90Gallon First Major build, many DIY mods: Eurobracing, overflow,stand Lots of Pics!

[Rocketboy52]

After reading this thread,
Full Tank Progression Shots

I decided that I wanted to start with less rock rather then more. I pulled out a fancy branching tonga rock and put it back into my live rock holding tank until I'm able to give it to someone that will really like it. Hopefully as the tank fills in, the lack of rock will provide ample room for future growth.

I also did some flow tests and I was suprised at the results. It turns out surprise surprise, that the flow augmenter nozzles really cut down the flow rate of the pump. The Maxijet 3000 pump is rated at 775 gph at 0 head, and 500 gph at 4' of head. I'm pumping it up to 5' of head some I'm thinking something like 350-400gph was to expect. I timed the displacement in the sump, and found out that I was only pumping 196 gph! DOH

So I pulled the flow augmenters and nozzle body off and ran the same test again and got a flow of 268 gph. Not bad, but there is still a lot of choke in the return and I'm guessing that I would get up into the 300-400 gph range if I removed the SQUID from the return line. I also don't like how big the flow augmenters are. I think rather then try to enhance my in -tank flow with return line, I let that run un-choked, and rely on the vortechs from all my display circulation, and just run a single return line.

Here are some pics with the sand in. I need to retake a few of these pictures as they have a bright glare from the sun coming through the windows in the late afternoon. While the pictures are glared, there were also a few cool shots from some of the back light effects:


End shot with the sand in


Delicate Arch


Bad glare, but tank left


Tank right


Sump with rock and deep sand bed


Deep sand bed close up (~4" deep)

[Rocketboy52]

Skimmer kicking in


Frogspawn looking happy in its new home


Hallelujah light burst


Yellow Tang Xray – I can see if there is food in his stomach or not

[melev]

Look at that tang! It's like an xray.

Pull off that one return covered in algae and clean it off well. You don't want that spreading.

Those flow accellerators work a little differently. You may be getting 196gph through the sump, but the gizmo is drawing water nearby and supposedly doubling or tripling the rate in front of the nozzle.

[Rocketboy52]

I cleaned off the flow accelorator thingy. Its weird that I've never had this type of hair algae before, and now after moving tanks, it shows up on just the flow enhancer. So far, it hasn't shown up anywhere else.

Do you think that 200 gph through the sump is to low? I read on your site that you recommended something like 3-4 times the display volume per hour. I do think that the flow enhancment deals work really well, but there is a penalty when considering flow through the sump.

I thought if I bought a 2nd MP10, I would get all the flow I need int he display, and then replace the squid and flow enhancers with a simple single line return to get the flow through the sump that I want.

[MantisO_o]

Wow, that's just amazing!

[AwkwardParrot]

Any up-dates?

[Rocketboy52]

Originally Posted by AwkwardParrot

Any up-dates?

Awkward,
Thanks for the reminder that I need to post something! I've been real busy with work, and recently got my pilot's license so that took a bit O mo-nay and time away from the reef addiction, but don't worry I still have big dreams.

I finally pulled the trigger and bought me a Lumenbright pennant with 400W coralvue dimmable ballast and Reeflux 12k bulb. When I got the pennant I couldn't wait to plug it in, but unfortunately, the bulb came with a hair line crack.

New Penant! Yea! The blue film was a pain to get off without scratching the polished Aluminum

I'm trying to get the bulb exchanged, but haven't done so yet. I called and asked Mike at Reef specialty if he thought I should run the bulb despite the crack and he told me to try it for a couple of hours. I'm going to get the bulb replaced but in the mean time, I rigged up a funky quick and dirty stand to "Test" the new pennant.

Jerry Rig Light stand





I borrowed Bob's PAR meter and compared before and after Par values with the new 400w setup and the older compact florescent 210w setup.


One thing to note is that the compact florescent bulbs are over1 year old and two of the bulbs are darker blue actinic bulbs, so if I had 4 white bulbs I'm sure the par values would be more. I mounted the base of the Lumenbright pennant as recommend, 12 inches above the water surface, so its like 16" from waters surface to the bulb. Here are the par values I was seeing:

Compact Flourescents PAR


400w 12k reeflux bulb PAR

Bob's tank has been going through a growth spurt and had his Green Bubble tip anemone split a few times, so he gave me one of the wondering spawn that was stinging some of his acroporas. Now that evil nemo has a home defend she has gotten quite feisty and fun to watch as she protects her turf. When the anemone was first introduced in the tank, it was retracted tight and small. Evil nemo did everything she could to fit herself in the anemone. The anemone moved all around the tank for a few weeks, but finally settled in a spot and hasn’t moved since, and now Evil Nemo and the anemone are the BFF that they were meant to be.





BFF

Other things on the tank, I've re-plummed the sump twice and have finally gotten a setup that prevents my refugium from being a cesspool. I've been able to get my nitrates down to 5ppm from 20ppm which is a record low for me. I removed about 20 lbs of surplus rock from the refugium and sold off all my spare live rock. I also added 40 lbs of sand to the refugium, so now half the refugium is a deep sand bed with very minimal rock and big cheato ball. I shut down the quarantine tank I had going in the garage as it was just too hard to keep two tanks maintained, and I'll sell it off on craigslist.

