NOT SO TOTM TANK TOUR... help me improve my tank (pics included)

giller · 03/27/2008, 09:28 AM

These are pictures of the nuts and bolts of my filtration system. The system is a 6' 135 that has been set up since I got into this hobby six years ago. The cabunet dimensions are 72x18x27. As you will see the filtration is somewhat a patchwork of equipment from when I knew nothing in my early days that I am constantly fighting with to keep my levels in check. If there is anything that offends you know that you are only making the system better. Tough love can be tolerated in this forum. I just want to make things as good as I invisioned them being when I got into the hobby.

What I am striving for in my system is a really clean, "crisp" to use a word I like to use, FOWLR. Basically coralline algae, really clean, clear water, pretty much a modern reef without the corals. Corals have never done much for me and I would rather not add an extra variable at this time that I will not appreciate. Plus I like butterflys and angels too much. The system will be stocked on the heavier side with smaller fish (wrasses, gobies, cardinals, pygmys, etc).

After trading out once small fish that had become huge I am left with this current fish list...

-Powder Blue Tang
-Semi BF
-percula clown (will be finding a mate)
-3 huge blue/green chromis
-1 yellowtail damsel
-1 diamond sandsifter goby

SO here is the system...

This first picture is the left side of the cabinet. The sump is a tiny little wet/dry. The first bulkhead is the main inlet from the over flow (white flex hose). Right nest to it is the main return powered by a Pentair "Quiet One" pump, not sur eof the rating as this was a hand me down. The bulkhead to the far right is an inlet for the closed loop. I think you can see it at the top of the photo and the sand is getting changed out to a finer grain (very slow process). The red/grey valve is the valve for the skimmer. Bags ont eh bottom are carbon and nitrate sponge. There are an abundance of sponges and I still have bioballs which I thin could be contributing to my consistant nitrate problems. I am thinking of making my own sump to create and actualy bubble trap that doesnt produce lots of nitrate, suggestions on size and blueprint are welcome.

This is the right side of the cabinet. Right bulkhead is another inlet of the closed loop and the left bulkhead is the return. So green tubing is in and brown tubing is out. The return is an Iwaki 30RLT. The canister filter has the standard filter that come with it and carbon in the middle. UV is a corallife turbo twist which will probably be gotten rid of as I am not sure of the flow rate through it to actually have it do something and I havent done matinence on it in a long while. I believe I need to increase the flow in my tank the main retun off of the "quiet one" the closed loop 30RLT and a seio 1500 powerhead (again hand me down) is the only flow in the tank

Final picture is the skimmer PM Bullet 2. Opinions on the skimmer good/bad/more capacity for bioload are also appreciated.

I feel like I have just given everyone a tour of my dirty laundry but improvements must be made. Thanks to anyone who decides to help out, it is really appreciated

- Dave

Mattmcf · 03/27/2008, 09:39 AM

if i were you i would lose the bio-balls (they can be a nitrate factory), up the flow in the tank, and service your UV sterilizer. If you are concerned about the flow rate through the UV you can plumb it with a ball valve in front of the intake and control the flow then have it return into your sump. With a FOWLR the key in my eyes would be a good regiment of water changes. Good luck, and keep us posted!

giller · 03/27/2008, 10:27 AM

Mattmcf,

Thanks for your reply. Do you think that I would be better served to up the flow via an upgrade in my external Iwaki return for the closed loop or to invest in higher grade powerheads like Tunze. What type of pump would you recommend for the better option?

Also (and this is for anyone else who wishes to comment), the main return off of the side of the overflow box, which seems to be a pretty standard setup. Is there a way to mod a wavysea to this or would the return need to go up in back of the tank and be mounted on the side of the aquarium. If this is the case I dont think I could work one of these and there is bracing on the top of the tank (acrylic) with 2 holes cut into it.

Thanks again to everyone in advance for your help.

- Dave

Anemonebuff · 03/27/2008, 11:29 AM

I would use tunze or vortechs. They have wider flow with higher flow rates at less power consumption. Plus they are able to be used on wave controllers.

Anemonebuff · 03/27/2008, 11:29 AM

I would use tunze or vortechs. They have wider flow with higher flow rates at less power consumption. Plus they are able to be used on wave controllers.

