Dawn On The Reef

[BigC]

Dont get me wrong guys the BTA/Torch is not imminent just yet, if at all, I was just getting your opinions for some real down to earth answers rather than internet lookups. Some good info there guys, much appreciated. Maybe go with softies for the time being. Still got a few issues to sort anyhow. Dont really want to place anything in willi nilli until the sumps sorted. Just the clowns looked for all intensive purposes...a bit lonley. Anyway I'll hang back for the time being.
Regards
BigC

 

[aaronnorth]

Great tank, there must be loads of surface area for bacteria with that rock wall, it looks fab although it blends in with the LR a little to much, a few corals can sort that out though

 

[BigC]

a few corals can sort that out though

Once the sump is finished and working then I will consider the corals, I have many diagrams of the type of corals I want and their placement.
This should be the fun part, making the picture come alive.
Regards
BigC

 

[littleme1969]

a few corals can sort that out though

Once the sump is finished and working then I will consider the corals, I have many diagrams of the type of corals I want and their placement.
This should be the fun part, making the picture come alive.
Regards
BigC

Oh yes I remember that part too.. it was great then I got a TANG..PMSL and my lovely tank fell apart

 

[BigC]

Hi Guys,
Just set up the sump/refugium, (this is only a temporary measure and will address shortly). So not having a drilled aquarium, for the time being I have adopted a pretty precarious route of using a double syphon method controlled with taps. 1st syphon is 16mm pipe from main tank to sump controlled with single tap. 2nd syphon is also 16mm pipe from sump to canister filter (Eheim 2217) with double taps, set to open. The return is the usual 12mm pipe from filter to main aquarium, with double taps, set to open. I am controlling the flow from the first syphon tap, fine adjustment has kept the water level stable for the past 4 days. The syphon crooks are drilled 50mm below the water level so as to break the syphon if anything goes wrong. The sump/refugium contains 24 litres and will house the Cheato algae on a 24/7 lighting regime. The lamp I have used is a Daylight 6400k, 18w Energysaver. I have also installed Bio-Balls in the filter canister chamber topped off with Rowaphos. In the sump/refugium I have installed a V2 Skim 120 Nano Skimmer (see pic)

The skimmer has been running for 2 days, it is quiet but with lots of microbubbles in the sump, I'm told this should settle down as the more waste there is then the more of these micro bubbles will be used up. Fine adjustment is still needed in a few days. So far I have emptied the collection cup once, it was half filled with amberish coloured water so while its still in its running in period it must be doing some good. The more the tank is stocked and the more waste is created via feeding etc the the better the skimmer should become.
See Sump/Refugium pic below.

I now need to seperate an area for the Cheato, (probably using Plen Plax tank divider) to keep it away from both the skimmer and the filter intakes.
Anyone any comments or ideas on how to improve on the aformentioned as my head is fried and I may well have failed to pick up on a vitally important factor regarding the sump/refugium workings and pipework. Input required and appreciated
Regards
BigC

 

[BigC]

Well just a little update to the above sump setup.
I became increasingly unhappy with the above setup (syphon and tap method) It was just too precarious and lots of variables could cause a lot of headache. I have closed that side of the system down for the moment and concentrate on building a new tank (I work in a glass factory as a glasscutter) same dims as the original tank only this time I am going to have it drilled (on hind sight I should have researched more about sumps/refugiums at the beginning as regards to possible expansion. Everything that is in the original tank at the moment will be incorporated into the new tank like for like. I will get the tank drilled professionally at work and construct a Durso Standpipe Overflow as suggested by some colleagues on this forum. They know who they are. Many thanks to them for steering me in the right direction. The pipework for the overflow system has been ordered as has a new Eheim 1250 Universal pump, to run the whole thing. I will include pics of the standpipe construction as I start the job.
The whole transition will have to take place over a weekend, with an everything out, everything back in approach.
I am a bit sad to be doing this but sometimes you have to take a step back to go forward again as it were. I hope it will all be worth it in the end.
I may change the maxi-jets for Koralias. Save on the juice.
Thanks for looking
Regards
BigC

PS I will post pics of the transition when I'm ready to proceed. (collecting all the parts and equipment first)

 

[RadaR]

If there are a lot of micro bubbles being produced, and you have the chance to build a new sump, then I would personally consider a "bubble trap". Might be quite handy if the skimmer doesn't "calm down".

 

[BigC]

As it happens I was getting quite a few micro bubbles, well ok alot really. Good info there RadaR, well worth considering.
Regards
BigC

 

[@ombomb]

skimmers work by making bubbles, you'll never avoid them if you have 1 big sump compartment / last compartment of the sump.

you may want to consider a newjet 1200 instead of the eheim, much smaller, just as powerful and more reliable than the eheim pumps i have used

 

[BigC]

Just a little update whilst I'm waiting for the bulkhead and fittings to plumb the sump.
I have managed to squeeze a baffle in the sump and have just cut the glass to make a bubble trap tower to include bio-balls and Rowaphos. I will house the Skimmer in the first compartment and the Cheato will be housed in the second compartment. I've decided to have the return pump on the outside of the sump to afford me more room internally.
See baffle pic (without bubble tower)

I have also afforded myself a new larger RO unit, again from RO man.
I have measured the TDS without a DI unit and its comming in around 6ppm. I think this is about right. I may purchase a DI Pod to get it down some more.
Regards
BigC

 

[SkiFletch]

Looks the part Does it hold water?

 

[BigC]

Looks the part Does it hold water

Sure does. Well, its not tested yet running as a system, as I'm still patiently waiting for bulkhead and fittings for the main tank to arrive. I'm off down the plumbers merchants now to see if I can aquire them from there albeit imperial measurments.
Regards
BigC

 

[kj23502]

Wow, this is really interesting BigC Your rock wall is really cool!! I read on another place somewhere where a guy made a frame and incorporated tunnels, nooks, and crannies in his too. I think all this is way to complicated for me, . I wouldn't want something that took too long. In August my kids will be 6, 4, and 1 Can't have something like that laying around for too long.

I think I may try to stick to the foam background that I PM'd you with.

Awesome tank and I look forward to watching as the next one is coming along. (I don't know for sure yet if mine can be drilled, I'm really hoping so.)

 

[BigC]

A little update as to where I'm at presently,
Next weekend has been penciled in for the big changeover. I have all the necessary equipment collected to facilitate the move, such a hassle to install a sump without a drilled tank. Anyway I've had the tank drilled at work this morning (such a beautiful job). And I am now in the process of sealing the aquarium and installing the internal Durso type standpipe which will not drain from the base of the tank but rather exit the back pane.
I am then going to spray paint the back and end panels Black.

With the Bulkhead in place (such a neat fit)

Tank ready for sealing and testing.

I will post more pics as the move progresses.
Regards
BigC

 

[BigC]

OK... Getting there slowly but surely. Its going to be a big operation this weekend (Not looking forward to it but it has to be done).
I've painted the tank to prevent light entering through the sides and filtering through the rockwall. I've secured the bulkhead fitting and measured and cut the pieces of pipework for the Durso. (See pics below) I wanted to keep the inlet bend within the rockwall pocket on the back right hand side of the tank but due to the size of the fittings it soon became apparent that this was not going to be feasiable so I will have to cut a little knotch in the rockwall pocket to accomodate the 90' bend.

25mm Durso Standpipe Overflow - Sections

25mm Durso Standpipe Overflow - Assembled

25mm Durso Standpipe Overflow - Bare Tank View

Hopefully everything will run smoothly this weekend with no major problems or snags
Regards
BigC