I got the tank moved in over the weekend and started getting everything setup. Plumbing is almost complete, just need to install the return pump from my other system and start getting everything transferred over. Then I can get the APEX, Vortech's, lighting etc setup too.
Got the tank in place!
Plumbing installed (still need to connect the return pump from the other tank)
I need to find another 90° 1/2" fitting for the GFO reactor.
Got the tank levelled with composite shims from Lowes. Super easy to cut to size.
Also started installing the mag-holders for my Tunze Osmolator ATO system.
I don't have an outlet close to the tank, so I picked up a GFCI power bar.
Thanks! Im pretty pleased with how it turned out. Got it filled today with a heater and powerhead running, so I should be transferring everything over tomorrow/friday.
I got the APEX hooked up, and even found a VDM module that was hooked up but not in use, which I'll post for sale shortly.
Once I unplugged the APEX from the old tank I had to move the return pump, heater etc over pretty fast before pulling the rockwork and corals over. Thankfully I only have 2 large rocks that make up my rockscape, so it was easy to lift them out with corals still attached and just place it in the new tank.
I kept the main rock from my old tank, and had to chop a small section of the second to be able to save them nems for the clowns, which have their own little island on the left now. I have a ton of frags that im not going to be able to fit and in setting up this tank i've found I have loads of equipment my from old system that I won't be able to use. (48" T5 setup, pumps, frag racks, apex modules etc etc, will post for sale soon).
Not the greatest pic, and things are strewn everywhere, but you can see where things have ended up. I'll get some better pictures to replace these later. Once all the corals are off the sand it's going to look great! I love having one central structure/island for the fish to swim around, they've all settled in really well.
Thanks Terry! Im really happy with it, everything has opened up so much fuller in the new tank. Probably due to an 80% water change . I must admit though, im sad to see the 48x20x20 sat there empty. It's such a great sized system, I wish I could have kept it running.
The tank is really looking good. I still have a few more corals to get up off the sand, but it's close. Once everything grows in it's going to look awesome. I did a water change yesterday after using 3/4 of a tube of TLF epoxy and still can't turn my skimmer back on without it overflowing and creating a micro-bubble storm. Might have to get some carbon online tonight.
I thought the 3 XR15Pro's might be overkill, and they probably are, but the tank is so bright and the coverage is incredible, it just looks awesome. I couldn't be happier with it.
I want to add a couple monti-caps to add a feeling of 'depth' to the rock-scape. Maybe a reeftech or another chili-pepper cap, not sure yet. I've got a few more frags, a ceramic frag rack and one of the nems to move out of the tank before I get to that. Plus a ton of extras from my last setup, an APEX VDM module for Tunze's/LED's, RO membranes, frag bags and a DIY T5 setup among others.
A few update pics. Things have come together nicely. I got a ReefTech Starburst Montipora frag today which im excited to watch grow out and a I got a Tierra Del Fuego SPS frag, which should colour up nicely! (pics of those coming soon).
Im feeding the corals weekly with a combo of Fauna Marin Zoa/Ric food, Reef Roids, KZ Coral Vitalizer, TLF AcroPower and KZ LPS Amino Acids. I mix it up based on how the corals look and spot feed the corals with the pumps off for 30 minutes. The chalices really take their time to open up.
Uploaded the build on Aquatic Log to keep track of the tanks progress, coral growth, set reminders for maintenance and coral feeding, and track trends in alkalinity and calcium uptake.
I was at Elliott's house today and I had the opportunity to checkout his recent project, a 40 gal. reef tank. This tank is incredible and pictures do NOT capture the true colours of the corals in this setup. As usual Elliott has out done himself with a well planned out system that brings out all of the outstanding colours of his corals. From the plumbing to his rock work and the placement of the corals this systems works. Great Job Elliott !!!!
I was at Elliott's house today and I had the opportunity to checkout his recent project, a 40 gal. reef tank. This tank is incredible and pictures do NOT capture the true colours of the corals in this setup. As usual Elliott has out done himself with a well planned out system that brings out all of the outstanding colours of his corals. From the plumbing to his rock work and the placement of the corals this systems works. Great Job Elliott !!!!
Im working on increasing the stability and efficiency of my Vertex Omega 130 skimmer. On my larger system it was fairly stable and performed well, but the water height was critical for its operation (6.5") or it would overflow. On this tank I have it in 7.25"-7.5" of water and get very wet and inconsistent skimmate and fear an overflow from small changes in water chemistry. So after some reading im going to restrict the air intake to produce smaller bubbles, hopefully more stability and drier skimmate. (basically, for skimmers, smaller bubbles are better).
MaxiJet MJ900 Air Valve, silicone tubing and ratchet clamp.
Drilled it out to increase diameter of air inlet.
[/URL]
Assembled.
Installed on Omega 130 Air Intake.
Skimmer Airline fully open, no restriction. LARGE bubbles at neck. Stand pipe 1/3 closed. I closed the stand pipe 1/3 to adjust the water inside the skimmer to a mid-point where I was not getting a lot of micro-bubbles ejected from the output, that is the only reason I closed it at all. I will likely adjust it again later to open it more.
Skimmer Airline restricted, valve 1.5-2 360° turns open from closed. Much smaller bubbles at neck, a huge improvement. Stand Pipe still 1/3 closed.
I'm getting a slight whistle from the airline restrictor, the skimmer pulls in an enormous amount of air. Im going to try and reduce the whistle with by adding a 'muffler' of sorts, but will get to that later. First I want to see if this mod adds more stability to the skimmer and see what effect it has on skimmate production. (hopefully darker, drier and dirtier).
Adjusting the airline restrictor controls the size of the bubbles in the skimmer neck, which has a direct effect on efficiency and means I can dial it in to wet/dry skim as needed without adjusting the water height too much, risking an overflow. Im sure it will take some time to dial it in to reach a sweet spot. I'll keep you updated. (feel free to correct me if I have misinterpreted my research on air-intake/skimmer operation).
48hrs after the air intake modification. The air bubbles are much finer than they were before without the mod and are bursting just at the bottom of the collection cup. The foam head has been very consistent throughout the day and a dark skimmate is beginning to collect. Before the mod I would get at least twice this in two days but it would be a much much lighter colour.
I have adjusted the stand pipe so that it is 3/4 of the way closed to adjust the water height in the skimmer body. The airline restrictor is open about 2 x 360° turns and very easy to adjust, the bubble size in the skimmer neck clearly changes when more/less air is let in. Im hoping this slight adjustment will increase skimmate production over the next 48hrs. I will post an update then.
The one problem I have with this mod, is that the air intake is quite loud as it sucks in air, making the skimmer/system louder than it was before. The new NYOS skimmers (looking at the 120) have an airline adjustment/restrictor like this and they run very quietly, under 34dB from what ive seen, likely because they have a pump that is better rated for the skimmer body/air intake. The Omega 130 could easily handle a heavy bioload on a 120-150 gallon system.
So far im very happy with the modification, other than the noise, and because of that alone, I may switch to a Nyos 120 later, but im going to see how things go for a while before making a change. Vertex skimmers are powerhouses once you get them dialled in and i'd hate to let it go.
I wasn't sure if he'd make it when I first got him a few months ago, he was really emaciated. But now he's a happy little fatty and he eats everything! His colouration has really improved too, definitely my favourite in the tank.
A forum community dedicated to aquarium owners and enthusiasts in the Greater Toronto Area. Come join the discussion about breeding, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!