Shekki · 03/27/2008, 12:09 PM

I have sea swirls on my tank that has euro bracing all around. You can just use double sided tape to stick them down. Mine are plumbed with pvc pipe which makes things very sturdy. I like them because there are no cords in the tank. That should be all you need for FOWLR.

gman0526 · 03/27/2008, 12:20 PM

You're not in bad shape as far as equipm,ent goes for what you want. I would loose the bio-ball tower and turn the filter into an algae filter, nothing fancy just throw some chaeto with a light over it, you might need to add some kind of baffles though.

I agree that you need to increase overall flow in the tank, loose the Ocean Clear and just go straight up and if some kind of propeller pump is out of the question then set up your return with an eductor since your pump (if I recall correctly) is preassure rated.

The skimmer is more than appropiate, maybe want to skim more wet than that, just keep in mind that you'll be loosing more SW that way.

Good luck, keep us posted.

giller · 03/27/2008, 04:12 PM

Shekki,

Do you mean you stick them down to the euro bracing on the top of the tank or the side of the overflow. Right now the return comes up from inside of the overflow to a normal "lock-line" like hose. Im trying to take that hose off and just run the current return line into the wavysea and attach it to the side of the overflow. It would likely be mostly submersed in water if that makes a difference.

Gman,

1. Like I said I was thinking of making a sump. Do you think that would be better if I am going to be making baffles anyway? Plus its getting kinda crammed in there

2. If I got rid of the ocean clear how would you suggest I make up for the lack of carbon? Some sort of reactor like 2LF or something? Also, by propeller pump or eductor are you referring to the main return or the closed loop return? And if you could give me an example of what you mean, are you talking about upgrading the pump?

3. By skimming more wet do you mean openning the return valve for the skimmer more to raise the water level in the skimmer? The skimmer is producing some brown water that looks like merky apple juice, nothing like the black cude that some of your guys pull out that looks like machine oil? Is there something I can adjust to get this skimmate, ie. get the most out of the skimmer?

Thanks for all of your help everyone.

- Dave

wewerehere · 03/27/2008, 04:17 PM

if you actually planned on making a custom sump or anything then definitely check out melevsreef.com awesome setups

bsagecko · 03/27/2008, 04:40 PM

keep the bioballs just clean them like 2 months........i would get rid of the sterlizer and only use it when you have actual problems...i would get rid of all that sponge stuff and have the sponges before the bio-balls that way all the naste stuff doesnt get in them causeing hte so called "nitrate factories".....i would maybe add a fuge after the bioballs since the skimmer is external........also i would only use the canister filter to run carbon and phosphate sponge periodically.............

If you have any other plans let me know........i have studied filteration systems for 3 years............and i know a lil about everything out there from diatom to algae scrubber to the new skimmers

gman0526 · 03/27/2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by giller

Gman,

1. Like I said I was thinking of making a sump. Do you think that would be better if I am going to be making baffles anyway? Plus its getting kinda crammed in there

2. If I got rid of the ocean clear how would you suggest I make up for the lack of carbon? Some sort of reactor like 2LF or something? Also, by propeller pump or eductor are you referring to the main return or the closed loop return? And if you could give me an example of what you mean, are you talking about upgrading the pump?

3. By skimming more wet do you mean openning the return valve for the skimmer more to raise the water level in the skimmer? The skimmer is producing some brown water that looks like merky apple juice, nothing like the black cude that some of your guys pull out that looks like machine oil? Is there something I can adjust to get this skimmate, ie. get the most out of the skimmer?

Thanks for all of your help everyone.

- Dave

1) It will depend on what you're able to do with the space you have available if you'd rather make a new sump, then by all means do so.

2) A propeller pump is a pump like a SEIO, Korallias, Vortechs &/or Tunzes Stream, basically a powerhead with a propeller for widespread flow. An eductor is a flow increasing device, it attaches to the end of your return line. Dirt cheap @ around $35 more or less

Check this thread, no need to upgrade the pump at all either way.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=372881

Carbon you can put in a media reactor if you must, but make sure you change it at least every 2 weeks. If you are DIY inclined you can build one inexpensively with PVC parts.

