I needed to dose I simply propped up my chemistry to the levels I wanted (8 dkH, 420 calc, 1350 Mag.). I then tested the big 3 (alk, calc, and mag), once a day to see how much the tank consumed. I did this for 3 days to come up with an average consumption rate. Looks like I use about 144ml of Alk in 24 hours. I dose this at an interval of 6 hours, 12am, 6am, 12pm, 6pm. I consume about 200ml of Calcium in 24 hours. I also dose this at an interval of 6 hours, 3am, 9am, 3pm, 9pm. I have yet to figure out how much magnesium I'm consuming as it doesn't seem to drop that much at all. So I'm currently only dosing the two parts via the doser and will probably just manually dump in magnesium whenever (unless I can figure out the actual depletion rate).

Current tank parameters are:

Specific Gravity: 1.026 (ish)
Alk: 8.5
Calc: 420
Mag: 1200

Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0
Phosphates: 0
(can't seem to get a reading for any of these on my test kits. Might start trying a different set of test kits soon).

Runing Rowaphos (gfo) and carbon in two phosban reactors. Media changed once a month.

25 gallon water change once a week. I briefly toyed with the idea of doing a water change every other day. That didn't last long!

kien
11-04-2009, 07:07 AM
aside: I just finished watching the new "V". Wow, I think I'm in love! And the show's not bad either.

kien
11-04-2009, 07:22 AM
Okay, now that the boring stuff is out of the way..

Over the past couple of months I've picked up some frags, colonies, watched some frags grow out to colonies, some frags do absolutely nothing and witnessed a coral go through an identity crisis.

Okay, so let's start with the old..

Here's a Christmas Millepora that I got from Fooser back in August. The first picture is dated August 29th 2009. The second one was taken yesterday (i think).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3871420859_7cc96dbf8a.jpg .. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/4074601934_8f137a23ed.jpg

Here's a blue polyp Acropora (forget where I got it from). First pic taken on August 29th. Second one taken yesterday.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/3872213636_8dc1fac0a8.jpg .. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/4074601434_3c25706942.jpg

A bunch of other frags and colonies are growing pretty good too but watching the frags grow out like this is the most obvious and rewarding.

robert
11-04-2009, 07:23 AM
What's "V"?
:cry:
aside: I just finished watching the new "V". Wow, I think I'm in love! And the show's not bad either.

kien
11-04-2009, 07:29 AM
Here are some new frags and colonies.

Bird of Many Colours.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2518/4073842813_f50350a1a3.jpg

Chalice
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/4073844423_046582b2b0.jpg

Blastomusa
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3485/4074603576_c4cc5a6ba9.jpg

Acropora sp.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2674/4074601286_1e52c44072.jpg

Granulosa ?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2749/4073844681_0c3142c55c.jpg

Acropora sp.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2674/4073844817_b91d0f52fa.jpg

another Granulosa ?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/4074603674_8f1418cf5d.jpg

Acropora sp.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2554/4073845663_ab9ec653a5.jpg

kien
11-04-2009, 07:32 AM
fun shot of purple Goniopota hosting a clown.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/4074603456_2f59dacbbe.jpg

A new addition:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/4074604340_52c270efdd.jpg

Hanging out in the pits of hell
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/4073852223_f4292c166e_o.jpg

Zoo Garden
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/4073867059_59e670b5b2.jpg

A shot across the reef from underwater!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3487/4074625596_5abb0ca62b.jpg

kien
11-04-2009, 07:47 AM
Oh I'm not done yet! Watch out, I'm just getting started here!

How about some tank shots?

South Face:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/4073855645_636276c08c_o.jpg

East Face:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4074613770_20ac540124.jpg

North Face:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2677/4073855723_e507cbe02d_o.jpg

Some close ups:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/4073853117_9f3c6ab847.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/4074611626_44082bb87c_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2607/4074611748_d45844e4ec_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2582/4073853845_69fb4a9ac4_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2571/4074612870_0fdc07af34_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2626/4074605690_bc10bd39ec_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/4073847173_0c571c17aa_o.jpg

kien
11-04-2009, 07:57 AM
Okay, now the fun part. So I was bored yesterday and decided to try some top down shots. It occurred to me that my top is open and I had space in between the top of the open canopy and the light fixture to sneak in and look at the tank from the top down (without having to remove anything). It was quite a cool perspective! These are all taken with an Olympus underwater camera. I wasn't sure how these would turn out but I have to say I was shocked when I saw the pictures. I know there was a thread about this (viewing corals top down and how amazing they look) that Lobsterboy posted a little while back. Again, wow, they really do look amazing from the top down.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2646/4074615336_3dbe5177aa.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2534/4074619056_80ce774604.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/4073857347_d5f3d1ed7a.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2481/4074615822_41fde0844b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2441/4073857657_c64ef0cfcc.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/4073857785_e91de144dd.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2486/4074616252_8c1c255a41.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2448/4074616670_855dbbf132.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2781/4074627508_57aa64c83a.jpg

kien
11-04-2009, 08:06 AM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2593/4074617256_3ca08ded78.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2636/4073859369_1c00a6d6c3.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4073859527_fcf6da2fcc.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/4073859679_cc96b7f90a.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2712/4073860015_c27c870f61.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/4074618894_fe96d6b00b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/4073857197_d3f4479e70.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/4073866937_010fca07a5.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/4073861063_1f573f074d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2711/4074619650_42f88f91c3.jpg

