My 500 gallon propagation build - Page 2

dave.m · 02/23/2015, 10:58 AM

Get a PAR meter. Your eyes are not able to judge the necessary frequencies.

Dave.M

SPotter · 02/23/2015, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave.m

Get a PAR meter. Your eyes are not able to judge the necessary frequencies.

Dave.M

+1 you will be amazed at how much the intensity drops as you move away from the light. I think you'll need to lower it.

alexgv14 · 02/23/2015, 11:42 AM

Anybody have a par meter I could borrow. Or where I can get one for cheap. I know they are expensive and dont want to pay full price just to use it once and thats it.

worm5406 · 02/23/2015, 02:19 PM

Try your local Fish Club. Most have one to lend out or a person in the club that will bring it over and do the testing for you. Sometimes all you have to do is buy dinner...

Our club you have to set up a room for the PAR meters owner's son. So he can live at your place for a month. Not a bad trade off.

Just kidding.

alexgv14 · 02/23/2015, 02:27 PM

Haha. They should have a rental program on these things Im sure a lot of people have been in the same situation I have been in.

tidus10 · 02/23/2015, 04:06 PM

..Is that a ghost overflow on your current tank?!

....who do you know..

Man i wish i could build a building just for my tank thats awesome, love the build!

alexgv14 · 02/23/2015, 04:12 PM

Yes, it is a ghost overflow. I didn't really build a whole building just made another room lol. But it has been a fun undertaking thus far.

woodnaquanut · 02/24/2015, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexgv14

Its about 5 feet from the surface of the water. Somebody else correct me if I am wrong but I am pretty sure the Photon 32 even at that height should be able to penetrate a few inches of water and supply the amount of light an sps frag needs. As a matter of fact was planning to run them at about 30% intensity.

Sorry, I don't know that light and the website wasn't great about specs.

Light follows the inverse square law. Double the distance and get 1/4 the light. Considering how much light is on the wall to the left and well, the entire room, I'd say that light is way to high.

If you lowered it to just cover the tray, you'd get the max light to all parts of the tray.

Do you have or can you borrow a PAR meter? (edit: sorry, didn't see other posts!

)

You might want to pose your model better before taking the pic. It's not an especially flattering pic of the woman (your wife?).

alexgv14 · 02/24/2015, 02:03 PM

The picture is actually of my mother lol. I call her the project manager of the construction build because she is usually there when the workers are there. Since my wife and I work most of the day.

Does anyone know where I can find one of those longer metal strings used to hang the lights?

I got some 2' by 4' eggcrate and siliconed it on the growtray with pvc pipes.

dave.m · 02/24/2015, 02:40 PM

Just a word of warning on the white egg crate: coraline algae goes nuts for the stuff and grows all over it, which is okay except that your plugs then want to grow all over the coraline algae and can be difficult to remove. Black egg crate doesn't seem to have as many issues.

Dave.M

worm5406 · 02/24/2015, 02:41 PM

Go into any home store. Go to where the ceiling grid / tile is. They are there. They are used to hang gridwork up.

o2manyfish · 02/24/2015, 04:55 PM

I would not glue the egg crate to the bottom of the tanks. You will get algae growth on the egg crate and pulling them out to either bake in the sun, or clean off with a power washer will be a necessity.

Dave B

alexgv14 · 02/24/2015, 07:55 PM

Thanks worm5406 I'll check that out this weekend to see if I can find the length I need. o2manyfish I actually didn't glue it to the bottom of the grow tray I glued it to the pvc pipe which the whole thing can easily be removed.

o2manyfish · 02/25/2015, 10:57 AM

Alex --- Just making sure

-- If you are going to have lots of egg crate in each of the tanks - I would recommend investing in a couple of extra pieces of egg crate so you can switch them out as needed. And an inexpensive pressure washer is a great tool for cleaning the racks.

Dave B

alexgv14 · 02/26/2015, 09:36 PM

Made some pretty good progress. I took out my mated pair of phantom clownfish from my main display, and set them up in a ten gallon tank to see if I can attempt to collect and raise their children. All the water in the 10 gallon tank was from my main display tank. Also, bought a pair of lighting maroone clownfish from sea and reef aquaculture and set them up in another 10 gallon tank.

Put up a cabinet on the wall to house all my fish stuff, leveled all my tanks, and lowered the lights so that they are only 3 feet from the surface of the water. To level the tanks I used plastic shims across the bottom since the floor was slightly uneven. i put the shims about 3 inches apart.

Also, bulkreefsupply sent my the incorrect shipment of ATI T5 bulbs which I did not order. They are brand new and selling them for $15.00 dollars per bulb if anyone wants them feel free to send me a personal message.

2 actinic 80 watt
2 aqua blue special 80 watt
2 blue plus 80 watt
2 coral plus 80 watt

alexgv14 · 02/28/2015, 10:43 PM

Progress is coming right along. I got the tanks today here are some pics.