3) Exactly, I would think you'd have to close the valve some more so the bubble column will be higher on the skimmer's neck. As far as the color of skimmate that's irrelevant you'll get skimmate based on your tank's wastes, don't mind that at all that will tell you nothing.

Anything else let me know. HTH

ACBlinky · 03/27/2008, 06:31 PM

I think what you're aiming for is basically a reef-like setup, just without the corals. What I'd do is start to treat the tank as though it was a reef -- change the canister & wet/dry to a sump/refugium, fill the fuge with chaeto, and for extra-clear water you can use a filter sock. Carbon and other filter media can always be placed between baffles, or in a mesh bag inside the filter sock -- anywhere there's good flow is fine.

If you're diligent about scraping algae, changing the filter sock and keeping NO3 & PO4 as low as possible, you should see the tank you want start to materialize quite quickly

rhoptowit · 03/27/2008, 07:02 PM

im not diggin how that iwaki is plumbed in

Reeftanks6 · 03/27/2008, 07:07 PM

Very nice set-up.

giller · 03/27/2008, 07:08 PM

haha rhoptowit,

I know what you mean...what do we think of eliminating the canister and UV and just go straight up to the closed loop outlet?

I have also been suggested to add an eductor.

Thanks to everyone for your help. I will keep updating as things progress.

giller · 03/27/2008, 07:14 PM

why thank you reeftanks

I will share a secret that my father and I did all this without knowing anything. Its like we relived all of the advancments in the hobby haha.

For example my dad was like...

What if we set up a seperate pump cycle to increase random flow? huh good idea we should try it!

... then I found out about reefcentral and come to find out its called a closed loop haha. We thought we were so inventive thinking of it and come to find out we were way late.

Reeftanks6 · 03/27/2008, 07:22 PM

LOL yea i have found lots of information on this site. I thank everybody for it.

giller · 03/28/2008, 09:20 AM

anyone else?

And yes ACB that is exactly what I am aiming for. I think this would be a good thread for anyone looking to take their tank to the next level.

giller · 03/28/2008, 11:49 AM

To make this thread more interesting a few fish pics and some others some are kinda washed out b/c of the flash...

Semi BF that Ive had for about 3 years

Powder Blue for 4 years

Threespot I had for about 2 years that got huge and was traded off unfortunately. had lots of personality

Pair of Potters that I unfortunately lost. The big guy died of flukes I believe judging from his last days and the tiny guy got bossed around by a make crosshatch and I could never get him out, really frustrating

Me doing what I love best besides fish tanks accompanied by a big old striper..actually I think this is the smallest one we caught all summer. Tuna season was real slow but these guys were all over the place.

Finally two of like 40 huge humpbacks that we would see everyday.

03/27/2008, 09:28 AM	#1
giller Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: swampscott Posts: 103	NOT SO TOTM TANK TOUR... help me improve my tank (pics included) These are pictures of the nuts and bolts of my filtration system. The system is a 6' 135 that has been set up since I got into this hobby six years ago. The cabunet dimensions are 72x18x27. As you will see the filtration is somewhat a patchwork of equipment from when I knew nothing in my early days that I am constantly fighting with to keep my levels in check. If there is anything that offends you know that you are only making the system better. Tough love can be tolerated in this forum. I just want to make things as good as I invisioned them being when I got into the hobby. What I am striving for in my system is a really clean, "crisp" to use a word I like to use, FOWLR. Basically coralline algae, really clean, clear water, pretty much a modern reef without the corals. Corals have never done much for me and I would rather not add an extra variable at this time that I will not appreciate. Plus I like butterflys and angels too much. The system will be stocked on the heavier side with smaller fish (wrasses, gobies, cardinals, pygmys, etc). After trading out once small fish that had become huge I am left with this current fish list... -Powder Blue Tang -Semi BF -percula clown (will be finding a mate) -3 huge blue/green chromis -1 yellowtail damsel -1 diamond sandsifter goby SO here is the system... This first picture is the left side of the cabinet. The sump is a tiny little wet/dry. The first bulkhead is the main inlet from the over flow (white flex hose). Right nest to it is the main return powered by a Pentair "Quiet One" pump, not sur eof the rating as this was a hand me down. The bulkhead to the far right is an inlet for the closed loop. I think you can see it at the top of the photo and the sand is getting changed out to a finer grain (very slow process). The red/grey valve is the valve for the skimmer. Bags ont eh bottom are carbon and nitrate sponge. There are an abundance of sponges and I still have bioballs which I thin could be contributing to my consistant nitrate problems. I am thinking of making my own sump to create and actualy bubble trap that doesnt produce lots of nitrate, suggestions on size and blueprint are welcome. This is the right side of the cabinet. Right bulkhead is another inlet of the closed loop and the left bulkhead is the return. So green tubing is in and brown tubing is out. The return is an Iwaki 30RLT. The canister filter has the standard filter that come with it and carbon in the middle. UV is a corallife turbo twist which will probably be gotten rid of as I am not sure of the flow rate through it to actually have it do something and I havent done matinence on it in a long while. I believe I need to increase the flow in my tank the main retun off of the "quiet one" the closed loop 30RLT and a seio 1500 powerhead (again hand me down) is the only flow in the tank Final picture is the skimmer PM Bullet 2. Opinions on the skimmer good/bad/more capacity for bioload are also appreciated. I feel like I have just given everyone a tour of my dirty laundry but improvements must be made. Thanks to anyone who decides to help out, it is really appreciated - Dave