kien
11-04-2009, 08:12 AM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2694/4073861419_40e88bc705.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2433/4073861615_5277d87de4.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/4073861769_2f6811cf17.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/4074621194_5152bc095e.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/4074626282_def5fb721e.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3512/4073862445_ee8c6d8d16.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2736/4074620846_6c3b9be28f.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/4074620388_08e39e9061.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/4073864493_7e865ab89d.jpg

kien
11-04-2009, 08:18 AM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2584/4074623138_9d98acf1c6.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2532/4073865893_daf979eba7.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/4073864963_88853f1753.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3519/4074623402_73003f0897.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2598/4073867509_d7df4be5a6.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2672/4074624322_4e2b6818b3.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/4074624832_6c1e798238.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/4074624980_40eeebff28.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/4073866771_1897634f0d.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/4073868515_a53c106bb1.jpg

kien
11-04-2009, 08:39 AM
So at the beginning of this update I mentioned something about a coral with an identity crisis. Well, here it is! This was/is a Red Convexa frag from Snappy. It was quite red when I got it. I guess half if it got too much light or something because it expelled all of its red, was white for a while, and then started to colour up again, but in blue!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4074616412_fd7c4738b9.jpg

I'm curious to see which side wins out.

Well, I think that's it for me. Hope you enjoyed the photos and thanks for checking in. See y'all in 3 months!

kien
11-04-2009, 08:52 AM
That LED thing is KIT! Have you set it up yet? How does the sunrise/sunset look?

Oh yes, I like it, I like it a lot :-) Actually, the red sunrise and sunset isn't a big deal (to me). What's really cool is the white lightening LEDs!

That View2 is one sweet piece of hardware! Christmas came early eh? I was going to get the stand-alone doser with 3 pumps later on too. Curious as to why you need only 2...

Yes, love the ViewII! I can see it from the kitchen while making dinner or what have you. Although, I don't *really* need it since the profilux emails me vital stats to my iPhone very 3 hours :lol:

As mentioned, I'm really only dosing Alk and Calc. I suppose eventually I might dose Mag via the doser but I don't think I deplete enough to ?? Not sure yet, still playing around with it.

What's "V"?
:cry:

The "re-imagined" TV series. Do a google, you'll find it :-) The only thing better than aliens invading are HOT aliens invading!

fooser
11-04-2009, 09:27 AM
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/3872213636_8dc1fac0a8.jpg
This is a blue polyp austera you also picked up from fooser :P
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3871420859_7cc96dbf8a.jpg
This mille is looking great! I am glad you picked it up!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/4073868515_a53c106bb1.jpg
Hmm.. That one looks like the one you picked up from me too!

Looks like you got yourself a ton of nice looking pieces added to your collection too. I think it's almost time for me to come to your place next time! So....when's the clipper coming out?:P

Myka
11-04-2009, 12:37 PM
Gorgeous corals! Top downs are the shizz. :D


I PMed you asking about one of your corals too.

lorenz0
11-04-2009, 12:52 PM
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/4073866771_1897634f0d.jpg



Is that your "38" from red coral? i am starting to think its the same species at ora purple plasma

fishytime
11-04-2009, 01:35 PM
Very nice pics man.....+1 on "when do the clippers come out?"

soapy
11-04-2009, 01:37 PM
aside: I just finished watching the new "V". Wow, I think I'm in love! And the show's not bad either.

Yeah she was in Firefly, that was a great show.

kien
11-04-2009, 10:19 PM
Is that your "38" from red coral? i am starting to think its the same species at ora purple plasma

Yes it is! Whatever it is it is pretty cool :-)

Very nice pics man.....+1 on "when do the clippers come out?"

snip snip ? I think I need a few more months of growth before the snippers come out, but some are starting to crowd.


This is a blue polyp austera you also picked up from fooser :P

This mille is looking great! I am glad you picked it up!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/4073868515_a53c106bb1.jpg
Hmm.. That one looks like the one you picked up from me too!

Looks like you got yourself a ton of nice looking pieces added to your collection too. I think it's almost time for me to come to your place next time! So....when's the clipper coming out?:P

Oh right, I remember now! Ya, love the christmas mille. And yes, that last one is your pearlberry. Can't wait until it colonizes. I think it has settled in now and really started to ramp up. It is cool how some of these frags can end up looking totally different (in a good way), from its mother colony in someone else's tank. Sure, come by anytime :-) (so long as I'm home :-) )

lorenz0
11-05-2009, 01:25 AM
Yes it is! Whatever it is it is pretty cool :-)



its gorgous. mine had almost no color when i picked it up and it is not slowly getting its color back. I swear after seeing your pictures and others, i am really debating over t5's for sps. More so the TEK's. I will have to go through your thread and see what you are dosing

kien
11-05-2009, 03:09 AM
its gorgous. mine had almost no color when i picked it up and it is not slowly getting its color back. I swear after seeing your pictures and others, i am really debating over t5's for sps. More so the TEK's. I will have to go through your thread and see what you are dosing

Ya when I got mine it was pretty pale. I almost forgot which one it was that I actually ordered. Luckily it did not take long to get its colours back. The suttle purple base is really nice.

Honestly, I've only *just* started to dose randys two part (alk and calc). Prior to this week I wasn't dosing anything. I just picked up a bunch of zeo additives but so far have only dumped in coral snow (like just a few days ago). Bottom line is the corals look great before even dosing anything. I'm curious now to see if zeo will make any difference.

lorenz0
11-05-2009, 04:05 AM
ya thats some amazing color for not dosing anything. lol i am losing more and more faith in my t5's. Greg and I had a good chat about it and his rainbow stylo used to be half under the t5's and the other half under his MH and the difference was insane with more intense colors from the MH. I also think its mostly the types of corals. I like the looks of zoa's and lps under t5's better but sps ussually looks way better under MH.