All three of the tanks are identical

Sump is nice I think the eggcrate should come over on the side that has the plastic fins pointing up I think.

My lizard friend he always hangs out by this timmer at night for the past year.

alexgv14 · 03/01/2015, 07:37 PM

Set up the tanks and their stands nice and level and took some pics of the 1.5" and 1" holes.

ghellin · 03/02/2015, 11:18 AM

Looking great keep the pics coming!

alexgv14 · 03/04/2015, 03:59 PM

The plumbing has begun... I am using 1 inch return and 1 1/2 inch drain on all the tanks. Each tank has its own drain line back to the sump except the grow tray is combined with one other tank.

Starting applying window film to the large windows to help keep some of the heat out.

alexgv14 · 03/05/2015, 12:46 PM

We shall see how well this locline ball valve works.

alexgv14 · 03/08/2015, 08:38 PM

The tanks are wet! I did a lot of work plumbing this week and fixing leaky bulkhead. Took a long time to get everything setup. I purchased the jebao rw-20 pumps and man those things are strong.

These rubber gloves were life saving for tighting up the bulkheads

woodnaquanut · 03/08/2015, 08:51 PM

I'm impressed with how fast you got that done. Less than 30 days from screen porch to fish room. That must be an RC record!!

Nice skimmer. Is that the cleaning brush sitting in front of it?

alexgv14 · 03/08/2015, 09:04 PM

It did go by pretty quick. Pretty happy with how things came out. Just need to add the lights and make some minor adjustment and wait for it to get ready.

That's Daisy she's a good girl. She even posed for the picture.

woodnaquanut · 03/09/2015, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexgv14

That's Daisy she's a good girl. She even posed for the picture.

But she is just about the right size to clean that massive skimmer!

alexgv14 · 03/13/2015, 11:03 AM

built all of my durso standpipes a few days ago. I didn't have a durso before and it was just way to loud. This is much more silent.

02/23/2015, 10:58 AM	#26
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	Get a PAR meter. Your eyes are not able to judge the necessary frequencies. Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

02/23/2015, 02:19 PM	#29
worm5406 Not afriad to admit wrong Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South of WashDC in Maryland Posts: 7,774	Try your local Fish Club. Most have one to lend out or a person in the club that will bring it over and do the testing for you. Sometimes all you have to do is buy dinner... Our club you have to set up a room for the PAR meters owner's son. So he can live at your place for a month. Not a bad trade off. Just kidding. __________________ Stock:LPS/SPS\|1 hippo\|4 OC Clown\|4 Pepp shrimp\|2 Brittle Star\|3000+ Copepods\|10+ MiniBrittle\|8+ Bristle Worm\|2 Anemone\|100+ mini-feather\|4 boys 14,21,22,22 Current Tank Info: Tank:300g Mixed Reef 300+lb LR\|4" LS\|5x MP40W\|75g fuge\|5x RadionPRO\|RO DB250 skimmer\|Apex

02/23/2015, 04:06 PM	#31
tidus10 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Oswego, Ny Posts: 610	..Is that a ghost overflow on your current tank?! ....who do you know.. Man i wish i could build a building just for my tank thats awesome, love the build! __________________ Support your local Reef Club! Upstate Ny - Lake Ontario Reef Society Current: 40B- Fish, Water, Rocks, Sand, Pumps, Heaters, Skimmer, Coral 93C build coming soon

02/24/2015, 02:40 PM	#35
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	Just a word of warning on the white egg crate: coraline algae goes nuts for the stuff and grows all over it, which is okay except that your plugs then want to grow all over the coraline algae and can be difficult to remove. Black egg crate doesn't seem to have as many issues. Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

02/24/2015, 02:41 PM	#36
worm5406 Not afriad to admit wrong Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South of WashDC in Maryland Posts: 7,774	Go into any home store. Go to where the ceiling grid / tile is. They are there. They are used to hang gridwork up. __________________ Stock:LPS/SPS\|1 hippo\|4 OC Clown\|4 Pepp shrimp\|2 Brittle Star\|3000+ Copepods\|10+ MiniBrittle\|8+ Bristle Worm\|2 Anemone\|100+ mini-feather\|4 boys 14,21,22,22 Current Tank Info: Tank:300g Mixed Reef 300+lb LR\|4" LS\|5x MP40W\|75g fuge\|5x RadionPRO\|RO DB250 skimmer\|Apex

02/23/2015, 11:42 AM	#28
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	Anybody have a par meter I could borrow. Or where I can get one for cheap. I know they are expensive and dont want to pay full price just to use it once and thats it.

02/23/2015, 02:27 PM	#30
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	Haha. They should have a rental program on these things Im sure a lot of people have been in the same situation I have been in.

02/23/2015, 04:12 PM	#32
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	Yes, it is a ghost overflow. I didn't really build a whole building just made another room lol. But it has been a fun undertaking thus far.

