70+ gallon custom

[SteveConn]

Hi all

New to the board and to SW after years of FW.

Bought a 22 nano during the summer and I've outgrown it. So far, I've managed to keep my small collection of SPS alive (but killed my GSP and one of my toadstools!)

While I am getting my next tank designed, I am wondering what people out there use for controllers. I would like to have ATO, dosing and wave maker setup, but a little confused as to what and how it all fits together. I'm thinking an Apex controller with a Tunze Osmolator ATO, not sure on dosing.. What I am concerned about is how they all work together. I want to get it right the first time.

Any advice is much appreciated!!

BTW.. I am looking for interesting, colorful corals... and a GSP frag... I miss it!!

Thanks

BTW: I've met a few from here to buy frags and at the frag swap @ Red Coral.. its been great meeting all of you.. thanks for the input and the great frags!

Steve

[Blom]

Morning, Im not 100% with the APEX controllers as I have never had one... but I believe you could set yo your own ATO using the controller (all that is needed is a lvl sensor (either optic of float) and a controllable plug with a pump in a RO reservoir. I have had the Tunez ATO and it worked great, but I currently just do what I explained before through the use of my Profilux Controller. As for dosing there are many stand alone units, but from what Ive read the profilux unit seems to keep everyone fairly happy. I will be picking one up in the not to distant future. Here is the GHL page with a list of their units:

http://ghl-direct.com/ghl-dosing.php

A quick google of "APEX DOSING" will give you some other options as well as some methods of programming.

[Edmonton newbie]

you have to post how you managed to kill off gps that alone should get you free frags :razz::razz:

[SteveConn]

Free frags ! LOL

I don't mind that or paying fir it.
Envisioned it growing up against the back of the aquarium.

Steve

[kien]

Seriously, can you post instructions on how to kill GSP? I can't seem to make a dent in.

Anyway.. Remind me when you drop by and I'll slip you some complementary GSP *colonies*

[kien]

Come to think of it, I have a toadstool that I found in my tank the other day. Must've hitchhiked into my tank somehow. You can have that too!!

[Coleus]

with apex controller, you also need io breakout box, some float switch to control ATO. For dosing, you need to buy dosing pumps from BRS or similar then you are all set. I really recommend Apex because it is very easy to use

[SteveConn]

ANOTHER night shift.. MAN this is an addictive hobby.. I've spent all my spare time (and there's lots of that) researching my options with controllers, ATO, dosing...

I'm pretty sure I'll end up with the Apex system, the Tunze ATO, Vortech MP40 for wave making.. Dosing pump... hmmm.. GHL looks good but then I've seen good reviews on this one:kamoer-3 .. inclined to stick with more common (GHL)

Questions I have.. if I am getting individually automatic systems..:
1-How do they integrate with a controller like the Apex
2-Whats the real purpose of a "master controller" like Apex?

I know I want the best way to keep my reef stable for growing SPS and to mimic the natural environment.

Last question for the night... Why the heck cant I have been interested in something easier as a hobby, like...I dunno.. monitoring stellar spectroscopy for exoplanet detection??

[SteveConn]

I lie.. one more post :-P

Any thoughts on a large cube type tank (24x27x?26-30high)? Will it be a PITA to acces with that kind of depth (I'm wanting the volume)
Open for discussion is a wider tank but that means I would have to get a custom stand and it would have to look presentable in a main living area.

I live in a wood structure condo, 2nd floor. The tank would be beside a supporting wall, joists running PARALLEL to the tank.

Wondering about weight of tank and disaster vs big, awesome tank!!

...hate compromise!!

[SteveConn]

Hmm.. can I even call this a build when the tank design is still a sticking point??

Small dilemma: The available space I have to put this tank is restricted by total weight and area free for the tank.
I figure 70-75gal is fine for the DT, maybe 15g for the refugium/sump (is that too small?). I can go as long as 48" but 42 is more likely
I had planned on 18" for depth (front to back of tank) but with an internal overflow, the builder suggests that isnt enough for proper scaping..and I should have 24"
24" is pushing it, 22" would be a max depth. Would a corner overflow solve the problem? Would it create issues with tank flow?
Height of the tank: fine with 20-22" deep..hopefully that will allow me to clean and place stuff in the tank without a problem.

Heres the equipment I already own:
Deltec 200 skimmer (hang-on, can go in sump)
1 high flow korolia (not sure what gph)
1 korolia nano
1 maxijet 900 powerhead (extra flow for sps)
1 Fluval 250 for chemical filtration
1 modular LED kit w/24 LED (12 white/12 RB 3w) + 2 3W RB for moonlight

All this is used on a 22g JBJ Nano with SPS, LPS and a few softies.

What just arrived:
Apex Pro Controller

Whats coming:
2 Vortex 40W ES
2 1.1ml/min BRS dosing pumps for Cal/Alk & Mg
1 50ml/min BRS dosing pump for water topoff
1 Tunze ATO unit
Dual GFO and Carbon reactor w/maxijet powerhead 1200 (295 gph)

Seems like I have most things I need other than the tank itself!

I think my skimmer may need an upgrade to keep pristine water for SPS, but it has to be quiet and minimal overhead needed to take skim cup off

I can get a metal cabinet made (frame) but I need siding put on that would suit easy access to the sump/skimmer...and it has to look good since its all in my main living area (2nd floor, condo)

Lastly.. I need a finished basement :-/ When that happens WOOHOO 400 gal!