Once again. amazing

kien
11-05-2009, 04:42 AM
ya thats some amazing color for not dosing anything. lol i am losing more and more faith in my t5's. Greg and I had a good chat about it and his rainbow stylo used to be half under the t5's and the other half under his MH and the difference was insane with more intense colors from the MH. I also think its mostly the types of corals. I like the looks of zoa's and lps under t5's better but sps ussually looks way better under MH.

Once again. amazing

I totally agree with everything you've said there. I know that lots of other people won't though :-). Also, I am not the only one who has been successful without dosing. If I'm not mistaken, Fooser doesn't dose anything either. Well, at least he didn't when I was there this past summer, and all his SPS look phenominal. Combo t5 and halides FTW! :-D

lorenz0
11-05-2009, 04:52 AM
ha ha ha i don't think anthony even does water changes on a weekly schedual. and yes his colors are amazing. oh i totally agree with the MH+T5 combo. If you don't mind me asking, how much did the sunlight supply unit with ballasts end up costing? I am debating about ordering that Odyssea 48" 2x250watt Metal Halide unit to try out my little theory. its only $200us and at that price I can still keep the T5's laying around.

fooser
11-05-2009, 05:04 AM
ha ha ha i don't think anthony even does water changes on a weekly schedual. and yes his colors are amazing. oh i totally agree with the MH+T5 combo. If you don't mind me asking, how much did the sunlight supply unit with ballasts end up costing? I am debating about ordering that Odyssea 48" 2x250watt Metal Halide unit to try out my little theory. its only $200us and at that price I can still keep the T5's laying around.

Go for the combo Laurier!! haha
Water change?? What is that? haha. You are correct. I am definitely guilty... But i swear I will change!! well eventually anyways, probably not anytime within the next few months.
I agree that it is not a 'requirement' to supplement or add anything really fancy in terms of additives. In fact i havent even dosed my 2 part in months. Like Kien said, even before dosing, his stuff looked awesome, and the proof is in the pictures he posted. Which I might add they do look amazing, great colors and very healthy looking SPS for sure Kien, good job! Maybe after seeing your tank thread or even seeing it in person I will get up some motivation to do something more. I have a 450gallon tank in the works right now. It will be built in the basement of my new house, the tank builder is putting it together in house of course haha. You should come and help me with the exterior! I showed my fiance your thread and she was like "hey isnt that what you were going to do but with black panels from Ikea?!" I was liek yes, I think great minds must think alike haha

kien
11-05-2009, 05:12 AM
ha ha ha i don't think anthony even does water changes on a weekly schedual. and yes his colors are amazing. oh i totally agree with the MH+T5 combo. If you don't mind me asking, how much did the sunlight supply unit with ballasts end up costing? I am debating about ordering that Odyssea 48" 2x250watt Metal Halide unit to try out my little theory. its only $200us and at that price I can still keep the T5's laying around.

$950 for the fixture
$181 for each 250 watt galaxy ballast (they make a dual ballast that will run two 250s and comes out cheaper per watt; Josh had one). I had one too but it kept failing so now I run just singles.
$75 for each of the ushio 14ks

kien
11-05-2009, 05:18 AM
Go for the combo Laurier!! haha
Water change?? What is that? haha. You are correct. I am definitely guilty... But i swear I will change!! well eventually anyways, probably not anytime within the next few months.
I agree that it is not a 'requirement' to supplement or add anything really fancy in terms of additives. In fact i havent even dosed my 2 part in months. Like Kien said, even before dosing, his stuff looked awesome, and the proof is in the pictures he posted. Which I might add they do look amazing, great colors and very healthy looking SPS for sure Kien, good job! Maybe after seeing your tank thread or even seeing it in person I will get up some motivation to do something more. I have a 450gallon tank in the works right now. It will be built in the basement of my new house, the tank builder is putting it together in house of course haha. You should come and help me with the exterior! I showed my fiance your thread and she was like "hey isnt that what you were going to do but with black panels from Ikea?!" I was liek yes, I think great minds must think alike haha

dude, when I was there I remember you saying you had forgotten to run your skimmer for a long time!

Wow, 450 built into the basement!? Gonna give Greg a run for his money I see. Man would love to help you out with that build! I'll just pretend it was mine. Haha. So much potential!! I am envisioning the aquascaping now..

MikeP
11-05-2009, 05:37 AM
Tank is looking great Kien! I would love to see it in person one day :)

kien
11-05-2009, 01:48 PM
Tank is looking great Kien! I would love to see it in person one day :)

thanks :-) A bunch of people that I've met have been asking actually.. Maybe when things settle down around the house (we just had a baby!), I'll have some peeps over to shoot the breeze.

kien
11-10-2009, 02:40 PM
The 150g Mixed Reef Video ..

Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myy54OBZTXk)
Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LZIaLGROQg)
Part 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbHYjSTgzOE)

MikeP
11-10-2009, 03:37 PM
Great vids, that's a nice looking RBTA wink wink :)

Congrats on the baby!

JDigital
11-10-2009, 05:36 PM
Tank looks awesome kien! Rockwork is fantastic!:biggrin:

BlueAbyss
11-10-2009, 08:48 PM
Wow, how can I not try SPS after seeing this :wink:

Amazing. That first coral in post 172 blows my mind, could you tell me what it is?

kien
11-10-2009, 09:13 PM
Great vids, that's a nice looking RBTA wink wink :)

Congrats on the baby!

Thanks! Love the RBTA, I think it is int he process of splitting AGAIN! Looking back at the vids now I think next time I'll turn of the 6800gph powerheads first.. hehe. But then that still won't keep the boxfish from picking at me.. the little bugger.

