RuralReef 2.1

[BlueAbyss]

Final Dimensions and Plans:

Main Display: 42l x 10w x 11d = 20 gallons.
I had planned to make the tank 10" deep, but I worry that I won't be able to get the wave action I want without overflowing a relatively full tank (I want the full 10" depth available). The extra depth is to accommodate the surge, while maintaining a full 10" depth of water between surges. The actual water volume of the display area will be 15 gallons.

I had also planned to make the tank 36" long, but now I can have a full 6" catchment chamber on the end of the tank for the circulation pump and a slow response ATO.

Secondary Display: 24 x 10 x 10 = 10.39 gallons
This tank will be fed from the catchment chamber on the main display. The overflow of this tank will serve as the media (carbon and filter floss) chamber, which will further overflow into the CSD chamber.

Bubble Breaker / Chaeto Vortex: 10 x 8 x 12 = 4.15 gallons
This tank will serve as a place for bubbles to have a chance to break (much needed IMO), while simultaneously giving the water a wide pouring sort of flow, and providing ideal conditions for Chaeto growth. The Chaeto will sit in sort of a kriesel which will roll the algae with every surge. The heater will also reside in this tank, which will overflow into the Main Display.

Recirculating Skimmer: 24 tall, 4 square = 1.66 gallons
This will technically also be a tank, so I'm including it here in my build list. This will be fed around 30 gph from the circulation pump, and will simply gravity return to the Bubble Breaker. I have a modded Rio 800 RV that will work awesome here.

TOTAL: 36.2 gallons filled to the brim, and without rock or water. I've managed to maximize my gallonage without going over the 40 gallon limit

Lighting: 4 x T5HO 24W
Workhorse 5 ballast
2 x ATI Blue+
1 x GE 6500K Daylight
1 x Something else. Maybe a Super Actinic or a Fiji Purple.

Circulation Pump: At least 500 gph @ 2 ft.
I want a really quick (1 second) surge every four seconds. The surge won't have to be large, but the pump will need to provide at least 30x turnover... probably more, like 45x turnover. I was looking at the Tunze Silence pump for 30x. I can go up to the Mag 950, but I'll have to throttle it back somewhat... I have been told I can throttle back a pump around 25% safely, so I can get down to around 750 gph and I will add a bypass for some secondary circulation within the tank. Whatever I choose, I need it to fit in a 6" (or so) space.

So that's where I stand. No changes will be made beyond this, this is the final plan... now I have to make them work together

[Boomboy]

PICS!!!!! of whatever you got

[BlueAbyss]

Hmm... well, I have a Rio 800 RV...

Which I've made modifications to...

This is for my recirculating protein skimmer.

Sorry Boom, that's all I got.

So far Calling about glass on Monday, and likely ordering my lights this week. I'll be ordering my glass drill bits from mops this week for sure... I should have ordered them when I ordered this pump I should also order some carbon, any suggestions as to a brand?

Edit: Wow, I just realised that these are the first pics in this thread. Lame!

[Boomboy]

what is that in the impeller it looks like glue to me, but that cant BE!!!!

[BlueAbyss]

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=53138

What I've done is taken the impeller out, flipped all of the little flaps one way (so they all point in the same direction), wrapped it about 6 times with fishing line (4 lb), and then wove a pattern around them anchored in the middle of the original wrap. Simple and reversible. No glue either, the start of each of the 2 pieces of fishing line is tied and the other end heated with a lighter and stuck to itself.

Check out the link above if you're interested in the pump. I tested it in saltwater and it works great... I actually modded it because it didn't produce very fine bubbles in fresh water I forgot that saltwater acts differently.

[BlueAbyss]

I've decided that since I have a 10 gallon set up and ready to go (with some rock in already), that tank will become my contest tank. So... should I start a new thread, or rename this one and merge the two threads (I have some discussion going on about the 10 gallon in another thread) or...

Suggestions? CHRISTY WHAT DO I DO?!?

[BlueAbyss]

I am now entering the 10 gallon unlimited category, to level the field (at least one other person is in this category). Also, because I have the tank set up already, with rock, water, and sand. And a hermit crab FTS on the first page... and I'll post it here also, for posterity (and since I haven't changed post #1 yet)...


Anyhow, a quick rundown of what will happen this month... Starting with lighting! I have three 70 watt MH ballasts coming, should be here in a couple weeks, the bulb was shipped today, all I'll need is a socket and reflector (security light) and I'm good to go. I'll be starting with only one. This should give me enough light for LPS, softies, and macros.

I should have some more rock in by the end of the month also. Well, hopefully. I'll soon enough need test kits for calcium, mag, and alk... and good supplements for these three, I'm sure. I am using Instant Ocean after all...