Myka's 69 SPS Tank 2015

[Myka]

The only drawback I can see to this design (so far) is that I don't think I could fit my Reef Dynamics biopellet reactor into the sump anywhere (footprint is 10 x 4"). I don't think I will want to run biopellets, but it's a nice option. I could always just buy the external pump for the BP reactor, so the option isn't completely ruled out.

The other thing I'm weighing right now is if I want to move the bulkheads in the overflow. Maybe I want them all in the middle. You see Vancity?? You did make me think about the possibility of waves, but not so much for the weir, but the drains. I'm not going to have a "wavebox" type wave, but obviously in a high flow tank there will be random waves. Hmm...

Next up, decide what to do for the stand...and build it. Tank won't be here for a month at least I'm thinking - gotta wait for enough tanks to be on the order.

[duncangweller]

I'm definitely following this one. I sent an email to concept a couple of days ago for almost exactly the same tank.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by gobytron

You are one brave lady...

Though they say fortune favors the brave.

I hope so! There is a box waiting at FedEx for me to pick up, so I'm excited to see if there is an ATB skimmer in it!

Originally Posted by duncangweller

I'm definitely following this one. I sent an email to concept a couple of days ago for almost exactly the same tank.

Oh ya? Cool! Did you get your quote back yet? Did your order the black glass (rather than black acrylic) too? If so, be ready for sticker shock. The black glass option was more than the Starphire option. I almost pooed my pants, guffawed for a week, then I ordered it anyway. How does yours differ from mine?

[Myka]

So I got a FedEx box from aforementioned "random Kijiji guy". There better not be a Dell in there!


I opened the box, and found this inside:




It is an Austrian-made (not US version) ATB 840 Econo Small with Eheim 1260 pump. Compared to the skimmer inside the Royal Exclusiv bag, this ATB doesn't look very impressive - though I can see the design is smart. The very large bubble plate and smooth skimmer body all the way up to the top of the skimmer appears as though is should provide as non-turbulent flow as possible, so this is promising. This is the first ATB skimmer I've ever seen in person and I'm interested to see how it performs as some people claim it rivals the Royal Exclusiv skimmers.

The sump on my 50-gallon tank isn't big enough to accommodate the ATB, so it's having a vinegar bath right now. Maybe I'll haul it down to the shop and put it in one of the FO tanks and see what it does.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Myka

it's having a vinegar bath right now.

You'd think the seller could have done that

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

You'd think the seller could have done that

I knew someone would say that. I'm going to give any "new to me" submersible piece of equipment a vinegar bath because I'm paranoid of contaminants, so it's really no skin off my teeth.

[Myka]

Hahaha!! The Stand Alone Doser is the bomb and super easy to program...but the Profilux and Mitras??? Ugh...!

[Myka]

Thank you to everyone who has voted for this tank journal thread this month! It is much appreciated. Considering I haven't paid for this tank yet (and it's costing me more than my mortgage payment) it would be great to win!

[duncangweller]

I'm just curious.... Do you think the thin profile of the overflow weir will be enough room for the return plumbing/elbows etc?

[Myka]

So I made a minor modification to the design of the tank. It's now getting a one piece Starphire eurobrace all polished up. I decided I am going to have an open top.

Originally Posted by duncangweller

I'm just curious.... Do you think the thin profile of the overflow weir will be enough room for the return plumbing/elbows etc?

Ya you bet. There won't be any elbows in there anyway. 3" wide is plenty of room for my hands.