Tank looks awesome kien! Rockwork is fantastic!:biggrin:

Thanks!

Wow, how can I not try SPS after seeing this :wink:

Amazing. That first coral in post 172 blows my mind, could you tell me what it is?

I believe that is a montipora of some sort. I don't know its name, only that it has a green base and blue polyps. I have seen it posted for sale online as a digitata but I'm told it is not a digitata so *shrug*. Sorry I don't have much more information than that.

SeaHorse_Fanatic
11-10-2009, 09:32 PM
Absolutely gorgeous tank. Very healthy, colourful corals. Truly amazing reef system you've built there. Should be proud since this is the look many aspire to, but few ever achieve.

Anthony

Delphinus
11-11-2009, 12:58 AM
Yeah, um .. wow.

Kinda makes me want to just throw in the towel actually. Forget it, it's not worth even continuing in the hobby. Oh, but you'll have to put up with me bunking down in your living room so I can just look at your tank whenever I want to. No big deal. I won't eat too much of your food or anything and I don't stink as much as some. I can bring over the occasional Bolsa too if you want.

PS. Socket programming is just plain idiotic man. Idiotic. Id. I. Ot. Ic. !!! My eyes are completely bugged out. Your videos make for a site for sore eyes today. Thanks for sharing them. Enjoy lunch tomorrow if you go. :)

kien
11-11-2009, 02:23 AM
Yeah, um .. wow.

Kinda makes me want to just throw in the towel actually. Forget it, it's not worth even continuing in the hobby. Oh, but you'll have to put up with me bunking down in your living room so I can just look at your tank whenever I want to. No big deal. I won't eat too much of your food or anything and I don't stink as much as some. I can bring over the occasional Bolsa too if you want.

PS. Socket programming is just plain idiotic man. Idiotic. Id. I. Ot. Ic. !!! My eyes are completely bugged out. Your videos make for a site for sore eyes today. Thanks for sharing them. Enjoy lunch tomorrow if you go. :)

Thanks, you're welcome over anytime. Just don't take home my orchids. :-)

Since you brought it up, I was thinking about DNA connections more at dinner time (i know bad habit). I was wondering what would happen to the connections socket if all remotes are OFF SCAN but the remote is still sending data.. would we run into the same failure mode.. i wonder.. anyway just thinking out loud. If i go i will make mine twice as spicy in your honour.

Lance
11-11-2009, 02:57 AM
Oh Man! Those videos are AWESOME! Your tank is incredible, and I love your rockwork. Well done. :biggrin:

globaldesigns
11-11-2009, 03:01 AM
I must say, very beautiful tank. :hail:

lastlight
11-12-2009, 05:10 AM
you deserve some sort of crown or at least a generous slap on the ass for posting those masterpiece videos! It's obvious to me that before you even had so many beautiful corals you had one hell of a rock pile!

Things I loved the most:

- you took us IN your tank
- the cool porcelain crab
- all the nooks and crannies in your rock made much more visible from above
- overhang heaven!

Man if you're EVER down with sleepovers again...pm me.

:sleep:

JDigital
11-12-2009, 05:52 AM
you deserve some sort of crown or at least a generous slap on the ass for posting those masterpiece videos! It's obvious to me that before you even had so many beautiful corals you had one hell of a rock pile!

Things I loved the most:

- you took us IN your tank
- the cool porcelain crab
- all the nooks and crannies in your rock made much more visible from above
- overhang heaven!

Man if you're EVER down with sleepovers again...pm me.

:sleep:



http://richardwiseman.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/spoon.jpg

????

fishytime
11-12-2009, 01:15 PM
http://richardwiseman.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/spoon.jpg

????

:rofl2:

Great videos Kien....Seriously man.....that is some of the best aquascaping I have ever seen....very impressed!

lastlight
11-12-2009, 03:23 PM
Hahaha! Well played good sir! Guess that's my invite.

Damn near be worth it too...still drooling over here haha.

Forgot to add...you've really convinced me to go ahead with a small group of the 3 or 4-stripe damsels. Loved seeing yours in the video. You always see these nature shots with hundreds of them in the coral heads and I think they are incredible looking fish. I may regret it but I'm going ahead and getting a few eventually. Was yours closer to first added or last?

kien
11-12-2009, 04:10 PM
Hey, thanks everyone! Complements greatly appreciated. How about some constructive criticism? Come on, I know you've got them, bring it! I can take it! :biggrin:

not sure what the deal with the spoon is.. but so long as y'all are having fun, that's what's important. :-)

The striped damsel was added mid way through the stocking of my previous 90 gallon. He is a mean bastard but only when I stick my hand in the tank. Everyone else in the tank seems to keep him in his place. So I guess I'm lucky. Seriously though, those underwaters are a bit jerky because him and the boxfish kept nipping at me :( and he really goes kamikaze. That's kind of what I like about him though. When he swims around acting all macho he goes a little crazy but no one seems to pay any attention to him. Watching him dart through the corals is a lot of fun.

lastlight
11-12-2009, 04:22 PM
Watching him dart through the corals is a lot of fun.

SOLD. I'm getting 20 tomorrow.

Coleus
11-12-2009, 04:40 PM
very nice video and beautiful tank. You inpsire me to keep improving my tank but I got to say i can never get my rock work like yours. You are truly an artist

Keep it up :-) with shots and videos. Grats on your baby, mine are still not coming out yet.

TJSlayer
11-12-2009, 05:17 PM
That is amazing man really a true work of art, can't say enough about it, makes me want to start over with another tank......

TJ

lorenz0
11-13-2009, 05:47 AM
Just went through the whole thread again. Once again, amazing.

