New And Improved 84g System

[xxBarneyxx]

I had the same problems with the return pipe from my fuge. I put a 90° elbow join on the end of my fuge return pipe so the water flows up to the surface. It doesn't get rid of the bubbles all together but puts them all right on the surface so you dont really notice it. Also helps increase the surface movement and keeps the PH a bit more stable. i have found that over time the bubbles have settles down as well (I guess the algae and biofilm growing over the pipework helps in some way). Couple of pics below to show what I did.

I was also considering putting a spray bar on the return putting upwards to the water surface but dont really have the room in my tank to do it. The other thing I though of doing was sticking a tray above the water with holds in the bottom to hold a strip of polyfilter and having the return water run into there. This would really help airate the water, hopefully remove most of the bubbles and give you an easy to access mechnical/chemical filter chamber. Again though not enough space in this tank to do it.

 

[phistar]

all i have to say is WOW

you sure put ALOT OF EFFORT into this hobby!

your setup and tank is amazing! definitely can't wait for your updates!

 

[Matthew5664]

phistar> Many thanks, I do love this hobby!

Another small update… for you

Got 4 more Kgs of Live rock for the Fuge tank.

Added an elbow to the return (thanks to xxbarneyxx) from the Fuge tank to help reduce the bubbles.

This has worked a treat!

And finally I have aquascaped the rock at long last ready from a thin layer of sand.

Pre aquascape

Then Post aquascape.

I am left with one rock I don’t know what to do with.

 

[SkiFletch]

Put a pirate ship with bubbles on it

Looks great Matt, nice to see you sorted out the bubbles

 

[Matthew5664]

You might laugh but I nearly sucomed to a ship, the g/friend wanted one but I had to put my foot down there.

 

[RadaR]

Loving the journal. Marine tempts and tempts.
May I ask where you got the polystyrene layer for the bottom of the tank? Best place to get it?

 

[Matthew5664]

Buildbase or Travis Perkins. it's part of A 6'X4' Sheet and its about £10. It's called Jabba-rock insulation.

 

[RadaR]

Thanks for the reply.
I picked up a polystyrene base today at a shop called "Price Right".

 

[Matthew5664]

Nice.

Update.....................

We have sand and MH's working, and the UV and Carbon reactor running of the same pump.

Pic's soon.

 

[Matthew5664]

Right looks like I have got allot done today however it was cut short by the rain.

First was the MH’s

From the ballasts

From the lamps

Some kit

All wired.

Just the T8’s

One 250W MH.

And two…

From there I set the sand in…….

And then started on the door for the sump tower.

Frame lay out

Testing my doweling to peg, glue and screw the joints together and it wasn’t bad.

A little off however I only matched the hold along one plane not two so the tops were slightly out, this being a test the alterations where made for the actual. But!! The rain came and all work had to stop.

At my LFS pit stop today sore a mate who had left me some frags.

Two galaxia coral frags

And two what I believe to be Styalaphora sp.

To finish up I have some full tank shots one with a Childs head and one with out.

 

[cheesy feet]

sweet.

 

[SkiFletch]

Wow Matt, looks awesome. What maufacturer and color temp are those 250s?

 

[Matthew5664]

They are BVL 14K's

 

[SkiFletch]

Huh, never heard of those... Look great though

 

[Matthew5664]

Hope this explains the mess.