02/24/2015, 02:03 PM	#34
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	The picture is actually of my mother lol. I call her the project manager of the construction build because she is usually there when the workers are there. Since my wife and I work most of the day. Does anyone know where I can find one of those longer metal strings used to hang the lights? I got some 2' by 4' eggcrate and siliconed it on the growtray with pvc pipes.

02/24/2015, 04:55 PM	#37
o2manyfish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Encino, CA Posts: 6,199	I would not glue the egg crate to the bottom of the tanks. You will get algae growth on the egg crate and pulling them out to either bake in the sun, or clean off with a power washer will be a necessity. Dave B __________________ 560g Display. 1500g System Volume. (2) 180g Outdoor Frag Tanks. 340g Sump, 30g 2 story surge tank. Dasatco EXT 9. Bubble King Skimmer. Ozone. UV. 5' Fluidized Sand Filter. Avast Kalk Mixer. Current Tank Info: 560g SPS Dominant Reef / 1500g Total System

02/24/2015, 07:55 PM	#38
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	Thanks worm5406 I'll check that out this weekend to see if I can find the length I need. o2manyfish I actually didn't glue it to the bottom of the grow tray I glued it to the pvc pipe which the whole thing can easily be removed.

02/25/2015, 10:57 AM	#39
o2manyfish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Encino, CA Posts: 6,199	Alex --- Just making sure -- If you are going to have lots of egg crate in each of the tanks - I would recommend investing in a couple of extra pieces of egg crate so you can switch them out as needed. And an inexpensive pressure washer is a great tool for cleaning the racks. Dave B __________________ 560g Display. 1500g System Volume. (2) 180g Outdoor Frag Tanks. 340g Sump, 30g 2 story surge tank. Dasatco EXT 9. Bubble King Skimmer. Ozone. UV. 5' Fluidized Sand Filter. Avast Kalk Mixer. Current Tank Info: 560g SPS Dominant Reef / 1500g Total System

02/26/2015, 09:36 PM	#40
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	Made some pretty good progress. I took out my mated pair of phantom clownfish from my main display, and set them up in a ten gallon tank to see if I can attempt to collect and raise their children. All the water in the 10 gallon tank was from my main display tank. Also, bought a pair of lighting maroone clownfish from sea and reef aquaculture and set them up in another 10 gallon tank. Put up a cabinet on the wall to house all my fish stuff, leveled all my tanks, and lowered the lights so that they are only 3 feet from the surface of the water. To level the tanks I used plastic shims across the bottom since the floor was slightly uneven. i put the shims about 3 inches apart. Also, bulkreefsupply sent my the incorrect shipment of ATI T5 bulbs which I did not order. They are brand new and selling them for $15.00 dollars per bulb if anyone wants them feel free to send me a personal message. 2 actinic 80 watt 2 aqua blue special 80 watt 2 blue plus 80 watt 2 coral plus 80 watt Last edited by alexgv14; 02/26/2015 at 09:39 PM. Reason: removed duplicate picture

02/28/2015, 10:43 PM	#41
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	Progress is coming right along. I got the tanks today here are some pics. All three of the tanks are identical Sump is nice I think the eggcrate should come over on the side that has the plastic fins pointing up I think. My lizard friend he always hangs out by this timmer at night for the past year.

03/01/2015, 07:37 PM	#42
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	Set up the tanks and their stands nice and level and took some pics of the 1.5" and 1" holes.

03/02/2015, 11:18 AM	#43
ghellin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Edmond Posts: 1,844	Looking great keep the pics coming! __________________ 180. SRO 3000INT w/ANC. Fluval SP4. Gyre. DIY LED's/T5s. Apex. Bluefish. Clams. Tangs. SPS.

03/04/2015, 03:59 PM	#44
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	The plumbing has begun... I am using 1 inch return and 1 1/2 inch drain on all the tanks. Each tank has its own drain line back to the sump except the grow tray is combined with one other tank. Starting applying window film to the large windows to help keep some of the heat out.

03/05/2015, 12:46 PM	#45
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	We shall see how well this locline ball valve works.

03/08/2015, 08:38 PM	#46
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	The tanks are wet! I did a lot of work plumbing this week and fixing leaky bulkhead. Took a long time to get everything setup. I purchased the jebao rw-20 pumps and man those things are strong. These rubber gloves were life saving for tighting up the bulkheads

03/08/2015, 08:51 PM	#47
woodnaquanut Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 2,727	I'm impressed with how fast you got that done. Less than 30 days from screen porch to fish room. That must be an RC record!! Nice skimmer. Is that the cleaning brush sitting in front of it? __________________ John DT 120G. mixed reef w/ lots of automation + assorted FW and SW tanks.

03/08/2015, 09:04 PM	#48
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	It did go by pretty quick. Pretty happy with how things came out. Just need to add the lights and make some minor adjustment and wait for it to get ready. That's Daisy she's a good girl. She even posed for the picture.

03/13/2015, 11:03 AM	#50
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	built all of my durso standpipes a few days ago. I didn't have a durso before and it was just way to loud. This is much more silent.