Btw, did you luck out with the structure of the running beams (supporting beams) and your tank sits in a couple of them. I'm debating about upgrading and would love to to a room divider, very inspiring.

kien
11-13-2009, 06:24 AM
Just went through the whole thread again. Once again, amazing.

Btw, did you luck out with the structure of the running beams (supporting beams) and your tank sits in a couple of them. I'm debating about upgrading and would love to to a room divider, very inspiring.

Thanks :-) Yes, if you are referring to the floor beams, the tank sits adjacent to one of the main beams in the middle of the room, and then 5 or maybe 6 joists (running beams?). Most importantly, they run perpendicular to the tank.

I remember your house, and if I remember right, I made a comment about a great location for a peninsula in between your living room and dining room :-D

lastlight
11-13-2009, 08:01 AM
if I remember right, I made a comment about a great location for a peninsula in between your living room and dining room :-D

See that's what real friends are for. Giving each other ideas that are essentially divorce fuel. Lol.

lorenz0
11-13-2009, 08:19 AM
Thanks :-) Yes, if you are referring to the floor beams, the tank sits adjacent to one of the main beams in the middle of the room, and then 5 or maybe 6 joists (running beams?). Most importantly, they run perpendicular to the tank.

I remember your house, and if I remember right, I made a comment about a great location for a peninsula in between your living room and dining room :-D

oh god i think i will have to look up framing terms. I know i have boards that run across the house and the way my current tank is sitting it lays on 4-5 of them i think. but if i did the room divider it would run parrell with them. Might call someone to check if they think it will hold the weight.

I don't watch tv and for the past 3 months i have been debating about selling the 50" and just having a sitting room where i can relax. every time i read this thread i keep considering it lol.

See that's what real friends are for. Giving each other ideas that are essentially divorce fuel. Lol.

Being single and young has its perks :mrgreen:

lastlight
11-13-2009, 08:26 AM
Oh yeah this isn't the first time you've told me you're single now I remember.

We just need to be clearer on WHY you keep telling me that dude haha! :lol:

lorenz0
11-13-2009, 08:47 AM
I enjoy everyones stories about their wife's and this hobby, esspecially yours. Brings a smile to my face. I am just waiting for you to finish your tank. Like everything great, it just takes time.

Trust me, finding a girl who will put up with me is a hard task. Plus i am a nerd at heart

http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/zoom/the_solution.jpg

Yes i find that extremely funny

lastlight
11-13-2009, 08:56 AM
lmao! oh so do i. can you share a link to the store? The more clever shirts I have the less clever I need to be lol.

lorenz0
11-13-2009, 09:03 AM
http://www.thinkgeek.com/

have fun. i think it took me an hour before i finished looking over this site. have yet to make my first order

kien
11-13-2009, 03:05 PM
I love think geek,I have a bunch of junk from them. I even dressed up the wife and the kids in some of their stuff. There's a picture of my wife with Darth Vader wearing her "I love my geek" t-shirt :lol:

P.S. tony if you read this and find that picture, that's Dave!

Lorenzo: Again, if I remember right, you had hardwood floors on that floor. Normally you have to run hardwood floors perpendicular to your joists. Or at least that's what I've been told. So your tank would run parallel to the hardwood floors in this case. I'm no builder but I think it is a rule of thumb, even if there might be exceptions ? I asked quite a few people before proceeding and the general consensus is that 150g is about the max you'd want to comfortably put on the main floor without extra support underneath. But then I know people who have put more than that so I don't know :noidea:

Coleus
11-13-2009, 03:43 PM
150g plus sump would be like 200g :-) I knows quite a few ppl putting their tank on main floor without doing any extra support to the floor. But i think we should play safe by sistering the floor underneath. Easy to do and give you some peace of mind. A collapse or bend floor will cost thousands to repair :-)

Coleus
11-13-2009, 03:45 PM
See that's what real friends are for. Giving each other ideas that are essentially divorce fuel. Lol.

Aye, salt water hobbies = very understanding wife.

lastlight
11-13-2009, 03:48 PM
I had my floor engineered to hold 500 gallons safely lol. Not that I'm ready for an upgrade just yet.

kien
11-13-2009, 03:52 PM
150g plus sump would be like 200g :-) I knows quite a few ppl putting their tank on main floor without doing any extra support to the floor. But i think we should play safe by sistering the floor underneath. Easy to do and give you some peace of mind. A collapse or bend floor will cost thousands to repair :-)

Actually, depends how much stuff is in our DT and sump. My 150g is displaced by about 10 gallons worth of rock maybe? Some would have even more. My 45g sump only holds about 30g worth of water I think? So in total I've estimated roughly 140g worth of water. BUT, then there's the weight of all that other crap like rocks, sand, tank, stand, equipment, etc, so you're far exceeding the weight of 200g worth of water anyway LOL!

Ya, If you're going to put major weight, like I'd say 180+ gallons on your main floor I'd probably look into extra support too. However, this isn't always "easy", especially if your basement is developed already and your tank sits right on top of your home theatre! :redface: Certainly not impossible, just more challenging!

My next upgrade 400 gallons or so will find me relocating the tank into the basement.

kien
12-30-2009, 07:40 AM
I have been hunting this guy for a long long time now. I first caught a glimpse of him in my previous 90 gallon tank. I was sure he was a goner when I worked on the live rock aquascaping for the 150g but sadly no.. At night he would mock me with his beady little red eyes... nah nah nah-nah nah catch me if you can.. As soon as I put my hand in the tank he'd be gone.