I've also been fighting a bad outbreak out of Cyano the last couple of months. Whenever I do my monthly water changes, I spend a good 1-2 hours sucking out a healthy red carpet off the sand bed of both the display and the refugium with a turkey baster. It’s a total pain in the butt, and I need some good ideas on how to get rid of Cyano once and for all. All other nuisance algae seems to be under control. I've been melting aptasia's with concentrated calc mix once a month, but usually by the next water change a month later I have 10 tiny ones pop up that I then re-melt away before changing the water.. Fun hobby, but man is it sometimes frustrating.

My wife didn't like the way the jerry-rig light stand looked, so she wouldn’t let me use the new pennant until I build a proper, (read non-ghetto) hood for the tank.

Next purchases and upgrades on the list are going to be a pair of VHO 36" actinic bulbs run by an Icecap 430 ballast, and new feed line to the refugium. I also plan on buying a couple of American DJ power strips, and an auto shut off for my RO/DI unit. I keep flooding the garage when I fall asleep and forget to turn it off. After that I’m going to start building my hood and stand skins. The idea is to make the stand match my kitchen table.

[Rocketboy52]

One more weird thing, I recently got a Singulaira frag from my buddy Lou. In his tank it was very fluffy and white, and it looked the same for the first day or two in my tank. Like this:


But after a couple of days, it got bigger, but the polyps don't extend the same way, and instead of looking like a brilliant white color its turned kind of pinkish red in my tank. Any thoughts on what this could mean?

[AwkwardParrot]

Very nice, what are you going to do for a hood, any actinic supliment?

On another topic...pilot license, congratulation and welcome to another consuming hobby. What do you currently fly/own? And how long did it take you? Took me the better part of a year.

[Rocketboy52]

Originally Posted by AwkwardParrot

Very nice, what are you going to do for a hood, any actinic supliment?

On another topic...pilot license, congratulation and welcome to another consuming hobby. What do you currently fly/own? And how long did it take you? Took me the better part of a year.

I'm going to use two URI 36" long actinic bulbs powered by a Icecap 430 for the actinics.

As far as flying I don't own a plane, I did have a Long EZ project for about a year but sold it to get $$$ for my pilot's license. At work I have access to a Grumman Tiger, and for training a co-worker let me rent his Piper Cherokee 140. I went flying with another co-worker in his 540 powered Lanceair Legacy and that was the most fun flying I've ever experienced! At work we have a Beechcraft Duchass twin that I been in and flown a bit, and my flight instructor has an Extra 300 that I went up for an aerobatic demonstration flight, which was also a SWEET ride! I've also flown a Cessna 172, Cessna 150, Cessna 182, a Beech B36TC, and Cozy MkIV. From my first intro ride with my instructor (in his Extra 300) it took me just over a year (13 months) to get my license. I passed my Check ride in January which was very stressful. Now I just need to figure out how to make more money so I can enjoy my hobbies!

[AwkwardParrot]

[QUOTE=Rocketboy52;16754349]As far as flying I don't own a plane, I did have a Long EZ project for about a year but sold it to get $$$ for my pilot's license. At work I have access to a Grumman Tiger, and for training a co-worker let me rent his Piper Cherokee 140. I went flying with another co-worker in his 540 powered Lanceair Legacy and that was the most fun flying I've ever experienced! At work we have a Beechcraft Duchass twin that I been in and flown a bit, and my flight instructor has an Extra 300 that I went up for an aerobatic demonstration flight, which was also a SWEET ride! I've also flown a Cessna 172, Cessna 150, Cessna 182, a Beech B36TC, and Cozy MkIV. From my first intro ride with my instructor (in his Extra 300) it took me just over a year (13 months) to get my license. I passed my Check ride in January which was very stressful. QUOTE]

Thats awesome!

Originally Posted by Rocketboy52

Now I just need to figure out how to make more money so I can enjoy my hobbies!

....now that is an understatement.

Are you an A&P?

[Rocketboy52]

Originally Posted by AwkwardParrot

....now that is an understatement.
Are you an A&P?

I'm a Engineer working at Scaled Composites on the Rocket Motor that will power Virgin Galactic's Spaceship 2. I would love to get my A&P license, and have started to "log" my maintinence time when I help co-workers with their plane projects to qualify for my A&P. How about you, what do you own/fly? If you are able to afford flying regularly, what do you do for a living? Any tips?

[Rocketboy52]

One more sweet update that is a first for me!!!!
I did a 15 gallon water change 3 days ago and tested the water tonight. I've been using a Sailfert PO4 and Calcium tests and Red Sea test kit for ph, alk, and Nitrates. For the first time since I've started this hobby, I've gotten my nitrates to an acceptable level! I even checked it twice because I didn't believe it at first. I read 2.5ppm!!!
I've always been at or above 20ppm and I did a 25gallon water change a month ago and immediately after read 10ppm. Here it is a month later, and a 15gallon water change and I'm down to 2.5!!!