03/27/2008, 12:09 PM	#6
Shekki Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ocean City, MD Posts: 651	I have sea swirls on my tank that has euro bracing all around. You can just use double sided tape to stick them down. Mine are plumbed with pvc pipe which makes things very sturdy. I like them because there are no cords in the tank. That should be all you need for FOWLR. __________________ Elos mini reef Current Tank Info: Elos mini, reefkeeper 2, Vortech MP20, ice cap moonlight, Reef Fanatic ATO

03/27/2008, 12:20 PM	#7
gman0526 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 1,278	You're not in bad shape as far as equipm,ent goes for what you want. I would loose the bio-ball tower and turn the filter into an algae filter, nothing fancy just throw some chaeto with a light over it, you might need to add some kind of baffles though. I agree that you need to increase overall flow in the tank, loose the Ocean Clear and just go straight up and if some kind of propeller pump is out of the question then set up your return with an eductor since your pump (if I recall correctly) is preassure rated. The skimmer is more than appropiate, maybe want to skim more wet than that, just keep in mind that you'll be loosing more SW that way. Good luck, keep us posted. __________________ "If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." A.E. Current Tank Info: 75 G BB tank

03/27/2008, 04:40 PM	#10
bsagecko Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,752	keep the bioballs just clean them like 2 months........i would get rid of the sterlizer and only use it when you have actual problems...i would get rid of all that sponge stuff and have the sponges before the bio-balls that way all the naste stuff doesnt get in them causeing hte so called "nitrate factories".....i would maybe add a fuge after the bioballs since the skimmer is external........also i would only use the canister filter to run carbon and phosphate sponge periodically............. If you have any other plans let me know........i have studied filteration systems for 3 years............and i know a lil about everything out there from diatom to algae scrubber to the new skimmers __________________ There are three things that will never be believed- the true, the probable, the logical (Steinbeck) Obey little, Resist much Current Tank Info: 24g AIO

03/27/2008, 06:31 PM	#12
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	I think what you're aiming for is basically a reef-like setup, just without the corals. What I'd do is start to treat the tank as though it was a reef -- change the canister & wet/dry to a sump/refugium, fill the fuge with chaeto, and for extra-clear water you can use a filter sock. Carbon and other filter media can always be placed between baffles, or in a mesh bag inside the filter sock -- anywhere there's good flow is fine. If you're diligent about scraping algae, changing the filter sock and keeping NO3 & PO4 as low as possible, you should see the tank you want start to materialize quite quickly __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

03/27/2008, 09:39 AM	#2
Mattmcf Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 299	if i were you i would lose the bio-balls (they can be a nitrate factory), up the flow in the tank, and service your UV sterilizer. If you are concerned about the flow rate through the UV you can plumb it with a ball valve in front of the intake and control the flow then have it return into your sump. With a FOWLR the key in my eyes would be a good regiment of water changes. Good luck, and keep us posted!