Well, his time has finally come! The other day I caught him grazing on a patch of zoanthids and figured, what the heck. This time however I got lucky and was able to sneak up behind him from the other side of the tank. He was so busy having lunch that he didn't see it coming!

Here he is, my Nemesis. He has quadrupled in size since I first saw him eons ago and now resides in the sump. (note to self: Do NOT put any rocks from the sump into the display tank).

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3985.jpg?t=1262162370

kien
12-30-2009, 07:58 AM
I love the performance of Hydor 700. It skims very well and I am quite pleased with it. However, there is one thing that I do absolutely hate about it and that is the fact that you require herculean strength to remove the skimmer cup. It is held in quite tightly by an O-ring. Often times I find myself wiggling, jiggling, twisting, turning, and whatever else I can do to get that darn skimmer cup off. Sometimes I get fed up and just give it good 'ol brute force which unfortunately usually results in the contents of the skimmer cup ending right back into the sump :rant: :flame: :mad:

It was finally time for an intervention. What I ended up doing was removing that darn O-ring completely.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3975.jpg?t=1262162847

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3974.jpg?t=1262162866

In order to prevent water leaking out of the skimmer cup's neck I employed a gasket instead. The gasket is cut out of that thinish foamy paper that you can get from craft stores like Michaels.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3970.jpg?t=1262162988

I cut out a ring the exact size of the skimmer neck and seated it on the lip that the skimmer cup rests on.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3976.jpg?t=1262163019

Lastly, the skimmer cup had a little bit of play in it due to the removal of that O-ring so I needed to shim it a bit with something. After trying various types of tape I finally settled on a strip of electrical tape which made a perfect fit.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3972.jpg?t=1262163049

The skimmer cup now sits into the main skimmer body quite nicely with a smooth and gentle insertion force.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_3977.jpg?t=1262163125

This has worked out quite well and now I no longer dread cleaning the skimmer cup. :cheer2:

kien
12-30-2009, 08:24 AM
These NP-Bio Pellets seem to be all the rage. Gotta keep up with the Jone's right? So I ordered a batch with Tony to try out. Like everyone else, I'm curious to see how well they work. My current Phosphate control method of choice is a TLF Phosban reactor stuffed with Rowaphos. Personally I don't really know if it is doing anything since my test kit never seems to read anything and the chaeto in my 'fuge doesn't seem to grow all that well. Nevertheless, like a good reefkeeper I run it.

Here it is, a bag off NP Bio Lentils (as Tony likes to call them).

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0476.jpg?t=1262163899

I am actually quite happy to be rid of the Rowaphos as it is quite a bother to set up each month. The emptying, cleaning, disposing, refilling, rinsing.. what a pain! And messy to boot.

These biopellets are great. No rinsing, they are easy to manage, just open bag and dump into canister. Plus they dissolve so there's no cleanup after use. Easy peasy!

Out with the old in with the new!
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0477-1.jpg?t=1262164067

And here's my one two punch, carbon and bio lentils daisy chained.
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0478-1.jpg?t=1262164115

I've decided to run about 600ml to start out with. There is a slight tumble of the bioPellets in the reactor.
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0479.jpg?t=1262164161

So this evening Tony came by with his probe. We got a nitrate reading of 8 which I don't think is anything to really be concerned about but certainly not zero like my test kit likes to try to tell me.

Parameters to note for testing purposes:
Nitrate: 8 (with Pinpoint Meter)
Phosphate: Colourless on test kit.
Specific Gravity: 1.026
Temp: 79-81F
Ph: 7.9 - 8.3
Alk: 8.5
Calc: 420ppm
Mag: 1400ppm

* I feed a combination of formula 1&2 flakes and pellets twice a day and sometimes frozen fish mush that I make up with PE Mysis.
* I have about 18 fish that I feed, plus inverts like shrimp, crabs, starfish and various LPS that I spot feed.
* I do not currently have any nuisance algae.
* I do not run zeo or use any additives other than the odd Coral Snow once in a blue moon.

In about a week or two I will have Tony come by and probe me again to see where we're at with the readings.

shrimpchips
12-30-2009, 04:29 PM
In about a week or two I will have Tony come by and probe me again

Sounds like a good time.

Should be interesting to see them run in a reactor - if they don't breakdown and clog the reactor, I think I'll be ordering some after my GFO runs out.

banditpowdercoat
12-30-2009, 04:30 PM
In about a week or two I will have Tony come by and probe me again


WHOAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:razz:

fishytime
12-30-2009, 05:51 PM
I love the performance of Hydor 700. It skims very well and I am quite pleased with it. However, there is one thing that I do absolutely hate about it and that is the fact that you require herculean strength to remove the skimmer cup. It is held in quite tightly by an O-ring. Often times I find myself wiggling, jiggling, twisting, turning, and whatever else I can do to get that darn skimmer cup off. Sometimes I get fed up and just give it good 'ol brute force which unfortunately usually results in the contents of the skimmer cup ending right back into the sump :rant: :flame: :mad:

It was finally time for an intervention. What I ended up doing was removing that darn O-ring completely.

In order to prevent water leaking out of the skimmer cup's neck I employed a gasket instead. The gasket is cut out of that thinish foamy paper that you can get from craft stores like Michaels.

I cut out a ring the exact size of the skimmer neck and seated it on the lip that the skimmer cup rests on.

Lastly, the skimmer cup had a little bit of play in it due to the removal of that O-ring so I needed to shim it a bit with something. After trying various types of tape I finally settled on a strip of electrical tape which made a perfect fit.

The skimmer cup now sits into the main skimmer body quite nicely with a smooth and gentle insertion force.