Other water params were:
Sal: 1.026
Temp: 76ºF
Alk: Normal
Ph: 8.4
Phos:0.01ppm
Nitrates: 2.5ppm
Calcium: 300ppm

I would like the Calicum to be higher so I'll start mixing more Mrs. Wages into my make up water. I just can't believe I'm that low on my Nitrates YEA!

[Lazylivin]

Throughly enjoyed the thread. It was neat to see where you came from and where you are today. Very nicely done.

[AwkwardParrot]

Originally Posted by Rocketboy52

I'm a Engineer working at Scaled Composites on the Rocket Motor that will power Virgin Galactic's Spaceship 2. I would love to get my A&P license, and have started to "log" my maintinence time when I help co-workers with their plane projects to qualify for my A&P. How about you, what do you own/fly? If you are able to afford flying regularly, what do you do for a living? Any tips?

I do fly, I currently rent....and am looking into buying, I spend $1000+ a month on renting, so Buying is about 1/2 with a hanger. As for being able to afford it...I work 55hrs a week as an A&P (7pm-8:30am sun-thurs morning). Its a lot, but I take it while I got it. As for tips, I research anything before I buy for my tank (that eats up the rest of my money/time), I look to buy things used or at cost, and I have a VERY VERY VERY understanding girlfriend.

P.S. Did I mention my girlfriend is very understanding?


Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBury!

[Rocketboy52]

Originally Posted by Lazylivin

Throughly enjoyed the thread. It was neat to see where you came from and where you are today. Very nicely done.

Thanks Lazy!

One of the things I'm really struggeling with right now is I keep having bad Cyno bacteria outbreaks. After cleaning the tank and getting the low nitrate reading, here we are a week later, and 50% of my sand bed is showing a medium developed red carpet. Even with the Nitrates down, I'm still growing the red. I never had a problem with it until I got a little speck on some chateo from my co-workers tank. I thought I cleaned it all off before I put it in my tank, but obviously it now loves my tank and I can't get rid of it. I'll try to take some pictures, who knows, maybe this red stuff aint cyano after all, but I'm pretty sure it is. Anyone know of a good article or resource about how to rid a tank of cyano once and for all?

Also, I recently found a bristle worm, pretty small in diameter, but I'm not sure how long he is, or how dangerous to the tank he is. Any articles about how to rid a tank of brsitle worms? I'll try to get a picture of that as well.

[Rocketboy52]

Originally Posted by AwkwardParrot

I do fly, I currently rent....and am looking into buying, I spend $1000+ a month on renting, so Buying is about 1/2 with a hanger. As for being able to afford it...I work 55hrs a week as an A&P (7pm-8:30am sun-thurs morning). Its a lot, but I take it while I got it. As for tips, I research anything before I buy for my tank (that eats up the rest of my money/time), I look to buy things used or at cost, and I have a VERY VERY VERY understanding girlfriend.

P.S. Did I mention my girlfriend is very understanding?


Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBury!

Congrats on the understanding girlfriend, do you work for an airline? Judgeing by the hours you work, I doubt you are supporting the local FBO, sounds like a comercial gig for sure.

[paja4]

Thanks for the great build thread. I'm planning on building a tank in a month or so! Going to be 24 x 24 x 24 cube, predominately sps I hope!

[wynford]

Rocketboy52, thanks for all the work on documenting your tank build. I am interested in getting some more information on the euro-bracing you did to your tank. I have a 75 gal, tank that the top frame is broken. I am trying to decide if it is worth going to the euro- bracing rather than replacing the plastic frame. I saw that you used 2.5 x 3/8 inch glass around the top, so I think that should work for me, as my tank is smaller. Where did you get your glass at, how did you cut it? How much does it cost? Did you polish the edges?

[AwkwardParrot]

Originally Posted by Rocketboy52

Congrats on the understanding girlfriend, do you work for an airline? Judgeing by the hours you work, I doubt you are supporting the local FBO, sounds like a comercial gig for sure.

I actually work for a local company, thats why I can work the hours I do.

[The Punisher]

Any updates on this tank?

[NanoReefWanabe]

Originally Posted by Rocketboy52

One more weird thing, I recently got a Singulaira frag from my buddy Lou. In his tank it was very fluffy and white, and it looked the same for the first day or two in my tank. Like this:
But after a couple of days, it got bigger, but the polyps don't extend the same way, and instead of looking like a brilliant white color its turned kind of pinkish red in my tank. Any thoughts on what this could mean?

it means you got a stressed bleached out colt coral and now it is liking its new home and showing its true colours...as for the size, softies can inflate and deflate quite a bit...not sure if it has to do with SG or light or temp ...what ever it is in your tank, it likes it far more then the other tank...

PS great set up and build...

[MrineLfRlz]

updates please

[truebeliever71]

I would love to hear of the updates too. I'm working on eurobracing a 120G tank. Please let me know how yours is holding up.

[beex215]

i really like the build of this tank. the euro bracing and stand. ive never seen 90g with those dimensions either. came out great looking