Any suggestions, comments??

Thanks!

[SteveConn]

Kein, you wanted to know how I killed GSP (and severely damaged my leather toadstool)?
I made a bath for my new fish I thought I saw ich on. I used dechlorinated water (no salt), pH bablanced to match the tank (baking soda). To that I added methylene blue and formalin.

Some of my corals were looking like they were being attacked by something...and so I added Lugols to the water before adding the GSP and a small leather toadstool. About 5 min later I remembered what else I had in the water and put it all in a tank water bath!

The toadstool died down a bit but is now SLOWLY coming back, the GSP is long gone.

Not sure multitasking and my summer of crazy shift work were a good combo!

There you go.. how to kill softies. My guess is it was the formalin that was the biggest nail in its coffin

[SteveConn]

Right now I have 2 tanks up and running... 1st one I bought in June or July off Kijiji: 22g JBJ nano, the 2nd: a 12g JBJ nano. I have been buying a fair amount in anticipation of the 72g that I am now using the larger tank mostly for SPS and the smaller for LPS and softies.

Last shot is my tux urchin carrying around a frag of kenya tree

The tang was bought small..in anticipation of the larger tank....even still I realize I will need to sell it on the near future with the 72g.

The 22g has a phosphate reactor, ATO (Kalk/vinegar mix in RODI water), MP40 and ApexPro controller.. looks like a baby in an ICU ward. I cant wait for most if not all to be hidden away with the new setup.

Current params
Calcium 440
Alk 10/179ppm
Phosphate undetectable with API kit (reactor overkill anyway)
Nitrate/trite: 0
Temp 78F
Salinity 52.7
pH 8.07

Polyp extension is good, but noticed less on some of the corals in the past week ...likely due to a drop in KH from 12 down to 9 and Calcium from 480 to 420 in 4 days when I had an issue with dosing kalk/vin

Thanks to all of you that I have purchased corals from!

[SteveConn]

Cant figure out yet how to post pics to see without a link...so its in my member gallery picshttp://www.canreef.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=8506&title=new-tank-design&cat=500http://www.canreef.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=8506&title=new-tank-design&cat=500

[Ryan_Lap]

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=8506&d=1321595673
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=8507&d=1321595673
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=8508&d=1321595673
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=8509&d=1321595690

[img][/img (add a ] after the [img) put this around the url

[SteveConn]

Thanks Ryan!!

[SteveConn]

A lot has happened since my last post on this thread. Dave at Concept did a beautiful job on my 75g and sump. Love the look of a one piece eurobrace. Went straight to 2 Radions. Kevin and the team at Red Coral have been really invaluable for advice! (Thanks!)
In February I had to leave suddenly to attend my moms side after my step dad passed away. I knew I would stay there for a bit to support her, so had to combine my 2 nanos into the larger tank before I had plumbing set up (Deltec skimmer IN the tank, LARGE pail of Kalk/vinegar RODI mix dosing via ATO (purely evaporation based dosing). My mistake with that setup was adding Vodka to the mix. Had been doing that for a few weeks with success but in my rush, I added 3-4x the normal amount. When I arrived back, the tank was about to crash and the water was mily looking (bacterial explosion). I lost a few SPS, but most survived.
I've been buying coral like a madman... filled up the 3 nanos.. It took 12 hours to incorporate all this stuff into the larger tank (half filled with water because iof the skimmer needing to be IN the tank) without everything touching. And yes, I brought MORE coral back from Ontario, some from Reefermadness. That guy has a stunning tank, and worth the 2 hr drive to see it. Unfortunately, the insulated case cracked open at some point in the flight back, so I lost about 1/2 the corals due to cold shock.
Now, the tank is about 80% set up.... and we decide we are having a house built and moving to deep S. Calgary. My poor corals!
I may be selling some of the "extras" just to make the move easier.

So..after all this time, I know I can grow SPS well. Learned a lot from the setbacks. I wonder sometimes if working in healthcare gave me a little advantage in maintaining these high maintenance organisms?!

I'll post some pics soon.

[SteveConn]

11 months since I started saltwater. 5 months since setting up the custom tank from Concept.

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j410/Steve_ConnYYC/36f0c451.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j410/Steve_ConnYYC/dad26780.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j410/Steve_ConnYYC/9a21ca9f.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j410/Steve_ConnYYC/c98ffd35.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j410/Steve_ConnYYC/825f2b31.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j410/Steve_ConnYYC/51d7ea04.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j410/Steve_ConnYYC/1bc82a48.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j410/Steve_ConnYYC/6c54bbae.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j410/Steve_ConnYYC/87ee9efb.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j410/Steve_ConnYYC/56297542.jpg

[lastlight]

That scoly is amazing man! Was nice meeting you tonight =)

[SteveConn]

LOL.. want to split it? I wanted to cut it, but dont have a fine enough saw... and it'd be a pricey experiment if it fails!

Great to meet you too. We'll have to swap a few corals after the move (if things survive!!)

[SteveConn]

This 75g is now for sale with sump and steel stand, starfire glass.. A beautiful job done by Concept, Daves first one piece Eurobrace.
It was a real showpiece when I lived in my condo, but have since moved on to a 7ft long 250g.

Paid 1400$ (the one piece Eurobrace was an expensive addon. Will sell for 900$

I can throw in some softies to get a new user started. Presently this tank is in my basement, clean and ready to go.
Plumbing on the tank is modular and detachable for transport.

I will post pics shortly.

Steve