This has worked out quite well and now I no longer dread cleaning the skimmer cup. :cheer2:

I know what you mean....I was just at a clients house yesterday where the gentleman (who's tank it is) has been away for three weeks...his g/f hasnt touched the skimmer( a hydor) and I dang near had to get a crowbar out to pry the skimate fused cup off....of course she is standing there looking at me like Im some sort of weakling....

Great solution! Should market them as Kien's skimmer cup-eze.

kien
01-02-2010, 06:35 AM
Thought I'd throw down some photos of some new additions from the last couple of months (or so).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2732/4235681097_63dc86bb08_s.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2732/4235681097_9ff1a6a4c0_o.jpg) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2743/4235681299_44b1e5283c_s.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2743/4235681299_e4f2f448e5_o.jpg) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2495/4235681391_6fb2f9f036_s.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2495/4235681391_2abd27d646_o.jpg) http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4236457160_f98cbff52a_s.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4236457160_29d459cecc_o.jpg) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2651/4235681849_9ed0e5ccc1_s.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2651/4235681849_dfd482c345_o.jpg) http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4236457584_799822c504_s.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4236457584_2b479ce7e2_o.jpg) http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4235682577_68f871ca55_s.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4235682577_7bd1a228bd_o.jpg) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/4235682749_e17814825c_s.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/4235682749_0c6d88af4e_o.jpg) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2636/4235682989_76835019df_s.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2636/4235682989_001a46df45_o.jpg)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/4235683289_4a2c4f4f15_s.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/4235683289_6fd1a8c452_o.jpg) http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4236458914_211e98318f_s.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4236458914_71a8e1a86f_o.jpg) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/4236459096_478a89a7f7_s.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/4236459096_3d08efc1ea_o.jpg) http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4236459272_700a169f03_s.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4236459272_93585d87cf_o.jpg) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2630/4236459418_1bb7671b33_s.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2630/4236459418_1487f24391_o.jpg) http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4236459632_7b4c182aa1_s.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4236459632_ba372c4858_o.jpg)

kien
01-02-2010, 06:42 AM
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4236459802_88fe8c9a03_s.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4236459802_3ffa18e391_o.jpg) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/4235684439_a440948740_s.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/4235684439_d84c4826ea_o.jpg) http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4236460336_5784d949fd_s.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4236460336_eea52a43b8_o.jpg) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/4235684959_0406ab8a8e_s.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/4235684959_f8197693f8_o.jpg) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/4235686257_f0d5728420_s.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/4235686257_8cb375b07d_o.jpg) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/4236462054_a24eb19701_s.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/4236462054_91d5b147fd_o.jpg) http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4235686117_1fa877d9d7_s.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4235686117_5d754db3cc_o.jpg) http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4235685457_fe73ea9c74_s.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4235685457_9b022c5949_o.jpg) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2501/4236461214_99e38b897e_s.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2501/4236461214_f99cdf8ccc_o.jpg) http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4235682255_c32d5e70a3_s.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4235682255_deed617fe7_o.jpg)

Okay, so I guess not *all* of them are new, but they are pretty :-)

JDigital
01-02-2010, 06:52 AM
Sweet Tailspot! :mrgreen:

lastlight
01-02-2010, 06:57 AM
Incredible photos and I'll second that...I so want a tailspot!

kien
01-02-2010, 06:57 AM
Sweet Tailspot! :mrgreen:

Ya, he's the family's new favourite fish! He has such a great personality. He swims around openly, back and forth through the tank. He'll rest on something just to stare at YOU while you peer into the tank, so funny.

lorenz0
01-02-2010, 01:34 PM
they are such cool fish. can't wait to get one myself

fishytime
01-02-2010, 02:11 PM
Very nice shots and corals Kien....what bulbs are you running?

kien
01-02-2010, 04:03 PM
Very nice shots and corals Kien....what bulbs are you running?

thanks :-)

I run 3 250 watt Ushio 14Ks and 4 39 watt aquascience 22Ks.

kien
01-02-2010, 11:09 PM
The Clowns have spawned! At least I think they did. This is the first time I've seen them spawn and the eggs look nothing like the eggs on Finding Nemo :noidea:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2652/4239018216_3781d092f7.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2652/4239018216_44b57f5ddc_o.jpg)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4238243751_a5d8a043b5.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4238243751_7da4af0537_o.jpg)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4239017642_93d12668d3.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4239017642_7503df3ce6_o.jpg)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4239017324_1946e23884.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4239017324_322f4a6996_o.jpg)

They did the deed on the slope of a rock just behind the goniopora that they host. Very cool stuff. :biggrin:

lobsterboy
01-07-2010, 05:13 AM
congrats, those would be clown eggs, they will darken as they develop, its pretty cool once you can see the little eyes.

really nice pink stylo you got, looks wicked

lorenz0
01-07-2010, 05:16 AM
really nice pink stylo you got, looks wicked

lol you need to go to stylo rehab, sadly its starting to wear off on me

nice work kien. maybe you will have a nice big family

Carmen
01-07-2010, 05:21 AM
super cool Kien! And great photos!

Argentiner
01-07-2010, 04:18 PM
Wow, you can take amazing pics. Corals and blenny look great.

Coleus
01-07-2010, 09:28 PM
Wow, you can take amazing pics. Corals and blenny look great.

Yeah you got to see his camera equipment :-) Great photos always

mseepman
01-15-2010, 02:13 AM
Your tank is amazing and a definite inspiration to my upcoming build. I have a question for you though. I saw on your videos that you have some mushrooms on one rock. How do you keep them from taking over your whole tank? I had one mushroom when I started 3 years ago, now I have 200 and they are busy killing everything they can, and that's after me harvesting them every month.

kien
01-15-2010, 02:24 AM
Your tank is amazing and a definite inspiration to my upcoming build. I have a question for you though. I saw on your videos that you have some mushrooms on one rock. How do you keep them from taking over your whole tank? I had one mushroom when I started 3 years ago, now I have 200 and they are busy killing everything they can, and that's after me harvesting them every month.