03/27/2008, 10:27 AM	#3
giller Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: swampscott Posts: 103	Mattmcf, Thanks for your reply. Do you think that I would be better served to up the flow via an upgrade in my external Iwaki return for the closed loop or to invest in higher grade powerheads like Tunze. What type of pump would you recommend for the better option? Also (and this is for anyone else who wishes to comment), the main return off of the side of the overflow box, which seems to be a pretty standard setup. Is there a way to mod a wavysea to this or would the return need to go up in back of the tank and be mounted on the side of the aquarium. If this is the case I dont think I could work one of these and there is bracing on the top of the tank (acrylic) with 2 holes cut into it. Thanks again to everyone in advance for your help. - Dave

03/27/2008, 11:29 AM	#4
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	I would use tunze or vortechs. They have wider flow with higher flow rates at less power consumption. Plus they are able to be used on wave controllers.

03/27/2008, 04:12 PM	#8
giller Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: swampscott Posts: 103	Shekki, Do you mean you stick them down to the euro bracing on the top of the tank or the side of the overflow. Right now the return comes up from inside of the overflow to a normal "lock-line" like hose. Im trying to take that hose off and just run the current return line into the wavysea and attach it to the side of the overflow. It would likely be mostly submersed in water if that makes a difference. Gman, 1. Like I said I was thinking of making a sump. Do you think that would be better if I am going to be making baffles anyway? Plus its getting kinda crammed in there 2. If I got rid of the ocean clear how would you suggest I make up for the lack of carbon? Some sort of reactor like 2LF or something? Also, by propeller pump or eductor are you referring to the main return or the closed loop return? And if you could give me an example of what you mean, are you talking about upgrading the pump? 3. By skimming more wet do you mean openning the return valve for the skimmer more to raise the water level in the skimmer? The skimmer is producing some brown water that looks like merky apple juice, nothing like the black cude that some of your guys pull out that looks like machine oil? Is there something I can adjust to get this skimmate, ie. get the most out of the skimmer? Thanks for all of your help everyone. - Dave

03/27/2008, 04:17 PM	#9
wewerehere Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 319	if you actually planned on making a custom sump or anything then definitely check out melevsreef.com awesome setups

03/27/2008, 07:02 PM	#13
rhoptowit Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 415	im not diggin how that iwaki is plumbed in

03/27/2008, 07:07 PM	#14
Reeftanks6 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: PA Posts: 3,857	Very nice set-up. __________________ 110g Reef build in progress Current Tank Info: 110 Gallon Reef

03/27/2008, 07:08 PM	#15
giller Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: swampscott Posts: 103	haha rhoptowit, I know what you mean...what do we think of eliminating the canister and UV and just go straight up to the closed loop outlet? I have also been suggested to add an eductor. Thanks to everyone for your help. I will keep updating as things progress.

03/27/2008, 07:14 PM	#16
giller Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: swampscott Posts: 103	why thank you reeftanks I will share a secret that my father and I did all this without knowing anything. Its like we relived all of the advancments in the hobby haha. For example my dad was like... What if we set up a seperate pump cycle to increase random flow? huh good idea we should try it! ... then I found out about reefcentral and come to find out its called a closed loop haha. We thought we were so inventive thinking of it and come to find out we were way late.

03/27/2008, 07:22 PM	#17
Reeftanks6 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: PA Posts: 3,857	LOL yea i have found lots of information on this site. I thank everybody for it. __________________ 110g Reef build in progress Current Tank Info: 110 Gallon Reef

03/28/2008, 09:20 AM	#18
giller Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: swampscott Posts: 103	anyone else? And yes ACB that is exactly what I am aiming for. I think this would be a good thread for anyone looking to take their tank to the next level.

03/28/2008, 11:49 AM	#19
giller Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: swampscott Posts: 103	To make this thread more interesting a few fish pics and some others some are kinda washed out b/c of the flash... Semi BF that Ive had for about 3 years Powder Blue for 4 years Threespot I had for about 2 years that got huge and was traded off unfortunately. had lots of personality Pair of Potters that I unfortunately lost. The big guy died of flukes I believe judging from his last days and the tiny guy got bossed around by a make crosshatch and I could never get him out, really frustrating Me doing what I love best besides fish tanks accompanied by a big old striper..actually I think this is the smallest one we caught all summer. Tuna season was real slow but these guys were all over the place. Finally two of like 40 huge humpbacks that we would see everyday.