Thanks! Looking forward to your peninsula build! I think it must be the species of mushrooms. In a previous tank I had the same problem, mushrooms grew like weeds and nearly took over. Kinda put me off mushrooms for a while. Then I got back into mushrooms in my last 90gallon tank and started with that rock of blue mushrooms that you see in those pics. It has not grown much beyond its rock. If I do see it heading to other rocks I prune it, but it does not seem to do that that quickly. Certainly not plague like that I've experienced before. I also have a couple of patches of two different varieties of red mushrooms which grow/spread even slower. Very very slow. And then there's a rock of rhodactis and a couple of rocks of ricordias which are also painfully slow. So I guess in the end I am just lucky, I don't know.

Sorry that I can't offer much more of an explanation other than that. If I had to make a more educated somewhat scientific guess, I would maybe chalk it up to low nutrients ? My SPS seem to do really well so maybe they are starved ? :noidea: I do love my mushrooms but ya.. if they ever started to take over again like last time I'd be put off and try to get rid of them.

mseepman
01-15-2010, 03:19 AM
So what did you do when you had the plague? I would like to use my current rock in the new tank but there are so many mushrooms that I couldn't imagine taking that over.

kien
01-15-2010, 03:34 AM
So what did you do when you had the plague? I would like to use my current rock in the new tank but there are so many mushrooms that I couldn't imagine taking that over.

Took the infested rocks out, scraped them off the rocks with a razor, put rocks back in. Any babies that tried to come back were immediately scraped clean off the rock. Was a royal pain but it worked.

Oh, they tended to shrivel when out of the water so i scraped them while submerged in a rubbermaid tub. I think i used a metal scouring pad as well to scrub the leftover bits.

kien
01-15-2010, 06:10 AM
I recently went to Mexico for a week long trip and had my sister tank sit for me. She's done it before and is generally pretty good about looking after things but she's no "Advanced Aquarist". I didn't want her to have to monkey about with the tank too much so I took some steps to make her life a little easier.

1. I had a 33g rubbermade tote full of RO/DI water as a top off reservoir which is good for nearly two weeks of top off water. My usual reservoir which fits under the tank is only 8 gallons, good for about 2 or 3 days.

2. I set up an automatic fish feeder to feed the fish once in the morning and once at night. By the way, what a great little device! I got the Eheim one. I like it so much I use it almost full time now. It plops food in in the morning only though as I still like to hand feed (my fish mush and PE mysis) for the evening feed.

3. Lastly I decided to modify the skimmer to collect a week or mores worth of skimmate. In the past I just turned the skimmer off. However, this time around I wanted to keep it on but I didn't want my sister to have to empty the skimmer cup every few days or so. The cup does fill up pretty quick. Well, it doesn't actually fill up, but it fills enough (about half way) to a point where the foam itself has no room and starts to bubble over. Anyway, here's what I came up with.

I used one of these elbows and simply chopped off one end like so.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0738.jpg?t=1263538927

I then drilled a hole into the base of the skimmer's collection cup the size of the chopped off end, like so.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0741.jpg?t=1263538978

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0742.jpg?t=1263538996

I then silliconed the elbow into the collection cup.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0743.jpg?t=1263539037

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0744.jpg?t=1263539054

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_0746.jpg?t=1263539071

Then I stuck an appropriate sized hoze into the nozzel.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_5979.jpg?t=1263539096

And voila!

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_5977.jpg?t=1263539131

At some point I'm going to put a valve inline there. This has worked out well and I have not touched the skimmate collection since before I left. I do dump some fresh water into the cup to rinse it a bit though. I will probably be using this full time even though it was only meant to be temporary.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af144/muzanji/IMG_5978.jpg?t=1263539370

Also, I think I can use a slightly smaller bottle, like a 2 litre soda bottle would be fine, instead of that gallon monster I have on there now :lol:

Delphinus
01-15-2010, 06:46 AM
Haha, I totally did the opposite with my bubble magus skimmer. I took off the drain line and capped the hole. The reason being is that, while this is a great idea and is good for the reasons you outlined .. there is also now nothing to stop the skimmer from overflowing your sump empty should a snail or something get wedged into the skimmer's output.

Now it used to be pretty common to use a waste collector instead of a bottle on beckett skimmers but you don't see them used on needlewheel skimmers. The reason being though is that the cup is not sealed like they are on becketts (usually flanged and bolted, with a gasket) so that air can't escape except via the drain line. When the drain line closes (usually by a pingpong ball float in the waste collector) then the skimmer can't produce foam anymore because of the back pressure. This was one neat feature with beckett skimmers that seems to be lost with the current gen needlewheels.

Anyhow it's just something to watch out for.

I think what some people are doing nowadays is just putting a drain line on their collection bottles or buckets so that if the bottles overfills it just drains back to the tank. Yeah, gross to dump skimmate back in the tank but it beats an empty sump and a wet floor (it would get skimmed out again pretty quick after you fix the issue anyhow).

kien
01-15-2010, 06:56 AM
Whoa! That is a very good point! Never thought about a snail ever getting into the outlet of the skimmer as the outlet is pretty darn big.

I just went to inspect my skimmer and I have a sock tied to the outlet to cut down on bubbles :-) So I think I'm safe? Anywhere else a snail could get in?